It was the sakura that Mukiwa had just picked up while following Aoto away from the riverside to chase the mysterious figure, carried by the night wind before her eyes.
"What is this?"
Mukiwa's lips, hidden under her veil, curved into a slight smile: "Mr. Tachibana, there were actually two reasons why I suddenly took you to see the sakura by the riverside."
"The first reason was that I had mentioned wanting to try watching the night sakura with you."
"And the second reason... is that I wanted to make a protective talisman for you."
Having said that, Mukiwa closed her eyes, holding the delicate sakura with both hands. Her lips moved as she whispered something to the sakura in her palm, in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum.
Her demeanor was as solemn as a devout follower praying to a divine being.
Aoto had many questions he wanted to ask Mukiwa, but seeing her in her pious state, he swallowed the questions that had come to his lips to avoid disturbing her.
