"M-Master! T-this is… this is beautiful!!"
Ryuu's eyes sparkled with awe, as though he had just stepped into a dream.
He turned slowly, taking in every detail, his breath catching in his throat.
Shigeru chuckled softly, watching his disciple's amazement.
"Yes, it does feel like heaven, doesn't it?"
They stood in a lush valley, surrounded by towering trees with vibrant green leaves and bright flowers blooming in every corner.
The sky stretched endlessly, a brilliant shade of blue, and a river wound its way down the mountains, flowing toward the distant city.
In the heart of this paradise stood a magnificent maple tree, its branches spreading wide like a natural canopy.
Atop the tree, a treehouse was nestled, blending perfectly with the environment, as if the Devas themselves had once lived here.
"You could say this is my little heaven," Shigeru said, his voice softer now.
"I found this place when I was just a kid, not much older than you."
Ryuu glanced up, intrigued by the sudden nostalgia in his master's voice.
"I still remember it clearly. I was searching for herbs in the mountains for my research.
I got so caught up in my work that I didn't notice the sky turning dark.
By the time I realized, it was pitch black, and I had no idea where I was."
Shigeru's eyes took on a distant look as he continued, his tone becoming more reflective.
"I was lost, terrified. I couldn't move. I just sat down and started crying, not knowing what to do."
Ryuu felt a pang of sympathy, but he listened closely as Shigeru's expression softened.
"That's when I heard it—the sound of a girl laughing. When I opened my eyes, there she was.
A girl, about my age, standing in front of me with the most radiant smile I'd ever seen. It felt like she was saying,
"It's okay. I'm here now. There's no need to worry.'"
Shigeru smiled fondly, his voice warm with the memory.
"That was the first time in my life I felt like I didn't belong to this world, like I was part of something… different.
She reached out her hand, and I took it without hesitation. She didn't say a word, not the whole time, but I followed her.
She led me here, to this very spot. Just like you, I was stunned. It was like she had brought me to heaven."
Ryuu's eyes were wide with fascination. "And… the treehouse?"
Shigeru nodded. "She pointed to the treehouse and finally spoke. Her voice… it was like music. She said, 'That's my home. Would you like to come with me?'"
Ryuu blinked in disbelief. "She invited you to her home… in the middle of the night?"
Shigeru laughed.
"Yes. I was just a boy, and of course, my face turned beet red. But I was so tired and hungry that I didn't care.
I followed her up to the treehouse, where she gave me water and fruit.
I ate like a starving animal. When I finished, I was so exhausted that I fell asleep immediately."
"And when you woke up?" Ryuu asked eagerly.
Shigeru sighed, his smile fading slightly.
"When I woke up, she was gone.
The morning sun was shining, but the treehouse was empty. I searched everywhere, but I couldn't find her.
So, I followed the river down the mountain and made my way home. My family had been worried sick, but all I could think about was that girl."
Ryuu leaned forward.
"Did you ever see her again?"
Shigeru's eyes twinkled.
"Oh, I did. I went back to the mountain every day, hoping to find her again. For two months, she never appeared.
I started to lose hope. But then, one day, I reached the clearing… and there she was, sitting by the river, watching the fish swim by.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. She noticed me standing there like an idiot and smiled, brighter than the sun.
That's when I knew… this girl, Yokoyama Akiko, was special. She was the fairy of my life."
Ryuu was captivated by the story.
"So… you visited her often?"
Shigeru nodded.
"Every day. She would wait for me by the river, and we'd spend time together.
She told me about her lonely life in the city, her absent parents, and how she found solace in this place, surrounded by nature.
This valley, this treehouse, and Akiko became a part of my heart."
Ryuu's voice was soft with admiration.
"Master, what happened to her? Where is she now?"
Shigeru's expression shifted, his eyes dimming with a hint of sorrow. Ryuu immediately regretted asking.
"M-Master, you don't have to answer. I didn't mean to bring up painful memories—"
Shigeru interrupted with a soft smile.
"She's my wife now."
Ryuu froze, his jaw hanging open.
"W-what?! She's your wife?! Then why did you get all sad when I asked about her?!"
Shigeru let out a hearty laugh.
"Oh, it's just the realization of how fast time has passed. We were just kids, and now we're adults. Life goes by so quickly."
Ryuu dropped to the ground in exaggerated despair.
"What! I want my sympathy back! I can't believe this!"
Shigeru smiled down at him.
"Alright, alright. It's my fault for being dramatic. Now get up.
We have training to start. And by the way, my wife's here. She'll be helping with the training too."
Ryuu shot to his feet, surprised.
"Wait, what?! Where is she?"
Before Shigeru could respond, a voice called out from behind them.
"Honey! You're here!"
Shigeru grinned.
"Oh, there she is."
Ryuu spun around to see a beautiful woman approaching, her smile as radiant as the day Shigeru had first met her.
"You must be Aramiya-kun,"
Akiko said warmly. "I've heard so much about you. Shall we begin your training?"
Ryuu stood there, utterly speechless.