After finally becoming friends with Yue, I only managed to see him a few times, and even then we barely had the chance to talk. I needed to focus on my exams, which were getting closer, and study with the others every day after school. And then, the day came when we had to face everything we had learned.
Days passed, and we could finally relax—our exams were over. All that was left was to wait for the results and then enjoy our one-week school break.
One week in this world equals five days. One month equals four weeks, and one year equals eight months.
Right now, we were hanging out in the cafeteria, trying to distract ourselves while waiting for the results.
"Guys, the exam results are out," Resa said as she rushed toward us.
"Really?" Vyne asked.
All of us immediately ran to the bulletin board to check. In the end, Fyna, Resa, and Efan passed. I failed one subject, and Vyne failed two. That meant the two of us would have to retake our exams during the break. Both of us looked pretty miserable facing our results.
"Don't worry, Ren. I'm not going home for the break, so I can stay and teach you," Fyna said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah. During the break, I have to help Lunar Flower with the seniors' graduation anyway."
"What about me?" Vyne whined at Efan with pleading eyes.
"My brother's coming home during the break," Efan replied flatly.
"I have to help my parents too. Sorry," Resa added.
"Hahh… What's going to happen to me…"
Vyne crouched down, looking defeated.
"It's okay, Vyne. Fyna will teach and help you too. We can study together again," I said, patting her shoulder.
"For real?" She looked at Fyna with sparkling eyes.
Fyna smiled. "Of course."
Vyne brightened up instantly.
We returned to the cafeteria to enjoy lunch together before the break officially started.
---
Eventually, Resa and Efan went back to their hometowns. Meanwhile, Vyne and I had to study for our make-up exams. Fyna patiently guided us, pointing out the questions she believed were likely to appear.
After finishing my exam today, I planned to visit Yue. Vyne still had one more make-up exam tomorrow, so I left her with Fyna for extra lessons. Honestly, I thought it was a good chance for Vyne to get closer to Fyna anyway.
I walked toward the place where Yue was floating as usual.
"Good afternoon," I greeted.
"Afternoon," he replied shortly.
I sat not too far from him.
"How was your exam today?" he asked.
"Pretty good," I answered.
I studied his face carefully. Even though his eyes looked slightly different from before, I could still see sadness lingering in him.
"What?" he suddenly asked, noticing that I'd been staring.
"Ah—nothing! Nothing," I stammered, flustered because got caught already stare at him. "I was just curious… Why don't you stay with your human partner all the time?"
He paused, considering something.
"He doesn't really need me. That's why I wander around more often."
"Doesn't really need you? Is he some kind of teacher or someone who doesn't require a guardian's power that much?"
"Yeah… something like that."
"Then do you live around here, Yue?"
"… I used to. A few years ago, I lived near this place. But not anymore."
There was sadness in his voice.
"You came here because you wanted to revisit this place… for the memories?" I asked.
He gave a small nod.
I realized my questions were making him sadder, so I fell silent.
He did too.
After a while, I finally spoke.
"Hey, Yue… I want to know—do you guardians have parents like us humans do?"
The question surprised him, and he looked at me. Then he smiled faintly.
"No. We don't have parents like you. We're born from the Birth Flowers, and our birthdays match the birthdays of you humans."
"A guardian and a human born on the same day… They're the ones who will perform the 'soul union', right?" I asked.
"Exactly," he replied with a smile. "We're born as small golden flames inside the Birth Flowers, then placed into the Growth Flowers until we reach the age of ten—just like you humans. After that, we take on our own forms and continue growing just like you."
"So that's why flowers are so meaningful in this world," I said with genuine amazement. "Because flowers are the source of your life and growth. I never knew…"
"That's how it is," he said with a flat tone.
"Then… Yue, tell me. How did it feel when you met your human partner during the soul union?"
Yue looked a little puzzled. "Hmm..." He pause and thinking for a while. "Why are you asking that?" he ask.
"I'm really curious about what it feels like to experience a soul union it self. And… honestly, I'm looking forward to the day I get to meet my own guardian." My voice lifted with excitement.
"Why are you so happy about meeting your guardian? Are all humans that happy to meet their partners?" he asked.
"Hmm... I don't know about everyone else also happy or not. But for me, it's something joyful—to always be with someone who shares a soul union with me. That's way, I think humans and guardians must feel the same way once they're united."I said with excited that shows in my face and eyes.
"Hey, Rene. What kind of guardian do you want as your partner?"
I paused for a moment, thinking.
"I'm not sure what my partner will be like," I said slowly. "But if I could choose… maybe I'd want a guardian who cares about others. And… because I like you, Yue, I think I'd want a guardian who's like you, Yue."
I smiled at him.
End of Chapter 8