[OPENING SCENE — FLASHBACK, SPRING MOUNTAINS OF KYUURI VILLAGE]
Cherry blossoms fall over an ancient, mist-veiled village hidden deep within the Kyuuri mountain range. This is the birthplace of the Hanami Clan — a lineage of petal-dancers and silent assassins. The temple bells ring softly as children in pastel gis practice in synchronized harmony. At the center of the courtyard, a young girl moves like the breeze, wielding her twin petal fans with mesmerizing grace.
Instructor (off-screen):
"Suki Hanami. Graceful. Disciplined. But still too kind. Mercy has no place in our tradition."
The camera cuts to the shadows where a boy watches her intently — Kageru, her older cousin. His expression is unreadable, but his eyes burn with intensity.
[SCENE: CLAN CEREMONY — YEARS LATER]
Teenage Suki kneels before a ring of elders clad in flowing robes. Candles flicker all around, casting petals of light on the wooden floor. In front of her, a sacred fire crackles. Her hands tremble as she holds her clan's crest.
Elder Master:
"You are blood of Hanami. A legacy of shadow and bloom. The title of Petalblade is not earned through kindness."
Suki:
"There must be another way. We can protect without hatred."
A murmur spreads through the elders. Kageru clenches his jaw, fists tightening at his side.
Another Elder:
"If you deny the Oath, you deny your blood."
Suki:
"Then maybe... my blood is wrong."
Later that night, thunder rolls over the mountaintop. Suki stares at the ancestral blades hanging over her bed. She slowly removes her gi, slicing off her long hair with a single strike. Wrapping herself in traveler's cloth, she flees into the forest beneath a full moon.
[MONTAGE SCENE: SUKI'S JOURNEY]
Suki hiding in freight trains, eating rice balls in empty market stalls.
Sleeping beside neon trash bins in the lower alleys of SkyVault.
Learning to control her Sakura Flux by hurling petals at broken light poles.
Stopping a mugging in Sector 4 and vanishing before thanks could reach her.
Drawing petal runes in the rain with her fingers while whispering clan prayers she still remembers.
Narration (Suki):
"I thought leaving meant freedom. But guilt grew like roots in me. I trained to destroy... yet all I wanted was to heal something broken."
[SCENE: HIDDEN ROOFTOP TEMPLE — NIGHT]
Suki meditates beneath a holographic blossom tree. Her fans rest beside her as wind carries loose petals into the night. Suddenly — the sound of a scuffle below.
She looks down and sees a group of teens being attacked by thugs near a closed monorail line. Without hesitation, she leaps into action. Petals explode around her, stunning her foes. One thug lunges with a blade, but her Bloom Guard deflects it.
Kid (from the alley):
"Who... who are you?"
Suki (soft smile):
"Just a breeze passing through."
[FLASHBACK: AURIX RECRUITS SUKI]
Aurix watches from above, arms folded, as Suki finishes the fight. She's breathing heavily, petals still flickering in her wake. He descends from a nearby fire escape, clapping slowly.
Aurix:
"Nice technique. Improvised, but elegant. You trained somewhere, didn't you?"
Suki (nervous):
"I don't do teams. I just... help where I can."
Aurix:
"That's exactly why we need you."
Suki lowers her fans, eyes narrowing. For the first time, she feels someone isn't here to command her — but to invite her.
[SCENE — VAN HQ, FIRST DAY]
The team gathers. Yuna watches as Suki arrives, nervously clutching her fan sheaths. Jax offers a grin, Veya whistles, and Tari tilts her head suspiciously.
Echo-7:
"Incoming: high floral density detected."
Suki (bowing):
"I-I'm Hanami Suki. Petalblade. It's... a pleasure."
Jax (laughing):
"Cute. I like her already."
Yuna smiles and takes Suki by the hand.
Yuna:
"You'll do great, little bloom."
[PRESENT DAY — VAN HQ INFIRMARY ROOFTOP]
Suki, now bruised from her duel with Kageru, gazes up at the glowing sky. Yuna stands beside her. Cherry blossoms drift from the branches of the rooftop garden.
Suki:
"He said I betrayed them. That I ran. Maybe he's right."
Yuna:
"You walked your own path. That takes more courage than blind loyalty."
Suki:
"And now they're coming for me. For us."
Yuna (holding her hand):
"Let them. We're not petals to be plucked. We're a storm."
Suki's lips curve into a soft, determined smile.
Suki:
"Then I'll bloom with all I've got. For this team. For this city. For me."
[TO BE CONTINUED…]