Whimsy and Willows

Fragment Memories

It was a chilly winter evening in the small town of Mochizuki, Japan. Haruka Nakamura stood outside her grandmother's old house, the last surviving remnant of her childhood memories. The weathered and worn structure seemed to carry the weight of time on its wooden beams. Haruka decided to visit her grandmother's hometown over the study break in the hope that she could let her mind off the stress of her college life.

Taking a deep breath, Haruka pushed open the creaking door and stepped into the dimly lit foyer. Dust particles danced in the hazy sunlight that filtered through the windows.

"It really has been ages since I've been here," she muttered to herself, her voice echoing through the empty house.

As Haruka walked through the familiar rooms, her mind filled with fragmented memories of summers spent laughing with her grandmother, Ryouko. She trailed her fingers along the fading wallpaper, as if seeking a connection to the past.

A gentle gust of wind blew, causing the sliding doors to sway. Haruka's heart skipped a beat as she caught sight of the small shrine tucked away in the corner of the backyard. A sense of reverence washed over her, and she felt compelled to light a stick of incense and offer a simple prayer.

As she arranged the incense sticks carefully, Haruka couldn't help but feel the weight of her grandmother's absence. She missed her grandmother's comforting presence, wise words, and how she made everything feel right in the world.

Suddenly, a soft giggle echoed in the air, startling Haruka. She spun around, her eyes wide with surprise. " Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly.

To her astonishment, a group of colorful figures materialized before her. Yokai, mischievous spirits, hovered in the air, their vibrant features blending with the fading light.

"Child of man, you are back," one of the yokai exclaimed cheerfully.

Haruka blinked, convinced that she had somehow fallen into the realm of fantasy. "Did you just... talk?"

The yokai bobbed their heads in unison. "We did! Don't you remember, child of man? We used to play together. We've been waiting for you, Ryouko."

Hakura frowned, expression mixed with curiosity and apprehension. "I'm not Ryouko... she was my grandmother," she said, her voice laced with both sadness and fondness.

The mischievous spirits started to whisper among themselves, their voices tinged with concern. "Not Ryouko? But you smell like her," one of them chimed in.

Haruka paused, searching for the right words. "I'm Haruka, Ryouko is my granddaughter. She passed away a few years ago. The yokai fell silent, their playful energy dissipating. "She... she's gone?" one of them stammered, a hint of sadness in its voice.

"Yes..." Haruka nodded, holding back the tears that's about to come out.

The yokai floated closer, their presence comforting rather than eerie, feeling sadness from the human. "Child of man, Ryoko is no longer here. Why are you still here?"

Haruka smiled, blinking away the tears that's about to fall. "Honestly, I don't know.. My house right now is too empty and quiet, maybe I needed a change of pace since it's Family Day and I have a week off from school anyways."

"Family Day?" one of the yokai asked, tilting their head.

"Oh, well, it's not a festival but like a simple holiday where members of the family gather and have a feast."

"Feast? We want it!" the yokai happily jump around at the mention of the festival, Haruka remembered what her grandmother used to tell her about yokai loving festivals because they received blessings from nature and the gods, so it wasn't a surprise that the yokai were happy. " How do we do it, human?"

Haruna was taken a back at the sudden question, as Family Day is just another day for her rather than a celebration or feast. "Uhh. I mean it is not a common celebration and I don't really celebrate it but grandma used to give me a call whenever this day comes as if a tradition."

"Ryouko? What do you do?"

"Hmm, nothing special. We just cook together, talk about stuff. Something like that."

"Then, can we do it?"

The yokai seems to have taken a liking on the idea of a Family Day that they have been asking Haruka about it, so in the end she gave in. "Okay, if you guys help me up in the cleaning, we can do a Family Day feast."

The yokai celebrated and by the end of the day they had a wonderful celebration while Haruka listen to stories of Ryouko's extraordinary life, how she believed in yokai, even when others didn't. They spoke of her kindness, her conversations with them, and how she cherished their company.

Ryouko had appreciated the simple joys of life, never minding what others thought of her for talking to spirits. She had embraced the yokai as her friends, and, in turn, they had cared for her deeply.

"Thank you for sharing," Haruka whispered, her voice choked with emotion. The weight of her own memories and stories of her grandmother merged, forming a bridge between past and present. "I cherish those memories too."

The yokai smiled, warmth radiating from their translucent forms. "You have a piece of Ryouko within you," one of them said softly.

As Haruka listened to their tales, she realized that her grandmother's stories of the mystical had not been mere figments of imagination but a glimpse into a world that existed alongside the human realm. It was as if a void within her had been filled, a truth she had longed to understand.

Embracing the yokai's presence, Haruka felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you for taking care of my grandmother's home, for being her family when I couldn't be here. You are my family now too," she said, her voice steady with conviction.

The spirits' faces lit up, their playful nature restored. They surrounded Haruka, their ethereal forms swirling with delight. They had found a new bond, a newfound family on this special day.

As the night wore on, the bond between Haruka and the yokai deepened. They shared stories, laughter, and even shed a few tears as they reminisced about Ryouko. These precious moments solidified the foundation of their newfound family, transcending the boundary that separated humans from yokai.

As Haruka prepared to leave, the yokai gathered around her, their expressions tinged with sadness. A mischievous cat yokai, pawed at her leg affectionately, not ready to say goodbye.

"Don't worry, my dear friends," Haruka reassured them, a gentle smile on her face. "I promise to return. Family Day will become our tradition, where we can celebrate our bond and create more wonderful memories together."

The yokai's eyes sparkled with a mix of hope and anticipation. "We will be waiting," they whispered, voice carrying a profound sense of trust.

Haruka hugged each of the yokai tightly, feeling their ethereal forms against her, a subtle warmth enveloping her heart. With a final wave, she stepped out of the house, leaving behind the flickering glow of her newfound family.