◇ ◇ ◇
After setting down my blade, I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. The summer breeze passed over my skin like a gentle caress.
The wind cooled my heated body.
I love summer.
Because after finishing my training, I can fully enjoy this moment of feeling the wind that carries the scent of sun-baked grass.
"…?"
As I closed my eyes and savored the breeze, a faint sound suddenly reached my ears.
I activated my ki to heighten my hearing sensitivity.
Then the sound became much clearer.
(…Crying?)
It was a small sob, almost dissolving into the flow of the wind, but it was definitely there.
I pushed through the grass and walked toward the source of the sound.
Then I found a small girl in shrine maiden robes—Nagisa—sitting hunched over, hidden in the shade of a tree.
"What's wrong?"
When I called out, Nagisa's shoulders trembled in surprise.
She slowly lifted her face.
Her eyes were filled with tears that looked ready to spill at any moment.
"…Fuuka… big sister…"
When she realized it was me, Nagisa ran over and buried her face in my kimono.
I wrapped my arms around her back and gently stroked her head.
"Big sister… I really can't do it…"
Nagisa let out a tearful complaint.
"…Can't do what? The dance you're supposed to perform at next month's festival?"
"Yeah… I don't have the talent… There's no way I can handle such an important role all by myself…"
Every year in mid-August here in the Kyokuto region, my family—the Shinonome family—and Nagisa's family—the Asagiri family—take the lead in holding the Spirit Dance Festival.
I haven't been told the details yet since I'm still a child, but I've heard that this festival is the most important event in the country.
Nagisa has also been given a role this year and is supposed to perform a dance at the festival.
Her practice doesn't seem to be going well, but I think that's only natural.
The dance holds a very important position in the festival.
It's unreasonable to ask a girl who hasn't even turned ten to shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
…Lately, I often don't understand what the adults are thinking.
Until recently, they would explain all sorts of things when I asked, but now it feels like they're hiding something from me.
I don't really know why, but this sense of unease feels really unpleasant.
To me, Nagisa is a precious existence, almost like a little sister.
If I can't count on the adults right now, then I have to help her.
"Then, shall we do it together?"
"…Together…?"
Nagisa lifted her face from my kimono after hearing my suggestion.
"Yeah. If doing it alone is too difficult, I'll dance beside you. If I'm with you, you can do it, right?"
"B-but… then big sister's own role will…!"
"My role is just swinging the cursed blade, which is simple. If dancing together with you helps you try your best, then I'll do it with you."
"Thank you, big sister… If it's with you, I can try!"
The previously dejected Nagisa disappeared, replaced by a girl with a bright expression.
"Now that it's decided, let's start practicing right away. I can only do the bare minimum, and I'm nowhere near good enough to fulfill the role properly, so let's compete to see who improves first."
"Yeah!!"
That was the last promise I made with Nagisa.
And I was never able to keep it.
◇
It's hot. Hot. Hot.
I used to love the summer breeze that carried the scent of sun-baked grass.
It should still be the season when I can feel it.
And yet… why is the smell that stings my nose the stench of burning grass and trees mixed with the nauseating scent of blood and iron…?
Flames dance in the sky, spreading as if to cover the night darkness.
"Why… did it turn out like this…?"
"Run, Fuuka!"
Even while stunned by the sudden events, I ran through the forest, pulled along by Hart.
Today was supposed to be a fun festival day.
During the day, I had heard so many people's laughter.
Now, what reaches my ears are screams and angry shouts.
And among them are many voices calling out for me.
The reason those people are searching for me is not to protect me.
—It's to kill me.
Right after this disturbance began, my parents were killed.
If not for Hart's quick thinking, I might already be dead.
"Damn it! Was escaping into the forest a mistake? In here, my Aerial Perspective can't be used to its full—!?"
Hart, who had been speaking with a mix of urgency, suddenly gasped in shock.
In the direction of his gaze stood an old man with a body so well-trained that it was hard to believe he was nearly sixty.
"Master…"
His name was Kiryu Tendou.
He was my sword instructor and Hart's grandfather.
He was also known as the strongest swordsman in the Kyokuto region.
"We finally found you, Princess."
Master approached us with a gentle smile on his face.
Hart glared at him with eyes that could pierce through him and spoke.
"You too, you damn old man! The Tendou family's duty is to protect the Shinonome and Asagiri families! What the hell are you thinking, turning your blade against Fuuka and her parents!?"
Master looked at Hart, who was taking a combat stance and denouncing him, with an impressed expression.
"Hoh… It is said that a person's true nature shows most clearly when they are cornered, but I never expected my grandson—who had been lax in his duties—to be the only one acting to protect the princess."
"Shut up with your condescending talk—!"
"Calm down a little."
"—Gah!?"
Hart tried to launch another attack, but before he could, he was thrown to the ground.
It happened so fast that even I couldn't see Master's movement.
"I did not come here to kill the princess. I came to help her escape from this country."
"Escape…?"
At Hart's repetition, Master nodded and said, "That's right," then turned to face me and slowly bowed his head.
"—Princess. First, please allow me to apologize for failing to prevent this situation. I am truly sorry."
"Why did it turn out like this?"
"At present, information is insufficient, so I cannot speak with certainty, but it appears the Asagiri family has raised the banner of rebellion, and the younger generation—including my foolish son—has followed them."
"The Asagiri family… …! Nagisa. Is Nagisa safe!?"
I had been so focused on my own situation that I had forgotten about Nagisa.
If she had been caught up in this battle too…
"Please rest assured. She appears to be under house arrest at the residence, but her life is not in danger."
"House arrest… I have to go save her."
I turned on my heel to head toward the Asagiri residence.
"Please wait, Princess. Right now, ensuring your safety takes priority over Nagisa, who is not in immediate danger."
"Why? I can at least protect myself. With you here, we can save Nagisa, right?"
"If it were only the soldiers of this country led by my foolish son, I could handle them alone. However, there are undoubtedly others behind this incident. Since it is difficult to gauge their strength at present, I cannot take you there."
"But…"
"We cannot afford to lose you here as well. I promise to protect Lady Nagisa with my life. Therefore, though it will be painful, please think only of surviving for now."
"…Understood."
"Thank you for accepting my words. …Please take care on your journey. We will be waiting for your return, Princess."
After that conversation, I ran toward the northern coast together with Hart.
Feeling the summer breeze heated by the rising flames on my cheek, I kept the other flame burning deep in my chest from going out.
◇
As I recalled the events of the past, the sun began to rise in the eastern sky.
At the same time, the summer breeze I loved—the one carrying the scent of sun-baked grass—passed by.
Several years have passed since then.
To reclaim the Kyokuto region, I honed my sword skills.
To reclaim the Kyokuto region, I tamed the cursed blade well enough to wield it properly.
To reclaim the Kyokuto region, I gained strong allies, starting with Orun.
"Soon. Soon, I will be able to go and reclaim the Kyokuto region."
I murmured while gripping White Cherry.
Even I was surprised by how much emotion was in my voice.