MANJUSHAGE: "The Eternal Vow" 【KNY】

『 IV 』

Recollection IV
— " Embark " —

Taisho Period (1912–1926)
Unknown, Japan

Guided by the bright rays of the sun, two silhouettes can be seen in the middle of an empty road, walking side by side. One, in the form of a youthful female, who was swinging her arms back and forth, carrying a kinchaku on her right hand. Another, in the form of a youthful male, who was grumbling beneath his breath, carrying a rattan box on his left hand, where a certain crow dwelled temporarily.

The sound of little twigs and dirt beneath their feet could be heard with each step that they took. Different kinds of greenery decorated the perimeters, wavering as soon as the wind passed them by. Stray leaves fell into the open path, and the female turned her head towards the foliage of the canopies that shielded their figures from the penetrating gaze of daylight.

It was silent throughout their whole walk; not that neither of them minded. The silence gave them more time to think things through, especially for the young woman who had already made her choice. Her unuttered thoughts lingered to the farewells that she received, to the gazes that prayed for her safe journey, and to the last glimpse of the house where she once belonged.

The place where she belonged, fading in the distance...

Little by little, as they reached the end of the uneven pathway, the sight of an open space came into their view. Railings can be seen beneath the grasses that scattered the area, and on the other side, there stood an infrastructure the size of two houses. Various individuals can be seen chatting amongst themselves, with a few looking at the end of the tracks; waiting patiently.

Thus, it was then that (Y/N) knew-- she had finally arrived to her first destination.

"...This is how far I can take you, Fukunaga."

(Y/N) turned around and grabbed the rattan box from his grasp, careful as she placed it on the ground for a brief moment. She looked up to him and nodded, before folding her hands at the level of her waist, head bowed appreciatively.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Takahashi–san." Rousing from her inclined position, she picked up the box and smiled at him; her gratitude masking what subtle hints of unease and guilt that seeped from the little cracks of her front. "Please look after Obaasan and the others... and, well... take care of my mother in my stead, alright?"

"Yeah." Was all that he said, his usually peevish gaze softening from the tone of her request. "Just don't cause any trouble out there."

The young woman's smile grew warmer, glad that even for a short moment, she was able to see another side of him besides his constant irascibility. The two of them grew up at the same place, so she knew more than what the others saw. That's why it was easy for her to get along with his unapproachable attitude. Even though people may beg to differ that there was more to him than a ticking bomb personality, (Y/N) continued to treat him like she did to his sister, his father, and the rest-- as an equal, as a friend.

"I'll be sure not to." Bowing once again, (Y/N) replied. "Until we meet again."

With one last wave, (Y/N) turned away and crossed the railway to reach the platform of the station.

The train station outside their town wasn't as packed as she expected. There were a few individuals here and there, and she understood why. The train would more often than not travel past the station, considering that only a few people from the town and some of the villages nearby would try to frequent the city. Not that she minded the lack of people to accompany her on her journey. After all, she was already used to solitude and the peace that came with it.