I'm happier than my kokoro expected (Mikha-kun and Esteron)

[Esteron]

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Name: Akito Sakurai

Age: 100 years old (appearance of a 26 year-old)

Height: 1,75m

Weight: 65kg

Biography:

Akito is the guardian spirit of the symbol of life, the great sakura tree. Since ancient times the tree rests in the blessed garden of the holy Togiyo temple and watchs over the area from the top of the hill. "Dear Akito, please look over this small beauty. Let it never wither or suffer." was the goddess words and gave life and a humanlike body to the supernatural being. Since then his fate is bound to the fate of the sakura tree.

After the owner (Jindais gradnfather) pasted away noone took care of the garden and with the dawn of modern era believing disappeared in the heart of men - the spirit source of power. So Akito is weakened and has no strength left to fulfill his task anymore and watch the tree and him dying.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

'Another yellow leaf...' the young male with white hair thought. His hair shined like fresh snow in the sun. The extravagant kimono gave him a mystical but elegant touch.

With every leaf the tree lost Akito felt a part of his life past away. This tree on whose limbs he stand was something special. It was told to be the symbol of life. When it was spring - the most life-affirming season - the tree bloomed in a beautiful pink and its blossoms was carried by the wind down the hill towards the city. Every year it was a nice view and Akito loved watching it while daydreaming.

But with the years the blossoms turned paler and paler and with the modern era it increased dramatically. "The believing, ne?" Akito said and rubbed lightly with his thumb over the yellow leaf. "I didn't expected that it would be that low one day." He sighed sadly and his gaze wandered to the town. The believing nearly dissapeared completely. "What happened to humanity that they lost it?"

 

During the first years of being the guardian spirit of the great sakura tree he enjoyed his task. Additionally he had a nice companionship for a few years. The past owner of the Togiyo temple took care of the tree and the area on the hill very lovely and he even was able to see Akito. It was a very good friendship between those two and one of the most precious memories. Unfortunately human life wasn't as long as spirits life and the white haired had to watch his friend dying. The kind man was at least the only one who ever was able to see the male, because spirits usually were unvisible for the human race. And since the old man died noone had ever visited the temple. Back in the past there were a lot of people - townsmen and traveler - who visited the temple and the tree. Some of them spoke a whish in front of the tree or blessed the guardian spirit. Those things encouraged Akito to fulfill his task happily until the very end.

 

Akito huffed and sat down. After he noticed that with the disappearing believing in spirits his own strength decreased he lost the power to fulfill his task. Now it was merely a slowly dying. Being a guardian spirit was truley a blessing when Akito thougt about the past, but with the years it turned to a curse.

'I wonder if I can see someone before I disappear from this world...' the male thought depressing.

[wongsae]

 

Name : Jindai Togiyo

Age : 23 years old

Height : 180 cm

Weight : 75 kg

About :

Jin is your typical city guy with typical J-pop icon appearance—which make candid photos of him spread widely among fangirls, ironically overtopping the number of featured photographs he’d taken. He looks good indeed, in an eccentric way. Behind the dazzling bling impression, however, is a contrastingly modest guy. Despite his success in his early career as a photographer, he neither felt superior nor content. Though, with all the fame and glam surely there are times he’s overbearing.

He may not speak as much as his fashion-style, but his heart sees more than his eyes. Still, he’s a human with a broken emotion switch and often doesn’t know when to take things seriously and when not to. The only time he knows is when he’s pissed really, really bad. Usually when facing narrow minded people. Jin strives for beautiful scenery, making him unable to stay still because nature provides too much to explore.

 

 

The distinct sound of camera clicking echoed throughout the empty path. What was once a beautiful place, candy to the eyes and a peaceful habitat to its inhabitants, now seemed devoid of life. Not even a single cicada could be heard. Jin let his camera hung loosely on his neck then made his way ever so slowly down the path, heading to its sole end—a freshly abandoned temple. The blonde guy closed his eyes as the wind blew, bringing with it the smell of rotten woods and decaying leaves. It smelled of death. Like, the place was lacking of life force resulting in slow and yet voluntary death. It was as if death was a sweet escape from the helplessness of dying alone.

 

How many years had it been? Six or so it seemed… The last time Jin visited his grandfather was after he graduated high school. Another time was after he graduated junior high. Ever since he enrolled into college up until he became a well-known photographer he was now, never did once he visited the old man, and when he did…the man was on his death bed. Even after so many years after his last days in elementary school, a part of Jin still hated the fact that his grandfather refused to move to urban area with him. They could’ve stayed together and yet the old man chose to stay. He chose the soon forgotten temple people rarely visited anymore OVER his ‘most precious grandchild’, or so he said.

 

“‘Duty as a Togiyo’, huh?” Jin hissed bitterly. ‘It’s you who cared too much of this mess of a place. Everything has changed and yet, even after your death, you're stuck in the past.’ he thought, reaching for the wooden gates which fell off its hinges when he pushed it open. “…Oh well…”. He walked through an open field covered in pilling dead leaves and was soon greeted by a familiar sight of Togiyo Temple. The temple wasn’t in its best condition, if not worst. The guy ran a hand through the pillars, frowning in disapproval as red colours flaked off of his fingertips. Jin glanced around as he made his way to the backyard, commenting “Seems like it’s the right decision to sell the land.” it surprisingly hurt to hear that coming from him-self.

 

Once outside, he walked backward up the hill where the ex-legendary sakura tree stood, aiming for a better view of the entire area. When his back finally bumped onto the tree’s trunk, Jin let out a whistle upon noticing how most parts of the temple were barely intact anymore. “Sorry but this gonna cost a damn lot for construction fee, gramps!” he shouted to void, sounding angrier than intended. “No way I'm funding it! Better sell it, yeah?!” his fist tightened as some leaves fell off the sakura. “If anyone wanna buy this wreckage that is!”, he slammed his fist to the trunk shaking it a little and sending more leaves to the ground. “Why…this wreckage is—is your most precious thing…” Curse. His hand ached now. "Well, it was my favourite too back then…” he admitted in a calmer tone—accidentally.

 

The anti-climax was so quick it left a good minute of awkward silence until Jin finally gathered his cool. “Seriously though,” he cleared his throat, somewhat embarrassed of his unusually horrible self-control, “why trusted this place to me? I'm not your old little Jin who fancy folklore enough to be a loyal temple keeper to death, just so you know.”, he chaffed, partially lying about the folklore part. He brushed off some leaves from his hair and watched in surprise as withering sakura petals hit the ground. ‘Hm? But spring’s just started…’ he crouched to touch them. Being focused indeed wasn’t Jin’s forte. Moreover, the fact that he was emotionally drained over the loss of his grandpa just made it worse. “Isn’t it…too early for autumn though?”

 

[Esteron]

The white haired nearly fell into a short slumber whe he heard the wooden gate. 'A visitor?' he asked hisself surprised. Since the death of the temples owner noone visited this lonely place. Even during his lifetime the temple only had a few visitors. And suddenly there was someone...

Maybe he thought he could find the old man there and didn't know about his death. Akito stretched and stand up again. 'I wonder who it is.' Curious he looked over to the temple and after a while he saw a silhouette moving into the garden. The visitor was a young blond male who carried a camera around his neck. 'A photographer? Here?' When the temple and the garden were still full of life Akito would understand that guy. 'Maybe he heard of that place and is now disappointed to come across a withering place.'

The spirit observed the male. His appearance was familiar and his aura as well. Then he heard the blond cursing about that place. "Selling it!?" Akito said shocked "He is planning to sell this place?!?" When the temple wouldn't be in the Togiyos ownership everything here would disappear. That's the last thing Akito wanted. 'The temple and the sakura tree would have an unworthy death... they would be destroyed by human machines.'

"You mustn't sell this sacred place!" the white haired said in a louder voice, but turned silent. 'He can't hear me... I know he can't hear me... damn it...'

Further he listened to the young male who was talking to himself. His aura was warm and similar to a well-known. 'It's similar to Togiyo-sans aura.' the male spirit remembered. 'So he is a relative who inherit the temple?' And he had the intention to sell it... 'Are all young human beings so stupid and prefer material things?'

Hearing the blond mumbling onwards his heart beated heavy. 'Now I get it. The youngster is Jindai, Togiyo-sans grandchild. My, he grew tall! And unfortunaltey he became one of those closeminded people of the modern era.' Akito remembered the few times he saw the young man. THe last time he saw him Jindai was still a child. 'Probably he thinks the tales about me were only some fake tales every grandfather tells his grandchild.' The white haired always were happy when he heard Togiyo-san talking about the 'sakura spirit' and seeing the shining eyes of the child who listened to him fascinated. And he still remembered when the little Jindai talked to him - more or less. Well, a lot of children had some invisible friends in this age, but it was really adorable. Sometimes he told him about the life in the city and even about his sorrows. During this time Akito was sure this child would always believe in his 'invisible friend'.

'Things like this aren't imortant in your age anymore, ne? Maybe you forgot and dan't care, but I'll always remember.' With a sad smile he still watched Jindai. 'He truly became a handsome young man.'

[wongsae]

Rubbing the petal with his finger, sadness washed over him. He remembered the old days. Sitting under this tree. Playing with gramps and that imaginary guardian spirit. Now the memories were all but dead. He could still feel their presence here even—which just made him sadder. Jin rose to his feet, turning around to the once great and beautiful tree. 'It’s still is, though…' He imagined facing the old friend like he did years ago on the exact same spot. He imagined his pale skin… his peculiar horn… his splendid robe… his beautiful face...

 

“…If only he was real…”

 

Strange. His imagination seemed to get more vivid the more he thought about it. It was as of his childhood friend was standing in front of him for real after fading in from thin air. He reached out to the fata morgana, expecting to touch the air. But he didn’t. “Ah, this is getting scary...” he chuckled nervously. His hand landed on the other male’s cheek. It felt soft just like it used to—wait, he can even felt it? Jin gulped down a lump forming in his throat. “If only you weren’t a mere imagination…” He sighed in disbelief at how he was still touching and speaking to the now clear image of his friend. “Hahah, am I crazy? I don’t know. You tell me, ne…”, what was his name again? Oh right, ”…Akito.”.

 

A huge wind blew by.

[Esteron]

The spirit wanted to watch Jindai at a closer point and floated towards the ground and his wooden sandals touched the grass. 'He has changed, but his pure aura is still the same.' Akito thought. He saw the withered petals in the hand of the young male. 'Why did he pick them up?' The white haired tilted his head inquiring and watched him standing up and turning around. 'Eh?' Then he startled. Jindais eyes focused on him. It seemed he could see him. 'That's impossible...' The other reached his hand out and touched the spirits pale cheek. 'That's...' He was speechless and with a gentle smile he put his small hand on the blonds hand.

"You aren't crazy, Jin-kun. Not at all." The sudden blowing wind carried some petals from the tree along the garden. Then the spirit pulled the other a little closer and looked in his eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Jin-kun. Time flew to fast and look at you - the adorable little child became a wonderful young man. How many years pasted by since our last meeting? Definitely too many..."

The heart of the spirit jumped out of happiness that he could finally meet him again - and that the blond learned to see him, somehow. 'He still remember... I'm still a part of his memories.' The white haired wasn't alone anymore and being that close to the young male was comfortable. "How have you been? Do you still enjoy the life in the city?"

[wongsae]

The young blonde was too taken aback he stiffed up when the white haired creature pulled him closer. The spirit’s words did reach his ears, but he was unable to form a coherent response. “Huh..? Six.. Six years? Maybe? I don’t—yeah, yeah time flies.. uh, isn’t it?” Jin swallowed a lump in his throat then cleared it. “Life great. Life is great, Akito-sama. Ah—” he pulled his hand quickly and took a step back, somewhat feeling both awkward and embarrassed. Akito's gentle words didn't help much as it raised his nervousness instead. “Gomenasai, I thought you were… I mean, I didn’t mean it. That, when I said about selling this place—your home.” The great spirit must’ve had heard him said those horrible things. A pang of guilt rose in his chest. Jin bowed as deeply as he could, nearly yelling out, “Hontou ni gomenasai! Akito-sama!”

[Esteron]

"Six years, ne? I remember our last meeting if it was yesterday." the spirit said in his normal kind and clam voice. Normally six years weren't a long time to him, because he already existed a full century, but the last past years of loneliness were flowing too slow. "Don't be so shy, Jin-kun, we already know each other since years." With a friendly smile he looked over to the other. The white haired was happy that he could finally speak to him and they could have a talk. But the smile disappeared soon when Jindai apologized with a deep bow.

His gaze became hazy and sighed sadly. "It can't be helped, ne? Life is changing and important things in the past are worthless in the present or even in the future, ne? So..." The spirit stopped speaking and turned away. '...it's up to you what you will do with this place' he wanted to continue, but stood silent. He didn't want to give up yet when he had a chance to change things. His hope increased only by the thought that Jindai suddenly gained the ability to see and hear him. 'Something changed in his mind...'

After a short silence he turned around him and looked in his eyes. "Well, don't worry, I guess it is a normal reaction for a young man like you who lives now and then. The believes in spirits like me decreased and maybe disappear someday, but you are not like the rest. See, we can finally have a talk like this. That makes me really happy." 'And you're such a handsome guy.' he continued in his mind. Akito laughed lightly and spoke further: "You look a bit confused. Do I look different from your imaginations?" 'I won't tell him everything now. He already looks too bothered than he could bear with another unlovely information for now.'

[wongsae]

Akito's gentle words and his warm smile calmed Jin. He straightened up his back, looking back at the other. It was true, they'd been friends for six years before the blond left for another six years. 'Worthless. Disappear?' Jin really wish he could object, but didn't have the gut to do so. Not after everything he said. It sadden him how his old friend said he was different from the others while for Jin, he was anything but his old self. And yet, somewhere deep in his heart screamed that he wouldn't let that happen. That he'd protect this place no matter what. Little did he know about the life call of a Togiyo, so he thought of it simply as a form of sympathy driven by human instinct--wouldn't anyone do the same when their best friend was in distress?

The human guy rubbed his neck, waiting for the great spirit to finish his hanging sentence. But he didn't. The brief silence was instead broken by a question. He had gathered his cool by then, "Ah, it's.. rather the opposite actually. You're exactly how I remember." He said almost without thinking. 'And that erased my doubt. Those are memories, not imaginations.' A little smile grew on his lips from the thought. "Maa~ guess a spirit's beauty is eternal ne, Akito-sama? Aah, I'm so jealous." he chuckled lightly, oblivious but honest about what he said.

Jin looked behind his back, eyeing the unchanging mess of a temple and its surrounding environment. "Well, I didn't lie when I said this will need a lot of work...", he said before turning back to Akito, "...but it's not impossible." He gave his friend a reassuring smile. "I'll see what I can do." 'Probably not much though. I'm going to need help.' There was no way he could do all the fixing by himself. He knew he had to keep it realistic if he didn't want to give his friend a false hope.

[Esteron]

The spirit laughed lightly. "And I also still like your planless face when you don't get something." He winked and poked the taller male o his forhead. "A spirit never gets old, you know? They are created, not born so the shape still remains the same - from the first day of their existance to their death. But you have no reason to be jealous. You can be more than happy looking like this, Jin-kun." Both only stood one step far to each other. The wind let the white hairs of Akito waving and the sun his eyes shinig like a pair of rubys. Being this close to the young human and knowing he acutally see him made him feeling a comfortable warmth deep in his heart.

 

"It will take a lot of work, yes, indeed." the spirit replied to Jindai. "But maybe if we work together we can do it. I have not much strength left, but with you here I probably gain some." Then he put a hand on the others shoulder. "We can do it together, right? And you know... you already helped me out a bunch." Akito stopped speaking and his smile disappeared. "And... now you're taller than me..."

[wongsae]

"Ara, you still have that old habit." Jin rubbed his forehead with a playful pout. ‘How nostalgic.’ he almost smiled to himself. ‘Not much strength left…’ it took him a little while to connect the pieces but the blonde got it in the end. In other words, Akito and this place’s fate were laid in his hand—kinda, sorta...yeah. Jin was glad he wasn’t late. He was almost late though. Realising he might not be able to meet his best friend had he accepted that certain job and went here a month later made him shiver. The spirit’s touch was comforting. It somehow helped the human boy to not think of the sudden big responsibility as a burden. “We can.” he placed his hand on top of the other’s in a reassuring manner. Although, he couldn’t help but felt unsure of what would happen. His jaws stiffen once again.

 

His yellow beads was fixed on the spirit’s gleaming rubies. “And you’re paler than ever.” Jin’s smile was no longer there as well. “Akito-sama…” his brows furrowed very slightly, but that was enough to show his hidden concern. “You can trust me with this, actually. Don’t worry about helping and such, I’ll find helps in a way or another.” Unconsciously firming his grip on the cold hand, he inhaled deeply. Familiar scent of fresh sakura pierced his nostrils right away—even the scent had become less strong. Standing this close to Akito and sharing touches, it wasn’t hard to tell the spirit had lost some colours and warmth. And life-force on that matter.

[Esteron]

'How can someone looks so beautiful?' The spirit couldn't turn away his eyes from the male standing so close in front of him. Gentle he took the others hand and hold it in both of his hands. "Your hand is so pleasant warm." He couldn't remember that humans were so warmer than him. 'Or maybe my own temperature is lower than before. The life is warm, the death cold, ne? Maybe this line has a true meaning.' Feeling the warm hand between his own cold he wished to be hold in the others arms to feel his warmth, but could hold of hisself. 'You can't do it. You already startled him too much.'

 

"Paler?" the male laughed lightly "My skin color always was like this, ne? ...Don't worry, everything is fine." he added while seeing the smile disappearing in the others face. 'Yes, he shouldn't be bothered. I don't want to be a burden. A guardian spirit is a being to offer help, not to need help. That's fate, ne?' Then he tilted his head lightly and spoke further still holding the others hand: "Of course I trust you, but don't overdo it, okay? Let me know if I can do something for you." He had no intention to let the warm hand go when he didn't have to. Then a strong wind blew over the hill and Aktio flinched. 'F-freezing all of the sudden...' he thought and shivered.

[wongsae]

Jin really didn’t know what to feel about everything the spirit said about himself. ‘You are still a terrible liar.’ The guy only kept it in his head, deciding to go along with whatever was in the spirit’s mind that was keeping him from telling the truth. Not like it was the first time. It was just Akito being Akito, and Jin knew better than to push the other out of his comfort zone. “Oh come on Akito-sama, I’m a grown up now! I know my limits. I’ll be fine.” He chuckled a little. If he hadn’t known Akito so well he would’ve thought the man didn’t fully trust him. ‘It’s just that you put others before yourself despite—‘ The sight of gleaming white hair blown by the harsh wind was mesmerizing, yet the blonde was more concerned with the owner’s flinch.

 

”Ano, since I came here just to check the condition, I only bring this with me.” he pulled his hand off Akito’s gently to point at his camera before continuing “I’ll need to take shots of all the damages before nightfall.” He looked at his yellow watch on his left wrist then at Akito. “We better start now!” In one swift motion he wrapped his arm around the spirit’s shoulder, secretly attempting to share some warmth. “I’m borrowing Akito-sama ‘kay tree?” He shot a grin at Akito before making his way to the temple—half-dragging the man along.

[Esteron]

"Uhm... its a camera, right?" the white haired asked unsure. Modern things weren't that common to him. "Guess it's a good idea so you can always remember what to do." He nodded in agreement. Suddenly the other wrapped his arm around his shoulder and dragged him along. "W-woah... not so hasty.." the spirit said a bit startled but felt comfortable the male being so close to him. "You startled me a bit " the male laughed lightly and enjoyed the warmth of the other "But I guess you don't want to waste time, ne?"

They walked along the garden to check the damage outside. "It will be really a lot of work, you know? There are several places in the garden and around the temple where nature is crying." Then he looked at Jindai from the corner of his eyes and laughed. 'I must sound like a weirdo to you saying such things, ne?" Further they came along an empty piece of a bed where flowers sporadic grew. The spirit stopped, turned to the bed and bowed shortly. "Oh, yes, you can't know." Akito began with shining eyes "Ages ago there was a plum tree here at this place and also was guarded by a spirit. His name was Hanasaki and was very wise and teached me a lot of things. But he already lived 400 years when I was a young spirit and there was only a short time we could spend together. When his time came he sacrificed his left life force to the tree and during the next decades the tree wore the most beautiful blossoms I ever seen. It was really impressive and he has my deepest respect. His attitude was inspiring. Well, after the plum tree also find its end I let some beautiful flowers bloom in this area. But... as you can see there aren't many left and the colors are pale." It was too much effort and shortened his span of life to still carry about that small place as well. Akito already thought about doing the same noble sacrifice as Hanasaki. 'Lucky I didn't do it, otherwise I wasn't be able to meet Jin-kun again.'

Then he looked at Jintao and apologised. "Ah, it wasn't my intention to distract you with some old story." Akito only wanted to share his most precious things with his good friend. Finally he was able to do it. "Let's focus on the damaged things before night comes."