Chapter 91: The Cherry Blossom Tree in the Setting Sun

"What is that?"

"It wasn't there just a moment ago, how could this be...?"

"Such a huge cherry blossom tree..."

It wasn't cherry blossom season, yet at this very moment, a massive cherry blossom tree appeared like a miracle. Pink blossoms bloomed profusely, petals drifting in the wind.

This pink rain seemed to silently tell a story.

The shrine maidens stopped their work, gazing at the suddenly appeared giant cherry blossom tree.

This phenomenon was clearly beyond reason, but no one felt any discomfort or strangeness. Instead, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of beauty, as if they were in a dream.

"This cherry blossom tree is so beautiful..."

Evening, at the training ground of the Tenshukaku.

As usual, Ei was here practicing her martial skills.

She held a sharp naginata, the blade gleaming with a cold, cutting light.

The blade flashed, and a row of specially-made wooden stakes, over ten meters away from Ei, remained unmoved for just a few seconds before they all suddenly broke cleanly in half, the cut surfaces smooth and perfectly mirrored.

Such swordsmanship was undoubtedly top-tier, and anyone witnessing it would surely be astonished.

However, Ei seemed unsatisfied with the result, her brows furrowed slightly.

"It should have been faster..."

At that moment, a cherry blossom petal drifted into the training ground, floating in front of Ei.

Ei reached out and caught it.

"Cherry blossoms?"

She paused for a moment.

It was already summer, and even on Inazuma Island, which had many cherry trees, there should be no cherry blossoms in bloom at this time of year.

So where did this cherry blossom petal come from?

Ei carefully examined the petal in her hand, and it was clear that it was a genuine cherry blossom petal, not a fake.

Out of curiosity, she walked out of the indoor training ground, following the sound of the wind, and looked in the direction of Mt. Yougou.

At the far horizon, bathed in the glow of the evening sky, a giant cherry blossom tree came into view.

The pink blossoms, bathed in the light of the setting sun, looked almost dreamlike.

At this moment, a maid approached Ei.

"Here's a letter for you. It was delivered by a soldier from the Okuzumeshuu. He said it's a letter from General Yu."

"A letter?" Ei thought. "He could have come directly to the Tenshukaku. Why write a letter?"

Ei hesitated for a moment before taking the letter in her hand.

The maid left.

Ei glanced again at the cherry blossom tree atop Mt. Yougou. She couldn't understand why the tree had appeared, nor could she comprehend why Yu Xie had written a letter instead of simply coming in person.

Confused, Ei opened the letter.

Her previously calm gaze began to change, and her beautiful purple eyes trembled uncontrollably.

"Ei!" Makoto's voice called, pulling Ei out of her thoughts.

Makoto ran over, holding a letter in her hand, her face filled with urgency as she gasped for air.

Both Kitsune Saiguu and Yae Miko had received the letter as well. The contents had caused the smiles on their faces to instantly freeze.

Chiyo had been sitting quietly at home when she suddenly received the letter, interrupting all her plans for the day.

Sasayuri had just bought fine liquor, intending to drink it with Yu Xie the next time they met, but when the letter arrived, the jug of wine slipped from his hands and spilled.

Everyone hurried to Narukami Shrine.

Without many words, upon seeing the letters each of them held, everyone understood what had happened.

The familiar figure sitting beneath the cherry blossom tree came into view, and a mixture of emotions surged in their hearts. For a moment, everyone stood frozen, their emotions in turmoil, unsure of what to do.

Their steps became slow, like that of snails, as they made their way toward the cherry blossom tree.

They were too late—Yu Xie had already gone.

He had been sitting there, fallen into a long, eternal slumber, never to wake again.

Good byes always came so suddenly.

Makoto walked up to Yu Xie, squatting down to look at his face, now peacefully resting with his eyes closed.

Why did you leave just like that? Didn't we promise... to meet again tomorrow?

No one spoke. The setting sun seemed to shine more harshly, the wind howling through, as countless cherry blossom petals fell from the tree, landing on the shoulders of the group.

No one knew how much time had passed until the rosy glow of the sky was replaced by the light of the stars. Finally, Makoto spoke, her voice quiet:

"This cherry blossom tree... is what Yu Xie left behind, isn't it?"

"Such a beautiful cherry blossom tree..." Kitsune Saiguu whispered, her voice trembling.

Ei's gaze remained on Yu Xie, and she stayed silent for a long time.

The wind seemed different now. Unlike before, it no longer felt gentle. As it brushed against their faces, it felt like the sting of invisible tiny blades, causing a slight pain.

Sasayuri recalled how he had promised Yu Xie that they would drink together next time. What had Yu Xie been thinking back then? He must have known he was about to leave... didn't he?

Chiyo also remained silent, feeling as though she wanted to walk up to Yu Xie, but at the same time, she felt an overwhelming distance between them.

Although Yu Xie was right before her eyes, that distance now felt impossible to cross.

Yae Miko seemed to hear the beating of her own heart and suddenly remembered the first time she had met Yu Xie.

Back then, Yu Xie had only been a fifteen-year-old boy.

The hazy image in her mind suddenly became crystal clear, every detail flashing through her thoughts, leaving her feeling disoriented.

It has been over a hundred years...

The wind blew once again, and the cherry blossom petals that had fallen to the ground were lifted into the air by the breeze, slowly gathering together, as if forming a pink river.

.....

A grand funeral was held.

This was the Okuzumeshuu General who had once saved a Archon on the battlefield. With his life, he had left indelible marks, and his achievements were beyond question.

The entire nation of Inazuma mourned.

A funeral of such magnitude was rare in the history of Inazuma.

This was the last thing the gods of Inazuma could do for the General, and it was the highest form of respect from all the people of Inazuma.

After the funeral, time continued to flow.

Gradually, the heat of summer faded, and autumn arrived.

....

Kitsune Saiguu walked through the corridors of the General's Mansion and arrived at the familiar door of the room.

Even now, the mansion remained just as it had been, and Kitsune Saiguu still came every day to clean Yu Xie's former room.

She took out the key and opened the door.

The room was laid out just as it had been, with no changes at all.

As usual, Kitsune Saiguu carefully cleaned every corner, ensuring there was no dust left behind.

After finishing, Kitsune Saiguu sat at the desk, her gaze resting on the bookshelf. The shelf still held many books.

Suddenly, the sound of rain could be heard outside the window, a light drizzle.

It was just like the day she first met Yu Xie.

Looking back, it was all from that day that everything began.

That day, she had held an umbrella for the fifteen-year-old boy and brought him to her mansion, as though the gears of fate had begun to turn.

Kitsune Saiguu smiled softly, but it seemed like tears were hanging at the corners of her eyes.

She couldn't help but wonder—what had Yu Xie done when he sat here?

End of chapter

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