Strange Cards

Chapter 486 My name is Tsubaki Ya

Chun smiled as she spoke, seemingly unafraid of death.

"At first, as an orphan, I was taken back to the Otherworld by the boss."

"My life was very short. At that time, my boss took me everywhere to seek medical treatment, just in order to keep me alive."

"But everyone said I wouldn't survive, and in the end, it seemed like even the boss gave up."

"Finally, the eldest brother asked me if I wanted to give myself a name."

"I've thought about it, and I think I'd better tell you."

"When you come into this world, you may not leave a deep enough mark on it, but at least you should leave your own name."

"There must be at least one name to prove that someone once came into this world."

"At the time, I only had a name that was like a nickname. After thinking it over, I decided to name myself Chun."

"The 'chun' in 'chun ya' (椿芽)."

"Toona sinensis buds only live for a short period of time each year, and they only grow in spring."

"Once spring is over, the toon buds will wither, just like my life."

"The boss tried every means to prolong my life with strange cards, but this life that was extended many years ago has been punished many years later."

"The eldest brother once said something that was right: the longer you live, the more you tend to lose."

"You are like that, and so am I."

"We have all lost the most important person in our lives."

"Now, I'm going over there too."

As Chun spoke, she hugged Shigure and, with all her might, took out the sickle and the slender red sword and placed them aside.

"Don't worry, I'm just back with everyone."

"I just went back to where I should have been long ago."

"Everything has simply returned to normal; there's no need to worry about it."

"I probably won't be able to leave behind a body, so please bury these things for me."

"I left graves for everyone in the back mountain of the Otherworlders' base, and I also left one for myself."

"No one left behind any bodies; they were all cenotaphs."

"After I die, please help us erect a monument and inscribe our deeds on it."

"Let future generations judge right and wrong, but I only want the world to know that we once existed."

"It once existed for this world."

"I don't want their burning desires to be buried in a cold grave with me when I die."

"I don't want this to happen."

Chun started crying as she spoke, but Shigure, looking at Chun who was hugging him, still didn't push her away.

After a while, Tsubaki gently pushed Shigure away, took out two photos from her person, and slapped them into Shigure's hand.

Shi Yu looked at the photograph that had been eroded by time, and her pupils instantly contracted.

"you..."

"Why did you bring this photo out?"

"Look below, there's one more."

Shiyu touched it and found that there really was another photo.

Although the photos below are also full of the marks of time, they have not been eroded by time like the photo that Shiyu left at the orphanage back then.

The photo had yellowed, but the person in it was still clearly visible.

Shi Yu looked at herself standing in the corner taking a group photo, and the little girl standing next to her holding her hand, and then murmured to herself.

"Where did you get this photo?"

"You found her?"

Chun nodded, gave a smile, and then said.

"Yes, I found it."

"That little girl found you a long time ago, but you just forgot about her and never remembered her."

"That little girl has always been by your side, and she still is now."

Upon hearing Tsubaki say those words, Shigure instantly turned to look at Tsubaki in front of him.

"You...you are..."

"Are you a crybaby?"

"Damn it! At a time like this! Don't call me by my childhood nickname!"

Chun angrily raised her fist as if to hit him, but she didn't actually do it.

After a long silence, Shiyu murmured.

Why?

Why didn't you tell me your identity sooner?

Chun smiled, revealing a bright smile.

Looking at that bright smiling face, Shigure combined it with the smiling face he remembered from his childhood, and then completely confirmed Chun's identity.

Perhaps everything can change, but a smile will not.

That smiling face confirmed Shigure's suspicions about Chun's identity.

Chun gently wiggled her toes and said with a smile.

"Because I don't want to acknowledge you as the villain."

"At first, I did intend to acknowledge you directly, but you joined the Hunters, and I'm with the Otherworlders; we're mortal enemies."

"I can't let myself hold you back, even knowing that you'll eventually join us."

"You have someone you love now, it wouldn't be right for me to bother you."

I've always liked you, from when I was a child until now.

"But I know that there has always been someone living in your heart. When you were a child, your heart was filled with hatred, and when you grew up, your heart was filled with Bai Yu."

"I won't compete for your love, I just need to like you."

"I don't know why I like you, but isn't liking someone just a matter of reason?"

"I've never dared to tell you my identity, for fear that you would think of me if you knew."

"Since that's the case, I might as well keep it a secret forever, but now that I'm about to die, I'm not going to keep it from you anymore."

"Before he died, the eldest brother said, 'Don't let yourself have any regrets in your life.'"

"I don't want to have any regrets, so I've revealed my identity to you."

As Chun spoke, she pressed her forehead against Shigure's, closed her eyes, and smiled.

"I love you, I really, really love you."

"Perhaps it's because you stood up for me when I was a child, or perhaps it's because of the days we relied on each other in the orphanage."

"Or perhaps it was because of our unexpected separation back then that your image has always occupied a very important place in my heart."

I don't expect you to reciprocate my love; you just need to know that there is always someone who loves you.

"I'm sorry, I can't accompany you on the rest of the journey."

"The road ahead will be tough, and you'll have to walk it alone."

As Chun spoke, she draped the cloak over Shigure's shoulders, and after hesitating for a long time, she patted Shigure's head.

After completing her final action, Tsubaki seemed to have fulfilled some wish, and her body dissipated even faster.

"You must keep living, you must live well."

"You must live well."

I don't ask for any place in your heart, but I only ask one thing of you.

"Don't forget me, don't forget everything about me."

I love you, remember me.

After Chun finished speaking, her entire body almost dissipated, with only a thin layer remaining, desperately clinging to her body and refusing to dissipate.

"I'll remember, my name is Tsubaki Ya."

"The 'chun' in 'chun ya' (椿芽), and the 'ya' in 'xiao ya' (小雅)."

"You have to remember that~"

After saying that, Chun completely disappeared, and then a tear fell from the spot where Chun disappeared, landing on the back of Shigure's hand.

Shi Yu stared blankly at the glistening teardrops on the back of her hand for a long time before murmuring something.

Why...?

"Will it rain inside the room?"