together in the framed ocean | g. tomioka

04 - Firstborn

The birds chirp and the sun's bright rays blind your eyes, awakening you this morning. You wash your face, go on with the regular morning routine, then pull your haori forward, hiding your sword beneath it. The search for answers was to begin.

The brutally cold winters were not a big enough obstacle for your hometown to fall, for all the stores continued to thrive even after all this time. In town, many hard-working townspeople were carrying heavy objects as they walked the streets, and there were many new faces as well. Where would be a good starting point, you questioned yourself.

"Oh no!"

There was a sudden crash and a voice following. A few steps behind you, a middle-aged woman was on the floor, surrounded by the items you assumed she had been carrying. She must've dropped them. "Here, I can help you." You bend down, holding all her luggage without struggle, and help the woman looking at you in shock stand back up.

"What strength! I thank you, dear."

"No worries, lead the way!"

The woman merrily talked about the town and scenery along the way while you both walked up the mountain, surrounded by snow-capped trees.

"I'm so sorry for all the trouble. But, unfortunately, I'd realized I left my glasses back at home when I already arrived at the foot of the mountain, so I've been having a hard time seeing today."

"I'm happy to help, really. There's nothing to be sorry for."

"You really sound just like her," she mumbled. "It must be a message from above."

"Hm?" After all the chatting, it was unusual that the woman was quiet. Her smile remained, but it revealed hints of concern and regret behind it.

". . . I was just thinking about a friend from a while back."

"I see. I hope they're doing okay in this cold," you say, seeing the hot air coming out of your mouth as you speak.

"Well . . . They passed from a demon accident a few years back. Tragic."

To hear that news, especially as a demon slayer, saddened you. "My deepest apologies."

"It's all in the past; she wouldn't want anyone to be so down."

The rest of the walk was quieter than a few minutes before you and the woman's conversation about her friend. The hay-topped house that didn't seem too far in the distance had lightened up the mood. "Oh, we've made it! How about coming inside for some tea? I would like to thank you."

"That actually sounds great!" Normally, you would turn down such an offer but, you felt the blood flow of your body gradually slow down. A nice hot cup of tea wouldn't hurt.

You sit on your knees in front of the *irori.

"Thank you for waiting!" The woman brings the steaming teapot, placing it on the table. "Would you mind grabbing the glasses behind you?"

You turn around and grab the glasses, handing them to her with both hands.

"Ah, that's much better."

The table shakes when you are looking down, and you hear a loud thud. You see her on the floor, slowly sliding her body away from the table. The second your eyes met, you notice her dilated pupils.

You sit in silence with surprise but build the courage to say, "Is there something on my face?"

"How rude of me. No . . . I'm sorry for assuming, but you were just the spitting image of my friend's husband." The woman sits up and moves toward the cushion across from you. "Besides that, what brings you here to this small town if you don't live here?"