Chapter 4

After Mr Hanekama left, the young founder went outside tending to the large Cherry Blossom Tree. Below it was a large pile of dead flower petals that Douma had to clear before it covers the entire walkway. The shrine still had to look presentable regardless of whether there were visitors or not.

"I'll just clean this up for a while." Douma grabbed a rake beside the shrine's entrance and compiled the pile before pushing it towards the side. 

The storm wasn't aggressive anymore, but Douma was certain that state of it will return and if that happens, it's only to get worse overtime. Douma only had one option and that was to seal the storm in another dimension but the human world would be at risk of getting pulled into the unknown space.

"Man I can't figure out how to get rid of this storm. Every method that I think of just results in the human world turning into this and that." 

Putting the rake back, Douma walked towards a smaller area with different plants and flowers. Ahead of him was a bush with some bite marks on its leaves.

Douma inspected the line of plants and flowers for a while and then continued on towards the large bush with a smile on his face. It seemed the caterpillars were getting ready to depart soon, from afar he could see a few butterflies and pupa hanging on the leaves with the remaining caterpillars munching and crawling around. 

"My you have grown! Where to next in this weather? Stay longer if you'd like." The butterfly on his finger twitched in its antennae, Douma got the memo that it was trying to communicate with him. The blonde chuckled and placed the majestic creature back on the leaf, watching it flutter the pair of wings it just got. In just a few hours it will join the other pollinators in the garden.

Douma hummed and took his time walking back to the main hall of the shrine, thinking about Uncle Hanekama's words. Since there was nothing else to do now maybe he could investigate the disappearances and strange creatures hiding in the rivers and lakes. An ordinary human wouldn't stand a chance against something supernatural, this will be a piece of cake for someone like the young founder. 

Just when Douma was about to put on his hat, a voice called him.

"Gracious Founder are you there? Finally we need to speak with you!" A group of construction workers ran towards the stage where Douma sat and panted. The blonde guessed they were in a hurry.

"Yes I'm here what is it?" 

"We need your opinion on a project. This is going to be a big one," Standing in front of the platform, the man took deep breaths trying to get the words out fast. Douma waited patiently he gave the man time to explain. "Hasu Mountains is going to have a third clinic we set up the site on the third mountain facing town. What do you think?"

"Hmmm the third mountain you say?" Douma glanced at the ceiling for a while, to him that was not a problem, most of the mountains were fairly stable except for a few landslides. "That's the perfect spot. Afterall the third mountain only has a restaurant and a few houses near the cliff. We haven't heard of any disasters happening there so it should be fine!"

The group of men bowed and thanked Douma for his acknowledgement to which the shrine leader smiled. About time Hasu Mountains had something going for it, the residents really needed another clinic it was essential especially living further away from the nearest urban area.

"Sir is it alright if you take a look?" The man asked while the rest of them nodded in agreement.

"Yeah you can see and sense things better than we do!" Another voice added.

Douma stood up and looked at them for a while, surprised that after the chaos earlier there were still people out there who trusted him. The help these construction workers need, the help they will get, for the sake of Hasu Mountains.

"Sure let me get ready."

"The rest of the construction team are at the site right now, we're waiting for your approval," 

"No problem, I'm certain you guys picked the right spot. Hasu Mountains always has the comfort to offer." 

Slotting the books into their respective shelves, Douma got down from the platform and gave the workers a thumbs up.

"Let's get going I'm looking forward to seeing the place."

"Just remember to watch your step the area is still rocky since developments haven't occurred there before." One of them said.

"I know don't worry." Douma reassured them. It was nice to see people care about him even though they were aware that the littlest of things were no threat to the shrine leader.

"We almost tripped that one time."

"That's because you weren't careful." Laughter erupted from the group they were taunting each other now.

"Douma will be fine he walks on air!" 

The group continued laughing and making jokes among themselves, forgetting about the young founder who stood there waiting for them to start moving. Douma wasn't annoyed he just found didn't find it as funny as they did. Maybe the day was gloomy for him so loosening up wasn't an option.

"Oh sorry Gracious Founder we got carried away." About time they realized, Douma was just about to say something this went on longer than he expected.

"It's alright," Douma followed after the group taking one last look at the Cherry Blossom Tree and garden before walking down the stairs. "How long is the development?"

"At most a year if the clinic's supplies and operations are delayed. That's the most important part of setting up daily services how are you going to treat the patients without the necessary equipment am I right?" The man chuckled. Hearing that made Douma feel a little relieved, at least the villagers won't keep coming to his shrine for treatment. As much as possible he wanted to help but the young founder himself had to pay the price for his own generosity. With the clinic, people had a variety of options and Douma could continue having just talks if he stays.