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Hiro trudged home from school, his heart heavy as he wiped away the last of his tears. It hadn’t been a good day. For weeks, he had endured ridicule from older kids, their laughter echoing in his ears like a taunt. The three ten-year-olds found joy in making fun of him and occasionally resorted to physical intimidation. Even his best friend, Tao, was powerless to help, as he too faced bullying for being an Earth Kingdom kid in the Fire Nation. Their teacher shrugged off the incidents with excuses like “Boys will be boys” or “They’re just kids,” but Hiro knew better. No one should excuse abusive behavior, regardless of age; accountability should always prevail.
He hadn’t shared his troubles with his parents yet, although his mother could sense something was bothering him. Hiro sighed heavily and whispered to himself, “I wish I had someone to protect me. Someone who isn’t Mom or Tao.” In frustration, he kicked a small stone, sending it skittering toward a nearby magnolia tree. To his surprise, a peculiar yowl erupted from the branches, causing him to stumble back and fall onto his backside, heart racing as he wondered what beast might emerge.
Out of the tree leaped a creature unlike any he had seen before—a silver cat with sparkling blue wings. One eye was a brilliant blue, while the other shone golden like the sun. “Um, sorry! I didn’t mean to scare you!” Hiro stammered, mesmerized by the enchanting feline adorned with earrings and bracelets.
Cautiously, the winged cat approached, gazing deeply into his eyes, and Hiro felt as if she could see right into his soul. “Are you hungry?” he asked, instinctively reaching into his pocket to offer her a piece of food. The cat sniffed at the offering before starting to devour it with relish. Smiling, Hiro reached out to pet her, and to his delight, she rubbed against him, accepting his affection.
“I wish I could take you home with me, but my father is allergic to cats. I’ll bring you food tomorrow, okay?” he promised. The cat nodded, her eyes sparkling with understanding.
The following week, Hiro returned to the tree with scraps from his lunch, eager to see her again. To his joy, Ayame—the name he had decided for her—was waiting just where he had left her. They played together, and Hiro couldn’t help but notice that no one else seemed to see her. Whenever someone approached, she would vanish, as if she existed solely for him.
Three weeks later, as he walked to the tree to bring her food, Hiro heard the familiar thundering footsteps of his bullies behind him. Panic surged through him; he didn’t want to be beaten up, especially not in front of Ayame. He sprinted toward the tree, but when he arrived, she was nowhere to be found. The boys soon caught up, towering over him, their intentions clear. The largest one ordered his friends to grab Hiro, preparing to unleash their cruelty.
But just as they lunged, a piercing yowl cut through the air. Ayame appeared out of nowhere, fierce and protective, her wings shimmering as she launched herself at the boys. She bit and scratched at them with wild abandon, refusing to let anyone near Hiro. He watched in awe, his fear mingling with amazement as the bullies finally fled, yelping in terror.
“Thank you for saving me, Ayame!” Hiro exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. She gazed up at him, and then, to his astonishment, she began to vanish. Hiro felt his heart drop as her form evaporated before his eyes, leaving behind only the memory of her captivating eyes, which were the last to disappear.
Confused and heartbroken, Hiro returned home, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. When his mother noticed his distress, he recounted the story of Ayame and how she had saved him, only to vanish moments later. Misumi listened with a knowing smile.
“It sounds like the Spirits sent you a protector, Hiro. Now that the threat has passed, she’s no longer needed,” she explained gently. Though he accepted his mother’s wisdom, he couldn’t shake the longing to see his spirit friend again.
Misumi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Ayame will always be with you, even if you can’t see her. Perhaps one day, she will return.”
Hiro felt a flicker of hope ignite in his chest. He closed his eyes, imagining Ayame’s shimmering wings and playful demeanor, wishing he wouldn’t have to wait forever to see his special spirit companion again.