Hero Yusaka's Statue II

“Yes,” Granny said, her hand on her cheek. “The village people cleaned the statue every day fifty years ago, but…” She looked down and continued. “They’re forgetting him, and I remembered that in the forest. There is a statue of Hero Yusaka.”


“If you four can clean the statue, then I'll reward you!” She calmly said as she faintly smiled.


“What reward?” Alen asked, his eyes glittering.


“Hmm,” Granny murmured, a finger resting against her lip.

After a second.

“Then,” Granny said, pointing a finger at Kurose. "How about ten honeybreads more for Kuro-”


“Okay, I'll do that.” He clenched his fist.


“For Cecilia…” She murmured.


“How about a hair accessory?” Granny asked Cecilia while smiling.


“Hmm,” Her cheeks lightly reddened.


“Okay,” She murmured, her eyes looking around. “I’ll help with an accessory.”


“Hmm, for Alen and Kein?” Granny murmured.


“Yes,” Granny said, tapping her fist softly on her palm. ”How about I reward you for what I gave you for the past request?”


“Really?” they said, their cheeks flushing as they clenched their fists near their chests. ”Then we’ll clean the Hero Yusaka’s statue.”



“I see,” Granny softly said, beaming. “Thank you!”


“Then,” Alen said, his hands on his back head. “We’ll clean it, but.” He looked at Kurose and Cecilia and continued. “Who are these two?”


“Oh,” Granny said, looking at them. “These two are Kurose and Cecilia. They’re also participating in the Destined-One Ceremony.”



“I see,” Alen murmured.


“Now,” Granny said, softly smiling. “I’ll be counting on you four!”


“Yes!” Cecilia softly replied, smiling as she slightly tilted her head.


Kurose realized.


“Granny,” he said, handing out the honeybread bag to Granny. ”Add ten more and hand it to me later!”


“Okay.” Granny replied, taking the bag from him.

After a moment.

Kurose, Cecilia, Alen and Kein were walking on the village road.


“Uhm,” Alen murmured, sweat dampening his face, his hands behind his head. “Kurose, was it?” He said. “How long have you been training?”


Sweat formed on Kurose's forehead.



“More than one and a half years, I think.” Kurose said while clearing his throat, a fist hovering near his mouth.


“I-i see…”


“What about Cecilia?”


“U-uhm,” Cecilia murmured as she played with the hem of her dress, her cheeks reddened. ”F-for t-three y-y-years.”


“Oh,” Kein said. ”Longer than the boy?”


“Yes, that’s right!” Kurose muttered to himself. “Is that wrong?!”


“What are your attributes,” Alen asked, looking at Cecilia. “Cecilia?”


“U-umm,” Cecilia murmured, her eyes darting around as she blushed. “E-earth, w-wind, a-and w-water.”



“I see,” Alen replied, faintly smiling. “My attributes are also wind and earth!” He pointed at himself.


“I-i s-see,”


“What about you?” Alen asked, looking at Kurose, his eyes slightly narrowed. ”What are your attributes?”


“My attributes? I’m trying to master all five elements.” Kurose said, averting his gaze, traces of sweat on his forehead.



“Every?” Alen mused, his hands behind his head. His eyes on Kurose.


“Huh, all?” Kein said. “That’s not practical.”
He looked at Alen. “Right, Alen?”


“Y-yes.” Alen said, sweat dampened on his face.


“I-it’s n-not l-like t-that,” Cecilia murmured as she looked down. “K-kurose will l-learn e-every element.”


Kurose’s cheeks slightly reddened.


A few minutes passed.


They reached the forest gate.


“Now, let’s go find the statue.” Kein said while faintly smiling, his hand placed on his waist.

After a while…


They were walking in the forest.


Their eyes darted around as they looked for an open cleared ground, where the statue might be…


Alen realized.

“But,” Alen said. “How do we find the Hero Yusaka’s statue?”


“Did Granny say anything about it?”



“Who knows…” Everyone murmured quietly, averting each other’s gazes.


Kein was looking around, and he noticed something…