Her feelings

“I allowed myself to be distracted.” Marygold mutters.

     Having taken a moment to consult a report Kodama sent him, he stands up and straightens his clothes.

“I am sorry, I won’t be able to stay longer with you. Serious matters require my presence at Amahara Corp. I need to return.”

     As he offers me a hand, I take a look at it before catching it, a slight apprehension running through me like a shiver.

     A rustle of fabric.

     We soon retrace our steps through the shivering landscape. I can’t help but keep my gaze on him, hoping to find the answer to a question I didn’t ask. Despite his features which reverted to their veil of confidence, his body appears tense.

“Should I ask?”

     As soon as we reach Romanievi, he will go to the Hall of Travellers and quit Lapland. Waiting without saying anything is a luxury I cannot afford.

“What is happening?” I finally whisper.

     He glances at me before turning his attention back to the track.

“There are some irregularities concerning the behaviour of the Jubokko. Kodama can’t handle it on his own, so I have to attend to the issue.”

     This again… The project Jubokko.

“…And the researchers?”

“Well, as I explained you there is barely anyone aware of this project. The researchers are only indirectly implied, for analysis and experiments on samples.”

     So this is why he may be that reluctant to stay away from Amahara. He alone bears all the responsibility.

“Can I… help?”

“That’s very kind of you, Aurora. But I can manage this on my own.”

“On his own?…”

     Slowing my pace, I force Marygold to stop and this way to turn towards me.

“If the project is that dangerous, why do you persist in maintaining it?”

“Because it is the first time that we… that my father has managed to merge on purpose an artificial intelligence and a spirit. When we succeed to reproduce the molecular structure of its branches, we will be able to provide people with a further improved way to heal them.”

“…?” I tilt my head to the side.

“Like Kodama, the Jubokko is a spirit. More precisely, a spirit possessing a tree. According to its legend, its branches can heal any wound. And this, almost instantly.”

     But why… Isn’t it superfluous since we already have efficient ways of healing people? There is no point to go so far…

     Still, the determination in his gaze seems unwavering.

     I barely have the time to open my mouth that the director places his hands against my shoulders.

“Listen. I know that you may be worried, but someone has to do it. It happens that the Jubokko… loses patience. But I’ll handle this.”

     And with these words he urges me to resume our walk.

     The glow of the northern lights is soon replaced by the village’s, while thoughts race through my mind.

     Before he leaves, I catch the hem of his sleeve in-between my fingers.

“Don’t do anything that would hurt yourself.”

     He turns one last time to face me. His only answer is a gentle smile as he extends a hand to cover mine.

     And the next moment, he is gone…

***

Once back to the Andersen Manor, I find a package from Amahara Corporation. A sample of The Scent that was offered as a token of appreciation to everyone who participated in the testing.

     For a few moments, I contemplate the glass sphere containing the colourless gas.

     Though… My mind drifts almost immediately. I feel a pressure in my chest. The way it happened… His departure was too sudden, too rushed…

     And that smile he gave me before leaving, the more I think about it, the more I feel like he merely avoided talking so he could avoid lying.

“What if it is the last time I see him?”.

“Ah, Aurora! You’re back!” Niji welcomes me, landing on my shoulder.

     Barely noting his presence, I cross the living room and sit on the couch, staring blankly at the sphere.

“Was I right to let him go?”

     An amalgam of images flash through my mind, voices echoing.

“I can’t protect the director from himself.” “May he not end up like his father…” “What is it that makes it beautiful?” “That is pure madness. We can’t foresee when the Jubokko will become out of control anew.” “Let’s say I were to die, would it change something for you?”

     Yes. It would. It would change everything.

     If something happens to him, if I am not going to see him again, I will never be able to love silence again.

     Because, each time, it would remind me of his absence.

“Is this what it feels like… to be in love?”

“Aurora?” Niji asks in a concerned tone.

     Then a notification sounds, making my eyes widen. A video call from Kodama.

     When I pick up, a small hologram appears in front of me.

“Miss Andersen! I require your assistance. The situation is likely to get worse. Are you willing to assist me?”

     I nod. I have already made him a promise, and if I was given the possibility to fulfil it then I will not hesitate.

“Then you would have to return to Amahara Corporation as soon as possible. Since the director’s return we have tried to appease the Jubokko, but nothing works. He remains thirsty…”

“…”

“Why the hell don’t you give him some water then?” Niji interrupts.

“It’s not that kind of thirst.” He adds before noticing I feel lost. “Let me explain.”

     And, with a gesture of one of his little arms he makes appear several windows containing articles, images and other data.

“At the beginning, a Jubokko is nothing more than an ordinary tree. It is only after absorbing a large amount of human blood through its roots that a tree becomes a Jubokko.”

“Can the same thing happen with a salad?”

     Kodama briefly pauses but decides to ignore Niji’s comment.

“Therefore, it is usually on battlefields that these spirits appear.” He explains as I blink in surprise. “But as you know, the last battles happened centuries ago. So, in a hope to use this spirit’s healing branches, the previous director fed a tree with synthetic blood until the Jubokko appeared and merged with an AI.”

     Placing my hands on my lap, I squeeze the fabric of my dress between my fingers.

“If only synthetic blood was used, then what did happen to the previous director?” I ask calmly.

     Though… I clearly remember Marygold’s words when he first told me about this project.

“My father’s blood was enough.”

“This kind of blood didn’t satisfy him anymore. The Jubokko wanted real human blood, and he ended up attacking Mr Leafeyorb’s father. In result, he calmed down for a while. But that was only a matter of time before he was thirsty again.”

“…”

“You need to reason with Mr. Leafeyorb. Convince him to abandon the project.”

     These last words are unnecessary. I have already intended to do so.

     Getting up, I quickly head towards the entrance hall, putting my scarf back on. Niji takes refuge in its folds as the door opens.

“Aurora. Our world is beautiful, right? We should all help it to remain like this. Do you know the way you will contribute?”

     The words echo once more in my mind. Though this time, I know my answer to this question.

     I refuse to lose once more what is precious to me.