Gen'ei Antique Shop

Tale 4 The Memories of Glasses

The first year of the Showa Era
Downtown Tokyo.

My name is Akifumi Endou, 42 years old, my family runs a sweet shop for generations. My wife died 2 years ago because of illness.

I walked back from a teahouse with a friend when my steps stopped at an antique shop. I saw the signboard, No. 49 Gen'ei Antique Shop.

Gen'ei?

My attention turned to an object on display in front of the window. A wooden glasses with light black cases. Looks old, but the condition is still good. Curious, I stepped into the store.

I pulled the door handle, and when the door opened, cold air immediately pierced all over my body.

Cling !!

"Welcome to our shop, dear customer. What can I do for you?"

I heard a man voice. I look for the origin of the sound when I see the dim light coming from behind the Shoji (sliding door). My eyes widened when a shadow suddenly appeared. Isn't humans. Animals? But, it's too big for the size of a pet. The shadow has many tails.

The nine-tailed fox?

No. There's no one like that.

Suddenly a young man appears from behind the shoji. He has chin-length, light blond hair and slender, light brown eye. He wears a simple, black kimono that is slightly opened and exposes his chest.

"Do you want to have something or throw away something?" he asked with a smile. His voice was the same as the sound I heard earlier.

I looked in the darkroom, but the shadow was gone.

"That ... is there a large animal that is kept here? Like...a fox?" I asked nervously.

"Hahaha...a fox? We do keep animals here. But, don't worry, they will not come out to the store," he laughed, then smiled.

I sighed with relief, "I'm interested with the glasses on display at the window," I said.

"I see. Is there something you regret in the past?" he asked, walked to the window to take the glasses.

"Sorry?" I feel confused about the question.

"For example, the regret that you feel after losing something very important and hoping to repeat time?" he turned around and stepped closer to me.

Somehow my whole body shivering, "I...I'm not so sure of that. Everyone must have regrets in the past, I guess, " I sighed.

"You're right," he gave me the glasses, "Please try it first," he smiled.

I took it from his hand and immediately put it on. Then look around me.

"Oh, your shop looks brighter. Without my glasses, I see it a little dark. It seems like my eyes have started to farsighted," I laughed.

"Brighter, huh? Is that so," he smiled, even his face looks brighter. A handsome young man.

"Can I have this one?" I asked.

"Of course. The antiques choose their owners, "

"Ehh?!" I'm a bit surprised.

"But, before that, I just wanted to remind you, that what you will see with these glasses is just an illusion. If you use the glasses too often, your soul will be swept away in illusion, and you won't be able to come back," he said with a cold tone but still keep his smile.

"I...I understand, " I don't understand why using glasses will sweep my soul away. This young man sure is strange, "Then, I will have this one, " I gave him some money, took the glasses then left the shop.