Resonance

He took a cautious step forward.

Then another.

Each footfall was feather-light, as though the garden itself feared disturbing the moment.

He wasn't walking toward her.

Nor beside her.

Instead, he slowly circled the pond until he reached the opposite bank, where they now faced each other across the crystal-clear water.

It was...

An unfamiliar feeling.

He wasn't afraid.

He wasn't trying to respect her personal space.

Neither was he avoiding her.

It was something else entirely.

A quiet instinct.

As though every fiber of his being could sense the mystical aura surrounding her—an invisible current that gently resonated through the air.

The closer he came...

The more tranquil his heart became.

She never moved.

Not even an inch.

She remained seated upon the weathered stone exactly as before.

The ancient tree beside her was draped in emerald ivy and flowering vines, their blossoms cascading toward the ground like nature's own tapestry.

Golden shafts of sunlight filtered through the canopy above, scattering across her ivory gown in gentle fragments.

Everywhere Eishin looked...

Verdant grass stretched endlessly beneath fields of flowers that should no longer exist.

Species long forgotten.

Blooms abandoned by history itself.

Yet here...

They flourished.

As though time had never touched this place.

Silence lingered between them.

Eishin swallowed.

His heart pounded louder than the birds.

He knew...

This was only a dream.

And yet...

It felt more real than waking.

He gathered what little courage remained.

"...I'm Eishin."

She didn't move.

Not a single muscle.

Only...

Her eyes.

Slowly...

Gracefully...

They drifted away from the pond.

Until they met his.

Time seemed to stop.

His breath caught in his throat.

Her irises glowed with a warm amber hue, kissed by the morning light until they resembled molten gold suspended within crystal.

His soul flinched.

Not from fear.

From awe.

The feeling was overwhelming—

Like gazing upon the endless sky for the very first time.

The words escaped before he could stop them.

"...You look..."

He barely breathed the next word.

"...ethereal."

The corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.

Her smile had never left her face.

It wasn't merely an expression.

It felt as though smiling was simply part of her existence.

Then she spoke.

"...You look..."

"...ethereal..."

"...aren't you?"

The same gentle voice.

The same echo.

Every syllable returned to him as though the world itself whispered alongside her.

Eishin's thoughts spiraled.

She repeated his words...

Yet somehow...

She had turned them into a question.

Unable to understand, he asked,

"...Who are you?"

She answered immediately.

"...Who are you?"

He blinked.

"...Huh?"

Was she...

Answering every question with another?

He drew a slow breath.

"...I'm Eishin."

For the first time...

Her smile deepened, only slightly.

Without breaking eye contact, she answered,

"...I'm Eishin..."

"...too."

His mind froze.

What... is happening?

This is my dream... isn't it?

"...I mean..."

"...What's your name?"

For the first time...

She hesitated.

A gentle breeze stirred the flowers.

"...My name..."

"...It's been ages..."

"...since I last heard it."

A wistful smile crossed her face.

"...My name is..."

"********."

The sound reached him.

Yet the name itself...

Vanished.

As though the world had swallowed it before his ears could understand.

"...I'm sorry."

"I didn't hear your name."

"I know."

She answered gently.

"You won't be able to."

"...I don't understand."

Instead of answering...

She asked,

"How does the water look?"

Eishin glanced toward the pond.

"...Crystal clear."

She smiled.

"You can see the Sacred Lotus bud..."

"...can't you?"

"...Yeah."

"I'm glad."

"You've made it this far."

Her voice softened.

"The day that bud blossoms..."

"...you'll finally hear my name."

"It shall answer the questions your heart carries."

Silence settled once more.

His mind searched desperately for meaning.

None came.

She watched him quietly before speaking again.

"I know what you're thinking."

"For now..."

"Think of me..."

"...as the crystal water before you."

Then...

For the very first time...

She moved.

Not her feet.

Not the hand resting upon her knees.

Only the hand supporting her chin.

She leaned forward ever so slightly, as though sharing a cherished secret with someone precious.

"The water is always there..."

"...to nurture the bud."

"...to sustain it."

"...to help it bloom."

"But..."

She looked toward the unopened lotus.

"Whether it chooses to blossom..."

"...has always belonged to the bud."

A gentle ripple spread across the pond.

"It cannot remain a bud forever."

Eishin stood in silence.

The words sounded simple.

Yet impossibly profound.

He couldn't grasp their meaning.

Not yet.

She smiled.

"I cannot send you back..."

"...empty-handed."

Her amber eyes shimmered softly.

"Will you close your eyes..."

"...for me?"

Darkness.

Then—

His eyes flew open.

Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains.

His heartbeat still thundered inside his chest.

"Mrrrow?"

Mochi stood atop the desk, nose twitching furiously as though something extraordinary had captured his attention.

Eishin frowned.

"What is it?"

He walked over.

Resting upon the wooden surface...

Were four emerald leaves.

Perfectly shaped.

Fresh with morning dew.

Four-leaf clovers.

Morning sunlight streamed across the room, bathing everything in a warm golden glow.

Eishin sat quietly on the edge of his bed.

One thought refused to leave him.

She never blinked.

Not once.

Throughout their entire conversation...

Her amber eyes had remained fixed upon his, unwavering, as though time itself had forgotten to pass.

A quiet shiver ran down his spine.

"...Who are you?"

"Mrrrow."

Mochi nudged against his leg, demanding attention.

A faint smile finally appeared.

He crouched beside the tuxedo cat, gently scratching beneath his chin before rubbing the soft fur along his back.

"There you go."

Mochi answered with a satisfied purr.

Eishin filled his food bowl before glancing at the calendar hanging beside the kitchen door.

"...Right."

"The fair."

Today was the town's annual fair.

Held only once every few years, it drew visitors from neighboring towns and villages alike.

Teachers.

Students.

Merchants.

Artisans.

Performers.

Collectors.

By noon, every street would be overflowing with life.

After slipping into his casual clothes, Eishin scooped Mochi into his arms.

"Ready?"

Mochi offered no protest.

This wasn't their first outing together.

He had long since grown accustomed to riding inside Eishin's backpack, his little head peeking through the opening as he curiously observed the world.

A few minutes later...

Click.

Eishin locked the apartment door.

Almost instinctively, he turned toward Lysara's apartment.

His hand paused halfway to the door.

...

Right.

She wasn't in town.

He quietly lowered his hand.

Footsteps echoed from the staircase.

"Morning!"

Yuna waved energetically as she approached.

Hikari followed behind with his hands tucked into his pockets, while Sora greeted him with her usual gentle smile.

"Morning," Eishin replied.

Yuna's eyes immediately widened.

"Mochi!"

The tuxedo cat peeked out from Eishin's backpack, blinking lazily.

"Aww..."

She gently scratched beneath his chin.

Hikari couldn't resist either.

"So this is your VIP ticket, huh?"

Mochi blinked.

Entirely unimpressed.

Sora giggled.

"Can I hold him?"

Eishin nodded.

She carefully lifted Mochi into her arms.

The little cat settled comfortably against her without complaint.

Eishin studied her face for a moment.

"...Sora."

"Hm?"

"You look tired."

She blinked.

"...Do I?"

Yuna leaned a little closer.

"...Actually..."

"Now that he mentions it..."

"There are dark circles under your eyes."

They weren't obvious.

Not yet.

Just faint shadows beginning to appear beneath them.

Almost imperceptible.

Sora instinctively touched her cheek.

"...Maybe I didn't sleep very well."

She smiled.

But somehow...

It wasn't quite as bright as usual.

No one pressed the matter.

Together...

The four made their way toward the fair.

The streets had transformed overnight.

Rows upon rows of colorful stalls stretched as far as the eye could see.

Bright banners fluttered overhead.

The air was filled with laughter, cheerful music, and the irresistible aroma of grilled food drifting through the breeze.

Children darted between the crowds carrying balloons nearly as large as themselves.

Street performers entertained curious audiences.

Artisans displayed handcrafted ornaments.

Books.

Paintings.

Jewelry.

Traditional sweets.

Exotic flowers.

Everywhere Eishin looked...

Something caught his attention.

"This place gets bigger every year," Yuna whispered.

"It really does," Sora agreed.

The four wandered from stall to stall, stopping whenever something caught their interest.

Then—

"Mrrrow!"

Mochi suddenly leaped from Sora's arms.

"H-Hey!"

The tuxedo cat landed gracefully before disappearing into the bustling crowd.

"Mochi!"

Sora hurried after him.

"I'll catch him!"

Within seconds...

She vanished into the sea of people.

The remaining three continued walking, trusting Sora to retrieve their adventurous little companion.

Not far ahead...

Raised voices drew their attention.

A young girl—no older than eight or nine—stood glaring at a vendor.

"No!"

"I said that's not what happened!"

Before anyone could react...

She shoved one corner of the display table.

Bracelets.

Wooden carvings.

Decorative charms.

Everything tumbled onto the ground.

The little girl spun around and disappeared into the crowd.

"...Hey!"

The vendor simply sighed instead of chasing her.

"...Kids these days..."

The three slowed their pace.

Only when they got closer did they recognize him.

"...Masanori?"

Their teacher knelt calmly, gathering the fallen items one by one as though nothing unusual had happened.

Without looking up, he spoke.

"Good morning."

The trio exchanged puzzled glances.

Masanori finally stood, brushing the dust from his sleeves.

"So..."

"What do you think?"

He gestured toward his stall.

It was filled with handcrafted home décor, woven bracelets, miniature lanterns, decorative charms, keychains, and dozens of fashionable accessories that had recently become popular online.

Even Hikari looked impressed.

"...You've got all of these?"

"They're sold out everywhere."

Masanori smiled faintly.

"A good network is worth more than money."

His gaze drifted toward a shelf near the back of the stall.

Among the ornaments rested several polished wooden boards.

Each one was carved with intricate patterns unlike the others.

Yuna's eyes sparkled.

No...

They blazed.

She stared at the wooden boards as though she had just discovered a hidden treasure.

"...No way..."

"...Are those real?"

Masanori nodded.

"They are."

"...How much?"

He calmly named the price.

Silence.

Yuna's jaw slowly dropped.

"...That's it?"

Even Hikari blinked.

"The market price is almost double that."

"They're usually sold out within minutes," Eishin added.

Before anyone could say another word—

Snap.

Hikari felt his wallet disappear from his pocket.

"...Huh?"

He turned just in time to see Yuna already standing before Masanori.

"I'll take five."

"You don't need to wrap them."

"No receipt."

She counted the money with frightening speed before gathering five Echo Boards into her arms.

"Thank you!"

Then—

She grabbed Hikari by the sleeve.

"Come on!"

"...Wait."

"...What just happened?"

"I think..."

Eishin smiled.

"...you've just been robbed."

"I wasn't robbed."

Yuna replied proudly.

"I made an investment."

Hikari stared blankly at his now-empty wallet.

"...Using my money."

"Details."

She waved him off.

"They're selling online for almost twice this price."

"This is the biggest bargain we'll ever find."

Hikari sighed.

"...Fine."

"But why five?"

Yuna looked at him as though the answer were painfully obvious.

"...Because there are five of us."

She counted on her fingers.

"Me."

"You."

"Eishin."

"Sora."

"Lysara."

A brief silence followed.

"...Speaking of Lysara..."

She turned toward Eishin.

"Where is she?"

"...Out of town."

Eishin shrugged.

"She didn't really tell me why."

"When will she be back?"

"I don't know."

"She never said."

For a moment...

The excitement faded.

Then Yuna clapped her hands together.

"Well!"

"Let's go find Sora."

"I'm starving."

"Same," Hikari answered immediately.

The three disappeared into the bustling crowd.

They didn't have to search for long.

"There she is."

Sora stood beside a small food stall.

Mochi rested comfortably in someone's arms.

The tuxedo cat happily munched on tiny pieces of grilled fish offered by—

"...Her?"

It was the same little girl from earlier.

The one who had argued with Masanori.

Gone was the angry expression she'd worn before.

Now she giggled as Mochi eagerly accepted another bite.

"Slow down."

She laughed softly.

"You'll choke."

"Mrrrow."

Sora smiled.

"I think he likes you."

"I know."

The little girl gently scratched beneath Mochi's chin.

"He has good taste."

The others finally reached them.

She looked up.

"Oh."

"You found him."

She carefully returned Mochi to Eishin.

He immediately climbed onto Eishin's shoulder as though nothing unusual had happened.

The little girl dusted off her sleeves.

"My stall's over there."

She pointed somewhere deeper inside the fair.

"If you have time..."

"...come visit."

Without waiting for an answer...

She turned and disappeared into the crowd.

The four watched her leave.

"...She's strange."

Hikari muttered.

"...But kind."

Yuna smiled.

Eishin quietly looked toward the direction she had disappeared.

For some reason...

He couldn't shake the feeling that this wouldn't be the last time they met.

After grabbing a few snacks, the four resumed wandering through the fair.

"There she is," Sora said, pointing toward a small wooden stall.

Yuzuki stood behind it, happily greeting visitors.

The table was filled with handmade crafts—paintings, delicate origami animals, knitted gloves, clay figurines, keychains, bookmarks, and dozens of other little creations, each carrying the warmth of careful hands.

Eishin glanced at Sora.

"What's her name?"

"Yuzuki."

The four walked over.

Yuzuki's face instantly brightened.

"You came!"

Hikari picked up a tiny clay fox.

"Did you make all of these?"

Yuzuki shook her head enthusiastically.

"No, no."

"I only helped a little."

"I'm volunteering with a hospital charity."

"Whenever there's a fair, we set up a stall like this."

She carefully held up an origami crane.

"The patients at our hospital make these."

"Some paint."

"Some knit."

"Some fold origami."

"Some make little clay figures."

"We sell them here..."

"...and use the money to support their treatment and care."

Yuna clasped both hands together.

"Aww..."

"That's so adorable."

Without another word, each of them picked out a few handmade crafts.

A painted bookmark.

An origami fox.

A tiny clay cat.

A pair of knitted gloves.

Before leaving, they quietly slipped extra money into the donation box.

Yuzuki's eyes widened.

"You really don't have to..."

"But..."

"Thank you so much!"

She bowed deeply.

Eishin looked around.

"Are you here by yourself?"

"Oh."

She smiled.

"I'm here with my grandma."

"She's taking a little break."

Then she pointed toward a nearby poster.

"We'll be setting up another stall next week."

"At Central Park."

"I'd love to see you all again."

Yuna smiled.

"We'll definitely try."

As they prepared to leave, Eishin suddenly remembered something.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"The argument earlier..."

"...what happened?"

Yuzuki scratched her cheek awkwardly.

"Oh..."

"I was walking around the fair carrying little origami animals."

"I was asking people to visit our stall and look at the patients' artwork."

"When I walked past that man's stall..."

"...he looked at me and said..."

'Do you really think you'll raise enough money to save them?'

She lowered her head.

"I don't know why..."

"But when he said that..."

"...I just lost myself."

Hikari let out a quiet sigh.

"No surprise."

"That idiot would say something like that."

Silence settled over the group.

Yuzuki quickly smiled again.

"It's okay."

"I shouldn't have pushed his table."

"I'll apologize if I see him again."

"...Well then," Yuna said.

"We should get going."

"See you next week."

The group turned to leave.

After taking a few steps...

Eishin suddenly stopped.

For some reason...

His heart urged him to ask.

He looked back.

"...You said your name is Yuzuki."

She nodded.

"Yep."

He smiled faintly.

"I'm Eishin."

Yuzuki's smile grew even brighter.

"I'm glad I know your name now, Eishin."

The two exchanged one final smile.

Then the group waved goodbye before making their way back toward Eishin's apartment.

Meanwhile...

Far away...

Inside Eishin's room...

The curtains fluttered gently as a soft breeze slipped through the half-open window.

Resting upon the wooden desk...

The four emerald clovers remained exactly where he had left them.

Then—

One of them shimmered.

A faint emerald light flowed through its tiny veins.

The glow lasted only a heartbeat.

Then...

It dissolved into countless tiny particles of light.

Silently.

Gracefully.

As though it had never existed.

Three clovers remained.

Back at the apartment...

Yuna hurried inside before anyone else.

She carefully placed the five Echo Boards on the table.

Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

She rubbed both hands together.

A mischievous grin slowly spread across her face.

"So..."

She looked at everyone.

"Are we finally going to find out..."

"...what all the hype around these Echo Boards is about?"