Chapter 1 - Chapter 1:The Whispers Of White Camellia

It was early morning, and the world outside was enveloped in a serene stillness, kissed by gentle sunlight and a cool, refreshing breeze. Dewdrops clung delicately to the leaves, each one sparkling like a tiny jewel in the soft glow of dawn. Birds, perched on fragile branches, filled the air with their melodic chirping, their tiny voices harmonizing in a tranquil symphony that soothed the soul. This was Kawagoe, a quaint and peaceful town in Japan, famous for its historic "Little Edo" streets and breathtaking views of distant mountains, where time seemed to linger and life unfolded at a leisurely pace. Inside a cozy home, a man was engaged in the comforting ritual of preparing coffee in the kitchen, the familiar sounds of clinking cups and the gentle hissing of the coffee maker echoing like a lullaby. The kitchen and hall formed an inviting open space, where soft rays of light streamed through the windows, illuminating every corner and filling the atmosphere with warmth. The kitchen counter and hall furniture blended seamlessly, each piece positioned as if placed by the universe itself, ensuring a perfect sense of harmony in the surroundings. A round window nestled in the corner of the kitchen offered a picturesque view of the yard, where an ancient willow tree swayed gracefully, its long branches dancing with the breeze, as if every droplet and leaf were an integral part of the morning's tranquility. As Renji observed the world outside through the round window, the sight of every gentle sway of the branches fostered a profound sense of peace within him, amplifying the warmth of his morning coffee and the promise of a new day. Suddenly, a soft sound resonated through the house, almost imperceptible but unmistakable, as if someone had quietly opened the door. Kurosawa Renji, a 35-year-old man who had consumed more coffee than alcohol in his life, paused mid-movement, setting down his cup. His gaze turned toward the figure standing by the round window in the yard. A girl named Tsubaki, 18 years old with deep, dark eyes and long, flowing hair, quietly settled onto a chair at the kitchen table. Her presence was like a gentle breeze, bringing life into the stillness. "Looks like it's coffee time for you," she remarked, glancing at Renji with a hint of playfulness in her tone. Renji replied with a faint smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah," he said, before his curious nature took over. "Where's Ren?" Tsubaki's voice was barely above a whisper as she responded, "He's still sleeping." Renji chuckled softly, the warmth of their shared morning enveloping him. "He'll never fully wake up." With a friendly gesture, he lifted a cup of coffee and slid it across the counter toward Tsubaki, saying, "Here, have some coffee." Tsubaki accepted the cup, cradling it in her hands as she offered him a light smile. As Renji took a sip of his own coffee, he noticed Tsubaki gazing intently at her cup, her emotions rising to the surface like gentle waves upon a shore. "Thanks," she said softly, her voice laced with sincerity. Confusion creased Renji's brow as he inquired, "Why? Did I do something? Are you thanking me for the good coffee?" Tsubaki shook her head, her expression shifting to one of deep reflection. "Not for the coffee." His surprise deepened as he pressed, "Then for what?" With teary eyes, Tsubaki explained, "For considering adopting Ren and me. If you hadn't, we might be wandering around or waiting for our deaths." Renji's heart warmed at her words, and he gently replied, "Death comes for everyone one day, and no one can change that. Many people do not accept it. As for adopting you two, back then, I saw something in your eyes that I had already given up on." Tsubaki's brow knit in confusion at his cryptic words as she pondered what he had seen that made him give up. Without elaborating, Renji stood up, coffee cup still in hand, and walked over to the round window. Gazing at the willow tree, he took another sip and spoke softly, "Tsubaki, understand this: every person's life is different. Everyone has their own sorrows, problems, and regrets—certain things they wish to achieve but never do, and eventually, they let go. These are all parts of our lives, just like emotions—sorrow, anger, love, sadness—every emotion is a part of our existence that we cannot deny. Life is like a blank page, a part of a book. We are its writers, and our actions are the pen; our actions decide how our life story will be written." As Tsubaki listened attentively, a heaviness weighed in the atmosphere, as if Renji's words held a bittersweet truth borne from his personal experiences. She sensed the tides of loneliness, regret, and solitude he had faced in his life, as if he had once existed in a darker place where he had no companion—only him and his isolation. This thought stirred tears to form in Tsubaki's eyes, and a few slipped down her cheeks. Renji instantly noticed, his heart clenching at the sight. He approached her, his hand reaching out to wipe away her tears, his smile gentle and reassuring. "Hey, hey… don't get emotional," he said, patting her head affectionately. "Crying is not a bad thing; it's an important emotion. It represents our sorrow and is not a sign of weakness. Only strong people can show this emotion. Some people think that just because they don't express it, they aren't capable—perhaps they're afraid of being judged. It's just human nature. Remember, people do not show their emotions merely out of fear of being judged or because their environment has shaped their behavior. Humans are not weak; they're shaped by their surroundings." As he spoke, the peaceful atmosphere shifted when suddenly the door swung open. In walked Ren, the 18-year-old boy with tousled black hair and slightly blue eyes, rubbing sleep from his eyes. "What are you two talking about?" he exclaimed, his voice bursting with youthful energy. "I'm hungry, uncle! Give me some breakfast!" Laughing, Renji replied, "Alright, I'll get you something to eat. You two sit tight and enjoy your coffee." Handing Ren a cup, the boy exclaimed with enthusiasm, "Yeah!" (He was a coffeeholic, spirited and ready for the day.) He then disappeared into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Playfully, Ren teased Tsubaki, "Hey shorty, give Uncle Renji a hand with breakfast." Irritated, Tsubaki shot back, "Ha ha, I know! Don't tell me what to do. You go do something useful." Rolling his eyes, Ren replied, "I'm tired." Tsubaki laughed, a contagious sound that filled the kitchen. "Yeah right, like you've done any major work!" Their playful banter was a delightful melody in the air, and watching them interact, Renji smiled, a sense of tranquility washing over him. He felt complete, alive in their company. As dinner time approached, the kitchen filled with warm aromas while Renji busied himself warming up food. Soon after, Ren and Tsubaki returned home from college, fatigue evident on their faces. Renji chuckled, "Looks like you two siblings are tired! I brought your favorite snack—pudding! Hehe. Quickly wash up, eat, and then enjoy some pudding!" After a while, Ren and Tsubaki emerged from their rooms into the hall, the energy slowly returning to their bodies. Tsubaki asserted, "Let me help you!" Ren joined in with enthusiasm, "I'll help too!" Tsubaki rolled her eyes, "It'd be better if you didn't help; you just mess things up!" They began debating playfully, and Renji interjected with a mock seriousness, "Alright, you both don't help! I'll manage on my own!" But without hesitation, they quickly retorted in unison, "Wait! We will help!" Together, they assisted Renji, and before long, everyone gathered around the dinner table. Even during the meal, there were small exchanges between Ren and Tsubaki, and Renji couldn't help but smile, relishing the warm and lively atmosphere that enveloped them. The evening flew by, and soon they all savored their pudding. Renji leaned back and said, "Tsubaki and Ren, always be grateful for what you have. Because some people don't even have this. I know we don't have everything, but we should still remain grateful. There are people out there who lack what you both have." Ren and Tsubaki smiled, nodding in agreement as they replied, "Yes, exactly!" "And never be greedy," Renji continued with a sage-like tone. "Greed brings nothing but destruction." He turned his gaze toward Ren, asking, "So, how was your first day at college, Ren? Hopefully, you didn't cause any trouble… like last time when you punched ten boys just because they teased Tsubaki!" Ren felt the heat of embarrassment creep up his cheeks. Glancing at Tsubaki and then back to Renji, he laughed, "It's not like I did it for her! They were just irritating, so I taught them a lesson!" Still slightly bashful, he finished his pudding without meeting Renji's knowing gaze. "It's good to see you stood up for Tsubaki. I'm proud of you," Renji said with sincerity. "But don't just stand up for her; stand up for anyone who needs your support. You never know when someone might be feeling alone, without hope that anyone will stand up for them. Some people just drift through life, waiting for death, because they've faced something in their past that extinguished their hope to live. Always think before you speak—sometimes words can break a person more than any action can." Ren and Tsubaki fell silent, deep in thought, before they both replied, "Yes, understood." After dinner, they washed the dishes together, laughter filling the kitchen like music. Once finished, they settled on the couch, the atmosphere infused with contentment. A wooden table stood in the middle of the room, adorned with a vase holding a single white camellia—a delicate symbol of purity, admiration, and a love that remained deeply rooted. Couches framed three sides of the table, and everyone took their places comfortably. Ren leaned back on the couch, his gaze drawn to the white camellia, and a long-buried memory surfaced in his mind — the year 2007. He saw himself as a ten-year-old boy, alongside twelve-year-old Tsubaki, sitting near the entrance of a shrine. They were both painfully thin from hunger, having not eaten properly for two days. Ren clutched a white camellia, one he had picked from the shrine's garden, its petals soft against his fingers. Suddenly, the sky unleashed a torrential rain, yet strangely, the drops ceased just above them. They looked up to see a 27-year-old man, a protector emerging, shielding them with an umbrella. Ren handed him the white camellia, and the man bent down, taking it gently. With a warm smile, he said, "From now on, you two will stay with me." They both burst into tears, overwhelmed by gratitude, and embraced him tightly. In an instant, the memory whisked away, returning Ren to the present. Feeling nostalgic and a bit confused, Ren asked Renji, "You've kept that white camellia all this time?" With a faint smile, Renji replied, "It's not the same one you gave me. I just used a stem cutting propagation method. Luckily, the one you found was healthy, so I propagated it." Ren stared at him, slightly dumbfounded, the concept eluding him completely. Tsubaki, sitting comfortably on the sofa, chuckled and quipped, "He won't understand any of this." Embarrassed, Ren engaged in light banter with her, the tension melting away. Then Renji, adopting a mock-serious expression, said, "If I ever die, bury my body under the willow tree in the yard." Ren and Tsubaki exchanged confused glances, pondering why Renji would make such a comment. Tsubaki, a bit annoyed, responded, "Don't say that." Ren, ever the joker, shifted the mood, declaring enthusiastically, "Uncle Renji, tell us a story, like you used to! Please, a story!" Renji smiled gently, eyes twinkling with delight at their excitement. "Alright then, it's storytime. I'll tell you a tale about a boy. So, get ready!" Both Ren and Tsubaki straightened up, their curiosity shimmering in their eyes, excitement bubbling within them as they prepared to lose themselves in yet another one of Renji's enchanting tales, their lives filled with joy at the magic of his words.