Chapter 25
Aunt Yuko came over with an exquisite tea tray, her face full of kind yet a little overly enthusiastic smile. As she skillfully placed the tea and snacks on the table, she looked at Keigo Atobe with a smile, as if she was admiring a piece of art with great satisfaction.
"Is Atobe-kun training in tennis in Canada? That's amazing! He's so promising at such a young age!"
"Are your parents in good health? Oh, looking at your demeanor, I know you must have excellent upbringing!"
"Besides tennis, what else do you like? Our Miss Kiriyama, although she looks quiet, is actually very caring. Look how well she takes care of Xiaokong..."
The more I listened, the more something seemed off. The topic was heading straight towards the "blind date corner."
Aunt Yuko's intention to act as a matchmaker is obvious. If she continues, she might even ask whether Tomokazu's birth dates are compatible!
"Ahem! Aunt Yuko," I interrupted quickly, trying to maintain composure, "There are still some things untied in the study. I'll take Atobe-kun over there to check it out. You go ahead and do your own thing!"
As I said that, I almost half pushed Atobe towards the study.
Aunt Yuko was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly, with a look of "I understand, I understand" in her eyes, and waved her hand: "Okay, okay, you young people chat, I'll go get Xiaokong something to eat."
I breathed a sigh of relief and walked quickly into the study with Atobe, closing the door to block out the overly eager gazes outside.
The study was quiet, with only the faint chirping of cicadas outside the window. The desk was a little messy, with a few sheets of rice paper spread out, their ink still wet, the calligraphy I had just written.
"Writing?" Atobe walked to the desk and his eyes fell on the rice paper. On it were several square Chinese characters with smooth and powerful strokes.
"Well," I walked over and explained while sorting the papers, "It's for Aunt Yuko's grandson. The little guy just started elementary school, and I heard he likes calligraphy, so I thought of writing a few words for him as a back-to-school gift."
Written on the paper was the little boy's name and some simple blessings. The handwriting was elegant but with a restrained tenacity.
Atobe didn't speak immediately. He leaned forward slightly, carefully examining the writing on the paper. His focused gaze was as if he were admiring a work of art. A trace of undisguised admiration flashed across his eyes.
He had seen her sharp skills and her calm appearance while arranging flowers, but he had never expected that her handwriting would be so beautiful and powerful, with a unique charm.
There always seemed to be endless surprises to be discovered about this girl.
"Your handwriting is beautiful," he commented in a low, sincere tone.
"Thank you." I smiled and carefully put the written words aside to dry.
Atobe's gaze wandered across the desk, finally landing on me, with a hint of hesitation, yet clear curiosity. "Kiriyama," he began, his voice remarkably clear in the quiet study. "'Atobe Keigo'...what do these four characters mean in Chinese?"
I was slightly taken aback. I didn't expect him to ask this. Looking at his serious, inquiring eyes, I thought for a moment.
"Well...'Atobe' is your last name, I won't interpret it." I picked up a clean brush at hand, dipped it in some water, and wrote the word "Kagego" stroke by stroke with clear water marks on another blank piece of rice paper.
The water marks slowly spread on the rice paper, forming clear characters.
I pointed to the character for "jing." "In Chinese, 'jing' can refer to beautiful scenery or views, like 'feng jing'." After a pause, I continued, "But it can also mean 'respect' or 'admiration,' like 'jing yang'."
The word "景" (scenery) written with water marks appears broad and upright on the paper.
Then, my pen tip moved to the character "吾": "As for this '吾'..."
I slowed my voice, with a hint of respect for the ancient text, "It's a very ancient and important way to refer to yourself, equivalent to 'I'."
"But it's different from the ordinary 'I'. It carries a strong sense of self-awareness, subjectivity, and even a sense of nobility. In ancient times, only people of high status or in certain formal and solemn occasions would use 'I' to refer to themselves."
The word "吾" written with water marks on rice paper has steady and powerful strokes.
I put down my pen, raised my head, and looked at Atobe Keigo with a clear gaze: "So, the two words 'Keigo' are combined together..." I paused slightly, organizing my words, "I think it represents--
'I am admired by everyone'
This matches your usual gorgeous and dazzling style, well...it fits in quite well."
The moment the words fell, Atobe Keigo's body froze.
As if struck by an invisible lightning bolt, violent and unbelievable waves surged in his deep eyes, as if some of the most core and secret self-awareness deep in his heart was revealed with incomparable precision and nakedness by these few understated words.
I am admired by everyone
The 'I' that is admired by all……
This was not just a literal interpretation, it was a key that directly revealed the most essential pride and foundation of his existence beneath his gorgeous appearance. What shocked him even more was the tone of her voice when she said the word "Jingwu".
Instead of the usual polite and distant "Atobe-kun," she called out his name directly—"Kagego." That clear voice, like the clash of jade and stone, had a strange penetrating power that struck straight into his heart.
He felt his fingertips tingling slightly, and an unprecedented feeling, a mixture of the shock of being completely seen through, the trembling of soul resonance, and an indescribable throbbing, swept over him like a tsunami.
He subconsciously clenched his hands hanging at his sides to barely suppress the slight trembling of his body.
The study was completely silent, with only the cicadas chirping outside the window. The watermarked words on the rice paper gradually faded and vanished in the air, as if they had never existed. However, the impact of those words was like a brand etched on Atobe's heart.
After a long moment, Atobe took a slow, deep breath, forcing down the turbulent waves churning in his chest. When he spoke again, his voice was barely perceptible, yet he managed to maintain a calm surface. "So that's what you mean."
His eyes were fixed on the piece of rice paper with water marks on it and the words had almost disappeared.
"This piece of paper..." He stretched out his finger, lightly brushing the almost invisible position of the word "Jingwu", and said in a low and solemn voice, "Can you give it to me?"
Seeing the almost obsessive seriousness in his eyes, I was a little surprised, then smiled and said, "Of course you can, but it's written in water, so it dries up quickly and everything will be gone."
"It's okay." Atobe's voice was remarkably firm. What he wanted was the very object that held this moment, her interpretation. He carefully picked up the nearly blank sheet of rice paper, as if holding some rare treasure.
When leaving, the afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm golden glow on the courtyard, and Xiaokong barked twice at Totoro.
Atobe stood outside the entrance, holding the rolled-up rice paper in his arms with great care. He turned around and looked at me intently.
"Kiriguyamagakure," he began, his voice low and clear, with an unprecedented seriousness, "it is also a very beautiful name."
After saying that, he nodded slightly, turned around and got into the waiting Bentley. The car slowly drove away and disappeared around the corner.
I stood at the door, the evening breeze ruffling my hair, carrying the lingering fragrance of lotus leaves from the courtyard. Those words, "What a beautiful name," seemed to still echo in my ears. Aunt Yuko held Sora in her arms, a knowing, pleased smile on her face.
And in the study, the piece of rice paper with water marks on it was probably just a blank space left at this moment.
But some things, once written down, can never be erased.
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