Chapter 4: Promise Under the Rain
One rainy night 1,000 years ago—
The sound of water drops hitting the bamboo roof faintly echoed throughout the small residence in the Japanese imperial palace.
Maria from her previous life… A girl with long, white hair, wearing a clean white kimono, sat by the window with two ancient umbrellas in her hands.
One had a jet-black handle, the edge of the umbrella was slightly tattered…
The other was a light red umbrella, decorated with intricate gold cherry blossom patterns.
"You must be cold, Yukamari…"
A soft, sweet voice sounded in the silence.
Maria from her previous life reached out and gently stroked the handle of the black umbrella, as if comforting a close friend.
"Yukagori must also want to go out and play?"
Suddenly—
The two umbrellas began to tremble slightly.
A pale yellow glow slowly floated out from the handles of both umbrellas. Formed into two siblings, the Tsugumogami spirits.
Yukamari— A boy with dark brown hair with yellow highlights, sharp eyes, and a quiet personality like a loyal guardian.
Yukagori— A petite girl with light brown hair with gold highlights, big bright eyes, looking curious like a little rabbit.
"Mistress... You can't stroke my umbrella like that."
Yukamari said in a low voice with an indifferent face.
"It's rude..."
"Big bro Yukamari! How can I say anything to our mistress!" Yukagori quickly interrupted with a shrill voice.
"Mistress, do whatever you want!"
Yukamari glanced at her sister before sighing.
"Do as you please..."
Maria giggled at the two siblings' arguing.
"You two... never change."
Ever since she could remember...
These two umbrellas had always been by her side.
On the rainy day...
On the day she cried...
Even on the day she was left alone in this world
Yukamari and Yukagori will always hold an umbrella to protect her
"I want to protect my lady... forever."
Yukamari said softly
"Me too!" Yukagori smiled widely
"No matter where my lady goes... we will always be your umbrella!"
—
But then...
Everything changed because of Domakawari
A jealous onmyouji who was so in love with Maria that he almost went crazy
He wanted Maria to be his alone
Even the things Maria loved the most, Yukamari and Yukagori—
He would not let Maria have them
One night...
Domakawari cast a cursed spell
The curse that made the two Tsukumogami follow Maria in every life
But never tell her the truth again
"Even if you die and are reborn many times—"
"They will always follow you."
"But you will never remember how much they loved you."
"...Because I want you to be mine alone."
After that night—
Yukamari became a dark brown umbrella that protected her from the rain without saying a word.
Yukagori became a bright red umbrella that was always by her side, even though she never knew that...
These two umbrellas cried because of how much they loved her.
——
1,000 years have passed.
Even if Maria is reborn many times...
Both Yukamari and Yukagori still search for her in every life.
But while Yukagori is still as bright and cheerful as ever—
Yukamari gradually becomes colder and more silent every day.
Because he knows that...
No matter how many times she searches for her... she will never remember them.
And in this life...
Yukamari and Yukagori are standing in front of her again.
But this time...
They will protect Maria from Domakawari's curse.
Even if they have to face the memory that has been lost for thousands of years.
"I will make you remember..."
Yukamari muttered softly.
"...that the two of us were once her beloved."
(End of Chapter 4)