Chapter 11. I never let you go

Hatsuki could see a little curve on Master's lips as he placed a heap of scallops! It was too much but since complaining felt like she had taken things for granted, she decided to simply have the meal. 

Once the dinner ended, the maid took the bowls and plates on a tray and right after came back with a tea set tray and placed the cups on either side of the table. The woman delicately held the dragonfly teapot that had been sent to Hatsuki and poured the yellowish-green tea. 

Her eyes meticulously started at the cup. Wandering… How it even got there and most of all… How could have grown so comfortable in the unknown world when even the home she was staying in couldn't have been safe? 

"Did something happen? You look down, Hatsuki" said the Master. His lips set into a thin line. 

"Uh, not really. I was just thinking…" she replied, more aware of her surroundings. 

"Thinking about? I could help you if you'd like" 

"Well… It's nothing much. Also, thank you for the meal" Hatsuki swiftly got up and went to her room. Although with those dim lights, it was hard to track her room, it wasn't impossible. Sliding the door open, she went to the study table and immediately started to write everything she knew, including the story of the soul, her thoughts and in the end, even her assignment. 

The objective she had shined through the entire summary of her time there. It was short but still, held to her: To never stop growing and learning. 

While leaving the next paper in the open titled "Fire of Justice" and "Waiting for Spring" 

~

The entire place felt like a bittersweet lemon. The grass under her felt ticklish and she could feel something cold on her forehead. Eh? Had she returned to the present finally? 

Right away her eyes opened, only to have a bluish vision of a lemon farm. Her eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, feeling her back lean to a tree bark under the shade. 

"Uh… where is this" Hatsuki grounded and all of a sudden, a lemon dropped on her head, making her even more annoyed. 

"Aww, my bad. It seems that the fruit I wanted to give you, landed on your head inside" It was the same voice from her dreams once again. His voice had not an ounce of guilt so, instead, Hatsuki glared at the tree above her.

"Glaring doesn't mean you get to see me Little Miss Piggy" There is a little crackle in the voice, clearly amused by her expressions. 

Hatsuki simply rolled her eyes while placing the lemon in between her palms. It was squishy and unlike the teapot didn't pass through her fingers. The lemony fragrance enveloped her. 

"What sort of magic is this? The teapot passed through me yet these lemons-" Just as Hatsuki was about to complete her words, the serene scene was completely changed to that of a herbalist workshop. 

The flimsy rugged wooden tables were stacked with dried herbs. The books were left open and a stash of little bottles with lots of herbs, stones and even flower petals were present. 

"...Where is this..." She murmured, flabbergasted by the sight of something she had never seen in her life. Since small, she had only known things in her neighbourhood, the normal things on the streets of the city and perhaps a few things from the internet. 

"The shop of magic of course. Isn't it what you asked little Miss Piggy?" 

"...It isn't. But I won't complain. Instead, you will have to explain why I couldn't touch the teapot and how you could deliver it to me" Her lips had a slight pout and a little smirk of victory. Happy by her remark, Hatsuki walked around the room. Smelling, touching and observing the things in front of her. 

"Do I? Well, I shall accept your demand since I am bored anyway." There was a slight snicker, hinting at trouble. Just as Hatsuki thought so, the entire room changed to a room of bookshelves. The golden lights hid at every crevice of the shelves, lighting the covers.

There was a cushiony little bed on the floor, so Hatsuki simply sat on it. 

"Magic is per se… imagination, knowledge and humour. But since my powers are still recovering, I was only able to show a hologram of those teacups. Compared to that, I feel much more rejuvenated and so, it shows in my powers as well." 

"Oh…. So currently you are recuperating? So, you do indeed exist" Hatsuki murmured while keenly glancing at the books. It was like a miniature book heaven. 

"Well of course I exist, that's not something to question about Little Miss Piggy. However, you should rather show such interest to the powers you have. Fire of Justice is one of the rarest even among the fires." 

"Is it? What does it do and how do I even awaken and use it?"

"Ohooo… Do I have to say even such basic things?" In an instant thought words made Hatsuki's face scrunch and become red like a beetroot. 

"You should ask it to your dear husband. I am sure, he would answer in a heartbeat." 

"I…Of course, I will. Since he isn't a prick like you" 

"Huh? prick? Me? I was just trying to help-" 

That very instant the whole telepathic dream got cut off due to the strong barrier of her mind and Hatsuki fell into slumber. 

~

The next morning

The maid knocked on the door a few times, but no one answered. With no other option, the maid slid the door and saw a soundly asleep young woman on the bed as her feet carelessly slipped out from the blanket. 

'Maybe I should wake her later' the maid smiled to herself at the sight, reminding her of the past days with her sister. No matter how many years it may be… in the presence of loved ones, one was always to be a child. 

Slipping to her thoughts, the maid cleaned the room and placed the things in order. Just as she was clearing up the table which had a lemon, there were a few papers. 

Thoughtlessly, out of habit, the maid opened the window, causing the papers to fly all over the room. 

'Oh shoot!' she cursed while rushing to get the papers flown in the air. 

As she tried placing the papers in order, the name 'LeiMin' caught her eye. So, she took a slight glance at her paper. With each line, her face creased, her eyes horrified and her lips were left speechless.