Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Maze, Prologue

Taiki, it's time to get up now."
    "It's no use. Let him get a good rest."
    Hearing Keiki say this, Youka shook her head vigorously. "I can't. That way when Taiki gets up, he'll  be very sad."
    Sanshi nodded her head in agreement.
    Sanshi knew that Taiki had returned last night, having completely exhausted his mind and body, but  she also knew why he hadn't wanted to go to sleep. Thus, she shook Taiki's body with more force. "Taiki!  Taiki!"
    After being shaken three times, Taiki finally opened his eyes. He first blinked a little bit, and then  suddenly jumped up. "The Taiho..."
    Sanshi brushed his hair. "He's still here."
    Taiki blinked his eyes again, and then he saw all the adults smiling as they watched him. He face  flushed as he lowered his head.
    "I'm sorry... Good morning everybody."
    - - - - -
    "Genkun, Taiho, we're very sorry. Taiki doesn't usually delay getting out of bed."
    Gyokuyou smiled as she received the teacup that Youka had handed her, and then looked at Keiki.
    "It looks like Taiki really thinks of you as his brother. This really is too good."
    Keiki had only a gloomy look on his face.
    "Kei Taiho, you've really helped us out a lot."
    Hearing Gyokuyou say this, Youka smiled without saying anything. However, Keiki sighed.
    "But I was still not able enough. For that, I profusely apologize."
    "All those inherent abilities that we're born with have always impossible to explain in words. You've  done so much for him already, and we're very grateful."
    Keiki looked even more discouraged. After Gyokuyou finished saying this with a smile, having  finished grooming and changing his clothes, Taiki and Sanshi walked out together.
    "I'm really sorry."
    Putting down his teacup, Keiki stood up and took a bow towards Taiki. "Taiki, I must bid you farewell  now."
    Taiki looked up at Keiki with his reddened eyes. "Do you really have to go?"
    "I can't be away from my kingdom for that long. I'm sorry I was not able to help you out much."
    "What do you mean? I should be the one apologizing to you. I was such a bad student."
    "You were no such thing."
    "Please take care."
    "You as well."
    "I will."
    Keiki looked at Taiki who was holding back his tears with all his restraint, and he put his hand on his  shoulder. "Don't be anxious. The Heavens created the kirin. Tentei will aid you."
    "Yes..."
    "I hope you meet your ruler early on. After you have descended to your kingdom, Kei Kingdom is just  across the Empty Sea, so we will have opportunities to meet again then."
    Hearing Keiki say this, Taiki tugged on Keiki's sleeves with his small hands.
    "Will we really be able to meet again?"
    Keiki smiled. Seeing Taiki so eager to see him again, it made him very happy.
    "I guarantee it. When you go to your kingdom, I will definitely be the first to come congratulate you."
    Hearing this, Taiki's little face glowed with radiance. "Okay!"
    If he could have, Keiki would have liked to stay until Taiki had successfully subdued a shirei, and also  until he had received, without any problems, all those who will climb Mt. Hou. However, that was not  possible. He had already been away from Kei Kingdom for too long. In addition, before he had left, he had  also informed them that he would definitely be back on the summer solstice at the very latest.
    "Where are you leaving from?"
    "From Hakki Palace."
    "Then can I accompany you to there?"
    Keiki smiled. "Of course you can. We should tell Hankyo and Jakko to come as well."
    "Yes."
    Gyokuyou stood up as well and looked at the big kirin and the small kirin in front of her. "Is Taiki also  very close with your shirei?"
    "Hankyo often plays with me."
    "That's excellent," said Gyokuyou with a smile. She then looked at Keiki, whose hand was still on the  little kirin's shoulder.
    "Kei Taiho, your achievements have certainly not been small. You've learned how best to act towards  people."
    "But..." Taiki looked up at Gyokuyou. "Kei Taiho has always been very nice to me!"
    Hearing Taiki's serious tone, Gyokuyou glanced at Youka. "Is that so?"
    "Yes!" said Taiki with determination. Gyokuyou laughed. Keiki had a complicated expression on his  face. All the other nyosen in the room, including Youka, stifled their laughter.
    - - - - -
    Neither the nyosen nor even Gyokuyou would have expected that Keiki's awkwardly-expressed  kindness would actually be the reason that Queen Kei Jokaku lost her way.
    However, that is another story.
    After he saw Keiki off, Taiki looked extremely