Red Data Girl - Series 1 & 2

My First Familiar - 11

Red Data Girl: My First Familiar
By Noriko Ogiwara
A Translation

Translation Notes:

Miyuki mentions an interesting bit of Japanese history in this piece. During the Meiji Restoration, the Japanese attempted to "purify" the state religion, Shintoism. In an attempt to remove all foreign influences, they ordered the separation of Shintoism and Buddhism. Before then, many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines shared the same grounds and worked closely together. These days, you can still find plenty of temples and shrines that are not necessarily connected, but still in the same location. Read more about this topic here.

Red Data Girl: My First Familiar
Chapter 2: Miyuki
Part 3 (2 of 3)

While she kept it to herself, Izumiko wondered what she would do if Sagara really didn't reappear at Tamakura shrine for the next two weeks until Miyuki's arm was healed. He certainly didn't seem to be the sort of father who worried that much about his son.

That might have been true of Sagara, but didn't leave his injured son in the hands of others for half a month in the end. When Saturday came around, he appeared with Miyuki's belongings and some new clothes for him.

His main reason for the visit though was to talk with Takeomi. He didn't seem to have any intentions of speaking to his son. Miyuki seemed to feel the same way. After he had accepted his things, he went into his room and didn't come out.

After having tea with Sawa, Sagara said to Izumiko, "I heard that there's a school trip to Tokyo in June. It'll be your first time in Tokyo, won't it? Miyuki's probably not quite settled into your class yet, but if there's going to be such a big school function, I'm thinking about letting him go. His arm should be healed by then."

"Mr. Sagara, there's something I want to talk to you about. Can you come with me?" Izumiko said politely.

Sagara rose from his seat, not seeming particularly surprised by the request. Izumiko didn't want Sawa to hear what they were talking about, so she led him outside. They left the shrine and walked for fifteen minutes until they were at the open space at the summit of the mountain.

Unfortunately, the weather looked like it was going to rain and the view of the valley was hidden behind masses of white clouds. Even so, Sagara seemed to be in good spirits as he looked around.

"This mountain top's always nice, no matter when you come. I heard this is where you rehearse the dance your grandfather taught you. Is that true?"

"It's just practice. It's a way to get some exercise instead of joining a club at school,"

"I'd love it if you showed me sometime,"

"Before that, Mr. Sagara..." Izumiko said. She said in a different voice, "There's something I'd like you to do for me. Please rethink this situation with Miyuki. I don't understand the reason why he's here or what you told him to do. What does this all have to do with my lineage?"

Sagara gazed at Izumiko, smiling. He didn't respond for a bit. In his light purple shirt and black jeans, he seemed like his usual, young at heart self. But suddenly, Izumiko noticed that while he looked relaxed, standing there, he really wasn't at all.

He probably hadn't been at ease since he had realized that this was where she practiced her dance. He seemed somehow powerless. But then he moved his stance and it looked like he was almost preparing to jump at something.

"I understand why you're confused. Let's talk about this now. That'll save us the time and trouble of repeating everything later for no reason seeing as Miyuki's with us now," Sagara said, not bothering to turn his head.