Hanamizuki, Because Flowers Are Not Just Beautiful
Chapter 21: The Bond of the Heart

“The night is getting late, I'll drive you home.”

Carnation stood up and stretched his body slightly. But the 5 girls were still sitting in his place with their heads lowered.

“Hey hey, do you still feel sad until you can't move?”

“Nona Carnation! B-let me be here to guard this castle! I was worried that one of the members of the Kuroi Uta organization was attacking again!”

“Allow me too!”

“S-me too!”

“I am too!”

“I've always wanted to be by Riri-san—”'s side

“Tomorrow you still have to attend school lessons, I also forbid you to spend the night at a man's house. There is already a Camelyum by Riri's side, and I will also leave my flower spirit Dianthus here, so you don't have to worry!”

“But..”.

“I won't allow it! Rather than that I have a better idea than staying here overnight! Let's go home and do it tomorrow!”

In the end they 6 out of the castle Riri, although 5 of them still looks unwilling.

“Hei Dianthus, did you hear me?”

“Hoaaam..why else Miss? My task is done helping to restore the flow of mana Camelyum and that stupid Master.”.

Dianthus appeared behind Carnation in a sleep mode wearing only plain jerseys and shorts and a sleeping cap. When he realized in front of him there were 5 girls looking at him, he was immediately shocked not to play and immediately hid his body behind the back of Carnation.

“W-whooaa! Miss!! Why call me when I'm in this mode anyway!?”

“You stay here. Camelyum and Riri were still unable to move freely. Then I assign you control of the situation here and report everything that happened to me.”

“EEEHHHH………………….???? Miss—”

“It's a command, Dianthus.”

“Haah..iya Yes deh..”.

“Your flower spirit is so cute, Miss Carnation..”

Iris said a little laugh. Dianthus who heard it instantly disappeared.

“Hahaha, forget him, let's go home. I also have to strengthen the seal in this castle again so they can't see it.”

“Anu..Nona Carnation..”.

“Ya?”

“...Regarding the magic tournament..can we repeat..the award ceremony of the tournament winner trophy.... when Riri-sensei is healthy again..?”

Carnation did not answer him immediately. He had almost forgotten about the magic tournament because of this unexpected event. For the first and only time, class E managed to become a champion.

“At that time..I really wanted Riri-sensei to hand over the winning trophy to all of us..but..”.

“Ya, yes! You can repeat it, you are the champions! You have the right to do so! I'll tell him when he's recovered!”

“Thank you very much, Miss Carnation!”

Amaryliss immediately bowed deeply in respect, followed by Elder, Iris, Alstromeria as well as Typha.

“True too.the ceremony of the awarding of the trophy the winner of the magic tournament was indeed the most thrilling time…I'm sorry I forgot this and thought too much about that brat.”.

“It's okay, Miss Carnation..It's only natural not if a mother thinks about her son?”

“Yah..ayo, we go home..”.

...****************...

Where'sisthis? Did I make it inside?

This place I'm walking in is like a hallway. Not too narrow and not too broad. Not so dark and not so bright.

“What do-don't..this is in Riri's heart..?”

In this hallway I saw several doors on the right and left sides in different colors. On the right is brightly colored, on the left is dark, but the colors are alternating.

I stood in front of one of the doors, bright sky blue, written ‘happiness’ beautiful in front of the door.

“Happiness…? What is this..Riri happy feeling..?”.

I slowly opened the knob, and a blinding light immediately greeted me. The first sight I saw was an orphanage. There a lot of children playing happily. Furthermore.seen like a stronghold of the royal army, they were training diligently. They also look compact. Then I saw some girls in colorful clothes. It seems like a manga character, Riri does love Mahou Shoujo manga.

“Riri happy indeed polo—”

“AWW!! Uh! Sorry!”

Suddenly I got hit by someone, and it turns out he was…

“T-no, it's okay.”.

“Oh! You're Camelyum, right? Welcome to the happy world of Riri Hanamizuki!”

Yes, it was my Master Riri, but he looked very young, seemingly still a dozen years old. He was wearing very formal clothes, like clothes from the kingdom.

“Um...kau..Riri...?”.

“Oh yes, true! I'm 17 years old now!”

That was indeed him.His silver hair that became his trademark was still very short. This means that his life was about 6-7 years ago. True also..Riri used to be the leader and builder of the youngest royal army when he was 17...is he happy to do it until there is a happy part of the world?

“You have heard the story of Carnation-nee right..If I used to be the leader of the royal army, I was very happy to do it at that time! Besides, the children in the orphanage also like me a lot! Not only that, I always look forward to the Mahou Shoujo Eriri-chan manga that releases every week, every chapter must always be curious!”

I smiled hearing the story. Although he was 17 years old, he had experienced many things that not all children would experience, for example being the leader of the royal army and becoming a teacher in an orphanage.

“But lately.I have had trouble opening that door and making myself out there happy..”.

“Eh?”

This 17-year-old Riri suddenly lowered her head while sighing.

“Door..it?”

“Yes, that door you opened, I usually always easily open it and give happiness to the real me there. But lately every time I want to open it, I'm shocked, surely I'm out there in a terrible mess.”.

I was surprised to hear his explanation. What this young Riri said did have a point. Because I feel it myself. Even though he was smiling and looking fine, I knew that something was making him think. But I'm not sure what keeps him thinking.

“Did you come here to handle it, Camelyum?”

“I-iya, that is.I am strengthening the bond of heart between us, Riri. Because so far..our bond is not as strong as the other Masters.”.

“Sorry yes..Came-chan..”

“T-no, why are you sorry?”

“Maybe...because of my inability to summon flower spirits in his time.The bond I have with you is not as strong as other Masters in general.”.

“No, it's not your fault. Anyone must have advantages and disadvantages, I'm sure there is a meaning behind all this. Riri, I will make that door easy to reopen, so you can give happiness to the real Riri out there!”

Young Riri smiled happily, she held tightly to both of my hands.

“Please yes! My real self will be so happy! I'm counting on you Came-chan!”

After waving at the young Riri, I walked out of that ‘happiness’ door. I did feel a slight stream of stun on his knob.

“What hearts of other Masters also have this form.?”.

I walk to the next door on the left. Written ‘kemarahan’ there. I hesitated to open it. So far Riri has never looked angry, except when fighting.

“But I have to know everything, I will open!”

I quickly turned the knob, and when the door opened, there was only a dark room not so spacious, with its illumination using only candles and torches.

“Rash of anger Riri..but what can I see here..?”.

I stepped inside it, in this poorly lit room I didn't see much of anything strange. Riri is not the grumpy type of man, as Carnation-san told her. But still, all humans as good as anything must have a sense of anger in his heart.

My steps stopped when I saw a giant painting in front of my eyes. More precisely, Kuroi Uta's torn painting.

“If it's Kuroi Uta..Riri is always with high emotions when fighting against them—”

“SO IT'S YOU?! WHO HAS MADE MY ANGER PEAK!?”

When I heard the angry scream, I recognized his voice. It must be Riri version ‘kemarahan’.

“T-quiet Riri..a-aku Camelyum..”.

As I thrust my light sword towards the source of the sound, it was indeed my Master Riri, the anger version of Riri. In his silver hair were many black gray hairs, his two eyebrows were also furrowing downwards, he was grinding his teeth in anger. Even though I've seen Riri angry, she's not this bad.

“Damn, Camelyum?! You know, I thought that guy! If he shows up, I'll rip him to pieces!”

Even this Riri calls me fucking, the real Riri used to call me “Came-chan”. The angry Riri was scary. As much as I can I won't make him angry. I will also tell his students.

“Dia...who do you mean..?”.

“Of course people are constantly attacking me! Kuroi Uta is stupid! And who else is that Great Lord?! If I find him, I'll tear him to pieces, to molecules!”

Riri's anger was mostly due to Kuroi Uta's organization..Is there anything else that would make him very angry besides that?

“U..Master...Is there anything else that will lure your emotions...?”

Slowly I asked, Riri this version of anger I think is creepy.

“If you were looking in all corners of this room, you would know! Never mind, I'm going to sleep again!”

“B-okay..”.

“Riri rarely shows his anger.but if this room contains everything about what will make his anger rise.

The lack of illumination was enough to make me difficult, even though I already used the light on my sword. The anger is hard to give light.

“Uh…? K-why..?”.

I found a medium sized picture. It was a photo of Riri still wearing royal clothes, but the photo was torn apart like a Kuroi Uta painting.

“Why...you tore up a photo of yourself..?”.

“Hey, can you imagine? When your once great self is now nothing? Of course I'm mad at myself!”

Riri version of anger appears again behind the darkness. His forehead and eyebrows furrowed furiously. He grabbed the picture frame in my hand and slammed it and stepped on it.

“Stupid basis! Because of you, I'm nothing anymore! Riri Hanamizuki is a fool!”

“Master!”

I stopped him who was still trampling on his own photo with anger. I held his hand.

“Stop that, Master..you're still not too late..”.

“Still not too late what!? Because of my stupidity, everyone died! Everything's gone! I'm nothing anymore! How can I not blame myself!? Riri Hanamizuki, you're the dumbest man ever!”

Riri shouted in a high tone, I immediately hugged her body.

“No Master..do not blame yourself.I am here to assuage your anger..I will make this room brighter than now.You wait for me until then.You are not alone.Master.”.

His rapid heartbeat from anger I could feel as I hugged him. Slowly, the pulse returned to normal. I saw his face. He did not cry, but his eyes were teary.

“Leave it to you yes, Camelyum.”

I also came out of the door ‘kemarahan’ it. Her anger subsided a little as I said my promise to her. I'm here to ease your anger.

Then I walked to the next door, the door was gray and the inscription ‘sadness’ was engraved in front of him. But when I touched the knob, the door was already open.

“Riri's sad feeling..what's up so far...?”

Slowly I got into it. The first sight I saw in my eyes were steep, sharp cliffs. As well as the sky was also cloudy even the sound of thunder roars. Little rain. When I looked at those steep cliffs even further away, many corpses lay on the ground covered in blood. Some of the bodies were children.

“J-don't-don't..”

“NO! UNTIE ME!! I HAVE TO SAVE THEM!!”

“NO RIRI! YOU CAN'T! YOU CAN'T ANYMORE!!”

“LEPASKAAANNN!!!”

There was also a very young Carnation-san.it seemed to be a battleground for seeds when Riri was still the leader of the royal army.

Carnation-san holds Riri back from advancing to the front row on the battlefield despite Riri's rebellion. The enemy took many children by force. Of course Riri can't allow all that. He loves children very much.

“STOP CONTACTED RIRI! YOU DON'T HAVE A FLOWER SPIRIT AND YOU

ALREADY SERIOUSLY INJURED!”

THE DHOORR! THE DHOORR!

SLASSH SLASSH!

On the battlefield like this... Riri was unable to bring out his flower spirit..as well as he also lost all his abilities due to the injuries Carnation-san had told him..What kind of wound was it that actually made all his abilities disappear?

“I WILL NOT LET YOU..I WILL NOT LET YOU KILL THOSE INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!!”

“RIRI NO!!”

SLAASSH!!

I could not run from my place when I saw the terrible tragedy that was happening in front of me.

Riri's body was slashed by a sword until it was seriously injured. Simultaneously, the children who were forcibly taken by the enemy were all killed. Riri who was dying from injuries saw all that.

“NOT….NO...TIDAAAAAAAKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!”

I turned my body from that horrible sight. Who doesn't have pain to see it? Do loved ones have to die tragically in front of their own eyes?

I pressed my hand on my chest. That's why ‘Riri anger’ feels guilty to himself for his inability to save the children he should have been able to save. At that moment he had completely lost his ability.

“Since then I've lost everything.”

I raised my face when I heard a voice in front of me. It was Riri, but she was. His face was also dark. His silver hair was stained with blood red.

“Because of my incompetence..I cannot save children who should still have a future..Why am I not the only one killed!? Why even them!?”

Under this rainy sky, I knew that this Riri in front of me was crying. I couldn't open my mouth to return his words.

“Not...man cannot...be defeated by himself…? Isn't..that's the attitude..a loser…? Why...why am I so weak…? If...I lose by myself.I will never be able to beat anyone!”.

Riri dropped both of his knees to the ground and his right hand punched the ground hard.

“If only...I am not this weak..I am sure...could call you right then..Camelyum...why can't I be anything....still given life....?”

“No, Master!”

I knelt down and hugged him. I could take a closer look at the dried bloodstains on her silver hair. I slowly tried to remove it with my hand gently rubbing the strands of hair.

“Now you have been able to call me, Master..never regret again..”.

“It's too late! If only I could call you back then—”

“No, Master please, it is never too late while you still have your breath, Master.”.

“Camelyum..”.

“At this time you are still able to protect many children with the abilities you have now.you can still give them a future.”.

“I...can no longer..”.

“No! You can still! Even you keep coming to Hanatarou academy right even though the whole school is looking at you with a dislike look?”

“I..”

“Riri-sensei?”

“Sensei?”

“Riri-sensei!”

“Sensei!”

“Riri-san?”

I turned around and looked at these 5 girls from Hanatarou academy who were behind were always by Riri's side. Amaryliss, Elder, Iris, Alstromeria and Typha.

“I..”

“Master..no word too late.you can still fight in the present for the future.”.

I'm not sure if my words can make it will not get worse into the past that I see. All I can do is be the place to lean.

“Everyone has looked at me with one eye..because of my weakness.”.

“We already know everything, sensei..”.

“Sensei is still our teacher who makes us champions!”

“We never compared Sensei's past life with now”

“Riri-sensei is Riri-sensei!"

“Riri-san is still the Riri-san I like.”

The look on Riri's face changed slightly when she saw the 5 students smiling at her. I guess this is exactly what the real teacher-student relationship is. They trust each other.

After that the shadow of his 5th disciple was lost. The sky that had been raining heavily started to subside a little.

“Lately...’happiness’ always blocks that door when I'm about to get out..Maybe I'm out there really sad, but happiness forcefully prevents me from going out..I am like that.”.

I cannot fully feel that my Master is sad because he is always smiling.

“M-forgive me..Riri..I can't feel clearly that you're sad..”.

Riri got up and looked at the sky. He slightly smiled at her smile.

“Since I did not want anyone to see me sad, I will have to be a role model for the children out there, then I can not cry!”

Still even so, one cannot continue to hold his emotions like that.

“Master..if you..if you want to open that door...just do it..”.

“Eh what?”

“Whoever...be it a man or a woman.cannot keep holding back his emotions like this..if you want to cry..crying is okay..You have nowhere to lean.

Riri returned my grasp, she smiled again.

“It...quite difficult.because I'm used to it. As much as possible I'll hold back from opening this door for my sake out there, well Camelyum, I'm so glad you could meet me here. There's still a door you have to open there.”

Suddenly I was outside the door ‘sadness’. The door's locked tight.

One more door I need to open. The color is brighter than the other door. Written ‘cinta’.

“Love..ya..”.