To the eternal you

People are always growing and changing, and everything has never stayed for anyone.

Especially when she was dying, those unforgettable scenes reappeared in front of her eyes. She felt that she had no regrets. To Tsubaki, death was just another journey.

When she was young, her timid character and poor family background made her have no say among her peers.

She watched many children playing together, and the girls lent toys to each other, but Tsubaki had nothing.

She is not the only child in the family. Her elder brother often goes out with money, saying that he is doing business, but it is always the mother who brings him back with tears in her eyes.

Nothing happened, but never gave up.

However, the family situation became more and more difficult, and he urged his mother to borrow money, saying that he would be able to make a big deal this time.

The cowardly mother allowed her again and again. Since her father died a year ago and lost the pillar of the family, her elder brother has the highest say. She and her younger siblings even have to wait for her elder brother to eat the sea every time she eats. finish drinking.

That day, the elder brother stood with the strange adults, pointing at her and the younger siblings with a flattering smile on his face.

Mother hugged them, tears couldn't stop falling, and kept saying sorry.

Why, why apologize?

Do you feel ashamed of us who were born into this family?

Or... for the tragedy that is about to happen, but unable to change it.

She was very sad and puzzled, why the elder brother who was also a family member would do such a thing, the young child did not understand.

So she escaped to the Maple Leaf Forest, where she would cry secretly every time she was bullied.

It was also here that she met the true adult.

Under the red maple flying all over the sky, the paper umbrella propped up a small peaceful place. They ate cakes and looked at the mottled light and shadow that seemed to be burning embers.

"Why did you run out?"

"I'm... going to be sold."

The girl took another bite of the pastry, it tasted good, but why did she keep crying.

"Is that so sorry, this must be a very painful and sad thing."

A vague face, but a very gentle voice and the hand on the top of the head, conveying warmth.

"My lord, I... can I be replaced? Just like Maple Leaf."

She pointed to the maple leaves that were blown away by the wind, the small wind eyes rolled up a lot, and each piece seemed to be similar.

"I'm short and timid. No one wants to be friends with me, and my mother loves my younger siblings more... But it doesn't matter. If I tell myself that I was chosen to protect my younger siblings, I'm sorry. happy."

"But... my brother said he would take the money and make a big business...we will be bought back at that time."

She hugged her knees in a daze, murmuring blankly.

"It is wrong to trade people as objects."

The adult denied such behavior, she caught the flying maple leaf and gave herself one.

So, it is the words engraved in the heart.

In the eyes of that god, even the humble she is unique, one of the many beautiful and lovely creatures living on this land.

Like this gentle god, what kind of scenery does she see in her eyes for the world that has just ended the war?

Want to know, want to stand beside her, want to see her again.

On the bag of red maple seeds that Lord Shenming left behind, it says Tsubaki.

That's where her name comes from, but she's still just a poor man, not qualified to have her own name.

But maybe it was luck, the family she was sold to by her brother provided everything she needed, enough food to fill her stomach, and she was lucky enough to become the eldest lady's attendant, so she could learn to read.

She desperately absorbed everything she could learn, doing, seeing, listening, and never resting in her spare time.

Then, after Daozuma City was established, she got to know people from the ghost clan by chance, and helped the ghost clan who had just arrived gradually adapt, and the family trusted her even more, and the affairs of the ghost clan gradually passed her hands.

At that time, her elder brother came to her. He negotiated with the family members, hoping to buy him back. At that time, his elder brother was middle-aged and wearing cotton clothes. With special dyeing techniques, beautiful cloth can be produced.

Now that I am a little richer, I want to bring myself back and reunite with my family.

The moment of choice came quietly, but at that time the castle tower was established, and she chose a completely different path for the dream in her heart.

And practiced it, and entered the castle tower under the persuasion of the eldest lady and the incredible eyes of her family.

A commoner actually entered the land of nobility, which naturally made many people feel dissatisfied.

The boss also began to assign her various difficult tasks, but every time she was always found a way to solve it, and the people of the ghost clan also provided her with accommodation, and it took about five years.

She finally got the house arranged by the Tenshou and was able to live in the Tenshou Pavilion. At that time, she was so excited that she stayed up all night, digging the soil happily in the yard and planting a red maple tree.

The name Tsubaki was also officially recognized that day.

From the first Daigosho-sama——

Perhaps it was because of the news that she was favored by the Great Imperial Palace, gradually, those nobles who made things difficult for her stopped teasing her, and instead sent congratulatory gifts respectfully.

The position of the secretary also gradually went up, from the attendant officer, to the guardian of Pihe River, to Fengyan Xuan, and then to Shao Nayan, until he became Da Nayan in his 40s.

At that time, she was finally able to meet the god again, who was still as gentle and beautiful as she saw when she was young, and she became friends with her.

Over the years, she has known many different people, dealt with the three major sects, the family she used to be in was also annexed, and the eldest lady was displaced, and finally went to Liyue with her help.

On the way home during the period, she met a little tengu, who was seriously injured, and it was like a young animal that opened its teeth and claws at everything unfamiliar.

She brought back the little guy, bandaged her wounds, taught her to write, and occasionally went to see her at Shadow Mountain, just like Master Zhen once taught, treat her with tenderness.

Finally, at her request, she was given a name.

locust tree.

Relying on her extraordinary martial arts and courage, she quickly tapped her own potential. Every time she came back from an injury, she was so angry and distressed. In order to make her calm down, she even bought a lot of elegant girl's clothes for Huai to wear.

But without exception, this child went out either to hunt down little monsters, or to compete with the ghost clan boys for the title of boss, and she finally won.

If he didn't play in the street, he would go to Shadow Mountain to compete with the tengus over there and learn spells.

I remember one time when she came back, her face was a little red and swollen, but there was no humiliation in her expression, instead she asked her hesitantly.

I just accidentally looked at the butt of the little tengu of the same clan, why was the other party so ashamed.

Not manly at all.

Only then did Tsubaki remember that this kid often hangs out with ghost kids and is used to being careless.

Fortunately, after the emergency education, Huai, who was almost crooked, was finally pulled back, and as she grew older, she entered the imperial court again.

And Chun also gradually began to feel the pressure of old age. His body, which used to not be tired even if he dug a hole all night, is now exhausted just by going back and forth to the main hall of the castle tower.

But her spirit is very tenacious, or after experiencing such a past, no matter who she is, as long as she does not give up, she will definitely become a person with great perseverance.

Until the day Master Zhen left, Huai saw her tearful appearance. She jumped up and down anxiously, thinking that she had been bullied by someone, and she still remembered the cute appearance of viciously saying that she wanted to avenge herself.

However, after she and Huai explored for a period of time, they got the answer at Kami Sakura at Narugami Taisha.

How could the gods die?

No, it's just a different way of being.

At that time, she was standing under the tree, asking about the past of Fox Tree.

Why is the Chinese character Chun written on the outside of the pouch containing the red maple seeds?

"Because I accidentally pretended to be wrong~"

This was the answer given to her by Master Zhen, which made her laugh non-stop at that time, maybe if she pretended not to be wrong at that time, should Chun be called Hongfeng?

According to her, because of this, she has not been paid attention in advance.

God is not perfect, and will make small mistakes, although this mistake has grown tenaciously to this day, becoming a towering tree that shelters others.

Tsubaki doesn't think Master Zhen didn't pay close attention to her, just like her now, just in another way.

She was lucky, even with an imperfect childhood.

In her future, she will always be accompanied by gentle and lovely people.

Even, before the end of life, he was able to see the light he saw when he was young.

And I also learned that what the scenery I saw in the eyes of the real adults at that time was some kind of beautiful hope.

Pray, what a nice name.

Pray, what a lovely child.

Pray, how much I want to see you grow up again.

She turned her face slightly, showing a gentle and kind smile, her weakened body could no longer support her, Huai knelt beside her bed, holding her hand tightly.

Granny Chun had already finished talking about what needed to be explained, but she slowly closed her eyes.

Perhaps, it's not completely without regrets, it would be great if I could hug the child again.

But...she has grown up and has important things to deal with, so please let Shenying carry my blessing.

Let the child be happy and healthy forever.

As the toon flowers fell, she felt her soul relax.

As if alive in another world, everything around is made of warm glow.

So, with a transparent figure, she gently hugged Huai who couldn't help crying, and gently watched her stand up again.

Then he looked at a road made of light bands.

Not yet, she doesn't plan to go there yet.

The soul defies the limitations of the physical world, allowing her to regain the freedom of her youth.

She waited in front of the castle tower as usual, but this time she couldn't wait for her with a soup box and asked her if she was full.

He could only follow Qi all the way, and saw her rushing into the house helplessly, staring blankly at himself who had been put into the coffin.

The girl cried very sadly, like a child who couldn't find a home.

Like at that time, I was hiding under the red maple tree, avoiding sad things.

But it doesn't matter, just like a real adult, she will accompany Qi well and walk together.

Although...not seen.

Most of the thoughts turned into miracles.

"Grandma Tsubaki...?"

Girl, I saw her.

Seeing her who should not continue to exist here, she ran forward and hugged Granny Chun tightly.

It was a very complicated feeling, mixed with love and heartache.

Because at this moment, she also understood the essence of Qi.

PS: It's still early, still early.