[Spirited Away] River of Time

?Chapter 8

The snow was rustling, and in Granny Qian's hut, the faceless man was knitting a sweater with a monster statue pattern in front of the spinning machine.The black and slender figure was busy, and the faceless man was already Granny Qian's most capable assistant.

Chihiro and Granny Qian opened the door and let out a "squeak". It turned its head, dropped the ball of wool, and came forward, with a look of joy on its white mask.

"Faceless man... Look, I told you that I will come to you." Chihiro shook hands with it, and threw herself to Bailong's bed.

The sun in the winter afternoon was thin and gentle, the boy on the bed was still lifeless, not even breathing, his marble statue-like face was so pale that it broke Chihiro's heart.The girl half-kneeled in front of the bed, holding his cold hand that had no warmth at all.

"River God's meatball..." she whimpered, "It would be great if there was River God's meatball..."

Granny Qian sat on the chair and stared at Qianxun, her eyes were full of unbearable and distressed.The purple hair band was shining on the back of her head, and Granny Qian had a strange premonition inexplicably, she asked:

"Qianxun, if Bailong doesn't wake up, will you regret giving all the balls of the river god to the baby girl?"

Qian Xun was stunned, still holding Bai Long's hand, turned to Granny Qian: "No, I don't regret it."

Her tone was so resolute that Granny Qian couldn't help showing a very surprised expression.

Qian Xun turned her head and looked at Bai Long on the sick bed with nostalgia: "Because, if it were Bai Long, he would definitely do the same."

Chihiro's character always has a kind of perseverance and sobriety beyond ordinary people. In the face of emotions, he can take it up and let it go without delay...Grandma Qian's clear eyes have a hint of admiration.

At this moment, Bai Long on the bed coughed weakly.He frowned, his chest heaving slowly.Chihiro cheered with an "ah" and rushed to the bed.Although he was breathing, he was clearly still awake, and his eyes were still closed.

"Without the ball of the river god, things would be much more difficult. This magic attack by Granny Tang may seriously damage the power of Bailong." Granny Qian sighed, "If Bailong wakes up, his power will also become weak. .”

Chihiro said: "I will always be with Bailong." She lowered her head, "I will stay in the hidden world."

The faceless man was startled when he heard the words, and immediately came over, looking at Chihiro expectantly.

"Qianxun, what about your family and friends over there?" Granny Qian's tone was kind and sharp.Qian Xun suddenly sneered, Granny Qian seemed to see through her evasive psychology.

Seeing that Qian Xun was speechless for a long time, Granny Qian smiled: "Peace of mind is home - how about, ask Bai Long, where does he want to go back?"

Chihiro worriedly clutched the corner of her clothes. "What if he proposes to go back there for me?" She simply told Granny Qian about Xiao Guang and the fox demon, and she really felt sorry for her.Although, she never witnessed it with her own eyes.

Granny Qian said: "Bailong is a smart child. He knows you will be sad, so he will definitely think about you and make a good choice."

The faceless man wrung his hands nervously and kept looking at Chihiro.The melted snow dripped from the window sill, and the cool and brilliant winter sun fell on the monster statue sweater on the weaving frame, with dots of light shining on it.That sweater, the remaining sleeves are finished.

"Winter is almost over." Granny Qian got up, poured a pot of hot tea for Qian Xun and the faceless man, and asked meaningfully, "Faceless man, do you have something to say to Qian Xun?"

The faceless man stared at Qianxun, his gaze changed subtly, and finally, it slowly fell on the hands held by Bailong and Qianxun.

After a long, long time, Chihiro still remembers the look in the eyes of the faceless man.

So eager and so reluctant, condensed the purity of the snow and the tranquility of the winter sun, the empty eyes under the mask seemed to reflect the ripples of countless fleeting events in the rain, and finally, it boiled down to tenderness, no one is more beautiful than Chihiro The familiar kind of humble tenderness.

It shook its head, went back to the weaving frame alone, stroked the sweater of the monster statue, and looked lonely.

<<

In the ears, there is the sound of gurgling water.Above the head, there are swaying blue water patterns, as warm as a mother's womb.He, the fragile dragon god, curled up and slept in the crystal blue river bed, like a newborn baby.

Stretch out your hand, can you touch the golden sun and the empty glass bottle?

He heard the sound of falling snow and ice floes colliding gently, as well as the girl's subtle breathing.

"Are you back in Amber River?" He thought happily, and then opened his eyes.

What came into view was the boundless starry sky.The stars are shining brightly, sprinkled with countless brilliance.Small and cool snowflakes fell one after another, like powder like sand, with a bluish light.He smells summer flowers.The chestnut hair fell on his face, itching slightly.

He reached out to touch it, and the long hair slid over his palm like flowing water, with a satin-like luster.

Inexplicably, there was a gentle and long throbbing in my heart.He wrapped those few strands of hair around his fingers, and slowly, he stuck them to his lips.

"Are you awake?" A familiar girl's voice came from above her head.

Bailong suddenly woke up.

The boy sat up quickly, and the boat under him shook in shock. He hurriedly supported the side of the boat to stabilize his body.

It turned out that he was lying in Qianxun's arms just now, with his head resting on her lap, and a wool blanket covering his body.Bai Long's face immediately turned red, and he looked around again, and found that the two of them were alone in a small boat, drifting leisurely between the vast sea and sky, under the stars and moon.

Chihiro leaned against the side of the boat, staring at him.The chestnut waist-length hair was not bundled up, it was casually scattered all over the body, like a waterfall.

Fine snow fell.All around, apart from the undulating sea water and the vast starry sky, there is nothing else.

The scene in front of him was so beautiful that Bai Long suspected it was another dream, and he was speechless for a while.

"We...how could we be...?"

He looked at Chihiro greedily, but his tone was cautious, as if he was afraid of shattering his dream.

Chihiro hurriedly explained: "Grandma Qian said, you are breathing and you will wake up. I just saw a boat nearby, so..." bowed her head shyly, "...I just want to be alone with you for a while .”

Before she finished speaking, she felt the skin on her face being gently pinched, and the approaching hand made Chihiro's eyes widen in disbelief, her face flushed slightly, "Bailong... what are you doing?" It was her illusion ?What flashed in those moonstone-like eyes was the mischievousness and cunning that were no different from ordinary boys in the world?

"Well... I just want to confirm if this is a dream." Bai Long said with a smile, feeling the prickly touch of the skin under his hands, and his heart beat again, "Okay, I've confirmed it, it's not a dream." He said solemnly explain.

——Obviously such a beautiful scene, why do you feel a little sad and lost in your heart?

——Is it because, for a moment, he thought he had returned to Amber River?

The ethereal bells sounded from far away, making people's hearts tremble.Qian Xun told Bai Long that the contract was torn up by Granny Qian, and the God of the River also took the sick Xiao Guang back to the orphanage.

"It's good for Xiaoguang to be raised by someone." After hearing this, Bailong felt relieved, and said with emotion, "...human children are really not suitable for growing up here."

"Mr. River God won't break his promise, will he?"

Bai Long nodded: "Of course not."

"Sigh... If it wasn't for Xiaoguang's illness, I would have planned to take Xiaoguang out and give her a home." Qianxun blamed herself a little.

Bai Long stroked her head, and said in relief: "You have paid a lot. You broke into here for her, lost your name, worked in the oil house, and saved her life..." Suddenly, he coughed uncomfortably, "Say Really, I'm going to be jealous..."

Bailong looked very shy and cute at this moment.Playfully, Chihiro leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.Bailong was caught off guard, his body shook, and the boat shook slightly.The sound of water was rustling, Qian Xun's center of gravity was unsteady, she was about to fall, Bai Longyan quickly helped her body.

The space in the boat was narrow, so he simply hugged her to his lap.He took the woolen blanket and covered both of them.

The unprecedented ambiguous posture made Chihiro blush instantly, the cold falling snow and the fabric could not block the softness and heat of her skin, making her almost drown in the intense heartbeat.

Of course, Bailong holding Qianxun is not much better at the moment.Although rationality told him that it was a bit dangerous, but he was not willing to let go of her, but the arms around her waist were tightened even more.

The two young men and women hugged each other intimately in the wool blanket of the boat.

The sky is full of diamonds and stars dumped on the quiet sea, Chihiro has an illusion, as if they are in the bright and endless Milky Way.

——If only this moment could last forever.

My heart suddenly calmed down.

"Hey, Bailong..." Chihiro buried her head in his chest and spoke softly.

"Ok?"

"Everyone in Shenyin World, do you really hate human beings?" Somewhat sad.

"...At least I'm not."

"However, human beings have done so many bad things, and even filled the Amber River with mud. You...don't blame them?"

"They didn't mean to."

In a word, Bailong said it plainly, but Qianxun was very impressed.

——How broad-minded should we be to forgive those who have destroyed their homeland?

This is Bailong, the boy she admires and admires.She couldn't help wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Take me home, Chihiro." He whispered in her ear.

Chihiro was stunned for a moment: "But, Amber River is gone...you will lose your power and you won't be able to survive at that time, what should you do?" She absolutely couldn't accept it. Like snow, it disappears.

Chihiro thinks of all the pains she has experienced in reality, of the increasingly developed cities and barren mountains and rivers, of the filthy Mr. River God, of greedy humans and parents who divided up property, of the disappearing Amber River...

What kind of world do we live in?

Both Grandpa Boiler and Granny Qian said that peace of mind is home.

As long as she is with Bailong, Chihiro feels at ease, and it doesn't matter where she is.

——But, for Bailong, where is the "place of peace of mind"?

But Bailong shook his head, "I want to go back. Because I am the God of Nature who protects you humans." His fingers ran through her long hair pitifully, but his tone was deep, "I believe that people can understand again, the nature of material things in this world. Prosperity is not as strong and long-lasting as faith...Natural faith will return, and new power will be born again. So I think, I have no problem."

Chihiro savored his words carefully: The prosperity of material things in this world is not as strong and long-lasting as faith.Faith in nature will return, and new power will be reborn.

"It was Chihiro who came back this time and gave me confidence in human beings." Bailong smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Thank you for meeting me.

Thank you for meeting me again.

Thank you for your bravery and perseverance for not giving up, which shocked me.

Thank you for getting my name back and making me want to go home again.

Thank you for teaching me... love.

Snowflakes fell one after another, Bailong gazed at Chihiro tenderly, his dark eyes were filled with starlight from billions of years.The waves of the surrounding sea cast crystal light and shadow on Bailong's handsome face and cold blue hunting clothes. The beauty of a moment, unrealistic fragility, is as clear and fleeting as snow.

The boy lowered his head and kissed Chihiro's lips lightly.

"We go home."?

☆、The ending of the hidden girl (1)

? 1.

20 years later.

I saw the portrait of Jun Hayami-kun's father again in the morning three days later.Holding a large stack of developed photos of the hidden world, I braved the heavy snow to visit the River of Time Studio.

Winter is coming to an end, and the snow on the ground is gradually melting, and I see my footsteps leaving a glowing trail behind me, moist, winding, and so lonely.

The door of the River of Time studio was not closed tightly, and a warm yellow light leaked out from the narrow gap.I stood still on the steps, patted the snow on my shoulders, stretched out my frozen hands, and gently opened the door.

Relief Zaojian Jun is sitting in front of the army green easel repairing a painting.It was that self-portrait we first met.He just sat there quietly, facing the young father in the painting silently.

The boy in the cold blue hunting suit in the portrait overlapped with the snow-like and fleeting boy in the memory who smiled at Chihiro in the sea of ​​stars, and something cracked in my heart in an instant, and the sharp fragments pierced I ached.

Maybe it was because of the sound coming from behind, Jin Zao saw Jun turned his head, "Light?" Immediately got up, and came forward, with a concerned and worried tone, "You...are you okay?"

I have no way to answer.

For the past two days, with the red swaddle and the bag of gold in my arms, I curled up beside the bed with my knees in my arms, barely eating or sleeping.The lights were off, and I remained at home as motionless as a stone statue.The window was not closed, and the snowflakes flew in, and then melted into snow water, dripping down to the floor.It was dark all around, only the light on the phone screen flickered, as if searching, as if crying, as if a little thought in the vast ignorance.

He suddenly raised his hand and threw the bag of gold against the wall, and it bounced away with a "pop" in the silent room.The gold was scattered all over the ground, making a crackling sound, like my confused thoughts.I climbed into bed and reached for my phone.

"Fortunately, you sent me a text message, saying that you would come to see me this morning, otherwise I would have broken in." Jinzao Jianjun said effortlessly.

I still couldn't say a word, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"Sure enough..." Jun Zaojian looked at me with some unease, "...It's my fault, I shouldn't have told you these things hastily."

I moved my icy lips with difficulty: "... See you early."

"Ok?"

"Can I... can I ask you a question?"

"of course."

I heard my own voice softly: "If... Qianxun didn't give me all the river god's meatballs, would your father leave later?"

Relief Zao saw you stunned.I hung my head, unable to see his expression clearly.There is only the warm yellow mist shrouded around us, and the sound of snow falling outside the window, quietly.

After a while, he whispered, "Actually, I also asked Qian Xun the same question."

I felt my heart tighten all of a sudden.Big tears fell down my cheeks immediately, and I quickly reached out to wipe them away: "...um."

"She answered me, no if. She never regretted saving you at that time."

I bit my lip in embarrassment.

"I didn't expect to meet you in the vast crowd, Guang." Jin Zao Jianjun said softly, carefully holding my cold hand, and putting it to his lips to take a breath of hot steam.

"Only you found out that the original intention of my painting was to miss my father. At that time, I felt that you were different from other reporters, and I really wanted to make you a friend.

"I was waiting for you downstairs that night, and when I saw the sweater of the monster statue, I realized that you were the baby girl back then.

"Originally, I was hesitant to tell you about Chihiro's second disappearance. Because I knew you would be sad.

"I appointed you as my reporter just to meet with you...and you a few more times. Maybe, I can take you to meet Chihiro——

"What I didn't expect was that you would ask me about the story of my parents' reunion. You said that after the snow melted, life would start again—that's when I decided to tell you everything."

"See you early." I couldn't control it, and choked up again, "You know what? I... how I wish I had never existed."

"Don't say that." He reached out to wipe the fine snow from my hair, "Without you, my parents would never meet again."

"But, in order to save me, your mother gave me all the balls of the river god..." I said intermittently.

"Father is the God of Nature. The Amber River was filled with mud many years ago." Jinzao Jianjun said plainly, the eyes similar to Bailong's were the sadness that had calmed down over time, and I felt a burst of sadness when I saw it Heartache, "...his departure, as you and I mentioned before, is due to the loss of power, and... the complete demise of natural beliefs."

Jun Zao Jian gently comforted me, however, his voice gradually dropped.

Persuading others is not enough to persuade oneself, and Ji Zao Jianjun has never been able to come out.He put the pain of losing his father into his paintbrush, painted for a full ten years, and became a famous artist I am interviewing now.

Seeing all the crystal blue river-themed oil paintings on display in the studio, I felt a devastating twitch and pang in my heart.My current mood is quite different from the astonishment when I first saw his art exhibition. I no longer have the admiration and honor of interviewing him, and I no longer point out the lack of detachment in his paintings.

"It shouldn't be like this." I said sadly to Jun Zaojian, "The teenagers and girls hugging each other under the starry sky should have the happiest ending like the prince and princess in fairy tales. How could one leave and one leave?" The fate of living alone?"?

☆、The ending of the hidden girl (2)

? 2.

It shouldn't be like this.This sentence, Jin Zao Jianyou also said to himself countless times.

You, which means to protect, is the name his father gave him.A long time ago, his father told him that the only way to get his name back was to love and protect him.

Love and protection are the common propositions of human beliefs, and they are also the oldest magic.At that time, Zhen Zao Jianyou didn't understand, but he firmly engraved this sentence in his heart.

They live in a well-developed metropolis, where there are row upon row of high-rise buildings and the hustle and bustle of traffic, and the gentle murmur of the gurgling river can no longer be heard.The children of the River God are no different from all ordinary children, their lives are full of busy schoolwork.

One day, Jin Zao Jianyou picked up the paintbrush and found that he could sit in front of the huge canvas for eight hours, just to carve a lily in the field meticulously with fine brushwork. There is a strange quietness and throbbing.

——At that moment, he saw his own destiny.

"Now, not many people would spend a month painting an oil painting?" After deciding to become a painter, he said sadly to his father.

His father answered him like this: "In this busy city, people pursue speed too much. Therefore, it is very precious to complete a work quietly and patiently."

Father, has always been so wise and indifferent.

When he went to the shrine with his father, he was wearing a snow-white safari suit, and he just stood quietly in front of the cleansing platform, and that kind of quiet, long and gentle temperament came over his face, clean and beautiful like the king in the cloud, which Yu deeply admired since he was a child. .

Sometimes Yu felt that his affection for his father had gone far beyond family affection and had become a kind of faith.Father, not a mortal, a hundred years ago, he once guarded a river named "Amber River".

Rivers are the source of civilization.The literature, art, and music handed down from every place have traces of rivers.For thousands of years, rivers have been very important for drinking water, irrigation, and transportation of goods.Rivers are pretty much the lifeblood of the country.

However, after the Edo Clock Tower was sunk by the order of Emperor Showa, Japan entered the industrial revolution. With the invention of machinery, people no longer depended on rivers.

People fill rivers with silt, block them with waste, and build cold, high banks.The rivers that fed civilization and witnessed history were sealed and abandoned.People no longer respect nature, and the gods who guard the river are expelled and homeless.

Not to mention father, even You himself felt that human beings were hopeless.However, in the face of such human beings, the father said lightly that he believed that the belief in nature would return.

Yu established Shizhihe Studio.In this era of rapid high-tech hustle and bustle, he is willing to outline his love and longing for his father stroke by stroke in a quiet and unknown corner by hand.

After his father left, Yu regarded painting as a reflection on Shinto, a memory of belief in nature.This is the whole value of his life.

"Later, I met you, Guang." Jun Zao Jian stared at me, with a warm glow in his eyes, "Among the reporters who interviewed me, no one can dig out my inner story like you It has to go this deep."

That night, wearing the sweater of the youkai statue, I passed a tall building alone, walked through huge glass curtain walls, and then came to an abandoned shrine.

The snowflakes were flying, and I picked up a red plum that fell in the snow.The red plum left a pleasant fragrance in my hand. I brushed off the fine ice crystals on the petals and placed it on the glazed platform in front of the temple.

"We are confessing." I said softly, and clapped my hands three times.

After several weeks of sleepless nights, I handed over the manuscript and photos to the manager.

The moment I handed it over, I clearly felt that something in my life flowed out along with the thick stack of pages.

I feel that there is also a part of me in those interviews that have poured my heart and soul into what I can achieve in my life. ?

☆、The ending of the hidden girl (3)

? 3.

I didn't expect that my photo report would cause such a big sensation.

It is said that less than two days after the magazine was released, the publishing department sent an email to request additional printing.The phone kept ringing in the office, and the manager and colleagues couldn't react.

I also received a call from Jinhayami-kun in the chaos. He said in confusion that many people have visited Shizhihe Studio recently, especially students and children.

Artists are alone, generally speaking.Jun Zaojian is obviously not used to receiving such attention.I couldn't help laughing as I imagined the delicate and handsome him surrounded by children in front of the crystal blue canvas.

All this is just a prelude.

The photo report is published in several issues and is also serialized on the Internet.At the junction of winter and spring, after the heavy snow melts, people change into light and thin clothes.On the subway and tram, you can hear discussions about Jehayami-kun and his paintings everywhere. "Love", "art", "river", and even "faith" and "worship of natural gods" and other ordinary and lofty words are also talked about by everyone.

The progress is unexpectedly fast, and it can even be described as "amazing".Only at this time can we experience the speed and influence of information media.

The industrial age roared past like a steam train, and was replaced by the information age.In the time composed of lightning and numbers, is the belief in natural gods and ancient magic still meaningful?

"Kawakami, your photo report has won the NHK Japan Annual News Award!" When Jun Hayami invited me to see his new art exhibition, I received an excited call from the manager.

The huge crystal blue canvas is illuminated by spotlights and becomes crystal clear, ripples as if by magic.The ice floes melted, and the blossoming narcissus lilies floated on the river water. The snow-white petals were soft and delicate, and the textures were clearly visible.I stand under the oil painting, the smallest existence.

"Really...really?!" I covered my mouth in disbelief. NHK Japan Annual News Awards, that is every reporter's dream!

The manager sent the evaluation from NHK to my mobile phone: "Excellent writing and photography, promoted the art of oil painting, and awakened people's thinking about natural beliefs...leading a series of trends in the worship of natural gods...Political leaders even Putting it up at the six-nation summit as an environmental issue...Japan's annual news award deserves its name."

I couldn't help it on the spot, and wept bitterly in the art hall, ignoring the surprised eyes of others.

With tears in my eyes, I saw another oil painting.In the painting is a long-haired girl, wearing the sweater of the monster statue, sitting at the desk writing by the snowflakes of the window, with a pious demeanor.

I was so unbelievable, I took a few steps back, my heart was beating like thunder, and the snowy night after working overtime appeared in my mind——

--"So cute."

……

—"Here, you see, I've already drawn it."

……

There is no need to say a thousand words.Below the portrait, there is a sentence:

——"Can I replace Chihiro and fulfill my promise to bring you home?"

Tears welled up in my eyes again.At this moment, Jun Zaojian called.My hands were shaking when I took out the phone, because the unprecedented happiness at this moment is really unbelievable.

"Did you...see it?" He asked cautiously.

"Yeah!" I suppressed the increasingly violent heartbeat.Faced with such a confession, who can bear it? "I saw you early, actually, from the first time I saw you... no, from the first painting I saw, I-"

"Let's meet and talk." He solemnly said, "At nine o'clock tonight, wait at the entrance of the art exhibition."

How I got past the crystal blue oil paintings in the back, I don't remember.

I grew up with no one to rely on since I was a child, and I grew up in the poorest conditions. In fact, I have low self-esteem in my bones.Whenever someone affirms me and expresses their love, I always feel unreal and dare not expect and invest.

Only this time is different.Because, it was Jun Zaojian... Chihiro's child.

I like Jun Zaojian, and I also like Qianxun, not only because Qianxun saved me, but also because she gave me courage.

——In the future... Is it possible for me to call her "Mom"?

I was immediately taken aback by my own thoughts.This... this is too fast!I couldn't laugh or cry, but my whole body burned up.

<<

At [-]:[-], I arrived at the entrance of the exhibition area.The neon-changing sky tree stands not far away, like a sundial in the new era.The Ferris wheel rotates slowly between the sky and the earth, and the colorful light curtains are like vibrating cicada wings, like a magnificent dream.I walked up and down with my heart pounding.

I feel like I've been waiting a long time.Gradually, behind me, the lights of the exhibition halls were turned off one by one.The sky tree and Ferris wheel also turned off the neon lights.

The city was plunged into darkness.

——See you early, has he not come yet?

I looked at the quiet mobile phone in confusion, and didn't dare to call to urge me, so I could only wait there.

The lights in the exhibition area have all been extinguished.Everything in front of me was shrouded in darkness, the dark bushes nearby were rustling by the wind, and the melted snow water was falling drop by drop, making subtle splashes.I have been afraid of the dark since I was a child, and now I feel creepy, sweating profusely.I hugged my arms involuntarily, and buried my head low like a child.

At this moment, I saw a mass of white light, which was very thin at first, and then gradually became grand and warm, calming the fear in my heart.

I was amazed, and had a strange premonition in my heart: "Who is...?"

At that moment, it was like snowflakes condensed, and in the end, a snow-white fox stood quietly in the darkness in front of my eyes.It holds a red plum in its mouth, which is exactly the one I put in the temple before.

I heard a buzzing sound in my ear, as if I was hit by something.

Those dark eyes stared at me quietly, like a mother staring at a child who has been separated for a long time. It is an emotion I have never felt and longed for for a long time.

"Is it... you?" The long hair was blown into my eyes by the wind, and I heard my voice very softly, "Fox demon... the hidden world... the restaurant in the clock tower...?"

The white fox nodded, and suddenly changed, a woman in a crimson kimono appeared in front of me, with joy and sadness on her face.The spring breeze billowed her sleeves and belt.She held the branch of red plum in her hand.The face and attire are like the appearance of Xiaoling I have seen in my memory.

The fox demon gracefully stretched out her hand, brushed aside my long hair, and put the branch of red plum on my hairline.I stared blankly at her with tears in my eyes.

"You've grown up." She smiled slightly.It was obviously smiling, but it seemed to be crying.

Before I could say something, she took a step back, "I'm going back." She turned into a white fox again, and disappeared in the night sky like dew.

All this happened in an instant.Only the aroma in my hair reminds me that it is not an illusion.

I don't know how long after, the phone rang suddenly, and Jun Zaojian's choked voice came: "I'm sorry, I didn't miss the appointment on purpose, let me tell you, father——"

His voice trembled uncontrollably.

However, when he heard that I was also crying, he suddenly cut off the voice: "What's wrong with you?" I couldn't speak, so he hurriedly said, "I'll be right over."

I squatted down slowly on the steps, wrapping my knees.The brain is blank, only those eyes are left, so gentle, full of maternal love.At that moment, the world was barren.

Relief Zao Jianjun rushed over quickly.When he got out of the car, there were still tears on his face, "Light?" He hugged me.

I wept bitterly in his arms.Jinzao Jianjun also seemed to have something to say, but seeing me like this, he couldn't say anything, and just hugged me quietly.

<<

Spring has come to the island nation without a trace of snow.

The sun was bright as bright gold, the sky was clear and cloudless, and the treetops were bursting with fresh apple-colored green.The torii and monster statues are brushed by lush leaves from time to time, and there is a sound like rustling waves.The front of the tunnel is covered with emerald green fallen leaves and mottled light spots, which is the most natural carpet.

"It's really decided?" Junzao was worried and confirmed again and again, "Is that why you want to see the fox demon again?"

I'm wearing a windbreaker, and I'm standing in front of the monster statue, brushing a fallen leaf off its head.I nodded firmly when I heard Jinzao Jianjun's question.

"You go home, your parents are waiting for you."

"It's better for me to take you in." Jinzao Jianjun said worriedly.

I shook my head, and took out a sachet from my bosom—the branch of red plum had been made into dried flowers by me, and I put it in the sachet and carried it with me.

"This is something I have to face alone." I held the sachet, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"But--"

"I'll be back soon." I looked at him and smiled.

Before he finished speaking, he hugged me.

After parting from him, I turned around.The deep wind in the tunnel blew through my clothes, accompanied by the distant bell.I put on my hood and walked into the deep tunnel alone.

(End of the article)