Every female faerie in Enchantrix look forward to their 21^st birthday. It’s the day when they get to meet their betrotheds. You see, in this land of the Faeries, every female faerie is betrothed to their lifetime partner once they are born but can only meet them once they turn 21.

                On this particular day, the birthday celebrant isn’t particularly excited at all that it’s her birthday.

                “Oi! Rui-chan! Tanjoubi Omedeto!” Misaki shouted as she and Rui’s four other friends flew up to her room and entered through her window.

                Rui chuckled as her friends made themselves at home in her room. First up is Misaki, who’s an Earth faerie, then Kaoru a Fire faerie, Chiharu a Snow faerie and lastly Utami an Art faerie. “Seriously, when are you guys ever going to use my front door again?”

                “When we don’t feel so lazy.” Chiharu replied.

                “It’s finally today Rui. Kyaaa! I feel so excited for you. You’ll finally be able to meet your Prince Charming like Chiharu had.” Misaki said excitedly.

                Rui didn’t feel so excited. She already had someone she loved, though she’d never met him, face to face, yet. She only saw him from a distance. He was an outstanding sound faerie, whose voice could make her forget her problems. She’s attended every concert he’s had but has never talked to him. She sighed.

                Kaoru noticed and said, “Stop being so melancholy on your birthday Rui. Look at Chiharu, she had someone she admired before she met Changmin, yet she’s very in love and happy with him now.”

                Rui looked at Chiharu, who nodded.

                “I thought I was in love with Joon remember? And I thought we were perfect for each other with him being a water faerie and me a snow faerie. But it turned out that my perfect someone was a fire faerie.” Chiharu told Rui. “Cheer up, okay? Maybe your betrothed is someone better that Nino. Just believe in the magic that surrounds us, like the elders said, ‘Our parents are guided by this magic when choosing our betrothed.’”

                Better than Nino? Who would be better than my love Kazunari Ninomiya? Sigh.

                But she couldn’t say anything. Chiharu did have a sort of similar situation when her 21^st birthday came last February, but things turned out okay for her. She’s very much in love with her husband now.

                “Anyway, were here now because we can’t give you our gift later, since later will be the meeting with the betrothed event and only family is allowed to witness the event.” Utami said.

                “Here we go.” Misaki said excitedly.

Kaoru waves her hand first, she creates a transparent flame; one of the hardest flames to create for a fire faerie. Chiharu went next waving her hand and creating a ball made of ice where the flame resided in the middle. Misaki went next and waving her hand created a stand made of twining branches that had a few golden leaves growing out of it. Utami was last and with a wave of her hand the stand looked more alive with the different colors on it and the ball of ice had a hint of color on it too.

“That’s our gift Rui.” Misaki said.

“Try and think of a color you like and let a little of your wind blow over the ball.”  Utami told Rui.

Rui did as her friend asked and thought of the color purple. When she let a little wind blow over the ball, it looked as if the flame inside turned purple.

“Wow. Thanks guys.” She told her friends and hugged them. The gift they made was no easy feat; they must have practiced making it over and over until they perfected it.

A knock disturbed them and Rui’s mother peeked in.

“Girls, it’s almost time. You can see her again tomorrow.” Her mother said.

“Good luck Rui. Happy Birthday.” Her friends said, before going back out her window.

“Now you need to get ready.” Her mother told her. She nodded and began to prepare for ‘The Event’.

 

Night time...

                Rui was standing next to her parents outside their house while waiting for her betrothed and his family, as was tradition.

                At exactly 7:00 pm, they saw the silhouette of three faeries flying toward them. All were wearing cloaks with hoods.

                Rui’s family greeted the first two cloaked faeries with enthusiasm. They seemed to be really close friends. Rui looked over to the third faerie who was silently watching the exchange like she was. When he noticed that she was looking at him, he took off his hood and smiled at her.

                Rui in a surprised breath when she saw who it was. She thought her mind might be playing tricks on her.

                Her betrothed’s mother motioned for him to come close just as her mother motioned for her too. When they were face to face, her betrothed introduced himself.

                “Konbanwa. Boku-wa Kazunari Ninomiya. Yoroshiku.”

                Believe in the Magic that surrounds us.

                “Watashi-wa Ayuzawa Rui. Yoroshiku.” She said, smiling brightly at him.