2 Where She Came From - 1.2 (1/2)

Arriving at the man's home, the sight that she saw surprised and shocked her, making her mouth gape and the man chuckle in amusement.

What she expected to be a house built in to the forest turned out to be something beyond her expectations. The place they arrived in had a decent-sized pagoda which seemed to serve as a temple of some sort. It had a beautiful, understated elegance making it look both humble yet majestic at the same time.

Bypassing the entrance to the temple which had exquisitely carved dragons wrapping around the pillars, the man led the little girl who still stared around with wide eyes around the temple and through a smaller, more inconspicous side entrance. Unlocking it, he ushered the little girl inside before making sure it's still secure while the girl observed her new surroundings with an expression filled with wonder and amazement.

”You... You live here?” she asked in a small awestruck voice as she stared at him with wide eyes.

”Yes, little one. I live here, do you like it?”

”What's not to like? It's beautiful!” she exclaimed, her big, beautiful eyes twinkling as she slowly started exploring.

Her eyes soaked in all the little details of the spacious courtyard that the man brought him to. To the wonderful garden with various flowering plants, and a herb garden tucked into one side and a huge koi pond that has several lotus flowers, along with a small man-made waterfall on one side and an ornately carved bridge crossing above it.

She also noticed the huge cherry blossom tree that had a few branches that hung over the koi pond. She can already imagine the breathtaking view it would showwhen the blossoms were in full bloom while some of the petals are blown and fell down to the water below.

She couldn't wait to see that!

Just as she was giggling happily at her thoughts, she suddenly stopped as a thought entered her mind before her expression changes as she stared at the cherry blossom tree with a forlorn expression, unaware that the man was observing her.

”What's is bothering you little one?” the man asked gently, interrupting her increasingly depressing thoughts.

”It's nothing.”

”Are you sure?”

”Mhmm” the little girl hummed in agreement while she absent-mindedly nodded.

”If you say so then. Come along, I'll show you to the room you'll be staying in.” he said with a sigh as he gestured for her to follow before starting to walk.

”Staying in?” confused, she scrambled after him to catch up.

”Didn't I already tell you that you'll be staying with me?”

”B-But I thought this would only be for tonight?” she asked, confusion etched on her face.

”Is that what you want?” he asked as he suddenly stopped in his tracks making the girl bump into him before she managed to steady herself and looking at him with questioning eyes.