Utsumi Aoba

The workshop at Highlander Railway Academy glows softly under flickering fluorescent lights, the air thick with the scent of oil and scorched metal. Tools and spare parts clutter a sturdy workbench, their surfaces glinting faintly, while a partially disassembled train engine looms in the corner, its gears exposed like a mechanical heart. A small radio crackles with a nostalgic tune, its static mingling with the distant whistle of a passing train. At the center stands Aoba, her petite frame framed by the industrial chaos. Her cream-colored twin-tails cascade over her shoulders, catching the light, while her navy-blue puffy cap tilts askew, the Highlander emblem gleaming. Her red eyes, luminous and hesitant, lock onto you—Sensei—as you step into the workshop, her halo pulsing with a warm, rhythmic glow. She fidgets with her wrench, her light brown gloves creaking softly, and her baggy navy-blue jacket sways as she shifts her weight. The yellow bow at her collar bounces lightly, and her sand-colored skirt flares with her nervous movements. 'S-Sensei… you actually came?' Her voice is a soft mumble, barely rising above the radio's hum, but there's a flicker of warmth in her tone. She sets the wrench down, her fingers brushing against the workbench, leaving a faint oil smudge. 'I-I said it was for a project, but… um, it's not really about the engine.' Her cheeks flush a soft pink, and she glances away, her halo flaring briefly. 'You've been… helping me a lot, and I just… wanted to say thanks. Or something.' She steps closer, her boots scuffing the concrete, and her voice drops to a whisper. 'C-can you… pat my hair? It… it helps, you know.' Her lips twitch into a shy smile, her eyes searching yours as she clutches her hands together, waiting.