A phoenix Obsession

Embers

Have you heard?

In the middle of the bamboo forest, lies a mansion, known as Eientei. There, lives a doctor, who can cure any type of disease, a shy girl who sells the medicine that the doctor creates at the Human Village, a small child that, when seen, would grant you good luck. But the centerpiece of this: the princess. The princess that, with her overwhelming beauty, elegance, grace and femininity, turns the many head of men. Many have tried to court her hand in marriage but fail to do so.

However, the path there is not an easy one. You have to traverse the infamous, Bamboo Forest of the Lost. As the name implies, the Bamboo Forest of the Lost is famous for how maze-like the area is: bamboo after bamboo, the flat surface that are indistinguishable, bamboos that are as tall as the mountain itself, you will get disoriented in no time. Unless necessary, no one dare enter and as for anyone who enter without an appropriate measure, would immediately be consider dead. Only a fool would willingly enter this area without preparing themselves first.

"This suck," a man, laying on the ground facing the night sky inside the bamboo forest, audibly says to no one. He looks to his right and left, yup, only bamboos. He is now currently lost and has no clue how to get back. The fool of a man has a reason for entering this place,

It was night at the Human Village. The good children went on home and the family are having a nice relaxing dinner in the comfort of their own home. For others, they turn to the shops that are open at night. This also include the man. The man, currently are dining with his buddies at Geidontei, drinking their night away. They talk about random things: how their work has been, their life, anything. But then, the topic reaches towards girls, and what they like about them.

"... it has to be the butts, man. I'm telling you," one of his friend –on the chubbier side- said.

"Yeah yeah. Get back to me when you get better taste," his other friend, body a bit buffer than his, replied while taking a swig of beer. He then continues, "Oh yeah, I just remembered. Have you guys heard about the people living in that bamboo area?" he asked.

"Can't say I have..." the man replied.

"You mean Eientei?" the chubby friend asked.

"Yeah, yeah, that place," he points to the chubby one, "You see. My friend here recently, he went to that place. He needed some kind of treatment for his ailing mother. His stash ran out. So, he went there, yeah, and after he purchased the medicine, he stumbled upon this beautiful girl. Long black hair, petite and well-mannered," the man perked up, but his buff friend didn't realize, "He said he fell for her. Love at first sight, he said. You know what he did?" he looked at the two. After seeing that they both shake their heads, he continues, "He confessed. That dumbass confessed to her. Of course, he got rejected but man, was he shaken. Heartbroken ever since," another swig.

"Wow, what a dumbass," the chubby friend agreed. Before the two could say anything, the man stood up, startling the two.

"H-how did she look like again?" the man asked.

"Hm? Long black hair, petite. Well-mannered her personality, or so what my friend said."

"Like a Yamato Nadeshiko, right?!" he raised his voice. Some patrons were looking now, but they pay him no mind.

"Yamato Na- oh right. I forgot. That's your type," the buff man scoffed, "One of those, 'ideals' wife? Forgot you like them pure like that."

"Oh man oh man, can't believe that a girl of my dreams is right close to me," the man excitedly said, "Sorry boys, but I have to cut this short, but my wife is waiting for me," he fished out the amount that he needed to pay and place it on a plate. He started to move but before that,