The next day, the sky stretched clear for miles, and the sun shone brightly. The saying that clear skies followed rain truly held in any world.
"Is it really all right for you to leave like this?"
"It's all my fault for getting so excited last night. I talked so much that you didn't get any rest, Lord Onmyoji."
Seeing the onmyoji packed and ready to set off again, the girl standing barefoot on the stone steps looked utterly remorseful.
"You liked listening to my stories?"
"Thank you, but..."
Although the onmyoji had told her not to worry, the guilt in her eyes refused to fade.
If his lack of rest last night caused anything to happen to him on his journey, she would be beside herself with remorse.
No, no, no!
Why am I thinking about bad things?
For a moment, turmoil swept through Ceiling Dweller's heart. Her small teeth nibbled her thin lower lip, while her slender fingers tangled helplessly behind her back.
Seeing this, the young man who had already left the Pavilion came back in a few strides. He reached out to gently rub her little head, offering words of reassurance.
"Really?"
"You really are used to living like this? You're not lying to me, are you?"
Ceiling Dweller felt somewhat reassured, but unease still lingered in her voice.
"An onmyoji's life really is hard."
"Then may fortune favor you in battle, and may your journey be smooth."
After another reassuring answer, the girl finally put her apprehension to rest. Like the village elders who had once stood here seeing young people off long, long ago, she offered him a farewell blessing.
At that very moment, tears suddenly streamed from her lively eyes like clear spring water.
In that instant, her life, her soul, and her