Ascendency

"I'm afraid that I will mess up. Look at how many people are here!" Chiye sobs in front of me. I stop her from using the sleeve of her beautiful shrine garment to wipe her over her entire face and instead use my hand to gently wipe her tears away. She continues to sob and her body shakes from nervousness. "You will be fine, you practised so much. There is no way for you to mess up." I speak softly to her, trying to reassure her as much as possible. She will definitely be fine, without fail. I'm sure of it. However the pressure is high and she has to dance alone this year for the first time. "What if I suddenly forget what to do in the middle of it? I would ruin the entire spring festival!" She continues to wail and buries her face onto my chest.

I wrap my arms around her and pat her on the back. "You will be fine, there is nothing to worry about." I repeat my words like a lullaby to comfort her.

The other temple servants give me a small hand sign. It is about time for her to go to the stage.

I grab Chiye by her shoulders and look deep into her brown eyes. Her sobs take a halt.

"I will be at the very front, so whenever you are nervous, just look for me, okay?You've practised so much in front of me, just think about it as another practice."

She hesitantly nods. 

"Just imagine that it's only me there and you will go through the dance without any problems."

"Okay." She carefully wipes her tears away and takes deep breaths.

A temple servant approaches us to refresh her make up.

"I will be at the front, so look out for me." I leave the temple building and try to navigate through the crowds to get to the exact spot for Chiye to find me immediately.

The drums stop and the crowd gathers their attention towards the simple stage.

Chiye enters from behind the curtain and kneels down, facing the stage.

The flute begins to play and she slowly rises gracefully. 

There are no traces of her nervous breakdown from a few minutes ago. Before the routine starts, she quickly overlooks the crowd and our eyes lock almost instantly.

I nod reassuringly and I can see a faint smile on her lips. 

She begins to dance. Flawlessly and elegantly.

Chiye finishes the dancing ritual without any problems and that marks the beginning of spring.

The memory of Chiye's very first solo performance at the age of thirteen flashes before my eyes. She would always be nervous, but in the end everything would work out just fine. 

It's dawning again as I get up and look over to Airi.

She'd occasionally wake up for a brief moment and comment on one of my stories.

I can see her fighting against the sleepiness, blinking and stretching underneath the blankets. 

"Please help me up." Her voice comes out hoarse after having not talked for a while. I carefully put the blankets aside and support her to get up as well. 

She isn't cold anymore, but still not back to her full vitality. 

"Do you want to go for a walk?" 

She blinks at me in confusion. 

"I'll carry you, don't worry. Maybe the fresh air and sun will help you."

Airi slowly nods and I wrap her long gown around her arms and waist, so that I can carry her on my back more easily. Certainly, there would be some kind of divine trick to iron the silky fabric again.

With Airi carefully on my back, I leave the house and get immediately blinded by the direct sunlight. I walk slowly and carefully, mindful of each step while describing the village to her.

The villagers, though silent, watch over us with benevolent vigilance. Their presence is a silent reassurance, a reminder that we are not alone in this unfamiliar realm. They offer nods of acknowledgment and small gestures of support, their eyes filled with a quiet understanding.

At the beginning Airi only murmurs sounds of acknowledgement, but after a while she begins to speak more clearly, shaking off the exhaustion.

"What is in front of you?" Her question directed into my nape, nestling her face onto it.

I chuckle.

"You could take a look for yourself."

She shakes her head. 

"Oh well, alright. In front of me is a path that leads outside the village. A dense forest awaits us at the end. I would turn to my right, so that we won't go outside."

"Go straight ahead."

I turn my head a little backwards, questioningly. 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes, it will be fine."

I sigh and give in, turning around completely to face the villagers behind us.

I bow down as deep as possible with Airi on my back and the villagers stop their routine, watching us collectively.

Slowly, one after another bows down as well as if it was their way to give us their farewell. I feel nothing but gratitude towards them.

So after the silent farewell, I make my way through the village, guided by a sense of purpose and Airi's reassurance.

As the days pass, her strength gradually returns, like a flower unfurling under the caress of the sun. Her skin doesn't feel cold at all anymore and slowly gains back its former radiant warmth.

The ancient trees seem to welcome us back, their gnarled branches reaching out in a silent salute. As we tread the familiar trails, I sense a change in the air, a subtle shift in the energy around us, like the forest is welcoming us back within its midst. 

I carry her for a while, answering her questions about our surroundings.

"You can let me down." Airi puts her chin on my right shoulder and I stop, placing her carefully back on the ground. 

"How are you feeling?" I observe her complexion, beautiful as ever.

"I'm good. I'm sorry for taking so long to recover. It was quite demanding to break through the seal holding back my powers." She looks at me apologetically. 

"There is nothing to be sorry about. I'm glad that you are fine again, that's more important." I pat her shoulder and smile at her.

"I can feel something grand in that direction." She points to our left side. 

"Then let's see for ourselves which magnificent place is in that direction." 

She returns my smile and a wave of relief floods over me. 

Airi is back to her former self and the confrontation didn't seem to have taken another long lasting backlash on her.

We wander through the forest, just like before, passing several familiar spirits on our way. 

At some point we emerge from the thick forest onto an open field, offering a breathtaking sight - A city in the sky, its spires reaching into the clouds, bathed in a soft, iridescent glow. The sky is blue with just a few fluffy white clouds here and there. 

"I can see what you mean." I say completely in awe.

Airi chuckles.

The distant chime of celestial bells carries on the breeze, like a melody from another world.

Together, we approach this celestial marvel, our steps light with a mixture of reverence and curiosity.

Placed in the middle of the grassy fields are stairs, spiralling up to the city. 

We walk up, higher and higher, leaving the forest below us. 

As Airi and I make our way through the city in the sky, we find it bathed in a serene stillness. The streets, lined with buildings that seem to touch the heavens, are devoid of any signs of life. There is no one around, not a soul in sight. It's as if the city itself holds its breath, waiting for the return of its inhabitants.

The architecture is a masterpiece of celestial artistry, with spires that reach towards the skies and intricate carvings that tell stories of ancient myths. The buildings seem to shimmer with an otherworldly luminescence, casting a soft, iridescent glow that paints the surroundings in a surreal light.

Flora of unearthly beauty adorns every corner, their petals exuding a delicate radiance that illuminates the cobbled streets. These celestial blooms seem to hold a silent vigil, as if awaiting the return of the city's residents. I can't help but be in awe of the city's grandeur.

As we wander, I can't shake this feeling of being right where we're supposed to be.

"Is there really nobody, or is it just me not seeing anyone?"

Airi looks around vigilantly. "There is really no one here. I can't feel anyone either."

"It feels like the entire city is waiting for its residents to return." 

She nods in agreement. "I wonder who lives here."

The sheer artistry that went into the creation of this floating city is astonishing. 

The stone beneath our feet is smooth and cool, worn by countless footsteps over the eons. It's as if the very ground holds the imprints of generations long past, a testament to the enduring legacy of this ethereal place.

Around us, the flora seems to dance in the gentle breeze. Petals of the palest hues, so delicate they appear almost translucent, emit a soft, otherworldly radiance. They sway in silent unison, casting a warm, celestial glow that bathes the cobbled streets.

Archways of intricate design punctuate the buildings, leading us through winding alleys and open courtyards. Each arch seems to hold a story of its own, a portal to a world where time flows differently, where the line between reality and dreams blurs.

Above, the sky stretches out like a canvas of pastel hues, its colours blending seamlessly with the architecture. The air carries a sense of ancient wisdom, as if the very stones and structures remember the tales of those who once walked these streets.

The stone beneath our feet is smooth and cool, worn by countless footsteps over the aeons. It's as if the very ground holds the imprints of generations long past, a testament to the enduring legacy of this ethereal place.

And ahead, at the end of a winding alley, I catch a glimpse of something extraordinary—a palace, its spires reaching towards the heavens, the palest of stones gleaming in the soft light. It's a sight that steals my breath away, evidence to the majesty that lies at the heart of this celestial city. Fountains decorate the white path leading up to the picturesque palace.

I look at Airi and she returns my gaze. "Let's find out what's inside." Her voice has an excited undertone and I nod.

The feeling of having reached the end of our journey through the paths of the gods.

We step through the grand entrance of the palace, a sense of awe washes over us. The interior is a marvel of celestial architecture, with towering columns and intricate mosaics that seem to tell stories of epochs long past. The air is charged with a palpable energy, as if the very walls of the palace hold the echoes of ancient wisdom.

Inside, we find ourselves in a labyrinth of rooms, each one adorned with vibrant tapestries and intricate carvings that seem to dance with life. Looking more closely at them is even more surprising. These murals tell our own story, a visual chronicle of our journey through everything that has led us here. I see moments of triumph and vulnerability, laughter and quiet contemplation, all woven together in a tapestry of our shared experiences.

It's like the palace itself is bearing witness of our journey. The countless doors each lead to a different moment during our travel.

However some doors reveal some of our personal memories and events from the past before entering the in-between realm. 

I can see my grandma in a lot of them, however the one significance that continues to reappear in the retelling of my memories is Chiye. 

Chiye is in most of them. I could open any door, and it would either show me a different moment of the traverse inside this domain or any memory with Chiye. Though, I'm not watching it from my point of view. My memories are shown in third person, as if someone else witnessed them beside us. Like a silent, invisible observer, who looks over our moments together.

I can feel my heart warming up with adoration and affection, being able to view these precious and ordinary events replay in front of me. I can feel my mouth smiling and grinning almost the entire time and I could just continue endlessly opening one door after another to watch the scenes unfold. Some of them are long forgotten, buried deep within the back of my mind.

Like the one and only time Chiye and I almost talked about our feelings for each other.

It was during middle school and we were already spending most of our time in- and outside of school together. It was the time where we not only graduated as children, but also where love and relationships began to be the most popular and sought-after topic.

The question wasn't about your favourite games, shops, movies or singers anymore. 

It was all about whether or not you had a crush on someone, and if yes, who was it?

Valentine's day and White day were suddenly the most anticipated events, where receiving chocolates and letters from a girl would become the only indicator for your future success in love and popularity. And in return you would have to give the very same girl candy.

If, for some miraculous reason, you would receive chocolates from several different girls, then it was up to you to break several hearts at the same time and also decide between those girls who would receive the candy. 

Kyouta and I didn't really give that much thought. Together with Chiye and Ninako, we would usually hang out at either my place or even the temple during Valentines day, since the crowds of couples in the city would make it unbearable to visit any establishment. However, the thing that really made Valentine's day so incredibly exhausting was the fact that my surroundings were swarmed with countless red threads of fate. The couples bustling through the alleyways and shops during that specific day made me feel dizzy and nauseous. 

The swirling glimmering red strings within my entire view were disorienting and I was afraid that I couldn't conceal the fact that I could see more than everyone else. That's why I always expressed my dislike for this unofficial holiday, hoping that I could avoid the crowds as best as possible. The others were fine with it, but it definitely made a few things more complicated. 

I wasn't necessarily popular, but got along just fine with our classmates and with some of the other guys of our grade. Chiye and Ninako would usually give us chocolate as a token of our friendship on Valentine's day and we would then return the favour a month later. It didn't have any special meaning, at least not for me, it was just us going along with the majority. 

However, on one specific Valentine's day things got a little messed up. 

When I opened my shoe locker in the morning a cutesy little package was placed on top of my shoes. It couldn't be from Chiye or Ninako, since they would hand it over to us in person during break time. It was the first time I have ever received something from someone other than my friends.

Chiye was beside me and stared at the mysterious chocolate in my locker just like I did. 

I didn't really think that this would be possible and so did Chiye. "You should take a look at who gave it to you." Chiye's voice was calm with a surprised undertone. I took the package out and examined it in my hands. The chocolate was wrapped in a red box with a white ribbon. My name was written neatly on a tag attached to the ribbon. The hallway got more busy as the other students arrived.

There wasn't a letter on the outside or any other indication from who it was, so I put it in my backpack. "I'll take a look at it in our classroom."

When Kyouta got to know about my Valentine's gift, hell broke out. He made a huge fuss about it, as if I was involved in the biggest scandal. I wasn't particularly invested in it nor did I give it a thorough thought, however I wanted to honour the genuine gesture appropriately. Receiving chocolate as a romantic expression would equal a confession of feelings, so I couldn't entirely treat it like it was nothing. On the other hand I tried to read Chiye's expression, she'd still be her usual playful self, but she didn't jump in on Kyouta's excitement and curiosity. 

It somehow made me nervous. 

For me it was clear what I would do anyways. Love and relationships are things that I didn't want for myself or rather I believed in the fact that I didn't have anyone to share that with. 

The mysterious gesture was a pleasant surprise, but my mind was settled on my answer even before receiving anything. However, Chiye couldn't have known that. I guess for her it seemed like I really wanted to consider it. 

Kyouta's uproar also made all of our other classmates curious about the sender, so they all began to surround my desk during the break times, wanting to witness me opening the package to find out who gave me the Valentine's chocolate.

Having to expose the sender in this way didn't sit well with me, so I decided to unpack it at home. The day went by, the air filled with curiosity, expectations, disappointment and affection.

Kyouta had to help out at his father's store and Ninako wanted to study at home, so I brought Chiye to the temple. "When will you open it?" She asked me without looking up.

"Do you want to be there when I open it?" 

She turns to me with an outraged expression. "No! That's your gift, why would I want to see you unpack it?"

I laughed. "Then can I please have a cup of delicious tea, after going up all these stairs? And maybe after that I can find the strength to open it, so if you happen to be there, then so be it."

I bend down a little and grin at her face. She angrily, but softly pushes my face away, a faint smile on her lips.

"Alright, alright." 

We stayed in the living room of their house, looking over our homework. The presence of the wrapped chocolate was always in the back of our heads, like it was burning a hole through my backpack, begging to be opened.

I sighed and took it out at some point. The bright red box and the white ribbon felt like an intruder. Chiye didn't say anything, only staring at it with a neutral expression. 

"It's weird isn't it?" I broke the silence awkwardly. "Not the present itself, but for me to receive some."

Chiye looks at me. "I don't think so." Her voice felt unusually nonchalant.

I gaze at her.

Of course the question about feelings and love would also wander through my mind, but since I've settled on sealing away those things for myself, I didn't really pay any attention to what was going on inside of me. Probably because I was also afraid of Chiye's rejection and risking our friendship. Of course, I knew that there was always something special about us and my view on her, but I didn't want to put it into words.

I didn't feel the need to, it just worked out fine without it.

Since I didn't have any answer to that I proceeded to unwrap the box. Inside were four beautiful pieces of chocolates, each carefully crafted and decorated. A lot of effort was put into these, this much was obvious. A small folded letter was placed on top of the chocolates and I took it out.

Chiye silently observed my movements and I felt strangely nervous. It felt like her diligent eyes were causing my fingers to tingle. 

I opened the letter and the words written inside also emitted the same careful and neat attention as the rest of it. "Happy Valentine's Day, Yuzuru. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to give this to you, but I wanted to do it in order to close this chapter. I really like you."

There was no signature or name of the sender anywhere. 

Reading the words gave me a strange feeling. I've never received a confession before and I somehow felt bad for her, since I couldn't reciprocate her feelings. I wouldn't give her any candy in return, even if I knew who it was. Nevertheless, I would've liked to talk to her in person instead of having only this letter and continuing on as if nothing happened. I wanted to tell her about my appreciation personally. At the same time I would've loved to know what exactly made her fall in love with me in the first place. It wasn't like I closely interacted with other girls in the first place. I simply got along with everyone, but there isn't a particular incident that would've explained someone else's affection towards me. 

That's probably why love is such an irrational and compelling emotion.

"What do you think about it?" Chiye's eyes were still fixed on my fingers, not looking up as she spoke. 

"I don't really know. I kind of feel bad, but her courage is admirable. It must've taken a lot of effort to prepare for it." I watched Chiye's expression change a little bit, frowning.

"Wouldn't you consider her feelings?"

"I won't." My words were firm, without taking my eyes off of her.

Her frown deepened, still averting my gaze.

"Why?"

I put down the box of chocolates and the letter.

"I don't really care for those kinds of things."

She bit into her lips and I felt a little bit irritated since she still wouldn't meet my eyes.

"Why?" Her words came out in a gentle whisper and her fingers began fidgeting with the pen in her hands.

I bent down over the table, trying to get her to look at me. "I'm happy with how things are, there is no need to change anything." She briefly takes a glimpse at me, before averting her eyes again.

For some reason I felt regret about the words that I just said. Maybe it came out wrong, but that was my genuine answer to her question.

She didn't reply to that, but I saw her pondering about it. I leaned over some more, approaching her. 

Chiye then patted my left cheek, her expression softened and finally her brown eyes met mine.

"You should eat the chocolate before it gets stale." Her voice had a slight scolding undertone and she began to poke my cheek with her finger, with a grin on her face.

I sighed dramatically and put my chin onto my hands over the table. "How dare I eat that chocolate first." I extended my right hand towards her.

She looked at me in surprise, but began to laugh. Her ears were blushing.

Chiye turned around and rummaged inside her backpack, eventually handing over a bag with several chocolates for me. Like always the see-through package was wrapped with a red ribbon and a small tag attached to it, reading my name in her familiar writing. 

"Give me your hand and close your eyes." I put her chocolate next to my textbook and Chiye followed my instructions with a grin on her face. 

I reached into the pocket of my pants and placed a piece of strawberry flavoured candy into her palm.

In the end, we never really found out who gave me that heartfelt chocolate and the event was quickly forgotten about. 

Looking back at it now, as I'm spectating the memory unfold, I might've set something in motion that I now regret. Or rather I ensured a status quo that neither Chiye nor I dared to change.

I glance over to Airi standing in front of an open door.

Her memories of her past during her time in the earthly realm are being displayed. Only a few are dedicated to her life in the lunar kingdom. 

"Is everything alright?" I approach her, without looking deeper into her memories.

She nods and turns towards me, with a smile on her face. 

"Now it all seems so nostalgic."

"It does." I agree while returning her smile.

Spectating the scenes gave me a surge of wanting to succeed. The desire to see Chiye again wells up inside of me. The thought is kind of odd, since I spent most of the time in the last few days with Chiye. However, it wasn't really Chiye and I begin to miss her. 

There is so much that I want to tell her.

"Let's go, we might be on the right path." Airi pats on my shoulder and walks down the hallway. At the end of the hallway is one single door, grand and majestic, different from all the other doors that reflect our memories behind them.

A gentle whisper echoes through the room as we approach closer.

"You have walked the paths of the gods with courage and grace." The voice is familiar, resonating with the air around us and the radiant form of the blessing of light appears in front of us. It was the very same guardian spirit that we began our journey with.

Her eyes, pools of wisdom, lock onto ours. "Remember, the threads of destiny are not bound by time or place. They connect us all, from one realm to the next, weaving a narrative that transcends the mortal coil."

Gracefully, it steps aside. "May the light of your journey illuminate the way, and may the kami watch over you both." she says, her voice a gentle blessing. "The gates of heaven awaits you."

The magnificent door behind the spirit opens up, revealing nothing but a bright light behind it.

I can feel my heart thumping, the nervous excitement of seeing Chiye again just beyond this door wells up within me. 

Just a tiny bit of doubt clouds that exhilarating feeling, there is still a possibility that more trials await us before finally getting to where our heart desires. 

"Are you ready?" Airi looks at me, her eyes beaming with hopeful optimism. 

"I've never been more ready." I smirk at her and she laughs. 

Together we embark on to the gates of heaven where Chiye waits for us and where we will try our best to prove Airi's innocence. 

As we step through, a gentle warmth washes over us, as if we're being embraced by a celestial embrace. The space beyond the door is aglow with a soft, golden light, casting a radiant halo around us.

The path before us stretches out, a luminous ribbon leading us towards the gates of heaven. Each step feels weightless, as if the very ground is supporting our journey. The air carries a sense of serenity, a tranquillity that seems to seep into our very souls.

We leave behind the in-between realm, the path of the gods, and enter the gates of heaven. 

I can feel my skin tingling from the sensation of passing through the door. My eyes need a while to adjust to the brightness and I'm blinking against the brilliant light.

The gates to heaven stand as a testament to celestial grandeur. They rise tall and dignified, emanating a soft, golden luminescence that appears to emanate from within. They stretch out before us, a panorama of celestial beauty that seems to defy earthly description. The ground beneath our feet is firm and smooth, like polished marble, its surface bearing a subtle, pearlescent sheen.

The gates themselves equal the gates from Chiye's temple. But their magnificence here is unmatched and overwhelming. The atmosphere surrounding the gates carries a charge, akin to a delicate, tingling sensation upon the skin. Gazing upwards reveals that their arches reach toward the seemingly endless expanse above. The sky expands like a canvas in warm pastel colours.

A gentle breeze carries the scent of exotic blossoms, mingling with the crisp, invigorating air.

Numerous formless figures wander around, each one of them radiating their own unique light and energy, like wisps of ethereal mist, meander gracefully around the heavenly grounds. Their movements are unhurried, as if they've found solace in this liminal space between worlds.

Among them, one figure stands out to me, even in their formless state.

It's Chiye.

I just know from the bottom of my heart that it's her soul, her essence glowing with a familiarity that cuts through the spectral haze, as if my own soul would recognise her.

In a daze I begin to push through the crowds of other souls, approaching her with a mixture of awe and joy. The feeling makes each of my steps feel like gliding. It's exhilarating. 

Chiye stands there like a beacon in this ethereal sea, drawing me closer, as if I didn't have any other choice but get caught by her presence.

"Chiye!" I call for her, my voice filled with relief and bliss. My fingertips tingle and my heartbeat is echoing inside my ears, ready to jump out of my chest at any moment.

She seems to turn around and upon seeing me, she begins to run towards me as well.

I've tried to imagine this moment ever since she got lost, but never could I have imagined the overwhelming surge of feelings rushing within me.

Chiye falls into my arms and I catch her, holding her tightly onto my chest. 

The radiant light that comes from her figure dissolves in my arms like millions of sparks, revealing Chiye in her human body underneath them. 

With my right hand I press her head against my chest, burying my fingers amid her dark hair. My left arm wraps around her upper body, almost entirely. 

Chiye clings her hands onto my back, equally firm and strong.

Together, we stand amidst the formless souls, holding each other tightly, afraid to be separated from one another again. 

"Thank you for waiting for me." I whisper into her hair as I'm nestling my face on top of her head. 

The ordeal to get to this very moment was difficult, but I'm endlessly grateful that we were able to ascend from the in-between realm to the gates of heavens without another trial or hardship. Everything was worth the effort and venture. Holding Chiye in my arms is worth any affliction from the heavenly deities, their divine schemes and my fate.

"You shouldn't be here." Her voice is muffled against my chest, but it sounds so awfully familiar, I've been wanting to hear her speak again for what feels like an eternity.

I chuckle a bit. "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."