Chapter 10. Sea of Hope

Like the way she was brought to the unknown place, similarly, a golden fog surrounded her the moment the class was over and in a blink of an eye Hatsuki was brought back. The sky had turned midnight blue, and the moon shined. 

Hatsuki stood amidst the flower garden and although the house was just a few steps away she felt drained. Exhausted. It had only a few days and yet, it was as though she was back at the very first phase of life. 

'What even is my objective? To meet mom? But what about after that?' Her mind was restless as she headed to the flowers, observing one of them. There were bleeding hearts, spider lilies and chrysanthemums.

Her back was slightly bent while the cold gust undid the little strands of her hair.

Yuki, whose sleeves were slightly dirtied by the mud walked towards Hatsuki. His eyes softened at the sight of her. He noticed the little red spot under her palm, perhaps from the crystal. Then after, his eyes closed for a bit. Enjoying the peace and the presence before heading towards her. 

"What are you doing here in such cold?" Yuki asked. His face was still covered while his tall body approached her. 

"Eh? Oh… well, I was just observing these flowers…" Her lips felt dry and somewhat cracked. 

"Amazing, isn't it? Even in such winter, these flowers of the spring bloom. Taking away the wait of the spring" Yuki initiated despite his condescending aura. He was close enough to block the gust of winds but not too close, that she would feel uncomfortable. 

The words 'Wait for the spring' made her faintly look at him since it was the same words Yuming had said. Was there some sort of hidden meaning to it? 

"Indeed. But it's also the reason why I can believe that I am in the under realm. The moon goddess, the sky… they always stay stagnant after all. Also, Master" Hatsuki turned more to the side, feeling a tad bit more comfortable and confident.

"Eh?" He hunched his nape slightly down. 

"What is your objective in life? What… are the things you want to achieve?" 

The swirls of the wind were strong and although the silence was filled with turbulence the master took his time before parting his lips. 

"Achievement would be a finite thing. As someone who has lived a very long life, and will continue to outlive many, my objective is to simply live a life of improvement. The infinite goal of improvement and never staying stagnant" He replied. For some reason Hatsuki looked closer at the Master, making sure it was his words since it… didn't feel like him. 

Yet, it felt like an epiphany to her. Clicking the correct parts of her brain Hatsuki realized… She never needed to only have the objective of meeting her mother. Now that she had gotten the chance to live again, she should choose to live in the way she could be fulfilled. 

"Internalize the progress instead of playing the short games of success?" Understanding his words, Hatsuki's eyes lit up. The strain of constant worry somewhat eased although still relishing at the back of her mind. 

"That is a good interpretation but just make sure to take things one step at a time" Yuki gave a little pat on her head and walked ahead at a slow pace. 

"Master! I am coming as well, please wait" 

Hastuki smiled brightly under the silver light of the moon goddess, unaware that the threads of red had started to tie on the little pinkies. 

~

A sea of hope surged into her heart, pouring through her expressions as they stepped inside the dining area. The lengthy table was changed to a little circular one with two chairs at the sides. The empty spaces were covered with plenty of vases and lanterns. 

"It seems so…Intimate? And warm too" She added right after all, the context of her words was risque! The slight mistake was enough to bring out a little redness on her cheeks, which made Yuki smile internally. 

"Just like home?" he asked. His voice slightly raised as the tingle of giddiness couldn't leave him. 

"Eh" 

Yuki took out the chair first and positioned his hand as a way to show her that the seat was for her. Confused, Hatsuki simply walked towards him. "Have a seat" His soft voice reached her ears and so, in an awkward motion Hatsuki pinched her hems and took a seat. 

Satisfied, Yuki too went to the other side and sat across her. 

"...Are… we going to have dinner, Master?" Hatsuki masked a smile, feeling a sort of rigidness within her. Having never been so close to a man in all 19 years of her life, it felt out of place. 

"Uh." 

"...Well… It's just… How are you going to have dinner? Moreover, beings like..yours… don't need food, right?" 

"Just because I don't need to do mean I don't want to. Moreso, I can lift this paper while having dinner" He answered. 

Although it was true that the gods or spirits didn't need to eat, it didn't mean they wouldn't want to. Food was a comfort, the warmth to call home and so much more. It was a history and passing down of many generations. 

On the table, the maid served homemade rice, scallops broccoli stir fry, fried dumplings and salted duck. Hatsuki's face lit up at the sight of the colourful food. Yuki with his long fingers, simply untucked the lower portion of the paper, showing his lips and a bit of the tip of his nose. 

Hatsuki had only taken a single glance at him, before lowering her eyes and getting hold of the rice bowl. As the dinner proceeded, the silence was filled with chews and clicks of chopsticks. 

"Would you like to have some more of these scallops?" Yuki asked while taking the longer pair of chopsticks to get the meat. 

"Eh?... Okay"