The Other World

Interlude: What Are You Going To Do?

Fujisan stood bowed low before the king in the underwater garden. The king, flanked by his guards, had been taking a walk.

"Father," he said.

"My son, Prince Fuji no Takane," said the king. "I hear you."

"Father, it's your daughter Aokigahara. Please, she refuses to leave the human world." The king said nothing. He looked at his eldest son steadily with no change of expression, waiting for him to continue. Fujisan, seeing no response, panicked. "Please, Father, you have to make her come back! She's always trusted you. She'll listen to you! I beg of you! Ask her to come home!"

"It's her decision," the king said gravely. "I will not make it for her."

"But the gate is going to close!" shouted Fujisan. The guards grabbed his arms and pulled him back away from the king at the first threatening gesture. "You would leave her out there? You can't cut her off. It'll kill her!"

"So," said the king. "She is the only one you are worried about."

Fujisan felt a flush of shame, as though he was a child again, being scolded, even as he had just come begging to his father like a child with nowhere to turn, hoping his father could solve all of his problems. The king nodded at the guards, who let go of Fujisan.

"I will not be leaving her out there. I will do nothing. It does you no good to come to me. She trusts you, Fujisan. You are the one who has been taking care of her all this time. What are you going to do?"