Chapter 3: Chapter 3. Gentle Rain
"Uh…Where am I again? Am I at the hospital now?" She frowned while gently massaging her temples. It was like the vision she had seen in her dream where her mother was. The same tall green hills and the glistening tranquil river and next to it, a small village. But the problem was, she was floating in the air.
"Hello Miss, still missing your mother?" It was a mystic voice, soft and airy while still having the essence of manliness.
"Eh? Yes, but who are you? Why don't you show y-"
"Calm down, little Miss Piggy. I shall answer everything one at a time." The man spoke without flinching one bit, but there was a slight chuckle in the end. Meanwhile, Hatsuki was infuriated. She rolled her eyes while clicking her tongue, "Who are you calling a piggy, eh?!"
"Well, of course you, your Royal Highness." While the person who spoke was invisible and giggled, Hatsuki could feel the tips of her ears and cheeks becoming red as cherries. Her lips tightened, and she eyed the little village where a few children were playing with the dried sticks.
"Well, little Miss Piggy who loves to eat wouldn't you like to know about the world you entered?" Hearing those words, Hatsuki gave a sharp glance towards the clouds near her. The source of the voice was nowhere!
"First, I am not a little Miss Piggy; I am Asano Hatsuki. I just love food. Second, tell me everything you know about this world," she demanded, her arms crossed on her waist and her eyes glaring at the clouds.
"Oh, my you are scary, Little Miss Piggy." said the voice earning an extra glare and anger from Hatsuki and it continued "Well, as I said I will only tell you one thing at a time because I am a generous man. So let's start with the new world. You are in a different realm than the human realm. It's the realm of spirits and supernatural beings. It's also the realm which connects to all other six realms. So, for your safety, you shouldn't let others know that you are a human else you might eaten."
"Why am I brought to this realm, then?" Hatsuki asked only after the voice took a pause. Realms? Human worlds? Supernatural beings?! Just the sound of these made her question her entire existence, and yet she couldn't deny their subsistence. After all, those supernatural beings were her childhood friends.
"Well…. I could tell you that if..."
"If?"
"If you bring a mizzle on that village." The was a stark of mirth in the voice. Hatsuki found herself in a slight dilemma after all, wouldn't it be like a prank from the god of water? Moreover, she couldn't even control the rain.
"That'd be impossible. I am no god or spirit to bring rain," she explained, her head slightly tilted.
"I'm sure you can do it. Next time then Little Miss Piggy~"
The dream came to an end and Hatsuki could feel something harsh underneath the skin of her fingertips. The spectre of light radiated from the right, so she softly turned towards the left side where her eyes hurt less.
"Shouldn't she be awake by now Chitora?" It was a very soft-spoken tone while still holding authority.
"She should be by now master" said another man but this time, the voice was much gruff.
Hatsuki could feel something staring at her intensely. 'Am I being watched?' Her eyes tightened even more at the thought. Her fists clenched and her heartbeat accelerated. It felt unsettling.
Yukinori had a slight sneer on his lips. He could hear everything due to his hearing skills. 'Mischievous as always' he remarked in his mind and cleared his throat.
"Perhaps, we should place her in a bath full of ice water. That should make her conscious," said Yuki. Even Chitora sharply turned his eyes towards his master since it would only make the situation of the human worse.
Just then her heart shuddered. Ice cold water?! Oh lord no! It was still winter and even the lukewarm water felt bone cold! Her shoulders curled. Thus, to seem like she had just awoken, Hatsuki lightly turned to the left. Breath as steady as possible and eyes tenderly fluttered.
Next to her was a floating light. Little red lantern emitting glow and warmth and she could also see the two men further. One of them wore a midnight blue robe which had the dragon embroidered. A thin belt at the waist carried a red tassel and a white jade with beads.
It was a beautiful dress and as she continued to observe it, her eyes landed at the mask the man wore. It was the blue devil's mask with gold glossed over a few of its parts. It was eccentric and yet, somewhat scary.
Next to him was a man with his hair tied in a small bun. Silver devil mask covered his face, and he wore a less fancy robe. It was a simple black robe which had a thin white belt which had a simple pink tassel.
"Are you done looking at young miss?" said the man in a blue robe. He had a gruff and low voice and brought Hatsuki back to reality. 'EHH?!' Her brows arched and faltered backwards. 'How embarrassing!' She thought to herself while embodying a ripe tomato physically.
"You seem red miss. Are you okay?" The man in the blue robe got on his knees and tried to press his hand to the back of her forehead but Hatsuki dodged his hand. Eyes wary of the people surrounding her.
"I am fine. Just a bit… Hazy. But more importantly, who are you?" Hatsuki's question caught both of the men off guard. As they both exchanged looks through the mask, the man in a blue robe stood up.
"I am arbitrary of the under realm. Master of the Mansion, you can call me master" The soft-spoken man had a tacky choice of words, making sure to bring his authority to have the upper hand. Moreover, wasn't he slightly underdressed for his position?
"I am Chirtora. Master's doctor and also an imperial doctor." he had a whimsical air to him despite his gruff tone. An opposite to his master.
Hatsuki had her lips in awe. The people before her were truly powerful personnel. 'Maybe they would know how to bring rain?' She guessed while slightly wetting her lower lip and inhaling deeply. It was her best bet.
"I am Ayano Hatsuki, a first-year student from the Department of Accountancy and I have a question." Said Hatsuki. Both the men glanced at her since it was an unusual response.
"Can you bring rain?"