The shrine leader sat down on his beanbag and listened to the group. Well, this could've been avoided if they were just honest with their parents. Now look what they got themselves into. Even though they had a lot to learn, lying wasn't going to get them anywhere. These teenagers have to know that now because repeating the same mistake is only going to make things worse.
"We told our parents we had to stay in school because of our project." The boy sitting in front of his two friends spoke. "But the truth is we went to the arcade and spent hours there! So we tried to come up with a logical explanation for our long disappearance but we couldn't it's just too hard they probably already suspect something."
"Consequences, that's what. Lying to others won't get you far, your troubles will only fall back on you." Crossing his arms, Douma adjusted himself he needed the comfort to explain to these teenagers about the right thing to do.
Furthermore, these teenagers have to be aware that consolidating him for help on this matter was alright. As they should instead of hiding their mistake from their parents until they find out some time later where things could get ugly fast.
"Honestly we really deserve this stern reminder. Now that you mention it we've been taking things for granted and never thought about the outcome of our actions just because we keep thinking we'll get away with it." The boy continued.
"And then when we don't anymore we start to regret. Wishing that we could rewind time so that mark we left on ourselves will vanish like it was never there."
"That's right why didn't we realize this sooner? It had to take someone to knock some sense into us."
Douma smiled and fanned himself, ridding the dread that was forming in the atmosphere. "It's alright at least you feel the tinge of guilt, some people never learn and that's a huge problem on its own."
The boys exchanged hopeful glances with each other. They never expected anyone to be calm hearing their story, it wasn't something that can be let off easily. Douma's words alone were enough to hit the nail on the coffin.
"The reason why your parents are so strict with you when it comes to your whereabouts is because they worry about your safety." Douma added on. "When you leave they're not there with you so there's some restriction should they reach you if something happens and you wouldn't want to get to a point where they drastically have to do that."
Nodding, the boy sitting in front looked up at the shrine leader with determination in his eyes like a will to fix what he's done. Although that seems to be the case, there was still a hint of uncertainty.
"It's not easy to spend time doing what's fun. Sometimes we can't even hangout with each other because our mom and dad don't let us for some reason."
"That's because your parents don't want you to indulge into so much satisfaction that you lose track of what's civil. They care about you and to make sure you don't get yourselves into trouble they have to be a little stern so you understand fully. It's hard to grasp this at this moment but the pieces will make sense eventually."
This advice was full of harsh truths that the boys were trying to deny because it didn't align with their ideas but it painfully made sense that they had to accept it.
Douma notice the pang of guilt that the boys were starting to feel from their expressions. Hopefully they realized how much of a stretch their mistake has indented. Humans are always eager to get a hold of something they want but is it really what they need? There's got to be a limit somewhere, just like in the case of these boys, they can't be neglecting their responsibilities, staying up late playing video games, or hanging around at the arcade while their parents worry about their well-being. It's not going to lead to a better outcome than the one more suitable for them which seems like a chore but is for their own good. Every human being should follow the path to resilience to avoid the same recurring problems.
"We understand Gracious Founder. Tell us how we can apologize to them and explain ourselves." They said with much desperation in their voice.
"It's simple, just tell them everything you told me just now with an apology of course and a vow that you'll never do it again." Douma said encouragingly. "Don't worry, at the end of the day, it's the honesty that counts."
"This isn't gonna be easy. We'll do our best and make our parents proud!"
"Proud of what?"
"Proud of our honesty duh!"
Well I'm glad to see some humans finally accepting the fact that they made a mistake and willingly change themselves for the better. You don't get to see that everyday, that you don't. Sitting there watching the three friends discussing ways to explain to their parents, Douma smiled and hoped for the best.
"Let's do this!" The group of teenagers cheered, they seemed quite enthusiastic about this whole thing.
"I know you guys can." Douma added with a thumbs up.
The teen leading his friends turned around with a now firm expression. "Don't tell anyone about this, we think it's absolutely disrespectful if you go around sharing other people's problems."
"I won't if someone you seek help from does such a thing they were never truthful in the first place."
"That's right and we'd like to thank you for your help. There's a reason why you're the one bringing people to the right path. It's because you're sincere about what you do."
That statement sparked something in Douma's heart, something he hasn't come across in a while. Reassurance, he was always there convincing others that their decisions and actions had meaningful outcomes, but he never got that back.
I want to help others find the light of day. These humans need my help and I'm willing to provide my guidance so they can get back up again. Douma recalled his ambition to help humans with his wisdom and sincerity, but overtime it vanished leaving him empty.
"Gracious Founder, we're leaving now. Thank you for everything." The boys waved at the shrine leader with a subtle change in atmosphere from dull to hopeful.
Douma waved at them, watching the group walk down the stairs and leave the grounds of the shrine. There might be more visitors today and Douma was going to bring back their spirits like the wise man he is.
I can see why my friends trust me. Shinobu is still persistent with our investigation, the Tagami always come looking for me when they need anything, and Mr Hanekama as well as Yoru and her family always watch over the shrine, even from afar. Douma looked up at the sky, it wasn't as bright as it was before the storm, but still a calming sight nevertheless.
There was a flock of birds passing by momentarily casting shadows on the ground. A rumble in the sky changed their route as they sped up and dived into the trees.
In that case I should continue being me, the one destined to bring people together. Why should I prove to the ungrateful ones that I'm no match for this role? They can bicker all they want because in the end they always come crawling back. Sitting down comfortably on his beanbag, Douma picked up one of the books to read in the meantime. Shinobu's right, I've been too arrogant even to the ones who always have my back. I refuse to see the good in people because I put everyone in the same category. The minute they're someone or something that would be inferior to me, I start becoming oblivious to their feelings based on the things I say even if I don't mean it sometimes.
"So I will strive to change and open up my view on humans and everything that I considered to be nothing but a fiddle. Maybe that way I can fix what is necessary to restore peace like how I always imagined when I first got here, before the words of those individuals got to me which shouldn't have because as a representative of divinity, I should always maintain my composure and set a good example for every lifeform out there. It starts here and now, there will be no looking back that's for sure." Douma was met with visuals of trees, birds, and mountains that reminded him of the Hasu Mountains and the Cherry Blossom Tree outside his shrine that was still standing strong.