hanabishi fusai 3

by Hazelnut Pie

Ghosts and stuff

2. Chapter 2

Hanabishi Fusai 3 Chapter 2-Under the Crape Myrtle Tree

That day, just before ten o'clock in the morning, when the tide was low, Suzuko and Takafuyu went to Shimagami Shrine.

They were going to perform the ritual.

Takafuyu's great uncle Yoshie and his son Yoshitsugu were already waiting in front of the shrine office, and the two changed into the white robes provided to them. They were wearing white linen robes, hakama, and straw sandals. "We have to go down the steps on the cliff, so it's dangerous to wear zouri sandals or go barefoot," Takafuyu said, deftly tying the strings of the sandals around Suzuko's feet tightly.

After changing their clothes, they had to light the incense. Suzuko lit it using the tools Yoshitsugu had prepared. This was the first time she was seeing the incense burner, a round silver one. It had fretwork designs and the smell of incense wafted through the gaps. She removed the lid and placed pieces of fragrant wood on top of the ashes that had been warmed in the charcoal briquette. After a while, a faint scent drifted into the air along with thin smoke. It was the scent of "Shio no Tsuki," the incense lit for Awaji no Kimi. A chain was attached to the incense burner so that it could be carried around.

"Now, shall we go?"

Takafuyu's tone was light as he held up the incense burner. "Yes," Suzuko answered. Her voice sounded a little nervous.

Both Yoshie and Yoshitsugu remained silent. These two didn't resemble each other, but their expressions looked identical at times like this. Suzuko and Takafuyu bowed to them and left the office. It wasn't as hot outside as it was during the afternoon, but the cicadas, which had been quiet in the early morning, were beginning to cry out noisily. They went to the back of the shrine and entered the small path through the entrance from which the shimenawa rope was removed. As they walked between the bushes and trees, the road gradually began to trend downwards and curve gently. Halfway, it turned into steps cut into the rock surface, and the trees disappeared, leaving only the blue sky and sea on one side. Although the cliff was not very tall, the fall would be painful, and Suzuko, who couldn't swim, would definitely drown.

"It won't be so scary if you stick to the cliff and don't look at the sea."

Following Takafuyu's advice, Suzuko pressed herself against the rock face and descended the steps. When she reached the cave entrance, which was exposed by the receding tide, she let out a deep sigh of relief.

The cave was low enough that Takafuyu had to bend down a little bit to enter, and wide enough for the two of them to walk through comfortably. It wasn't a very deep cave. Suzuko guessed that it was about five strides long. Her feet were wet, the seawater soaking into her socks.

The smell of incense fills this cave, and we wait for Awaji no Kimi's appearance.

This was the ritual. It was said to be a rite to pacify the ghost, but Suzuko had doubts as to whether or not it actually had any meaning.

The inside of the cave was dark and cool. Suzuko thought that there might have been an altar or something like that set up at the back, but there was nothing there, only the wet rock surface. There were no barnacles stuck to it, not even any fish that failed to escape with the tide. Although the cave was probably filled with seawater most of the time except at low tide, there was no sign of life in it.

The scent became stronger. It was a deep, strong, yet lonely scent.

The next thing Suzuko knew, Awaji no Kimi was right in front of them. –No, more precisely, in front of her.

She was looking down at Suzuko from a higher position. Her eyes were dark pits and reflected nothing. Her white face was like wax, and only her lips were a vivid red. Their corners slowly lifted. Her eyes weren't moving.

Her lips moved. There was no sound, but Suzuko heard her voice in her head.

Momijiba no…nagarete tomaru…minato niwa…

The voice couldn't be clearly identified as male or female, but it was soft and beautiful.

Kurenai fukaki namiya tatsuran.*

As soon as Suzuko heard that, a chill ran down her spine, and she felt like the back of her eyes were dyed red. She instinctively stepped back, and Takafuyu grabbed her arm and supported her just when she was about to trip on the wet ground.

"Are you alright, Suzuko-san?"

Awaji no Kimi vanished. She must have disappeared while she wasn't looking.

"…Awaji no Kimi…"

Takafuyu looked around. "She's gone."

"What was that voice?"

"Voice?" Takafuyu asked, puzzled.

"You heard it, didn't you? Awaji no Kimi was singing words that sounded like a waka poem—"

"No, I didn't hear anything."

How is that possible, she thought, but there was no reason for him to lie.

"Awaji no Kimi said something? A waka?"

Suzuko repeated what she heard. Takafuyu put his hand on his chin and looked down.

"'At the harbor where the crimson leaves flow and stop, will there be crimson waves?' …I feel like I heard this poem somewhere before. I'm not familiar with these sorts of things, so it won't come up right away. Perhaps Uncle Yoshitsugu could tell us something."

"Is he knowledgeable about waka?"

"Waka, or rather, literature. –However, I have no experience with Awaji no Kimi uttering words. I don't remember hearing anything like that. Although, I've never discussed her with my grandfather and the others."

Hearing that, Suzuko began to lose confidence in whether or not what she heard were Awaji no Kimi's words.

"…Maybe it wasn't Awaji no Kimi who spoke."

"No, since you heard it when she appeared here, it is reasonable to assume that they were her words. For now, let's report this to Great Uncle. He has always been the one to assist in rituals like the one today, so he might know something."

The ritual was over once the cave was filled with the scent of incense and Awaji no Kimi appeared. Suzuko and Takafuyu decided to return.

"Apparently, this is where the bodies of my parents were found."

Before leaving the cave, Takafuyu suddenly pointed to the entrance.

"They couldn't be found, so not only the Hanabishi family but also local fishermen were searching for them. When the tide was low, they found them lying there."

"…I see."

"They didn't bind their legs or arms with rope, but they died embracing each other, so people thought it was probably a double suicide. Of course, no one is allowed to voice that thought."

Suzuko stared at the wet ground. Cool damp air rose from her feet. Her wet feet were cold. Had Takafuyu's parents washed up in such a cold and lonely place, a place that could be said to be a symbol of the Hanabishi family's curse?

"To be found here of all places—they were truly unfortunate."

Takafuyu's mouth curved into a smile. It looked painful. He probably believed that even the death of his parents was because of his existence. His existence caused them to suffer and die.

Suzuko turned her eyes to the sea. She could see the beautiful horizon. The gentle morning sunlight was shining down on the deep blue sea. It was calm and peaceful. Even the sound of the waves was quiet.

"…I think it's better than washing up on the beach and being exposed to a host of people."

At least his parents could be alone in front of the sea, together. It would have been unbearable for their family to have their bodies exposed to the public eye.

The tension disappeared from Takafuyu's lips, and he suddenly smiled.

"You always give me an escape for my feelings."

Thank you, he bowed his head to her.

When they returned to the shrine, Yoshie and Yoshitsugu were waiting in front of the shrine office just like when they arrived.

"This year's ritual has also ended successfully."

Takafuyu held out the incense burner. Yoshie nodded silently, and Yoshitsugu took it. Suzuko and Takafuyu wiped their wet feet with the towels prepared at the door.

"By the way, Great Uncle, has Awaji no Kimi ever spoken before?" Takafuyu asked. Yoshie, who was about to open the sliding doors, turned around quickly.

"What? Did Awaji no Kimi say something?"

"Y-Yes…I mean, no, I didn't hear her. It was Suzuko-san who did."

Yoshie cast his sharp gaze to Suzuko.

"I believe I heard her recite a waka."

She then repeated the "Momijiba no…" poem.

"Hmph. I've got no knowledge of waka," Yoshie said, then turned to Yoshitsugu next to him.

"It's by Sosei Hoshi," Yoshitsugu immediately provided the answer. "One of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals."

"What does the poem mean?"

"It's not a particularly difficult work. The meaning is something like, 'I wonder if there are red waves at the mouth of the river where the autumn leaves wash ashore.' Well, since it was spoken by Awaji no Kimi, it's not up to me to decide the meaning. Right?"

Yoshitsugu looked at Yoshie, who nodded, then stared at Suzuko's face.

"It's been a while since we got a bride who can hear the oracle."

"It's…an oracle?"

Suzuko looked at Takafuyu, but he tilted his head as though he didn't understand either.

"Awaji no Kimi sometimes gives oracles in that cave. It's the wife who hears them, and it's up to the family head to decide how to interpret it. She doesn't give oracles every year, and not every wife can hear her. They said that if you never receive one, the family will be ruined. It happened with my brother, but there was none during Harumi's—your father's time. And it goes without saying for Saneaki, since he never married."

"I've never heard of anything like that," Takafuyu sounded suspicious.

"You didn't have a wife until this year. After this year's ritual was over, I was going to tell you about it whether there was an oracle or not. It'd be an issue if I told you before the ritual and got you bothered about it," Yoshie glanced at Suzuko. "If it weren't for the oracle, I wouldn't have told your wife about it."

Oh? Suzuko thought.

"Is it because I shouldn't worry about it?"

"Mm, well, it's because…" Yoshie lowered his gaze with a bitter expression. "I told Harumi's wife. I shouldn't have done that."

"You did?" Takafuyu sounded surprised. "Did Mother worry about it?"

"She worried whether or not this family's misfortune was because she wasn't liked by Awaji no Kimi—" Yoshie said, then immediately denied it. "No, she didn't worry about it that much."

This family's misfortune.

Takafuyu fell silent. He probably assumed "misfortune" referred to his own existence.

Yoshie cleared his throat. "In the Meiji era, shrines changed in many ways, and that's why all the Shinto families were a mess. That's what I was told."

Oh? Suzuko thought again. He…

He was probably trying to be considerate towards Takafuyu right now. Otherwise, there would be no need to add all that.

"Anyways, none of this matters. Go and change your clothes. We can't clean up if you don't."

After saying that with a stern face, Yoshie hurried Yoshitsugu and went into the room next to the entrance door. The sliding door slammed shut.

"Shall we change, Suzuko-san?"

Suzuko looked back and forth between the closed door and Takafuyu, and simply nodded. She felt that even if she told him what she sensed, he would only say, "It's probably just your imagination."

It happened during that afternoon.

Waka, who had been visiting the Kashou Orphanage, returned. After she greeted Suzuko in the tatami room, Suzuko told her, "You could have spent more time there."

"About that, Madam…" Waka knelt down with a troubled look on her face. "There is a ghost."

Her tone was serious.

"At Kashou Orphanage?"

Waka shook her head. "There's a crape myrtle tree at the crossroads near the coast, a little further away from the orphanage. It's a big tree, and it blooms purplish red flowers at this time of year every year. It's very beautiful, but it's standing under it."

"The ghost?" Suzuko confirmed.

"The ghost," Waka repeated and nodded. "She looks like a young pilgrim, but—"

"Pilgrim…oh, I do remember that Awaji Island has sacred sites."

"There are sites dedicated to deities like Kannon-sama and the Medicine Buddha. Kannon-sama has thirty-three sites, the Medicine Buddha has forty-nine sites, and both together make eighty-two locations."

"That's quite a lot."

"There are, but this is an island, so it takes about thirteen days to go to all of them. Village girls who are about to get married go on the pilgrimage together. They say that girls who don't go on the pilgrimage can't get married, or that you'll get married faster if you go."

"Is that so?" She thought it was something only very religious old people did. "Then, it must be a brilliant sight."

"It is. All the girls singing songs and ringing bells… In late spring, when the farm work is finished, you'll always see girls in identical pilgrimage outfits. Ah, I think it's already that time of the year."

Suzuko could almost imagine the idyllic scene of the girls walking through the fresh greenery.

"The ghost of a girl like that was there?"

"She's alone, but she's dressed like a pilgrim, ringing bells and singing songs, like this—" Waka moved her hands from left to right, then right to left. "She goes back and forth. No, she goes in one direction, disappears, reappears again, then disappears just as you think she's coming over. She repeats this over and over again…"

"Under the crape myrtle tree?"

"Yes."

"That's all she does?"

Yes, Waka nodded, then tilted her head a little.

"That's what it looked like to me. The orphanage children were with me at the time. Some see her, some could only hear the singing, and some of them couldn't see or hear anything."

"The children from the orphanage were with you too?"

"We went for a walk to Matsubara in Matsuho. There's a crossroads on the way there… The coast around there is a beautiful stretch of sand. The pine forest is also beautiful."

"Oh, I see."

Suzuko didn't know much about the area, so Waka explained it step by step.

"If the coast is that beautiful, I'd like to go see it. Also, I'm curious about that ghost."

"Would you go and take a look?" A look of relief appeared on Waka's face. "Um, I'm worried about that girl. She was hanging her head down and didn't seem very energetic…"

After saying that, she seemed to realize what she said, and added with a blush, "Oh, she's a ghost, so of course she wouldn't have any energy."

Suzuko smiled slightly. She liked the fact that Waka was honest and pure-hearted. Waka would worry about someone who didn't look well, whether they were alive or dead.

"In any case, I was planning to make a visit to Kashou Orphanage. I'll go all the way to this Matsubara in Matsuho as well."

Thank you very much, Waka said, placing her hands on the tatami mat.

"—And that's why I would like to visit Kashou Orphanage tomorrow. Is that okay?"

Suzuko asked Takafuyu at night. In the afternoon, they went back to Mikio's room to research the family trees and biographies, but all they got were stiff shoulders and made no remarkable discoveries. Even after Waka returned and Suzuko excused herself, Takafuyu and Mikio continued working, while Suzuko was half-forcefully invited by Fukiko to go shopping. That was why she hadn't had time to talk to Takafuyu until now. Only after she had eaten dinner and taken a bath was she able to settle down and talk.

"Yes, of course. I was originally planning a visit there during our stay anyways."

By the way… Takafuyu sat down next to her. "What are you doing?"

There was a row of neckpieces lined up in front of Suzuko. One was light green and stencil-dyed with flowing water and plovers, one was pale purple and embroidered with pinks and clovers, one was also purple and embroidered with pinks and polka dots, and another was yellow and embroidered with morning glories…it was a spread of colorful neckpieces. Suzuko picked up each one and then put them down, repeating the process over and over again.

"I can't decide which one to wear with tomorrow's kimono."

The kimono she planned to wear tomorrow was hanging on the clothes rack next to the wall. It was a pale celadon-green with a fine pattern of sunflowers, lilies, Japanese clovers, bellflowers, dianthus, and fiber banana leaves. Although the flowers were bold, the underlying green gave it a refreshing feel, which she liked.

"The obi is over there," she said, pointing to the obi hanging on the rack next to it. It was a summery obi with a pattern of swallows and large spirals on a white background.

The obi sash was white, and the obi string was going to be of unbleached cloth with gold threads.

"The clasp is a metal sailing boat…"

"Haha, I see." Takafuyu seemed to realize what she was getting at. "The spirals on the obi are supposed to be the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait."

He was right. The obi sash and string were white waves. Suzuko smiled slightly, feeling strangely happy that he noticed.

"The kimono is the land, I see. The theme is whirlpools seen from a flower-filled hill, and a ship sailing far away with white waves in its wake. With that in mind, wouldn't it be nice to have flowers on the neckpiece as well?"

"Which one do you think is better?"

"You're asking me to choose?" Takafuyu said in surprise.

"Don't I always choose your tie and cufflinks?" she said.

"Yes, but—no, you're right. Well then…"

Takafuyu stammered in embarrassment, then looked at the neckpieces and remained deep in thought for quite a long time. There was a serious look on his face, as if he was about to make a big career decision. Seeing him like that, Suzuko felt a strange warmth in her heart.

"—I think this is the best one."

He finally chose the neckpiece made of light purple tatero silk and embroidered with dianthus and polka dots.

"Purple suits you well, and the dianthus flowers are graceful and perfect. Also, the polka dots look like splashes of water, and they go well with the obi, right?"

Curiously enough, when he said that, it seemed like there was no other neckpiece that could be more perfect.

"Certainly, I also think so," Suzuko nodded deeply, and Takafuyu looked relieved. "It's good that I asked you to choose. I think I understand how you feel when you ask me to choose, just a little."

"Is that so?"

"I feel like I can make a better decision once I've seen it through someone else's eyes."

Takafuyu smiled wryly. "That isn't why I ask you to choose my ties, though…"

"Why, then?"

"It's simply because I'm happy that you're using your time for my sake."

It wasn't so grandiose as he made it sound, and she did it because she liked choosing various things. However, it wasn't as though she didn't understand what he meant.

Somehow, vaguely, Suzuko had felt the same way earlier.

"I'm starting to want you to choose for me as well," Takafuyu said, then hurried into the neighboring room where his belongings were kept. "If you want me to match with your kimono, then a white linen suit would be perfect—"

As she put away the neckpieces, Suzuko considered Takafuyu's clothes in her head. He should have brought the summer vest of celadon-green with a white checkered pattern, which would go well with the white linen suit. She went to the room next door to tell him this. Takafuyu prepared the clothes as he was told and hung them on his clothes rack. Suzuko took out the box of neckties from his suitcase and took out several. Some were indigo-blue or silvery gray, and some were patterned. She handed him a green-blue tie.

"How about this one?"

"Good choice. It's perfect for summer," Takafuyu looked pleased. Seeing him happy, Suzuko felt relieved.

Suzuko selected the tiepin and cufflinks from the jewelry box. The tiepin was carved in the shape of an anchor, and the cufflinks were cloisonne cufflinks with dianthus designs. The anchor was adorned with a single mustard pearl that resembled seafoam.

Takafuyu sat down next to her and looked at the tiepin and cufflinks in her hand.

"An anchor and pinks…they will match your outfit well. How wonderful."

"I think pearls and crystals are better than cloisonne, though…" Suzuko took out another pair of cufflinks and wavered.

"No, I like this cloisonne. The pinks match your neckpiece. –Ah, that reminds me. What hair ornament are you going to wear?" Takafuyu said, briefly touching her untied hair.

"I think I'll wear something with fake dianthus flowers."

"In that case, cloisonne would be even better."

"Are you sure you want to decide it that way?"

"Of course. Isn't that the most fun way to decide?"

Takafuyu looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself. If that's the case, then that's all that matters, Suzuko thought. Takafuyu playfully combed his fingers through her hair. "I'm looking forward to tomorrow," he said with a smile.

Minato Port was located at a large estuary where Shitoori River, Mihara River, and Dainichi River converged. In such places, sand flowing into the sea from the river created inlets, which made good natural harbors where the waves were calm and boats could be easily docked. It was easy to imagine people coming and going from here since ancient times. Even today, the port town was bustling.

Kashou Orphanage was located at the foot of a mountain, a little further away from the lively port town. It was a quiet place where only the sound of birds and cicadas could be heard, and Suzuko was surprised at the vastness of the grounds. There were a number of tile-roofed buildings that surrounded a large courtyard where children played tag and other games. Suzuko watched from the room that faced the courtyard, silently listening to the children's laughter.

"Since the mountain is right next to us, the children collect cicada husks in the summer and acorns in fall, then line them up on the windowsill of the director's office."

The director of the orphanage said, laughing cheerfully. He was a large gentleman in his sixties. There was a beard around his mouth and his eyes disappeared when he smiled, making him look like Ebisu.

"The children here range from babies to children around fifteen years old. We have wet nurses and teachers who teach them lessons and sewing."

Currently, there were about thirty children. It was a large family.

"That isn't a lot of people. Orphanages in Okayama are even bigger."

"The reason this place is running so smoothly is because of the director's skill. Donations from benefactors have been increasing recently. It's all thanks to his personal virtue," Takafuyu, sitting on the sofa, said amiably.

"No, no, you're giving me too much credit…I was helped by my wife and the staff who work here."

The director's wife was in charge of the practical affairs of this orphanage, and the director was mainly responsible for external dealings.

"I'm glad that Shinichirou and Waka are doing well," the director repeated the words that they had heard many times since arriving here. He nodded to himself. "No, no, being in good health is what's most important."

Today, Shinichirou—Yura—and Waka accompanied them. The two of them were playing with the children in the courtyard. It might be better to say that they were compelled to do so. From the window, Suzuko could see Yura being dragged around by the children. Waka was sitting on a bench in the corner, teaching the girls how to juggle beanbags.

"They are all very well-behaved children," Suzuko said as she gazed at them.

"Ah, does it seem that way to you? We've actually been having the hardest time with teaching them etiquette…" the director said, sounding a little perplexed. Perhaps he couldn't tell if her words were honest praise or sarcasm.

Realizing this, Suzuko added, "Compared to children in the slums…"

Children living in slums, struggling just to survive day by day, became the henchman of adults, and the younger children became their henchman. From an early age, they couldn't tell the difference between right and wrong, and engaged in all sorts of bad deeds such as theft, fraud, and violence.

The director looked even more confused. "Oh, you must have saw some while doing charity work," he explained it to himself. It would be too much trouble to correct him, so she left it at that.

"I'm grateful that you're so understanding, Madam. It is difficult to get people to agree to activities like these if they don't understand them."

The director's expression suddenly darkened.

"Did someone from the Hanabishi family say something to you?" Takafuyu, sensing something was troubling him, fished for information.

"Ah, well…Your Great Uncle and Yoshitsugu-san treat us well, but—"

"It's Kisa-san, then? Did she have complaints?"

"Yes. She asked us if we can't reduce our expenses even more, or that we're being too extravagant—"

Takafuyu sighed. "That's troublesome."

"No, my wife is strong, so she showed her our account books and chased her away, saying, 'We aren't as extravagant as you, Madam.'"

"That's quite reassuring," Takafuyu laughed it off, but his face quickly turned thoughtful. "But, I am concerned about the future. Right now, Great Uncle is in charge of the house, so things won't be difficult, but…"

No one knows what would happen when Yoshie died and Yoshitsugu took over.

"Let us think about it then," the director smiled. "Fortunately, your Great Uncle is still in very good health."

"He is the type who would remain as healthy as he is now even in ten years," Takafuyu smiled as well. "If something unavoidable happens, you can also contact me."

Thank you very much, the director bowed his head.

"It's very reassuring. Your father and brother also cared deeply about the children and often visited us."

The director looked towards the courtyard nostalgically.

"Is that so?"

The director, looking at the courtyard, didn't notice the dark expression on Takafuyu's face.

"Your father always visited us with your mother…she was a kind woman, and the children got along well with her. Yes, truly…"

Perhaps remembering those days, the director looked out at the courtyard with tears in his eyes.

After they visited the director, Suzuko and Takafuyu went out into the courtyard. Waka came running towards them. Yura managed to pull away from the crowd of boys and made his way over. He was out of breath. The boys swarmed after him.

"He's very popular," Suzuko muttered without thinking. Waka let out a laugh, and Takafuyu also burst into laughter.

"The younger children have always been attached to Shin-cha…Yura-san."

Yura, looking tired, didn't say anything.

"Even after he left the island, he often came here with Master's brother—"

"Waka," Yura snapped. "Don't say anything unnecessary."

Waka was stunned. "What's the big deal?"

Yura clicked his tongue, turned away from her, and brushed the dust off his clothes.

"My brother was good at taking care of younger people," Takafuyu said with a smile at Suzuko. "I guess he became experienced at it with me."

Suzuko thought that there was something painful about his smile.

"Did your brother like children?"

"I'm not sure… He didn't seem to dislike them. That's probably why he visited this place."

Right when Takafuyu tilted his head, Yura spoke with a cold voice and a sarcastic smile. "You don't know anything, do you."

Silence descended. Even Waka looked at Yura with a shocked expression, unable to speak.

"—What do you mean by that?" Suzuko asked in a subdued voice. To her surprise, her voice had a sharpness that she had never directed at Yura before.

Yura's face stiffened, and he looked down.

"You're saying that the previous Baron was visiting this place for a reason, yes? You know the reason. If you do, please tell me."

"No…"

"Yura."

Just as she was about to question him severely, Takafuyu pulled on her arm. "Suzuko-san."

When she turned around, he shook his head. "That's enough."

"I cannot just leave it like this."

"You're scaring the children."

Suzuko looked at the children behind Yura. They were looking up at her with worried faces. She flinched and closed her mouth. She wasn't expressive, lacked charm, and possessed nothing that could make children feel at ease.

"Right now, it's Yura-san who's in the wrong," Waka interjected. "You must not act that way towards your master. It's discourteous. You could get fired."

She glared at him as she spoke vehemently. Yura averted his gaze awkwardly.

"It's okay," Takafuyu said, calming her down. "Yura's master is still my brother, even now. I don't think there's any problem with that."

Yura looked at Takafuyu in surprise. When Takafuyu turned his gaze towards him, he suddenly turned his head away, but Suzuko could clearly see his expression. Yura's face was a complex mixture of embarrassment, shame, and irritation. He turned and ran towards the corner of the garden.

"Wait, Yura-san—" Waka tried to stop him, but she was stopped by Takafuyu.

"Let's leave him alone. I'm sure he has a lot of memories of my brother on this island. –In the meantime, let's go see the crape myrtle tree. Is that okay with you, Suzuko-san?"

Suzuko let out a sigh and pressed her hand against her obi. Yura was sitting on a bench in the corner of the courtyard, his head hanging down. She glanced at him, examined Takafuyu's face, then nodded.

"…If that's what you want to do, then let's do it."

"I can't believe I'm hearing words from your mouth that I usually say."

Suzuko let out another sigh.

A pine forest could be seen from the other side of the river. Matsubara of Matsuho was said to be a scenic spot since ancient times. Waka walked in front of them as their guide, but they were heading down a path that led them away from Matsubara.

"That day, we were planning on going to the coast, but I caught a glimpse of the beautiful crape myrtle flowers blooming and remembered that there was a big tree there—"

Apparently, this was a detour. If one looked closely at where she was pointing, one could see red-purple flowers peeking out from behind the roofs of the houses.

"Um…Master," Waka turned around to look at Takafuyu as she walked. "I want to talk about Yura-san."

"What is it?"

"I do believe that he truly is serving you as his proper master," Waka spoke falteringly, as though searching for the words. "If that wasn't the case, I don't think he would have liked me working at the Hanabishi mansion. He was the one who talked to Tazu-san about the position, after all…"

Tazu was the head maid of the Hanabishi mansion.

"I don't think Yura-san would do such a thing if he couldn't trust his master. It's true that it was your brother who he served before…I know that he admired him a lot, but…he might have complicated feelings because of that, but I don't believe he hates you, sir."

Waka was trying her utmost to explain.

Takafuyu smiled wryly. "I know that Yura is a hard worker. Don't worry, I won't fire him."

He thought that she was trying to stick up for Yura. Waka hung her head dejectedly. "That isn't what I…"

"Takafuyu-san," Suzuko interjected.

"What is it?"

"Waka is Yura's childhood friend, so she knows him very well. Isn't it fine if you simply accept what she says?"

"Huh…" Takafuyu looked like he didn't quite understand. He seemed to think that he was somehow worthless, so Suzuko sometimes had trouble with words.

"…Very well, then. I will try to talk to Yura later."

She was also curious about the true meaning of his words when he said, "You don't know anything."

"There is no need for you to do that."

"It's a wife's duty to take care of household affairs and the servants. –And above all, I'm worried about you."

"Huh?"

"I want you to spend your days in peace and good health, so to that end, I will do whatever I please."

Takafuyu looked stunned, but Suzuko hadn't said anything strange as his wife. In fact, he was the strange one for being so shocked. Did he truly believe that no one cared about him?

"But I'm very much in good health.'

Suzuko laughed slightly at how Takafuyu had missed the point. "You…are more peculiar than I first thought."

Takafuyu made a confused look on his face when she murmured that.

"It's that tree."

Waka pointed to the tree at the end of the path. It was a large crape myrtle tree that seemed to be quite old. Purplish red flowers bloomed all over its branches. They looked beautiful against the blue sky.

In between fields and vacant lots overgrown with bushes, there were private houses scattered here and there, as well as teahouses with banners that read dango, barley tea, and amazake. The roads were narrow, but there were many people walking along them. In addition to people who looked like locals, there were also groups of pilgrims. There was probably a Kannon or Medicine Buddha temple nearby. In addition to peddlers such as ice sellers and medicine sellers, who were often seen in Tokyo, there were also millet dumpling sellers who had set up stalls. What was unusual was a woman selling fish with a large basket on her head. She was walking deftly, holding a rope tied to the basket in both her hands.

As Suzuko approached the crossroads where the crape myrtle tree was, she spotted the ghost through the waves of people passing by. She was so easily lost in the crowd that Suzuko didn't even notice her.

There was a girl walking back and forth under the tree. She was wearing a tsumaore-gasa hat with a red chin strap, a kimono with the skirt tucked up, purple wrist coverings and leggings, and a carry-all sack was slung over her shoulders. Just as Waka said, when it seemed that she was coming from the right, she suddenly disappeared between people, then reappeared from the left. She repeated this over and over again. Her hand struck the bell she held, and Suzuko heard something that sounded like singing.

Suzuko moved even closer. Although the girl's face was obscured up to her nose by her hat, enough was showing that one could tell how young she was. She might be around the same age as Suzuko, or maybe even younger. Her plump, sun-burned cheeks had a springiness to them that made them look as though they were about to burst. Her nose was low and flat, and her lips were small and thick. Suzuko could even see how tightly her red chinstrap dug into her skin.

Her adorable plump lips moved, and her singing voice echoed. Suzuko could hear the words, but because of the peculiar intonation, she couldn't grasp their meaning. Was this a pilgrim's song?

"Where did this song come from?" Takafuyu murmured.

"'Where'…what do you mean by that?"

"Each of the temples visited on a pilgrimage have their own songs, which are sung when the temple is visited. Before embarking on their pilgrimage, pilgrims spend a month or more practicing the songs in their villages."

"Is that so?" Suzuko listened carefully. "…I feel as though she has been singing the same song for a long time."

"That's right. The closest temple from here is Kannou Temple. Is the song from there…? Waka, do you know which temple this song is from?"

Waka shook her head. "I can't hear it clearly. And I've never been on a pilgrimage before…I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine. Well then, let's remember as much as we can and ask someone who might know it later."

Fortunately, groups of pilgrims often passed by this road. Suzuko thought that if they asked one of them, they would know.

"The first word is 'Hanakoyama'…I think. 'Mihotoke ni'… 'kokoro ureshiki'…"

Muttering to himself, Takafuyu moved even closer to the crape myrtle tree. Suzuko followed suit.

The girl, walking with her head down, gradually became visible. Although she was in shadow, they could see her single-lidded eyes that still had a childishness remaining in them and thick eyebrows that were unrefined but endearing.

From a distance, it looked like she was walking with her head down, but from up close, they could see no sadness or anguish in her face. She was simply a cheerful, defenseless, young girl walking in the bright late spring sunshine.

Why is she…?

Why was she wandering around a place like this as a ghost?

Takafuyu got close enough to almost touch the girl. He was trying to hear her song. The sound of the bell echoed. There was a strong smell of incense.

"—Ah!"

By the time Suzuko noticed it and was about to touch Takafuyu's arm, it was already too late.

Awaji no Kimi had appeared.

She appeared between Suzuko and Takafuyu, looked back at Suzuko for a split second, and seemed to smile.

The sleeves of her juunihitoe fluttered and swayed like beautiful waves. Her long black hair flared out. Although Awaji no Kimi appeared to be moving slowly, she had already engulfed the pilgrim girl.

Her large sleeves and spreading hair obscured the girl.

The sound of the bell disappeared. The song also stopped.

When Awaji no Kimi pulled away, the girl was no longer there.

Awaji no Kimi also faded, her figure swaying like trailing smoke. The thin layer of smoke surrounded Takafuyu and disappeared.

Suzuko and Takafuyu stood there, stunned. The whole process probably took only a few seconds. It wasn't until Waka repeatedly asked them, "Madam—Master, are you alright?" that they came back to themselves.

"Um, the ghost—the ghost of the girl seems to have disappeared."

Waka looked confused. It seemed that she couldn't see Awaji no Kimi.

"Did you see when she disappeared?"

"No, well… I thought I smelled something nice, but then she was gone."

As expected, she hadn't seen Awaji no Kimi. Did that mean that someone who could see ghosts wouldn't necessarily be able to see her?

Then why could I see her at that time?

When she met Takafuyu for the first time. From that moment on, Suzuko was able to see Awaji no Kimi.

Was even that decided by Awaji no Kimi? Or maybe she was chosen by that ghost because she could see her?

"She must have been able to pass on. Maybe she found peace because we were able to see her," Takafuyu said quickly. Of course, he himself didn't think so.

"I see…that's good, then."

Although Waka looked a little perplexed, she seemed relieved that the ghost had actually disappeared. The melancholy was gone from her face.

"I thought she wasn't the type of ghost Awaji no Kimi liked…" Takafuyu said quietly in a voice that only Suzuko could hear. "I think we accidentally got too close."

"Awaji no Kimi prefers ghosts with strong lingering resentments, yes? To me, the girl from earlier didn't seem like that kind of spirit either…"

Suzuko put her hand on Takafuyu's arm. She couldn't bear to see ghosts get eaten. They were simply devoured without being able to find peace. It wasn't something either of them wanted to see.

Takafuyu placed his hand on Suzuko's and patted it lightly. When she looked up, he smiled.

"If she was a pilgrim, she might have collapsed on the road before returning to her hometown. That might have become a deep regret for her. She was still a young girl, after all."

"…She must have wanted to return home."

Was that why she was walking back and forth? After she died, she didn't know how to get home, nor could she find peace.

"Would you like to find out?" Takafuyu asked. "The identity of that girl and her hometown."

"Her hometown…"

"If we find out who she was, let's explain the situation to her family temple and ask them to hold a memorial service for her. This must also be some sort of fate."

Some sort of fate. Those words were very fitting. Now, Suzuko and Takafuyu were most likely the only ones who could trace the remains of this girl's life.

"Let's do that," Suzuko nodded.

First, the two decided to investigate the song that the girl had been singing. After sending Waka back to the orphanage, Suzuko and Takafuyu headed to a nearby teahouse. They saw a group of middle-aged women who looked like pilgrims taking a rest there. The women took off their matching hats and chatted while drinking amazake.

The two entered the teahouse and sat down on the bench next to them. "Would you like to eat dango?" Takafuyu asked, and Suzuko nodded. After ordering amazake and dango, Takafuyu immediately called out to the woman closest to him.

"Excuse me, ladies, are you on a pilgrimage? It must be tough in this heat."

At times like this, Takafuyu's good looks and gentle demeanour made it easy for people to take to him when they meet him for the first time. In fact, after only exchanging a few words with the women, he had easily blended in with the women. Suzuko watched him without interfering while eating her dango.

"Oh, are you two husband and wife? Where did y'all come from? Oh my, Tokyo! I was just thinkin' that y'all looked awfully refined."

"Haha, thank you. If you would like, shall I order dango for all of you? It'll be my treat."

"Wow, how generous!" the women exclaimed.

"Are you ladies making the pilgrimage on your own? Without any guides?"

"We've done it so many times that we know the route by heart. It's a relaxing trip to get away from our noisy mothers-in-law."

The women burst into laughter. They were a cheerful group.

"You two should also go on a pilgrimage. I've also seen a lot of couples going on them together."

"No, they're not married, they're basically rich men from Osaka and geishas. It's just an excuse to debauch themselves."

"Hey, y'all remember those two from the other day? There was a couple on a pilgrimage who drowned and got washed up on the beach."

"You say 'the other day,' but that was two or three years ago. They didn't drown. I'm pretty sure they fell off a cliff."

"I heard they ended up in an awful state after being eaten by a fish. Are they not that couple from Akashi?"

They casually swapped gory stories with dango in hand. From there, they veered into complaining about their husbands, then their mothers-in-law. The women's chatter knew no bounds.

After everyone finished their dango and looked satisfied, Takafuyu broached the main topic.

"By the way, ladies, I've heard a pilgrimage song—"

Do you know which song is this, Takafuyu asked, uttering the words of the poem. " 'Hanakoyama hana o sono mama mihotoke ni omoi tamukeru kokoro ureshiki.' The words may not be accurate, though."

The women seemed to know what he was talking about right away.

"That's the song for Hanakoyama Kannon."

The woman next to him took out a small traditionally-bound book from her bag, opened it, and gave it to Takafuyu. It seemed to be a book of pilgrimage songs.

"Hanakoyama hana o sono mama mi hotoke ni omoi tamukeru kokoro ureshiki."*

That was what was written there.

"Ah, Hanakoyama…I see."

The words "Hata Village Kannon Temple, Hata Village, Mihara District, Saigoku Pilgrimage No.12" were written next to the song.

"It used to be in Ninomiya, but they said they would get in trouble if they left them together, so it was moved to this temple. It's a small one with no chief priest."

"I see," Takafuyu said and nodded again. "So it was moved from the shrine."

The woman was referring to Yamato Okunitama Shrine when she mentioned Ninomiya. The reason the Kannon was moved there was probably to separate Shinto and Buddhism.

I wonder why that girl was chanting that song.

Takafuyu said that the closest temple was Kannoji. It didn't seem to be there. Did it have something to do with that Kannon statue?

Takafuyu thanked her and returned the book. After the women finished their break and left, he asked Suzuko, "What do you think?" Suzuko tilted her head as she drank amazake.

"Perhaps that girl had some connection to that temple… maybe she lived nearby or something like that."

"Hata Village is now part of Enami Village, but it isn't very far from here. It is inland. As for connections, it's quite troublesome that the Kannon was originally located in Ninomiya. Perhaps she lived near there. Well, that shrine is also located in Enami Village, so the area isn't so extensive."

Just as they were discussing with each other…

"Dear customers," a voice suddenly called out to them from behind, causing them to turn around. Behind them was a woman in her fifties who appeared to be the proprietress of the teahouse. She had a sturdy build, and wore a dark blue kimono with white splash patterns and an apron. Her strong-looking arms peeked out from her sleeves that were tied up with a tasuki.

"What's the matter, Okami-san?" Takafuyu smiled amiably, but the corners of the woman's mouth didn't so much as lift.*

"I'm not the proprietress," she answered. "I'm a sweet seller. In exchange for watching this teahouse, they serve my sweets here."

"Huh, I see. Er—so, what do you want with us?"

He had already paid for the women. Just as he was wondering what was wrong, the sweets vendor said, "What you were talking about earlier."

"Earlier…what do you mean?"

"The Hanakoyama Kannon song."

"Oh?"

"Why were you asking about that?"

"Why, you ask?" Takafuyu looked at Suzuko. She spoke in his place.

"Is there something in particular about that song that caught your attention?"

The sweets vendor's mouth curved downward. Suzuko wondered if her too-polite tone rubbed her the wrong way, but the woman lowered her voice and said, "I don't know if it's okay to talk about this." It seemed that she wasn't in a bad mood, she just wasn't sure what to say.

Takafuyu briefly made eye contact with Suzuko. "Does it have anything to do with the crape myrtle tree at the crossroads over there?" he asked. They would find out if she had any connection to that girl.

The sweets vendor's eyes widened. "How did you—"

We're right, Suzuko thought. This sweets vendor knew something about that girl.

"Did a young pilgrim girl pass under that tree?" Suzuko pressed. The sweets vendor's face paled, and she nodded repeatedly.

"What, are y'all friends of that girl? No, that can't be right. That was about ten years ago…"

"Did you meet that girl about ten years ago?"

"I wouldn't call it meeting her…she collapsed there."

The sweets vendor sat down on the bench next to the two of them. Since there were no other customers, it seemed like she decided to sit down and chat.

"Under that tree. Well, it happens sometimes that pilgrims would collapse from exhaustion. I thought, Oh no, she's in trouble, but I didn't panic and carried her to a small tatami room at the back of the teahouse and laid her down. I thought that if I gave her some water to drink and some porridge to eat, she would get better, but…" the sweets vendor faltered. "But her breathing got more and more shallow, and by the time I thought, Oh no, this is bad, it was too late. She couldn't breathe. She was so young, poor thing."

Did she collapse under that tree and die immediately after?

I see, Suzuko thought, But what does this have to do with Hanakoyama Kannon?

Just as she thought that, the sweets vendor continued talking.

"And, when that girl was brought here, even though she was already out of breath, she kept chanting the hymn of Hanakoyama Kannon."

Is this the connection?

Suzuko leaned a little closer to her. "Do you know who that girl was? What was her name and hometown?"

"No, I don't know anything about her. She didn't wear anything that could identify her. She died before she could even tell me her name."

"But she was a pilgrim, wasn't she? Surely—" Takafuyu said, but the sweets vendor shook her head. Then, she tilted her head slightly.

"That's what I thought too. I guess I was in a real panic while I was carin' for her. When I took a better look at her, I realized she dressed like a pilgrim, but not exactly."

"Huh?" Takafuyu and Suzuko looked at each other. The girl's ghost came to their minds. She looked no different from the pilgrim women who were here earlier.

"She wore her kimono like she was going on a pilgrimage. The hem was tucked up, she was wearing coverings on her hands and legs, and she was carrying a sack. And yet, she wasn't wearing a hat, her bun was messed up, and she wasn't carrying a bell. Who's ever heard of a pilgrim like that? That was when I thought, 'This ain't a pilgrim, but a girl pretending to be one."

"Pretending to be—a pilgrim?"

Was such a thing done? And what was the benefit of doing so?

"Did you assume that she was a beggar pretending to be a pilgrim?" Takafuyu asked. The woman tilted her head from side to side indecisively.

"I don't know about that… Well, if you're dressed as a pilgrim, you might be able to get lodgings and meals free at some places, but if that's the case, you'd have to make sure your outfit is perfect, wouldn't you?"

"Ah, well, you do have a point."

So, why did the girl pretend to be a pilgrim?

The sweets vendor became evasive and didn't express her thoughts any further.

"Even so, when she died, she became a lost soul. I asked a monk to recite the nembutsu for her, and even though she died without anyone to tend her grave, I also asked for her to be buried."

"You did a wonderful thing. You've accumulated merit."

"That's what the monk told me too," the sweets vendor said, looking not completely displeased.

"You still don't know who she was even now?" Suzuko asked.

"I don't," she replied, then turned her gaze towards the crape myrtle tree as though to recall something.

"Trees like that are planted to serve as landmarks. Pines and hackberries are used often. They're big, so they stand out. The reddish-purple flowers of that tree can be seen even from a distance."

Was that why that girl was walking towards that tree?

"The dead girl wasn't wearing socks or gaiters. She was barefoot," the sweets vendor murmured, still staring at the tree. "I don't know how far she walked like that. Her feet were covered in cuts."

Poor girl. Those words echoed quietly.

"Shall we return to Kashou Orphanage for now?" Takafuyu said after they thanked the sweets seller and left the teahouse. "Let's meet up with Yura and Waka and have lunch somewhere. Afterwards, let's go to Enami Village."

Before they knew it, the sun was almost directly overhead. The heat was steadily intensifying. It was fairly cool if they went under the shade, but as soon as they stepped out into the sun, the rays pierced into their skin. Suzuko could manage because she had her parasol, but Takafuyu, who was only wearing a boater hat, would be suffering. He took off his suit jacket and held it under his arm, then bought two fans from a vendor on the street and gave one to Suzuko. There was a landscape painting painted on the fan, but Suzuko wasn't sure if it was a scenery from Awaji or not.

"Suzuko-san, what are you planning on getting as souvenirs for the sisters-in-laws?"

By sisters-in-laws, he was referring to the people of Suzuko's family, the Takigawas.

"I haven't thought about it yet. My sisters have most things they need, so I'm always troubled over what to give them."

"Ah, that does sound difficult. How about Awaji ware bowls?"

"Well…I don't think they own any Awaji ware, so that could be a good idea."

They chatted and walked as they fanned themselves. How tranquil, she thought. Time passed slowly. Was that another difference between this place and Tokyo? Did things change so much when the waters and wind were different?

"You're just in time," the director said when they arrived at the orphanage. "We ordered catered box lunches, and they've just arrived. Please enjoy them."

Suzuko and Takafuyu were invited into a prepared room. When they asked about Waka and Yura, they were told that they had already finished lunch in a separate room. Whether it was due to the director or his wife, they were very attentive here.

When Suzuko opened the lid of the lacquered bento box, she found it filled with delicacies of the land and sea. Sea bream and pike conger sashimi, pike conger tempura, grilled conger eel, deep-fried eggplant and shishito pepper boiled in soy sauce, boiled pumpkin… How wonderful that they were blessed with both the delicacies of the land and sea.

"I wasn't lying about what I said before, yes?" Takafuyu smiled at her after they finished their meal in satisfaction. "Awaji Island is both rich in seafood and mountain delicacies, and I was sure that there would be plenty of delicious food that you would like."

Come to think of it, he had said something like that before.

"It is as you said," Suzuko nodded.

"Did you like it?"

"Yes, very much so."

She naturally put emphasis in the "very much so" part, and Takafuyu let out a cheerful laugh.

When Suzuko and Takafuyu went outside to walk in the garden to help digestion, they felt someone watching them. Someone was looking at them from the window of the building across from them. It was two people, both wearing navy blue kimonos. One was a girl of around twenty, and the other was a young girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen. They couldn't make out the details of either of their faces, but they could tell that the girls were staring at them intently like they wanted to say something. The older girl, at her age, would be a worker here and not a minor under the orphanage's care. She could be a teacher, nurse, or maid. Judging from her age, she would most likely be a maid.

"Do you know them?" Suzuko asked Takafuyu.

"No, I don't recognize either of them," he replied. Just as they were about to walk towards them to ask if they wanted something from them, the girls suddenly turned around and left.

What was that all about?

Before they even had time to be suspicious, someone called out to them.

"Master, madam!"

It was Waka. Yura was accompanying her from behind. He lowered his face awkwardly. Waka pulled his arm and pushed him to the front.

"…About earlier—" Yura reluctantly opened his mouth. Waka must have told him to apologize.

"Yura," Suzuko interrupted him. "I want to have a talk with you. Is that alright?"

Yura blinked, looking stunned. "Yes…yes, madam. What is it?"

Suzuko looked around and spotted a bench in the corner. Just when she was about to walk over there, Takafuyu grabbed her hand.

"Suzuko-san, you're going to talk to Yura alone?"

"Didn't I say I was going to do that?"

"You said you were going to talk to Yura, but I didn't think you were going to do it alone—"

"Then stay near me. But don't interrupt."

I suppose that's fine… Takafuyu agreed and followed her. Waka looked perplexed, so Suzuko told her that she could join them as well. In the end, all four of them walked to the bench. Suzuko and Yura sat down on it, Takafuyu stood next to Suzuko, and Waka stood near Yura.

"First, let's start with Takafuyu-san's brother…why was Saneaki-san visiting this place so often?"

When Suzuko asked him directly, Yura became too flustered to speak.

"Didn't you act like that earlier because you actually wanted to tell us the reason? You can't just talk about Saneaki-san when you weren't even asked about him."

Especially if he admired Saneaki himself, not just his master.

Yura clasped his hands together and twitched his fingers as though he didn't know what to do.

"…Master—no, Saneaki-sama was coming here to see a maid who worked here," he said that in one breath, boldly.

"A maid? That means—" Suzuko was a little surprised. She tried to search for the appropriate words, but still spoke straightforwardly. "Do you mean they were lovers?"

"Yes, that's right," Yura mumbled, looking ashamed. It seemed that he felt guilty about exposing Saneaki's secret.

"This is the first time I'm hearing of this. I've never heard Nii-san mention anything of the sort," Takafuyu said.

"You promised not to interrupt," Suzuko glared at him.

"My apologies," he said and fell silent.

Suzuko turned to Yura again. "If she's a maid, she must be a commoner, yes?" she asked. Yura nodded.

"She wasn't from here, but she didn't have any relatives. She was about the same age as Saneaki-sama. However, she was strangely well-educated, so she didn't seem to be an ordinary orphan…"

She might have been from a ruined noble family. But Suzuko was more concerned about the way Yura spoke.

"You speak of her like she's no longer here."

"She isn't. She disappeared."

"After Saneaki-sama passed away…?"

"No," Yura shook his head. "Before that. It was sudden, just before he passed away. The maids all live here, but one day, all her belongings were gone, and she only left behind a note stating that she was quitting. The director and the others weren't given any explanation, so they were troubled by her sudden resignation."

"Saneaki-sama must have been terribly saddened."

Of course he was, Yura nodded curtly, as though to say that.

Could that be the cause of his suicide…? Suzuko briefly thought.

"Why did she suddenly disappear? Do you have any idea as to why?"

Yura tilted his head vaguely. "Saneaki-sama wanted to marry her…but she seemed to have refused him because of their different statuses."

If she were to marry the Hanabishi family head, she must be chosen by Awaji no Kimi above all, even difference in social standing. Suzuko wondered how that situation went, but it wasn't something she could find out by asking Yura.

"I suppose she got away by disappearing."

"Most likely."

"What is her name?"

"Raku. Her full name was 'Sonobe Raku.' People called her 'O-Raku-san.'"

Suzuko looked at Waka. "Do you know this person?"

Waka tilted her head slightly. "If I remember correctly, she started working as a maid about half a year before I left the island for work…so I can only vaguely remember her face and personality. She seemed…how do I put it…somewhat lonely, a person who has an air of ill-fatedness around her. She was a kind girl, though."

Am I right? Waka asked Yura. He nodded lightly. "She wasn't remarkably good-looking, but she was the kind of person you couldn't ignore."

"How old were you when you went to work, Waka?"

"It was the spring of my thirteenth year."

The spring of six years ago. Raku started working here six months before that. Saneaki died in the autumn of six years ago.

"They became very close in such a short time."

They knew each other for less than a year and were already talking about marriage. Was Saneaki that in love with her? Or—

"Could they perhaps have known each other before Raku started working here?"

Yura's eyes widened in shock.

"That's impossible—no, I don't know. I can't say for certain," he tilted his head in bewilderment. "Is that important?"

"No, I just thought it was a little strange. In any case, Saneaki-sama was in love with this maid and even considered marrying her. I'm glad that we got to learn that."

When she looked up at Takafuyu, she found that he had a complicated expression on his face."

"Is there something you would like to ask?"

Takafuyu's gaze lowered when she asked that. He stared at his feet.

"What was Nii-san…like when he was together with O-Raku-san?"

Yura stared at Takafuyu in silence for a while, then said quietly, "He looked happy. I've never seen him look that way before."

"I see," Takafuyu laughed a little. "I wish I could have seen Nii-san like that."

Yura stared his own hands and fell silent.

When the director heard that they were going to Enami Village, he brought a detailed map of the area and told them to feel free to use it. Suzuko and Takafuyu gratefully borrowed it. When they turned around after leaving the orphanage's gates, they noticed someone peeking at them from behind a building. It was the two girls from earlier. They were huddled together and staring at them with anxious faces.

"Do you know who they are?" she asked Waka.

"Oh, that's Okiku-chan and Mie-san. They're both children from here. Mie-san went outside for work once, but she came back and now works as a maid here. Okiku-chan is a clever girl, so we used donations to send her to a girl's school," Waka then tilted her head. "Do they want something from us? Shall I go and ask?"

As if they had guessed what they were saying, the two girls turned around and headed back to the back of the building.

"…We're planning on visiting again, so let's ask them then."

Although she was concerned, as they seemed to have some sort of reason for behaving this way, they decided to head to Enami Village for now.

"I want you to ask the villagers if there are any girls who went on a pilgrimage who have gone missing."

Takafuyu told Waka and Yura to do so once they arrived at the village, so they decided to split up and question the villagers. Suzuko and Takafuyu decided to look at the map first. They planned on searching for that girl's family temple.

"The Kannon temple doesn't seem to have a priest, so let's go visit the other temples around here. I hope we can find the temple where that girl's family were parishioners."

They decided to start from the temples around the Kannon temple and Yamato Okunitama Shrine. It was tiring to comb through the area in the heat of the day, but there was a pleasant breeze and the view of the ocean, which was different from the familiar streets of Tokyo, was pleasing to the eye. It's good to do these things sometimes, Suzuko thought.

"Suzuko-san, are you tired? Shall we take a break?"

Takafuyu asked her this question often. Although she wasn't very tired, they occasionally went under the shade of a tree to rest. There were rice fields all around, and the sight of the rice plants swaying like waves when the wind blew was beautiful. The two of them rested under a large tree next to a Jizo statue and stared at it.

"It's a beautiful view," Suzuko narrowed her eyes. It was a sight that made her feel cheerful just by looking at it.

Takafuyu was also looking at the scenery with a peaceful face. It's nice to spend time like this, Suzuko thought.

"I never expected to be able to feel like this after coming to Awaji Island," Takafuyu said with a smile. "It feels wonderful."

"That's very good to hear," Suzuko said, and Takafuyu let out a cheerful laugh.

"It's thanks to you."

Suzuko looked up at him. He looked at her with a deep, affectionate gaze. Feeling a ticklish sensation in her heart, she looked away. Like the ears of rice swaying in the wind, her heart rustled in her chest, making her restless.

"It's awkward when you stare at me like that."

"You don't like it?"

"I don't mind it, but…"

She felt like she often had exchanges like this with Takafuyu. She didn't dislike what he did. She never disliked being looked at or touched by him.

"I can't feel calm."

When she said that, Takafuyu suddenly laughed.

"I'm getting to used to hearing you say, 'I don't mind it.' But that scares me a little."

"Scares you? Why…"

Takafuyu didn't answer, but stretched out his hand towards her with a smile on his face. With a gentle touch, he brushed away her hair, which the wind had blown loose, from her cheek, and stroked it.

"I have become greedy," Takafuyu said, as though confessing a sin. Suzuko tilted her head a little.

"If you're not becoming a monk, what's wrong with that?"

Takafuyu burst into laughter. "You do have a point," he said.

As there were many temples and shrines on Awaji Island, there were also many temples in the Enami Village area. All were of the Shingon sect. After visiting a few temples without success, Suzuko and Takafuyu headed to a small temple at the foot of a small hill. According to the map, this area was called Sono.

A temple could be seen at back of a village of thatch-roofed farmhouses. It was a small temple, so they wondered if there was a resident priest there, but when they visited, they were relieved to find a dwelling next to the main temple and an old monk came out. Takafuyu introduced himself and briefly stated his business.

"A girl who went missing during a pilgrimage—"

After repeating that, the old monk's mouth dropped open in shock, and he muttered something. It sounded like a groan. His white eyebrows drooped down, making it difficult to see his eyes. His mustache and beard were pure white.

The old monk led them to the main temple. The interior of the temple was covered with tatami mats. A statue of Dainichi Nyorai was enshrined at the front.

"Certainly, there was one such girl from one of our families," the old monk said, his pure white mustache moving. "A group of young girls went on a pilgrimage together. Not only girls, but also their grandpas and grandmas. Even so, the girl suddenly disappeared midway. Everyone was shocked. She was a well-behaved girl, so we all wondered if she got lost, fell off a cliff, or collapsed without anyone knowin'… everyone searched for her, and we even asked the police to help, but they said that young girls often disappear suddenly, and that she must have found a man while the others were unaware—"

The old monk shook his head in frustration.

"That girl wasn't the type who would run away from home. Her father was the only family she had. Her mother died when she was young, and her father raised her by himself. She was a good, kind girl."

"How is her father now?" Takafuyu asked. The monk shook his head again.

"He had already passed away."

It was a succinct answer. Suzuko and Takafuyu looked at each other.

"Pardon me…" Suzuko didn't know what to say, but she opened her mouth. "Does the pilgrimage song of Hanakoyama Kannon have any relation to that girl?"

"Hanakoyama Kannon?" the monk raised his eyebrows. His small eyes peered at her. "That's the song her father used to sing to her when she was little, since her name was Hana. He told her that that is the Kannon-sama who will protect you."

Oh, so that's it, she thought. It was the song her father used to sing to her. Suzuko felt a sharp pain in her chest.

"…There was a girl wearing pilgrim's attire who collapsed alone under a crape myrtle tree near Matsuho's pine forest," Takafuyu explained. "A lady from a teahouse took care of her, but she passed away. She was buried as an unconnected dead with her identity unknown. It is said that the girl passed away while humming Hanakoyama Kannon's song… perhaps she is the daughter of one of your families."

"What?" The old monk's eyebrows rose, revealing his widened eyes.

"However, she was apparently not wearing proper pilgrimage attire, and was barefoot… I do not know much about the circumstances surrounding that. If we can compare her facial features, we may be able to see if it is really her."

The old monk nodded deeply.

"I'm going to have people from the village visit her, then we'll hold a memorial service here. Whether she's Hana or not. This is probably some sort of destined encounter. …But still, I think it is Hana. It's a monk's intuition."

She's come home, the monk murmured, his hands in his pockets.

"If she made it all the way to Matsuho, she would have been able to get home in just a little while…"

Somehow, the way he spoke sounded as if he knew the reason why Hana went missing. However, from his expression, they hesitated to question him. Suzuko exchanged glances with Takafuyu and decided to take their leave.

After giving the memorial service fee for Hana to the monk, Suzuko and Takafuyu left the temple. When they reached the road where the rice fields spread out, they ran into Waka and Yura.

"We found that girl's house," Waka blurted out before Suzuko could speak. "No one lives in that house anymore, but it's still there. From what the villagers have said, I think it's that girl."

She's the only child of a single father… She told them the same story they had heard from the monk. Waka and Yura led them to the house. Since they have gone to the trouble of investigating the matter, they couldn't say that there was nothing more for them to do since they had asked for a memorial service to be held.

"That's the one."

Suzuko frowned when she saw where Waka was pointing. There was a small hovel standing there. It was barely standing, and it was on the verge of decay. The thatch that covered the roof was covered with black mold. Weeds had grown over it, and vines covered the walls. Clay was peeling from the walls, and the wooden doors had fallen off.

"Leave it to rot."

A voice suddenly called out from behind them, causing everyone to turn around. An old woman with a towel wrapped around her head was looking up at the hovel with her hands on her bent waist.

"That's what we should do. Even the priest said so."

"This is the old lady who told me about this house," Waka said.

"Why should you just let it rot?" Suzuko asked, but the old woman continued speaking without taking her eyes off the dilapidated house, as though she hadn't heard her.

"I feel sorry for Yohei-han, too. His only daughter that he raised with great care had passed away."

It appeared that Yohei was Hana's father.

"It's so sad, really."

The old woman repeated in a low voice. Suddenly, Suzuko heard another voice overlapping hers.

A cool breeze caressed the nape of her neck.

On…un…sowaka

It was a deep male's voice. Suzuko couldn't turn around.

"Yohei-han was an ascetic. He had a reputation for doing exorcisms, such as people who are possessed by foxes. Villages all around this area asked him to do exorcisms. When Ohana disappeared after going on a pilgrimage, he searched for her for a long time. A very long time. Poor man."

As the old woman sighed, the voice behind Suzuko increased in volume. Takafuyu put his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him, rubbing her soothingly. The warmth soothed the cold air drifting from behind her.

On…rika…un sowaka

"One time, a peddler from Awa told me that recently, there are people who trick young girls on pilgrimages to sell them to brothels. They pretend to be husband and wives on pilgrimages to hold a memorial service for the dead child in order to get sympathy. Then, they pretend that their feet or stomach hurt, take the girl somewhere with no people, knock them out and put them on a boat. It's all over once they're on the boat. They can still be saved if it's a brothel in the Sumoto area, but if they were taken to Akashi or Hiroshima or somewhere far away, they'll never be able to come back."

On kiri kaku un sowaka

The shack swayed to the sound of the man's voice. Goosebumps appeared on Suzuko's skin.

"Yohei-han found that pilgrim couple. He found out from them that they sold a country girl from Sono to a pimp at a low price. Those people were talking about it so proudly. She was his only daughter, who he raised with great care. They kidnapped her and made her into a prostitute… Yohei-han couldn't stand it anymore and grabbed them, but got beaten up by them. They weren't in a respectable line of work, and there was no way Yohei-han could beat them in a fight. He was beaten half to death and crawled back home, crying in frustration. He said that he would forgive them and that he'll cast a killing curse on them—"

The man's curses and howling screams echoed. The old woman in front of them showed no reaction. She couldn't hear them. It wasn't the voice of a living man. Yura and Waka were the same. Only Suzuko and Takafuyu could hear them. The man's—Yohei's heartbreaking roars as he chanted the curse incantation.

"When Ohana was kidnapped, I was the one who was accompanyin' her as a guide. It was my fault. If I'd only kept a closer eye on her, she wouldn't have been kidnapped."

The old woman lowered her head and knelt down on the spot. Waka ran over and patted her on the back. Suzuko looked back at the shack. The man continued chanting his incantation.

On kiri kaku un sowaka

The house was shaking.

"This is the dharani mantra of Daten…" Takafuyu murmured, sounding distressed.

"What did you say?"

"The ritual of Daten…Dakiniten. It's performed by ascetics," Takafuyu pressed his hand to his mouth. "However, in exchange for the promise of success, the ascetic pays a tremendous price. Don't tell me…"

"Yohei-han prayed all night in this house. He put a curse on them. He wounded his own body and shed blood."

The old woman was now holding her head and trembling.

"In the end, he…he gouged out his eyes…"

Sobs slipped from the old woman's mouth as she covered her face.

"And then, he died. The inside of his house was covered in blood. We buried his body, but his house was still a mess. No one wanted to tear it down, so we left it as it was. Even the monk said it was better not to mess with it. When there's a bad storm or wind, everyone shivers in fear, because it's as though we can hear Yohei-han's voice from that night."

But even so, the old woman said as she looked up.

"It was worth it. That evil couple died. Apparently, they fell off a cliff and drowned in the sea, and then their bodies were eaten by fish. It was a cruel fate. Yohei-san's prayers must have worked."

Yohei's howls reverberated. Suzuko remembered the women's story from the teahouse. Two or three years ago, a couple on a pilgrimage washed up on the shore. Their bodies were eaten by fish.

"That girl probably ran away from the brothel," Takafuyu whispered. "I don't know where she ran away from, but she barely escaped alive and went all the way there, barefoot and wearing the pilgrim's attire she was wearing when she was sold."

And then, she exhausted all her strength.

Did Yohei even know about his daughter's death? Was that why he abandoned his body and cursed that couple?

Suzuko walked up to the shack and stepped inside. Was it just her imagination that she smelled blood? Kudzu and morning glory vines had come in from inside and were eroding the walls and floors. There were animal footprints both on the dirt floor and the wooden floor. Perhaps some kind of tanuki lived here. The dark, mold-like stains on the walls and wooden floor of the room were probably traces of blood. In the center of the room, a man was sitting with his back to her.

On kiri kaku un sowaka

Every time the man chanted that, Suzuko's skin tingled. It felt as though the tiny hairs on her skin had become electrified. A fire burned in front of the man. He was holding a dagger in one hand. He was chanting the incantation, swinging the dagger, and cutting his arms and legs. He didn't seem to feel any pain at all as he tore through his skin with the dagger without hesitation and bled. When his blood fell into the flames, they burned even more intensely.

Rage and sorrow were surging out of the man's entire body. The splatters of blood seemed to be a substitute for his tears.

Someone, please end this.

Suzuko had no choice but to pray. Words wouldn't reach Yohei. How could she end this hellscape?

The pilgrim song…

The song of Hanakoyama Kannon. Suzuko hummed as much as she remembered.

However, Yohei didn't stop moving or look back at her. Suzuko was the wrong person here. If anyone could save him, it would be his daughter Hana.

A refreshing scent wafted through the air. It was a strong, enveloping scent that couldn't be drowned out by the smell of blood.

It was the scent of Awaji no Kimi.

Suzuko felt as though everything was darkening before her eyes. Takafuyu held her, and that was when she realized that she had been feeling dizzy. His hand clasped hers, and she squeezed it in return.

She could see Awaji no Kimi's back from there. Her large sleeves bulged and fluttered as if blown by the wind, and her long glossy hair swayed. The smell of incense filled the air to an almost choking quality.

When Awaji no Kimi spread her arms, the chanting stopped. She covered Yohei with her body. It was as though she embraced him from behind.

A wind blew through.

By the time they realized it, both Awaji no Kimi and Yohei had disappeared without a trace. The only thing that remained was her faint scent.

Sunlight was shining through the doorway and window, illuminating the room covered in vines.

On the way back to the Hanabishi estate from Enami Village, Suzuko and Takafuyu simply walked side by side without saying a word. Waka and Yura followed a little behind them. They also barely spoke to each other. It was rare for Waka to be so quiet. The story she heard from the old woman must have shocked her quite a lot. The slope continued towards the Hanabishi estate on the hill. They could see the town and the glistening ocean below.

"…I got scared, Shin-chan," Waka murmured.

"Of what?" Yura answered curtly.

"I've had a lot of bad experiences in Tokyo, but now that I'm working as Madam's maid, I feel like there are good people in Tokyo after all, and…I don't know how to say it well, but I felt like the world is a decent place."

Suzuko glanced back. Waka's shoulders were slumped, and she looked dejected.

"But that's not true. A girl was kidnapped and forced to become a prostitute, and her father also died in a terrible way… It's just awful."

Yura was silent.

"Normally, there are laws and police to keep the world a decent place," it was Takafuyu who answered.

"Sir!" Waka's shoulders shrank back in embarrassment, as though she didn't expect to be heard. "I'm sorry to have bothered you with my idle chatter."

"No need to apologize," Takafuyu waved his hand. "There are rules in red-light districts as well, and they are managed by the police. If you violate those rules, you will be punished according to the law, but there are people everywhere who commit crimes that evade the eyes of the laws, not just in red-light districts. It is only bad luck to run into them. That's why it's so frightening. I understand how you feel."

Waka nodded.

"However, I think most people do want the world to be a decent place, an I believe there are those who work hard to make it decent."

Takafuyu smiled kindly, as if he were smiling at a small child.

"If you or Yura are unlucky enough to end up in a terrible situation, be assured that neither I nor Suzuko-san will remain silent."

"What do you mean by 'not remain silent…?'" Yura asked.

"We will crush those evildoers with all our might."

Right? Takafuyu looked to Suzuko for agreement, and she nodded.

"So, don't worry."

At Takafuyu's words, Waka let out a chuckle and bowed her head deeply. "Thank you very much, sir, madam."

Suzuko felt like she was seeing Takafuyu's compassionate side once again. This was another side of him. He didn't say that he "understood" other people's feelings lightly with just his words, but faced them as equals and spoke with sincerity.

He did the same thing back at Sannou-san.

In order to tell her that he understood the "distortion" she was talking about, he confessed to her about the "distortion" of the Hanabishi family—that he wasn't his father's child, but his grandfather's.

I don't know if he's adept or awkward.

But, what was true was that Suzuko liked this aspect of Takafuyu.

She had been unconsciously staring at his face, and when his gaze met hers, she lowered her eyes reflexively. She didn't have to do that, though.

"…Saneaki-sama."

She looked up at Yura's voice. Yura was facing the sea. It shined white in the sun that inclined towards the west.

"Saneaki-sama also said something similar."

He stared intently at the sea, perhaps reminiscing about the past. Suzuko didn't know what kind of memories he had in his heart. Those precious memories would belong only to him.

Yura blinked, as though returning to himself, then turned towards them and bowed briefly. He didn't speak again. However, it seemed to Suzuko that the stiffness in his expression from before had softened.

After getting out of the bath, Suzuko headed for the tatami room that had been set up as a bedroom. The mansion was large and had many tatami rooms, so it was easy to go into the wrong room. As she walked down the dimly lit hallway, she saw the shoji door of the tatami room she was looking for opened, and light from the paper lanterns spilled out from the doorway.

Inside the room, where a mosquito net hung, Takafuyu was lying on the futon with his hands folded under his head. He was staring at the ceiling and seemed lost in thought.

After Suzuko entered the room, she quietly lifted the edge of the mosquito net and passed under it, causing Takafuyu to sit up.

"Are you thinking about something? You have a difficult look on your face."

"No, it was just vague musings. I wouldn't even call it a thought."

Takafuyu's hair was a little disheveled. Suzuko wanted to fix it, but she wasn't as naturally capable of such a gesture as him. If Suzuko's hair came loose, he would stroke it right away, and if her hair ornament was crooked, he would fix it. His body probably moved faster than his mind.

"What do you mean by vague musings…?"

"The Daten rite, Shingon Buddhism…this island…I suppose."

"The Daten rite—do you mean what Yohei-san did?"

However, she felt like she had heard those words somewhere before.

"Yes, that's the magic practiced by him. He must have been a practitioner of the Daten rite. That old lady said that he was good at curing fox possession. It is said that the Daten rite has tremendous efficacy for both good and bad. When used for good, it can cure fox possession—"

"If you use it for bad, you can curse someone to death…?"

Takafuyu nodded.

"The Daten rite is the rite of Dakiniten, a rite of Esoteric Buddhism. For those, you aren't dealing with cheap tricks that fly away when the wind blows, but curses with solid, fertile ground. I've said before that this island's temples are overwhelmingly dominated by the Shingon sect, or Esoteric Buddhism. Therefore, there is a climate on this island where curses can take root and grow. By the way, doesn't the words 'Daten rite' remind of something?"

Suzuko put her hand on her chin. "Yes… I remember hearing that somewhere."

"It's the Touka Sect."

Suzuko let out a soft "Ah."

That's right, the Touka Sect.

If she remembered correctly, Takafuyu said that they also used the Daten rite.

"The so-called divine song of the Touka Sect is the text of the Daten rite. Well, that doesn't mean I think they had something to do with Yohei-san's case. It just reminded me of them somehow."

"Isn't that because there's a church of the Touka Sect in town?"

"Ah, that's right. That's probably why I came up with the association. While I'm rambling, there's one more thing. The mantra of the Daten rite is also recited at the Emperor's succession ceremony."

"Oh…I see."

"In the Meiji era, all those rituals became Shinto-based, so they disappeared."

But it had been performed up until then.

"Is it because it was that powerful?"

"It may be because Esoteric Buddhism and the Emperor had a deep connection… Esoteric Buddhist monks were cursing each other to death over the imperial succession. It was a battle not by military force, but rituals. Of course, they also performed prayers for the healing of illnesses and other things of that sort."

"The imperial succession was decided by curses?"

Suzuko tilted her head in confusion.

"Haha… I suppose there was a time like that. Well, that's not all they did, but only one of their tricks."

Takafuyu laughed lightly and lied down on the futon again. Suzuko also lied down next to him.

"You know a lot about Esoteric Buddhism," she said.

"No, I'm just repeating my brother's words," he said.

"Even so, you remember them well. You wouldn't be able to do that if you weren't interested."

"I was interested in listening to what my brother talked about. Everything he told me…"

The light from the lanterns softly illuminated Takafuyu's profile as he smiled faintly.

"I'm glad I got to know a side of my brother that I didn't know about today. I was completely unaware of his love. I wonder if I would have guessed it if she lived in Tokyo. She lived on Awaji Island, after all. …Suzuko-san," he turned to her. "It's all thanks to you. Thank you."

Suzuko looked into his gently narrowed eyes.

"…It's an accumulation."

"Huh?"

"I believe that everything is an accumulation of things, and that is what exists in the present. I don't want you to go through painful things, but that is only because you're the one who makes me feel that way. Yura told us about Saneaki-sama's secret partly because I asked him about it, but also because he had seen your actions that he felt that he could confide in us. The accumulation of everything you've done is what is alive today."

Takafuyu listened closely to her words. Would there ever be anyone who would listen to me as seriously as him, with such a serious face like he didn't want to miss a single word? Suzuko wondered.

He, who was listening with a mysterious look on his face, suddenly relaxed his expression.

"The accumulation is only possible when there is someone who accepts you. That's why, I'm glad you're with me."

Takafuyu's hand reached out and touched her cheek and ear. The light touch of his fingertips tickled, and she almost felt as though her heart was being torn into two.

"Tomorrow, we'll take a boat to Ei, and I'll show you the incense factory. It smells good there, I'm sure you'll like it too…"

In the stillness of the night, when only the sounds of insects could be heard in the distance, Takafuyu's gentle and deep voice sounded even more pleasant to Suzuko's ears than during the day.