~ RELEASES ~

~ STORY ~

In a distant place, there’s a world with a dream-like sky that stretches endlessly. Beneath that limitless sky live two types of witches—the butterflies and the moths. Lives dictated by hierarchy, the forgotten moths live within the shadow of the dazzling butterflies.In the city center live the wealthiest of butterfly families. Livelihoods filled with luxury, they know not of pain nor hardship. Blind to the struggles of the moths living amongst them, they spend their days concerning themselves with trivial matters.Raised to follow the strict rules of nobility, the sole daughter of a high ranking butterfly family tires of the life forced onto her. One sunny day, she sneaks away from home. Heart untouched by the cruel judgment of the society surrounding her, her small footsteps travel through the bustling city. She weaves over and under whatever obstacles come in her path, leaving behind all the suffocating dullness from her daily life.Exploring near the edge of the city, the little butterfly spots a flash of pink out of the corner of her eye. Turning to find the source of the color, her eyes are drawn to a creature glittering in the air. Seemingly sensing her gaze, it flaps its delicate wings and flies into the forest. The butterfly gives chase.As she runs through the forest, gentle crying reaches the butterfly’s ears. Growing louder and louder the longer she follows the creature, she begins to search for the source of the sound, wondering who would be crying in the middle of the forest.Prying through the brush, the butterfly’s gaze lands upon a trembling moth.Vision blurred by endless tears, the moth gives no resistance to the arms that wrap tightly around her. The little moth girl sinks feebly into the embrace, not knowing who was comforting her—or why. She sobs weakly, unfamiliar to the comfort of someone other than herself. All she knew was to hide herself away from the world.Though their time together would extend far beyond this meeting, the butterfly would never forget the thought that enveloped her mind in that moment:“This girl must be the most beautiful being in the universe.”

The two girls become inseparable after that meeting.Sneaking away from home increasingly often, the little Butterfly spends more and more time far from the city center that she was raised in. The two fill their days with mirth, playing amongst the trees and growing closer by the minute.Despite their joyful days and her companion's lack of concern, anxiety begins to bubble in the Moth's heart. Far more aware of the difference in their status than her companion, the judgmental whispers that emerge when seen together cause her nervousness to rise. Pushing down the uneasiness in her heart, she tries to focus on the precious moments before her.Time passes, the two grow closer, and they reach schooling age.With her intelligence and great magic potential, the Moth is granted acceptance into the city's most prestigious academy. She feels herself growing nervous about navigating a completely unfamiliar school surrounded by unfamiliar nobility. Those stares and whispers still haunted her. Yet the presence of the Butterfly eases her worries little by little. No matter what, they had each other.

The two girls enter this new chapter of their lives, hand in hand.Singled out in an institution full of rich, noble butterflies, Moth is quickly turned into the school’s collective laughing stock. Yet always by her side, Butterfly never backs down when it comes to defending her dearest friend. Her family status and resolve is enough to intimidate some into stopping their harassment, yet others endlessly question her decision to associate with an “ugly moth”.Butterfly’s hand holds on steadily, yet Moth feels her grip falter. The fear she had tried to put to sleep stirs.Quickly their entire days spent playing together disappear, replaced with classes, assignments, and extracurriculars. Adjusting beautifully to school life, Butterfly’s outgoing nature leads to subsequent popularity. Greatly liked amongst the student population—perhaps partially for her wealth—she has no shortage of friends and acquaintances.Relieved at Butterfly’s successful transition, Moth studies dutifully to maintain her spot in the academy to stay with her friend. Knowing that her attendance is only allowed due to her outstanding intelligence, her free time is gradually taken over with studying. She often hears knocking on her door late at night, opening it knowingly to a pleading Butterfly desperate for tutoring. The two study together late into the night, huddled together in Moth’s tiny dorm room.Time marches forward, and the two girls feel themselves growing up.
Butterfly’s popularity only grows as the years go on, leading her to become student council president. Between her new duties, classes, and multitude of attention demanding friends, her decreasing time with Moth goes unnoticed.Proud of her beloved friend, Moth watches as Butterfly grows. Yet the uneasiness that had awoken during those early days had continued to fester, growing into a far more consuming anxiety. Exhausted from her endless studying and growing loneliness, her confidence plummets. The insults that she had once faced with Butterfly by her side now claw at her heart, tearing down her self image. Knowing the ridicule that comes with associating with a poor, peasant Moth, she stays to the sidelines in hopes of not bringing negative attention to the person she loves most, despite her desire to be together. She holds her secret wish tight to her chest, not daring to chase it and jeopardize Butterfly’s reputation.Not knowing what else to do with herself, Moth throws herself fully into academics. Even knowing that she can never be good enough for Butterfly, she wishes to minimize how much of a burden she is. Days pass, and she learns to control her tears.Amidst her busy schedule, Butterfly’s greatest wish is to see her best friend again. Despite the numerous people that want to interact with her, all of her new friendships lack the genuineness that Moth held. No one seems to genuinely care for her—at least, not as much as Moth did. She feels a growing ache in her heart, longing for the days where they had been together carefree. Out of the corner of her eye, she’s always quietly searching for a glimpse of Moth, her secret desire stuck in the back of her throat.

~ CHARACTERS ~