Gaussian Distribution
Chapter 1 – Epilogue: Instability in Numbers
April 2nd, Grand Shrine Wish Hall, 12:45PM
After finishing her lunch with Gin, Hanabi focused her gaze on the far end of the wishing hall and found no one in sight. The scent of burning incense stank in the said area, symbolizing the wishes of the shrine's devout followers being delivered to the gods. People pray when they're hopeless. The shrine maiden signaled her childhood friend to come closer. "I wanted to show you something since you arrived yesterday. Come!"
Hanabi led Gin across the empty hall, finally encountering a dead end. Strangely, light doesn't penetrate this part of the Shrine, as if mocking any worshipper who would dare plant their incense stick there. "Why are we here, Hanabi? Isn't this area off-limits?" Gin cautiously asked. She attempted to inch a few steps back, but Hanabi grabbed her wrist without even looking. "Stay where you are. Watch carefully."
Gin responded with a nod, and watched in curiosity as Hanabi tapped the wooden planks that served as the wall. "I'm expecting the wall to 'magically' open, though…"
"Did you get those ideas overseas, Gin?" Hanabi chuckled. She kept on tapping the planks, as if expecting something to happen. "Sure, this wall has an opening unknown to everyone but the higher-ups of the shrine, but that's not all." Hanabi expected her friend to be confused. What is there to expect from a trap door, anyway?
"Ugh. Quit it, Hanabi."" said a disgusted, garbled voice from behind the wall.
The maiden faced her friend, expecting her to ask more questions. "See what I told you? Someone… umm… something actually lives in this crevice." She tilted one of the planks carefully and pulled out a weapon that Gin was familiar with. A sword.
"Please introduce yourself, Sir." Hanabi said to the weapon, grasping it tightly. It began emitting a velvet aura that appeared to be burning, but didn't give out any heat.
"What's going on here?" it spoke once more. Hanabi just smiled and stuck the weapon on the wooden floor. She knew that such a thing would actually surprise her friend. What could be cooler than a 'burning' and talking sword?
Finding Gin silent, she patted her at the head. "Are you ok, Gin? You're spacing out! I'm sorry if this is sudden, but I really wanted to show this amazing thing to you."
"I'm alright, Hanabi. I quite understand the situation." Gin shook her head. What she did next however, made Hanabi's eyes widen and jaws drop in disbelief.
"But… Gin, that's… impossible! How… where in the world did you-" Hanabi gasped as Gin pulled out a similar 'burning' sword out of thin air.
April 2nd, about the Same Time, behind the Shrine's Wishing Hall
After receiving approval from his mother to roam the shrine's premises a few moments ago, Redschtly decided to do some adventuring on his own. He was getting tired of his grandfather's constant teasing of his childish traits, and wanted to at least impress him by doing things his own way, as long as it didn't endanger his safety in anyway.
It only took him a couple of minutes to reach the rear part of the shrine, wherein an abandoned well stood at the middle of the clearing. This area was off-limits most of the time, and had undergone a few repairs. He had gotten past the guards who were dozing off or were busy with other matters by walking on tiptoe- a skill he naturally acquired when trying to escape from their house back in Pharos.
Upon reaching the well, Redschtly made sure that he wouldn't trip on anything lying on the ground and cause him to fall down the well… or worse, drown. A lot of these things happen in horror stories. He peeked at the gaping hole that appeared to be inviting him to dive to the depths. It was pitch black, and he couldn't even see the bottom of it.
Like any child who listened to a fancy bedtime story about wishes coming true when dropping a coin on a wishing well, Redschtly reluctantly pulled out a coin from his pocket and closed his eyes before dropping it on the murky waters. Please grant my wish as soon as possible. Without hesitation, he dropped the coin after making his wish.
At least that's what he actually expected to happen.
Squatting at the mouth of the well was a being that Redschtly had never seen before. It appeared at the last moment before the young boy's coin could touch the water's surface. With a single swipe of its hands, it caught the coin in midair and threw it back at the boy.
"Hey! My wish won't come true if the coin doesn't reach the bottom of the well!" Redschtly shouted to the being after catching the coin. He examined it even further, for its face was being obscured by a fox mask. He attempted to get closer at the said being, but stopped short after it threw another coin at him out of nowhere. It looked human for the boy, for it was wearing a beautiful blue kimono. I wonder if this guy actually talks…
To Redschtly's surprise, the being actually DID talk.
"It appears that you have potential as well… just like your father." the being said in a calm tone. "You and that pestering kid… are somewhat similar in nature."
Just like my father? What does this guy know? No one except my mother gave me an idea who my father was. "What in the world are you talking about?"
The being wearing a fox mask simply uttered "4 + 4 + 4" and disappeared.
April 1st, Amatsu Port – Exit Bay, 05:38PM
Gin hesitated to take another step forward to exit the port. Am I really doing the right thing? I still have a chance to turn back, right?
She tightly grasped her baggage on one hand and held her son's hand by the other. For a moment, Gin felt a bit of certainty and reassured herself that her actions from that moment onwards will take her forward. I'm not running away.
Little by little, Gin inched forward and headed for the exit. She gazed at the crowd, looking for a familiar face, for she had already notified her father beforehand that she will be arriving with her son on the eve of the summer festival. It's been fourteen years since she left Amatsu… seven years after she wrote a letter to her father and Hanabi… and two years since she notified everyone in Pharos of her departure. For some reason, my life feels calculated.
She wondered if her father would recognize her, given the amount of time they haven't seen each other. Though her father occasionally sent her photographs over the years, she never sent him a picture of herself or her only son.
"Found you." a grumpy voice echoed from behind her.
Gin felt the warm and wrinkled hand grab her by the wrist. "I have a strong feeling that you are my daughter, beautiful lady. But I have to confirm that for myself. Please answer my one question, so I can let go of your arm." the voice said.
After signalling her son to stay quiet, Gin dropped her baggage slowly and readied herself… for she knew when to actually panic. Gin nodded in agreement without looking at the source of the voice. Just what is this shady character going to ask?
"Why is the great cherry blossom tree of Amatsu clad in white?"
The question made Gin realize that she was finally home. Riddles, huh? She bowed her head, as if personally offended by the question, and answered with a whisper. "…because underneath the soil where that tree stands are countless bodies of illegitimate children." And with that, the warm hand released its grip. It has to be him. Gin turned to meet the person who asked her, and found a short, old man with neatly combed hair. "You never failed to answer that question, my lovely daughter." the old man said.
"That question always freaked me out, that's why…" Gin answered. She then convinced her son to stop hiding behind her so he could meet his grandfather. "His name is Eiji, Redschtly… but you can always call him gramps." Gin's father protested asserting he was just seventy, making Redschtly and Gin laugh heartily. It's nice to be back.
Eiji then took their baggage and pointed at the port's exit. "This way, please."