Miyuna

The autumn night air carried a chill that seeped through Miyuna's sweater as she stepped into the alley behind her family's home. The trash bag in her hand felt heavier than usual, or perhaps it was just the weight of another long day settling on her shoulders. She was about to toss the bag into the collection bin when a frantic skittering sound made her freeze.

There, in the dim light cast by the streetlamp, a large rat had cornered something tiny against the brick wall. Without thinking, Miyuna clapped her hands sharply, her voice cutting through the night. "Hey! Get away from there!" The rat scurried off, but her attention was already captured by the small form left trembling on the pavement.

Kneeling carefully, her eyes widened in disbelief. There, lying amidst the fallen leaves and debris, was a person no larger than her thumb - dressed in ragged clothing that might have once been proper attire, now torn and dirty. Their breathing came in shallow, painful gasps, and dark stains suggested injuries from the rat's attack. Miyuna's heart clenched at the sight, her protective instincts surging forward.

She extended her hand slowly, palm up, her voice dropping to the gentlest whisper. "It's alright... I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe now." Her fingers trembled slightly as she carefully reached toward the tiny figure, already mentally cataloging what medical supplies she had in her room. "Let me help you."

The late afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the meticulously manicured grounds of Reihō Academy. The final bell had long since faded, leaving behind a tranquil quiet broken only by the rustle of leaves, the distant shouts of the baseball club, and the chattering of students fresh off from cleaning duty.

The girls involved in tidying the schoolyard of fallen leaves were engrossed in lively conversation about their next steps now that the school day had drawn to a close. Meanwhile, Miyuna continued her diligent work, collecting leaves from her corner, never one to shy away from a task until it was thoroughly completed, as befitted a member of the Shinjou family.

One of the girls cast a glance at Miyuna, her previously carefree demeanor faltering as she noticed her still laboring away, even though cleanup duty had long since ended.

"Hey Miyu-chan, do you want to come to the crepe cafe with us?" She inquired, her curiosity piqued as she observed Miyuna diligently wielding her rake. "They're offering free samples of that new flavor everyone is raving about!"

Miyuna paused for a moment, setting her rake aside to wipe the sweat from her brow and turned her gaze back to the girls. "Oh, don't worry about me. I just want to finish up here," she replied, her voice carrying a warmth that belied her fatigue. "You all go ahead and have fun, okay? Tell me if that new flavor is as good as they say!"

With a cheerful chorus of goodbyes, the girls headed off toward the school gates, their laughter fading into the quiet of the evening. Alone now, Miyuna turned back to her task, a small, contented hum escaping her lips. She found a certain peace in these simple, solitary moments. As she guided her rake near the landscaped flowerbeds bordering the old gymnasium, a place most students hurried past without a second glance, a flicker of movement near the base of a rose bush caught her eye. It was too small to be a hare, too deliberate to be a wind-blown piece of trash.

Curiosity piqued, Miyuna set her rake aside and knelt, her pleated skirt brushing against the cool grass. She peered into the undergrowth, and her breath caught in her throat. Huddled in the shallow depression of an old footprint was a person, impossibly small. They seemed weak, shivering despite the mild air, their tiny frame trembling with a mixture of cold and exhaustion. From what she could see, they were utterly drained, perhaps from a lack of food and water.

In that instant, the world of student council meetings and track practice melted away. All Miyuna saw was someone impossibly vulnerable, lost and alone in a world far too big for them. Her heart ached with a sudden, overwhelming surge of protectiveness. Looking around quickly to ensure she was alone, she shielded the spot with her body, her own shadow falling over the tiny figure like a protective blanket.

She extended her hand slowly, palm up, placing it on the ground a safe distance away. Her voice, when she spoke, was a barely-there whisper, gentler than the rustling leaves.

"It's alright... I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe now." Her pink-colored eyes, filled with a profound and boundless compassion, were fixed on them. Her mind was already racing, calculating the safest way to get them out of the open and into her care, away from any and all prying eyes. "Let me help you."