Wabi-Sabi Courtyard.
The space of the land card always gives off a quiet and gentle aura, as if one has suddenly crossed from the busy World of steel machines into a silent garden, allowing one to leave all troubles outside.
Half-person-high lanterns guided the way along the path, and the thick scent of moss and fresh grass wafted over.
The Japanese-style plot, which had been quiet not long ago, now brimmed with life—the silhouettes of Little Sprites flitting by occasionally, and the strange aesthetic of those sprites, made one feel at ease.
The Little Sprites had managed this place very well. Without Sen Getsusa noticing, the ancient temple-like World had gained many modern additions. The visual contrast made Sen Getsusa look around like a curious baby, as if she were entering for the first time.
On the other hand, Yuno Gasai beside her looked very calm.
"So, Tsukisa's secret is... being a Planeswalker?"
That day in the wilderness, Yuno Gasai finally fully uncovered the mystery that Sen Getsusa had kept her wondering about.
"At first, I thought Tsukisa was a very special Ritualist," Yuno Gasai said, her head lowered and her voice muffled. "A constitution that can continuously grow, seemingly without an upper limit."
"Until I discovered those shoes."
"Shoes?"
Sen Getsusa nodded. "Mm, I see. Last time."
"Those shoes."
The flickering streetlights went out, and the sound of their breathing merged with the crunching of their shoes. While everything was silent, a few scattered stars hung in the sky.
The horizon curved under the soft Moonlight.
"That day, Tsukisa hadn't gone out at all, but strangely went to the guest room alone for ten minutes—wearing a long dress and boots. Afterward, those new boots were covered in a lot of dust, and there was silt and rotting algae on the soles."
"There were water stains on the clothes."
Yuno Gasai took a few large steps forward with her hands behind her back, and after passing her, turned to face Sen Getsusa. "In other words, Tsukisa sneaked out from the guest room in Shibuya to splash in the Water at Tokyo Bay before returning."
"It only took ten minutes."
"Maybe even shorter."
Under Sen Getsusa's encouraging gaze, Yuno Gasai backed away while voicing the doubts she'd had in private. "Tsukisa, you didn't go to Tokyo Bay, did you?"
"Of course not." Sen Getsusa kicked a pebble, kicking it all the way from where they were to the front of the station. "I went to the Atlantic Ocean."
"The Atlantic Ocean of the twentieth century."
After saying that, it was Yuno Gasai's turn to be silent.
Patter, clatter, clatter.
Sen Getsusa mimicked Aria in an old-fashioned voice, putting on a grandmotherly frown. "I originally wanted to see when my dear Miss Detective wouldn't be able to help herself and would come over to ask me."
"As it turns out, you really could hold it in... Hey, if today's events hadn't happened, when were you planning to ask me?"
Yuno Gasai pursed her lips and shook her head. "I would never have asked."
"It was Tsukisa's secret."
"Now it's a secret between the two of us." Sen Getsusa took Yuno Gasai's hand. "Protect this secret for me, okay?"
Her eyes flickering, Yuno nodded firmly. "I definitely—"
"Definitely..."
"Def..."
As her voice grew softer, Yuno Gasai leaned closer—she seemed to see something flash across Sen Getsusa's earring.
"Was that... a tiny person?"
"Hi! Pinky!" The other party brushed aside Sen Getsusa's black hair, wrapping her body in the girl's long hair and poking out a small head.
Coral-colored Fire hair shimmered in the night.
Yuno Gasai:...What on earth is this... "This Child is called Arrietty."
Sen Getsusa held out her palm, and after Arrietty hopped on, she held her up to Yuno's eyes. "My Little Knight."
Yuno Gasai took a few more steps back, her fingers starting to rub her temples rhythmically.
"Let's just talk about the Atlantic Ocean..."
Sen Getsusa winked playfully and sent Arrietty back to the top of her head.
"Well, it all starts with a Boy named Jack Dawson..."
————
Planeswalker... "Is this the power of a Planeswalker?"
In the courtyard, rows of Little Sprites were busily working in an orderly fashion. Arrietty sat on Sen Getsusa's shoulder, occasionally pointing out areas that had been improved.
"It's amazing..."
Yuno Gasai showed a rare expression of surprise.
A World entered through a mirror, Little Sprites like something out of a fairy tale, a pollution-free independent Small World, emerald green lakes, clean courtyards, and dense forests with sweet-smelling mist.
Were all these things obtained by Sen Getsusa as she traveled through Worlds?
Although she knew about these things before coming in, compared to actually seeing them with her own eyes, the few words spoken were slightly pale and weak.
The sprites had reserved a room exclusively for their Queen. It had bright lacquer, dark green walls, and from outside the window, the sound of a shishi-odoshi striking occasionally accompanied the flow of a clear spring.
Soft tatami mats were embroidered with gold and silver threads; the silk-soft decorative patterns were clearly chosen with care.
Ukiyo-e style artworks were painted on the shoji doors and the ceiling. The patterns were extremely exquisite and beautiful, with vivid colors that weren't so intense as to make anyone inside feel uncomfortable.
The elaborate furniture was also custom-made. Within the palace-like luxury of the design, the Little Sprites had added a layer of thin gauze, making the style, which should have been high-profile, less vulgar.
In this regard, when Sen Getsusa told Arrietty 'don't save money for me,' the Little Knight had indeed delivered.
And her taste was quite good.
"Here."
Sen Getsusa brewed tea with her fair hands and handed a cup to Yuno.
Steam rose as the two girls sat opposite each other on the tatami, holding their teacups and sipping slowly.
Phew... "Am I... the first person to know the secret?"
After the tour, Yuno Gasai didn't ask Sen Getsusa more detailed questions about 'Planeswalkers.' One spoke, the other listened, nodding and shaking her head, until in the end, all she got were a few interesting stories... just the adventures of a little lunatic running wild everywhere.
As for the 'non-humans' Sen Getsusa mentioned, Yuno Gasai cared even less; what she cared about was exactly how many people knew this secret involving Sen Getsusa and the Planeswalker.
"How could I tell anyone else about this? Of course, you're the only one."
Sen Getsusa set down her teacup and turned her head to look out the window.
Arrietty was sitting cross-legged on a small rock, telling stories from a height to the Little Sprites surrounding her—it seemed to be the adventures of the invincible Queen of White Mist Academy and her brave Sprite Attendant... Judging by the title, it was fair to say she was indeed Madam Sen's own Child; the naming style was cut from the same cloth.
Yuno Gasai, across the table, was quite happy.
"Ah, so I'm the first to know..." She curled the corners of her mouth, a flicker of throbbing excitement passing through her narrowed eyes. "Then, I'll be the one to keep this secret for Tsukisa."
Yuno's messy hair was slightly curled, with a few strands hanging from her chest. She peeked at Sen Getsusa with a submissive look and added softly:
"I'm enough by myself."
Sen Getsusa turned her head.
The girl sat with her legs together, leaning against the tea stool, her eyes sparkling as she looked down.
It was an even more beautiful picture.
-------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!