"We're here," Akira said with a small smile as he led Izumi up the long stone staircase leading toward Kanzanji Temple.
The air gradually became cooler with every step they climbed. A gentle breeze drifted through the mountain, carrying with it the refreshing scent of pine trees, damp earth, and the freshwater of Lake Hamana below.
The winding path slowly pulled them away from the busy streets of modern Musutafu, replacing the distant sounds of traffic with nothing but rustling leaves and birdsong.
For Izumi, it felt as though she had stepped into another world.
Towering Japanese cedar trees stood proudly on both sides of the ancient stone pathway. Their thick trunks were wrapped in rough bark that had endured centuries of wind and rain, while vibrant emerald moss carpeted their sprawling roots, making them resemble sleeping giants peacefully guarding the mountain.
Nestled among those roots were countless stone fox statues, the sacred kitsune.
Each statue honored Inari, the deity of prosperity and harvest. Time had weathered the foxes, leaving cracks and faded stone across their bodies, yet their sharp eyes still seemed alive. Around every fox's neck hung a bright crimson bib, lovingly tied there by worshippers over many years.
Rows of sakura trees lined the remainder of the path. Since spring had yet to arrive, every branch stood bare against the sky. Their twisting limbs stretched overhead like intricate ink paintings, while countless tiny flower buds rested silently upon each branch, patiently waiting for the season that would awaken them into breathtaking beauty.
Akira quietly admired the scenery. 'It really is beautiful...' Even in his previous life, he had always wanted to visit places like this. Unfortunately, life had never given him either the money or the opportunity.
Now, somehow, after dying and being reborn, he finally could. The staircase eventually ended before the temple's main hall.
Its enormous sweeping roof curved elegantly toward the heavens, covered in dark copper tiles that had gradually weathered into a soft bluish-green over decades of mountain air.
Supporting the roof were massive wooden beams painted a brilliant cinnabar red that stood out vividly against the surrounding emerald forest.
Izumi's emerald eyes sparkled. "It's so pretty..." Akira nodded. "It is."
The two children stepped quietly into the Haiden, the public prayer hall. Inside, the scent of polished cypress wood mixed with the lingering fragrance of ancient incense, creating a calm atmosphere that naturally encouraged silence.
Large white paper lanterns hung from the dark wooden rafters overhead, swaying gently whenever the mountain breeze slipped inside.
Their warm light danced across the polished floorboards, creating moving shadows that gave the hall an almost mystical feeling.
Beyond the heavy bamboo blinds lay the inner sanctuary. Even from a distance, faint reflections of gold leaf decorations, polished brass mirrors, and rows upon rows of miniature white ceramic foxes could be seen resting peacefully upon the shrine.
Neither child spoke as the quietness itself seemed sacred. Together, they stood before the offering box.
Akira clasped his hands as beside him, Izumi did the same. Neither of them prayed aloud. Instead, each offered a silent wish known only to themselves.
After finishing their prayers, they gently grasped the thick braided ropes hanging before the shrine.
DONG...
The great bell echoed throughout the mountain. The deep sound rolled across the forest before slowly fading into silence once more.
Following proper etiquette, both children clapped their hands three times before bowing respectfully.
Only then did they turn around and leave the prayer hall. Outside, the mountain remained peaceful.
Without the cherry blossoms blooming, Kanzanji Temple was almost deserted. Aside from an occasional visitor, only the monks and shrine maidens who maintained the temple lived nearby.
In another month or two, however, this quiet place would transform completely.
Thousands of cherry blossoms would bloom together, covering the mountain in soft pink petals while visitors from all across Japan gathered for the annual sakura festival.
But today...It belonged entirely to them.
The cool breeze gently played with Izumi's green hair as she hurried beside Akira, barely able to contain her excitement anymore.
She puffed out her cheeks slightly before folding her arms. "You've been making me wait this whole time," she complained, although the smile on her face betrayed any real annoyance. "Come on, tell me already! What's my birthday present?"
Akira looked at her for a moment before a mysterious smile appeared on his face.
"You've waited this long."
"I'm sure you can wait just a little longer." Izumi immediately pouted.
"Aki-kun..." She stretched his nickname into a long whine while lightly tugging on his sleeve. "Pleeease?"
Akira almost laughed. 'She really has mastered the puppy-eye technique.'
Unfortunately for Izumi...He had developed resistance after using it against All Might countless times.
He simply smiled and shook his head. "No spoilers."
Izumi let out an exaggerated sigh before crossing her arms dramatically. "You're mean."
"I prefer mysterious."
"Hmph."
She looked away with an adorable little huff that only made Akira smile wider. 'She really is nothing like the gloomy version of the anime. It's all thanks to me, of course.'
Around him...She laughed, smiled and complained. She acted like an ordinary ten-year-old girl.
And honestly...He preferred seeing this version of Izumi far more than the lonely child he remembered from the anime.
Because if there was one thing he had promised himself after meeting her...It was that she would never have to carry that loneliness again.