Back in the real world, Zhihui wiped his eyes. "This isn't like me." He heaved a deep sigh and calmed down the erratic waves that were his emotions.
"You can let go now," Zhihui said, looking down at Ai with a relaxed expression. Both sharing similar circumstances, there was a certain familiarity between the two, and over these years, Zhihui had reluctantly gotten closer with her.
Grasping him tighter "No.." Ai mumbled in response. As a young girl who had been left to fend for herself very early on, when she found the old man and Zhihui, she released all the feelings of longing for them, the only two she truly felt close with in this world.
Seeing her refusal to release him, Zhihui smirked before bringing his hand towards her face and lifting her chin up, which caused her heart to pound, so much so that the old man and Zhihui could hear its beats.
Increasing the tempo, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Her face flushed beet red, and she closed her eyes slowly, seemingly expecting something.
Zhihui stared at her cute face for a moment, then leaned in slightly and... gave her a headbutt!
"Ow!" Ai flinched back, grasping her forehead. "You! Is this the way to treat your junior sister?!" She shouted, putting an emphasis on the words 'junior sister', in hopes that her master would serve justice, like he always did.
"Heh, he's already gone; he's never been one to say goodbye." Zhihui expressed, staring at the azure skies with a faint smile.
Up above, looking down at the two of them, was the old man. His gray hair was replaced by cloud-white hair flowing down to his feet, his eyes still wise and piercing, but within a fierce gray flame ignited.
Huise wore a faint smile. "You'll soon realize that I've kept many things about this world from you; however, I believe it's best to experience things for yourself.
This world is.. Sigh, I just hope those curious and hopeful eyes don't darken."
With those words, a gray fog wrapped around his body, dissolving into thin air the next second, leaving no trace of him.
"Apparently once we enter this hut, we will be separated, so I guess this is goodbye." Zhihui said, his eyes locked with Ai's. "I'm sure we'll meet again though, stronger and in a place, wearing clothes that don't stink."
Ai Min did not reply; she was too busy staring at his ocean eyes, a myriad of thoughts running through her mind.
After a moment, she said, "We will, and at that time..." then leaned in, her soft lips pressing onto his ear, "You'll be mine." She whispered, her voice low and warm. Her words still floating in the air, she turned and walked towards the crudely made door of the hut.
Just as she was about to open it, she halted and turned towards Zhihui, the soft expression gone, replaced by one of resolution, a hint of killing emanating from her aura. "Also, when we meet again, if there's a woman with you..."
The temperature around them rose, as if the sun had descended upon earth. The hint of killing intent had revealed itself in all its glory, heavy and encumbering, pressing down on Zhihui, who, at the moment, couldn't believe his eyes.
Was this the same person he had known for the last 8 years?! He involuntarily gulped.
The scorching heat and pressure went away as quick as they came. Ai opened the door and stepped into the wooden hut, which, from Zhihui's view, looked like a pitch-black empty void.
Zhihui watched as her figure disappeared into the dark expanse, soon walking towards it himself.
Anticipation coursing through his veins, he took a deep breath, then shouted at the top of his lungs.
"WHAT IS LOVE?! Oh Baby, don't hurt me! Don't hurt me! NO MORE!"
His song of pure madness echoed throughout the area and into the ears of the beggars. His victims turned their heads in his direction, all wearing pitiful expressions.
"He has lost his mind," remarked an old beggar. "No longer can he stray away from this."
"Haiss, such is what the life of a beggar does to one," another lamented.
"But... what is this melody? My old bones are quivering."
"He's mine."
"What?"
"What?
They turned to the one who uttered that line. An old woman no older than 78, her back hunched, her face doused in wrinkles, and a rather massive wart on her nose bridge. "I said what I said."
Ignoring the sad looks, Zhihui stretched his arms out wide, embracing the air.
A maniacal smile on his face: "The great Zhihui's adventure begins!" He declared, suddenly turning his head to the side.
"Hey there.." The old woman greeted him, running her frail fingers across his arm with a seductive look.
Zhihui's eyes grew wide and,
"Lonely beggar concealment arts."
Disappeared into the seemingly black hole within the hut.