Chapter 31: Forgotten Dreams

To administer change, one must dedicate themselves to that sole idea. Whatever happens or whenever someone talks you out of it, you should be able to defend that idea. Because if your mind that is supporting that certain idea starts to weaken, the change that you are currently about to introduce…might not be the one you are genuinely resolved to apply.

"Kiyoto."

A voice stirs him awake- or rather, nudges his consciousness, as he was dreaming about another scene that seems like connected from his past. He looked at the girl and did not take his eyes off her even for a second, embedding her image unto his mind. After all, he might forget about her again once he wakes up.

The girl briefly chuckled. Her slender figure ran off towards the seemingly unending displays of Cherry blossoms. As Kiyoto followed suit, he noticed another figure of a woman wearing a shrine maiden outfit and a kitsune mask, sauntering along with the girl who always appears in Kiyoto's dreams. This woman has long pink colored hair, close to fuschia and is noticeably taller than the other girl.

The girl who's always in Kiyoto's dreams glances and gestures for him to follow them.

'Every dream has a meaning right…what does this mean to me…' Kiyoto thought to himself. However, he realized that this time, he can move around freely and moreover, it looks like he can converse with the people inside this dream. With that said, Kiyoto trudged towards them.

As he caught up with them, Kiyoto lightly grabbed the girl by her shoulders and inquired about something he's been curious about for so long.

"Please…give me an answer. Who are you? And…what are you to me…?"

The girl smiled…though anyone can tell that although it's genuine, it looks like she's being melancholic about something.

The girl holds his hand and gently rubs it.

"Kiyoto, even if I introduce myself over and over, you will forget about me again once you wake up…but it's what we've signed up for."

Kiyoto's eyes widened. It's as if she's telling him that this has happened before, or rather…

"Do you mean…"

The girl continued to smile despite displaying a sorrowful expression.

"We already met in your dream...hundreds…? Or maybe…thousand times already…"

She then caresses Kiyoto's cheeks, where her tears finally begin to show on her closed eyes.

"But I always enjoy times like these…where I can be with you, even if you always have to forget me."

Kiyoto can't believe what he just heard. Maybe he already did hear this a lot of times, nevertheless, it was a shocking revelation to a person who has no recollection about the said past. He then unconsciously takes hold of the girl's delicate hands, which makes her smile in joy.

"Looks like it's about time for you to wake up again…you will find yourself battling for the future of this world, and soon. But don't worry, you will not fight alone."

The girl glanced at the shrine maiden who was wearing a Kitsune Mask, Kiyoto also turned his gaze towards her as if following the girl.

The shrine maiden then nodded. A gust of wind follows, bringing in thousands of Sakura leaves which then swirl around them.

"Let the Sakura leaves guide you, follow its path and seek the Great Yamataka Jindai. There, the person that can help you overcome impossible challenges can be found."

"Someone that…can help me overcome impossible challenges? What are those ch-"

A light then begins to consume the whole plane. It just signifies that he is about to wake up once again.

"Kiyoto…I will wait for you. Even if you ask me who I am again…"

"Huh?" Kiyoto reached out to her as if he's still not ready to let her go. The girl's pained expression leaves him dejected. With that kind of ending, the dream then ended…..

"Hrmm…"

Kiyoto woke up in his room inside the Main Headquarters of the [Swords]. It felt like he just had an important dream but he can't quite remember it. Thus, he shrugged it off like what a normal person does.

As he gets up, he notices something fall out of his bed. A single Sakura leaf with a distinguishing color compared to the normal ones.

"....."

"How did it get in here?"

Kiyoto picks it up and observes it. As expected, he does not know what to make out of this, but he couldn't just find himself throwing it away since it looks beautiful.

And so, Kiyoto puts it inside his vest's pocket which is hanging on a chair.

"Well I guess I'll keep it as a sort of good luck."

Kiyoto takes a shower, gets dressed and wears his [Swords] vest. He then leaves his room to report to Akafuyu, which called for him as soon as he woke up.

— — —

In the history of Japan, there existed the Five Great Sakura Trees regarded as Natural Monuments of the country: Miharu Takizakura, Ishitokaba Zakura, Kariyado no Gebazakura, Usuzumi Zakura, and finally Yamataka Jindai Zakura.

At the foot of the Great Yamataka Jindai, now rests a large shrine guarded by towering Torii gates equipped with charms. Despite having a huge space, only selected people can enter this area.

A certain Shrine maiden with two guards can be seen walking towards the gates as the members inside awaited her by the entrance.

"Welcome back, our Miko."

"...I am back…"