"Yeah I returned to the garden after that."
"Why did you leave the Hasu Mountains?"
Silence fell. Douma looked up at the blue sky and recalled the time when he announced to the villagers of Hasu Mountains that he was leaving on that day. Nobody expected the news and how the tables had turned. Most of them were upset, as if they weren't the same ones who said those horrible things to him ever since the storm. He didn't have anything to say because whenever he did, they'd come up with the most spiteful insults. It was better to be quiet before something atrocious came out of one of them.
Both Shinobu and Yushiro waited for the blonde's response. Shinobu asked him the same question again but he still didn't say anything. This made the both of them wonder if something drove Douma to leave abruptly. But from his expression he seemed satisfied with his decision.
"The people of Hasu Mountains are doing fine now. It's about time they go about their lives like how they always have before I got here. Relying on others isn't going to help them overcome the challenges out there. I've done my best and my efforts have paid off despite what happened. What matters is that they are still a flourishing community with a bright future ahead of them." Douma responded hopefully.
That makes sense. Shinobu thought while Yushiro nodded.
An image of Paradise Shrine flashed in their mind which struck both Shinobu and Yushiro. It was really important.
"What about the shrine?"
"Mr Hanekame's taking care of it." Hearing that made Shinobu feel better, at least the Hasu Mountains still had people who were grateful.
Douma remembered Mr Hanekame, Reiji and Yoru's saddened looks when they heard the news. All of them were gathering at the path leading to the shrine, where Douma was getting ready to leave. The villagers were there too, some sobbing and others begging him to stay because of his kind heart. He had done a lot to uplift their spirits, including the mountains'. A few of the villagers were upfront, apologizing for their harsh words and misunderstandings.
Despite the gloomy mood, the blonde still kept up with that soothing smile, everybody didn't understand why Douma wasn't as upset as they were or maybe he wasn't showing it.
Because at some point, they noticed him staring into space as if he was reminiscing the times he had with them. That smile receding into a solemn expression the longer he did. Mr Hanekame thought that perhaps after Douma had forged a stronger bond with his friends, the ice encasing him had melted away, making him realize that the pretentious facade was only hurting him and that his usual self was trying to find a way out of it.
Mr Hanekame was glad Douma had returned to his charitable self, the blonde has always been like that but ever since the misunderstandings he was always trying to repel them away. At least now he didn't have to worry about the treatment of others, because it didn't matter in the first place.
That sunset was one the three of them would never forget, Mr Hanekame, Reiji, and Yoru watched as Douma said his farewells and left. Even from their last interactions, they could tell Douma still had that cocky attitude but it meant no harm and those who knew him well would understand that.
Both Shinobu and Yushiro could tell the memories of Hasu Mountains still lingered in Douma's mind, after all he spent most of his time there.
"Douma why did you decide to come back to Earth after you left?" Shinobu asked she remembered the angel talked to her about leaving Earth and returning to where he came from.
"About that..." The blonde tilted his head cluelessly which made Shinobu and Yushiro a little ticked off at the longevity of his answer.
Douma smiled and looked at the both of them. "I can't just leave you guys behind. Especially you Shinobu." He winked.
"Haha I knew it." Yushiro crossed his arms and it was making Shinobu more annoyed than ever. She had the urge to knock over the barrel he was stuck in.
"So when are we going to Dice and Rolly Valley? I still didn't get an answer is this even confirmed?"
"Shinobu's coming too. I just need one more person and we're set." Yushiro replied. "There isn't much time. We only have two weeks."
As much as the violette didn't want to say anything that will give the cue that she's interested in the plan, she nodded. Yushiro was trying his best to find someone which meant he still wanted this to work out, but the way he did it was very irritating. He needs to be patient, luckily Douma wasn't the kind to complain about anything.
"One more person you say, man I can't think of anyone."
"Same here, it's a lot harder than I thought."
Shinobu lifted a brow, they'll find someone eventually but knowing Yushiro's carelessness, whoever it could be was worrying. Yushiro himself was unsure about what he was doing, that he needed help from her and Douma. Asking the same question over and over again wasn't going to bring this plan anywhere, he needed to have the confidence to make the right decisions, and sulking about it wasn't going to help.
"By the way, we're planning on going to Dice and Roll Valley this weekend, if we can get the fourth person as soon as possible." Yushiro added.
"I'm glad you're still as adventurous as ever Yushiro. I mean who would've thought of sneaking up in a barrel. That's some creative thinking right there." Douma said trying to figure out how Yushiro was going to break free from the barrel.
"Yeah right he can't even come up with a way to free himself. As long as his gears aren't running he's going to be stuck here forever. Wonder when that adventurous spirit is gonna show itself." Shinobu responded.
Yushiro tried to push himself out of the barrel but his body still wouldn't budge. It required a lot of energy and Yushiro was getting tired by the second. He felt helpless, this was a bad idea.
"Let's pay Chachamaru a visit shall we? I wonder how that feline's doing, he must be having a blast at Atlas."
Both Shinobu and Yushiro exchanged glances with each other. It's been a while since they heard or saw Chachamaru.
"Yeah! I was hoping you'd say that! I miss Chachamaru we're best pals!"
"Exactly he's a renowned fighter and Atlas would gain a lot having him there. As Chachamaru's friends we need to make sure he's doing alright."
This was a conversation worth listening to, for one, Yushiro was enthusiastic about his friendship with Chachamaru and on the other hand, Douma wanted to be a good friend despite not caring about anyone else but himself, at least that's what he always made it seem to be. Shinobu couldn't believe it, but Douma was getting along well with his friends.
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's head to Atlas right now!" Yushiro jumped around in the barrel excitedly while Douma got ready to leave the place.
Shinobu noticed her club members approaching the booth from a distance. Right on time. Now that her shift was coming to an end she could join Douma and Yushiro without anything to worry about.
Yushiro caught up with Douma, he was struggling to break free from the barrel's constriction. At the table, Shinobu was discussing about the management of the booth with her club members.
After that Shinobu caught up with Douma, while Yushiro desperately hopped towards them. "Hey wait for me!" He called out to his friends before falling to the ground and rolling away from them.