Six Months Later – Arashi at Seven
Six months had passed since I began learning from Garron and helping Dad in the fields. I was now seven, and life in Date Village had become familiar, though far from easy. Each morning I carried baskets of water, tended young plants, and walked along the far edges of the village. My muscles ached less than before, and the subtle vibration beneath my skin—my Massage Magic—helped me endure the work. I didn't control it consciously; it simply assisted me, keeping me steady and more resilient than I could have managed alone.
Dad watched quietly from the porch some mornings, occasionally pointing out which plants were thriving and which needed attention. "Watch the stems," he said one morning, "they tell you if the roots are strong. And notice the soil—it speaks quietly if you listen."
I nodded, absorbing every word. Even without realizing it fully, my body moved a little easier, lifted a little more, and endured a little longer. Every small action mattered because Dad was all I had, and I didn't want him to see me falter.
Garron's Lessons Conclude
One morning, Garron tightened the straps on his pack and turned to me. "Arashi… my lessons are done. I've shown you all I can—plants, survival, and how to move safely through the forest. From here, it's up to you."
He glanced briefly at Dad, who was resting lightly on the cot. "The village elder has given me a task. If the illness spreads or worsens, I'll have to go to the city to find a healer—someone experienced with strange or magical diseases. The journey takes at least a week. You'll stay here with your father. Focus on what you can do now. Learn what you can. Be ready—but remain in the village."
I swallowed hard. Dad looked pale, but he tried to sit upright, offering me a small, proud smile. The responsibility pressed down on me, but the subtle hum of my Massage Magic beneath my skin gave me strength. I could continue working and observing, even as the villagers around us began to show signs of the spreading illness.
Father's Weakening and My First Use of Massage Magic
Over the next few days, Dad's strength waned. Simple tasks—watering plants, tying seedlings—made him pause and catch his breath. I wanted to help, but I still couldn't heal him. Then, one morning, after he had leaned against the workbench too long, I knelt beside him and placed my hands lightly on his shoulders.
A faint vibration pulsed from my hands, a quiet hum beneath my skin. It wasn't controlled, but it eased some of the stiffness in his muscles. He exhaled slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I… I don't know if it's anything, Dad," I said softly, "but maybe it can help. Just a little."
He chuckled quietly, though faintly, eyes warm. "That's… good enough," he said. "You've learned more than I realized. Keep noticing, keep trying. That's what matters."
Even as subtle as it was, I felt proud. Massage Magic was helping him, even in the smallest way. Every day, I placed my hands on him after chores, letting the quiet vibrations soothe his aching muscles. I didn't yet know its limits or how to control it, but it was something I could give back—something that made him a little stronger.
Signs of the Illness in the Village
I couldn't ignore the village. Friends like Miko and Taro moved slower, coughing lightly or pausing to rest. Adults whispered more often, their faces tense. Dad's steps were slower, his hands shaking slightly when he reached for a plant. The illness wasn't just affecting him; it was spreading quietly through Date Village.
Still, I could keep going. The faint hum beneath my skin helped me lift heavier baskets, walk farther, and keep focused. I might not be able to cure anyone else yet, but I could stay strong enough to observe, to learn, and to act when the time came.
A Stranger at the Village Edge
A few days later, while gathering herbs at the far edge of the village, I noticed someone moving deliberately among the plants. A woman, her hands brushing carefully over the leaves as she selected each one with precision. I didn't know her name, and I didn't know if she could help—but my father was weak, and the illness was spreading.
From behind a clump of bushes, I kept my eyes on her, noting every careful movement. Every cough my father tried to hide, every faltering step he took while tending the plants, reminded me that I couldn't wait. I didn't know if she could help, but I had to try—maybe she knew something, maybe she could do what I couldn't. My subtle Massage Magic gave me strength to keep going, but all my hope was pinned on her.
I let out a quiet breath, trying not to grin. Everyone might think I was just curious, sneaking a glance at the forest beyond, but this wasn't play. This was real life. The world outside Date Village was alive, and I wanted to see it—not just the glimpses from old television shows, but here, in Fiore, in the world of Fairy Tail. Maybe one day I would meet Makarov or visit the guild, but for now, all that mattered was helping my father, keeping the village steady, and seeing if this stranger could make a difference.
Father's Silent Support
Even though Dad was resting in bed, his earlier words echoed in my mind: Notice, keep trying, small efforts matter. I carried that with me as I crouched at the edge of the field, watching the stranger among the herbs. I didn't need to see him to know he trusted me, to feel that quiet encouragement.
A small smile tugged at my lips, and my fists tightened with resolve. I would do everything I could—for him, for the village, for the friends growing weaker every day.
Observing and Learning
I stayed at the edge of the field, crouched in the grass, watching. The faint vibration of my Massage Magic under my skin reminded me that I could endure, that I could help Dad in small ways, and that I could keep learning. I whispered to myself: I have to try… I don't know if she can help, but I'll do everything I can for Dad.
The forest smelled of earth and sun. Sunlight glinted off the leaves, the faint scent of smoke drifting from distant chimneys. This was the world I had longed to see—not from a television, but here, alive, in Fiore. Cities, kingdoms, and even the Fairy Tail guild waited somewhere beyond. But for now, every day mattered: every plant, every small effort, every subtle vibration of my magic.
Closing Thoughts
Even at seven, I could feel the responsibility pressing down. I wasn't a child playing at chores—I was aware of the village around me. Friends like Miko and Taro moved slower each day, and the villagers whispered more often. My subtle Massage Magic helped me continue. I could steady Dad, lift baskets, and stay alert.
I didn't control it yet, and I didn't fully understand it—but it was enough to help him. Small actions mattered. Even subtle efforts could make a difference. My focus was clear: help Dad, keep learning, and do what must be done each day. One day, I would see the wider world—the cities, the kingdoms, and the Fairy Tail guild—but for now, every small effort here mattered.