Arrived at the destination already three in the morning. The station was quiet. Besides the duty police, couldn't see many people.
Koyuki and Yuichiro weren't used to such quietness. Hugged my arms from left and right. Don't know how many horror stories ran through their heads.
I originally wanted to comfort them—most likely no scary ghosts existed in the world. Even if demons appeared, I could punch them to pieces.
But thinking about it, this didn't seem comforting. Could only drag two large pieces of luggage on my arms. Struggled to walk out.
Rama waited for us at the station exit. Behind her was also a black car parked.
She wore a white patterned dress. Added a fiery red cloak. Standing in the night very eye-catching.
"Lady Yugao~ Long time no see—" She greeted from far away.
I asked Koyuki, "You didn't tell her my name?"
Koyuki was also confused. "Eh, I... I did say it."
"That's right, that's right. Just I heard you're quite famous in another group. I also don't know if there are demons in my hometown... If they know you're here, might be some trouble. So I suggest you still use a false name."
What she said indeed made sense. I also didn't want to ruin Koyuki and Yuichiro's mood. So nodded in agreement.
Rama opened the car's trunk. After putting away the luggage, she proactively opened the car door to invite us in.
I just saw no one in the driver's seat. After sitting in the passenger seat, sure enough saw Rama go around to the other side and open the door.
Her being able to drive wasn't strange. But she actually drove alone in the middle of the night to wait for us.
"You really don't fear death."
Because of our previous acquaintance, I spoke bluntly.
Rama laughed. Wasn't angry either. "You flatter me. To tell you the truth, this area is where I grew up. I ran around outside since childhood. So coming out at night, I'm not afraid—"
Left the simple station. Passed through the small town. Rama drove the car onto the dirt road in the countryside.
The road was a bit bumpy. Inside the car too quiet.
I looked back. Saw Koyuki and Yuichiro leaning against each other. Heads nodding, already asleep.
Rama handed me some hard candies. I tried one. Mint-flavored candy very refreshing.
She turned the car's headlights to maximum. To avoid driving in the wrong direction.
I sucked on the candy and asked her: "You really invited us to visit, not because of something else?"
"Don't be so wary of me—" Rama said with a smile. "I really just invited Miss Koyuki and Tokito-kun to visit my home. Of course, if you're willing to come along as a guest, I also very much welcome it—"
I was half-believing. Finally still decided to give her face first.
If later I discovered she actually prepared to secretly do something bad, then together with the beating from last time I didn't give—beat her up good.
Drove for two hours. We finally reached Rama's countryside home.
Said it was remote, but her home was actually a beautifully decorated mansion.
The headlights flashed a few times. Someone from inside the iron gate walked over to open it. Let her park the car in the courtyard.
"Only me and a few servants live here. My parents are abroad and haven't returned. Feel free to stay."
Rama called two maids. After helping carry luggage into the house, stood in the first-floor living room pointing at the second-floor rooms.
"Those are the rooms prepared for you all. Want to eat a late-night snack? Or go bathe and prepare to rest?"
If she were any later, the late-night snack could be eaten as breakfast.
I carried two little ones too sleepy to open their eyes. Also warned Rama—frequently staying up late wasn't good for her health.
After agreeing to meet in the afternoon, I also returned to my room to sleep.
Rama was very thoughtful. The rooms arranged for us were all adjacent. Between the two rooms was also a connecting passage.
Don't know what it was originally for. But in an unfamiliar environment, indeed made me more at ease about Yuichiro next door.
I actually only slept three hours before waking. Saw the sun rise outside. Drew the curtains more tightly. Sat in that easy chair and started knitting.
Around noon, the mansion's maid came to knock. Asked softly whether we wanted to get up for a meal.
Koyuki was awakened by the knocking. Already groggily climbed up.
I replied to the maid outside. Urged her to start washing and dressing.
In the dining room, besides Rama, no one else. She pointed at lunch on the table. "Come try Western food. If you're not used to it, we'll switch back to Japanese food tonight."
I didn't care. As long as there was food, I could eat it.
Koyuki often dined with screenwriters or colleagues. Also very adapted to Western food. Only Yuichiro held the knife and fork. Looking quite unaccustomed.
Rama had the maid change him to chopsticks.
From the first day to the third day, always very peaceful.
Just like Rama said. She just invited us to visit.
Outside her mansion was a beautiful mountain. Standing on the hillside looking out, could see very beautiful scenery.
Rama not only wrote, but also painted. Every day went out with us to sketch. Sometimes directly brought lunch out for picnics.
Yuichiro really liked going into the mountains. Probably past living habits still influenced him.
Once in the deep mountains, he was very comfortable. Also found many wild fruits to bring back and share with us.
At first, we played at the mountain's foot and gentler slopes.
After a few days, Rama proposed going deeper.
"Actually, I came home this time for the flower season." Rama said. "When I was little, I often went into the mountains. Once passed through the forest. Accidentally discovered a wild flower field. The scenery was very beautiful."
She said that scenery—after so many years, still unforgettable. So wanted us to see it too. Also proposed bringing a camera to take pictures.
So early in the morning, we brought picnic boxes. Shouldered the heavy camera. Together advanced into the deep mountains.
Walked a very winding path. Passed through the cold, silent forest. Before us suddenly opened up.
Overwhelming colors flooded into view. As if all of nature's colors gathered here. Converged into streams. Glittering brilliantly under sunlight.
I heard Koyuki's amazed gasp. For a moment, everyone didn't move. Just silently admired the flower field before us.
Until Rama walked out. Along a hidden path in the flower field, walked forward a few steps. Then squatted down looking around. Like searching for something.
I noticed under these flowers was also a path paved with stones. Probably built when she came before.
Following this path into the flower field, I was just about to ask Rama what she was looking for when she suddenly shouted excitedly.
"Great! This year I caught its flowering season!"
What was she looking at?
I couldn't help walking over to look closely. Pupils slowly dilated.
By her hand, I saw a flower swaying in the wind. It had slender stems and thread-like petals. Shaped like dragon claws. Beautiful posture.
Under the sunlight, it shimmered with a serene azure blue.
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