Lin Mo's gaze was melancholic as he continued speaking.
"For the past half month or so, I've been training Thoma." "You can rest assured, Miss."
"He's someone I personally trained—a capable steward, absolutely worthy of your trust." "Hm? Miss?"
It was only then that Lin Mo noticed Kamisato Ayaka's gaze had grown somewhat dazed.
He realized the folding fan in her hand had slipped unnoticed and fallen to the ground.
"Are you... really leaving?"
Kamisato Ayaka's voice trembled faintly.
"Yes, I have to go. I mentioned it to you a long time ago." Lin Mo lowered his eyes and nodded.
"When... will you come back?"
"I don't know..."
Lin Mo shook his head slowly.
He couldn't bring himself to say, "I probably won't."
"Why... so suddenly..."
Kamisato Ayaka fought back the sour ache in her heart.
"Well... I wanted to tell you that night outside your door..."
"But you were upset then, and I didn't want to stir your emotions further..." Lin Mo's voice was equally subdued.
It echoed that ancient saying: Partings have always brought sorrow since time immemorial, especially in the cold desolation of autumn.
"If you'd told me sooner... if you'd just told me earlier..."
By now, tears were streaming uncontrollably from the corners of Kamisato Ayaka's eyes. "If you'd told me sooner... we could have had that half month together~"
Her emotions were spiraling out of control.
Lin Mo couldn't bear to meet her gaze.
He knew all too well.
Kamisato Ayaka's feelings for him went far beyond words.
They were the kind that filled volumes yet were evident in a single glance, plain for all the world to see.
All Lin Mo could do was raise his hand and gently wipe the tears from her cheek.
"I might have to leave tonight. Walk with me."
Kamisato Ayaka said nothing.
She simply let Lin Mo take her hand and lead her out of the Yashiro Commission's estate.
There weren't many places they could go.
Narukami Island's most scenic spots numbered four.
The red maple wishing tree on Ritou.
The cherry blossom path on Kannazuka Island.
The great sacred cherry tree on Mt. Yougou.
And... the Chinju Forest, not far from the Kamisato Estate.
Time was short.
Lin Mo chose the serene Chinju Forest.
Throughout the walk, with Lin Mo holding her hand, Kamisato Ayaka's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
She had never imagined the parting would come so abruptly.
Most importantly.
Lin Mo's departure had no set return.
The blow to her heart was no less than the loss of her parents years ago.
But there was one difference.
This time.
She had the chance to say a proper goodbye.
Just then.
Kamisato Ayaka stopped in her tracks.
Lin Mo turned back to look.
She stood precisely in the center of the pond, where moonlight reflected on the water.
The moment he turned.
She fought back her reluctance and slowly stepped backward.
"Mr. Lin Mo, please... watch me closely..."
With Kamisato Ayaka's soft whisper.
The folding fan that had covered her face now lowered to her waist.
Her graceful figure.
Seemed drawn along by the fan in her hand.
Her body followed the fan's dance, elegant and captivating.
Kamisato Ayaka's movements were poised and refined.
The tranquil forest.
The pond shimmering under moonlight.
And Kamisato Ayaka dancing upon its surface.
Lin Mo wished desperately to freeze time in this moment.
If only he could forever watch her graceful dance.
Lin Mo gazed at the beauty performing her fan dance.
Lost in a daze.
As Kamisato Ayaka slowly folded her fan.
The dance ended.
Yet Lin Mo remained immersed in the ethereal beauty of that moonlit performance.
"Since..."
"We're destined to part..."
"Then please remember me at my most beautiful..."
In the parting at Chinju Forest.
After a struggle in her eyes.
Kamisato Ayaka mustered her courage and left an unforgettable dance for the one she admired.
They had the fate to meet.
But not to entwine.
"Please watch me closely, and let me etch my most beautiful self into your memory..."
The melody faded, and they parted.
Fated to meet, but not to stay.
"I'll walk the path ahead alone." Those were Kamisato Ayaka's final words of farewell.
She chose to return to the Yashiro Commission by herself.
Choosing also to shoulder its duties alone in the days without Lin Mo.
From then on, Chinju Forest gained a melancholic tale.
A tanuki waiting endlessly for its friend.
The Lin Mo whose return was uncertain.
And...
A maiden waiting for the one she longed for.
The night faded.
Dawn broke.
Sunlight streamed into the room.
The young woman slumped on the floor, sobbing.
Lin Mo had left.
She couldn't leave with him.
He had his journey.
She had her responsibilities, and the family behind her.
She couldn't abandon everything to wander the world with him.
And Lin Mo, as the executor of the invitation tasks.
Was destined not to linger in Inazuma under this identity for long.
So she could only wait for him, wait, wait...
"When light shines into darkness, it becomes sin."
"But what they don't know is."
"If light is willing to bear all sins, then it is redemption." "People see only my glamorous exterior."
"To the outside world, I'm the capable heir of the Kamisato Clan."
"But even someone like me... wants someone to lean on, wants companionship by my side."
"He burst into my heart so unexpectedly..."
"And now he's gone..."
"I know I can't keep him..."
"So I wanted to create beautiful memories with him..."
"But now, it's all shattered." Longing surged like a tide.
She recalled words she'd once read in a book, and tears flooded her eyes like a broken dam.
"What is incurable?"
"Miracle pills and wondrous medicines offer no haste."
"Can you be more specific?"
"Even the immortals of the world shake their heads in silence."
"Can you be even more specific?"
"The illness is lovesickness, longing for you until it consumes me."
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T/N:
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