I Became The Owner Of The Magical Spring Where Spirits Gather

003.

Why am I alone?

I don’t know when I started being alone—perhaps I always was.

I thought that was just how it was.

No, maybe it’s more accurate to say it never really bothered me.

Sometimes sparrows, rabbits, or even squirrels would visit… but those little friends would take a small sip of the water I held, then leave.

It didn’t matter. I had always been here, and I would always remain here. Alone, of course.

Nothing was going to change, and that wasn’t strange.

But then, one day, I suddenly felt lonely.

Why do I have to be alone?

Waiting for the little friends who sometimes come by, making friends with random flowers drifting in, gazing up at passing clouds…

That was just how things were.

It never used to hurt… so why does it feel so sad now?

And more than that, when did I even begin to think like this?

The little spring was confused.

A sudden self-awareness had emerged. So many questions, and no one to ask, no one to answer. Just itself, all alone.

No matter how much it tried to talk, nothing ever replied.

Not the sun, not the moon, not the stars. No one.

Chirp, chirp—!

The sparrows that had been sipping water nearby flew away, and the little spring was alone again.

Don’t go.

I’m lonely.

Even the flowers that once bloomed nearby disappeared, and years passed without any little friends visiting.

One day, the little spring unknowingly began to cry.

The tears sank to the center of the spring, releasing a vivid, blue glow.

And then, one day, light began to shine from those gathered tears.

[……!!]

The little spring was startled.

The strange light from its own tears… the mysterious power that began to dwell within it.

“Huh? What a beautiful spring.”

That’s when they appeared. A person whose eyes curved like crescent moons when they smiled.

Their presence was so kind and pure, it felt as clear and clean as the spring itself.

“Hello.”

That person smiled dazzlingly and reached out, gently touching the spring water.

[……!!]

When their fingertips brushed against it, the little spring finally understood what it was.

A brilliant light burst from the spring and settled on their body, and the person looked at it in surprise.

It was overwhelming joy.

Because it was no longer alone.

The little spring loved that person deeply. So much that it could give them everything.

Did they feel that love? That person loved it in return.

A beautiful garden bloomed with flowers and plants, and the sound of their joyful laughter filled the space.

They were truly happy days.

Like a dream, each day more perfect than the last.

Finally, it was no longer lonely.

And then… they disappeared.

Just like those little friends who once vanished without a word. Overnight.

Where did they go?

The little spring was good at waiting… the flowers bloomed, the snow fell, melted, and the flowers bloomed again…

It waited so long it couldn’t even remember how much time had passed.

Why haven’t you come back?

Did you forget me?

It could feel its strength fading.

Saddened, the little spring closed its eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

[……!!]

When it awoke from a very old dream, the little spring couldn’t believe it.

It could sense that pure, clear energy it had longed for.

That unmistakable presence was beside it again!

You’re back!!

It couldn’t confirm for sure—its strength was too faint—but it knew. It was them. Its heart pounded.

But the little spring also knew…

It might be too late.

Joy turned into sorrow, sorrow turned into resentment.

Why only now? After abandoning me.

Another day passed.

“Hah… Huff…”

Out of breath, still swinging the pickaxe to revive the withered spring—that person.

And yet… why won’t you give up?

Resentment slowly turned into pity.

Clang! The sound grew weaker with each swing.

Hands trembling, but still refusing to stop.

[…The little spring is worried about you.]

It’s okay. It’s already too late.

Pity turned into hope, hope into disappointment, but the little spring accepted the truth.

It had always been impossible.

Too much time had passed.

It clung to a flicker of hope, but that was all it was.

Miracles don’t just happen.

I’ll disappear… and you’ll move on.

[The little spring is begging you to stop.]

Its fading voice couldn’t reach them. No matter how much it pleaded, they didn’t stop.

It’s so sad, it feels like my heart is torn apart.

But helpless, powerless… There was nothing it could do.

Still panting, still swinging that pickaxe.

Why? Why are you doing all this?

I have no strength left.

So why?

“Ah… guess it’s no use.”

Finally, after all that effort, they stopped moving.

Yes, give up now.

And then they’ll leave again.

It’s okay, I was always alone anyway.

I thought it would be unbearably sad—but surprisingly, it wasn’t.

Accustomed to long waits and loneliness, the little spring calmly waited for their departure.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

[……!!]

Really?

Do you mean it?

It was shocked, its heart pounded like it would burst—but it didn’t let itself believe.

Because more than anyone, it knew the pain of being left alone after finally being together.

Still, it felt foolish to hope again.

As it watched them leave, the little spring blinked a faint light, as if saying:

“Don’t forget. Come back.”