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His mother may have given up, but Tsumugi hasn't. He refuses to. Although death is just part of the circle of life, losing more than one of his loved ones in a short timeframe stings like hell.
It's a good thing his mother is a healer, and his grandmother is a gardener, so they have a lot of knowledge about herbal remedies. There's one particular plant that's never truly recorded in a book.
It's the Winter Blossom. The flower that cures all sorts of ailments.
According to the legend, these white flowers only grow and bloom during the harshest winter in the land, on the heights of the mountain to the east of this little village. Known for the strong winds that have blown countless travelers off the trail, the villager aptly calls it Eastwind Mountain.
Everyone says it's absolute bull, but whether it's true or not, Tsumugi will try looking for them. Rumors say there are ferocious beasts lurking in the mountain, but for his grandma's sake, Tsumugi will try.
Everyone will stop him, Tsumugi knows, so he sets off at night with his magic staff and some supplies. As a wizard, he has an arsenal of magic that'll help him endure the cold and kill the beasts before they reach him. He can do it on his own.
And then Fuyuki just so happens to pass by at night. He's clad in thick fur armor, perfect for winter.
"I knew you wanna go to Eastwind Mountain to find that legendary flower."
"Fuyuki-kun…"
"It's for your grandma, isn't it? Well, your grandma is like part of my family too." Fuyuki points at himself with a thumb and grins. "Leave it to this trusty knight! And his beloved little brother!"
"Tasuku knows this?"
"Since your grandma fell ill, he's been worrying about you. He's been quietly preparing for this journey." Fuyuki draws his sword. "Look at this. It's not just an ordinary sword." He flicks the switch on the hilt. The blade glows red and radiates heat before burning with gentle flame. "Dunno what Tasuku does to it, but it's now a fire sword! Perfect for this journey, no?" Then he looks over Tsumugi. "Guess who's coming."
It's Tasuku, who's wearing even bigger and thicker fur armor. Although he's already carrying a mace with him, he still has a colossal cannon and a big shield strapped to his back. It's always a wonder how so much weight never slows him down.
"Quit playing with that sword, aniki. Your armor is gonna catch fire."
Fuyuki only smiles. "Tsumu can put it out with his ice magic."
It's just another day with the Takato brothers. They're amusing, but most importantly, they're helpful.
Tsumugi is glad to have friends like them.
🌼
The wind is strong, but Tsumugi's magic lets them reach the foot of the mountain with little trouble. But Tsumugi can hear the cold winter night calling for him. It's the perfect weather for a good sleep and a good sleep will recharge him, allowing him to cast more spells and speed up their journey.
Except he remembers his deathly ill grandmother very well. He wants to go at least a little more before resting.
"You tired, Tsumu?" Fuyuki asks.
"I'm fine. Just a little sleepy."
"Then we should rest up. We aren't night owls after all." Tasuku looks around. "We should find a cave. Sleeping out here is dangerous."
"We should make sure that the cave doesn't have any hibernating bears. It's not that we can't fight it, but I don't want to hurt innocent bears."
Tsumugi nods. "Yeah, me too."
Tasuku says nothing.
Fuyuki snickers. "My little brother doesn't want that to happen either."
"You're right! I wonder if his teddy bear-"
"Shut up, Tsumugi!" Tasuku yells in embarrassment.
"Mr. Cuddles is safe and sound-"
"You too, aniki!"
"Oh, yeah, I forgot it has a name. Please show me the teddy bear next time," Tsumugi says.
"Gladly! It's squeaky clean because Tasuku-" Fuyuki freezes for a second when Tasuku casts a death glare at him. "Tasuku washes it regularly."
Tasuku is now having a weary expression on his face. But instead of saying anything, he just turns and proceeds with the journey. Tsumugi and Fuyuki have no choice but to follow him.
It takes quite the walk before they spot a cave. But Tsumugi has to admit, the view from up here is gorgeous. There are only the moon and the stars illuminating the dark wintry scenery. Though with the night getting colder and his magic weakening, Tsumugi can't stay out there for long.
With Fuyuki's flaming sword as a makeshift torch, they all go deeper into the cave cautiously. There are very loud snores echoing in the cave, which makes them consider looking for another cave to rest.
And then they notice something very interesting on the stone walls.
Carvings. Lots of them. But they aren't some random carvings. They're a bunch of letters. Words.
"My inner fire WHIRS, the scenery BLURS… One dead yeti on my ANTLERS!"
Chills run down Tsumugi's spine. "That's scary."
"It sounds like a poem- Oh, look at this one!" Fuyuki illuminates a separate paragraph with his sword.
"My body, injured by the mountain guardian.
My body, going numb.
In my hand, the Winter Blossom.
Swallowed the flower raw and I am in awe.
Pain and wounds, gone all of a sudden."
"So the legend is true. The Winter Blossom exists. I wonder who carved this poem."
Too focused on the poem, when Tsumugi walks, he unknowingly kicks a pebble. It makes a series of loud clicks as it bounces all the way into the depths of the cave.
A loud "ow" comes from the depths of the cave.
Tasuku and Fuyuki step forward with their weapons ready.
"Run, Tsumu! We'll hold back whatever you've awakened!"
"Humans?"
Sensing the curiosity and the lack of malice in the voice, Tsumugi runs past the Takato brothers.
It's another human, a shirtless one to be exact. He's tall and thin, but his muscles are well-defined. His spiky asymmetrical hair seems to tell what kind of person he is: wild and a bit eccentric.
"Sorry for waking you up! I accidentally kicked a pebble!"
"It is alright. What brings you here? Are you looking for the Winter Blossom?"
"How do you know?" Fuyuki asks.
"There is no reason to visit Eastwind Mountain if not for that legendary flower, is there? Besides, it is cold outside. You will need shelter before resuming your journey."
"We found a poem about that flower on the wall. Is that yours?" Tasuku asks.
The man nods. "Why of course! I am the legendary poet Homare Arisugawa!"
"Wait, I've heard about that name from my family. You're the one who keeps the legend alive."
"I have found the flower several times. However, I never manage to bring it to even the nearest village." Homare's face turns into a sad one. "A colossal yeti guards the place where the Winter Blossom grows. I am always able to defeat the monstrosity, but not without suffering grievous wounds."
"So you always consume the flower to save your life," Tsumugi concludes.
"Exactly. Someday I will bring the flower to a village."
"The way you say it… I dunno, but the flower actually isn't that rare?" Fuyuki asks.
"It grows every year, but finding one is not an easy task. The snow is thick while the flower is snow white." Homare walks to the depths of the cave where he comes from and gestures at everyone. "How about we talk more inside? I do not have many visitors so it is an absolute joy to see some!"
🌼
Who would've expected the journey turning into a camping trip in a cave? Everyone's sitting around a bonfire, with Homare serving stone bowls filled with berries.
"I always have many berries in my stash. They grow nearby, but you may meet violent competitors. Such is the nature of living in the wild."
"Speaking of, you kinda look more like a brawler than anything. Is that how you fight those violent competitors and the yeti?"
"Precisely. I harness the power of a bear, an owl, and a reindeer." Homare flexes his muscles and suddenly bulks up, spectral fur growing out of his arms and his fingernails transforming into wicked claws. "This is the strength of the bear!" He latches on to his nearby victim, who just so happens to be Tasuku, and gives him a tight bear hug.
"Oi!"
Tsumugi and Fuyuki laugh.
"You should be happy, Tasuku! Maybe that's what's gonna happen if Mr. Cuddles is real!"
"Mr. Cuddles?" Homare asks.
"It's a teddy-"
"SHUT UP!"
"There is nothing wrong about having a teddy bear! I also have one at home!"
"You…do?"
"He has been accompanying me since I was born. That is why the first animal I tried to understand its heart was a bear."
"Oh, so you're some kind of warrior-druid?" Fuyuki asks.
"Anyway, let me go! You're crushing my spines!"
"Ah, apologies." Homare pulls away with his spectral bear-like features fading.
"Tsumu, you learned druidic magic too, didn't you?"
Tsumugi nods. "I only know…plant-related magic though." He just can't speak about animal-related magic right now because even if he knows some, it isn't enough to save Zabi.
"That's something to be proud of! I only know animal-related ones!" Homare looks up at the ceiling. "But I cannot say my magic is like what is offered in official studies. It just…happened."
"Oh, I know. Druidic magic can naturally develop if one is well-attuned to nature and has a strong magical potential within the body."
"That makes sense. I have been trying to understand the heart of animals, you see."
"Huh?"
"Back at home, I have a dog named Ariel. She is always happy around my grandmother, but not around me. She always ignores me even though I buy her so many gifts." Homare looks at the bonfire with a long face. "I wonder if it is my inability to understand the heart of a living being. Human hearts, animal hearts… I cannot understand them."
Tsumugi is already tearing up at that. Although his voice is shaky, he manages to say, "You tried your best. I'm sure Ariel is happy."
"Tsumugi-kun, why are you crying?" Homare asks, his voice full of concern. "Did I say something wrong?"
"It's not your fault. I haven't told you why I wanna find the Winter Blossom." Tsumugi takes a deep breath. "My dog passed away from illness last month. Then not long after that, my grandmother fell ill. That's why…even if it's just a legend, I wanna try finding the flower to cure her."
"...I will assist you in your journey."
"Homare-san?"
"I am certain that watching your grandmother in such a state pains you very much. As someone who spent most of his time growing up with his grandmother, I understand."
"Thank you."
🌼
Homare is a big help, almost in a literal sense. Casting spells requires energy, but thanks to the warrior-druid, Tsumugi is able to save a lot. Calling forth the strength of the reindeer, Homare grows a pair of spectral antlers on his head and a thick mantle of spectral fur on the upper half of his body.
With Homare bulking up from the magic, he just makes a great vehicle with his broad back and shoulders. Only for one person though.
"Come think of it, Homare-san really needs no shirt, huh? That fur mantle gotta be warm." Fuyuki comments.
Homare nods. "It is impractical to wear one because I rip it each time I bulk up."
"He isn't wearing any shoes either," Tasuku adds.
"A pair of reindeer hooves are simply more practical for traversing the snowy terrain. On top of that, my magic always ends up shredding my own shoes."
"Seems like you're simply built to wear nothing."
"You have a nice body though, so being shirtless is good for you!"
"Ahaha, Fuyuki-kun! I know you have a good eye! This beautiful physique is naturally sculpted by years of dwelling in the cold mountains and brawling with beasts!"
"I have to agree that his muscles look more natural than mine."
"Well, you just do muscle training regularly rather than doing…whatever Homare-san does to survive here."
"Yeah, it's really cold up here…" Tsumugi recast the fire spell to protect himself, Tasuku, and Fuyuki from the increasingly stronger and colder winds. "You must've lived here for a long time, Homare-san."
"Yes."
"Don't you miss your family though?"
Homare's expression darkens all of a sudden.
"Ah, sorry!"
Homare is quick to change the topic, perhaps because of the gigantic humanoid silhouette in the distance. "We're here. Tsumugi-kun, get down and leave the searching to me."
"Uh, sure." Tsumugi gets off Homare.
"Everyone, prepare for combat." Homare runs while hunched over to sniff whatever is hidden under the thick snow.
And a massive snowball flies over Homare's head.
Tsumugi finishes the spellcasting just in time to vaporize it with a massive fireball.
And there's a roar. The silhouette, a gigantic yeti, draws closer to them. Accompanying it are two smaller yetis, about the size of Tasuku and the bulked-up Homare.
Fuyuki and Tasuku step forward with their weapons ready. "Stand behind us, Tsumu!" Fuyuki calls out.
Suddenly, from behind one of the smaller yetis, the half-bear Homare pounces on it and wrestles with it. It leaves a yeti to the Takato brothers, who make short work of it: a swing of Tasuku's mace stuns the yeti while a swing of Fuyuki's flaming sword leaves a huge wound over its chest. Then Tasuku rams the weakened yeti with his shield, knocking it off the cliff.
Meanwhile, Homare throws a yeti off the cliff and stands still. The bear-like features fade as he shrinks, and the whites of his eyes are turning yellow. His nose and mouth are turning into a curved beak while his arms become a massive pair of spectral wings. When he takes off to the sky, Tsumugi can see wicked spectral talons on his feet.
It's just right in time for Tsumugi to finish his other spell, another huge fireball. The yeti breathes out a mini blizzard and snuffs it out.
The blizzard also reaches Tsumugi, covering his body in ice and snow. The intense cold is bothering his spellcasting focus. Hell, he can't even hold his staff properly because of the cold.
Tasuku rushes over to Tsumugi and calls out to him. It brings Tsumugi back to focus, but it's still cold. But Fuyuki is dancing around the yeti's ground pounds while the half-owl Homare is divebombing it back and forth from the sky and ripping some fur and even flesh off its body with his talons. It's a good time to blast the yeti.
When Tsumugi picks up his staff, Tasuku readies his cannon and tells him, "You stand near me. I'll blast it."
Tsumugi nods.
Tasuku takes aim. The cannon glows, and the surrounding temperature is getting hot. The yeti shifts its attention to them, only to get its foot impaled by Fuyuki's flaming sword. While it howls in pain, the half-owl Homare swoops in and slashes it across its face.
"I knew a fire cannon was an excellent pick for this journey."
Tsumugi nods as he readies a huge fireball. He launches it at the same time Tasuku's cannon unleashes a large burst of fire. They hit the yeti and explode.
And there's an earth-shattering thud.
When the explosion clears, the battered, bloodied, and charred yeti lies on the snowy ground and moves no more.
The half-owl Homare lands before the corpse. "Ahaha, inspiration bursts forth! Bad yeti, charred baddie-"
Tasuku shouts, "Oi, how about the flower? Let's get outta here quick!"
"You do not understand art, do you? Artistic inspiration has to be used as soon as it strikes, lest it vanishes into the thin air!"
"It's not the time for art!"
Tsumugi pats Tasuku's back. "There, there, Tasuku. I can try sensing the flower by myself. After all, I am familiar with plant-based druidic magic."
Which works. As soon as Tsumugi points out the location, Homare assumes his half-bear form and digs the spot. The large spectral arms and claws of the bear gets the job done real quick.
"And here it is." Homare hands over the flower to Tsumugi.
"Thanks a lot, Homare-san. You've been a big help." Tsumugi looks at the flower tearfully. "With this, I can save my grandmother."
"Since it's over now, are you heading back to your cave, Homare-san?" Fuyuki asks.
"Yes. It is my home sweet home."
"Homare-san, if you don't mind, could you escort us back to the village?" Tsumugi asks.
"Huh?"
"It feels safer with you around and… I wanna introduce you to my grandmother."
"If you say so… Well, I would like to stop by my cave to dress more like a gentleman than a wild mountain man."
"Didn't think you'd care about your appearance that much," Tasuku comments.
"Of course I do, Tasuku-kun! A gentleman should appear proper in front of ladies!"
"I feel like ladies will swoon upon seeing you whether as a gentleman or a wild mountain man, Homare-san. Ah wait, I think men will swoon too."
Homare smirks. "I suppose my beauty cannot be contained."
🌼
As soon as Tsumugi's grandmother is fed the drink made from Winter Blossom, she wakes up and is able to sit up ASAP, no longer pale. Tsumugi rushes to hug her.
"Grandmother!"
"Welcome back, ma'am!" Fuyuki exclaims.
Tasuku smiles. "Tsumugi went to find the Winter Blossom to cure you. Glad to see it's working."
Tsumugi's grandmother pats Tsumugi's head. "You're such a wonderful grandson, Tsumu-chan."
That nickname always embarrasses Tsumugi but who the fuck cares right now. His grandmother is saved from the brink of death and that's the most important thing.
Tsumugi's grandmother looks at Homare. "Oh, who's that gentleman over there?"
"Ah, pardon my lack of manners. I am Homare Arisugawa the poet. I met Tsumugi and his comrades when they traversed the harsh trails of Eastwind Mountain."
"I know that name. You're the one who spread the tale of the Winter Blossom."
"Because I have found the flower multiple times myself. It is unfortunate I can never bring it to a village for everyone to see. Battling the yetis up there on the mountains always leaves mortal wounds on me, so I always consume the flower to save my life."
Tsumugi's grandmother chuckles. "Seems like that explains the rarity of the flower. Maybe you've found and eaten the flower before anyone else finds it."
"Homare-san helped us a lot."
"Yeah, he just knows where the flower usually grows and helps us fight the yetis," Fuyuki adds.
"Thank you for everything, young man. Fuyuki and Tasuku too, thank you for protecting Tsumugi." Tsumugi's grandmother gets off her bed, full of energy. Everyone is worried nonetheless. "I'll cook something for everyone."
Tsumugi runs after his grandmother. "Grandmother, let me-" He trips over his feet and falls flat on his face.
Tasuku only sighs while Fuyuki helps him back to his feet.
But no one really notices how quiet Homare has been.
🌼
"Meat and vegetable stew is the best for winter. Please dig in."
"Aha, right! Tsumugi's grandmother makes yummy stew! The veggies are fresh from the Tsukioka's garden too!" Fuyuki exclaims.
"But not this time. The weather has been harsher than usual."
"It still tastes good," Tasuku comments.
Somehow, Homare is quiet. He also appears a bit lethargic somehow.
"Homare-san?" Tsumugi asks, concerned.
"You are such a gentle and loving grandmother, ma'am. No wonder Tsumugi-kun loves you very much," is all Homare can say. There's profound sadness in his crimson eyes, despite how demonic they look sometimes.
"Homare-san…" Tsumugi murmurs.
"You feel like someone who's very close to his grandmother, just like Tsumugi," Tsumugi's grandmother points out.
"I spent most of my time growing up with my grandmother, but…she is different from you. She is cold and harsh as the wintry mountains. I am not even sure if she loves me."
"She loves you, undoubtedly."
"Ma'am?"
"Even if she doesn't, if she hears this heroic tale of yours, I'm sure she'll change her mind."
"I… I do not feel like visiting her."
"I'll accompany you, Homare-san!" Tsumugi says.
"My hometown is rather far from here though."
"In that case, leave it to my amazing little brother! He builds a magitek carriage!"
"Magitek? You managed to combine magic with technology?" Homare asks.
"Well, it's still a prototype, but it should work as long as someone supplies it with magic."
🌼
Tasuku steers the carriage while Tsumugi casts magic to keep the engine running. Homare is on the backseat, looking around just in case something or someone attacks them. It's the least he can do as a passenger.
"I apologize for not being able to provide the carriage with my own magic."
"It's alright. You've been a big help in the mountains, so just relax, Homare-san."
"Your magic power is really subpar for a druid, Arisugawa. It's like you never hone it."
"Yeah, since you're able to naturally develop druidic magic, you could've been an amazing wizard if you focus on your magical potential."
Homare goes silent again, with a somber face.
"Homare-san?"
"I…refuse to pursue magic for a personal reason."
"Eh?"
"My grandmother has a heart of ice. Ariel too has an equally cold heart. Considering what magic is capable of, it can be easy to melt their hearts. Some charm spells should get the job done."
"Then why don't you do it?" Tasuku asks.
"Because it feels artificial. I would rather work hard with my own might to melt their hearts."
"I don't get it."
"I do not wish to fall into the temptation of such artificial shortcuts, so I try to avoid magic at all cost. Why do I tolerate this druidic magic then? Because it lets me feel a deep connection to the animals I have studied. Besides, it is simply inevitable."
"At this point, I don't see how your grandmother and dog can dislike you."
"Maybe they're just bad at expressing their love? Just like Tachan."
"Shut it, Tsumu!"
"Just like Tasuku-kun? Oh!"
"Huh? There's such a huge manor on the outskirts of Arisugawa's hometown," Tasuku comments. "It even has a guard post by the gate."
"The rose bushes are pretty!"
"This is where my family lives."
"Then I'll park this carriage."
With the carriage parked, they get off it. And something seems off with Homare again. For someone who's usually so energetic, he just walks slowly with a sad and fearful look on his face.
Tsumugi pats Homare's back. "It's okay. We're here."
Homare gulps and steps forward to the gate, staring at the guard post. "Takao!" he calls out to the man in the post, who is sitting on a chair and reading a book.
Takao closes the book, springs to his feet and sprints to the gate. "Welcome back, Homare-sama. It has been three years."
"You never came home even once in that period of time?" Tasuku asks.
"How is Grandmother doing?" Homare simply asks Takao.
"The madam has been waiting for your return since the day you left."
"Huh?"
Takao closes the gate and then heads to the massive two-story building. "Follow me. I am sure she wants to see you."
Tsumugi chuckles. "Do you know what this means, Homare-san?"
"I never thought she would miss me this much."
"That's because she loves you. Her actions say it all." Tsumugi winks at Tasuku.
"Why are you winking at me…"
"Because you're just like her."
"Is that so…" Homare slowly proceeds to the manor, with Tasuku and Tsumugi behind him.
Once Takao opens the door, once inside, a big dog rushes over and glomps Homare.
Homare holds onto the dog. "Ariel?"
"She's wagging her tail! She's happy to see you, Homare-san!"
Homare lowers Ariel, gently stroking her lush fur. "I did not expect this at all."
"My silly grandson never changes even after years of living in the mountains, huh?"
"Grandmother!"
"I suppose the only thing that changes is, you bring some friends with you." Homare's grandmother looks at Tsumugi and Tasuku. "Thank you for taking care of Homare."
"Uh, actually we didn't do much. It was Homare-san who helped us a lot."
"He helped us find the Winter Blossom and save Tsumugi's grandmother."
"Oh…"
"Grandmother is…smiling?"
"You truly never change."
While Homare only stands still, Tsumugi smiles and nods. He knows what that means.
Homare's grandmother turns away and walks towards the living room. "Takao, prepare some tea for us."
"As you wish, Madam." Takao heads off to the kitchen at the back.
"Homare-san, do you know what your grandmother means?"
"She loves me?"
"She has always loved you." Tsumugi pats Ariel's head. "You too right, Ariel?"
Ariel lets out a happy woof.
"It seems like she understands you?"
"Tsumugi knows some degree of druidic magic after all, even the animal-related ones. It's only Zabi's death that makes him insecure about it."
"Yeah. But I can say for sure that Ariel misses you very much."
"So I am always loved by my family…" Homare looks into Ariel's eyes. "Wait, I can feel it." There's a pause. "It turns out that my departure hurt everyone. Understood. Then I shall stay here with everyone. I will miss the adventures of living in the wild, but I do not wish to hurt my family again."
"Good to see him understand his family's love," Tasuku comments.
"Homare-san's family is awkward, so I get where the difficulty comes from. But this is where he belongs. I guess after the tea party, we gotta say goodbye to Homare-san."