The pink little fox stared blankly at the ceiling.
Forgetting memories is a very normal thing.
People always forget many things.
But some things, in reminiscence, can never be forgotten.
Yet if not forgotten, it's easy to be dragged down by the quagmire formed from past memories and unable to move forward.
Although saying "carrying everyone's memories to embark on the journey to the future" sounds very reasonable.
But for those deeply trapped in the quagmire, they are merely picking up past memories.
People must move forward.
Whether you want to or not, you are ultimately forced to advance.
Let time wash away past pain, turning that pain into faint sorrow.
Treat those beautiful memories as pastries, and in idle moments look at them, feeling the beauty of those bygone years...
How long can a person be trapped by the past?
Perhaps a lifetime, because the person you are now is formed bit by bit from the experiences of your past self.
Miko had always felt that she had already walked out of that painful time five hundred years ago.
She had accepted the departure of those friends and, as the forerunner, planned to pull Ei out of that dark Plane of Euthymia.
And to keep herself from feeling lonely, she also established Yae Publishing House, hoping to use human words to write stories and keep herself happy.
Hm, she had been very happy these five hundred years.
But that feeling just now...
Was too similar to the feeling from five hundred years ago...
The feeling of care from those senior great youkai who could never return...
The pink little fox transformed back into Guuji Yae of the Grand Narukami Shrine.
When released by Raiden Shogun, her youkai power had already recovered.
"Hm? The pink-furred little fox is actually Lady Guuji Yae? Then I was rude. I didn't expect Lady Guuji Yae's true form to be like this."
The Shura Anyakonsen-shou was still maintaining the superficial demeanor he had when discussing Kirara with Guuji Yae earlier.
Yae Miko looked at the Shura Anyakonsen-shou without saying a word.
It really was similar, but ultimately different.
Back then, among those great youkai, none could make her realize her problems...
It really makes me laugh to death. So many great youkai back then couldn't reason with me or convince me, yet now that I've grown up, I actually got reasoned with and convinced by a human.
They really... wasted all those years growing so old.
Miko chose to directly hug Yumemizuki Mizuki, who had been chatting happily with the Shura Anyakonsen-shou.
"Eh?"
Feeling Miko hugging her from behind, Mizuki felt a bit embarrassed.
But smelling the scent coming from Miko at this moment—a sweetness mixed with a trace of sour relief.
It was a very complex emotion...
Better leave it to Mr. Cid to handle.
At this moment, Miko also asked the Shura Anyakonsen-shou.
"Little... Cid, this Guuji has recently been planning to visit your place as a guest. When do you have time... to make me a portion of fried tofu that you've carefully prepared just for me?"
Yae Miko looked at Cid very seriously.
Humans are very interesting, which is why I like them so much.
Their lives are short, yet they can emit a brilliance that reflects across the day.
Among them, some people's light doesn't dim even across vast rivers of time.
Reading such lives is one of life's great pleasures.
Yae Miko smiled very happily.
The smile resembled the fun-seeking fox form she had when teasing Kirara earlier, but it felt very genuine.
"Hm... if Lady Guuji wishes... how about three days from now? I need time to adjust the recipe. Come find me at the Kamisato Estate then, and I'll personally make it for you."
Cid naturally sensed the emotion in Lady Guuji Yae right now—the nostalgia for the past while welcoming the future.
Even the teasing "little guy" had changed to his actual name.
This time, he had to treat it seriously.