Spark of Life 10

Spring is a path gradually filled with blossoms, its soil glistening black and moist, nourishing countless creatures. The sound of rippling water startles waterbirds from their closed eyes, and they chirp, flap their wings, and leap.

The boundless transparent lake is covered with cloud shadows and skylight. You stroll leisurely by the lake, and the crisp sound of silver bells rings with every step.

The silver bell is a gift from Ryoko.

Today is the Spring Equinox.

[The young lady has missed the Nuo ritual and the Firewood Festival again this year.]

Along with the silver bell, there was a letter from Ryoko expressing her longing for you and a New Year's greeting card.

Missing someone is not a pretense.

But this is an emotional card played by my uncle.

Don't act rashly.

At this point, your thoughts won't change at all.

You found a swing to sit on, your thoughts wandering aimlessly.

In reality, the Oinori ritual and the fire pit festival aren't held around the spring equinox. Instead, they're held on Setsubun and the day before it. Setsubun refers to the eve of the beginning of spring, marking the beginning of the season. The day before the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter all fall on Setsubun. During this time, Zen temples hold banquets, bringing a rare burst of life to the otherwise quiet courtyards.

During Setsubun, people throw roasted soybeans around the house, chanting, "Happiness within, evil without." These soybeans are the "lucky beans" you ate last year. Eating one more bean than your age guarantees a year of good health and safety. You may have been healthy last year, but that's all thanks to your family.

It’s okay not to eat it this year.

If you can’t eat it, you can’t eat it.

In addition to the New Year's Shoot Hatsu Festival, the shrine also holds the Setsubun Festival at the beginning of spring, which lasts for three days and is one of Kyoto's important festivals.

The Oinuo ritual takes place at dusk on the day before Setsubun. The person impersonating the ghost wears a ghost mask, a black robe, and a red skirt, wielding a spear and shield. Children line up behind the "ghost," while the accompanying onmyoji recites a rite of passage. Mentioning onmyoji brings to mind the Kamo family and the old woman. Searching through the archives of all curse casters and sorcerers, no record of a similar ritual has been found. Forget about "possessing another's body," even those capable of changing one's appearance are completely unavailable. Of course, there's a traitor within the high-ranking sorcerers, and the records could have been erased.

You just don't want to admit another fact.

[The longer I live, the deeper my understanding becomes.]

This person has gone crazy a long time ago.

How long did she live?

One hundred years, two hundred years, or one thousand years?

She was the one who arranged that meeting. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know she existed. There are plenty of people on the Directors' Council who want to kill you.

Originally, your uncle and you didn't care if someone escaped.

Don't think about her anymore.

The most important thing now is assimilation.

You have a strange premonition. With the arrival of spring, it grows stronger. You've chosen a fandom name, "Chunlei," meaning spring buds. Unlike the rebirth represented by "Meibuki" and "Wakaba," buds can bloom. Not only do you hope Riko can be reborn, you also hope that her unique color will continue to bloom.

Assimilation will happen in the spring.

Why are you so sure?

If you can't figure it out, stop thinking about it.

If possible, do not destroy Tian Yuan's will. That is not just Tian Yuan's will. It is the will of countless astral bodies.

I need help from Gojo and Getsu.

Me—During the Oinohana ritual, demons will touch children's heads, supposedly to bring good fortune. You've been touched, too. The demons' appearances are terrifying, and some children might cry in fear, but you and Naoya never do. Real demons are uglier than human-made demons.

The cursed spirit will not be scared away by a child's crying, nor will it shake its head and apologize to the child.

Lord Tianyuan, please talk to me.

You've been sad for too long.

You should cheer up.

Even if the function of the Tianyuan barrier is subverted, it can still be effective.

If magic must exist, then live with it, not ignore it.

Tianyuan Barrier can become a more efficient management system.

"Miss, what's wrong? You seem very sad?"

"Thank you for your concern. I'm fine."

The Firewood Festival takes place at 11:00 PM on Setsubun night. The shrine will set up an octagonal stove, and people will place their old shrine cards inside. The shrine card Ryoko gave you last year is still in your dorm room, securely stored away.

It will never be consumed by the pure fire.

Gods cannot protect human beings. It is only human beings themselves who protect human beings, and it is only human beings themselves who harm human beings.

That’s all for my memories of the Oinori ceremony and the fire pit festival.

From this swing you can clearly see the mirror-smooth lake.

You try to imagine yourself suspended over the lake, alone under the vast sky.

You can fall at any time and anywhere.

But the sunshine feels warm on my body.

Pink cherry blossoms scatter to the ground. Cherry blossoms bloom briefly, but each time they do, they bloom with vibrant energy, as if to announce a fleeting message from heaven. Japan's cherry blossoms are so abundant that you can see them everywhere.

There are a lot of people in the park, with whole families sitting around having a picnic, students, couples... in groups of three or five or in pairs, and at first glance you seem to be the only one alone.

The smell of sandwiches and desserts mixed with laughter came from time to time.

Simple and comfortable, this is the life of ordinary people.

This kind of life should continue forever.

You swing on the swing and it almost flies 90 degrees.

[Be an ordinary person and enjoy your life. This is your initial life trajectory, the beginning.]

The sorcerer is also an ordinary person, with his own joys, sorrows, anger and happiness, and he also needs to eat and drink water.

All living things have desires and are in the worldly realm.

The swing stops, and you still hold on to the rope tightly.

"Who are you?"

The girl folded up a white tripod and tucked it under her arm, hung a paint box on her shoulder, and walked towards you carrying a canvas.

"Midorikawa."

She is a shy and introverted girl. Her voice is so soft that you can hardly hear it.

"Ms. Midorikawa is drawing me?"

"Um."

She shows you the canvas.

The flowers and trees in the background are clearly already painted, and your silhouette is particularly blurry. I can vaguely make out the gray-blue jacket you're wearing.

You never wear your college uniform on vacation.

In the past, you would have said, "You didn't get my permission," but this child, who looked barely older than Riko and was quite shy, couldn't say that. So you simply said, "It's not finished yet."

"Painting is a matter of a moment. I only capture a moment."

She put away the canvas and lowered her eyes: "Can I sit next to you?"

"As you please."

"Um...did I make you angry?"

"A little."

"terribly sorry……"

"Now that you've painted it, let's finish it."

The girl's eyes lit up. She set up the tripod again and laid out the canvas.

"What do you need me to do?"

"You...just sit quietly..."

Like taking a photo?

"Why did Miss Midorikawa draw me?"

“You are special.”

"What's so special about it?"

"Hmm... there are stars in your eyes." Photographers also like your eyes.

It's not that there are stars in your eyes, but that the stars are in your eyes.

Rose-colored stars flow across the deep blue sky.

They clearly couldn't see such a scene.

These are just an ordinary pair of eyes.

"Are all artists as artistic as Miss Midorikawa?"

"Ah... I'm just stating what I saw."

This sister has such a gentle smile.

"Ms. Midorikawa likes painting?"

"I love it. The drawings are beautiful and it's the cutest game."

"Game?" Painting and games... you couldn't figure out the connection between them.

"I met a brother on the road who said that painting is like 'collecting puzzle pieces to create the most beautiful picture.'"

【I have created a satisfactory work.】

Miss Midorikawa happily tucked her short hair behind her ears and smiled faintly.

"Ms. Midorikawa, do you like to use night as your background?" The canvas shows a night scene. But it is daytime now.

"Yeah. I love stars. When I draw them, it's like I'm directing them, arranging their paths. Holding the brilliant stars in my hands, my heart is filled with excitement." It's incredible that Miss Midorikawa could come up with such a long speech. She truly loves stars.

"Miss Midorikawa, can you tell me why you like stars?" Miss Midorikawa's face was blank for a moment, her heart empty. You quickly added, "I'm sorry, Miss Midorikawa."

"No. I was the one who offended you first by painting you without your permission." She stared at the starry sky on the canvas in a trance.

“I like stars because one day I will become a star.”

"Why do you have this idea, Miss Midorikawa?" Turning into stars is the most common description of death. Your uncle has also comforted you by saying that when people die, they will turn into stars and accompany you in the sky.

This doesn't prove anything—

【This is an unspeakable secret.】

secret.

Star.

secret!

Star!

Since Jiujiu is a Star Plasma, and Riko is a Star Plasma, why should it be surprising that Miss Midorikawa is also a Star Plasma? The number of Star Plasmas is not fixed!

Your stomach feels churning.

"What's wrong with you?"

“I’m hungry,” you said with a frown.

"I brought some fruit," Ms. Midorikawa said, handing you a box of strawberries. "Just consider it a small token of my appreciation for having you model."

You didn't answer, and the girl asked cautiously, "Are you dissatisfied?"

[But I only have strawberries to give away as gifts QAQ]

"No. I like strawberries." Liking strawberry cake also means liking strawberries.

The strawberries are big and red, topped with yogurt and honey, and the stems have been carefully picked off, so you can eat them one by one with a small fork.

“It’s delicious.”

"You like..."

【It would be great if you like it! 】

Humans are always insincere or unable to fully express what is in their hearts.

"I love so much."

The park was getting more and more crowded, and someone started playing leaf flutes. The grass was absorbing everything like a sponge.

The skylarks are singing and the trembling flowers are whispering.

This is spring.

Even if you close your eyes, a colorful world will still appear on your retina, and the air will be filled with the songs of countless creatures.

Human beings are the most magical and mysterious creatures among them.

"Ms. Midorikawa wants to keep collecting beautiful pictures."

"Huh?"

【How did she know! 】

I will not make any unnecessary sacrifices.

"Did Miss Midorikawa sneak out?"

"How did you know?!"

You smiled back at him.

"I have a sister who is about the same age as Miss Midorikawa."

Your senses tell you that there is someone familiar nearby.

Gojo?

"Why don't you invite me, Jie and Nitro to the picnic in the park?"

"Isn't it tiring for Gojo to mention so many names at once?"

Gojo Shiyu flicked your forehead: "Why do you have to be alone?"

"Not alone. You will come to me."

“Why weren’t you at the Polytechnic last Tuesday?”

"I have a mission that day."

"Why don't you come back at night?"

“A performance was arranged nearby the next day.”

Gojo Satoru flicked your forehead again. He had no place to vent his resentment towards you like this.

"Is it about a Valentine's Day return gift? I feel like I could never finish all the candy Gojo gave me in my lifetime."

"Don't eat your cavities." Jia Ru reminds you.

"No."

"My taste is normal, right?" Goyu's words sounded a bit nonsensical, but you know what he meant. Goyu was once teased by Gojo for his "weird bangs," and everyone was curious about Goyu's bangs and thought his taste was "unique."

"I'll use the headband Geto gave me. It looks great."

!

! !

!!!

It was a bad idea.

Why didn’t he think of it!

hateful!

"Who is this kid?" He remained silent.

"We met by chance in the park."

So many people... so many people

"We might have scared her a little." You explained and comforted Miss Midorikawa: "The painting is finished. I will leave with my friends. Goodbye, Miss Midorikawa."

Goodbye, sister.

Riko——

"What's wrong?"

You've walked some distance.

"Nothing, Gojo. It's a nice day today."

"How about we go to Heian Shrine next spring?"

"Why not Kitano Tenmangu?"

What's so good about Sugawara Michizane!

Gojo pouted, and you didn't know what you had done to anger him. Shouldn't he be more familiar with Kitano Tenmangu Shrine?

"The plum blossoms are planted at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, right?"

"Ah... I would have forgotten it even if I didn't mention it, Natsume. Gojou."

"I don't think that's the point." Ieiri Naoko chewed her lollipop expressionlessly. Why did Gojo give her so much candy for no reason? Zenin would just give her a lollipop when he had nothing to do. She didn't want anything sweet!

"It's not important. Right, Wu." Geto Suguru narrowed his eyes.

It doesn't matter... what the hell! How romantic would it be to have a Shinto-style wedding under the cherry blossoms?

"It hasn't even started yet." said the five little white men.

"The wedding venue was decided to be Heian Shrine. If you had agreed to the marriage, you would have been husband and wife long ago." said the five black figures.

"Why is Gojo's face so red?" you asked worriedly.

"The Zenin family didn't agree. Hantsukchan doesn't want to at all." The five white little figures gradually turned black.

"So don't have any wild dreams." The five black figures became even darker.

Gojo Satoru stretched out his claws and made the two Gojo men disappear.

“It’s too hot.”

"Huh? It's only March."

"Hatsu-chan, do you know if there will be new students in April this year?" If not, there will only be four of them in the entire high school.

"I heard from Qingzi that there are two."

"Then I will be the senior from now on."

"Wu, a senior should act like a senior."

Ieiri Naoko took the lollipop out of her mouth and finished it. She was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

The Zen temple will give it to you.

Like Geto, Ieiri Naoko doesn't like sweet food. But what can she do when there are two people around her who love sweet food?

The weather is really nice today.

Spring is always full of vitality.