The Shards of War: Ascension and Secrets

Chapter 15

On Peony's birthday, Matsu extended his heartfelt invitations to Marie, Calie, Blaze, Terry, Jackie, Angelo, Orca, Calie and Marie's parents, and Captain Steele. It was going to be a day of remembrance and celebration, and he wanted his closest friends and family by his side. As they all gathered in the garden where Peony's memorial statue stood, Matsu looked around at the familiar faces, his eyes filled with gratitude and a hint of sadness. "Thank you all for being here today," he began, his voice filled with emotion. "I know it's not easy, but your presence means the world to me." Calie's mother, with a warm smile, spoke up, "Peony was a beautiful soul, and we're honored to be here with you on her special day." Marie's father nodded in agreement, saying, "Your friends and family are here to support you, Matsu. We're like a second family to you." Captain Steele, known for his gruff exterior but soft heart, patted Matsu on the back. "We're here for you, son. Remember, Peony is never truly gone as long as she lives in our memories." Terry and Jackie shared a glance and nodded, understanding the significance of this day. "We're with you, Matsu," Jackie said softly.

Blaze, always the spirited one, added, "We're here to celebrate Peony's life and keep her memory alive." As they gathered around Peony's statue, they shared stories and memories of the bright and lively girl they had all loved. They released colorful balloons into the sky, symbolizing their love and remembrance for her. Matsu looked at each person gathered around Peony's memorial statue, his eyes conveying his deep appreciation for their presence. He took a deep breath to compose himself before speaking. "I want to thank each and every one of you for being here today. This year has been different for me, as it's the first time I haven't faced this day alone. Your support means more to me than I can express." He nodded at Captain Steele, Calie and Marie's parents, and the rest of his friends. "You've all become a second family to me, and I'm grateful for that. Peony would have loved having you here to remember her. I promise to honor her memory by keeping her spirit alive in my heart." With a gentle smile, Matsu wiped away a tear that had formed in the corner of his eye. "Thank you for being a part of this day, for helping me through these difficult times. I'll never forget it."

Matsu returned inside briefly and emerged with a delicate flower crown in hand. He approached Peony's memorial statue and carefully placed the crown on its head, adjusting it with gentle fingers. As he did so, he whispered, "This is for you, my precious little spring flower. You used to make these for me, and now, I'll make them for you." Tears glistened in Matsu's eyes, but he maintained a serene composure. He stepped back to admire the flower crown on the statue, a symbol of his enduring love and remembrance for Peony. The others watched in quiet reverence, understanding the depth of his emotions. Matsu closed his eyes, and in a voice filled with deep emotion, he began to sing "Happy Birthday" to the statue. His voice was soon joined by the others, and together they sang the song in a heartfelt tribute to Peony. As the last notes of the song faded into the air, cherry blossom petals began to fall around Matsu, creating a swirling and enchanting display. Everyone watched in awe as the petals danced around him, a beautiful and ethereal moment that seemed like a response from the spirit of Peony.

When the swirling petals came to a gentle stop, Matsu opened his eyes and softly said, "You're welcome, Peony..." His words carried his love and longing, and he felt a sense of peace and connection in that moment, as if he had received a message from his beloved daughter. Then everyone returned inside as Matsu informed them that he wanted to show them something. He pulled out a box and everone wondered what could be the contents of the box. As everyone gathered around the neatly organized box of photos and videos, they began to flip through the cherished memories of Peony's life. The room was filled with smiles, tears, and laughter as they relived moments of joy captured in those images. Angelo and Orca were sitting close together, and Orca, despite being blind, was able to appreciate the images through her other senses and by listening to the descriptions. As they looked at one particular photo, Angelo gently described it to Orca. "Hey, Orca, this one is a photo of Peony with a big smile, standing by a cherry blossom tree. She's holding a kite that she made herself. The wind is ruffling her hair, and you can almost feel the joy in the air."