A cool night rain fell. The window had been left open, and the gauze curtains could not block the wind carrying the scent of rain.
Bai Yujun curled up beneath the covers, sleeping lightly. She had originally intended to keep the weather clear for a few days, but after falling asleep, she instinctively gathered rain clouds again. Sleeping to the scent of rain was quite comfortable, after all, and the sound of rain made it easier to drift off.
A faint candlelight still glowed outside the bedchamber.
On the bed, her hair spilled across the embroidered pillow. Bai slept on her side beneath an enormous brocade quilt, the tiny mound she made rather amusing.
The body linked to Bai Yujun was still young. Its features vaguely resembled her true body, though its nose bridge had not fully developed yet. It looked quite adorable. Perhaps because it had inherited some of her habits, her breathing was slower than an ordinary person's, the intervals between heartbeats somewhat longer, and her body temperature slightly lower.
The room suddenly brightened, flashing several times before returning to dimness.
About one breath later.
Rumble—!
Her little ears twitched, but she did not open her eyes.
Soft footsteps from the adjoining room slowly approached. Someone carefully walked to the window and gently shut it.
The sounds of wind and rain outside grew quieter, while the room gained a little warmth.
The young woman walked to the bedside and sat against its edge. With gentle movements, she tucked Bai Yujun's quilt around her. Perhaps thinking that thunder might frighten her, she lay on her side beside Bai and softly hummed a little tune. It was not a Kyoto accent, presumably the dialect and hometown melody of this mother.
It sounded lovely, warm, and carried an inexplicable sense of