Chereads / TALES FROM FAR AND BEYOND / Chapter 3 - 12 C.E TEN YEARS LATER

Chapter 3 - 12 C.E TEN YEARS LATER

Izumi: Ginji where are you? Just come out already and pay up for this comb.

Ginji: Ah.... I thought that today I'm receiving this as a gift from you… my beloved friend (shows his mischievous smile).

Izumi: why should I pay for a comb, and these are the things that a lover is supposed to gift his love... or are you a girl?

Ginji: well should I transform into one? I'm well known for that. (Climbs down the tree and walks towards Izumi).

Izumi: you don't have to; you are perfect as you are and there is no rule in this world which says that only ladies are allowed to have luxurious items.

Izumi was seven years when he had met Ginji and now, he was a radiant boy of seventeen. During these years not only, their friendship had grown but it looked like Ginji had developed some feelings towards Izumi. Whenever they met Ginji would act like a spoilt kid in front of him demanding things which he couldn't buy for himself. It was a custom that the Gods shouldn't buy things related with the mortal world. He could only keep those things which were given to him as offerings. Izumi knew that very well so each time Ginji demanded things he would buy them. At first, he would get angry and pestered Ginji to pay but the priest told him about the custom "mother nature also has her own rules. The goddess who protected humans also protected ayakashis but she also knew how to keep a balance between these two". He turned towards Izumi and said, "when you offer something to someone your wealth increases and here the one who is asking you is a God and isn't he your friend?" the priest then gave him a peach. Looking towards the sky he asked the goddess "are you trying to teach human beings the message of brotherhood, whatever your decision is please protect the heart of these kids and allow them to retain their innocence and purity towards each other" he once again looked at him and went on with his usual chore. Since then, he wouldn't complaint. However, that was not the case for Ginji, he demanded those things because he knew that in the mortal world humans could demand things only from those who were very close. He considered Izumi as a part of his life; he was a family for him, but he had forgotten that he was not a human being. Ginji treasured the comb more than himself though it was something that he had asked to buy but for him it was a form of gift. The white snake didn't like the friendship between them, yet he never drove the boy away neither did he entertain them. For him Ginji was a brother with whom he was protecting his home, however apart from Ginji the priest was the only person who could reach to him. When Izumi gave Ginji the comb it seemed that he was hiding behind the bushes. When he saw Ginji become so happy with just a comb, he couldn't help but become angry at his existence. He left the shrine and wandered around the forest for a while.