Chapter 42: Amble on

Just a few more days before Spring finally arrives, the people in different cities of Japan are starting to prepare for a certain festival. The Cherry Blossom festival, in which the Sakura Trees shall bloom with their brilliant and dazzling leaves.

It is also the day where the Head Priestess of every shrine gives their blessing to the people by performing a ritual, a Kagura, from their respective Temple. A day where a wish shall, or rather, may be granted.

But before this happens, some decisions shall be made, a battle is bound to happen…a change shall occur.

"Kiyo-" A voice is trying to reach him in his dreamstate. "-yoto" It's still trying to.

"Who…" Kiyoto's fleeting consciousness are mixing in with the person trying to reach his dream. "Kiyoto…? Did I already reach you?" The girl asked, as lights gather and compress, forming her figure.

"Y-yeah. Wait, who are you? What are you doing in my consciousness?"

Kiyoto asked inquisitively. Though as for everyone's knowledge, this girl once again, is Lunar, Kiyoto's guiding light and secret guardian angel. Though as per certain conditions, Kiyoto would always forget about her.

"Mmh…"

The girl didn't speak up for the first few seconds, but then she decided to do so as she held his hands tightly.

"Hehe, nothing…I just want to see you before you head out there and face one of your biggest challenges. But I know you will always push through and succeed when you put yourself into it." The girl confidently stated as she warmly smiled towards him.

"I…I see. You know what's about to happen then? And uh…I still don't know who you are though…" Kiyoto just lets this girl do what she likes, as she's still taking hold of his hands.

"My name, hmm…you can just call me your Angel for now."

The girl said while sounding jubilant.

"Angel, Tennyo-san…Tennyo-chan?"

Kiyoto can't stop himself but to joke around for now, since he feels warm and secure around her which he can't explain why.

The girl then pouts and squeezes Kiyoto's hands.

"Hmp, mind you that we are of the same age. A lady and a gentleman. I just didn't have that much of a growth spurt."

Kiyoto pulled his hand as gently as he could and placed it at the back of his head as if he's sorry.

"Ah, haha well I'm just joking. Anyway–"

The girl interrupted him.

"ANYWAY, Kiyoto." She sounds a bit irritated.

"H-huh? Uhm, I don't know but…did your voice just change suddenly?"

"DId it now? Well, I want some explanation. You see–"

A dark aura starts to form around the girl as she continues what she is saying.

"-Kiyoto, you're spending TOO MUCH TIME with that Akafuyu. And what did I come to see? She easily gets flustered when talking with you. And it seems to me that you're enjoying that kind of moment with her as well despite having m-"

The girl stopped. She then turns around and breathes deeply which she lets out afterwards.

"Looks like time's up already…and I haven't got to smack you yet…"

"Smack me, why??"

"Hmp. Even in the past, you're like this. You should better understand the women around you."

The dream is currently starting to fade.

"Does this mean…I'm waking up soon?"

"Yes, but please, be careful– well, not that you'll remember what transpired here. Anyway…I'll be looking out for you…always."

The dream then ended.

A gentle tap in the head stirs him awake.

"Rested well? Sorry to wake you, but I think it's about time we get our feet up."

It was Yato who woke him, and to Kiyoto's surprise, he was wearing his mask.

"Yato? What's happening…?"

Kiyoto asked.

"Well, I just noticed that there has been a change in atmosphere since I woke up. And so I wore my mask to expand my sense of hearing. Interestingly enough, it looks like Kirisame had arrived early."

"What? He's already here?"

Kiyoto quickly gets himself up and changes clothes.

"If so, let's tell Akafuyu."

'Not using any titles huh, how far did the two of you go anyway.' Yato thought to himself as he raised a brow.

"Uh, well Lord Akafuyu was actually already waiting outside for us. She sensed his arrival way before I did."

"Really-? As expected…"

Kiyoto and Yato then headed outside, whereas they saw Akafuyu and Mylene seated on a nearby bench under a beautiful Sakura Tree. The two groups waved at each other by the time they noticed one another.

Yato's mask was already kept beside his waist by then.

"Alright, I'll gather up and brief my crew about the present situation. We'll be quick, so don't worry."

Yato then strides towards the lodging of his team to get them.

"Rested well? Haven't got any dreams to give us some leads?"

Mylene asked while resting her head on Akafuyu's shoulders.

Kiyoto scratches the back of his head.

"Nope, nothing that I can remember. Though I feel kind of relaxed, like I just got up from a massage or something."

"Heeh, Yato touched you or something?"

Akafuyu lightly smacked Mylene in the head with red spots on her cheeks.

"Mylene, what kind of question is that…"

Mylene massages the area where she got smacked.

"Huuu…come on, I'm just trying to lighten up the mood. Since you know, we're kind of in a tight spot."

"It's not that bad."

Akafuyu reassures her.

"Also, I'll be the one doing the talking and persuasion. Ginjiro-dono would be there with us as well."

Mylene rested his back.

"Who's in favor and who's not. I don't even know which is the majority. Wait, do we know?"

"We don't, and it doesn't matter."

Akafuyu replied.

"After all, decisions will be finalized once both parties have made their contentions on the table and take a side whether they stay true to their belief or get influenced by the opposition."

"Oooh, I see. Politics are hard, good thing we're leaving this one to you."

Mylene gave a thumbs up towards Akafuyu.

After just a short while, Yato returned with his crew, with each of them greeting Akafuyu respectfully.

With Yato's return, Ginjiro's arrival came shortly after. He was being accompanied by three attendants, which the group assumes is also in favor of their opinion.

Ginjiro looks at everyone.

"All's here? Kirisame just arrived and was escorted towards Yamanashi. We'll go there now if you don't mind."

Mylene reacted.

"Whoa, so suddenly? Aren't we supposed to, you know, plan what to say and who will say something like in debates?"

"I'm afraid we don't have that kind of luxury. We'll talk as we go, sounds fine?"

Akafuyu nodded in response. She looks at everyone with resolute eyes as if telling them: "we're doing this." This made her team feel more encouraged.

Ginjiro was astonished after witnessing it, he thought of just how revered Akafuyu is, towards her own people. This made him a bit sentimental, since the one he declared his unwavering service to, was getting disparaged by her own people.

"Let's go, follow me…"

Ginjiro then turns around and walks towards the direction by which the Yamanashi's Jissoji temple resides.

Akafuyu and the rest followed suit, with Kiyoto walking just behind her, pulling his hood down. Akafuyu then announced as they walked:

"Everyone, we're not going to a battle, nor are we planning to start one. As much as possible, we just need to relay a message."

"As much as possible?"

A crew member whispered to Yato.

Yato then looks at Akafuyu who is leading them.

"That means we have a possibility to run out of options."

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