NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Meeting Satori again.
In a room adorned with various ornaments and a collection of books, Satori Komeiji, with her distinct pink hair, sat at her desk. Her attention was fixed upon a Bleeding Heart Vine, a potted plant that seemed to captivate her with its intricate beauty.
"She isn't here yet..." Satori's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of longing as she uttered her thoughts aloud, her gaze drifting to the window as if awaiting someone's arrival.
"Maybe she forgot about me..." The words slipped from her lips, a quiet acknowledgment of her uncertainty, yet devoid of bitterness.
Satori dipped her pen into an inkwell and began to write, her focus momentarily shifting to the words forming on paper. However, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted when a sudden presence manifested before her – a vibrant green-haired girl who appeared seemingly out of thin air.
"Hello young-" The girl's cheerful greeting was cut short as her footing disappeared beneath her, and she found herself tumbling through the air.
"aaahh!" A surprised exclamation escaped the girl's lips as she landed on the floor with an undignified thud, the Bleeding Heart Vine's pot tipping over in the process.
"Ow..." Grimacing slightly, the green-haired girl grumbled as she rubbed her head, glancing up at Satori, who was trying her best to hold back her laughter.
Satori's lips twitched with mirth, her amusement evident as she stifled her laughter and managed to offer an apologetic smile to the now-embarrassed girl on the floor.
"This isn't funny at all!" The girl's protest held a mixture of annoyance and good-natured exasperation, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
"Sorry... It's just that it's unexpected," Satori replied, her amusement bubbling just beneath the surface, a light sparkle in her eyes as she regarded the green-haired intruder.
"Act like you are sorry!" Kusa's playful retort carried a tone of mock irritation as she sighed, shook her head, and carefully placed the plant back onto the table.
"Seriously... who puts their potted plant on the edge of the table," Kusa's bemused voice murmured as she nudged the potted plant slightly, using her abilities to infuse it with energy, causing it to glow and regain its vitality.
"Isn't that what most people do?" Satori's response held a tinge of curiosity as she posed the question, her eyes flickering with a touch of amusement.
"Do they?" Kusa's voice held a contemplative note, realizing that her own experiences might not be representative of everyone's habits.
"I don't know... I haven't interacted with many creatures aside from my pets, my sister, and Kusa," Satori's reply carried a gentle lilt, the mention of Kusa's name a playful reminder of their unique connection.
"I see..." Kusa's voice held a thoughtful quality, pondering the differences in lifestyles between Satori and the world she had come to know.
"Wait! There's someone else named Kusa!!!" Kusa's exclamation held a genuine surprise, her curiosity piqued as she looked at Satori with a mixture of wonder and inquiry.
"Yes," Satori confirmed, a light giggle escaping her lips as she observed Kusa's reaction.
"Can you tell me about her?" Kusa's curiosity was palpable as she leaned in slightly, eager to learn more about this other individual who shared her name.
"If I remember correctly, she has green hair with streaks of yellow, and her eyes are a striking shade of pink. She wears a white blouse with a black tie, paired with a black long skirt," Satori's description painted a vivid image, her eyes carefully studying Kusa's appearance as she spoke.
"I see..." Kusa's voice held a mix of surprise and understanding as she processed the information shared by Satori.
"Isn't that me!!!" Kusa's sudden realization echoed through the air, her exclamation carrying a hint of playful disbelief.
Satori's response was a gentle giggle, a soft expression of amusement that danced in her eyes. Kusa's antics seemed to amuse her in a way that felt comforting and genuine.
"So you remember me? I thought you might forget about it," Kusa's words carried a mixture of relief and curiosity, her relief stemming from the fact that she need not work so hard to rebuild their connection, and her curiosity piqued by Satori's ability to retain the essence of their interactions.
"I forgot about it, but the things you've given to me in the dream world are here..." Satori's words held a gentle sweetness as she explained, her smile a testament to the warmth those memories held for her.
"That's your created bed, pillow, mattress, and blanket," Satori's gentle gesture indicated the verdant furniture adorning the space, a visual representation of their dream encounters that had seeped into reality.
"And here is your created cup," Satori's graceful hand lifted the cup, the embodiment of their shared moments.
"I see... no wonder you still have your memories," Kusa's words were touched with wonder, her realization unfolding as she considered the nature of her abilities and their connection to the world around her. The boundary between dreams and reality seemed more malleable than she had previously thought.
Satori's gaze held a certain depth, her eyes searching Kusa's as if contemplating something beyond the surface.
"Kusa," Satori's voice, soft yet profound, called out to her, a signal that she had something important to convey, a matter she wished to discuss.
"What?" Kusa's curiosity danced in her eyes as she eagerly awaited Satori's revelation.
"You know I could read minds, right?" Satori's words carried a mix of confession and inquiry, her gaze fixed on Kusa as if assessing her reaction.
"Yeah," Kusa's affirmation was accompanied by a nod, a simple acknowledgment that she was aware of Satori's unique ability.
"I could also read hearts," Satori's admission hung in the air, carrying a sense of vulnerability that Kusa could sense.
"Do hearts have thoughts?" Kusa's question was genuine, a reflection of her attempt to grasp the nature of Satori's skill. The momentary silence that followed seemed to emphasize the complexity of the topic they were exploring.
"No, it's more like I could read a person's inner desires," Satori clarified, her explanation offering a deeper understanding of her ability.
"Ohh... Did you read mine?" Kusa's curiosity sparkled in her eyes, her eagerness evident as she inquired about her inner desires.
"Sorry, I read yours too," Satori's admission held a hint of remorse, a touch of concern about how her actions might have been perceived.
Kusa's reaction, however, was not what Satori expected. Shaking her head gently, she reassured Satori with a warm smile.
"No, no, no, tell me—I want to know, Satori," Kusa's voice was gentle, her curiosity tinged with a sense of understanding and acceptance.
"You aren't angry?" Satori's question held a note of surprise, her uncertainty about Kusa's feelings evident.
Kusa's response was unwavering as she offered a kind nod. "No, I'm not angry. I'm glad you shared this with me."
"Nope! I didn't know what my deepest desire was, so please tell me!" Kusa's eyes shimmered with excitement, a golden gleam reflecting her genuine curiosity.
"If you say so... You want to see everyone having fun in peace," Satori gently revealed, her voice carrying a soft sincerity that matched her serene expression.
"Ohh!!! Yeah... I want to see everyone having fun, and that includes you too, Satori," Kusa's response was heartfelt, her eyes reflecting the genuine warmth of her feelings.
"Ehh?" Satori's confusion was evident, her brows furrowing slightly as she tried to comprehend Kusa's words.
"Because, when we decided to become friends... You are already included in the ones I want to see being happy," Kusa's words carried a gentle sincerity, a sentiment that seemed to surprise and touch Satori.
"That's why I promise to make that happen, no matter how much effort I need to spend to achieve it!!" Kusa's determination shone through her words, her resolve firm and unwavering.
Satori's eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, her emotions bubbling to the surface as she was deeply moved by Kusa's earnest promise. And then, the tears began to flow, a mixture of surprise, gratitude, and an overwhelming rush of emotions.
Kusa's response was instinctive, wrapping her arms around Satori in a comforting embrace. She held her friend close, offering solace and understanding in the form of a hug.
--
"Better?" Kusa's voice held genuine concern as she pulled back slightly to look at Satori's face, her expression a mix of empathy and care.
"Yes..." Satori's response was soft, a single word carrying the weight of her emotions as she met Kusa's gaze.
As Satori's thoughts wandered, a hint of a smile played on her lips. "It seems the individual that is being rumored on the surface is her," she mused, finding herself deeply impressed by Kusa's feats that were now circulating among her friends here.
"She is truly like the sun," Satori thought to herself, a sense of warmth and admiration enveloping her as she continued to gaze at Kusa.
"Do you have a garden here?" Kusa's question pulled Satori back to the present moment, drawing her attention away from her introspective thoughts.
"Yes, would you like to see it?" Satori's voice held a genuine eagerness, excited that Kusa showed interest in the garden she had created, a garden that was designed to attract Kusa's presence.
"If possible," Kusa's response was accompanied by a curious glint in her eyes, her interest piqued by the idea of exploring Satori's garden.
"Then... let's go," Satori's enthusiasm was palpable as she rose from her chair, gracefully guiding Kusa with her hand as they made their way through the corridor.
--
"Heart Vines, Scorpion grass, Shame plant, Lavender, white morning glory, Peace lily, Purple Hellebore, and Angel's Trumpet," Kusa's voice carried the names of the flowers as she observed the garden's flora. A wry smile danced on her lips as she recognized the collection and seemed to understand why the plants might not be content in this particular environment.
Kusa's expression shifted to one of contemplation, her thoughts seemingly occupied with how to address the needs and preferences of each plant, aiming to create a harmonious and beautiful garden.
"Do you not like it?" noticing that Kusa hadn't said anything about the garden.
"It's not me per se... but the plants seem dissatisfied with the current condition," Kusa's response was direct and candid, causing Satori's eyes to widen in both surprise and fascination.
"Wait... you can communicate with plants?" Satori's disbelief was evident in her voice.
"I can understand their feelings, yes. After all, I am a plant too," Kusa's words held a light and amused tone as if she found the whole situation rather amusing.
"Oh, I see," Satori nodded in realization, finally connecting the dots between Kusa's appearance and her ability to comprehend the plants' emotions.
Kusa's smile was sincere as she looked at the garden around her. "I'm genuinely happy that you went through so much effort to prepare this for me," she expressed her gratitude.
"I want the plants to be happy here, and if I can help with that, I'd be glad to stay for a while. Is that alright with you?" Kusa's inquiry was both respectful and considerate, seeking Satori's permission to extend her presence in the garden.
Satori's heart warmed at the thought of Kusa staying longer. "Of course, I'd be delighted," she responded with a genuine smile, grateful for Kusa's company and her willingness to make the garden a better place for all its inhabitants.
"Thank you. Do you have any gardening tools?" Kusa inquired of Satori, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Yes, I can provide them for you," Satori affirmed, acknowledging her supply of gardening equipment in the other rooms of the house.
"Really?! That's a great help!" Kusa's enthusiasm was evident in her voice, and she couldn't wait to start working on the garden to make it even more beautiful.
With a determined stride, Satori left the room to retrieve the tools that Kusa required. However, she unexpectedly bumped into her pet, Rin.
Rin, a unique figure with her black cat ears and fiery red hair, was pushing a wheelbarrow in one hand while holding a bluish spirit in the other. Several more of these ethereal spirits surrounded her.
"Mistress!" Rin greeted hurriedly, but Satori effortlessly read her thoughts, understanding the situation.
"So, two humans have come here for what reason?" Satori inquired, extracting the information from Orin's thoughts.
"They didn't explicitly state their purpose, but it seems they are heading to the deepest part of the underworld, where Utsuho is involved in some strange activities," Rin relayed the information to Satori.
"I see... Please get the gardening tools. There is someone else present in the newly created garden, and she requires the tools," Satori instructed Rin, surprising her pet with the news of another visitor's presence.
"Eh?" Rin exclaimed in confusion, clearly taken aback by the unexpected presence of another guest.
Satori, observing Rin's confusion, offered a brief explanation to clarify the situation. "She is an important guest," Satori emphasized, hoping that Rin would comprehend the significance.
"Okay, Mistress!" Rin's demeanor shifted to one of obedience, her initial confusion giving way to understanding. With her understanding clear, Rin swiftly acknowledged her task and set off to locate the gardening tools.
Satori, now with her attention redirected toward the unexpected visitors in her domain, felt a certain irritation rising within her. "I will attend to the intrusion of these humans in my home. In the meantime, please carry out the task I assigned, Rin," Satori stated, her tone carrying a trace of annoyance as she departed to confront the new arrivals.
"Understood!" Rin's response was swift and eager as she embarked on her mission to gather the required supplies for Kusa's gardening project.
--
"It seems I need some tools to further proceed," Kusa noted as she had already organized the planting areas for each type of plant.
Rin appeared with the requested tools, handing them over to Kusa. "Here are the tools that Mistress ordered," Rin announced, seemingly surprised that Kusa was familiar with her.
"Thank you, Rin," Kusa expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the assistance.
"Ehh?! You know who I am?!!" Rin exclaimed, taken aback by Kusa's knowledge of her identity.
"Of course, you are one of Satori's companions, so it isn't that hard to guess who you are. Also, I didn't mean it in a bad way," Kusa explained, clarifying her comment and lightening the mood.
"True, you're not someone easily intimidated by Mistress," Rin remarked, chuckling at the observation.
"May I ask what your name is?" Rin inquired, curious to know more about Satori's newfound friend.
"Kusa," Kusa responded simply, which only added to Rin's confusion.
"That's a unique name," Rin commented, still puzzled by the situation.
"Not really, it's quite literal considering what I am," Kusa replied, offering an explanation that didn't seem to clarify things for Rin.
"Still, the garden seems to be growing more vibrant now," Rin noted, observing the subtle glimmers of green light scattered throughout the garden as a result of Kusa's efforts.
"I know, right? With these tools, I can make the plants truly content," Kusa said, her voice brimming with cheerfulness.
"It seems like you're in a good mood, so I'll be off now. I have some tasks to take care of," Rin said, sensing that Kusa was in capable hands and had her work to attend to.
"I see. Best of luck with your tasks," Kusa responded with a wave as Rin hurried off to fulfill her responsibilities.
With Rin gone, Kusa focused on the task at hand, carefully arranging and tending to the plants to ensure their well-being and happiness.