Gaussian Distribution

Chapter 1 – Part 2: Insight in Numbers

April 2nd, Amatsu Grand Shrine, 11:47AM

Hanabi personally led Eiji and his relatives atop the hills where her superior, Ichiro, had been waiting. The said hills were the location of Amatsu Grand Shrine, almost hidden from the city itself due to the lush vegetation and towering pine trees that littered the land. The sunlight constantly tries to break through the dense pack of branches and leaves, but only a fraction of it does reach the land below, making the place look like a different dimension, having a perpetual period of night with each passing day.

The shrine maiden hastened her steps once she set foot upon the last set of bricks of the long stone staircase that snaked the side of the hills. I have to praise the artisans who painstakingly made these. She didn't fail to take another leave to Eiji and his company before she hurried towards her superior's quarters.

Meanwhile, Eiji and his two relatives were comfortably sitting atop the final steps that lead towards the Shrine.

"Getting tired, Redschtly? You haven't even taken a look at the Shrine!" Eiji told his grandson. The lad appeared to be very exhausted from the long trip they made uphill.

"This… is …too difficult, gramps…" was the lad's agonized reply. His breathing was getting shallow, and his voice was sounding even smaller. I can't even move my legs!

The lad's mother tried to suppress her laughter but failed. "That's why I always reminded you to exercise! But I have to give you credit, though… there isn't a place like this back in Pharos."

Redschtly commented that the number of steps they've climbed might've been longer than the steps of the lighthouse that they had in their previous home. Gin simply patted her son's head and smiled at the boy. I'm tired as well. She couldn't even relate that much to her only son, for she didn't like the place where they came from at all. Though there were lots of likeable personalities back there, she had to leave them. If you only knew how difficult it was back then…

"You don't have to fret, my daughter." Eiji spoke out of the blue, breaking Gin's train of thoughts. "This Shrine is believed to grant the wishes of its devout visitors and believers. Why not try making a wish later inside the sacred hall?"

The worried mother nodded in agreement, and gave out a sigh of relief. She then patted his son's head one more time and told him to stand up. "It's time to go inside."

"Redschtly, do not forget to observe your manners. We are going to meet an important person. Am I understood?" Eiji sternly told his grandson.

The lad nodded and promised to behave. He then held on his mother's hand and walked with them towards the Shrine's entrance. After passing through the giant wooden gate that served as the lookout post for the Shrine's guards currently on duty, the boy felt a strange chill down his spine. He grasped his mother's hand even tighter. I'm scared.

"So those two guards we saw earlier while walking uphill were under Ichiro's command…" Eiji blurted out. "They're wearing the same insignia and uniform."

Gin then inquired why the security appeared to have been visible at this time of day. "They don't usually show up unless there's an emergency or an important event. Did I miss something, dad?"

The old tour guide shook his head and crossed his brow, as if in deep thought. How silly of me. I can't believe I forgot to tell them about it…

Before Eiji could explain the situation to his daughter, his attention was distracted by the arrival of a familiar face… a long-time friend, to be exact.

Redschtly stared in amazement as he watched an old man clad in colorful silk clothes slide and jump down the sloped tiled roof of the Shrine. What exactly is going on here? The boy didn't blink, afraid to miss any action that was happening in front of him. He was about to shout out loud in excitement, but failed to do so… for the old man was moving too fast towards them and landed with a thud that managed to take him off-balance. He's… not… normal…

"You never change, Ichiro…" Eiji said after the old man walked away from his landing spot. "Be careful. You're scaring the child."

The old man appeared to be around the same age as Eiji. He simply laughed at the greeting, patted the tour guide on the shoulder, and squatted down to meet the child who was now hiding behind its mother… as if nothing happened.

"I'm sorry about that, lad. I don't usually jump from the rooftop, but I felt like doing it today. Hah! Thanks for coming, though!" Having said this, the lad began to cry. Gin pushed the man away- a natural defensive gesture.

Eiji shook his head and sighed. "THIS is the important person I'm speaking about earlier… and he's actually in charge of the festival prep-"

"You sound disappointed, my good friend." Ichiro butted in.

"I give up." Eiji sighed and scratched his head. "Why in the world would you even invite me up HERE? You DO know that my back is not that good."

"We'll talk about that in private after we have lunch at my place. It's just behind the shrine. Come!" Ichiro replied as he turned around and invited the three.

15 Minutes Earlier

Shinji was becoming restless.

Instead of having his day-off on the second of every month, he had been notified by his superior that all of his subsequent vacations had been moved on every twenty-fifth. Who makes changes like that, anyway? The restless Shrine guard couldn't even believe it. If being at work wasn't a hassle enough, then being with a more difficult partner was.

"It sure is fun at work… isn't it, Shinji?" his partner asked him as they walked down the brick steps that connected the Grand Shrine to civilization. Shinji already shoved the notion of 'fun' away from his mind the moment he learned of his gruesome schedule. And now I'm stuck with this girl…

Shinji heaved a sigh of discontent. I shouldn't even be here in the first place.

"What's wrong? Are you sick or something?" Shinji's partner asked. "If you're not feeling well, then I guess I'll have to carry you! But wait… that doesn't sound right! We're Shrine Guards! If the others see us… they'll think we're…"

"Where are you getting those ideas, Sayori?" Shinji finally responded.

The lady being questioned paused for a moment and raised her head. Her eyes stared blankly on the afternoon sky, considering her answer. Shinji couldn't help but stare at her whenever she acts like this. Maybe this is why I hate you a little. They had been together ever since they were young, and she never answered his questions immediately. However, the same attitude can be attributed to him as well, for he doesn't answer her questions back. They just keep on asking each other without getting concrete answers. I guess we're both idiots, huh?

Sayori resumed walking down the brick steps as if she wasn't asked at all. Shinji simply followed her. Was my question THAT difficult?

A few moments earlier, they were ordered by their superior, Ichiro, to deliver an important document to a playwright named Kei who lived near the city's western border- The place where they were both raised.

Shinji didn't give much thought about the contents of the document. I have no choice, even if I said 'no'. Since their assignment was to simply hand over the said documents to the playwright personally, it had to be some personal effects.

"We have to hurry and get this document to Kei-sensei." Sayori reminded him as they walked downhill.

"You're a big fan of his novels, huh?" Shinji asked his partner. Sayori nodded in agreement.

"I wonder if you are aware of his bestselling novel, 'White Dryad'..." Shinji continued asking. Sayori nodded likewise. "…I've heard much about it, but I still didn't quite get the plot… would you please tell me more?"

Sayori outstretched her arms and yawned. She made sure that Shinji was listening to her.

'The White Dryad was the fictional story of a spirit that dwelled within the not-so-fictitious cherry blossom tree that stood at the very center of Amatsu. According to the novel, the White Dryad was immortal and getting lonelier with each passing day, and wanted to have a playmate. It started communicating with a few humans for starters, but the humans kept on running away, believing that the Dryad was luring them to their deaths.

Growing tired of the cycle, the Dryad eventually decided that it had to force everyone to love its existence, whatever the cost.

One summer evening, as everyone in the city was sleeping, the Dryad went to the abandoned wishing well behind the Grand Shrine and wished for everyone to love its existence and stop them from running away.

The spirit who dwelled within the depths of the well heard her plea and granted the Dryad its wish… at the cost of its sanity.

From then on, the Dryad reportedly kidnaps unwary children who wander deep into the forest where it resides, and turns them into dolls. The dryad kept on collecting these 'dolls' until it had thousands upon thousands of them with each passing generation… It had successfully created an army of dolls that outnumbers any human army.'

Shinji shook his head. The story simply sounded like an overused fairytale to scare the wits out of children to prevent them from leaving their houses. And this was a bestseller?

The two guards kept on walking down the steps. It was quite a distance whether one travels on neither direction.

"Thanks for listening to me, Shinji." Sayori said out of nowhere.

Shinji didn't answer. He maintained his strained expression as they approached the last bend and headed for the main road. Finally.

Before Shinji could react, Sayori pulled his arm and raced down the steps, threatening to take him off his balance if he slips. "What are you doing, Sayori? We'll get hurt if you run down the slope!"

The typical sight that Shinji saw spun around him- flashing abruptly and fading into black and white. He could feel his body being dragged downwards as his back scraped the bricks of the temple's steps.

THUD. Shinji finally landed upon the main road's craggy surface. The sunlight was terribly blinding, and he slowly opened his eyes and searched for his partner. Sayori? His back was hurting a bit, but he knew could manage it.

"I'm terribly sorry about that, Shinji. I got excited and all…" the lady guard apologized. She then tried to lift her partner slowly.

He couldn't shout at her. He wouldn't. Regaining his composure, he stood up slowly and clung to Sayori's helping hands. But really, this is your entire fault.

The male shrine guard started to feel drowsy and leaned on his partner's shoulder and embraced her. Sayori didn't mind at all. She likewise embraced the young man and patted his back. "Don't worry, Shinji… we'll celebrate your birthday later."

An old man's voice suddenly spoke, coming from behind them. "It's nice being young, isn't it?" Laughter followed soon after, this time accompanied by other voices.

Shinji immediately broke his embrace with Sayori and faced the source of the laughter. Act natural, Shinji… pull yourself together…

"It's been a while, Shinji. I hope that Commander Ichiro is training you well."

The guards were shivering before they could bow to the person in front of them. "W-we're sorry about that, Eiji-san. We sincerely apologize for our behavior."

The old man patted Shinji's shoulders and laughed at him. "It's alright. I've been there! Haha! Don't forget to fix your clothes later, ok?"

Shinji bowed once more at Eiji and left immediately with Sayori, heading towards the opposite direction. "See you later, Eiji-san!"

"You know those people, gramps?" asked Eiji's grandson.

"Of course, I do! I'm not a tour guide for nothing, kid…"

Eiji took his grandson's hand and lifted him up the first set of steps that lead towards the temple. "Go ahead, Redschtly. I'll be waiting for your mother and Hanabi here."

The child didn't move. "B-but I'm a-afraid… I m-might g-get lost!"

Eiji patted his grandson's head. "Don't worry. We'll be right behind you."