The port is sure full today. We're heading to an island named Sakuramura Island for a job with Tatenashi-san and Kanzashi-chan. I heard from Tatenashi-san that there's a festival over that island. The island is located on the north of Fiore, and as the name of the island says, the island has cherry blossoms/sakura blooming all around the year! That may sound awesome for anyone as sakura only blooms in spring every year, so it's quite rare to see sakura blooming. But, for me it's nightmare.

"Hora Zane-kun, stop spacing out! We'll miss the ferry!" Tatenashi-san shook me.

We finally reached the port after an 8 hour journey.

"Ohh sorry about that. I was just thinking, is there any sakura trees blossoming on the island since the island has sakura in it's name."

"It is true, Zane-san. In fact, the sakura trees around that island blooms for the whole year! Look at these pictures." Kanzashi-chan used her Archive and searched for the island's information.

As the one who found this out just now, I felt like my soul suddenly left my body after a tremendous shock.

"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Tatenashi-san moved her head towards me to see the pictures on the screen.

"Wait, if there's that many sakura trees, maybe Zane-kun shouldn't come." Tatenashi-san continued.

"Why?"

"Zane-kun can't really stand it when there are sakura flowers around him. He will be so weak that even a punch could knock him out cold."

"When did he get that!?"

"As a cost to remove my motion sickness. All Dragon Slayers have motion sickness, but the old man helped me remove it. As an exchange, I got that sickness. Tatenashi-san was really special, she also got her motion sickness removed but she doesn't have a side effect. She's the only Dragon Slayer I met so far who doesn't have motion sickness."

"Hue hue, this onee-san is very special you know."

"But, Onee-chan always sleeps whenever she's on a vehicle right?"

"Ohh, that's just her being lazy."

"Tehe!" She smiled while making a peace sign, trying to act cute.

"I see. Anyway, we should reject the quest since Zane-san cannot go to that island." Kanzashi-chan suggested.

"Well, I would say that, but Zane-kun is pretty stubborn. He won't let you do that."

"Tatenashi-san right, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I'll use this chance to train up my weakness against sakura."

"But….."

"Okay! The ship has arrived. Let's go!" Tatenashi-san pushed us into the ship.

I was actually scared when we were on the ship. I was scared that when we arrived, I could possibly fall on my knees as soon as I leave the boat. I don't want to create any trouble for Tatenashi-san and Kanzashi-chan.

"Well, all I have to do is to face it right? As soon as we get down the ship, I will cover my eyesight to prevent me seeing sakuras. I will have to rely on my hearing to guide me." I thought.

But then, I could detect the presence of the sakura. That cherry atmosphere that signifies the arrival of spring. That atmosphere makes me quite sick too. If it wasn't for this weakness, I wouldn't hate spring that much. What should I do?'

"Uhh... Zane-san?" Kanzashi-chan called me.

I turned around and looked at her.

"What is it?"

"I….. No... Onee-chan and I will protect you!"

"Huh?"

"We will protect you... As soon as we reach the island, we will go to the nearest home stay. Then, you could rest in there. We can handle the quest ourselves."

"Nope, I'm coming with you. I can't be so selfish, leaving the quest to you two. I will help out too."

"Zane-san, please don't push yourself any further!" Kanzashi-chan raised her voice.

That caught everyone's attention. Kanzashi-chan immediately turned red and lowered her head, trying to hide. That pretty cute.

Tatenashi-san finally woke up.

"What's the ruckus?" She said as she rubbed her eyes.

A voice suddenly filled the ship. It was from the speaker on the walls.

"The ship is going to reach Sakuramura Island soon. Everyone, please take be seated at your own places. Thank you for boarding on this ship. We hope everyone enjoyed and we looked forward to service you again."

"Zane-kun, what are you going to do now?" Tatenashi-san asked.

"Finish the quest and go home."

"Hey, be more specific! This is a serious matter!" She pouted.

"You're the last person I want to hear the serious word coming out of your mouth. Anyway, I'm serious. If I can't take it, just ignore me. I'm fine on my own and I don't want to trouble you two. This is a problem I have to face head on myself."

"Got it. Don't regret on your choice now. Well, I guess you're just going to kiss the ground as soon as we see a sakura tree."

"I'm not that weak okay!"

"Wait... Onee-chan, you gonna leave him alone?"

"It's his choice, although this onee-san will be sad to be seperated with him for a while."

She has something up her sleeve. She won't be that carefree unless she has a plan, I have to be careful about her actions.

The ship stopped. Passengers slowly walked out of the boat one by one. When we were near to the exit, Tatenashi-san reached her hand out to me. For what? To knock me unconscious. It was so sudden I couldn't see her attack.

I blacked out and collapsed on the floor.

"Zane-kun?! Are you okay?'

"Huh? What happened?" The worker there came over the scene and asked if everything was alright.

"It's okay. He just fainted, probably due to his motion sickness."

That's some serious acting skills she has there. One of the guards helped them to send me to the hospital.

I just let my guard down when I told myself to be cautious! How careless!

I woke up in a very bright place. The lights were shining right on top of me. I was still uncertain what happened. I got up and looked around. I was in a hospital. The door opened. It was Tatenashi-san.

"Zane-kun, you woke up. Good morning."

"What did you do to me? Why did I end up here?"

"Well, well, calm down. This onee-san never did anything bad to you. I just knocked you out and send you to the hospital. Then Kanzashi-chan and I finished the job. You woke up at the perfect timing, it's night now." Tatenashi-san explained.

"I see... You got me."

"I know right? Isn't your girlfriend awesome?"

I chuckled. She walked closer to me and sat on the chair beside my bed.

"Zane-kun, you're not angry?"

"I am, but what can I do now? If you two are okay, I'm fine."

"Of course we're okay, there's me and Diana to protect Kanzashi-chan. By the way, are you feeling well?"

I looked around for a while and realised all the windows were closed and covered by the curtains.

"Yeah, I can't really see or sense any sakura trees here."

She whispered at my ear

"Just for your information, this onee-san chopped down all nearby sakura trees."

"I see. Then let's go out for a walk then and see if it's true."

"Hppmm, Zane-kun's challenging me, but I can't do it….."

Huh? Tatenashi-san is backing down on a challenge?

"I don't want to put Zane-kun in risk…."

"That's means you didn't even chopped down the trees, right?"

"Oops, got busted." she laughed.

"Anyway, Zane-kun, does your sickness goes off even at night?"

"About that... I don't know. I never tried that, wanna do it now?"

"No no no no... Of course not! We are going home tomorrow so rest up and be prepared for tomorrow."

"Tatenashi-san, I want to talk a walk now. You'll never know until you try, let's give it a shot."

"Mpph, I understand. Don't worry, I'll be right at your side is anything happens." she nodded.

"Haha, thanks. It's rare to see you being so obedient, it's cute."

"Zane-kun, when I want to help you, you laugh at me!" Tatenashi-san shouted.

"Sorry sorry."

Since I was planning to do that, We decided to head back during night time. Now I was just hoping that I don't collapse before we reached the port. But things never go well for me…

As soon as I walked out from the hospital, an overwhelming presence gushed at me. I tried to hold it on. My heart was throbbing, like it wants to come out. The beautiful pink petals on the tree were still visible and standing out even it was at night. With a light breeze, the petals fell like snow. As we walked further, the situation worsens. My sight was hazy, I couldn't walked properly. Tatenashi-san was supporting me the whole time. I felt so powerless and dropped on the floor. I felt sick. I could hear them calling out my name.

"Zane-kun! Zane-kun!"

I tried to hold on and stood up again. As soon as one foot was up, when I tried to move the other, it collapsed back. The girls were grabbing me, trying to get me up. I stopped moving to create less trouble for them. Tatenashi-san finally got me up.

"What should we do now?!" Kanzashi-chan was panicking. Tatenashi-san didn't say a word and looked at me. I couldn't see it properly, but Tatenashi-san had her serious face. She continued moving to the bridge that connects the town with the port. She used water to support me and moved me alongside her.

"Hora Zane-kun, where did your previous bravado go? Fight it!"

I nearly her words loud and clear. I tighten my fist and gathered strength on my legs, and slowly regain conscious. With all my strength, I placed one foot on the ground, followed by the other.

I was standing up straight with my head up facing Tatenashi-san. I could see her smile.

In the next moment, I collapsed again but Tatenashi-san was in time to catch me. So in the end, I was able to hold up for two minutes from the start to the end.

A woman passed by us. She asked Kanzashi-chan what happened. I can't follow up their conversation anyway. They walked to another place. It was a house. Where are we going?

I passed out again? Or wait, did I fall asleep?

"Ohh, Zane-kun, good morning." Tatenashi-san greeted me.

"Good morning. Where are we?"

"We're at Misaki-san's house. She a good Onee-san who let us stay here while your sick."

"Misaki-san?"

"Yup, she the lady we met last night."

A lady walked in. She has long black hair until her waist and she wears a long white one piece dress with flower embroidery. I assumed she around 25 years old.

"Oh? You're finally awake. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. Thank you for letting us stay here, we'll leave soon."

"Ya, say all you want. The moment you step out from the door, you'll be licking the floor." Tatenashi-san laughed.

"Tatenashi-san right. You should stay here until you feel better." Misaki-san agreed with her.

I went along with them as I don't want to create any more trouble to anyone. I got up and ask Tatenashi-san where's the bathroom. She followed me while giving me directions.

Misaki-san gasped. No one noticed it. She seemed to found something she lost a long time ago.

We head to the dining room. Kanzashi-chan was there.

"Yo Kanzashi-chan, it's been a long time since I saw you."

"Oh, good morning Zane-san. How are you feeling?"

I took a seat and told her I'm fine. Then I looked at the table. It was full with food.

"Here Zane-kun, say ahhhh"

"What?"

Tatenashi-san stuffed my mouth with food. It delicious.

"Who made this?"

"Of course it's made by this onee-san. How's it?"

"It's good. Your cooking is get better."

"If it's for Zane-kun, I don't mind learning new stuff. Misaki-san taught me how to make it this morning."

"No no, Tatenashi-san was a fast learner too." Misaki-san sat down.

"Learn new things for your own sake, please."

"Ohhh...um, Zane-san?" Misaki-san asked. She seemed a bit nervous.

"What is it?"

"The diamond shape scar on your back….."

"Ohh that? That's not a scar, it's a birthmark...maybe. But that's what Hailberd told me."

"Hailberd?"

"Ohh, that's Zane-kun's foster father who taught him how to use magic." Tatenashi-san told Misaki-san.

"So you were found by him?" Misaki-san was curious. Why is she curious about my past?

"Yeah, nearby a tree."

"Wait, do you have a pendant? A small, metal plate with a snowflake carving?"

I was shocked to hear that. How did she know about it? I went through my bag and took it out.

"Ehh? Zane-kun, I didn't know you have that thing with you."

"Ohh, I still kept it since Hailberd said he found me alongside with this too."

"Are you now...19 years old?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"That's awesome. I never told Misaki-san our age, how did she know?" Tatenashi-san gasped.

"Let me introduce myself again, I'm Misaki Jullian. Zane-san could probably be my son."

"WWHHAATTT!?"

Misaki-san explained everything, her background. She had two children, a boy and a girl. She and her husband lived in a village far from here in the mountains. Everyone there was special from other people. They could manipulate ice at their free will. Due to this supernatural ability, the people there were called Icecrafters. One day, the village was raided by an unknown group of people. They were stronger than anyone there and took the village by storm. Houses were burned down and many men were killed. Everyone gathered together to fend out against these outsiders but it was all for naught. Misaki and her family tried to run away, but she alone can't take care two of her children. Her husband as the chief of the village left behind to help the other villagers. In the end, her son was left by under a tree in a forest below the mountains, hoping no one would find him. If they do, she hoped that they could take care him. Misaki escaped with her daughter.

But her daughter was not safe too. The group managed to track them and got her daughter too. In the end, she escaped on her own. With her mind full of regret, she hide in the nearby town for a week. After that week, she went back to where she left her son and see if he was there. There was no trace of him. After that, she went back to the village, only to see ashes and the remains of a cold hearted, one-sided battle.

That sent her in despair as she cried out bitterly for the lost she suffered. How she wished she could have died with them. This story is quite similar to the incident that happened to me too.

"Who's the who behind all this? This is so cruel." Kanzashi-chan shuddered after hearing the story.

"So you are my mother, are you sure about it?"

The sudden shock made everything I heard unbelievable. She looked so young too.

"I already suspected thing as soon as I heard your name, but I'm sure about it after seeing that birthmark and the pendant." she took out her pendant too, it was hanging at her neck.

"Sorry! I'm truly sorry! I left you behind for my own good. In the end, I lost everything." she started crying. Even I don't know what to do now. My heart was stirred with different feelings. Anger? Or it is sadness or relieve? I was suddenly told to have a mother?

"Zane-kun, what are you going to do now?" Tatenashi-san asked.

"I don't know, but if she my mother, I might as well accept it. It's useless to dwell in the past. I'm just glad that she's safe, and I'm safe too." I said out my first thoughts.

"Ooo, Zane-kun acting the hero! That's cool!"

"Is that something to joke about?" I leered her.

"Do you really mean what you said?" Misaki-san sobbed.

I nodded.

Now I found another member of my family? This is getting quite confusing. Should I believe her? Is it true about what she said?

Looking at her expressions, I can see she's not lying. There's a very lonely and sad look in her eyes.

Guess I will acknowledge this fact and accept this reality.