Mobile Legends 「 Collections 」

1 | Shūchaku

shūchaku;
the state of being obsessed
with someone or something

“umbrellas are everything
you need in one...!”

She gently blew the steam away from her cup. As she stirred the liquid in a slow, circular motion. Every moment or so, her eyes would peak up at her precious collection. A habit that naturally became a must for her.

She always have to keep close watch on her umbrellas.

As usual, she would sit crossed-legged at the centre of her room, pouring herself a cup of tea. Passing time by, by simply admiring the collection she’s gathered up for herself. The hard work she’s put in for her shūchaku.

Her eyes were caught by the recent addition to her collection. A light teal coloured umbrella, imprinted with the graceful dances of the dragons. It was authentic if anything. She still couldn’t believe that someone would even throw such a treasure out. But at the same time, she was pleased that this umbrella had finally found its way to its rightful home.

She took a small tip of her tea as she glanced around the dimly lit room. Small slivers of light entering the room throw the small gaps in between her window blinds. The outside world simply right there before her eyes. She could barely make out a figure but immediately knew that it was her housemate. Still busy training her martial skills.

Kagura knew she was obsessed with wanting to become stronger and to compete with her rival. And it’s kinda growing out of hand, specially since she has been out there for days and hasn't eaten anything she's left on the table for her. Yet Kagura knew she would be a huge hypocrite if she confronted her about it. Since she herself was spiralling into a chasm of insanity, behind those blinds. As her whole world is now filled with the embroided patterns of her umbrellas.

She doesn't understand how she was so obsessed with umbrellas and how she was always content with staring at them for hours and hours, everyday. They just had this delightful charm that she couldn't exactly tell but feel. The young maiden always prayed for rain. They were rare around her town but she has heard news that a storm might be coming today.

The comfort of standing beneath her umbrella with the raindrops gently clashing against it. As well as the cold atmospheric feeling that the rain generates when it surrounds her. It was almost like her life was coming full circle and that this is how it feels to be contended.

Kagura flinched the moment a sudden breeze entered the room, strong enough to cause her blinds to fly up. Even enough to cause a few ripples in her tea.

Sometimes during the long hours of the day, she feels the walls caving in on her.

Her legs ached, trying to stand up. She was ready to greet the outside world, now. She stumbled a little in her steps towards her collection. Her fingers tracing over each of them, contemplating on what would be the best fit. She took into consideration of the circumstances of today's weather. As her hands slid around the handle of the first umbrella she had acquired.

The Seimei Umbrella, only wielded by Onmyouji Masters whom are capable of its power.

How refined yet cursed. As there was this occasion that would come every so often while she was wielding it, where she could hear voices; it has been rumoured that hundreds of monsters reside in this very umbrella. Which honestly sacred the young maiden yet she didn't have the heart to give it up specially since it had been passed down to her by her elders. It was tradition.

The anxiety conjured up just from having it in her grasp slowed her down immensely. As she slowly pushed her sliding down while trying to push away the negative thoughts clouding her mind. The encrypted words of the demons, the strict rules of her elders. All had took it's toll on her, enough for her to forget what she was even planning on.

“Kagura?”

It was almost like a loud snap, it broke her out of her trance. And her gaze immediately glanced up to the familiar figure she had spotted earlier. For a short period, awkward silence ensued before the white-haired girl's eyes widened and she let out a soft gasp.

“Hana! I haven't seen you eat anything I've prepared for you in the past three days!” She cried out and almost released her umbrella out of her grasp. She continued, choking on her words, “Where have you been!?”

The ravenette was caught off guard and her stance broke, her hands falling to her sides as she tilted her head at the girl before her. Her voice barely audible, like always.

“I'm surprised you still remember me.”

Kagura took a step back. Further away from her. Eyes now rapidly glancing everywhere but her. She pushed her lower lip forward. And raised her umbrella over her head.

“You mean a lot to me. Of course, I wouldn't forget you. But you have be- been— ” She paused and inhaled a deep breath, “You should maybe forget about this whole ordeal.” Her eyes finally met hers, for a brief moment, and she could spot the uneasiness in hers, too.

She doesn't understand why it's getting more and more difficult to face Hanabi, now. Her words are stumbling like her now. She's already turned on her heels by now, straying towards the door. By the time, her hand was on the knob, a sharp chill ran down her neck once she sense Hanabi move. All it'd take is one glance for Kagura to freeze.

“You've been straying away from me. Is it because of those umbrellas?”

The white-haired girl nodded and turned the doorknob, releasing the door open. As it slowly backed against her, leaving a small gap, enough for the cold air to suddenly rush in.

“What happened to you?” Her gaze fell to the ground, her grip on her blade tightening.

The scarlet assassin glanced back up and watched as the onmyouji witch stepped out, the drizzling rain grazing against her as she tried to close the door. Hesitation was evident as she paused for a moment before the door had closed. As Hanabi stood there, wordless.

Stunned that the onmyouji witch has changed this much, the innocent and purity of her expressions not so apparent now. Oh, how the days have changed so fast.

As she turned and slowly made her way towards the small kitchen they shared. Atop the table was a small box with a small note written upon it. It had this strong cherry scent the closer you went towards it.

She smiled at the words;

‘Dōzo meshiagatte kudasai.
Anata o aishitemasu.’

Why did it always have to get to her. Fatal and brutal like a knife chiselled into her heart. And she thought her Kagura could never be the same, again. That gutted feeling from earlier somehow faded and morphed into guilt. She turned and glanced everywhere and suddenly, it felt distant.

The sound of her heels clashing against the wooden flooring reverberating amongst the walls of their home added more to the feeling. Once she released the door free, the cold wind filled up the place of its empty vessel.

She watched as her breath converted itself into a small cloud of icy particles.