After school that evening, little Mizuki was picked up by her mother.Once home, she slung her small schoolbag onto the sofa and had planned to go find Takumi right away. But as she passed by the bathroom, her eyes caught sight of the comb on the sink.
Mizuki dragged a small plastic stool under the dressing table and climbed up.With the comb in hand, she tidied her ponytail and smoothed out the stray hairs, examining herself carefully in the mirror.Satisfied with her appearance, she trotted to the kitchen. "Mom, I want to ask Takumi something. I'm going over to see him."
Her mother, was pulling vegetables from the fridge and replied casually, "Alright, I'll call you when dinner's ready."
Just then, the phone rang. Mayumi glanced at the screen with mild confusion before picking up."Mom? Why are you calling so late? Is everything okay?"Her expression quickly shifted."What? Are you alright? Should I come now and take you to the hospital? Okay, okay—I'll bring Mizuki with me."
Mizuki had already turned toward the door when her mother's voice stopped her.
"Mizuki, wait a second!"
She turned back, confused. "What is it, Mom?"
She closed the fridge and took off her apron in a hurry."Don't go to Takumi's just yet. Your grandma's not feeling well. Pack a few things—we're going to see her tonight. I'll call your school and arrange a leave."
"Grandma's sick?" Mizuki's voice trembled. "Is it serious?"
"She said she doesn't have any strength and can't get out of bed. She also said she really misses you and wants to see you." Mayumi was already moving toward the bedroom, grabbing clothes and bags.
Mizuki didn't ask any more questions. She could read her mother's face—and right now, it didn't look good. The air was heavy, tense.She cast one reluctant glance toward Takumi's house, but didn't resist. Instead, she silently began packing for the trip.
On the way back to their old home, Mizuki watched her mother make one call after another—requesting time off, coordinating with the hospital.Mizuki sat quietly in the front seat, her eyes fixed on the passing night outside the window. Her little mind was full of questions, worries, and thoughts she didn't quite know how to untangle.
Thankfully, it turned out to be a false alarm.
After a long and chaotic night, the next morning brought both tears and smiles. Her mother had cried—but now there was relief in her eyes.
A nurse explained gently, "It's nothing too serious—just a collection of small issues. But from now on, your family should visit more often. Regular check-ins can prevent complications."
Mayumi nodded. "Got it. Thank you, nurse."
"We'll keep her under observation this week," the nurse continued. "If everything goes well, she can go home soon. She likely took a small fall a few days ago and injured her leg. That's why she couldn't stand. It's not life-threatening, so don't worry too much."
"Understood."
After the nurse left, Mayumi exhaled deeply and turned to her mother, who was lying in the hospital bed with a warm smile on her face.
Grandma reached out and patted Mizuki's head.
"My little Mizuki... It's been half a year since you visited Grandma. Did you miss me?"
"Yes!" Mizuki nodded eagerly, standing by the bed.
"I heard from your mom that you're learning Taekwondo? And you're doing really well? You'll show Grandma when she's better, right?"
"Yup! I'll show you as soon as you come home!"
Then Mayumi asked quietly, "Mom, why didn't you tell me when you fell? Why wait until you couldn't even get out of bed?"
Her mother smiled gently, eyes full of kindness. "I didn't think it was a big deal. Everyone stumbles now and then. Who would've guessed that getting old makes even small falls serious?"
Mayumi sat down beside her, tears threatening to spill again. "Dad passed too early... and Mizuki's still so young. You're the only one I have left. I was scared to death on the drive back."
Sweet little Mizuki tore two tissues from the box and handed them over with both hands."Don't cry, Mom," she said softly, trying her best to comfort her.
She laughed through her tears and stroked her daughter's head. "You're such a good girl."
Grandma chuckled too. "What are you crying for? Didn't the doctor say I'm fine? I'm not scared—why are you? You're not as tough as Mizuki."
She rolled her eyes at her mother, torn between exasperation and affection. The two women shared a long, familiar look and smiled.
Just like old times.
Though Grandma was alright this time, the visit left its mark. Not long after, Mizuki and her mother returned quietly to the little town.
But the elderly woman's health continued to decline day by day. Someone needed to care for her full-time.
Without much hesitation, she made a difficult decision: she resigned from her job and returned to her hometown in the south. She planned to take on some part-time work in a quieter, more remote area while looking after her mother. Naturally, Mizuki would transfer schools and go with her.
Mizuki understood. She was a sensible child and knew that her mother was doing this to care for Grandma. So she didn't protest. But when she overheard her mom calling the school to begin the transfer procedures, her small face turned away, and tears slid down silently.
She wasn't particularly attached to the school.What she couldn't bear to leave behind was Takumi, the boy next door who had been teasing, challenging, and accompanying her ever since kindergarten.
She saw the sadness in her daughter's eyes. She hugged her gently.
"Mizuki, I know you don't want to be apart from your Takumi-oniichan, but Grandma needs us now. We really have to go."
Mizuki buried her face into her mother's arms. "Mom… we'll come back, right?"
"Of course," Mayumi assured her softly. "If you still want to return, once you enter junior high, I'll enroll you back here. You can go to the same school as Takumi again. But until then, you'll have to be apart for a while."
Mizuki clutched the fabric of her mother's shirt, then slowly loosened her grip. Her voice was quiet, eyes trembling."…Okay. When are we leaving?"
"One month from now. You still have a whole month. Use this time to say goodbye to your Takumi-oniichan properly. Tell him you'll meet again when you grow up."
She gently ran her fingers through Mizuki's long hair, her gaze drifting to the window. The small town outside looked peaceful in the fading afternoon light—a place filled with years of memories. Her heart was full of tangled emotions.
"Or," she added, "you two can still video call sometimes. That's fine too."
But in the eyes of most adults, childhood friendships are fleeting. More often than not, parting means goodbye for good. Years later, if they're lucky, they might recall someone they used to play with—a boy who was always around back then—but the memory of his face would already be fading.
Mizuki, however, wasn't like most children.Takumi had a unique weight in her world—an anchor, a rival, a friend who lived in her heart with quiet, unshakable certainty.
Mayumi didn't know whether life would bring them back.But Mizuki—she would return. Without a doubt.
Saturday arrived once again.
That day, Takumi was sprawled across his bed, reading casually, the corners of his book curling in the soft breeze drifting through his window.
The system's voice rang out in his mind, clear and bright:
[Cultivation Progress Detected. You have reached Level 20. Your second ability has been unlocked.]
[Cultivation Doubling – Your mastery of Qi Luck cultivation has reached a refined state. From now on, when guiding a fairy in cultivation, their learning speed and progress will double under your direct teaching.]
[Note: This ability activates only during personal instruction. It cannot be triggered through independent cultivation.]
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
…This ability is starting to sound more and more like something for founding a sect.
He mulled it over, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.If the disciples I train gain double cultivation, and thanks to my first ability, I receive double their returns… that's a compound effect. Multiply, multiply, multiply...
That's a quadruple gain!
He was just starting to imagine the possibilities when another system notification chimed:
[Fairy Mizuki has come to visit you again today. She appears travel-worn, as if she has something important to discuss.]
The very next second, there was a knock at the door.
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