Temple Girl
Chapter 2 Moving Forward

This spring seemed to come sooner than in previous years, Chiharu's black mane flew as she ran to welcome cherry blossoms and plum blossoms in front of the temple where she now lives, now exactly three months Chiharu lives there. Eating simple but delicious food, studying musical instruments vigorously no matter whether his hands become rough or even when he is out of breath when playing the flute.

Everything felt pleasant when Mr. Qi was beside him, just like this time. The man in his ever-white everyday clothes sat there, enjoying a light cup of tea while enjoying the atmosphere. He often smiled a little when he heard Chiharu's laughter that sounded happy without burden. It should have been from the beginning, Mr. Qi stared at his hands.

Sighing for a moment before then hiding behind his upholstered clothes, his daydream came to a realization as Chiharu approached cheerfully. Carrying a blob of flowers in his wound, giving it all to Mr. Qi. Not only that, he chatted long about the flowers that had fallen.

"Are you happy Chiharu?" mister Qi asked gently without leaving a smile, he waited for an answer while sipping his tea.

The girl nodded in excitement, "And it is my greatest happiness Sir, you are the greatest music teacher. You can do anything, I like you very much." said Chiharu Long, his face was radiant with happiness.

Mr. Qi stood up from his seat, "come in, even though it has been spring outside it remains cold." and without refuting Chiharu immediately nodded, he followed Master Qi's big steps. Entering their homes.

***

Chiharu and Tuan Qi's activities are very diverse, in the morning Chiharu helps clean the temple where they live, then during the day during the cold snowy weather they both will spend time inside the temple. Chatting about anything, and often Mr. Qi advises Chiharu patiently. And at night before bed, Chiharu will learn traditional music such as flute and guzheng.

It didn't take long until the two became close, and today was the day that the flowers had bloomed. Throwing away the winter without being restless, so Mr. Qi wanted to take Chiharu for a walk. The forest is the most beautiful place when spring, where flowers bloom and fill all places.

And Chiharu had prepared with his simple clothes, made of the same material as Master Qi's clothes. White and clean, Chiharu roars her black mane, when entering the forest Chiharu is enchanted because the forest is so colorful. It was so different the last time he was there, it was so dark and cold.

The girl could not bear to immediately scatter in the depths of the forest, she ran here and there cheerfully. Pick up the fallen flowers, collect them while laughing cheerfully. Behind Chiharu, Mr. Qi was walking slowly. Enjoying the wind gently rubbing her face, raise her hand to catch the pink flower that fell on her hand.

"I want to study the plants, Mr. Qi." exclaimed the little girl, running over and thrusting out the flowers she had managed to gather. The typical voice of his children feels so comfortable, not noisy but throw loneliness.

Master Qi smiled, gently stroking the top of the child's head. "What else do you want to learn? I will teach it to you." said Mr. Qi felt light. Enjoying every atmosphere present, instilling in his heart, remembering with his blood and bones.

"I want to be able to heal people because Mr. Qi is also healing me, I want to be strong in order to protect Mr. Qi, then I also want to be reliable playing music like Mr. Qi. Then I also want to be able to cook good food like Mr. Qi, so much that I want to learn."

Chiharu's chattering inevitably made a smile rise brightly from the corner of Mr. Qi's lips, all the wishes of the girl were always in contact with him. "Is there nothing you want to do without me in it?" the question was able to silence Chiharu's voice.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head quickly. "Everything is meaningless without you, Mr. Qi." the statement made the man, who was not a human, smile sadly, in his smallest heart he wished. That he wanted a little longer with this child, even though he knew that desire was so selfish.

***

Then after their journey from the forest that time, Master Qi actually did as per their conversation last time. The man begins to teach Chiharu the medicines with the knowledge that he knows, he starts to take Chiharu cooking for their food for Chiharu to learn them. Chiharu is taught how to protect herself with her small body when in danger, and promises that she will teach Chiharu the sword as the girl grows a little more.

He had already recorded the things he had to teach Chiharu in his head adjusting his steps so as not to be burdened and still be able to play cheerfully, and the girl had completely absorbed all the lessons that Master Qi had taught without exception. Like a wet sponge, Chiharu continues to absorb it without feeling enough. Until a few months passed Chiharu had almost mastered what he was learning.

And after a few months, Chiharu quickly learned the musical instrument that Mr. Qi had always taught her. With a few months he can master guzeng, erhu, and flute. And the feeling of joy he felt more and more, when sometimes Mr. Qi asked him to play the music, accompanying Mr. Qi to sleep soundly without being disturbed.

Then at this time Chiharu was reading a medicine book written by Mr. Qi himself to be his daily meal, the weak little girl had now become the smartest and most talented girl among the other children. The girl who first drooped weakly was now able to run fast without looking back, smiling cheerfully, down life as it should.

A light pat on his shoulder made Chiharu turn her head, she laughed wide as Mr. Qi sat down beside her. Under a large shaded plum tree, right behind the temple. The gurgling sound of the river can be heard when they both are silent, becoming a tranquil music between the two.

"I know you like to learn a lot, but don't get too tired." Mr. Qi confirmed his net binders, he dyed them and smiled again when he realized that he had been noticed by the little girl next to him.

Curious Chiharu can't stand it, with his curiosity about things he doesn't know. He was very bold to ask, "Master Qi apologizes if this offended you earlier," and the small boy's politeness was enough to make a gap of admiration for Mr. Qi's heart.

"I don't understand why you close your eyes, I'm pretty sure that you're not blind sir. Because you're so good at teaching me, you don't need my help walking. However, why do you always close it." The long and polite question was uttered with a single breath, the black eyeballs sparkled waiting for an answer.

Mr. Qi just smiled wistfully, he touched his eyelids. Taking a breath and exhaling, "it looks like you're too young for me to tell you, Chiharu."

A look of disappointment and sadness managed to rise on the face of the little girl who now cheeked and healthy all over, at least she felt disappointed because not told. However, Mr. Qi definitely had a reason why this six-year-old of his was not told. In the recesses of his soul, Chiharu wants to get big soon and quickly find out everything.

"However," Mr. Qi's voice came back slowly, "I'll show you both eyes to me."

Slowly Mr. Qi landed his fingers on the rope that always covered his face, it was no big deal when it came to just showing how his face was without eye-binding. After all, Chiharu is still so small. He will not remember when he grew up.

And when the bond was released Chiharu was stunned back until her mouth was slightly gaping, Master Qi really is very beautiful. Beautiful alone can not show out his usual self, Mr. Qi is so radiant, clean, shining, handsome and very dazzling. Making Chiharu realize that Mr. Qi is different from himself and other humans who have met him in the past.

The two eyeballs were so clear in bright blue, even if Chiharu brought his face closer and reflected on Mr. Qi's eyeball. The shadow of that face would be reflected, because the eyeball was so clear. Too beautiful to be unexplainable by words, not even any precious stone could match its clarity.

Then the next words of the little boy managed to touch Mr. Qi's heart, hurting him a little and making him sad. "You really don't look like a human being."

The To Be Continued..

(Master Qi without blindfold)

Reminds me once again that this storyline is slow.

Enjoy Reading's...