At some point, it had begun to rain.
The misty spring drizzle pattered over the mountains. The plants took on new life, their tender buds unfurling.
Kanao set out to pick flowers again. Although it was not yet time for the Blue Spider Lily to bloom, she never neglected her daily flower picking.
Su Mu usually sat at the cave entrance, sorting the petals Kanao had gathered and weaving them into a garland with some thin string before placing it on her head.
The girl who had once been withdrawn, like a puppet on strings, was now growing livelier. Her eyes were becoming more expressive, and she was growing prettier, too.
The wind swept past, lifting the girl's skirt. With her flower basket on her arm, Kanao came over and sat beside her uncle at the cave entrance, then rested her head against him.
Su Mu reached out and gently stroked Kanao's head, her silky hair slipping easily through his fingers.
"If you're ever on your own in the future, be happy every day."
Sitting in the darkness of the cave, Su Mu gazed out at the bright spring sunshine and murmured softly.
"I don't want to be on my own."
Kanao muttered quietly, "Just a little longer, and it'll be summer. The flower will bloom then. It won't be long."
"Yes! Soon."
A trace of longing flashed through Su Mu's intensely scarlet eyes. He was still stroking Kanao's head and was about to say something when he suddenly stopped. His body trembled, and the veins on his forehead looked as though they were about to burst.
Kanao pressed her lips together, watching her uncle clutch his head with both hands.
"Kanao, go practice your swordsmanship. Go somewhere farther away to practice."
"Uncle-"
Kanao wanted to say something.
"Be good."