hanabishi fusai 3

by Hazelnut Pie

Ghosts and stuff

1. Chapter 1

Hanabishi Fusai 3 Chapter 1 – The Weeping Benten

The island seemed to be lying peacefully on the calm sea.

A cat dozing in the sun. Or a lady taking an afternoon nap. Suzuko imagined such things in the back of her mind. She felt a strange sense of security in the gentle and serene appearance of the island.

The waves glistened in the summer sun, and the shadows of one or two ships could be seen in the distance. The surface of the lapis lazuli-colored water was of a deep hue, yet transparent. It looked like faint, brittle glass. A gentle breeze stroked Suzuko's nape as she stood on the boat before it left. There was a tortoiseshell comb inlaid with pearls in her tied-up hair. Her blue silk gauze kimono was yuuzen-dyed with a pattern of shells, and her layered summer haori and obi were both a pure white with an aboshi pattern.* It seemed to Suzuko that even her extravagant and elaborate kimono would fade in front of the beauty of the sea. Even her high-quality jade obi clasp couldn't compete with the sparkle of the waves.

A parasol was held up over Suzuko, casting a shadow over her pale cheeks.

"Awaji Island has a warm climate, and it's a comfortable island to live on. The winter wind is troublesome in the western inlet, but—"

Takafuyu, who was holding the parasol over Suzuko, narrowed his eyes in the bright sunlight and gazed out at sea. He was wearing a boater hat and a white linen three-piece suit, which suited his handsome, chiseled features and tall stature. His light blue tie and pearl tiepin were chosen by his wife, Suzuko.

"We use that wind to dry the incense sticks. It makes the whole village smell nice. Let me show you around while we're here."

Takafuyu ran a company that made incense and incense sticks, and its manufacturing facility was located on Awaji Island. However, the reason Suzuko and Takafuyu came all the way to the island wasn't to visit it. It was for a Shinto ritual.

Takafuyu was the current head of the Hanabishi family, but he was also the chief priest of Shimagami Shrine on the island. The Hanabishi family were shinshoku nobility. It was said that they were once the lords of the island, and the family had a long history. Because they were old, they were also trapped by a sinister fate. Due to this fate, Suzuko ended up marrying Takafuyu and visiting Awaji Island, which she had no connection with until now.

"Is your seasickness not too bad, Suzuko-san?"

Ever since they got on the boat, Takafuyu had asked her this question often, looking concerned.

"I'm okay. The boat doesn't shake as much as I thought."

"If you feel unwell, please tell me right away. I will have the boat brought to the nearest port so you can rest."

They took a train from Tokyo to Kobe, then took a steamship from the Port of Kobe to Iwaya in the northern part of the island, then transferred to a small motorized sailboat and headed south along the west coast of the island. This boat wasn't a ferry, but it was prepared to carry Suzuko and her party. There were many places along the coast where there were cliffs that run directly from the mountains to the sea, making roads inconvenient. It was said that it was faster to go by sea than land.

Suzuko, who had bad memories of drowning in a pond when she was a child, was afraid of being near water, but it seemed that she didn't have a predisposition to get seasick. She felt fine even when they crossed the rapids of Akashi Strait.

But… Suzuko turned back. Taka, her attendant, was holding onto the boat's edge and crouching down. Her face was pale.

"Taka, shall we go on land and rest for a while?" Suzuko called out to her.

"How preposterous. We cannot delay our schedule just because of me—"

Taka shook her head violently, but immediately covered her mouth and groaned. She was completely seasick. Taka, who had always been the very image of health, had become like a wilted green vegetable.

"Even O-Taka-san has her weak points, huh," the maid, Waka, said as she worriedly rubbed Taka's back. "Don't liken people to Benkei…" Taka glared at her resentfully.*

"I think Gunge Port is close to here. Let's ask to stop there," Takafuyu said.

"Preposterous!" Taka repeated. "If we do something like that, I, Taka, will not be able to hold my head up high. I won't die from seasickness, so please continue forward as we are. Besides, the master's great uncle will be meeting us at the port where we will arrive. We cannot keep him waiting because of me."

Taka looked desperate. Takafuyu looked at Suzuko with a troubled expression.

"Certainly, it would be rude to keep your great-uncle waiting."

This would be the first time Suzuko would be meeting Takafuyu's great uncle. It would be bad to make him wait on their first meeting.

"You don't need to worry about that," Takafuyu said lightly. "We can just pretend we're late because I had some minor business. My great uncle detests me, so there's no point in worrying about being rude or impolite now."

Suzuko stared at Takafuyu's face. Oh, I see, she thought. Takafuyu must be reluctant to be greeted by his great uncle. I hope he gets angry from waiting too long and goes home—he must be thinking that. It was written on his face.

The great uncle was Takafuyu's grandfather's younger brother. In that case, he was actually Takafuyu's uncle. This was because Takafuyu's biological father was his grandfather. His grandfather had committed such a deed. In other words, he forced his daughter-in-law to give birth to Takafuyu and presented him as his grandson outwardly to maintain the family's reputation. It wasn't difficult to imagine that this was the reason why his great uncle hated him so much.

What his grandfather did was still a sharp wedge that hurt Takafuyu and made him suffer even now.

"Takafuyu-san, it's better to do something you don't feel like doing first, rather than putting it off until later," Suzuko said. Takafuyu tilted his head in dismay. "It would be a good idea to greet your great uncle, who is in charge of the shrine, first."

"Yes, of course."

"So in other words, as long as you have done that, you will have fulfilled your duty."

"I…will have?"

"You will have," Suzuko nodded expressionlessly.

"Reason will not retract if you do things in a logical manner. Then you can do whatever you like afterward."

When Suzuko said that decisively, Takafuyu gave her a relaxed smile.

"When you say that, it makes me think that everything can be handled easily."

Isn't that good? Suzuko thought. The burden he was currently carrying wasn't something he was supposed to carry. His grandfather alone should carry that burden. Suzuko was annoyed that she couldn't complain since the person in question was dead.

"Ah, it's a little better this way."

Taka clung to the edge of the boat, feeling the sea breeze on her face. She took several deep breaths.

"You should fix your gaze on the distance, O-Taka-san. Look, like that mountain—" Waka pointed to the mountain that towered over the island.

"That's Senzan," Takafuyu told Suzuko. "It's also called Awaji Fuji, and it's located right in the middle of the island. The island's highest peak is Mount Yuzuruha in the south, but Senzan is a popular sacred mountain for takayama-mairi."

"Takayama-mairi?"

"It's the custom of climbing a tall mountain and praying. It's mountain worship. This custom is deeply rooted in Awaji. The people here are very religious. There are many temples and shrines."

As expected, Takafuyu was very knowledgeable about such things. Suzuko looked at the mountain in the distance. As one would expect from a mountain called Awaji Fuji, it had a beautiful shape.

After a while, the boat arrived at its destination. It was a place called Minato Village in Mihara District. As its name suggested, this area had prospered as a port since ancient times. Judging from the topography of the site, which was located at the mouth of Mihara River and had its back to Mihara Plain, the largest plain on the island, it was clear that it must have been one of the most important places on the island.

"Suzuko-san, your doll," Takafuyu prompted her before they disembarked from the boat to the pier. Suzuko pulled out a doll made from white paper from under her sleeve. Takafuyu had given it to her before they boarded a boat. He also gave them to Taka and Waka.

Takafuyu collected the dolls and gave them to the captain. The captain was a fisherman, and this sailboat was usually used as a fishing boat.

"When ya leave the boat, yer possessed by Funadama-sama."

It was said that there was a goddess named Funadama-sama on board all ships. Since Funadama-sama and the captain were husband and wife, women were not allowed on ships. In cases where a woman had to go on board, they were given a doll and left it on the ship when she disembarked. If you didn't do that, Funadama-sama would possess the woman and leave. There were other taboos related to boats and fishing which they seemed to adhere to. This gave a glimpse into what Takafuyu said about the people here being deeply religious.

"'Right, Master Hanabishi, I'll be off now."

"Ah, thank you very much."

The captain smiled, his tanned face crinkling, and left.

At the port, Yura, their servant, was inspecting the luggage. This time, the three servants that came to Awaji with them were Taka, Waka, and Yura. The Hanabishi family in Mihara also had servants, so there was no inconvenience with just three people. Even now, young men who appeared to be servants were carrying luggage to the cart under Yura's instructions.

The eastern coastal area of Awaji Island was called Higashiura, and the western side was called Nishiura, and Minato was said to be the best port in Nishiura. Many boats that looked like fishing boats were moored there, and steamships that went between Hanshin and Shikoku stopped there once a day.

"Salt manufacturing was popular in this area, and large amounts of salt were transported to Kinai—"*

Takafuyu, who was walking along the port while giving such an explanation, suddenly stopped. For just a moment, his expression stiffened, and then he immediately put on a courteous smile. Suzuko, who was watching his face from the side, was probably the only one who noticed this subtle change.

Suzuko turned her head to where Takafuyu was looking. An old man was there. He wore a black crested haori and hakama, a Panama hat, and had a cane in his hand. He was a small but authoritative-looking old man with a fine white beard swaying in the sea breeze. He seemed to be squinting his eyes against the glare of the sunlight, but he also seemed to be glaring at them.

"That's my great uncle," Takafuyu said while staring straight ahead.

Contrary to Takafuyu, who began to walk again, his great uncle remained as motionless as a statue, staring intently at him. As they got closer, Suzuko could see that the great uncle was definitely in a bad mood.

"Hmph, barons are supposed to be refined, aren't they? Yet you made an old man wait in the heat and then just walked up the street leisurely."

Those were the first words of the great uncle—Hanabishi Yoshie. His voice was hoarse, but it was clear and carried well. He spat out the words, and his gaze was hateful. Suzuko felt that it wasn't cold contempt, but passionate anger.

"I sincerely apologize," that was all Takafuyu said as he took off his hat and bowed his head. Even if they had rushed over to him, the great uncle would probably complain that it was "disgraceful behavior for a Hanabishi."

Yoshie glanced at Suzuko.

"Great-uncle, this is…"

"The noble daughter of a marquis who married into our family, right? Poor thing, she drew the short straw."

There was neither pity nor contempt in his tone. Maybe he really did feel sorry for her. How unfortunate for you to have been marked by Awaji no Kimi—that was what he meant.

Awaji no Kimi was a vengeful spirit who had cursed the Hanabishi family. Suzuko was chosen by her to become Takafuyu's wife.

"I'm Suzuko," she submissively bowed her head to Yoshie. Although there were many things she wanted to say, she shouldn't go out of her way to cause resentment by talking back on the first meeting. She also had to consider Takafuyu's position.

Yoshie stared at her silently, then suddenly turned his head away. He seemed to frown for a moment, but Suzuko couldn't tell what emotion was there.

"I'm gonna stop by somewhere, so I'm leavin' now. Takafuyu, show up at the shrine later."

"Is that where Uncle Yoshitsugu is?"

"Yeah. Mikio and Fukiko are at the house."

Suzuko had heard from Takafuyu in advance that Yoshitsugu was Yoshie's son, and Mikio and Fukiko were Yoshitsugu's children.

"Well then."

Without thanking them for coming all the way here, Yoshie turned on his heel. A man who looked like a servant rushed towards him, whose gait was unsteady even with a cane, but Yoshie brushed him off noisily. He got into a rickshaw and left the port. Suzuko wondered if cars were still uncommon on the island, but Takafuyu said, "My great uncle despises cars." A car pulled up beside them, and Takafuyu opened the door. It appeared to belong to the Hanabishi family.

"Please get in," he told Suzuko, and she settled into the back seat. Takafuyu sat next to her. "It's only a short walk away, but it's hot and you're most likely tired."

She looked out the window, wondering if Taka was okay, but saw that she had suddenly regained her energy after setting foot on land. She was loading the wicker trunks containing Suzuko's clothes into the cart by herself.

"My great uncle is like that, but at least Mikio-san and Fukiko-san are friendly people, so please relax. Besides, my great uncle from earlier was actually being quite mild. I guess he was holding back for you."

Suzuko looked at his profile as he said that. He was smiling, but there was a tired gloom in his eyes.

"…I don't think of it as 'drawing the short straw.'"

The words that suddenly spilled from her mouth were lost in the sea breeze blowing in from the window.

"Eh?" Takafuyu turned to Suzuko. "What did you say?"

"Your great uncle said that I drew the short straw. But I don't think of myself as having done that, so there is no reason for him to feel sorry for me. That is all I wanted to say."

She thought Takafuyu might have been bothered by his great uncle's words. That it was his fault that Suzuko was dragged into the Hanabishi family's destiny. He unexpectedly worried about such things. He simply ignored whatever was said about him, but when she was involved, he fretted over it terribly.

"If I don't tell you this, you'll be brooding over it the whole time we're in Awaji."

Takafuyu gave her a smile that was a combination of wryness and bashfulness.

"Ah, you've got me. Your clairvoyance is getting better and better."

The Mihara Hanabishi estate was located on a hill. As they climbed the complicated slope, it seemed as though their field of vision was widening, but then Suzuko learned that this whole area belonged to the Hanabishi family. Apparently, they were a major landowner who owned a lot of land in addition to this hill.

Surrounded by rows of thatched-roof houses, this tile-roofed mansion looked especially grand. The hedges planted as a windbreak were beautifully trimmed. Behind the mansion, large pine and persimmon trees stood solemnly like guardian deities.

The estate consisted of the main building, a hanare, a barn, and a storehouse.*

"The hanare is a place of retreat, and the people around here call it the hiya. The word hanare can refer to a shabby retreat, so it is better not to use it with the people here."

Takafuyu carefully taught Suzuko. Different regions had different etiquette, so if she didn't listen, she might find herself in trouble without realizing it.

"Does your great uncle live in the 'hiya'?"

"Yes, more or less," Takafuyu laughed. "The real power is still in his hands."

"Isn't his son Yoshitsugu-san dissatisfied with that?"

"He's an obedient person. He isn't the type who enjoys standing in the front and controlling everything, so I would think it's actually easier for him."

Suzuko felt a little uneasy, wondering what he would do if his father died.

The entrance to the main house was spacious and cold rather than cool. It was dark and gloomy. Suzuko wondered if the reason why she felt this way was because no one had come out to welcome the newly arrived head of the family.

After a while, a woman finally emerged from the back. She was a woman in her forties with a chignon, a slender face, and harsh eyes. Judging from her appearance, she must be Yoshitsugu's wife. Yoshie's wife was already deceased. In other words, this woman was in control of household affairs.

"Welcome to our home."

The woman muttered a formal greeting and bowed her head perfunctorily. There was a coldness in her voice and expression that oozed with disgust, as if she were looking at a roadside stone, or even a snake. There was something elegant about her coldness. Was she from Kyoto?

"It's been a long time, Kisa-san. We will have to trouble you again—"

In the middle of Takafuyu's greeting, the sound of footsteps creaking the floorboards echoed from inside.

"I was wonderin' who it was, but it turned out to be you, Takafuyu-kun. I didn't hear that you were comin' today. It's been a while. Don't just stand there, c'mere. Right, I heard you got married. Congratulations."

The one who spoke in a gentle but clear tone was a young man who looked to be the same age as Takafuyu, maybe a little older. Although he had a large, tanned physique, he exuded an easygoing temper and didn't seem intimidating. He had an amiable expression on his face.

"Oh, is that your wife? She's a real beauty."

His face broke into a smile when he noticed Suzuko. Before she could open her mouth to greet him, he said, "I'm Mikio, madam. 'Miki' as in 'tree trunk' and 'o' as in grand.'"* He then turned around. At that moment, Suzuko realized there was someone behind his large body.

"And, this is my little sister, Fukiko."

The woman, Fukiko, looked to be a little over twenty years old. Like Mikio, she was tall, and her skin was a healthy tan color. Her lean face and almond eyes gave her a strong-willed appearance. Mikio was dressed in Western clothing, a white shirt and pants, while Fukiko was dressed in a black summer silk kimono with silver-gray stripes.

"'Madam,' Nii-san? How out of character," Fukiko said with a hearty laugh. She had a stern face, but when she laughed, she gave off a friendly impression, just like her brother.*

"What's wrong with it? You have to be a little more refined, or the people from Tokyo will be afraid of our language."

"What's scary is how much you talk."

Hey? Fukiko called out to Suzuko in a good-humored tone.

"Suzuko-san, right? I heard about you. I'm sorry that my brother was being so noisy as soon as you met him."

Please come in, Fukiko urged them. Suzuko glanced at Takafuyu, who smiled and nodded. She had heard earlier that the two were amicable, but she was surprised to see that they were friendlier than expected.

Before she knew it, the cold Kisa had disappeared. The mother's attitude was like that, and yet her two children were so different.

"Mikio-san is a talented person who graduated from Kyoto's Imperial University," Takafuyu introduced Mikio again in the parlor. There was no insincere flattery in his tone. Mikio scratched his head in embarrassment.

"You're much smarter than me, Takafuyu-kun. It's embarrassin' to be praised like that."

"That's right. He only studied for what he liked, so he almost failed once or twice," Fukiko said openly. It seemed that she had no intention of making her brother look good. Was that the local culture or the family dynamic? It was as refreshing and comfortable as the wind blowing on the island.

"What do you mean by 'what he liked'?" Suzuko asked while tasting the mizu yokan.

"History and the like. I've always been interested in the local history of Awaji Island," Mikio was also enjoying the mizu yokan, his cheeks bulging. "Well, since I came back here, I've been researching local history. In Awaji, many local history books were created during the Edo period."

"Local history books…I see."

There are things like that here? Suzuko thought. Is there anything we can learn about the Hanabishi family and Awaji no Kimi from them? Or as expected, there wouldn't be anything written about such internal circumstances?

I wish we could learn more about Awaji no Kimi while we're here.

They would exorcise Awaji no Kimi. That was what Suzuko and Takafuyu decided.

Awaji no Kimi was originally a Hanabishi, but after dying, she turned into a vengeful spirit that fed on ghosts, and if the family head did not give her ghosts, it was said that she would curse the family members with death. She was a vengeful spirit clinging to the Hanabishi family and refusing to let go. In addition to the ritual, this trip to Awaji Island was also to find clues for exorcising her.

"Have you met Grandfather already? He makes a big fuss over things like that. He gets very angry if you don't greet him first."

Takafuyu nodded with a wry smile. "Yes, I have. He came to meet us at the port, wearing a haori and hakama."

"Haha, he really got into it. That's why Grandfather—"

"Takafuyu! Takafuyu, come over here!" In the middle of his sentence, they heard the great uncle's voice calling from the front door. Everyone, not just Suzuko, was startled.

Takafuyu quickly stood up, left the parlor, and headed for the entrance. Suzuko followed suit. Mikio and Fukiko also followed.

"What's the matter, Great Uncle?"

"You're late. What were you doin'?"

Yoshie, who was at the entrance, glared at Takafuyu, then his eyes landed on Mikio standing him behind him, and his expression turned quizzical.

"What, you were with Mikio?"

"It's been a while since we saw each other, and we got lots of things to talk about, so we were having tea together."

"Hmph. What's there to talk about?" Yoshie said, sounding bored, and looked at the person standing next to him. He was an old man, neatly dressed in summer pongee, giving the impression that he was of a certain status.

"This man is from Imoto Village—well, Takafuyu, you wouldn't know where that is even if I tell you. He's the chief of a nearby village. He used to be the village headman.* He said he had a favor to ask of you concernin' the village, so I brought him here. Listen to what he has to say," Yoshie said arbitrarily.

"Understood," Takafuyu amicably accepted without even asking for details. Yoshie's eyebrows drew together a bit, and he looked displeased.

"Grandfather, Takafuyu-kun has just arrived. He must be exhausted, so you should at least tell him what the request is."

"Mikio, shut up. If it's a request for the Hanabishi head, then it's obvious what it is," Yoshie snapped, then quickly left.

If it's a request for the Hanabishi head, then it's obvious what it is—was this a request for exorcism?

The village chief was glancing repeatedly at Takafuyu and the others. He was rubbing the towel in his hands uncomfortably.

Takafuyu took the chief into the parlor, and in an effort to ease his tension, he took a moment to praise the scenery of Awaji Island, inquire about current affairs, and talk about Tokyo. Suzuko thought that his tact in this area, typical of merchants, was to be expected.

"So, is there a problem in the village?" Takafuyu asked when the chief seemed to relax.

"Oh, yes, there is a big problem. I don't think anything can be done about it unless I ask you, Hanabishi-sama—"

"Did a ghost appear?"

"Huh, I don't know if I'd call it a ghost…"

"You don't know if it's a ghost or not?"

"Yes. But, its voice could be heard. I can hear it too," Perhaps recalling it, the chief turned pale. "The voice comes from Benten-sama. It's not just a voice, it's the sound of sobbing."

"Benten-sama…is there a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten around here? I don't remember."*

"No, it ain't a shrine. We just worship a statue of Benten-sama. She's a water goddess, right? So we enshrined her on the bank of a pond."

"Ah, I see," Takafuyu nodded. "So that Benten-sama statue was crying?"

"Yes, yes, that's right. We're afraid that it might be a curse."

The chief leaned over his knees in his excitement, but Takafuyu, on the other hand, was in deep thought with a serious look on his face.

"If it is not a ghost but a god's curse, then I don't think I can help."

"What, no!"

Awaji no Kimi ate spirits, not gods. Nor did she eat formless "curses."

"As mere humans, we cannot do anything about a god. Our job is to offer worship in order to subdue the curse. I can perform that sort of prayer, but you have already done that much, yes?"

"Yes, of course. We offered prayers to our guardian god, we asked the temples, and we even summoned ascetics and a miko, but the crying hasn't stopped."

The chief hung his head, seemingly at a loss. Looking at him, Takafuyu pondered the matter even harder, thinking that as an important local personage, he couldn't turn the chief away just because he couldn't perform this task.

"Do you have any idea why Benten-sama is like this?"

The chief's expression changed at his words. He looked down, embarrassed.

"Heh, yes, I do. I know why Benten-sama is crying. About half a year ago, her statue was destroyed."

"Destroyed?"

"A young'un from the village got drunk and broke the statue."

Young'un—he means a young man? Suzuko understood.

"It's a stone statue, but its face got a little bit chipped when it was pulled down. We were shocked when we discovered it. Benten-sama is the god who protects the village's reservoir. It would be terrible if it dried up."

Suzuko, who grew up in a slum in Asakusa and had only ever lived in the city after being taken in by a marquis, knew that water was important for rural villages, but didn't truly understand it.

"Awaji Island has many reservoirs. We're prone to drought here," Mikio, sitting next to her, told her quietly.

Takafuyu and the chief sat facing each other, while Suzuko, Mikio, and Fukiko sat side by side in a corner of the parlor so as not to disturb their conversation.

"Was that when you started to hear the crying?" Takafuyu asked.

"Yes—no, it wasn't right away. It was, er, after the boy who damaged Benten-sama disappeared."

"Disappeared?"

"One day, he suddenly just up and left. Some say it was Benten-sama's curse, but he probably just ran away somewhere."

"Because he broke Benten-sama?"

"No, because we gave him the works."

"Gave him the works…?"

Even if one caught the words spoken by the people of this island, one might not be able to understand their meaning. Suzuko didn't understand, of course, but Takafuyu also seemed to be hearing these words for the first time, as he was tilting his head to the side.

"How do I explain it, it's—"

"It means 'to punish,'" Mikio interjected. "We say phrases like 'give him the works' and 'do him in,' but I guess they come from the word 'punish.' It's a village-specific punishment."*

"Like being ostracized?"

"That's one punishment. It's the harshest one, right?"

Mikio looked questioningly at the chief, who nodded.

"First, there's things like making them run around the village with their straw sandals hanging from their neck, or making them wear a haori and apologize to every house in the village. Even if they are ostracized, just ask them to bring their brothers* a lot of sake, and that'll be the end of it. That's how it goes, but…" the chief's face clouded over. "That kid was no good. Ever since he was little, he was a brat who came up with all sorts of bad ideas. But he was loved by his fellows. When he broke the statue of Benten-sama, he tried to pin the blame on someone else. He was soon found out and given the works by the village assembly."

After that, he apparently left the village without even offering an apology.

"I wonder where he is and what's he doing…well, I'm not worried about him, but—"

The chief was about to say something, but suddenly cut himself off.

"Ah, yes," he cleared his throat. "So, about Benten-sama. Everyone in the village is worried about what to do with her weepin'."

"Have you restored the statue?"

"We can't do anything about the chipped face. We don't know if it's good or bad to replace it with a new statue."

"Besides hearing crying, is there anything else strange?"

"No, there ain't."

Hmm, Takafuyu folded his arms and stared at the tatami.

"Well then, shall I go to the village and see Benten-sama's statue for myself?"

"Huh, are you sure?" The chief leaned forward with his hands on the tatami. "That'll be very helpful. The villagers will also be relieved."

"I don't know if I'll be any help, though."

"We're just grateful that you're comin'."

The chief bowed his head and said that he would be returning at sunset, then left. The statue of Benten-sama cried only at night, apparently.

"What do you make of this, Suzuko-san?" Takafuyu asked her after the chief left. Suzuko could only tilt her head, unsure.

"If I only go by what was said earlier… We must see it for ourselves. We don't know if the Benten statue is actually crying or not, after all."

"Yes, I think so as well."

"What do you mean?" Fukiko interjected.

"They might have mistaken the cries of birds or animals for weeping. Or maybe it was a prank."

"Oh, that's what you meant. It's possible when you're terrified."

The people who feared that they were cursed because a villager damaged the Benten statue might have interpreted something that sounded like crying for Benten-sama's weeping.

"It's not crying, but there are similar stories," Mikio said. "When you hear a sad-soundin' voice calling out to someone from a sanma, it means that a sick person has died. It's a true story from a local history book."

Suzuko didn't know what a "sanma" was. "A sanma is a burial grave," Takafuyu told her.

"A burial grave?"

"Awaji Island generally has a two-grave system. The place where the body was buried and the place to pray to them are two different places."

Suzuko was somewhat surprised. There were many things she didn't know.

"Stop it, Nii-san. Don't talk about scary things like that," Fukiko scrunched up her face.

"Given that there are stories like this, it's human nature to think that if Benten-sama is crying, there might be some kind of curse. If Takafuyu-kun visits the village, maybe they'd calm down a little. Sorry, you just came from Tokyo, so you must be tired. Are y'all doin' alright?"

"We stayed one night in Kobe."

They took a day off in Kobe before taking the steamship to Awaji Island. This was because Takafuyu was worried about Suzuko, who was unaccustomed to taking long journeys.

"You shouldn't force yourself. You've always been too considerate of others."

"That's right. You should be like Nii-san, who does what he likes without caring about others."

Seeing that the two siblings seemed to care deeply about Takafuyu, Suzuko was relieved. He wasn't only surrounded by cold people. When she thought about how he had lived since he was a child, her heart became heavy, but now that she learned that he had people like this as well, she felt comforted.

Suzuko and Takafuyu decided to visit the Hanabishi family's Shimagami Shrine as they waited for the village chief to get them in the evening. Another reason was to not get in the way while Taka and the others carried their luggage into their rooms and got them ready.

The shrine was apparently located on a cape a little far away from the mansion, so they headed there by car. They had the same driver who came to pick them up at the port. The driver, Soejima, had been working for the Hanabishi family for several years. He was a man in his thirties, polite but quiet, and didn't speak unless they asked him a question. It was easy to forget that he was there.

"Speaking of Benten-sama, there's an event called 'Revolving Benten' on Awaji Island."

Suzuko, who was looking out the window curiously, turned around at Takafuyu's words.

"Revolving Benten…? Is Benten-sama spinning around?"

For some reason, Suzuko imagined a spinning statue of Benten. Takafuyu laughed.

"I have an idea of what you're thinking of, but the 'revolving' here means to go around, not to rotate. The tour visits the villages on the island that are made up of Shingon temple parishioner families. What goes around is a hanging scroll with Benten-sama drawn on it. The village that has gratefully accepted the hanging scroll from Mount Kouya* is put on duty for a year. They are in charge of erecting an evergreen-wood torii at the village entrance, and a portable shrine travels around the village to carefully enshrine Benten-sama. Although it's a ritual that falls under the jurisdiction of the Shingon sect, the details of it are clearly Shinto beliefs."

"They're all mixed together," Suzuko said, remembering what she had heard from Takafuyu about Shinto before.

"Yes. Awaji Island has an overwhelmingly large number of Shingon temples. That is how long they've been carrying out their missionary work. They have become bettouji for the shrines of local guardian deities."

Takafuyu added that a bettouji was a temple that was attached to a Shinto shrine and managed it.

"During the feudal system of the shogunate and domains, Buddhism was very powerful, and temples controlled shrines, but bettouji were abolished in the Meiji era."

"You said that the gods and Buddha were separated…"

The government had issued such an order.

"That's right. Many disciples of Ookuni Takamasa were appointed to the priesthood of local shrines on Awaji Island—"

"Who is that?"

"He is a scholar of Japanese literature and culture from the Tsuwano Domain. Japanese studies were popular in the Tsuwano Domain, and even before the Meiji period, Shintoism and Buddhism were separated within the domain, and rituals at shrines were unified. The Shinto policy that the government has followed since the Restoration is like a continuation of that policy. In the early Meiji period, Ookuni was appointed to the Department of Shinto Affairs as assistant judicial officers with his pupil Fukuba Bisei. Their ideas are reflected in the administration of shrines. The fact that disciples of Ookuni were sent to Awaji Island means that the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism on this island was probably carried out thoroughly in the early Meiji period. For example, Yuzuruha Gongen was divided into a shrine and temple, and the temple was moved to the foot of the mountain."

"Revolving Benten" is no exception, he said.

"Claiming that Benten was a god named Ichikishimahime no Mikoto, they transferred the management of Benten from the temple to Itsukushima Shrine. However, there was considerable opposition to this, and the prefecture, in a panic, issued a notice that the Revolving Benten festival could continue as before."

"Even if they tried to forcefully change the form, the hearts of the people won't follow. Just like Sannou Gongen and Kanda Myojin."

"Yes," Takafuyu smiled. "You're a good learner."

They were like a teacher and student. Sensing the humor in it, Suzuko smiled as well.

The name of Sannou Gongen changed to Hie Shrine, and Kanda Myojin even changed its main deity and became Kanda Shrine. However, Hie Shrine was still called "Sannou-san," and Kanda Shrine's subsidiary shrines, where the original deity was enshrined, were more worshipped than the main deity. That is what faith is, Takafuyu said.

"You said before that the government decided that Shintoism was rituals, not religion…"

Honestly, Suzuko didn't understand the logic behind that. However, she had doubts about the approach of standardizing shrines and merging small shrines and nameless gods.

"Faith exists, even if it isn't a religion. Isn't it too coarse to change the form of the original ritual, to replace the deity, to combine several shrines into one, or even to erase it?"

Takafuyu was silent for a while and looked out the window.

"My brother said the same thing. He worried about it."

Takafuyu's older brother committed suicide six years ago. This was why he, who had been adopted, had to return to the Hanabishi family.

When it came to his brother, he was careful about his choice of words. Six years ago—that was also the year that Suzuko's family members, with who she lived together in the Asakusa slums, were murdered. The culprit was a member of nobility who had a "pine crest." Takafuyu's brother had one as well. He was fearful of this commonality. He was scared that his brother might have been the culprit. There was nothing Suzuko could do to dispel that fear. However, in any case, she considered Takafuyu as himself and not his brother.

"Oh…a torii," Suzuko murmured, leaning closer to the window. A torii gate could be seen in front of the dense forest.

"That's Shimagami Shrine," Takafuyu said in an animated tone of voice, in contrast to his gloomy voice from earlier. "That's an old torii."

Indeed, even from a distance, it looked like an aged wooden torii. That must mean it had a long history.

"You'll be even more surprised once you see the grounds. It's a small and ancient shrine."

"But isn't it an imperial shrine?"*

"That's why it's a surprise."

The car climbed a narrow slope and stopped in front of the torii. Seen up close, it was certainly old and worn, but it also had a certain dignity to it.

They got out of the car and stood in front of the gate. The cries of cicadas echoed. There was a stillness here that was unconnected to the hustle and bustle of the everyday world.

"Let's go," Takafuyu said, taking her hand and passing through the gate. The premises were cool, probably because of the shade of the trees.

Her first thought was that it was a small shrine. The premises weren't large. The shrine building was in front, and the shrine office was to the side. The building in front was the worship hall, and although it couldn't be seen from here, the main hall was probably at the back. At first glance, it looked old and unadorned. This, in turn, gave it a sense of grandeur.

There was no one on the grounds, and the faint sound of waves could be heard mixed in with the cries of the cicadas. Suzuko still didn't grasp the geography of this place, but it was said to be on a cape, so perhaps the sea was just beyond.

"We'll go say our greetings to Uncle Yoshitsugu, then I'll show you around."

Takafuyu headed to the office, and Suzuko followed him. The office wasn't a large building either. It was a one-story wooden building. When they opened the sliding door and stepped inside, it looked like a normal private home.

"My apologies for intruding. Uncle Yoshitsugu, are you there?"

As soon as he called out, the shoji door next to him opened. A man, wearing a white hitoe and hakama was standing there. He was a pale-faced man in his fifties, wearing glasses.

"Ah…it's you. You came back today?"

A weak voice could be heard coming from beneath the wriggling mustache. Suzuko wondered if this was really Mikio's father. He still had a large frame, but in contrast to Mikio, who was tan and healthy, he had a pale, long face with sickly-looking sunken eyes.

"Dad told you to come over here, didn't he. Thanks for comin' out all the way here. You can go back now."

He mumbled and spoke with slow pauses between his words. He spoke in a way that made it seem like he found it troublesome to even use his voice.

"I'm going to show my wife around the shrine, and then go back."

Hearing those words, Yoshitsugu finally moved his gaze and looked at Suzuko.

"Oh, I see. She found you, didn't she. Awaji no Kimi did," Yoshitsugu's gaze clearly exuded pity. "What a fate."

With a sigh, Yoshitsugu smoothly closed the door before Suzuko could say hello.

She stared at the shoji door in amazement. Takafuyu put his hand on his shoulder and took them outside.

"He's difficult to grasp," Takafuyu smiled wryly.

"He's like an eel," Suzuko answered.

"An eel?"

"He's slippery and elusive…"

That's a good way to describe him, Takafuyu laughed.

Led by Takafuyu, Suzuko went deeper into the shrine building. The trees parted, opening her view. The blue sky spread out before her. The sound of the waves was close.

"There's a cliff up ahead, so please don't get too close. It's difficult to find your footing here, so be careful," Takafuyu took her hand. "Apparently, the shrine was once closer to the cliff. However, since this was an important port since ancient times and ships were coming and going frequently, they moved it closer to the land to not trouble the gods."

"Did an oracle tell them to do so?"

"Well, who knows. Other than Hachiman, there are no such things as oracles.* Humans are the ones who willfully understand the will of the gods from events."

"For example…there is a curse since Benten-sama is lamenting?"

"Yes, that's right. We don't actually know what the gods' will is."

Suzuko looked at the sky that stretched out in front of her. She was thinking about Awaji no Kimi.

I don't actually know if Awaji no Kimi is cursing people or not.

It was a fact that Awaji no Kimi possessed the Hanabishi family head and sought ghosts to feed on. However, there was no way to verify if she cursed the family members with death if she wasn't fed. Takafuyu's grandparents, parents, and brother all died, but it was unknown whether or not those were due to Awaji no Kimi's curse.

"This shrine has a hall of worship, but the object of worship isn't there. In fact, this whole island is the object of worship."

"The whole island?"

"Yes. The island itself is worshipped. This isn't unusual for old shrines. Things like large rocks, mountains, and islands can become objects of worship."

Is that so? Suzuko couldn't help but look down at her feet.

"The shrine's history and the Hanabishi family tree are stored in that storehouse over there," Takafuyu turned around and pointed to the storehouse behind the office. "Great Uncle has the key, so even I can't enter freely."

"Even though you're the family head and chief priest?"

"The affairs of the shrine are left to Great Uncle. Since I don't live here, my position is weak. Great Uncle has plenty of influence all over the island, and he's the big man of this area."

He was saying that it was better not to oppose Yoshie. That was probably why Takafuyu obeyed him without talking back a single time. Or perhaps it was better to say that he was making Yoshie look good.

"You don't need to worry about any of this, Suzuko-san. Whether it's Great Uncle or Uncle Yoshitsugu, they have sympathy for the bride chosen by Awaji no Kimi."

Suzuko wondered if that was also true for Takafuyu's mother, but she didn't voice her thoughts aloud. She hesitated to bring up such things lightly in a casual conversation.

"…Is there something over there?"

Suzuko, who looked away, spotted a path between the trees. There was a shimenawa rope tied between the trees to prevent people from entering there. She wondered if there was a miniature shrine there, but Takafuyu told her that there was a path there that went all the way down to the bottom of the cliff.

"Can you go down to the bottom of the cliff…to the shore?"

"There is no shore. Only a cave. It can only be accessed when the tides recede. There's a reef there as well, so no boat can approach it."

"A cave—"

Takafuyu cast down his eyes, and a shadow fell over his face.

"It is the cave where Awaji no Kimi's body is said to have washed up. And, it is the place where my parents' bodies were discovered."

Suzuko looked up at his face in shock.

"That is where the ritual will be held. In order to appease the spirit of Awaji no Kimi."

Takafuyu's face looked gloomy and pale.

There was no low tide right now, so they couldn't go to the cave. Suzuko decided to follow Takafuyu's recommendation to drive around town before returning to the mansion.

"According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, Awaji Island was the very first island created, where Izanagi and Izanami were born," Takafuyu said as they made their way back to the car waiting in front of the torii.

"Are the records wrong?" Suzuko asked, struck by his way of speaking.

"No, I wouldn't say they are wrong…but it's not something I can say too loudly."

Takafuyu had a wry smile on his face, seemingly reluctant to speak.

"As I mentioned before, Izanagi is the ancestral god of the Hanabishi family. But more than that, he was the ancestral god worshipped by the Ama of Awaji Island. As you can see from the historical records, there is a deep relationship between Awaji Island and Izanagi. The myth where Awaji Island was created can be considered to have been passed down between the Awaji Ama. As they became involved with and served the imperial court, their myths must have been incorporated there as well. The emperors of that time were closely connected with Awaji Island."

There, Takafuyu stopped, leaned closer to Suzuko, and lowered his voice.

"Currently, Izanagi is treated with great care as the father of Amaterasu, the imperial ancestor, so such talk is forbidden. I don't talk about this anywhere else either. I discussed this a lot with my brother and Mikio-san, though."

"With Mikio-san?"

"This is his area of expertise. He knows a lot more than I do."

After getting into the car, Takafuyu asked Soejima to take them around town. After the car started moving, he spoke again.

"Even after I was adopted out, I still had contact with my brother and Mikio-san. I never visited the branch family here, though."

The sound of his laughter was carried upon the sea breeze that blew in from the window.

"It sounds like they were enjoyable exchanges."

"Yes, they truly are."

Takafuyu looked at the window and narrowed his eyes at the brightness. He seemed to be reminiscing on those days.

"…The number of Sectarian Shinto congregations seems to have increased here as well, I see."

Those words were not directed at Suzuko, but Soejima. A beat later, Soejima replied. "Yes. I believe the Konkou church was founded last year."

"Did Great Uncle not object?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know much about such things."

"Oh, that's right. Great Uncle doesn't ride cars."

"He said that cars made him feel uncomfortable."

"I would assume that the shaking of a rickshaw would make him feel more uncomfortable."

Soejima seemed to smile a little. It was a reserved smile.

Suzuko looked outside, but couldn't tell which one was the church. If she looked closely, she might see a signboard or a banner. She stared closely at the street. Unlike Tokyo, there were almost no Western-style buildings, but there were a rare few that appeared to be banks or government offices. Also facing the street were wooden Japanese-style shops. The people passing by were either shoppers or vendors, dressed in linen or cotton kimonos. They all looked somewhat relaxed.

"If you go further to the port, you can see the scenery of a fishing village, but this area is still the town."

Suzuko was about to say, "I see," but she suddenly let out a cry of surprise."

"Could you—could you please stop the car for a second?"

Soejima, seemingly unfazed, pulled the car to the side of the road and stopped.

"Is something wrong?"

"No…"

Suzuko's eyes were drawn to a house. Its signboard was nowhere to be found. However, on the white curtains hanging over the entrance, there were three flame marks dyed in black. Two at the bottom, and one on top. It was the mark of the Touka Sect, a new religion under the Sect Shinto group.

Even here…

It seemed that the Touka Sect was expanding its influence much further than expected.

"Is that the church of the Touka Sect?" Takafuyu, who noticed the curtains, asked Soejima.

"Yes, I believe that is the name of that church," Soejima nodded.

"…I have seen enough. Please start driving."

The car set off once more. Suzuko felt a vague, intangible anxiety.

When they arrived at the Hanabishi estate, they found Kisa standing at the door. She was wearing a different kimono from when they first met her. A thin silk kimono with a colorful pattern of cotton roses and a black crested haori. She seemed to be heading out somewhere.

As Suzuko and Takafuyu headed for the door, Kisa walked past them and trotted towards the car.

"I was shocked when I tried to go shopping and found the car gone. Soejima-han,* you're the driver for this family, so you need to say a few words before you up and go off somewhere or you'd be incoveniencin' everyone."

Soejima bowed his head deferentially at the harsh scolding. Since it was they who used the car, Suzuko thought that she should have complained to them.

"My apologies, Kisa-san. I forgot to tell you that we'd be borrowing the car," Takafuyu apologized, but Kisa didn't even turn their way and climbed into the car after Soejima opened it for her. At that moment, an audible mutter could be heard from her mouth.

"Oh, no. The defilement of chikushoudou will get on my kimono…"*

Suzuko didn't immediately understand what she meant, but the contempt in her voice was blatant, so she immediately stepped forward. However, Takafuyu grabbed her hand and held her back.

"Don't, Suzuko-san."

Suzuko looked up at his face. Takafuyu only looked uncomfortable. The car started and left the grounds.

"Defilement exists in both Shinto and Buddhism, but chikushoudou is Buddhist. For a person of a Shinto family to say that is a perfect example of the syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism."

Takafuyu said that and laughed. Chikushoudou—that term referred to someone who had strayed from the path of morality, as well as physical relations between blood relatives. Suzuko's whole body shuddered when she realized that Kisa was scorning Takafuyu's birth. Takafuyu's grandfather and mother weren't related by blood, but they were father-in-law and daughter-in-law. And, it was a relationship forced by the father-in-law.

Suzuko was speechless for a while. How could someone choose such horrible words and say them right to the person in question? She was horrified at the extent of her mean-spiritedness.

"Are you okay, Suzuko-san? You look pale."

Takafuyu peered at her face. He didn't look hurt. He had become accustomed to such verbal abuse.

It's frustrating.

Suzuko's heart was a jumble of anger and frustration. She had never felt this terrible before. She was furious at the people who made Takafuyu accustomed to such contempt. She wanted to go after the car right now and yell at them.

Suzuko took a deep breath and looked into Takafuyu's eyes.

"I'm giving you advance notice."

"Huh?" Takafuyu was puzzled.

"The next time Kisa-san says something disrespectful to you, I will slap her down."

"What…" Takafuyu's cheeks stiffened. "No, Suzuko-san. It's not something you should be so angry—"

"It is something that makes me angry. Now, imagine it. How would you feel if someone else said something similar to me? Are you saying that it won't make you angry?"

"Of course not."

"Then you understand. I'm furious that you have been insulted."

Takafuyu stared at Suzuko.

"So, Suzuko-san, can I assume that you're as fond of me as much I am of you?"

Hmm? Suzuko's brows knitted together.

"What are you talking about? That isn't what we're talking about right now."

"But, Suzuko-san—"

They heard laughter, and Suzuko and Takafuyu turned towards them at the same time. The door opened, and Mikio and Fukiko were peeking out.

"Oh, sorry. We were wonderin' when we should say somethin'," Mikio said with a smile. His shoulders were shaking. "It's good that you two are so close."

"Really, I should apologize for Mom for saying somethin' so awful," Fukiko said. "She never liked how we're a branch family. She was a noble girl from Kyoto, so she had a hard time putting up with being below someone else. No matter what she says, it doesn't change the fact that she married for money after her family was ruined."

She was very harsh towards her mother. Fukiko, seeing Suzuko's surprise, smiled sarcastically.

"I take after my mom in being mean."

"I think Takafuyu-kun should be angrier, but Suzuko-san is brave and reliable," Mikio grinned.

"She's amazing, isn't she?"

Takafuyu also smiled brilliantly. Unable to say anything, Suzuko kept silent.

At sunset, the village chief appeared to get them. Suzuko and Takafuyu had already finished dinner. Suzuko was very satisfied with the extravagant array of seafood.

The chief, who came here by rickshaw, got into the car. Suzuko and Takafuyu also got in, and they headed to the village. The sunset over the sea could clearly be seen from the hill. The way the dark surface of the water was tinged with red, as though the sun was melting into the sea, made Suzuko speechless with wonder.

Once the sun went down, it quickly became dark, and by the time they arrived at the village, there were one or two stars shining in the dark blue sky. The chief lit a lantern and started walking in front of them. There were no streetlights, and Suzuko, her hand held by Takafuyu, walked down the farm road that was probably surrounded by rice fields. This might be her first time walking down such a dark night road. In Tokyo, there were streetlights and entertainment districts, so even late at night, it was still bright.

The buzzing of insects echoed from the rice fields on both sides of the road. Even in Tokyo, insect peddlers sold bell crickets and other insects that made pleasant sounds, but here it was too noisy. However, there was a certain charm from the noisiness here that was different from raucousness. The scent of moist greenery was strong in the darkness. It almost drowned out the familiar fragrance of Awaji no Kimi.

The pond was just beyond the forest. Right after they climbed a small hill, they found the pond on the other side. The chief stopped walking. His lantern was shaking because of his trembling hand.

I can hear it.

It was the sound of crying. She could hear faint sobbing. Someone was sniffling, letting out exhales, and sobbing convulsively.

Takafuyu took the lantern from the chief, who was frozen in place, and went to the source of the sound. His other hand was holding Suzuko's hand. They were walking on the banks of a pond, so they walked carefully to not slip and fall.

The crying was getting closer. Suzuko could vaguely see something like a statue in front of me. That must be the statue of Benten. It seemed to be the height of her waist.

Takafuyu held up the lantern and illuminated the statue. The light landed on the stone statue of an elegant woman holding a biwa, as expected of a statue of Benten. It looked old, generally worn and even mossy, but the chipped area on the left side of the forehead was clearly not naturally worn away. This was probably the part that was broken.

Indeed, the crying could be heard from the statue. But, Suzuko thought suspiciously.

This crying isn't that of a woman…

It was hard to tell because it was thin and convulsive, but it was obvious when you heard it up close. It was the voice of a man, not a woman.

Suzuko approached the statue. Suddenly, she saw a dark shadow behind the statue and looked over there. She startled.

Someone was crouching there. It was a man. He didn't look old. She couldn't tell anything more from his crouching, hunched figure. His shoulders were shaking as he cried.

The crying was coming from this man.

Takafuyu turned the light on him. His figure became thinner.

He's not a living person.

That was how Suzuko knew. She turned to Takafuyu. If this was a ghost, Awaji no Kimi might appear. However, she didn't sense her. It seemed that this wasn't the type of ghost she liked.

Suzuko turned her gaze back to the man.

"Hello…hello?"

She tried calling out to him, but he had no reaction. He simply continued to cry.

"Shall we go back now?" Takafuyu said, and Suzuko returned to the chief. He was shivering from the sound of crying.

"That isn't the crying of Benten-sama," Takafuyu said.

"Huh?" the chief's voice cracked. "W-What do you mean…? But, the crying…"

"It belongs to a ghost."

The chief made a sound, as though something was stuck in his throat. "A-a ghost…you say?"

"The crying will stop if the ghost is exorcised, but in any case, Benten-sama isn't the one who's crying, so you can be relieved about that."

Takafuyu smiled calmly.

"Hah…I see."

The chief blinked his eyes and seemed to calm down somewhat. They were afraid of Benten-sama's curse. If they found out that was the case, even if there was a ghost, the orientation of the fear would change.

"If that's the case, the villagers will also be relieved. So, could you please exorcise the ghost?"

Takafuyu looked at Suzuko with a troubled expression. If Awaji no Kimi didn't want to eat the ghost, there was no way to exorcise it. Other than helping it pass on.

"We've already come this far," she said. Takafuyu scratched his head and turned back to the chief.

"We will do our best to exorcise it."

The chief was overjoyed at Takafuyu's words and thanked them.

Takafuyu honestly didn't care if there was a ghost there or not. However, if Suzuko wanted to do something about it, he would obey her without hesitation.

"Do you have any ideas?" he asked Suzuko in the car on the way back to the Hanabishi estate.

"I wouldn't call it an idea," Suzuko said while still facing the front. Takafuyu simply stared at her, thinking how beautiful her profile was. "There is the story about the young man who disappeared after damaging the Benten statue. That was on my mind, and since that ghost was crying—"

"Do you pity him?"

Suzuko glanced at Takafuyu.

"All the dead are equally pitiful," she said in a cool voice. "There is no guarantee that he won't turn into something worse. I'm worried about that."

"You're afraid that he would become an evil spirit and do terrible things. I see."

Besides, Suzuko looked down a little. "I'm curious about the reason as to why he's crying."

"…If you didn't care, the reason would probably be forgotten and disappear."

Suzuko was devoted to the dead and ghosts. This might be due to her encounter with the ghosts of the people who were like family to her after they were killed.

The murderer with a pine crest…

Every time Takafuyu thought about that, he felt gloomy. His brother couldn't be the culprit. He wasn't the kind of person who could kill a person. There were many members of the nobility with pine crests.

However, he couldn't shake off his anxiety. The fear wouldn't disappear.

"Let's talk to the villagers about the missing young man," Takafuyu tried his best to speak in a light tone, in order to shake off his rising anxiety.

"We should. I don't know if they would tell outsiders about internal affairs, but…"

"We can leave that to the chief. It is best to ask the villagers about village matters."

Suzuko nodded, but her reaction was slow. Takafuyu looked at her and saw that her eyelids were closing and opening again and again. She was sleepy. No wonder. Although they stayed a night in Kobe, she was probably exhausted from the long trip from Tokyo.

"Please, go ahead and sleep."

Takafuyu drew her closer to him and let her lean on his shoulder. She looked like she was about to say something, but couldn't form the words anymore. He soon began to hear her quiet breathing.

The soft contours of her cheeks, her long eyelashes, and well-shaped lips were all beautiful, and her sleeping face made her look younger than usual. No, perhaps he should say that she looked her age. As long as her strong-willed eyes remained open, he forgot that she wasn't even twenty yet. He didn't know just how much he was saved by the commanding and fearless Suzuko.

I didn't want to come to this island.

To be honest, he didn't want to interact with his great uncle or Kisa. When he was with them, he always felt like he was sinking to the bottom of deep water. He began to believe that his own existence was filthy, and that he deserved to be scorned. He sank to the bottom of the deep, dark water, unable to breathe.

Suzuko pulled him out of the water and made him remember how to breathe.

A smile appeared on his lips as he recalled how Suzuko was seriously angry at Kisa's words.

Suzuko breathed life back into things he thought he had lost, like self-respect and pride. She revived his dead heart.

He wanted to repay Suzuko for what she had given him with something of equal value. He thought that even if he devoted the rest of his life to love her, it wouldn't be enough.

Even so, there was a part of him that wished Suzuko would fall in love with him. Takafuyu looked at her sleeping face and felt the urge to ask for her forgiveness.

An indigo blue silk crepe kimono with tie-dyed with patterns of waves and plovers, paired with a pale cyan and light indigo obi embroidered with waves. The obi fastener with a wooden plover, the obi string was a vivid blue, the obi sash was sky-blue, and the neckpiece was pale blue, embroidered with patterns of running water and autumn flowering plants. In her hair was a comb with crystals inlaid in engraved metalwork. To cover the burn scar on her left hand, she wore gloves made of coarse lace embroidered with seashells. An outfit that perfectly matched the seaside.

"Suzuko-san, would please choose a tie for me?" Takafuyu said as he opened the sliding door and entered.

"Oh my, Master. We're still getting dressed," Taka said, but all that was left to do now was to adjust Suzuko's obi sash and put on her gloves. Suzuko quickly tucked the sash into the obi and put on her lace gloves, then looked at Takafuyu. Today, he was wearing a white shirt, dark gray pants, and a blue-gray vest. He wasn't wearing a jacket, probably because it was hot.

"You have an indigo tie, don't you? How about that one?"

"Ah, that's it."

Takafuyu retreated into the room next door, and Suzuko followed. He put on his tie, which was indigo with a check pattern of silver thread, with skillful hands. Suzuko selected a crystal tiepin and cufflinks from the jewelry box. She clipped them to his tie and shirt sleeves. They had become accustomed to this flow.

"Shall we go light the incense?"

"Yes."

This was also their routine every morning. They lit the incense for Awaji no Kimi. Since they were traveling, things were different than usual, but what they needed to do remained the same.

The incense burner was Iro-Nabeshima. Once you placed in the alcove and lit the incense, a clean, refreshing scent would fill the room along with the thin smoke. It was a refreshing, deep, yet somewhat lonely scent. Suzuko closed her eyes and breathed in the fragrance. The figure of Awaji no Kimi flashed through her mind.

Why did you become a vengeful spirit?

She wished she could ask her that and get answers.

Awaji no Kimi was killed on her way to present fragrant wood to the emperor. It was said that she was either attacked by pirates or betrayed by someone from the imperial court.

Why did she not curse those people, but curse the Hanabishi family and eat ghosts?

The scent was fading. Suzuko opened her eyes.

"Let's take it easy until the day after tomorrow," Takafuyu said. The ritual would be held on the day after tomorrow. They were going to burn incense in the cave.

"What are you going to do about Benten-sama?"

"I was going to ask the village chief to look into the young man who left the village, but Yura said he would go."

"Yura did?"

"I was thinking of giving Yura and Waka a holiday. I thought they might like to pay a visit to Kashou Orphanage." The two were from Kashou Orphanage, which was run by the Hanabishi family. "Yura turned me down, however, and asked me if I had any more work for him, so I asked him to do that for me."

"I see…I wonder what Waka thinks."

"If Waka wants to go, then she can take the day off—ah, if that's fine with you."

"I have no problem with it. I have Taka with me as well."

Suzuko immediately stood up and called out to Waka, who was tidying up the kimono and accessories in the next room over. When Suzuko told her that she could take a day off and stretch her wings, she was overjoyed. "I'm going to visit the orphanage's director and some old friends," so Suzuko gave her some money to buy presents.

"Taka, you won't have to do those things here either, so you should go sightseeing."

"Well, here, the master is always with you after all," Taka laughed and said that she wanted to go to the port.

Indeed, as she said, unlike when they were in Tokyo, Takafuyu didn't have work, so they were always together. Just like during their honeymoon.

"You should take a break," she told Takafuyu.

"What do you mean?" he looked confused.

"Isn't too constraining to always be with me?"

"Of course not. Are you feeling constrained, Suzuko-san?" Takafuyu's expression changed, as though he was flustered.

"No, I'm still getting used to this place, so it would be very helpful if you stay by my side."

She was unfamiliar with Awaji Island and this mansion. Even Suzuko felt uneasy about being left alone.

Takafuyu smiled in relief. "I see. I'm glad to hear that."

After a while, a maid came to tell them that breakfast was ready, so Suzuko and Takafuyu went to the dining room. Mikio, Yoshitsugu, and Kisa were already seated. After Suzuko and Takafuyu took their seats, Fukiko came in yawning, and then the great uncle, Yoshie, arrived leisurely.

Breakfast was served to them on trays. It was a sumptuous breakfast of sea bream sashimi, horse mackerel namerou,* and parboiled pike conger garnished with shredded dried plum. It seemed to be the family rule not to talk during meals, so they silently moved their chopsticks around. The air was heavy, but the food was delicious.

When Yoshie finished his meal and was about to leave the room, Takafuyu called out to him.

"Great Uncle, I'd like to enter the shrine storehouse for a bit. Could you lend me the key?"

"Why?" Yoshie turned around sullenly.

"I would just like to take a look at shrine's history, things like that—"

"It's not like you haven't seen it before. Why now?"

"Oh, but—"

"No. I can't allow you to enter the storehouse so often. I don't want you to take artifacts out without permission."

"I won't."

"I'm not letting you in."

Without any further ado, Yoshie left. Takafuyu let out a sigh.

"You wanna see the shrine's history?" Mikio said. Both Yoshitsugu and Kisa walked past him without a word. Fukiko was still sitting on the tatami, leisurely drinking tea.

"Yes, well. I want to learn more about the Hanabishi family's history."

"If that's the case, would pictures do? I have 'em."

"Eh?" Takafuyu and Suzuko exclaimed at the same time. Mikio looked at both of them in surprise.

"Are you telling the truth?" Takafuyu pressed him.

"I-I am. The stuff in the shrine storehouse. Like Grandfather said earlier, you can't just go in there whenever you like. That's why I've been copying things down little by little for a while now. Then I can look at 'em whenever I want."

"The stuff in the storehouse are—"

"Stuff like the origins, the family tree, and a short biography of the family."

Takafuyu took Mikio's hand and squeezed it.

"That's wonderful to hear. Please show me, by all means."

"I'd be happy to, but…"

"Is this an idle curiosity of yours, Takafuyu-kun? Why do you want to see those things after all this time?" Fukiko laughed. Mikio was also looking dubious.

"I want to find out more about Awaji no Kimi."

Mikio's face suddenly turned serious, and he furrowed his brow.

"Awaji no Kimi…why?"

Suzuko looked at Takafuyu in surprise.

Is he going to confide it to these two?

About how they were trying to exorcise Awaji no Kimi.

Takafuyu glanced at her and nodded lightly. That was what he intended to do.

"It's because I have a goal," he said and let go of Mikio's hand. He turned to Fukiko once, then looked at Mikio again.

"We want to exorcise Awaji no Kimi," he said slowly. Silence fell. Suzuko held her breath.

"What…what are you saying?" It was Fukiko who spoke first. "There's no way that's possible."

She raised her voice, but Mikio raised his hand to stop her.

"Don't be so loud, Fukiko. It'll be a hassle if Grandfather and the others heard us."

After saying this, he stared at Takafuyu's face. Suzuko had never seen him look so serious.

"There've been many people who tried to exorcise Awaji no Kimi. But none of them could do it. You know that, of course. Are you serious?"

"I am."

Mikio started to say something, but closed his mouth and pressed his hand against his forehead.

"Mikio-san. I want you to cooperate with me. No one knows more about the Awaji Hanabishis, and by extension Awaji no Kimi, than you."

Mikio studied history at university, was deeply interested in Awaji Island's local history, and even made copies of the books in the shrine's storehouse. Who could be more reliable than him?

Mikio silently crossed his arms and looked serious.

"If you exorcise her, wouldn't you get cursed? By Awaji no Kimi…" Fukiko murmured, as though hesitant to say that name.

"The Hanabishis are already cursed, aren't we?" Mikio loosened his folded arms and smiled. His cheerful face revealed a dark shadow that was similar to Takafuyu's. "This ain't unrelated to me and Fukiko either. If you should—pardon me for saying this somethin' ominous—die without leaving an heir, then it'll be up to us, the branch family. I might have to be the one to take care of Awaji no Kimi, or Fukiko's kid might have to do it."

"That kid has nothing to do with this. I left him over there," Fukiko snapped. Just as Suzuko was wondering what she was talking about, Mikio explained. "Fukiko once married into a merchant family and had a child, but then they divorced and she came back here." Fukiko turned her face away.

"When the bloodline of the main family ceases to exist, it'll be the branch family's turn. And if that also dies out, then it'll follow the bloodline…is that what you're saying?"

"Yeah. That's the feeling I get when I look at the family tree. Awaji no Kimi has always followed the bloodline until the end."

"The Hanabishi bloodline…"

"Originally, we didn't even go by the name 'Hanabishi.' The adoption of this surname is rather new in our family's history."

"Really?"

Suzuko had no idea. Was that what it meant to be a family with a long history?

"Our family originated from the Ama of Mihara, so we took on an Ama surname—well, that's a story for another time. Anyway, Takafuyu-kun, you wanna exorcise Awaji no Kimi? You want me to help you?"

"Yes, that's right," Takafuyu nodded. Mikio nodded as well.

"Mm, I see. I understand."

"Huh?" Takafuyu was baffled at his simple response. "By 'I understand,' you mean—"

"Yes. I'll help you."

"Are you sure? You agreed so quickly."

"As I said before, this isn't someone else's problem. In the Meiji era, the Westernization movement has long passed, and even in Taisho, we're still frightened of a vengeful spirit in juunihitoe. I also think it's a bad idea to continue feeding that thing through inertia for the foreseeable future," Mikio stroked his tanned cheek, which suited the sunlight, with the palm of his large hand. "The time has come to bring this to an end."

Mikio then looked around and lowered his voice.

"Don't let Grandfather find out about this. I'm pretty sure you know this, but he's a real stickler to tradition."

"Oh, I'm well aware," Takafuyu smiled bitterly.

"If that's the case, then I'll help too," Fukiko said, her face still pale. "I don't think I'll be of much help, though."

"No, I'm very grateful for your help."

Fukiko looked as though she was crying and laughing at the same time.

"This really is an awful family…like Nii-san said, we've been cursed by Awaji no Kimi for a long time now."

Mikio patted Fukiko's shoulder lightly. Suzuko wondered if they were also harmed by Awaji no Kimi, even if not directly.

"Well then, let's go to my room. All the stuff I copied is in the closet."

Suzuko and the others went to Mikio's room together. She was taken aback when she saw his room. It was probably about twenty tatami mats in size, but it was almost completely buried in books. There was some space around the sliding door and the writing desk, but there was no way to get to the closet in the back because of the piles of books. Suzuko wondered how Mikio slept. "There's no place to sleep here, so I sleep in the room next door," he laughed, as though he had just realized this.

"It's always so dusty in here. It feels like mushrooms are going to pop up at any minute," Fukiko peered into the room from the hallway and frowned disapprovingly.

"…Let's clean up first, shall we?" Takafuyu said, sounding half-exasperated. "Otherwise, I don't think we'll be able to open the closet."

"Sorry 'bout this," Mikio scratched his head and smiled broadly. "But there's no place to put all this stuff away."

"Let's put them out on the verandah for now to air them out."

"Ugh, the books are covered in dust. I'll go get a duster, so wait here. Suzuko-san, you can't go into a room like this, you'll get your beautiful kimono dirty."

Fukiko quickly trotted down the hallway.

"Our priority is to open the closet door, so let's start from there," Mikio blew the dust off a pile of books close by and coughed.

"Suzuko-san, please wait in our room. I'll call you when we're finished cleaning here," Takafuyu said, but there was no way she was going to let that happen.

"The more of us there are, the quicker the work will be done."

Suzuko took out a hand towel from her sleeve and wrapped it around her head, then tied up her sleeves with a cord. Fukiko came back with dusters and aprons, and Suzuko borrowed them. The two began cleaning up together. Takafuyu and Mikio moved the books. Sometimes insects and spiders crawled out, causing Takafuyu to yelp.

Somehow they managed to clear a path to the closet, and by the time they were able to open the door, they were all exhausted.

"Let's take a break."

Fukiko wiped the sweat from her neck with a towel and left the room. Suzuko and the others sat down next to each other on the verandah. A reed screen hung down from the eaves, providing shade from the heat. A pleasant breeze blew, and they sighed in relief. Takafuyu took off his vest and tie, and hung a towel around his neck.

"Mikio-san, since you copied the books in the storehouse, you know all their contents, right?" he asked.

"To some extent, yes," Mikio answered as he wiped the sweat from his face. "Just telling you this now, but none of the books tell you how to exorcise Awaji no Kimi, of course. If that was the case, we would have done it already. The rest, such as the texts about the shrine's history, family trees, and biographies, aren't the original texts, and some are missing."

"They aren't the originals?"

"They were all lost during the Sengoku period. At that time, this area was under the control of the Atagi clan from Kii Province. The Atagi clan had powerful navies like the Awaji Juuninshuu and the Danshuuzei, but they were attacked by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and destroyed. During that time of turmoil, the Hanabishi family tried to evacuate by boat, bringing their history books and treasures along with them, but they were shipwrecked, and most of their belongings sank into the sea. This was all written in the biography of that time. So, what we have today is restored after that incident."

"So, you're saying that there are parts that are not accurate."

"It happened a very long time ago. This has nothing to do with the originals, but it's unclear when this shrine was founded since Izanagi no Mikoto was enshrined even before the shrine's appearance was established. The origins aren't clear. Awaji no Kimi died during the Heian era, probably in the latter half of the ninth century or later. There's no record of this, but it was around that time that there was an increase of pirates in the Seto Inland Sea. According to tradition, she was killed by pirates," Mikio lectured smoothly. "I don't know if the pirate story is true or not, though."

"There was also a theory that she was betrayed by the imperial court."

"Well, that's also a possibility, but for the pirate story, it might be more convenient to use that as the reason."

Takafuyu tilted his head in confusion. "Convenient?"

"She was carrying fragrant wood as a gift to the court, wasn't she? That was ruined by her blood. They can't present it in that case. Not being able to pay tribute was a big problem, and compensation had to be made. But they can avoid paying compensation with damage caused by pirates or natural disasters."

"Is that so?"

"I don't know what actually happened. But it happened around the time that such reasons would be accepted. It was around the latter half of the ninth century."

Both Takafuyu and Suzuko were so convinced by his reasoning that they let out sighs of admiration. An expert collaborator was just what they needed.

"So, Awaji no Kimi was a member of the Hanabishi family at that time. What does the biography from that era—"

"As I said before, that's the missing part. Was it lost, or was it deliberately removed…I think it's the latter."

Suzuko interrupted. "Why was it removed?"

"Because it's inconvenient," Mikio muttered.

"Inconvenient… Then, you think that the Hanabishis are involved in Awaji no Kimi's death?" Suzuko said. Mikio turned to her and grinned.

"You're quick on the uptake. That's the thinking of someone who has a high open-mindedness towards death."

Suzuko was silent.

"Whoops, sorry for saying that. Takafuyu-kun, don't make such a scary face. I'm not going to pry into your affairs," Mikio waved his hands, smiling awkwardly. "As for Awaji no Kimi, the reason why I say it's inconvenient is because there was some internal conflict within the family, and she might have died as a result. If that's the case, you can understand why she's haunting us. It's simple. She holds a grudge against this family."

"This…family…"

Because she holds a grudge against it, she's haunting it.

It seemed to make perfect sense, but something was bothering her.

What is it? What is…

"I cut up some watermelon, so eat up," Fukiko returned with a tray in her hands. It held visibly fresh watermelon slices. "It was chilled in the well, so it's nice and cold."

"Looks delicious."

Suzuko and Takafuyu both thanked her and received the watermelon. As Fukiko said, it was cold and delicious.

After they finished eating the watermelon, they concentrated on reading the bundle of papers taken out of the closet. The shrine history and family tree were copied onto washi paper, while the biographies were copied into a notebook.

Suzuko and Takafuyu, on Mikio's advice, searched the family tree for the generations after the late ninth century.

The old family trees only showed the names of the family head at that time. "It's like they're saying that there's no other people," Fukiko said with a sarcastic smile as she fanned Suzuko and the others. "Even though the family head is born from the wife's womb, too."

Was Suzuko reading too much into it, or did she feel a sense of sadness there, as though she was projecting herself?

"In my opinion, Awaji no Kimi's haunting began from this family head's generation," Mikio said and pointed to the name "佑季." "I don't know if it's read as 'Sukesue' or somethin' else, though. Let's just read it as Sukesue for now."

"Because the naming custom changed after that, yes?" Takafuyu said, referring to the fact that all the family heads until "Sukesue" had the character "季" in their names, but it completely disappeared afterwards.

"That's right. Maybe the direct line died out at that point, or maybe it switched over to a branch line like a younger brother or cousin or something like that."

There was a moment of silence.

"…Was it because of Awaji no Kimi's wrath?" Fukiko whispered.

"It's just a guess. It's not written in the biographies. That's the odd thing about it, isn't it? It's not uncommon for everyone in the direct line to die in a flash from some epidemic or something, and they could have just written that. But nothing was written about it."

"Because the reason wasn't something that can be recorded…?" Suzuko said, and Mikio nodded with a mysterious look on his face.

"So, are you saying…Awaji no Kimi is the daughter, or sister, of this 'Sukesue' person?"

"Yeah. Well, I can't say for sure, because I don't know anything about their blood relationship. What I do know is that there have been many changes in names since then. None of the details are recorded, but this family tree tells the story."

Sometimes, it was the things that weren't written down that made the truth emerge to the surface.

"…If you think about," Takafuyu muttered. "The names changed even in my generation…"

His grandfather's name was "Takami," his father's name was "Harumi," and his brother's name was "Saneaki."* Even before his grandfather, the character of "実" had been in their names for generations. Takafuyu explained this and had a slightly bitter smile on his face.

"I'm sure that every time the names changed, something similar happened. For example, the heirs dying in succession, or something like that."

"Maybe they changed the name out of superstition," Suzuko said.

"That would be done if they died one after the other. It may not simply be a case of moving to a branch lineage."

"That's possible," Mikio agreed.

Fukiko sighed and sank down to her feet. She fanned herself with the fan.

"Looking at the family tree makes me feel depressed. Our bloodline has been continuing for such a long time, and we've been cursed for that long as well."

"That's true, too."

Suzuko stared at the family tree absentmindedly. Names connected in a long line. There were many relatives in the background. Of course, Awaji no Kimi was one of them—

"Someone's coming."

The sound of quiet footsteps on the floorboards made everyone look out of the room. The footsteps were quick and quiet, not leisurely, so they assumed that it was a servant.

"Master."

It was Yura.

"The village chief acted as an intermediary, and I spoke to the men of the wakaishugumi."

Yura spoke, sitting in seiza in front of them all.

"Wakaishugumi?" Suzuko asked.

"It's a group of young people," Mikio explained. "By joining them, the people around you would acknowledge you as a full-fledged adult. In many villages, boys join them when they are fifteen."

Suzuko understood that this was what the chief meant when he had referred to the "young'un" yesterday.

"The man who broke the Benten statue and ran away from the village was named Moichi. He was eighteen. The leader of the wakashu is called the head wakashu, and Moichi was the vice-head. He was thought to be the man who would eventually be the head wakashu."

"Does that mean that he was well-liked?" Takafuyu asked.

"Apparently, he was a man with a strong competitive spirit," Yura answered, while still facing everyone.

"The head wakashu is decided by vote, right? If they thought he was going to be the head, he must have been a prominent man."

"He had a sturdy build, was physically strong, and was like everyone's big brother, but he was also hot-blooded."

"He sounds like someone who gets into fights easily. Well, I guess you have to be like that to unite young people. And for danjiri as well."*

"Danjiri? For festivals?" Suzuko asked. Mikio nodded.

"Awaji Island's danjiri is famous," Takafuyu added.

"The danjiri and Bon dance are the two most important events for the wakaishugumi. Both involve brawling, so you need to be strong."

"I don't like that kind of thing," Fukiko said as she fanned herself. "I can't stand the noise, and they're too wild and rough. That's the best part of it, isn't it, though."

Mikio laughed. "That's what festivals are, aren't they?"

"So, how did this hot-blooded Moichi break the statue?" Takafuyu returned to the main topic.

"It seemed that he was drunk. After drinking at the lodge, he stopped by the pond to sober up. He was in a bad temper during the day and kicked the statue down while he vented his anger."

There's a lodge in that village? Suzuko thought.

"A lodge is where the wakashu gather," Mikio explained, as though sensing her thoughts. "It's used as an assembly place for the wakashu, a place to stay the night, a gathering spot, and so on, depending on the area. They rent someone's home and set up a place like that."

"There's a lot of rules, aren't there."

Since yesterday, Suzuko had been amazed at how different customs and rules were in different places.

"It's not so much rules as ties of obligation."

It was Fukiko who said that. She often smiled sarcastically, and this time it was the same.

"Well, sometimes those ties protect us," Mikio said. "The conversation goes sideways when you interrupt." He took the fan from Fukiko and tapped her on the shoulder. Fukiko snatched the fan back and turned away with a huff.

"So, he got drunk, got mad, and kicked the statue. What then?"

"He tried to blame it on another man named Sakuzou, who was also a member of the wakaishugumi."

"What a snake," Mikio was disgusted.

"He claimed to see Sakuzou going towards the pond that night, and those who seemed to be his henchmen followed his lead and decided that it was all Sakuzou's doing. But the head wakashu and the lodge seniors…older men who graduated from the wakaishugumi investigated the matter to see if Sakuzou was at fault or not. Sakuzou was said to be a mild-manner man who didn't even drink. He was skinny, so it would have been difficult for him to knock the statue down."

"So, they found out that Moichi did it?"

"Yes," Yura nodded. He seemed to answer more straightforwardly with Mikio than Takafuyu. It seemed to Suzuko that Takafuyu knew this and left Mikio in charge of the conversation with Yura.

"The others remembered that he left the lodge drunkenly, and when they questioned him, he confessed without hesitation."

"He's surprisingly weak-minded. So, the punishment was decided at the village assembly?"

"The villagers told me that he was punished. He was cut off from associating with them. When this happened, the villagers would no longer speak to him."

"The chief said the same thing. But the parents would take a few bottles of sake and ask his seniors and other important people to lighten the punishment—"

"Apparently, Moichi's parents were already dead."

"I see. Then was there anyone who could intervene?"

"No—I mean, yes. Sakuzou asked the head wakashu to forgive him."

"Huh, why?" Fukiko spoke up. "Wasn't Sakuzou the one who almost got blamed for breaking the statue, wasn't he?"

"That's correct."

"Why would he stand up for Moichi?"

"They were childhood friends of the same age. The head wakashu said that he had always been like that. He didn't like fighting with others."

"Huh," Fukiko looked disappointed. "How good-natured of him."

"Did Moichi leave the village after that?" Mikio said.

"It seems so. He was heard shouting about how he was going to leave the village and in fact disappeared the next day."

"Even if he were to leave, it'd take a lot of money to travel to Hyogo or Osaka, and he wouldn't be able to get very far. If it was a large town, he might have gone east across the island from Kamori to Sumoto, or he could have gone south to Enami and passed through to Fukura…or he could have even gone to a port town that's closer than you think."

"It could have been a port town. Someone saw him walking on the road from the village to the port. Moichi was strong and able-bodied, so he could have done well anywhere."

"You're too optimistic. Let's just hope he didn't become a robber or something."

"Yes," Yura looked down at his hands on his lap.

"Is there something bothering you?" Takafuyu asked. Yura's hands twitched.

"Yes, well…there is one thing."

Takafuyu prompted him to go on.

"I was going to question Sakuzou as well, but the head wakashu and the lodge elders refused me, saying that there was no need to ask him… I thought it was strange, so I secretly asked the wakashu about it."

He had truly gone above and beyond.

"They told me that Sakuzou disappeared."

What? Everyone except for Yura exclaimed in unison.

"Did Sakuzou run away too?"

Yura tilted his head at Mikio's words.

"That is unclear. From what I heard, unlike Moichi, Sakuzou didn't seem to have the temperament to run away from the village. The wakashu also said that he 'disappeared,' not that he 'left the village.' Some of them—"

Yura paused and lowered his voice a little.

"Some of them suspected that Moichi had a grudge against Sakuzou for his kindness and killed him somewhere, and that's why he disappeared. If that's true, it would be a very serious concern, so the head wakashu and the others are pretending not to know."

If they didn't know, if they didn't find him, it would be as if nothing happened.

"That's called 'not rocking the boat,' right? I don't like it," Fukiko said with a laugh, but her face wasn't smiling. "If it's true, Sakuzou won't be happy."

"You're right…but we can't meddle in the affairs of other villages."

"The self-governance of villages is absolute? What era are you in? This is Taisho. Ridiculous."

"You know, you're…"

"Anyway—" Suzuko opened her mouth, as Mikio and Fukiko were about start arguing. "So what I understand is, neither of the two important people involved in the matter of the statue are present."

What came to her mind was the ghost of the man behind the statue.

Who was he?

"But I have a feeling that we are jumping to a premature conclusion," Takafuyu said, stroking his chin.

"Premature conclusion? What do you mean?"

"It's true that the two are missing, but it seems a little strange to jump to the conclusion that they are dead or committed murder."

"That's true."

People didn't assume death so easily. Unless there was some sort of trigger.

"Is there some kind of evidence that made them suspect so?" Takafuyu asked Yura.

Yura nodded lightly. "Apparently, it was a revelation from a miko."

"What?" Takafuyu's eyes widened. "A miko?"

"In Awaji, mikos and ascetics can channel spirits—" Yura said, but seemed at a loss for further explanation and looked at Mikio.

"Yura's right. There are many mikos and ascetics in Awaji, and they perform prayers and exorcisms. It's common for people to ask them to do 'soul descents,' where they summon the souls of the dead."

"Aren't members of folk religions subject to crackdowns?" Takafuyu said. That proclamation was issued during the Meiji era.

"Shuugendou was banned in Japan with the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism, but the number of mikos and ascetics have increased instead. No matter what they say, we still need folk religion practitioners. Especially those who listen to the voices of the dead."

The business is viable because there's a demand for it, he said.

"It's hard to ask a priest at your family temple to do it, and you don't want to convert to some other religion, but you do want to hear the voice of your dead relatives. They're responding to those desires. That's what human emotion is all about, isn't it?"

Mikio spoke with a somewhat quiet tone. Suzuko briefly wondered if he had also asked for a "soul descent."

"Well, I don't know about Tokyo, but this is an island in the middle of nowhere. It's not so easy to crack down on them here."

Mikio said that the Shintofication of Revolving Benten was at a standstill because of that. Perhaps even the police, who enforced the law, must also rely on mikos and ascetics.

"So what did the miko have to say?" Suzuko prompted Yura to continue.

"Sakuzou's uncle—he lost both his parents when he was young and was taken in by his uncle on his father's side—asked her to help him find him. She told him…"

He's already dead.

"She didn't know the details. But even though she said that, the uncle couldn't just say 'Oh, I see' and give up, so he's waiting for Sakuzou to come back."

So Moichi and Sakuzou both lost their parents? Suzuko thought.

"From that story, do you think Moichi might have killed Sakuzou?" Takafuyu asked.

"It seems most likely," Yura nodded.

"A miko's revelation, huh…" Takafuyu murmured, seemingly doubtful.

"When asked about the safety of relatives, they would normally say 'they're alive,' but…"

Suzuko had once performed as the "Clairvoyant Girl," so she understood the tricks of the trade, whether or not the miko truly had such a power. Those who wanted to know what happened to their relatives want to have hope that they were alive, not that they were dead, even if that was true. Therefore, hope sometimes took precedence over the facts.

Is the miko not considering her client's feelings, or…

Suzuko was curious about the miko.

"Can we still meet this miko?" she asked Yura, who looked blank. He hadn't expected to be asked such a question.

"Well…I'm sure you can meet her if you visit her. I heard she lives in a port town."

"What's her address?"

"I don't know exactly. I heard she lives in a house with a torii, near a bar district."

"Is it a shrine?"

"No." Mikio slapped his knee at the same time Yura shook his head.

"You're talking about Grandma Kiyo of Sanjou, right? I know her. No, I've never met her, but she's a pretty famous miko around here. They say she's good at doing soul descents."

"Is 'Sanjou' the place where she lives?"

"No, she was born in Sanjou. Sanjou of Ichimura. It's a village southeast from here. Ichimura is a village of ichiko. Ichiko means miko. It's also a village of puppeteers."

Puppeteers—did that refer to the puppeteers of the famous Awaji puppet shows?

"Well then, let's visit her," Suzuko said.

"I'll go with you then," Takafuyu said, as if it were a matter of course.

"Takafuyu-san, I don't think you should go," Fukiko interjected. "This ain't Tokyo, but an Awaji port. If the head of the Hanabishi family visits a mysterious miko like that, who knows what kind of weird rumors will start."

"I'm sure Grandfather will hear about it right away," Mikio added.

"But we're working under orders from Great Uncle."

"Do you think he will listen to such an honest excuse?"

Takafuyu was silent.

"Grandfather wouldn't like any behavior that's detrimental to the Hanabishi family, no matter what it is."

It was irrational. Takafuyu, as expected, looked dissatisfied.

"Shall I go with Suzuko-san, then?" Fukiko raised her hand that was holding the fan. "Or rather, it'll work out if we made it look like we're going to make a request to the miko. And, Suzuko-san, since your face still isn't well-known here, you'll pretend to be my maid and accompany me. How about that?"

Fukiko grinned.

"Since I moved back to my parents after getting divorced, I'll have every reason to secretly visit a miko. People will think I'm having my fortune told about a future marriage, or having my fate with a potential suitor checked out."

Not that any of that is true, though, Fukiko added with a sly smile.

"What do you think?" Fukiko pointed her fan at Takafuyu.

"Haa…that sounds fine. If Fukiko-san is with her, then I will certainly be at ease."

"It's decided then. Let's get going, Suzuko-san. You don't have a kimono that a maid would wear, do you? I'll get one for you."

Quickly making up her mind, Fukiko briskly left the room. What a good-natured person, Suzuko thought and followed her with a refreshed feeling in her heart.

Suzuko changed into the modest cotton crepe kimono Fukiko lent her and left the mansion with her. There was no car, as it seemed that Kisa had went out in it, so they walked down the slope together in the gentle sea breeze.

"Grandfather hates cars, and even my father only uses it when he has to go somewhere far, so it's exclusively used by my mother. It's fine to walk a little, but she goes everywhere in the car, shopping. She must be in a good mood, 'cause cars are still rare around here."

"Don't you use the car, Fukiko-san?"

"I don't like it 'cause it's a pain. Besides, Soejima, the driver, is my mother's favorite, and she gets fussy when I use the car. That's also a hassle," Fukiko smiled her usual sarcastic smile. "The view is nice here, isn't it?"

She pointed ahead. The ocean could be seen from the slope. The water's surface was glittering in the sunlight.

"It is a beautiful view, isn't it?"

"The weather's great, the food is delicious, and it's so relaxing here. I really do love this place. I feel at peace here," Fukiko said earnestly. Her words came from the bottom of her heart. "But I would like to visit Tokyo just once."

Fukiko looked at Suzuko and smiled broadly.

"Please come and visit," Suzuko replied. Fukiko stared at her, still smiling. Her expression was somewhat similar to Takafuyu's. Was this what they called "in the blood"?

"Suzuko-san, why do you want to exorcise Awaji no Kimi?" she asked quietly. Suzuko was at a loss as to how to answer this sudden question.

"It wasn't Takafuyu-san who came up with it, was it? For a long time, it looked like he had given up. But now, he has such a lively and energetic looking face that I thought he was a different person."

Fukiko's shoulders shook with laughter.

"When I saw you two together, I understood. You're the one holding the reins, Suzuko-san."

"That isn't…"

"But it was you who decided to exorcise Awaji no Kimi, wasn't it?"

"…"

That was certainly true.

"I never even considered it, probably because I grew up in that house. …No, I pretended not to think about it. It's hard to put your hopes in somethin' you can't even do anyway, right? That's why I thought it would be someone from the outside who could consider exorcism."

Suzuko cast her gaze out to sea. She squinted a little at the glare.

"It was because I was angry," Suzuko uttered the truth. "About being controlled by Awaji no Kimi. It made me angry to think that I would continue to be tormented and frightened by that spirit until the day I die."

That was why she told Takafuyu that she wanted to exorcise that ghost.

"So, what did Takafuyu-san say?"

"He said that he would follow me."

"Follow you?" Fukiko's eyes widened, and then she burst out laughing.

"Oh, that's hilarious. I never knew Takafuyu-san was such an interesting person. He's head over heels for you."

After laughing for a short while, Fukiko gazed out to sea.

"The reason I got married in Osaka instead of here is because I couldn't find a match here. Even though on the surface, we're held up as the owners of a venerable shrine and relatives of a noble family, in reality, everyone regards us as a family possessed by an evil spirit. A cursed family, they call us. Of course, no one knows about Awaji no Kimi or any of the details. There are some families attracted by our outward lineage. But I wanted to marry into a place where no one knew anything about us. Well, it didn't work out, though."

Fukiko smiled sadly.

"Nii-san also had a few marriage offers come in, but they all fell through. Well, I'm sure he'll find a suitable wife from a suitable family sooner or later. Just as it has always been in the past. Compared to Takafuyu-san from the main family, our problems are nothing…"

"I don't think those things should be compared," Suzuko said. Fukiko stared at her for a bit and smiled softly.

"I think that's what Takafuyu-san fell in love with."

Suzuko didn't know what she meant by that, but couldn't ask her.

"If it were just me, I would have given up. But when I think about the child I left behind in Osaka, I can't just say, 'Well, there's nothing we can do because we can't exorcise her anyways.' I want to do somethin' about Awaji no Kimi."

The sea breeze brushed the side of Fukiko's face as she murmured that. Suzuko, looking at her straggling hairs being blown by the wind, simply nodded without saying anything.

The house of the miko, "Grandma Kiyo of Sanjou," was tucked away in a dense thicket on the outskirts of the bar district. It indeed had a wooden torii, but it was a very simple structure, so at first glance it was difficult to recognize it. Withered hydrangeas were planted in the shade of the thicket.

The house was one-story with a shingle roof. It was small and cozy, not enough to be called a hut. The entrance door was open, revealing a dimly lit room with a dirt floor.

"Excuse us."

Fukiko stepped over the threshold and called out. To the right of the room was a kitchen, where a stove could be seen. Across from the kitchen, in the front of the room, there was a wooden floor. An old woman was sitting there. Suzuko and Fukiko both froze in shock, not realizing that there was someone there until they entered the room.

The old woman's pure white hair wasn't tied into a topknot, but simply gathered at the back, and she wore something that looked like a rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves around her forehead. She wore a dark blue linen kimono and a white sleeveless jacket, and there was a rosary in her hand. Seeing her, Suzuko wondered if she really was a miko.

"Are you Kiyo-san?" Fukiko asked, sounding clearly doubtful.

"A Hanabishi came to ask for a prayer? I can't get rid of that ghost of yours."

The old woman's voice was clear and resonated well, not befitting her age. Fukiko closed her mouth, overawed.

The old woman's skin was white as if it had been brushed with white powder, but it was covered with fine wrinkles, and her eyes were hidden behind her sagging eyelids.

She raised her hand and pointed at Suzuko.

"You're the Hanabishi bride. I can smell the incense. The hand of that vengeful spirit is on your shoulder."

Suzuko shivered involuntarily. Even Fukiko was holding her breath.

"Hmm. Well, I don't know what you're here for, but come over here. I only got rush mats, though."

Suzuko exchanged a look with Fukiko, nodded, and went to the room with the wooden floor. There were two round mats in front of the old woman. They both sat down.

"Otami, Otami!" the old woman shouted in the direction of the doorway. "We have guests. Bring some barley tea."

A girl of about fourteen or fifteen came in from outside, wiped her hands on her apron, and ran toward the kitchen. Was she a grandchild or a maid? The girl called Otami entered the room with teacups on an old wooden tray. She placed the cups in front of the three, then lightly bowed her head with her eyes upturned and left.

Suzuko drank the barley tea and breathed a sigh of relief. Her throat had been dry because she walked all the way here. She took out a towel from her sleeve and wiped the sweat from her neck, then looked back at the old woman—Kiyo.

"I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Hanabishi Suzuko."

After giving a nod, Kiyo fanned herself with a fan and stared intently at Suzuko, as though inspecting it.

"You're from Tokyo, aren't ya?"

She sounded somewhat suspicious. "Yes, that's correct." Suzuko answered, puzzled.

"You have relatives here."

"I don't…" this was becoming more and more suspicious. "What do you mean?"

Kiyo quickly looked away. "Hmph. I can't believe an outsider was chosen to be the bride of the Hanabishi main family."

"Baron Hanabishi lives in Tokyo, so what's so strange about his bride also being from Tokyo?" Fukiko interjected, looking annoyed. "You're not even related to the Hanabishis, so what gives you the right to say anything?"

"Heh," Kiyo laughed, exposing her missing front teeth. "What a hard woman. Did you get chased out of your in-laws' house because you were like this there too?"

Fukiko snorted. "I left on my own. I'll decide that much myself."

"Good. If it's you, you can keep on living like that."

"Is that the miko's oracle?"

"What a stupid thing to say. You don't need an oracle. You didn't even come here today to pray for a second marriage."

"That's right. We have something to ask you. Someone from Imoto Village visited you before, right? He asked about the whereabouts of his disappeared nephew."

Kiyo stared into space for a while as if reminiscing, then nodded.

"Ah, I guess somethin' like that happened."

"The one who disappeared was a man named Sakuzou. You said that he was already dead. Are you sure about that?"

"Why are you asking about that? This is a service business. I can't just talk about a customer."

Fukiko frowned. Suzuko took out her billfold from under her obi and placed it on the tatami mat.

"It is as you said. I will buy your business at a price that would make up for the damage to your credibility. Of course, I will not divulge to anyone what I hear here."

Kiyo's drooping eyelids lifted. A look of amusement appeared on her face.

"You're used to this. You don't look shameless, but you ain't a proper young lady by nature either."

Kiyo looked at the ceiling. It looked like she was thinking about how much money she wanted Suzuko to give her.

"Well then, how 'bout three yen?"

Fukiko frowned even more, but Suzuko answered, "Very well," and opened her billfold. One sho of rice cost about fifty-four sen, and a carpenter's daily wage was about two yen. Suzuko took out a one yen bill and a fifty sen bill, then placed them in front of Kiyo.*

"I'll give you the rest after you tell me everything."

"Hmph," Kiyo snorted, then shoved the bill underneath her obi. "Sakuzou of Imoto Village, huh. I didn't say anything wrong. He's dead."

She fiddled with the rosary beads with the hand that held the bills, then pressed her hands together in a gesture of prayer. Suzuko didn't know if she was a miko or a nun.

"How did you know that?"

"Of course I know. He got cold," Kiyo said, as if it were obvious.

"He became cold…?"

"The person who came to visit was Sakuzou's uncle, who took the boy in after his parents passed away. He's Sakuzou's adoptive father. When you work with someone with such a strong bond, you can easily tell if someone's alive or dead. Through the uncle, Sakuzou came to my mind. As I did that, a cold breeze blew around my knees. My fingertips were chilled. That was when I realized, Oh, he's dead."

Suzuko took a breath. "Didn't the spirit of Sakuzou appear?" she asked.

"I didn't expect you to ask me that. I thought you'd say, 'Just a hunch?'" Kiyo sounded surprised. "If he possessed his uncle, I would have seen it. But he didn't, so all I knew was that he was dead. He and his uncle must not have had much attachment to each other. The uncle only came here because he had to look like he was doing something in front of the villagers. He didn't care if Sakuzou was alive or dead. No, I thought it'd be better if he was dead because they wouldn't search for him anymore, so I told him that Sakuzou was dead."

Kiyo snorted in dissatisfaction. "That man was stingy. He tried to haggle and didn't want to pay. He told me that I'll get mine someday."

"I feel like you deserved that," Fukiko murmured, but Kiyo ignored her.

"If Sakuzou's spirit were to appear, would it be where he died?" Suzuko thought of the Benten statue.

"If he didn't pass on, then yes."

"You don't know why he died?"

"No. All I know is that he's dead."

"Would you know if you perform a soul descent?"

Kiyo twisted her lips in disgust. "Don't think that I can just do that anywhere, anytime. To Sakuzou, I'm just a strange old lady. There's no way he'd come here just because he was invited."

"Oh—I see. It's difficult if there are no relatives."

The place where they died, a relative, someone they had an attachment to—those were probably the things needed to summon the spirits of the dead.

Kiyo remained silent and seemed to be looking at Suzuko, though it was hard to tell because of her drooping eyelids.

"…That is all I can say. Sakuzou is dead. That's all I know."

Kiyo stuck out one hand towards Suzuko. She wanted her to give the rest of the money. Suzuko took out the bills out of her billfold and placed them in her palm. Kiyo quickly folded the bills and slipped them under her obi.

"You're the same as me."

Kiyo said, lifting her eyelids and looking intently at Suzuko.

"The same?"

"A miko. –Well, I'll tell you this for free, out of kindness. You're much favored by that goryou. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, and I don't know how it will all turn out. But the sea you are trying to paddle out of is stormy."*

Kiyo said all that in one breath, not even giving Suzuko time to ask more questions. She could do nothing but gape. She didn't understand everything that was said to her, but…

"Even if I don't paddle out, a storm is still a storm. I can't just sit at home and watch it."

When Suzuko said that, Kiyo opened her mouth wide and laughed.

That afternoon, Suzuko headed to Imoto Village with Takafuyu. She wanted to go see the ghost behind the statue once more.

"Do you think Sakuzou is that ghost?" Takafuyu asked.

"Well…I'm not sure."

"I'd also like to meet Grandma Kiyo. She sounds interesting."

Recalling Kiyo's words, Suzuko asked Takafuyu a question. "What kind of spirit is a goryou?"

"Do you mean goryou as in goryou worship?"

"I'm not sure. It was Kiyo-san who said it. She was probably talking about Awaji no Kimi, but she said that the goryou had her hand on my shoulder, that I'm favored by her."

"Really…" Takafuyu was silent for a while. "A goryou, huh. I see," he muttered.

"The word goryou is originally a euphemism for a spirit, but it mainly means a powerful spirit that brings curses. It was believed that people who were exceptionally talented or who had died in unusual ways became powerful ghosts, and natural disasters and epidemics were blamed on them. That is why we try to pacify them by enshrining them lavishly."

A powerful spirit that brought curses—that indeed described Awaji no Kimi.

"A typical example would be the ceremony to pacify the spirit of Gozu Tennou, also known as Gion Tenjin. And if you're talking about personal goryou or personal gods, then the most famous would be Sugawara no Michizane. That's Tenjin-sama. This happened in the middle of the Heian era. It was also during this era that the tax system under the Ritsuryo system, local administration was in disarray, and pirates were rampant…"

Takafuyu closed his mouth in the middle of his explanation and fell silent. He seemed to be deep in thought, so Suzuko watched him without say anything.

"Shimagami Shrine might have been a shrine built to enshrine and appease the vengeful spirit of Awaji no Kimi as a goryou."

That was what Takafuyu said when he opened his mouth again.

"Officially, the enshrined deity is Izanagi no Mikoto, but in actuality, that might not be the case. In the first place, the shrine-specific ritual that will be held with you is for the sake of Awaji no Kimi."

"A shrine for…Awaji no Kimi."

"What has always been questionable is that the family that had served as regional administrators and governors after being subjugated to the central government became the priests of a single shrine. In other words, we left the center stage. That itself might have something to do with Awaji no Kimi."*

"If I remember correctly, Awaji no Kimi—" Suzuko formed the words as she retraced her memories. "She was a miko. The one who quelled the vengeful spirits associated with Awaji Island…the mikanoko, right? If so, the Hanabishi family was probably already the priests of the shrine at that time."

"The mikanoko is not the same as a miko. In fact, some daughters of regional administrators were appointed to the role of mikanoko. The mikanoko of Awaji was probably chosen in the same way."

So, was it likely that the curse of Awaji no Kimi drove the family off the center stage and forced them to build the shrine?

"The Hanabishi family has worshipped and appeased Awaji no Kimi as a goryou, isn't that right?"

By feeding her ghosts.

She was too horrifying and repulsive to be called a god. She should be called a demon.

"…Oh? Is there someone over there?" Takafuyu suddenly spoke, and Suzuko looked up, having been deep in thought. There was a statue that looked like a traveler's guardian deity standing at the crossroads ahead, and a girl was crouching down in front of it. She looked like she was praying.

"Please stop here," the words burst out of Suzuko's mouth. Something about the girl indicated that she was more than meets the eye.

She got out of the car and approached the girl, but the girl was so devoted to praying that she didn't even notice her. She looked to be about the same age as Suzuko, maybe a little older. She was dressed in work clothes: a towel wrapped around her head, a cotton kimono rolled up short, a tasuki tied around the arms, and leggings.

"Hello," Suzuko called out to her, and the girl's shoulders jumped. She widened her eyes at Suzuko and Takafuyu and rushed to her feet. Her cheeks, well-burned by the sun, were plump and healthy. She looked like she smelled of the sun.

She looked at the parked car and widened her eyes in surprise.

"Sorry for startling you. Um…I was just wondering what you were so eagerly praying to," Suzuko said in as friendly a tone as she could, thinking that speaking politely might come off as being too stiff. However, since Suzuko wasn't known for her charm, she wasn't sure how the girl took it.

The girl didn't answer, but instead crumpled her apron between her hands. Her gaze wandered around, as though she was flustered. She seemed more shy than annoyed.

"Are you the same age as Sakuzou-san and Moichi-san?"

The girl backed away with a puzzled look on her face.

"H-How—"

"Do you know them? If you lived in the same village, it's only natural that you should know their faces."

"…Haa…of course I know them. We're the same age, and I've known them for a long time," the girl said, her shoulders slumped. Perhaps she was the two men's childhood friend. Come to think of it, everything Suzuko heard from Yura came from the men. He didn't seem to have questioned the women.

"What's your name?"

"My name is Fusa. You are the Hanabishi master and his missus."

Missus? Suzuko glanced at Takafuyu in confusion. "She means wife," Takafuyu explained.

"I heard that the chief asked you to look into the thing with Benten-sama, but…"

"In that vein, we are currently investigating the disappearance of Sakuzou-san and Moichi-san."

Fusa's expression turned sad.

"I wonder where those two are now, and what they're doing…there are people who said they saw Moichi-han heading towards the port town, so if he's doing well, then that's fine."

"Is that what you were praying for?"

Fusa nodded dejectedly.

"Neither of them have parents, so they have no one to pray to the gods for them. I felt that at least I should do it, so I pray here every morning and evening."

"I see…"

"Moichi-han has always been stubborn, so if you tell him to leave the village, he'd be too embarrassed to come back. That's why I think Sakuzou-han must have gone with him to calm him down."

Even as she said this, Fusa looked worried. Suzuko couldn't tell her that Sakuzou appeared to be dead.

"Were the two of them close?"

Fusa nodded. "Sakuzou-han's parents died when he was little, and Moichi-han took care of him. He acted like his big brother since they were kids. In fact, Moichi-han's parents also died from illness when he was thirteen. After that, it seemed like they became even closer."

I don't know what happened since they joined the wakaishugumi, Fusa added.

"I had a feeling that they weren't getting along that well around that time. I don't really know much about what goes on in the wakaishugumi, so it's just rumors and things I heard, but…"

"You heard rumors that they were on bad terms or that they got into a fight?"

Hmm, Fusa tilted her head from side to side as she tried to recall.

"I heard that Sakuzou-han made fun of Moichi-han for somethin'…and that was how the fight started. I thought it was somethin' like 'You're bad at carrying the danjiri'. But still, I think it was a misunderstandin'."

"Misunderstanding?"

"On Moichi-han's part. Sakuzou-han has never made fun of anyone. I think Moichi-han also understood his personality, but…he's too quick-tempered, so he must have gotten the wrong idea. The blood rushed to his head too quick."

I see, Suzuko nodded. "So, did he try to blame Sakuzou-san for breaking the Benten statue because of that?"

"Seriously, why did he do such a stupid thing?" Fusa sounded exasperated. "They found out right away."

Then, she closed her mouth and hung her head.

"…He's acting like a spoiled child. Moichi-han can get like that sometimes."

"A spoiled child?"

"I think he probably wanted to annoy Sakuzou-han. He did that sometimes, since they were little—I don't know if he's trying to get his attention, or to get him to pay attention to him."

"Moichi-san did that…?"

"He's like a little kid. That's why I called him a spoiled child. And he's hot-tempered. Moichi-han is big and looks like a reliable big brother, but he's really a childish person who gets spoiled by generous people like Sakuzou-han. Sakuzou-han never gets angry at him no matter what he does."

From Fusa's mouth, images of the two vividly emerged. Suzuko could feel the vitality of Moichi and Sakuzou. They were definitely present.

"Even now, I think Moichi-han is being spoiled by Sakuzou-han. I'm sure that they're in a village somewhere, figuring out a way to come back…" Fusa bowed her head toward Suzuko and Takafuyu. "If you find out where they are, would you let me know? Just so I know if they're safe."

"Yes—of course." Suzuko answered immediately. Fusa raised her head, forced a smile on her worried face, and left.

"…It's like she wants to believe that the two of them are together somewhere," Takafuyu murmured as he stared at Fusa's back. "I hope Moichi is okay, at least."

Suzuko silently knelt down in front of the guardian deity, put her hands together, and prayed.

After that, Suzuko headed to the pond with Takafuyu. They went to the banks and approached the statue of Benten. They heard the sound of sobbing. Suzuko walked up slowly.

Cicadas cried shrilly, and the scent of greenery was strong. The plants on the banks were neatly trimmed, but beyond the statue, there was a forest at the foot of the mountain and thick undergrowth. With each step they took, the cicadas' cries resounded and the smell of grass became stronger. That, coupled with the heat, made Suzuko feel dizzy.

A man could be seen behind the statue. He was a large man with a thick neck that was hanging down weakly and broad shoulders.

This isn't Sakuzou.

This ghost was a large man. He wasn't Sakuzou, who was described as having a poor physique.

"Moichi-san," Suzuko called out. The man's shoulders suddenly stopped trembling.

"Moichi-san," she called his name again in a clear voice. The man looked up.

This man was Moichi. He was dead as well.

Suzuko moved to stand in front of him. She bent down and looked straight into his face. It was wet with tears, and his hair was disheveled. Like his body, his face was ruggedly angular.

Moichi stood up. Suzuko backed up in surprise. Moichi stepped forward, so she stepped to the side. Without making a sound, the ghost walked into the forest. His movements were slow, but before they knew it, he was far ahead of them. Suzuko and Takafuyu rushed after him.

"I wonder where he's going," Takafuyu whispered as they jogged after him.

"Isn't it the mountain?" Suzuko murmured. The mountain was in their path. Although it was a low mountain, it would become difficult to chase the ghost if they went too deep.

They pushed through bushes, stepped on undergrowth, and managed to follow the animal trails. Takafuyu supported Suzuko every time she tripped over a root or stone because of her poor footing.

"He stopped," Takafuyu said when Suzuko tripped over a rock and almost fell for the umpteenth time. Holding onto his arm, she looked ahead. Moichi was standing in front of a large rock. He was looking down.

Moichi pointed to a nearby bush.

What's there?

Suzuko and Takafuyu walked towards the bush in silence. Moichi was pointing to the area underneath. Takafuyu knelt down and looked under the bushes.

"Oh…"

Takafuyu let out a faint noise. He didn't turn around.

"What is it?" Suzuko asked, and he slowly turned around.

"There are bones here," he said quietly.

The moment he said that, Moichi's figure suddenly wavered like smoke. Before their eyes, he became pale and faded, and his outline became hazy.

Moichi simply disappeared without saying a word.

"He disappeared…" Takafuyu muttered as he stood up and stared at the spot where Moichi had been. "He simply wanted us to know that there are bones here, right? After we found them, he was satisfied?"

"I think so," Suzuko said, then added, "Maybe."

Takafuyu looked back at the bush and crouched down. "Are these the bones of Moichi and Sakuzou?"

He pushed the bushes aside and exposed the bones. There appeared to be the skeletons of two adults. They were still wearing clothes. One was wearing dark blue cotton kimono with tight kasuri-dyed sleeves. The jacket reached his thighs, and work trousers were worn underneath. The other one was wearing a soot brown kimono and trousers as well. Suzuko stared at the blue kimono, then said, "This one seems to be Moichi-san." It was the same kimono the ghost was wearing.

"Then, the other one is Sakuzou?"

"Most likely…"

Otherwise, Moichi wouldn't have been crying so intensely.

"For some reason, Sakuzou-san died. I think that's why Moichi-san was crying."

"Even though he was dead as well? Besides, these skeletons were hidden under bushes. Both of them were."

Suzuko understood what he wanted to say. Takafuyu looked around.

"—There is a third person involved."

In addition to Moichi and Sakuzou, a third party was involved. That person hid the two bodies in the bushes.

"Anyways, we have to inform the chief," Takafuyu said.

"There is something I want you to confirm," Suzuko said, and made a request.

After informing the village chief, Suzuko and Takafuyu returned to the Hanabishi house. The chief visited them the next morning.

"Judging from the clothing on the skeleton, we believe one is Moichi, and the other is Sakuzou. We had no idea that there would be corpses on that mountain, but…"

The chief came to give a report on the incident. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight overnight, and dark circles had formed under his eyes.

"While we were busy notifying the police and explaining the situation to the villagers, a member of the wakaishugumi caused a commotion."

"What do you mean by commotion?" Takafuyu asked, and the chief's bloodshot eyes became bleary.

"He tried to hang himself," he said. "In the storehouse of the house that served as the lodgings for the wakaishugumi. Thankfully, people noticed that he was acting strangely and stopped him immediately."

Good grief, the chief sighed deeply.

"Why would he—"

-Do that? Suzuko was about to say, but before she could finish her sentence, the chief spoke.

"He said he was scared."

"Scared?"

"He said, 'I was scared because both of them died because of me…'" the chief rubbed his brow. "When we received the news from you two, you asked us to confirm who it was that said they saw Moichi walking down the road to the port. It was that kid. His name is Tomekichi. He's the same age as Moichi."

That first-hand account was among the stories Yura heard. Since Moichi had actually died, was that a mistake, a misunderstanding, or a lie? Suzuko wanted to know which one it was.

"It seemed to have been a lie. He said that if he said that, everyone would think Moichi had gone to the port town."

Takafuyu folded his arms. "What exactly happened?" he asked point-blank.

"How should I tell this…I'll start from the beginning. Tomekichi became friendly with Moichi after joining the wakaishugumi. Moichi was a big man and considered to be the next head wakashu, so he thought he could get a good position in the village if he became friends with him. Tomekichi was small and weak in fights, which didn't make him look good for danjiri and gave him a weak standing in the village. He tried to make himself look strong by hanging out with Moichi."

There was one man that Tomekichi didn't like.

"It was Sakuzou. Tomekichi looked down on him. Sakuzou was scrawnier than him and weaker. He was the only one who Tomekichi could push around. However—"

"Moichi-san was good friends with Sakuzou-san and relied on him, yes?" Suzuko said.

"You understand the situation very well," the chief nodded. "That's why Tomekichi hated him. So he harassed him."

"He harassed him?"

"He lied to Moichi, telling him that Sakuzou was making fun of him by saying that he's not good at carrying danjiri."

Oh, Suzuko realized. Fusa also said something like that. That was the lie Tomekichi told?

"He did something stupid. Once you joined the wakaishugumi, you're an adult. Adults don't do things like this. It's too childish even for a little kid. And Moichi, that idiot, why didn't he even question a lie like that?"

The chief slapped his knee. There was a vein throbbing on his forehead.

"And so, Moichi and Sakuzou had a falling out," Takafuyu said, and the chief patted his knee several times as though to calm himself.

"That's right," he replied. "Then…the incident with the Benten statue happened. Moichi was punished, but Sakuzou pleaded with us to pardon him. This seemed to have ticked Moichi off, and he declared that he was going to leave the village. Even if we tried to stop him, no one could say anything because he was in the middle of his punishment, and it was forbidden to speak to him. But Sakuzou broke the rule and tried to stop him."

The chief hung his head and stared at the tatami.

"That day, Tomekichi saw Moichi and Sakuzou arguing by the statue. It wasn't even an argument—Moichi was lunging at Sakuzou, and Sakuzou was trying to calm him down. After a while, they headed for the mountain. Tomekichi secretly followed them. He said it was because he was worried that his lie would be discovered. Moichi was a man who easily lost his temper, but if Sakuzou explained everything to him, he might be able to realize that it was all a lie. Thinking that, Tomeekichi followed them…"

The two went up the mountain. Tomekichi followed a little later.

"And then, Moichi yelled at Sakuzou about something, and Tomeekichi hid behind a nearby tree so his footsteps wouldn't be heard. He heard Moichi saying things like, 'It's none of your business.' He must have been annoyed by Sakuzou's concern. Tomekichi was so focus on trying not to make any sound by stepping on a stone or fallen leaves that by the time he realized what was happening, it was too late. Apparently, Sakuzou grabbed Moichi's arm and tried to say something, but Moichi shook him off and pushed him away."

There was a large boulder at that spot. A boulder that looked like it would cause a lot of pain if something accidentally fell against it.

"All the stones and tree roots around there make it hard to find your footing, and Sakuzou, who was pushed, lost his balance, fell backward, and hit the back of his head squarely on the boulder…that's what Tomekichi said."

Sakuzou stopped moving. Moichi was shaking him in a huge panic, but Sakuzou was only shaking from side to side limply, and even Tomekichi, peering from the shadows, could tell that something was wrong.

"So, what did Tomekichi do?"

"Tomekichi crouched down behind the tree and hid. At the time, he thought that he would also be killed if he was discovered. Anyway, he was so scared that he shrank himself, covered his mouth, and trembled."

The chief let out a deep sigh. He looked as though he couldn't bear it all.

"If Tomekichi had just come out at that time…Moichi only pushed Sakuzou, and wouldn't have tried to kill Tomekichi. If only he'd been calm enough to understand that…"

Tomekichi must not have been able to keep his composure when he saw Sakuzou die.

"He said he didn't know how long he hid like that. Before he knew it, it was dusk and the sun was setting. When he heard no more sound, he finally looked out from the tree towards Moichi. But he was gone. Sakuzou's body was still there. He said that if Sakuzou had disappeared too, he would have thought it was all a dream."

Tomekichi came out from behind the tree and approached Sakuzou. He was worried if he was really dead. Sakuzou was stiff, with his eyes still open. There was no breath coming from his mouth, nor did his chest rise and fall. His fingertips were bent and didn't so much as twitch. Even his skin had turned ashen.

"He said it reminded him of when his grandparents died. Sakuzou looked just like them. There was no blood in his skin, making it almost pure-white, and it had a strange color. …After that, Tomekichi noticed something. Moichi had hung himself from a nearby tree."

The chief gnashed his back teeth, his face filled with regret.

"He hung himself, but he wasn't hanging down from above with his feet dangling above the ground. He tied his obi to a low branch and put his neck through it…that was how he died. But that doesn't mean he died right away, does it? If Tomekichi had seen him earlier, at least Moichi might have survived. It's hard to say, but…"

The chief shook his head.

"Tomekichi took Moichi's body out of the obi and laid him on the ground. Even he doesn't know if he had lost his head, or if he wanted to help Moichi, but he did it in a trance. However, when he laid Moichi down, he found that he had really died. Not knowing what to do anymore, he hid the two bodies. After he pushed them into the bushes so that they couldn't be seen, he thought that it was all a dream and that nothing happened."

However, when he returned to the lodgings, Moichi and Sakuzou were of course not there.

"He no longer knew what really happened and what didn't—to be blunt, he put the lid on it. He pretended to have forgotten, lied, and tried to convince himself that it was true. But when the bones were found, he had to accept it."

He was forced to face the fact that it was, in the end, real. Unable to bear it, he tried to hang himself.

"…I'm glad that we were able to stop Tomekichi. That's all."

The chief wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand.

"Moichi was quick to get into a fight and didn't listen to anyone, but I didn't want him to die. Sakuzou too. It's especially hard when young people die."

Neither Suzuko nor Takafuyu had any words to say to the village chief, who was completely dejected.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the chief looked up as though he remembered himself. "I forgot to thank you."

"Thank us?" Takafuyu asked, confused.

"I want to thank you for helping Moichi pass on," the chief got onto his hands and bowed. "Now the crying of the Benten statue has been resolved. I'm very glad that I asked you to help us, Baron Hanabishi."

"No, I didn't do anything of that magnitude," Takafuyu said, but the chief left them with three barrels of sake as a thank-you. In the local community, the Hanabishi family head was usually thanked with sake for performing "exorcisms." Sometimes, it was seafood or rice.

After seeing the chief off, Suzuko asked Takafuyu if they could visit the village.

"I don't mind, but…" Takafuyu looked perplexed. "Is there still something bothering you?"

Suzuko shook her head. "No, that's not it. I'm just worried about how Fusa-san is doing."

Oh, I see, Takafuyu smiled faintly. "Then, let's go."

They drove to the village, and when they came to the crossroads they had passed yesterday, they found a girl crouching down in front of the guardian deity statue. It was Fusa.

Today, Fusa noticed their car approaching her and stood up. When Suzuko and Takafuyu got out of the car, she bowed her head. Her eyes were swollen with tears. She must have heard about Moichi and Sakuzou yesterday.

"Thank you very much for finding the two of them," Fusa sniffled as she thanked them. "If they hadn't been found, we wouldn't have been able to put them in a grave, or visit them, or welcome them on Obon. It makes me so sad to think that even though they're dead, no one did those things for them."

"…Are their bones still with the police?" Suzuko asked, unable to find the words to say.

"Yes. The chief said they'll be returned by Obon. When that happens, we can give them a proper burial and hold the first Bon for them."

Fusa's face turned into a tearful smile.

"Moichi-han was the one crying behind the statue, and Sakuzou-han was the one who quickly passed on without even becoming a ghost, right?"

"That seems to be the case."

Sakuzou's ghost never appeared.

"I think that's just like the two of 'em."

Sakuzou, whose life was cut short in an accident, didn't become a ghost, and Moichi didn't become a raging vengeful spirit like one would expect. He simply sobbed.

Speaking of which, Takafuyu piped up. "Why did they head for the mountain? They seemed to have been near the statue at first."

"That's because you can't fight near Benten-sama," Fusa said, as though it was obvious. "Well, it's not really a fight, since Moichi-han was the only one yelling, but…I'm sure that Sakuzou-han would have said that they shouldn't fight near Benten-sama. Also—"

Fusa looked up, staring at the mountain. It was the mountain where Moichi and Sakuzou was found.

"Maybe they were going up the mountain to make a prayer."

"Make a prayer? Ah, like takayama mairi?"

The people of Awaji Island climbed tall mountains such as Mount Sakiyama and Mount Yuzuruha for New Years' and after rice planting.

"We visit Mount Sakiyama, so I wonder if they copied that by going up that mountain and praying."

"Why would they do that?"

"Sakuzou-han might say that they were praying to be forgiven after being punished, but…Moichi-han probably climbed the mountain because he wanted to make up with him."

Fusa looked at the mountain and squinted, perhaps because of the bright sunlight.

"But even then, he was still stubborn and did something stupid…I'm sure Sakuzou-han never even wanted to fight with him in the first place."

That idiot, Fusa whispered. Her eyes began to water again.

Takafuyu spoke in the car on the way back.

"On Awaji Island, for the first Obon, a pillar called a tourogi or takatouro is erected, and lanterns are hung from it. Shall we prepare lanterns for those two? Moichi has no parents, and we don't know if Sakuzou's uncle will provide the proper lanterns."

"Let's do so."

Suzuko nodded and looked out the window. Beyond the blowing wind and cicada cries, she could see a beautiful mountain, lush and dripping with water.