Bab 47: Rin and RIN, Sakura and SAKURA
Behind Sakura and Rin's house was another path leading directly to the shrine on the back mountain. It wasn't a proper path, just a narrow, crude dirt track, winding and strewn with gravel. It would be easy to slip and fall if it rained.
Lin Wei carefully committed every twist and turn, every weed along this path, to memory. Rin had told him about its origins when they were chatting.
Originally, the village had only one path to the shrine, painstakingly built by the villagers who pooled their resources and quarried the stones themselves. They meticulously maintained it, often sweeping it clean.
Later, when Yae Sakura became a shrine maiden, to balance her duties at the shrine with caring for her sister, she created this small path, connecting the shrine directly to their home.
This cut her travel time in half, giving her more time to care for Rin.
Sakura was just a little girl back then. How much strength could she have possibly had?
This crude little mountain path was probably the best she could manage.
There was even a fork in the path midway up the mountain, one branch leading to Yae Shrine, the other to the distant forest, its purpose clear.
Walking along the unsteady path, Lin Wei sighed, his heart aching. He could imagine a young girl, gritting her teeth, swinging a hoe far too large for her, again and again…
She might have even lost her footing and tumbled down the slope, getting bruised and scraped, only to stubbornly pick herself up, climb back up the mountain, and resume her unfinished work amidst the dirt and stones.
Yet now, this path was being used for a completely different, heartbreaking purpose.
This damned world, this damned era! Lin Wei cursed inwardly.
But he could do nothing. The outcome was predetermined. He could only silently bear witness.
The father wasn't old, perhaps only in his thirties, and Rin was light, easily carried by the wind. Yet his steps were heavy and aged, as if he were an old man bearing a weight too heavy for his life to carry. But he walked steadily, step by step, with no fear of falling.
Lin Wei followed quietly, observing everything, imprinting it all in his mind.
As dusk approached, they reached Yae Shrine.
The man continued without pause, carrying his daughter up the steps. Lin Wei paused at the intersection of the three paths, then followed the same route as before, towards a similar yet different destination.
Everything felt both familiar and alien, like a memory from another life.
Following the father and daughter, Lin Wei climbed the final flight of steps. It was much shorter this time. He quickly reached the top, passed through the final torii gate, and arrived at the end, and the beginning.
Looking past the father and daughter, who had stopped, Lin Wei took in the familiar yet unfamiliar Yae Shrine.
Though small, it was dignified and imposing, the only building in the village constructed of proper blue brick and black tile.
The solemn torii gates along the way, and the clean, stone-paved path leading to the shrine…
Lin Wei paused, looking back at the impoverished Yae Village at the foot of the mountain…
One could call the villagers ignorant, naive, and unrefined.
But they couldn't be called greedy, arrogant, or cruel.
Looking at Yae Village below, they had done the best they could within their limited understanding.
They were ignorant and pitiful, yes, but who was to blame?
Lin Wei looked up at the darkening sky. Dark clouds gathered, promising rain.
"If you are not a fish, how can you know the joy of fish?"
Lin Wei turned away from the village.
"If you are not a fish, how can you know the suffering of fish?"
In the end, they were all just struggling to survive in this unkind, unjust world.
Five hundred years ago, five hundred years later… Only the perspective had broadened.
Lin Wei watched the girl obediently extend her hands, allowing her father to tie them—
Fifty thousand years ago, fifty thousand years later… was there any difference?
Weren't they all, one after another, group after group, willingly ascending the sacrificial altar, offering themselves as sacrifices, using their lives and blood to light the path forward for their people in the darkness?
It was all the same…
"Father… could you do me one more favor?" The pink-haired girl, kneeling quietly in the center of the altar, suddenly addressed her father, her voice filled with shame. "When my sister gets here, she'll definitely want to run away with me! I'm afraid…"
Rin's voice trailed off, and she lowered her head. After a moment of hesitation, she looked up at her father with a smile. "I'm afraid I won't be able to resist running away with her, ruining everything, and causing you and my sister to be blamed by the villagers… So…"
Rin's smile was bright and lovely, like a delicate sakura blossom about to bloom. "So… please, Father, could you… could you…"
Rin tried several times, but couldn't finish her sentence. "Father… am I useless?"
Rin began to cry, helpless like a kitten caught in the rain.
Her father said nothing. He stood up slowly, understanding Rin's unspoken request.
He walked solemnly behind his daughter and slowly drew his sword. Gritting his teeth, he made two shallow cuts on Rin's ankles.
Rin held her breath, her body tense with fear, but she didn't make a sound.
Only when she heard the sound of the sword being sheathed did she let out a relieved breath. She looked up at her father, giving him one last bright, lovely smile. "Thank you, Father…"
Then, her smile faltered, turning bitter. The corners of her mouth trembled and drooped. Her lips pressed tightly together, trembling.
Finally, she lost control and burst into tears, but she still tried to maintain her composure, bowing her head as she wept.
"Waaaaah…"
Hearing her sorrowful cries, Lin Wei realized his own vision had blurred. He reached up to wipe his eyes, but his hand came away wet.
Why am I crying?
With this thought, tears began to stream uncontrollably down his face, no matter how hard he tried to wipe them away.
Gradually, he felt something was wrong. Why does my hand feel so… delicate?
His heart tightened. He roughly wiped his face with his sleeve, dried his eyes with the cloth, and turned sharply—to see Lin Wei standing behind him!
"Shh…" the other Lin Wei gave him a mysterious smile and put a finger to his lips, signaling him to be quiet.
"Lin Wei" looked down at himself, clad in a red and white shrine maiden's outfit, his right sleeve wet with tears, which had even soaked the shimenawa cord around his waist.
So… I'm Yae Sakura…
The pink-haired shrine maiden looked confused, unsure of what was happening. She looked up at the taller Lin Wei behind her.
Lin Wei smiled mysteriously again, offering no explanation. He simply pointed towards the entrance of the shrine.
Yae Sakura turned quickly and saw her father leading a much younger version of herself towards them, surrounded by a crowd of villagers, their expressions fanatical, almost frenzied.
Yae Sakura's heart lurched. She tried to run towards Rin, but passed through everyone like a ghost, unable to touch anything.
"Why… is this happening?" She cried out Rin's name, desperately reaching out to shake her sister, trying to wake her up.
But she couldn't. She truly was just a shadow.
Realizing this, Yae Sakura fell to her knees, weeping in despair.
Lin Wei walked over and gently pulled her to her feet, watching the cruel scene unfold with her.
Yae Sakura squeezed her eyes shut and turned away, unwilling to watch or listen. Lin Wei didn't force her. He simply watched.
The young Yae Sakura silently accepted the sacrificial knife from her father, silently walked onto the altar, and silently approached her sister.
Then, she suddenly slashed the ropes binding Rin's hands, grabbed her, and tried to run. She had planned it all out: no one was behind the altar. They would jump down, climb over the wall, and escape!
But she couldn't pull Rin up. Rin collapsed, looking up at her sister with a tearful smile. "To be able to help my sister before I die… Rin is so happy… But… I'm sorry, Sister. Rin won't be able to see the sakura blossoms with you anymore…"
"Sister… you will be a wonderful shrine maiden…"
The young Yae Sakura on the altar looked bewildered, tears streaming down her face, lost and unsure what to do.
The older Yae Sakura gritted her teeth, tears flowing freely, filled with rage and frustration. She hated her powerlessness.
She knew what would happen next. It was all too familiar.
The villagers' angry shouts, demanding to know if her father intended to show favoritism. Forcing her father to step onto the altar, grab her hand, tighten his grip on the knife, and swing…
Huh?
Why is everything so chaotic all of a sudden? What happened?
Yae Sakura opened her eyes in confusion, trying to understand.
She saw Lin Wei, who had somehow climbed onto the altar, scoop up Rin, jump down, and run towards the entrance.
As he ran, he looked back and shouted at her, "What are you waiting for? Run!"
Yae Sakura was still stunned, but her younger self broke free from her father's grasp and ran towards Lin Wei without hesitation.
A warmth spread through Yae Sakura's heart, as if a layer of ice had shattered. She felt a sense of liberation and ran after Lin Wei.
With a single step, the two figures, one large and one small, merged, becoming one.
They were both Yae Sakura, after all.
Leaving the chaos and shouts behind, Yae Sakura ran with Lin Wei, as if escaping pursuers, as if fleeing the shackles of fate.
She was out of breath, but didn't feel tired. The more she ran, the lighter she felt, the more exhilarated.
It was like being a child again, running with her sister as they had promised, to see the most beautiful sakura blossoms in Shinano, and then to see the wider world together…
She would take Rin everywhere, showing her beautiful sights, feeding her delicious food.
Rin was frail and would quickly become breathless, but Sakura was strong. She would carry Rin on her back, running and running…
Running and running…
As she ran, Yae Sakura realized Rin was actually on her back, arms wrapped around her neck, head resting lightly on her shoulder, asleep as if she were truly tired from playing.
Yae Sakura tightened her hold and continued running.
The more she ran, the lighter she felt; the more she ran, the happier she felt…
A bitter smile touched Yae Sakura's lips. So this was all she had ever wanted.
This happiness… was so bittersweet…
Her grip tightened.
At the end of their run stood a magnificent sakura tree, fragrant and overflowing with blossoms, bathed in a warm, gentle breeze.
Lin Wei waited beneath the tree, a blanket spread out, awaiting his guests.
And so, a warm little feast began.
The two sisters nestled together, chatting and laughing, admiring the beautiful sakura blossoms in the gentle breeze.
Lin Wei sat quietly nearby, not wanting to disturb them.
He finally got to eat the "rice balls bigger than his head" that he had been craving for so long. One was enough to fill him up, and he even choked a little.
But the taste was on point…
And there was a small pot of sakura wine.
The scenery was intoxicating enough, and Lin Wei felt a pleasant buzz in the warm breeze. He found a comfortable spot and closed his eyes, giving the rest of the time to Yae Sakura.
He seemed to sleep for a long time, waking as the sun began to descend.
Rin was carefully packing away the food box. She gave Lin Wei a cheerful smile when she saw he was awake.
Rin was now older, a graceful young woman.
Lin Wei smiled back, then stood up and walked over to Yae Sakura, who was quietly watching Rin with a distant look in her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.
"Ah…" Yae Sakura seemed to snap out of a trance. She glanced at Lin Wei, her expression confused, hesitant, and filled with a lingering attachment.
Lin Wei gently pointed to the sakura tree behind them. Rin stood there, waving goodbye with a smile. Lin Wei waved back. "We can't dwell in the past forever, can we? And look, your sister is right here, wishing you well, never truly separated from you…"
Yae Sakura looked at her sister, her lips moving slightly. Finally, she sighed heavily, wiped away her tears, and turned resolutely.
"You're right, Mr. Lin Wei. I can't let Rin down… Let's go. Let's sever the final shackle!"
Rin waved goodbye from behind them, her silent blessing and bright smile more beautiful than all the sakura blossoms on the tree.
Lin Wei etched this scene in his memory and silently turned away.
There was nothing more beautiful in the world…
"Rin is such a stubborn child, not even consulting her older sister about such an important matter…" Yae Sakura spoke to Lin Wei as they walked side-by-side. Her voice was cool, but her tone was filled with emotion, even frustration. "It's my fault for not being a good enough sister. I should have noticed sooner…"
"Don't you doubt me?" Lin Wei asked with a smile. He hadn't interfered, nor had he asked Su to interfere. Everything had unfolded naturally.
Yae Sakura shook her head. She knew her sister. This was exactly the kind of thing Rin would do.
That child… she sighed inwardly.
They walked on in silence, side-by-side, retracing their steps.
They ascended the clean, stone path, passing through the torii gates. Yae Village below was now a sea of flames.
With the consciousness of three intertwined, when two wills were resolute and their goals aligned, the third had nowhere left to hide.
Back at the entrance of the shrine, the golden cross still stood, emitting a faint glow, standing defiantly in this cruel world.
"Thank you, Kallen…" Yae Sakura gently touched the scarred cross, her voice a mixture of sadness and gratitude. She reached out and embraced it.
A golden light flashed, and the cross transformed into a bruised and battered white-haired nun, who smiled and returned the embrace. The light faded, and the two merged into one.
Yae Sakura raised a hand to her head, feeling the fox ears that had reappeared. Her katana was once again at her waist.
This power had always belonged to Yae Sakura, her indomitable spirit taking the form of Kallen to protect her in her despair.
Now, it had simply returned.
The young girl was her, the shrine maiden was her, and now, the youkai was her as well.
The past could not be dwelled upon, nor could it be resisted. It could only be accepted, embraced, and integrated.
Yae Sakura was whole once more.
"Let's go!" Her expression hardened. She gripped the hilt of her katana, looking towards the collapsed shrine above. She strode past Lin Wei and started climbing.
Lin Wei hurried after her, afraid of what might happen if he was too slow.
Reaching the shrine, they found Yae Sakura standing at the entrance, her expression complex as she stared in a particular direction. It was a mixture of hatred, pity, and unbearable conflict and pain. Her hand trembled on the hilt of her sword, wanting to draw it, yet unable to bring herself to do so…
Lin Wei followed her gaze.
Huddled in a corner was a pitiful pink-haired girl with streaks of red in her hair, a high ponytail that should have looked stylish.
"I'm not… Stay away from me… I'm not… Leave me alone…" The girl clutched her head, trembling, lost in a terrifying nightmare.
"Please… leave me alone… Sister… Help me… Sister… Where are you?" she whimpered, her cries filled with pain and anguish. "I'm not a Herrscher… I'm not… I'm not… I'M NOT!"
Lin Wei stepped in front of Yae Sakura, slowly approaching the girl.
"RIN, don't be afraid. I'm here…"
The girl suddenly looked up, her eyes fixed on Lin Wei, her voice filled with hatred and hysteria. "You lied! You all lied! Die! DIE!!!"
Her form exploded into a cloud of black smoke that surged towards Lin Wei.
Clang!
Yae Sakura drew her katana, stepping forward to shield Lin Wei, ready to confront her nightmare.
Suddenly, a blue blade of light slashed across the sky, freezing time and space, and solidifying the black fog.
A cool, anxious voice accompanied the blade of light.
"RIN, don't be afraid. Your sister is here!"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone