Chapter 17. Dried Flower

Unlike the other day, this time she had been directly sent inside the classroom. The tables were empty, and the lights had been out. It was dark, and only the incense of the dried flowers lingered in the air. 

"Excuse me, teacher Yan. Excuse me!" Hatsuki increased her volume. Her footsteps echoed, yet there was no one inside. Without warning, a light flickered from the opened door, making Hatsuki step backward.

From the door, teacher Yan walked inside while wearing glasses. His hand carried a lamp, and his hair was ruffled, giving an untidy look.

"Ah, Miss Asano. Great to know that you didn't skip the class today. How about you take a seat? I shall return in a few minutes." Teacher Yan had a brimming smile, and in a flicker, the room glowed with lights all around.

"Eh… sure." She gave an awkward reply. 

The room felt too large, especially since she was all alone. Taking a seat next to the flower vase, Hatsuki simply looked around. The silence was loud but not uncomfortable. 

'I wonder what they are discussing at the assembly.' Hatsuki sighed.

The tables were made of exquisite wood. The vases had a unique touch to them as each of the vases continued paintings. At the farthest was a table with a box. Upon the box which had writings in language she had never seen, was the incense holder which was made of copper. It was dull and had black marks yet still was effective.

"Sorry for the wait. Let's start our lesson." Teacher Yan returned with a more presentable look. His hair was tied in a little bun, and his eyes were free of glasses.

"Sure. Also, why did no one come today, teacher?" Hatsuki inquired while pulling the bench for teacher Yan. 

"Most of the students are attending the assembly at the west, therefore skipping the class today. Since we are the only ones, why not start with the very basics? Miss Asano, what do you know about spiritual powers, truthfully?" Teach Yan had a paper as well as a hairpin on his hand. 

Placing them at the table, he diligently smiled at his student.

"I know absolutely nothing, in all honesty." Her answer was short and a tad bit shocking to Yan, almost dropping his smile, but still he wrote down on the paper using the hairpin, which also worked as a brush.

"I see. Then let's start with the very basic of the basics. It's about the spiritual powers. While these powers are cultivated, it's also something that we naturally possess. Think of it as an essence of life. When you can harness your mind, body, and spirit, you create a force, which is qi. The greater qi you possess, the more you have the ability to perform your powers."

Teacher Yan, while explaining, also drew a little diagram about the body and noted down the essential things required for the spiritual power. Then after, he took another glance at Hatsuki.

"From what I can sense, you possess great spiritual power, but it's been sealed. So for now we shall start with the very basic things to get your qi to start flowing. Think of it as building the flow of energy within yourself. Take a deep breath and concentrate on your heart, mind, and soul. Be mindful and do it continuously. That should allow you to bring out a flame like this."

Teacher Yan brought out his left palm, and suddenly a green flame burst out. It was a beautiful shade of emerald and forest green.

"So that's what it looks like," she hummed.

"Indeed. That will be your assignment, and I will be expecting you to be able to do it by tomorrow, or else you won't be able to keep up with your fellow classmates." 

"Eh? But isn't that too soon, teacher?" She was uncertain whether she would even be able to bring out the fire. It would have been better if he had at least given a few days!

"Not really. Many of the students here have been cultivating qi since the time they could breathe. So for you to keep up with them, you have to integrate with them." 

"I see. I shall try." She hesitantly replied since she understood what her teacher meant. To not be a hassle to those around her. 

"Also…What is a peach ceremony?" 

"Peach ceremony? So 3000 years have finally passed, eh? The peach ceremony, also known as the feast of peaches, is the celebration done on the birthday of the Goddess of the West. She is also the wife of the Jade Emperor. The four divine beasts protect the Peach Garden of Immortality along with the goddess, and on the third day of the third moon month, it is celebrated." 

Teacher Yan had an assortment of nostalgic as well as resentful expressions. Yet it seemed that he had let go of the past.

"Well, it seems we have chatted longer than anticipated. Farewell, and I shall see you tomorrow." The teacher stood from his bench, and so did Hatsuki. 

"Thank you, teacher." She gave a short bow. Soon the lights were turned out, and Hatsuki too left the class. She was back in her room.

~

"Uh, it was so tiring," she sighed while walking towards the vanity to take a look at the mirror as she started to undress herself. Unlike on Earth, her appearance had started to change. Her skin, which had been dull, was replenished and youthful. With the makeup, even she couldn't truly recognize herself.

'Care makes such a difference,' she mumbled while still grieving for her past self.

In the past, she had been rotting away. After attending the unexpected funeral of her parent, she was puzzled, felt left behind, and felt lonely. The person who had been her whole world and the only person who was her own had left her with nothing but memories and empty words. 

Days went on, and yet, she couldn't move on. She was breathing, living, but she wasn't truly alive. At unexpected times she would find herself in the corner, crying and grieving, but it all stopped one day when she had gotten a cat. 

'My life has changed so much, but I wonder…. What would Ai be doing right now?' 

Looking back at her old self, she could only wish to hold hands and express that it would be alright, but was it truly the truth?

Maybe. But it was a past she didn't dwell upon as often. She had grown somewhere in the process of healing.