Kurozome

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Ouka ryouran no you ni ~When the king blooms profusely like cherry blossom flowers~


Long, long time ago, in an ancient village named Komachi placed in the Starwood Strand of the Starfall Isles, a certain married dragon couple used to live. They were unable to conceive their own offspring, so they decided to plant an illuminating cherry blossom tree in order to confirm their profusely blooming love. The tree was growing brilliantly as the couple was slowly getting older. They deeply believed that their tree had its own soul and mind. As if it were their own real child. Actually, it seemed to perceive, breathe and feel on its own. Eventually, two dragons perished, leaving the astonishing ‘living’ cherry tree behind.

Hundreds of years later as the rumors about the living tree was spreading around, the cherry tree was still in good condition, pleasing viewers’ eyes with bewitching light crimson flowers every single year.

Thousands of whirled up petals dancing around in commotion, dragged along a middle-aged dragon Kuronushi who was aiming for the imperial throne. He decided to erect a tent nearby the cherry blossom.

Yet, indeed there was something unusual about that tree…

`Ah, this magnificently blooming tree will become a wonderful material for the shrine I want to build in order to pray for my successful mission. I’m going to cut it down the day after tomorrow.`, lord Kuronushi murmured with some wicked grin on his muzzle, being completely unaware.

Walls have ears though…

That night was warm and pleasant. The wind was quietly blowing through the cherry blossom branches making them gently sway. A certain children song sung beautifully started to resound, breaking the peaceful silence.

Looking through holes in the basket,
Where a certain bird dwells,
When, ah, when will it come out?
In the evening of dawn
The crane and turtle slipped
Can you tell who stands behind you?

The reverberated lyrics made Kuronushi’s curiosity go outside his tent. What he saw in front of his eyes was a fascinatingly elegant lady dressed in eloquent, dyed in light pink clothes with cherry blossom flowers’ pattern. The silhouette was approaching towards Kuronushi as the middle-aged dragon’s heart was beating faster and faster.

`My name is Kurozome, I am a high-class courtesan. Shall I accompany you this wondrous night?`, the lady spoke with an outstretched paw

The lord agreed instantly, told his servant to prepare some booze and he invited young lady to his tent.

Let’s play…

The accompaniment of shamisen was pleasantly resounding, Kurozome was gladly serving alcohol and entertaining him with her most complex dances step by step making him intoxicated enough.

Alcohol reveals one’s true heart

`Ah, mighty Kuronushi, what are you doing here in this moldy place?` she asked carefully, when he seemed to be done.

`I’m preparing myself to overthrow the current emperor. I’m aiming to become one myself! Look, lady Kurozome, can you see this charmingly blooming cherry tree? I’ll soon transform it into the shrine where I can pray for my success`, Kuronushi started to laugh hysterically.

`Is that so…`, Kurozome wasn’t even smirking. Her face crooked immediately into a bitter smile. She lost her temper in a blink of an eye. Her appearance resembled more like that of a frightening apparition then. Middle-aged dragon’s bloody eyes opened widely in confusion.

`Wh..Who are YOU?`

`Me? I’m Kurozome, THAT charming cherry tree spirit. Shall I curse you for hundreds of generations, may you lose in the endless cycle of death and rebirth, may your children be damned for eternity along with your very existence. You’ve been warned so far. Next time you will be dead.`, she yelled and then disappeared into hazy mist.

Good night.

Kuronushi fell asleep as if nothing happened. When he woke up on the next day, he thought he just had some bad dream. His head was hurting as if it was going to explode.

Middle-aged dragon finally fulfilled his conception and cut off the tree. But it wasn’t an end…

Doors have eyes…

Cherry blossom lady materialized herself one more time. Seeing her appearance once again, so Kuronushi was paralyzed that he couldn’t move his body even for an inch. Her agonizing cries and her dim figure itself pierced through his head making it truly burst open.

Farewell.

Then Kurozome left that place…Leaving behind pink and crimson petals scattered around.