MANJUSHAGE: "The Eternal Vow" 【KNY】

『 I 』

Recollection I
— " Wishful " —

Taisho Period (1912–1926)
Unknown, Japan

Spring was quickly approaching, and still, the remnants of winter continued to linger. Early in the morning, as soon as the sun began to make its appearance, the door of a small house parted open, revealing a young (H/C) woman at the ripe age of eighteen. Her (E/C) eyes swept the vicinity of her home as she hummed in content, enjoying the refreshing coldness that the morning breeze provided her thew.

Returning to the confines of her home, the young woman went to pick her basket as well as enough coins for her errands; making a short detour inside her seemingly unfurnished room, right in front of the old mirror on her makeshift vanity table. Fixing her rumpled hair until she was satisfied, (Y/N) went outside and stopped in front of another room. Her knuckles rose in contemplation for a few seconds, before retreating back as it fell to her side. 

Puffing out her cheeks to get rid of the frown that was threatening to form on her lips, the young woman smiled and set out.

The streets at the nearby town were bustling already, despite the early hours still ticking by. Each person who recognized her waved and greeted her, and in return, she would smile and greet them with twice the enthusiasm. Reaching her first destination, (Y/N) faced a small makeshift stall, where freshly harvested crops that glistened of morning dew were displayed in good varieties. She began to pick a few ones and assess them, only for her focus to be cut short by an old woman who approached her from her peripheral vision.

"(Y/N), it's good to see you dear!" She greeted, taking her seat as she placed her cup of tea on top of the wooden box nearby. "It has been a week ever since you have come to this area. I hope you aren't pushing yourself."

"Not at all, you have nothing to worry about." (Y/N) tucked the strands of her hair behind her ear as she gazed upon the old woman with a smile on her face. "And it's good to see you doing well, Obaasan. I'm doing fine these days, and I was able to earn enough money to help us cope for the winter season."

"Gah, I'm glad the winter was merciful to us this time." The old woman stated, grabbing her cup and taking a sip before continuing. "Harvest these days are starting to pick up with spring just around the corner, and the cold air that we have today isn't as bad as we have before."

"Indeed, those are good news." Then, the young woman eyed the cup on the other's grip, recognizing the faint scent that emanated from it. "It seems that you've taken a liking to the tea that I've recommended the last time we've met."

"Oh yes, and I must thank you for that." The old woman stole another sip, appreciation and mirth both dancing within her eyes as the benefits that dwelled in its contents took effect. "It eases my mind and body whenever I take a sip, and the scent is truly fragrant."

"If it pleases you, I could recommend you another one. There's a kind of herbal tea that had been gifted to me by one of my customers once. I'm very sure that you will like it. From what I know, it's a good remedy for fatigue."

"Ahh, this is already enough for me, dear." The old woman waved her hands off dismissively while laughing, finding her offer too much for her to handle. "And wouldn't your mother love it as well? How is she faring, by the way?"

(Y/N) paused momentarily as her eyes evaded her expectant gaze, before lifting her head back and smiling softly towards the old woman.