A few moments earlier – Madame Mizu and the Guardian:

Madame Mizu had returned home, accompanied by the Guardian of this world.

“I didn’t know how to handle the situation, so I thought it best to inform you. Perhaps you can make sense of it and take the necessary measures, Mr. Guardian.”

Mizu’s tone was hesitant, marked by slight worry. Together, they crossed the threshold of the house, but the absence of noise and movement around them suddenly felt unusual.

“The children must be in their room playing. I’ll go fetch them,” she said with a nervous smile.

Unaware that the two children had already been gone for some time, Mizu headed toward Kumo’s room.

“Kumo? Yui? Come here…”

Her voice echoed into the void. Facing the desperately empty room, Mizu’s heart began to race. She searched the house, calling out for Kumo and Yui, but there was no sign of them. The more she ventured into the empty rooms, the shorter her breath became.

“Good grief… I… I can’t find them anywhere… Kumo would never leave without warning… And what if something happened to them? What am I going to do?”

Maternal anxiety swelled within her, and her eyes filled with uncontrollable tears. Her hands trembled slightly as she sought an answer in the unknown. But before her emotions could overwhelm her, a strong and reassuring hand rested on her shoulder. The Guardian looked at her, his face calm and composed.

“Do not worry, Madame Mizu. I will find them safe and sound. They can’t be far. Everything will be fine.” His voice, steady, carried an assurance that cut through Mizu’s doubts.

She nodded, wiping away her tears.

“Thank you so much…”

---

Back to Yui and Kumo:

“I think it’s time we head back. Madame Mizu must be worried by now, especially since we didn’t leave a note.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying this whole time, nya!”

“Or was that just an excuse to run away because you were scared, hmm?” I teased with a sly smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Kumo growled. “How dare you, nya!”

Our laughter mingled as we followed the butterfly guiding us through increasingly wooded paths. We were nearly at the entrance of a dense forest when, suddenly, a young man—half-human, half-dragon—landed in front of us. His imposing silhouette and captivating presence instantly silenced our laughter.

His long black hair with red tips floated gently around his stern face, and it was his golden eyes that immediately caught my attention. They glowed like eternal flames, almost hypnotic, shimmering with a deep, almost otherworldly brilliance. He wore a traditional kimono with elegant patterns, evoking an ancient, mysterious, yet majestic era.

My heart began to race. Was this what people called love at first sight?

“You must be Yui and Kumo,” he said in a calm voice that resonated with natural authority.

“Nyehehe, that’s me! I didn’t know I was famous. Want an autograph?” Kumo joked, unable to resist slipping in a humorous remark, even in such a tense situation.

“I am the Guardian, Seiryu. I’ve come to fetch you. It’s time for each of you to return home. I will take you there,” the man said impassively.

My heart, which had fluttered a moment ago at the sight of this captivating being, now tightened with anxiety. Return home? The mere thought stirred a fear within me that I had not yet dared to confront.

“R… Return home? But… I don’t want to leave. I think I’ll stay here.”

My voice trembled slightly, torn between confusion and uncertainty. But his eyes remained cold, and his tone grew firm.

“That is not an option. Your place is not here. You must return to your world. Let’s go.”

He stepped toward me with determination, reaching out to take my hand. I pulled away sharply.

“I said I don’t want to leave!”

At that moment, a monstrous roar echoed through the trees, the chilling sound of an unknown beast. Our eyes instantly turned toward the source of the noise. It was an opportunity—a distraction I desperately needed.

Without wasting any time, I grabbed Kumo’s paw, and we ran into the forest, the shadows of the branches above us blotting out the sky. My breath came in short gasps, and adrenaline coursed through my veins. Kumo, finally grasping the gravity of the situation, let me climb onto his back and began sprinting at full speed, his paws kicking up clouds of dust.

I glanced back. The Guardian was already catching up to us.

“Yui, there’s no point in running! You must return home!” he shouted, his voice booming.

“Kumo, what do we do? He’s right behind us!” I cried, panicked, my thoughts swirling chaotically.

“Nya! Do you still have the floral grenades we took from the dandelion field?”

The floral grenades… Of course! I’d nearly forgotten.

I frantically searched my pockets and pulled out the small botanical bombs.

“I just throw them, right?”

“Nya!”

As mist began to form around us, I threw several grenades behind me. As soon as they hit the ground, they exploded in clouds of shimmering petals and pollen, forming a spiraling barrier of vibrant flowers that obscured the path behind us.

“I think we lost him, Kumo!”

“Nyehehe, victory is ou—”

Kumo abruptly stopped. I looked up and, to my horror, saw a steep slope ahead. He tried to halt, but his speed made it impossible. Together, we tumbled down the slope.

“AAAAAAH!”  

“NYAAAA!”

We rolled violently down the incline, crashing into rocks and branches, our bodies thrown helplessly in the endless descent. Finally, we landed at the bottom of a dark cave. My body aching, I struggled to my feet.

“Kumo? Kumo, are you okay?” I called, my trembling voice echoing in the oppressive darkness.

“Nyaaa… Mom’s going to punish me and ban me from grilled fish for eternity…”

Even in pain, his concern for food made me smile.

I felt my way through the darkness to reach him. But in the distance, cries echoed—cold and sinister, like the wails of lost souls. A shiver ran through me. Kumo, agitated, was trembling uncontrollably. Panic began to overtake me.

But I reminded myself that I was responsible for him. Everything that had happened was because of me. I had to calm him down, even though fear was creeping into my own heart.

I took a deep breath, and despite my racing pulse, I recalled the lullaby my grandmother used to sing to me. Hesitantly, I began to sing softly in the dark cave.

“Under the moon, sweet night,  

Close your eyes, my little light.  

Stars above watch over you,  

In their arms, you’ll find what’s true.  

Dream of fields bathed in glow,  

Where flowers dance and breezes flow.  

The wind hums softly through the trees,  

Whispering secrets from centuries.  

Fear not, for I am near,  

Beside you till dawn appears.  

Let your worries drift away,  

In this enchanted world, they’ll stay.”  

My voice echoed gently, slowly soothing the heavy atmosphere around us.