Chapter 2 Translations –
Baasan: Grandmother
Houtai: Bandage
Jiisan: Grandfather
(…Two Months Later, Spring)
"So what did the doctor say?" – Taikyo asked. Misora and he were in the back yard tending to the garden.
"He said that we could take the houtai off her arm in a few weeks. I know it's been a little uncomfortable, but it's necessary. If we removed it anytime soon, he said her arm might not grow back properly." – she replied. She had earlier come back from the doctor in picking up medicine for Shinkara.
"I know. It's just that she can't play at recess with the other children. The sensei told me that she looks so lonely having to sit with him. You know, Misora, she is left handed. So, because her left arm was broken, it's difficult for her to participate in class activities." – he said, grunting here and there, picking cabbage.
"Yes, I know. I hope it mends back well. To have something terrible and violent happened to such a person at only three years old! I hope she's able to have a happy childhood, and not let something like this mar her." – she replied, grunting as he.
"Well, time can only tell. We just have to be supportive. But we can't let her become afraid to experience life, either. Maybe…" – he was cut off.
"Baasan! Jiisan! Look what I did in school today!" – Shinkara came running up the steps toward the home. "Hey, where are you?"
"We're here in the back yard, in the garden." – came the answer from Taikyo.
"Hey, look what I did!" – she finally stated, as she came around to the back. "See…look!"
They both looked in astonishment. She was holding up the bamboo paper drawing with her left arm! With a grand smile upon her face, she didn't understand why they were looking at her so frighteningly.
"What is it? What did I do?" – the startled look on their faces made her frown. "I drew a picture of us…"
"Oh, no! Don't cry Shinkara! Come here and let's take a look. Why it's beautiful! I take it, that's me, and Misora, and the little one must be you. You drew this today with your left hand?" – Taikyo asked. He was so proud of her, and in every way he could, he showed her how he felt. It was as if she was his progeny.
"Yep I did! Ain't it nice! We can hang it up by the front door! That way, all the people in the village can see it. My arm doesn't hurt any more. Can I take this thing off?" – she asked, drying her tears.
"Of course we'll hang it up. But, maybe it'll be best to do what the doctor says." – Misora offered, getting up to join her husband. Taking a look at the picture, "We ought to hang it right in front of the main entrance. It is a beautiful drawing dear; you did a wonderful job. Now, let's go inside and get a snack and some tea. How's that?"
"YAY!" – Shinkara exclaimed, heading for the house.
"What is it, Taikyo?" – Misora asked her husband, as soon as Shinkara was out of earshot.
"I'm concerned about her. She doesn't know who her real parents are. With her having no last name, she must be a peasant. So that means the people she was with could have been slavers." – he stood there with a concerned frown.
"I don't see why we should be concerned about all that now. The child is only three, Taikyo. Telling her that now would only make her experience more unnecessary pain." – she replied.
"True, but we have to tell her eventually." – he said.
"Yes, we will. But until that time…" – she trailed off, heading for the house, after Shinkara.