Ethereal slumber- Raiden shogun x Tomo

Chapter 54

Petals flew down to touch the ground with the blissful sunlight reigning over the tranquil wisterias.

Ei woken up in a vivid dream where she was surrounded by tall trees of wisterias. The petals slowly withered away from its branches along with the maple trees nearby.

Within the peaceful dream of endless fall of leaves, Ei hears a faint melody being played through the trees. The music made Ei curious of where the source came from, as she decided to walk through the wisteria trees whilst nudging off some of the flowers to not block her sight.

Ei spent minutes finding her way out through the trees of wisterias but ended up back to where she spawned.

The music sounded like raindrops and it sounded so relaxing like a lullaby.

"...Ei, I can't help but notice that you somehow know me..."

A deep masculine yet elegant voice echoed through the forest of wisterias and Ei instantly recognized the voice...

"Tomo...?" Ei spoke out

"..."

"You're calling me by that name again... I just wonder who's that person named 'Tomo' is to you..."

The voice identical to Tomo said.

In just a split of a second, Ei was shot back awake into the real world.

Ei was shot back away into her cozy futon whilst the dream slowly faded away in every seconds.

Ei decided to pay a visit in the Euthymia to check on Tomo.

When Ei teleported herself into the Euthymia, she saw Tomo laying down with his legs crossed and his eyes shut closed with his eyebrows furrowed.

Tomo was in deep concentration within his mind, trying to remember a memory from his past but failed everytime he remembered a glance of it.

Tomo didn't heard the splashes of water at every step Ei took in the watery plains of the euthymia.

"Tomo...!"

A sweet voice called out that made Tomo lose all of his concentration that made him come back to open his eyes.

He was greeted by a gentle kiss in the forehead given by Ei that made him curve up a small smile.

"Ei..." Tomo muttered softly with a smile "What are you doing?" Ei asked as Tomo sat up "Nothing. Just remembering my past memories..." Tomo said whilst he scratched his nape.

"Your past? I haven't questioned you often about your past... I'm curious of your past when you were still alive" Ei said, wanting to learn more about Tomo's past "My past when I was alive was just as the same as others. Simple, carefree, not much problems, and happiness..." Tomo said.

"That past seems has no troubles at all. Care to share a few of your memories?" Ei said "Sure... but... I'm having trouble remembering my past..." Tomo said with a troubled look "What? Is anything okay?" Ei asked in concern as she starts to worry of him.

Tomo shook his head along with his hand swaying from side to side "No,no,no! Don't worry! It's not something you should be worrying about" Tomo reassured Ei but Ei wasn't sure about what he said "...Okay..." Ei mumbled under her breath with a face showing a mixed of sorrow and worry.

"Shouldn't you be in the outside world, Ei? You still have duties" Tomo reminded her "I know that... I just came here to ask you a question" Ei said "What is it then?" Tomo asked and tilted his head to the side "Did you ever made me one of those dreams again?" Ei asked and Tomo had a confused look 'cause he definitely know for sure that he didn't.

Tomo shook his head in response "I didn't. It's impossible for me to make one of those now." Tomo answered "What do you mean by impossible?" Ei asked "Well... after my soul disappeared along with Yori... my ability is now limited. I can't even make a butterfly" Tomo said "Is that why you have trouble remembering?" Ei asked and Tomo quickly shook his head "Of course not! I've always been having trouble remembering ever since I was a kid!" Tomo spoke rather quickly like it was some sort of an excuse or a lie.

Ei had worry written all over her face and Tomo was getting nervous and thought about what he could say.

Tomo calmed himself down and caressed Ei's shoulder lightly "You don't need to worry about me, Ei. You should take care Inazuma and—" before Tomo could finish his words, Ei interrupted him. Ei held his hand that was caressing the side of her shoulder and pressed it tightly between her hands "None of those matters to me. You're the one I should be caring right now" Ei said truthfully.

Tomo had a rather saddened look but kept a smile "Ei... you're blinded by love" Tomo said and caressed her cheek. "Am I really what's matter to you the most than your own nation?" Tomo questioned and Ei nodded.

Ei hugged him tightly while Tomo had saddened eyes staring down at her. What will happen to her if he leaves? That thought repeated in his mind ever since. Tomo wished he could stay with her for eternity but his contract of spending time in the human realm is like a ticking time bomb. It just aches his heart of how will Ei's reaction be when she finally learns that he will leave her.

Tomo gently caressed Ei's head who was nestling herself against him, while he held back his tears of the thought of leaving her. Tomo have a few ideas of leaving her without grief striking her down.

Let her spend time with her friends as much as possible and then leave without her knowing but she'll feel betrayed if he did that. Wait for her to fall inlove to another but she said her word, her loyalty for him is unbeatable and breaking up with her just makes it worse. The simplest plan is telling her the truth... but will she understand?

Tomo took a deep sigh and pulled away from the hug "You should go now, Ei. You still have duties to take care of" Tomo said "Alright... I'll go now. I'll be back quick for you" Ei said and stood up "No need to rush. I'll be here waiting for you patiently" Tomo said and also stood up.

Tomo rubbed her hand wrapped around his fingers and gave her a gentle kiss in the forehead before she left the plain of euthymia.

When Tomo was all alone, tears rolled down his cold cheeks that felt warm whenever Ei smiled. It made him happy to see her smile and spend time with her friends. "I'm sorry, Ei..." Tomo mumbled under his sobs with his hand clenched into a fist "How can I tell you the whole truth...? I feel stupid for lying for months... How could I possibly tell you that...

I'm slowly fading...?"

.

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I'm sorry, guys but we're almost at the end of the book. Just a few chapters left.🥲