Ashes and Kingdoms

Time passes fast.

Perhaps thinking that way is in itself evidence of getting old. But sometimes I can't help but think so.

Living in the mountains has long seemed a repetition of the same thing, and when I look back, I am amazed by too many changes.

For example, when I was little, people in the lower realm were only annoying. But now, even in detail, he's an important business partner. They are also learning how to work in the mountains little by little.

Whether it was because of it or not, the dark family that was rough also became quiet. That seems to be back in time, if you let my parents and previous generations say so.

Me too... a lot, changed.

I didn't like it. I thought I didn't like it, but when I realized it, I ended up being a couple with a black pawn. I found out what men and women were like, had children, and got old.

There are still men staring hot at me, but like old times, being able to turn their painfully uncut, remembered eyes is gone. Such gaze is only between younger children.

Sometimes, a little on my face that shows up on the water. I look down at my body where I could lose my supple tension and sigh. Sometimes he returns to me and realizes that he had only thought about the child and the black pawn for a long time. That, of course, is quite apart from the fact that I used to fill my head with blue fog.

What should I do with my meal? Cui Yu disappeared last night, but can I eat it? I have to fix my black pawn jacket. Oh yeah, it's time to start teaching White Snow how to use the loom. That and this.

Every day is filled with those fine events, and at some point it flows away behind. I must be swallowed by the flow myself. Though I can't see it myself,...... it must look that way in that guy's eyes.

That man - my great-grandfather. Dark Dragon Horse, Blue Mist.

If there was something that wouldn't change, it would be just him. He hasn't gotten any older since I was mindful.

Always the same. Quiet, serene. Sometimes they tell everyone in the village something, but sometimes they're always gone.

I think about it these days. I wonder if one day he will melt into the darkness of the night, unknown to anyone, and not come back as it is.

It's such a blue mist, but sometimes it just feels like it's coming back to us.

That's the case when you're with the same dragon marquis. Even now, at the end of my gaze, you two are talking about something. Opposite the blue mist of silver hair is a young man with dark hair. Tenryu Hou Phineas.

Somehow, my sigh spilled.

When I first saw him, he was really a normal boy. It's always the same as the people in the village, unreliable, seen on my feet, wandering around every time I say something, just a boy.

Yet now he has been given so sparingly what I could not have gotten, no matter how hard I tried.

Blue fog never gave me that grin. He didn't point anything more than a bluff at a little kid. Even Finn seemed to be seen only that way at first. Soon, they're one of us. Darkness and light, even though they are between conflicting things.

We exchanged careless greetings and the two finished the conversation. Finn's coming this way. Before I could speak, he noticed and smiled only slightly. I never used to imagine I'd start laughing like this.

"Long time no see."

Speak up and deliberately stare at the blue eyes directly in front of you. He answered small, "Oh," and lowered his eyes softly. It was so insignificant as not to offend me that I sent the challenge. Retreat because you can afford it. Little hatred.

"Why are you turning a blind eye, Dragon Marquis? You don't think I can see it now?

Strongly peeks into the other person's eyes while pursuing them in a mean way. And now he took my gaze properly and smiled bitterly like he was in a little trouble.

"No way. On the contrary, I don't want you staring at me."

"Oh, why not? You're not even old enough now."

Remember what it used to be, and I'll make fun of you. He shyly turned away. Hey, how old are you? Because that's not going to change.

As I stared silently, he answered with a real cough.

"The eye of a dragon has the power to see through a man's heart"

"I know."

"Oh. So most people don't look very good when I stare properly. People like you who come staring directly from the front, knowing or not... I don't care that I get spotted, and I'm trying to see what my reaction is. That's why on the contrary, I'm more visible to you. Don't stare at me too much because I don't know what to do."

So confessed and smiled bitterly was the same, honest and illuminated boy he used to be. I get swept up by accident. [M]

"You're a real, weird person"

"Really?

"Fun doesn't mean fun, idiot."

…………

Finally, I shut up with a puzzled face. Still, somewhere loose in his expression, I guess that means he's grown up, too. In a much broader sense than I am old, he has changed dramatically.

We've been silent with each other for a while. Wordless thoughts feel somewhat drifting.

And when he was carried away by the silent sayings of the wind, he tilted his neck and said,

"How's your family?"

"Yeah, thanks to you."

When I answered, I laughed unconsciously. At some point, I was inseparable from your family. Not one little girl named Aoyagi, but a woman with a black pawn, the mother of two children.

He looked a little surprised at my reaction. Even though you can see my heart, you won't understand my - woman's, feelings like this.

I stepped forward and stopped near him. As close as you can feel your temperature.

"Black Pawn is out hunting with a bunch of deer."

Whispering, I slowly crawl my gaze into his face. White scars on his cheeks, jaw lines, lips... I could see that he was aware of me. Gently claw forward, so close your face that your lips are almost likely to touch you.

"Are you sure you want to come home now?

I didn't hear back soon. One breath, two breaths. Then they grabbed my arm softly. Very gentle, in such a way that I can't feel the power, I get pulled away.

"Thank you, but I won't."

…………

I knew it. I had predicted it, but I got a huge sigh. Look at me like that, he laughs bitterly. Hate me.

"Right, you don't find me attractive right now. I'm not young, I'm confused."

I don't mind.

I say that to the throw and turn my back on him and somehow stretch my arms out. When I put it in my mouth, I felt like it really didn't matter. Yeah, not anymore. You get old enough to say how you're up, so you just have to give up.

"That's not true"

He said it like he'd read my mind, and I was flimsy. Turning around, he seemed to be looking for words and thinking.

"You know, I think that... you're still beautiful, and no, I think you're more... attractive than you used to be. Honestly, I envy Black Pawn."

He said that much and looked up as he grabbed and spoke quickly everywhere. And

But I don't need a human companion anymore.

- He told me a very painful word, quietly and calmly, in the face of Dragon Marquis.

Yeah, already, because this is it.

"Worst. True, dragon ho sucks, I hate it"

I roared and shook my head, and he glanced at me. He's a dog with a slightly inclined neck. You realize this guy?

He stays and stares silently. Should I say or should I say, as I am not sure. Yeah, I know, of course I know.

"You don't have to tell me, I remember you. I've said the same thing before."

"You were talking about the blue mist back then."

"Let's...! Oh, I don't like it. How come you like all the guys you know you'll never be attracted to? Even though you're broken."

Besides, I can't believe I can make someone who used to look down because I didn't think they would. Am I an idiot?

I was angry, embarrassed as I had returned to my little girl, and I was pointing that way. Immediately, as expected, a small laugh reaches my ear. Gentle, warm,... compassionate, laughing directed from a place never within your reach.

When I glanced at him, he told me to deceive him, struggling to fix his expression.

"Yeah, no, it's an honor. I didn't expect the day to come when you'd be in line with the blue mist."

"No, you're not, you're thick! You can't be in the same line! You can't even reach the foot of the blue mist. Don't get on with it because it's a little bit more than it used to be."

"Oh, it was a silence. I'll undo that now."

He did the trick of surrendering, then smiled nostalgic.

"I had a good time when you used to shake me too. So I guess this means," Come on. "

"Oh yeah? I don't remember shaking it. I just didn't deal with him."

…………

Neither will he fight back at my loss. Just take it with a smile, as merciful as it is even. When did you become such a big nostalgic person? I don't regret it.

Well, but.

"I did what I had to do. If I knew I was gonna be such a good guy, I'd have thought about it a little bit more."

As I say, I'll just reach out and pinch the other person's nose. He looked in trouble and couldn't help but solidify. I grin and grab his chest barn with my left hand at the same time as I let go of my right hand and pull it together.

Not bad for being forced. I did plenty of mouthing, and then when I let go of my hand, the servant Dragon Marquis was wandering around with a red face, too.

Yeah. I knew you were crazy.

Nature and cheeks loose. Over Finn's shoulder, I could see the blue mist coming from afar and looking at me. The women and children of the nearby village also have their eyes rounded.

"Next time you come to the village, watch out for black pawns."

I laughed, poking him in the chest, and I just left the spot behind. You should be confused at best. You messed up my mind, so that's what you deserve, right?

I just felt totally better, and I was really convinced to be surprised.

Yeah, I've always thought 'now', but I'm not.

- Because now.

It's all about thinking like this, being able to interact like that, and being able to deal with it this way.

After all the years I've lived, now, so.

I stopped and looked back, and he was still looking at me. And with some complicated bitterness, I wave a little. I returned the nod in silence.

My feelings for him, my feelings for myself, my feelings for a different family. Everything is now acceptable.

If so, getting old isn't so bad either.

(Final)