Takashi still remembered it from his elementary school days. It was a cherry blossom tree by the roadside, and a female youkai with light green hair.
That youkai was probably very lonely too. She would sit boredly in the tree watching the children pass by, and from time to time, she would suddenly jump out in front of them to scare them.
Unfortunately, no one could see her. The youkai in the tree sat there year after year, day after day, observing the passing crowd, but not a single person could see her.
As a spirit born from a cherry blossom tree, she couldn't stray too far from her own body. She could only stay in the tree year after year, enjoying her long life while lonely observing the passing crowd.
Until one day, the youkai, as usual, suddenly appeared in front of a group of children. Just as everyone else ignored her, one child sat down on the ground in surprise.
He... was scared by her!
The other children turned their heads, staring at Takashi with the eyes of someone looking at a monster, at an idiot. And Takashi... was looking at the youkai in front of him in fear.
The youkai smiled. She had found an interesting fellow. And also... a fellow who felt about the same as she did.
After graduating from elementary school, Takashi left this city and was sent even further away by his relatives. And the cherry blossom youkai still sat there, day after day, year after year, waiting....
"Why... why didn't that little one come today? Doesn't he have school..."
.....
Takashi's old hometown was in the countryside. After first going to the home of the relatives who had once taken him in to say hello, Uchiha Ryo followed Takashi to his former elementary school.
The elementary school he had attended for six whole years, yet had not made a single friend.
"Are you sure it's this road from your relatives' house to the elementary school? Why didn't we see the cherry blossom tree you mentioned as we walked along?"
Uchiha Ryo stood at the elementary school gate, while Takashi was constantly trying to recall the past.
"Maybe the road has been repaired. Let's try walking back this way."
This small town in the countryside had been constantly under repair for the past six years. It took Takashi a long time to finally find the road back home from his memories.
But just as Takashi quickened his pace, he was stopped by a group of construction workers.
Uchiha Ryo called out to one of the workers and pointed ahead.
"What's going on up there?"
"Oh, the road surface here was already very old. After so many years of wind and rain, it's time for it to be repaired."
Takashi also walked up and asked nervously.
"Then what about the cherry blossom trees planted on both sides of this road!"
The worker smiled. "Of course they've all been dug up. Otherwise, it would affect the road repairs. But new ones will be planted later!"
All... dug up?
Takashi took a deep breath. "When did this happen? Are the dug-up trees still here!"
"Uh... they were cut down this morning and then dug up. As for the wood, it should still be in the ground. The truck to transport it will be here soon and will help move the wood away."
Unexpectedly, this worker was very easy to talk to. After he had said all he knew, Takashi looked at Uchiha Ryo with an anxious expression.
"Mhm, let's go in directly!"
The two humans and two cats didn't stop, but walked straight towards the construction site.
"Hey, you two, the road ahead is closed to traffic. You should take a detour."
Uchiha Ryo turned his head and directly threw a few genjutsu at them. Then, as if they hadn't seen the two at all, they continued with their work.
Where is she? She should be nearby!
It was the first time Uchiha Ryo had ever seen Takashi show such a nervous expression.
→
Finally, Takashi and Nyanko-sensei stopped under a felled cherry blossom tree. The entire tree had been cut into two sections. The huge trunk lay on the ground, and the stump had been dug up along with the roots.
Takashi fell silent, while Uchiha Ryo activated his Sharingan, patted Takashi's back, and looked towards the trunk.
"Takashi! Look!"
Takashi, who had been dejected, suddenly looked up. That familiar scent once again filled his nostrils.
And from within the severed trunk, a woman with a translucent body was looking at him in surprise.
Perhaps six years had flown by in a flash, but this cherry blossom spirit had always remembered that boy. Even though he had grown up, she still recognized him at a glance.
"You're... Takashi?!"
Looking at the fairy he hadn't seen in six years, Natsume Takashi no longer hesitated and walked up to her, showing a smile he had never shown her before.
Takashi... has grown up. And he has become even gentler than before... He must have met someone equally gentle, which is why he has such a gentle smile.
"Takashi! You came back to see me~"
The youkai also smiled and then lunged towards Takashi. Unfortunately... she passed right through him. Because her body had already become illusory. She couldn't even maintain her physical form as a youkai anymore.
Nyanko-sensei silently retreated to the side, and Uchiha Ryo did the same.
Takashi: "I've always wanted to say I'm sorry. Because I was so foolish back then, and in the end, I couldn't even say goodbye to you. I even resented you. But now, I understand your kindness back then, so I will also become a gentle person!"
"But you...."
The cherry blossom youkai smiled without saying a word.
The life of a plant is tenacious, but also fragile. When the cherry blossom tree was cut down, when its own roots were also pulled up, she could only wait for death to arrive....
The trunk was not yet dead, but it was already beyond saving.
No matter how many springs, summers, autumns, and winters I've been through, I have never forgotten. And you also remember me, understood my kindness back then, and even came to find me on your own. That's enough. It's completely enough....
There was no need to say anything more, nor was there a need for any final blessings. To be treated with such kindness in her final moments, she was very happy.
Takashi reached out his hand, but it still passed through her ethereal form.
"By the way, Takashi, I've never told you my name, have I? After all, youkai can't easily tell others their names."
"Please remember. Since my birth, I have seen the falling cherry blossoms, so my name is... Rakuzakura (Falling Cherry)."
Nyanko-sensei suddenly jumped onto Takashi's back. "Takashi is very safe and happy now. You can rest in peace."
Takashi: "Hey! Nyanko-sensei!"
Nyanko-sensei, however, looked at the trunk on the ground. "A fairy born from a plant, if it has not cultivated to the point of being able to leave its main body, once the main body dies... it will disappear along with the life of the plant."
Uchiha Ryo watched the scene before him, looked up, and chuckled softly.
"There's still a way. Leave it to me."
[System Shop is now open. Current G-Points: 2656]
[System, give me Wood Style!]
[Incomplete Kekkei Genkai - Wood Style: 400 G-Points (Reference: Yamato), Perfect Kekkei Genkai - Wood Style (Reference: Hashirama): 2000 G-Points (Learning Wood Style requires the prerequisite of both Earth and Water Style chakra: 400 G-Points)]
[Max it out directly!]
[G-Points -2400]
"Ryo-nii?"
Uchiha Ryo walked forward and placed his hand on the already severed tree trunk.
"The fading of a plant's life... From now on, leave it to me."