Chapter 22: The Sun’s Wrath Toward the Moon

Chapter 22: The Sun’s Wrath Toward the Moon

✿———✦———✿

“Let's end this, Jouga.”

Six hours earlier.

Today is the day I’ve been eagerly waiting for—my birthday. It’s already 9:00 AM, and I’m out shopping with Yukifuyu to prepare for my 36th birthday celebration. Even though only family and close friends will be attending, I want to celebrate it in a special way. The two of us wandered through the shopping center, chatting and having a good time.

“Chinatsu-san, we really need to buy all the ingredients for dinner tonight!” Yukifuyu said excitedly, pointing toward a grocery store.

We spent our time roaming around, gathering everything we needed, from fresh vegetables to spices. However, as we made our way through the mall, we couldn't miss the chance to browse other shops. While passing a boutique, I suddenly pointed toward a display window showcasing fashionable lingerie. Honestly, I felt insecure going in alone at my age, so I decided to use Yukifuyu as my "shield" so I'd have a companion.

“Eh, look at that! How about we go in for a moment?” I suggested, trying to sound casual despite my hidden nerves.

“I... um, I don’t think that’s necessary,” Yukifuyu replied awkwardly, her face heating up instantly. “I’m... I’m too embarrassed for that sort of thing!”

“Embarrassed? You’re still young, Yukifuyu! Come on, let’s just go in! There’s no harm in looking. I’m actually curious, I’ve never been inside a place like that before.” I continued to coax her, dragging her along so I wouldn't have to face the shop alone. Finally, with a very red face, Yukifuyu followed me into the shop.

Inside, the atmosphere felt warm and intimate. Yet, I felt nervous. My mind began to wander, imagining myself wearing one of those sets in front of Kazuaki... oh, no! What was I thinking? What is wrong with you? A thirty-six-year-old woman still thinking about things like that, I thought to myself, trying to brush away the embarrassment.

After we left the shop, I couldn't help but tease Yukifuyu to deflect my own shyness. “So, what set are you going to buy?”

“I’m not buying anything!” she answered while trying to hide her face behind her shopping bag. “But, seriously, Chinatsu-san... who are you looking at that bunny set for?” she asked, her voice trembling with curiosity.

I replied innocently, “Oh, just for future needs. So I don’t have to buy one later. Who knows, I might need it eventually!”

Yukifuyu looked at me with wide eyes. “You are... you’re really something, Chinatsu-san!”

After shopping, we returned to the apartment. With high spirits, we began decorating the room for my birthday. Even though we hadn't invited many guests, it felt wonderful preparing everything. We hung balloons, tidied the table, and prepped the food. Yukifuyu was a huge help, and the atmosphere inside the apartment felt cheerful.

Once the preparations were finished, I immediately grabbed my phone and called Kazuaki. I knew he was with Yorishiro, but I couldn't wait to tell him everything was ready.

“Hello, Kazu!” my voice sounded bright when he picked up.

“Chinatsu! Just a second, I’m still on my way out of the mall,” he answered, sounding enthusiastic.

“Okay! Yukifuyu and I have decorated everything. We’re just waiting for you and the friends to arrive!”

“Alright, we’ll head over shortly. Don’t forget to prepare that delicious food!” Kazuaki laughed, and I could feel his excitement through the phone.

“Don’t worry, everything is ready. I can’t wait to see you here!” I said, feeling my heart beat a little faster.

After hanging up, I felt even more excited. Today is going to be special, and I can’t wait to celebrate my birthday with the people I love most.

✿———✦———✿

A moments later.

Everyone had already come, including my two friends, Tsubaki and Akiho, Kazuaki’s older sister. My birthday party felt warm, although my parents couldn't attend. We all talked warmly, enjoying the food that had been prepared. Kazuaki looked a little anxious, maybe because Miharu hadn't shown up yet. For some time now, Kazuaki had noticed that Miharu looked pale and unwell.

Suddenly, Yukifuyu returned from outside after receiving a phone call. She looked excited, seemingly wanting to convey good news. “Hey, there’s good news!” she said with a wide smile. “The animation project that Kazuaki-san and the team worked on will soon air on the TV channel!”

However, before we could respond, Miharu finally came. But something was strange. He looked listless, weak, and his left forehead looked blistered, as if hit by a hot iron shaped like a sun. Everyone was shocked, especially me.

“Miharu, what happened?” I asked, worried.

He only smiled weakly and said, “I’m fine. No need to worry.”

However, Yukifuyu’s reaction made everything even more tense. When she saw Miharu, her body immediately trembled, not because of worry, but rather a deep anger. Her face was pale, her eyes widened, as if she had just been confronted with a devastating truth.

I remembered something. Some time ago at the cafe, Yukifuyu had told me about the man she was dating. The man was married, 35 years old, and claimed to be 26. Yukifuyu, who was innocent and quiet, was not suspicious and believed him just like that. At that time, I never expected the man she was talking about was Miharu.

“Miharu... You?” my voice broke. I was too shocked.

Instantly, Yukifuyu stepped forward with teary eyes. “You!” she exclaimed, then slapped Miharu hard. Everyone fell silent, shocked by Yukifuyu’s unstoppable anger. Miharu did not fight back, he just looked down, accepting the slap.

“Why did you come here?! Did you follow me?! How could you do this to me?!” Yukifuyu shouted, her voice trembling. “You are the jerk who cheated on Chinatsu-san, who is now pregnant!” “Yuki-chan stop it! He’s hurt!” Shouted Ageha trying to hold her hand, helped by Rui and Momiji.

I felt the world around me collapse. Miharu... was Yukifuyu’s affair? The friend I had considered a younger sister? And Miharu, the man who had destroyed my marriage, had also destroyed Yukifuyu’s heart. The wound I received grew deeper. I could only freeze, too devastated to speak.

Yukifuyu continued to throw words full of anger. She called Miharu a liar, a destroyer, someone who didn't deserve a second chance. Her words were sharp, full of hatred... something that shouldn't have come out of Yukifuyu’s sweet mouth. The people around her, especially Yorishiro, Mitsuki, and the others, tried to hold her back so she wouldn't get further out of control. But Yukifuyu couldn't be calmed.

Kazuaki finally stepped forward and held Yukifuyu’s hand gently. He didn't say anything, just looked at Yukifuyu with eyes full of understanding, as if saying, “calm down, Yukifuyu”. After a few seconds, Yukifuyu finally gave up, sat leaning against the wall, and sobbed while being calmed by Ageha and Kiriha.

Miharu was just silent. His face looked increasingly tired, full of regret. I knew in his heart, he regretted all of this. Regretted destroying two hearts at once. This moment felt like the end of everything, like a summer withering into an endless winter. A summer of death.

I didn't know how to respond. My heart was a mess, hurt, and my anger mixed with confusion. What happened between Miharu and Yukifuyu was a mirror of what I had experienced. But this time, I didn't just see it as a victim, but also as someone who didn't want to see my best friend destroyed.

All of this was too painful.

I could only sit next to Kazuaki, feeling the world that used to feel bright now starting to sink into dark shadows.

My birthday, which was supposed to be beautiful, turned into a nightmare. My heart was broken, and that pain spread to every corner of my soul. I wanted to be angry at Miharu, wanted to vent all this anger and sadness, but strangely... I couldn't. As if there was something bigger, more mysterious, that had planned all this. At that time, an earthquake suddenly shook, collapsing all the remaining calmness.

On the TV screen, news about the earthquake spread in parts of East Asia, Japan, China, Korea... all shook violently. We were all panicked. Miharu’s weak voice was suddenly heard, “You don’t give up, do you...”

I turned to him in confusion. “You”? Who did Miharu mean?

Before I had a chance to ask further, my head began to feel very painful. It felt like there was a force hitting my skull, hitting my memory, slipping into my mind. My body shook, and suddenly, everything faded. This world, this apartment, disappeared. I fell into endless darkness.

I opened my eyes and saw... my hands? What is this? I’m... a man?

Before I could understand the situation, a beautiful woman in traditional Chinese clothing came to me. “Husband, what do you want to eat today?” her voice was soft but full of jokes.

Confusion enveloped me. Why does this world look like it’s in ancient times? The clothes I’m wearing are made of cloth with animal fur all around it... this must be ancient Chinese times. And that woman... she’s wearing traditional clothes too.

“Gei-chan! Come on fast!” exclaimed the woman, laughing softly while calling me ‘Gei’. Wait, Kougei... the Sun God? So, I am Kougei?

I asked the woman who she was. She looked at me in wonder before hitting my arm with a spoon, not too hard, but enough to make me realize.

“Stupid! Of course I am your wife, dear General Kougei!”

“Wife?”

“So stupid. By the way... tada! This flower is similar to you!” She surprised me with her gift, a beautiful flower.

“In the field belonging to Mrs. Ryo, many of them grow! Even though yesterday the ground was still dry and barren...”

I saw that flower. The flower I always loved.

“Gei-chan! Don't daydream!” she shouted.

“Sorry,”

“Because this flower doesn't have a name yet, so I will name it, Sunflower! Because this flower always faces the sun,” she added excitedly, “I wanted to name it Jouga Flower, but that would seem strange.”

Jouga... that name... suddenly the faded memories returned. Right... I am Kougei, the Sun God who once shot down nine out of ten suns to save the world from the devastating heat. And I was punished by the Jade Emperor because of that... the god and goddess status belonging to me and Jouga was revoked—to live as humans.

Quite right, I also remember that Jouga, my wife... she had betrayed me by drinking that eternal potion herself without me.

That thought hit me with a force more powerful than an earthquake. Jouga, my beloved wife, had stolen the eternal potion given by Seioubo, the Queen Mother of the West, to me. Even though we already promised to drink it together on the 15th of the eighth month.

Even when she flew to the sky, I was still clutching the Jewel Potion that I got in the Tianshan mountains. A medicine that can make a woman even more beautiful.

She didn't want to be old, she wanted to stay beautiful, and she didn't want to die as a human. Therefore she always blamed me for having destroyed the suns and making the Emperor punish us. She also blamed for the anger of Kahaku the river god, because I was involved with Miki, his wife.

Very selfish. Even though I was the one who was wrong for having brought her into my every problem.

But about that potion, even though if she didn't drink it, I could have been selfish and returned to the Sky Emperor’s palace as a god. But I didn't have the heart to leave Jouga alone... But she, instead, was the opposite.

After drinking it, she ran away to the moon, leaving me in sadness and anger. And now... she became the eternal Moon Goddess.

The world around me faded again, changing into an endless white room. All these memories dragged me deeper into the past. I am the incarnation of Kougei, and I remember how great my hatred for Jouga was. Her betrayal burned my soul, making me angry without limits.

At that time I saw a comet crossing the sky, right near the moon. I wished to the comet so that she could feel what I felt. Hoping one day her existence would disappear. She could feel death or even a life that never existed. Like a fairy tale in a story—not real. I will wait for you when that time comes, and laugh at her karma.

I also remember how I once aimed my bow and arrow at the moon, intending to destroy it and drop Jouga from her throne there. But in the end... I couldn't do it.

My love for her was greater than my hatred. After some time, my anger subsided. I started leaving food, her favorite fruits, and most importantly, moon cakes.

Every night I did it as a sign that I had forgiven her, although the wound in my heart would never fully heal.

That tradition, which was started by me, survived until modern times. Even until now, some people still leave offerings for Jouga—the Moon Goddess, every Mid-Autumn Festival. Even though they actually only celebrate that festival as a token of gratitude to autumn.

Every dusk—the 15th of the eighth month, I, Kougei, travel from the sun palace to the moon palace that I built for her, just to be able to meet her even though we are separated by fate. There, I can feel her existence but cannot see her form, as if our dimensions are different.

In the end, the sun and the moon will not be able to meet each other. Except at dusk until the sun completely sets... 15 seconds that are very meaningful.

What can I do... our story is an integral part of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the East Asia region. We are known as a pair of lovers who are less fortunate.

I woke up from that vision, returning to my body as Chinatsu. My body trembled, and when I opened my eyes, I saw everyone in the apartment had fainted. As if the great power that had just mastered my mind also affected them. But I... I was not affected.

My stomach? Fortunately my baby is still fine... and that is enough to make me calm.

My heart felt heavy, like being pulled by sadness and anger that I had hidden for too long, both as Chinatsu and as Kougei. Twice I experienced betrayal, twice this world destroyed me. And this time, I will not let it. Because I know, this is the curse of my love story... being with Kazuaki does not guarantee that he will be faithful.

I stood up and walked out of the apartment, leaving everyone lying helpless on the floor. This world... a world full of betrayal and lies, must be destroyed. I don't need a world that constantly betrays me.

Outside, the sky started to turn red, the evening sun started to set—dusk. I flicked my fingers, and instantly, a bow and arrow appeared in my hands, the weapon I had once used as Kougei.

Without hesitation, I drew that arrow, aiming it right at the sun that started to sink on the western horizon.

“Hancurlah... matahari...” I whispered, and released that arrow.

As my arrow shot towards the sun, something unexpected happened. That sun was destroyed, breaking into shimmering shards of light, slowly disappearing from view. In an instant, the world was wrapped in darkness and thick cold, only illuminated by the stars shining dimly. The rain of sun shards in the vast sky added to the grandeur of the night sky, creating a sight that was amazing yet terrifying.

Some people on earth recorded this event with their cell phones, some were panicked, some were resigned, and some also appeared happy. In that darkness, I felt a strange peace. All of that felt very calm... truly calm. Among all this chaos, I found the calmness I had long sought.

However, not long after that, Miharu appeared in front of me. His angry expression was clearly seen, and I knew the reason. He already knew what I had done. “What are you doing, Chinatsu?” he shouted. “You have destroyed every sun!”

I know, because I am the incarnation of Kougei, I understand who Miharu is. He is not just my ex-husband... he is Giwa, the Solar Goddess who had created ten suns. Seeing him in front of my eyes, I felt all the tension that had ever existed between us.

“Tell me, Miharu... or may I call you Giwa? No need to hide anything. There’s only us here,” I said, my voice calm although my heart trembled.

He looked at me, the anger in his eyes could not be hidden. “I honestly never held a grudge against you, because you in the past had destroyed nine suns that I made. I know nine suns are too many for a world that is only one. But destroying the last sun... you are truly crazy, Chinatsu!”

I heard his depressed tone of voice, feeling annoyed and unfair. A question appeared in my mind, whether he felt guilty for everything that happened? Back in my mind all the pain I received as a result of betrayal, and how all that had brought me to this point.

In the sky, I realized that the Jade Emperor, and all the other gods and goddesses from various other places, looked at me as if they wanted to judge me. Maybe they questioned this action. The action that made the sun disappear and the world slump into darkness. I was not afraid, even though I knew the consequences of my actions.

I am ready to accept all that. And in my heart, I feel satisfied. This is what it feels like to be the perpetrator of betrayal. Maybe this is the reward for all the wounds I obtained. How it feels to be the person who destroys hope and light, exactly like what the people around me once did to me.

At that time, Miharu, looked at me with eyes full of doubt. “Chinatsu, you can change this. There is still time to fix it.”

But I felt cold. Why have to fix something that has been destroyed? Why have to revive the hope that has been abandoned? In my heart, I know this is not just about me... this is about everything I have had, everything that has been destroyed.

“I don’t want to go back,” I said firmly, voice trembling although not separated from conviction. “Maybe this is my last path. Maybe this is my destiny.”

As I spoke, I looked around, the dark sky, the stars shining dimly, and the voices on earth that created a symphony of confusion. The decision has been made, and even though I know the consequences can be very heavy, I cannot back down.

Miharu, shook his head. “Don’t let yourself be trapped in this darkness,” he said. “You can still choose to create light. You can still choose to return.”

But I felt empty, trapped in painful memories, and at that time, all the hatred and pain piled up into one. “Maybe all this has been determined. Let this darkness finish everything.”

Then, with one movement, I took my bow and arrow, looking towards the darkness, and felt the power flowing. With one deep breath, I prepared for whatever would happen next.

Along with the dark that enveloped the world, I stepped forward. Is this all just a beginning of a deeper darkness?