Looking up, the deep red faded in Li Mo's eyes.
It was like the wind and snow in the northern land, the dance of red leaves that were so deep and gorgeous from late spring to late winter.
It still remains unexplained why this maple leaf forest turns deep red all year round.
Some people say that an unknown hero is buried under this maple forest, and his unyielding blood is still spreading on the maple leaves today.
Some people say that there is a terrible curse hidden in this forest, and the red color of the maple leaves heralds an ominous omen.
Others say that there was an unforgettable love story here. The deep red maple leaf forest is the red thread connecting the two protagonists in the story. As long as a vow is made here, it will last forever.
...
but,
No matter what the explanation was, Li Mo felt that it was full of charm, as mysterious and desirable as the girl hiding behind the tree trunk and smiling.
After stepping on the fallen leaves submerged under the feet, there was a refreshing rustling sound, and then it quickly melted into the air like the mischievous cries of birds and became silent.
The sunlight that is gradually thinning through the leaves is just enough to make people feel so comfortable, as if they have entered the world in a fairy tale picture book. If Peter Pan really exists, then the Neverland he took his children to must have such a piece. The scenery.
"Is this the red maple forest?"
The blonde girl was stunned by what she saw.
If it weren't for her chest that rose and fell with her breathing, this girl as bright as the full moon would have been regarded as a unique treasure.
"Well, that's right. I found out about it a few days ago and borrowed the key by the way."
Li Mo put the keys tied with a silver ring into his pocket.
"You will definitely find it here."
The red leaves fell around Anier like slowing raindrops. There must be a treasure that she had been waiting for hidden among these countless maple leaves.
The eleven-cornered maple leaf contains the maple leaf of happiness.
Anner showed a happy and friendly smile. Her golden eyelashes covered her blue pupils, but they could not conceal the brilliance revealed in them, which looked so beautiful in this quiet world.
But the next moment, the noise that seemed to come from hell instantly destroyed this beauty.
"What? What? What is the eleven-pointed maple leaf?"
The Demon King raised the fallen leaves and ran in this crimson sea.
"Stop running around, be careful of falling!"
Li Mo sighed, regretting that he shouldn't have brought this person with him. Even if she stalked her next time, he wouldn't be soft-hearted.
Li Mo, who was thinking about this, had already forgotten that he actually said so last time.
"Hey, hey, Ali, what exactly is the eleven-cornered maple leaf?"
He pulled Li Mo's sleeves and kept asking, as happy as a puppy that had not been out for a long time was finally taken outside.
"It's not a big deal. It's just a rare maple leaf with eleven corners. It should be very valuable if sold outside."
"You are really not a romantic person at all, that's why I said that adults are really superficial and can only see the superficial value."
Anner expressed strong dissatisfaction with Li Mo's answer.
This person really doesn't understand the value of it at all. He will definitely not find such a man when he gets married in the future, but he is a nun, so he can't get married.
"This is how adults see things, so you think you have the eyes of a child?"
"That's not true!"
Anner puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction and turned her face away.
"Is it valuable?! Then I want to find it too!"
The Demon King became interested.
"Look, don't children think the same way? You are an outlier."
"This child is no longer an ordinary child after getting involved with you, right?"
Today is already Anne's third day in Kaguya City. She still doesn't know that this silver-haired girl is the Demon King. Because this child is very clingy to Li Mo and has the same eye color as Li Mo, Anne's Thinking she is Li Mo's sister.
"Okay, I'm going to look over there!"
"I have to be back during dinner!"
Don't compete with the Demon King in terms of physical strength. That small body contains energy deeper than the eighteenth level of hell.
Li Mo, who fully understood this, did not stop or follow him, he just told the demon king's back as if he was running away from his nagging mother.
"Did you hear that, that guy?"
"Okay, let's start looking for it too!"
"Huh?! Us? You mean I'm looking for it too?"
"Of course. If I find a lot, I will share some with you."
"No, no, no, even if I...hey, hey, hey!"
Annier, who was full of energy, waved her arms and grabbed the back of Li Mo's neck without waiting for Li Mo's refusal. Then the captain took the first mate she had just captured and set sail towards the vast ocean paved with red leaves.
but,
At dusk, the captain and the helpless first mate were completely killed in this vast ocean paved with red leaves.
The dusk that passed through the gaps between the leaves was also dyed deep red by the maple leaves, which was more dazzling than the sunset that was about to set in the sky.
Li Mo leaned over on the moss-covered rocks. He covered his eyes with his knotted gloves. If he saw red again, he would definitely vomit on the spot. Behind him, he piled up like a hill. Ordinary leaves that they eliminated.
"I said, stop looking for it, right?"
Li Mo moved a little and accidentally rolled into the carpet of fallen leaves.
He stretched out his hand from under the fallen leaves and waved to Anile, who also had dim eyes.
"Why, why can't I find it? There are obviously so many maple leaves, but why is there not a single maple leaf in the eleventh corner?"
Anier also sat helplessly on the ground.
"Isn't it happiness to be found so easily?"
"That's right. It seems that the gods don't want to give me happiness."
Such negative words should not come from such a girl, let alone a girl who serves the gods.
Li Mo sat up, lifted the makeshift blindfold and looked at Anier.
"What are you talking about? It's still a long time. Let's look for it together next time."
The girl was silent, and after a moment she showed a lonely smile.
"Tomorrow, I will go back."
Speaking of which, that's it.
The originally agreed time was only three days, but living with this child had become a habit before he knew it. Perhaps it was because he was too close to him, and Li Mo had never gotten used to someone so quickly.
"But there's nothing we can do about it."
An'er jumped up from the ground and patted her dusty butt.
She looked at the maple forest behind her with nostalgia, her eyes refusing to leave for a long time, because this must be her only little wish, and it must also be the great happiness she wants to dedicate to someone she loves the most.
Really...
Li Mo closed his eyes and hesitated for a moment, then took out his notepad from his pocket with trembling hands.
After unfolding, a small crumpled red leaf was used as a bookmark, lying quietly on it, no more, no less, exactly eleven corners.
He walked behind Anne'er and inserted this small red leaf into the silk edge of Sister Anne's hat.
"Ah, what is this!"
Li Mo pointed at Anier's head and shouted.
An'er looked at Li Mo making a fuss, took off her hat with some surprise, and then discovered the red leaf as a matter of course.
"This is?! One, two, three..."
The girl carefully counted every corner.
Then.
"Eleven corners, it's a maple leaf with eleven corners!"
The girl held the red leaf tightly and carefully, as if she had found a treasure.
"That's great. It seems I accidentally got it on your hat sometime... hmm? What's wrong?"
The small hands held the small red leaves and handed them to Li Mo.
"Li Mo found this, I guess. It should be yours."
well--
This kid...
"Okay, then I'll accept it. It looks like it can be sold at a good price."
With that said, Li Mo reached out to pick it up, and then naturally threw it away.
Anner took back Hongye and held it tightly in her arms.
"What? You still want to sell it for money? It's really unromantic."
"That's what I said. If you don't want to be sold, just keep it."
"But...this red leaf is wrinkled, as if it has been a long time. Why is it like this?"
Indeed, there is a clear sense of age engraved on it, and even such an excited Anner can easily spot it.
"The gods must have given you the happiness that is about to expire. Just accept it with gratitude."
"Um!"
An extremely happy smile appeared on Anner's face. It seemed that she had received this happiness well.
"With this, sister will definitely be able to..."
Also, the person she loves most will definitely receive it.
Li Mo looked at her like this and shook his head helplessly. He always pretended to be an adult, but in fact he was still a child and he was not like her.
"But, is it really okay for me to take it alone? Where's you, Li Mo?"
"You still care about me. Didn't you say that I don't believe this? And... no, it's nothing. Now that you've found it, go back quickly."
"Um!"
Even a naughty child who would run away with Peter Pan would definitely feel homesick in the end because of longing for home. Annie ran excitedly towards the exit of the maple forest holding the red leaves in her arms.
It seems that not only the Demon King, but also every child has energy that cannot be matched by an elderly person like him.
But it is precisely because they are children that they are so easy to deceive.
Li Mo lowered his head and looked at the empty notebook, showing a somewhat lonely expression.
"Ali!"
Suddenly, a shout of joy came from behind him. He turned his head and saw the disgraced Demon King running towards him with a bunch of bright red things in his arms.
Raise your hand slightly.
Countless red maples were flying and falling around Li Mo like a curtain.
one two three......
All are maple leaves with eleven corners!
Really,
I'm really impressed by this guy. Where did he get so many of them?
Li Mo's smile became as simple and happy as the Demon King's smile, and then he hid quietly behind these red leaves.
————————
"Besides, my current happiness is no longer brought by maple leaves."
That unfinished sentence,
Li Mo must have wanted to say this.
