Behind Her Identity

Hatcling 6: Sparks and Shadows

Out on the field, I stretched, trying to loosen my stiff limbs.

Running was supposed to thrill me—usually it did—but after everything that had happened earlier, exhaustion clung to me like a heavy cloak.

“They’re watching!” a classmate shrieked.

I didn’t need to turn around. I already knew who they were.

Still… my eyes betrayed me.

I searched instinctively for the rude guy.

The moment I saw him, the stone embedded in my forehead flared like fire.

“Miss Trovato!”

I snapped to attention, heart hammering in my chest.

“Position!”

I lined up with my classmates, ready to compete.

“Ready—”

“Set—”

“Go!”

I surged forward, each step instinctive, fluid, as if the field itself guided me. Before I even realized it, I was ahead of everyone.

Then—a flash. I saw a sudden vision.

A ball, speeding straight toward that guy.

My steps faltered.

It seems no one else noticed—but I did.

Without thinking, my body moved on its own. I sprinted, lungs burning, arms outstretched, and caught the ball midair.

Gasps erupted around me.

“…Watch it!” I yelled very embarrased, flicking the ball back sharply.

Then I ran again, faster than before, every stride fueled by adrenaline.

When I crossed the finish line, I was first—again.

Collapsing onto the grass beside Hotaru, I panted, chest heaving.

But the stares didn’t stop.

I could feel them—heavy, unrelenting.

Something had shifted. Everything had shifted.

____________

“Attention seeker!” Rikka’s finger jabbed at me, her glare cutting deep. “You’ve only been at my school for a few days, and you’re already trying to steal Fierro from me!”

Her accusation made me feel like a criminal caught in the act of a grave sin. I covered my face with my hands, exasperated. After the field incident yesterday, I half-expected this reaction from her. Luckily, Aunt Glenda wasn’t home yet, so she wouldn’t overhear her daughter’s outburst.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered, trying to slip past her.

“Grrr! You act so innocent, yet you’re such a flirt!” Rikka’s voice carried across the neighborhood, making it clear everyone nearby had heard.

“Rikka, I’m not doing what you’re accusing me of, okay?” I said, forcing my temper down as I moved toward the kitchen. She followed, persistent.

“Then why are they chasing you?” she roared.

I shrugged. I had no idea. I was just a normal person trying to live a quiet, peaceful life.

“Liar!” she yelled again, convinced she had me cornered.

I sighed and let her fuss as I cooked. My eyes unconsciously drifted to the flames of the stove. Fire had a strange way of captivating me, making the world shrink down to its warm, flickering light.

“Kaori, are you even listening?!” Rikka snapped. “Stop staring at the fire like some weirdo!”

I scratched the back of my head and glanced at her.

“Tsk tsk! Why am I wasting my time on you? You’re such a weird girl—no one will ever like you except your equally weird best friend!” She finally left me alone.

I shrugged. She wasn’t wrong. Only Hotaru had ever accepted me as a friend.

____________

Dinner passed without incident. The mother and daughter seemed to have lost their energy for lecturing me.

“How’s your new school?” Aunt Glenda asked gently, surprising me.

Rikka raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed at her mother’s tone. She had always known how her mother treated me. I was adopted by Aunt Glenda and her late husband, Daddy Rex. If you’re wondering why I called her Aunt, it was because she refused to be called “Mama”—she wasn’t my birth mother.

“I-I’m doing fine,” I stammered.

Aunt Glenda silently nodded, then turned to Rikka. “And you? How’s school going?”

“Hehe, I passed my math test today! I got 75!” Rikka announced proudly.

I couldn’t help laughing. She rarely passed anything, so this was a small victory worth celebrating.

“Tsk! Sometimes I don’t know where you got that brain of yours, child,” Aunt Glenda said in despair.

“Duh, probably from you,” Rikka shot back, earning a heavy smack on the head.

_______

After dinner, I was startled when Rikka suddenly grabbed the dishes and started cleaning. She only did that when she wanted a favor.

I raised an eyebrow. When she finished, she clung to my arm.

“Uhmm… Kaori?” she said shyly. I looked at her, waiting. “Since the special class keeps coming to you, could you… introduce me to Fierro?” Her eyes pleaded.

I sighed. Fierro? Who was that?

Rikka must have seen my confusion. “The handsome, super popular guy from the special class,” she explained sweetly. A frown creased my brow as I imagined a grumpy, aloof boy.

I scratched my head. This favor was going to be complicated.

“Please, Kaori…” she pressed her hands together. I had no choice but to nod.

“Kyaaah!” she squealed and dashed to her room, leaving me behind.

I almost hit myself for agreeing. Now I had to figure out how to make this happen.