Whoosh!
Under the pristine moonlight, a slender figure clad in black and sporting long ears soared effortlessly between skyscrapers.
Yae Sakura had completed her inspection of the city's layout, infrastructure, and public safety conditions. Finally, she stopped atop a towering building, gripping its edge with one hand as she hung suspended beneath the night sky, gazing down at this vibrant, orderly metropolis aglow.
"Commander Izayoi, my city patrol is complete. Your department's efforts are truly commendable; I will report your achievements to Zeke...His Majesty accurately. By the way, I've cleared the Divergence Forest on the western outskirts. It should no longer pose a threat to you."
"Well done, Miss Sakura! Would you like to join me for dinner at home? Tonight's special is beef burgers!"
"No, thank you. I've already been imposing for several days. I'd prefer to head back soon and rest up. Let's catch up another time."
"But why? It's rare to meet someone from the Far East here. I was hoping to have a pajama party with you, Miss Sakura, and chat till dawn!"
"Ha ha! There'll be other chances. Next time, I promise to stay for as long as it takes."
Yae Sakura chuckled softly, her laughter drifting on the wind, before smiling and ending the call.
With a burst of energy, she swung herself up onto the rooftop after finishing the conversation.
"Phew! Another mission accomplished successfully. But Branch Chief Sixteen Nights is just too enthusiastic; she sounded genuinely disappointed back there. Maybe I shouldn't have declined? Ah, when I arrived, Mr. Albert mentioned she was known for being a stern and unapproachable officer—how unexpected!"
Yae Sakura gently touched her flawless, charming face, letting out an unconscious sigh.
Suddenly, the exquisite black blade at her waist began to tremble slightly.
"Eldest Sister, Eldest Sister, are we going home now? I want some fried tofu!"
"Hmm? Didn't I store plenty of it inside your sword earlier? You assured me you'd preserve them carefully and savor them slowly. Have you already finished them so quickly?"
"Eldest Sister, don't even get me started! That annoying Deadface has such a petty mind. Last time we met, he tried to force that Corrosion Core into my body. Thanks to my fierce resistance, he failed, but then sneaked around and stole all the fried tofu I had stored at home! I only discovered it later; now, I've been without food for several days!"
"Oh dear..."
While Higokumaru's plaintive tone sounded pitiful, as soon as Yae Sakura imagined Zeke sitting alone in the darkness, expressionlessly savoring the stolen fried tofu, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Pfft! Zeke-san really..."
"Eldest Sister, you're laughing?!?"
"I'm sorry, I apologize. I'll go back right away and make some for you."
Yae Sakura gently stroked the scabbard, soothing Higokumaru, while shaking her head with a resigned smile.
A cool night breeze blew, and in the next moment, the enchanting figure, like a moonlit fairy, vanished without a trace.
Yae Sakura had made her home deep within the mountains of the Far East.
Originally, there was a bustling city nearby where she could purchase daily necessities. But after the Great East Asian Collapse over half a year ago, this island nation became largely uninhabited, save for Anti-Entropy's facilities scattered across its mountains and rivers—transforming the entire country into one colossal weapon for their cause.
Now, Yae Sakura's abode is peaceful and quiet, devoid of any human presence or sounds aside from herself.
"Zzzt!"
The sizzling oil cooks as tofu pieces tumble gently, releasing a tantalizing aroma that whets the appetite.
"Eldest Sister, is it ready yet? Can we eat now?"
Higokumaru usually avoids appearing before others, but here it's just her and Yae Sakura. So she perches on Yae Sakura's shoulder, her fluffy fox tail swaying restlessly behind her, eagerly wiping away drool.
"Now, now, patience is key when enjoying hot tofu, don't you know?" With a fond smile, Yae Sakura gently taps Higokumaru's little head, exuding a sense of helplessness.
"I don't fear heat! I'm Higokumaru, after all!"
"Is that really something to be proud of?"
"Hmph! Of course it is!" With hands on her hips, Higokumaru lifted her chin proudly.
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, from beyond the door—where no visitors were expected—a gentle tapping sounded.
"Hm?" echoed simultaneously between Yae Sakura and Higokumaru as they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with question marks.
In a flash, Higokumaru vanished without a trace, merging back into the Jizo Mitama resting on the nearby table.
Yae Sakura tilted her head slightly, her chopsticks dancing swiftly above the frying pan like a whirlwind. In an instant, she scooped up a plateful of fried tofu and placed it on the table.
Then, still wearing her pink apron, she approached the door and opened it.
"May I ask who's there... Oh, Miss Mei, have you come to deliver Mr. Zeke's latest orders?" Initially, Yae Sakura wanted to address Mei as "Your Majesty," but feeling uncomfortable with the change, she opted for her previous form of respect. Presumably, Zeke-san wouldn't mind such minor details.
At the doorway stood Raiden Mei, her gaze piercing past Yae Sakura to spot the Kṣitigarbha Mitama resting on the table in the living room behind her.
"Ah—" Raiden Mei sighed softly. "Apologies for disturbing you. Zeke-san didn't have any specific orders; I'm actually here to see Miss Hikoru."
"Hmm? Looking for Hikoru?" Yae Sakura was taken aback.
Higokumaru generally harbored little fondness for most humans, with only two exceptions: her closeness to Yae Sakura and her begrudging tolerance of Zeke's presence. Beyond these, Higokumaru had minimal connection to this era or its people, including Raiden Mei.
So, what could be Raiden Mei's purpose in seeking out Higokumaru?
Yae Sakura couldn't fathom it. After a moment of hesitation, she decided that respecting Higokumaru's wishes outweighed mere courtesy. She said, "Could you perhaps share your concerns with me instead? Higokumaru might not feel comfortable seeing visitors right now, and I apologize for any inconvenience."
"I understand. In that case, please give this sword and recording to Miss Hikoru. Later, I will return to retrieve the blade. Once again, my apologies for the disturbance. I shall take my leave now."
Raiden Mei bowed deeply, transformed into lightning, and vanished towards the horizon amidst a piercing electrical crackle.
Yae Sakura held the translucent blue-violet katana left by Raiden Mei with both hands. Gazing at its flawlessly crafted blade, akin to a work of art, she tilted her head in confusion.
"Hmm?!"
One puzzling event after another left Yae Sakura bewildered.
A moment later, as she regained her composure, she noticed Higokumaru floating before her without a sound. With trembling hands, the young girl gently touched the icy blade.
"Higokumaru..." Yae Sakura softly called out her name. Though unsure what was happening, she felt an intense sorrow emanating from Higokumaru, as if abandoned by the world, suffocatingly despairing.
"You..."
Before Yae Sakura could ask or console her, just as she began speaking, the exquisite katana in her hand, along with the recording orb left by Raiden Mei, disappeared abruptly.
Naturally, it was Higokumaru who took them away, entering the inner realm of the Jizo Mitama with the blades.
Yae Sakura rushed to the living room and reached for the Jizo Mitama on the table, hoping to check on Higokumaru's condition.
"Zzzt!"
"Pow!"
Before she could touch the hilt, a repelling force flung her hand aside, causing sharp pain.
The Jizo Mitama—more precisely, Higokumaru—was rejecting Yae Sakura.
This scene was beyond anything she had ever imagined.
Kneeling before a low table styled after traditional Far Eastern designs, she gently rubbed her aching fingers, feeling somewhat dazed.
"Is it because of that sword?"
"But what exactly is..."
"The Spiritual Blade: Frozen Sky Cold Prison?!"
Yae Sakura drew a deep breath.
For five hundred years, she and Higokumaru remained sealed together within the black box containing the Jizo Mitama. Their relationship evolved from initial irreconcilable conflict to intertwining souls, gradually accepting each other, reaching reconciliation, and ultimately forming their current interdependent bond. It could be said they understood one another profoundly.
Yae Sakura recalled glimpsing that sword briefly amidst Higokumaru's chaotic memories.
The spiritual blade Frozen Sky Cold Prison was once wielded by one of the Thirteen Heroic Spirits from ancient times—Hime Sakura, the very origin of Higokumaru herself, and the dearly beloved elder sister of young Rin.
"Higokumaru..."
Yae Sakura unconsciously murmured the name of the soul within the blade, her voice filled with worry and helplessness.
At this moment, there was nothing she could do. Just as Yae Rin's death had been an inevitable tragedy beyond anyone's control, so too was this fate unalterable.
Painfully whispering, Yae Sakura sat frozen, knowing she could only wait.
Time passed, though how long, she couldn't tell. Outside, the sky had transformed from bright to dark.
Yae Sakura prepared a large plate piled high with fried tofu, setting it on the table. It went from piping hot to ice-cold untouched.
Then she rose to light the oil lamp—the electric lights were convenient, but for Yae Sakura, the dim yellow glow held no difference.
As the flickering fire illuminated the table, she noticed Jizo Mitama tremble slightly.
"Ah!"
It started as a stifled sob, gradually turning into wails echoing from the blade itself.
Yae Sakura sat beside Jizo Mitama, reaching out slowly to grasp the sword.
The intense repulsive force persisted, but this time, Yae Sakura did not yield. Instead, she resisted it, holding Jizo Mitama tightly against her chest.
"It's alright now, everything is fine. I'll always be with you, Higokumaru."
Yae Sakura gently caressed the longsword nestled in her arms, feeling the resistance gradually fade away. As she stroked the blade, her eyes, illuminated by the flickering firelight, radiated pure tenderness.