Gen'ei Antique Shop

Tale 13 The Blue Umbrella

The first year of the Showa Era
Downtown Tokyo.

"Thank you for the hard work today, Ito-san,"

"Oh, Toyoda-san, thank you for your hard work today. I heard that the robbery case that you handled has been settled?" Ito said while walking out of the police station with one of his colleagues, Toyoda Iwao.

"Ah, we managed to catch the robbers. It seems they are not organized and working alone. But, we continue the investigation. Oh, it's raining?" Toyoda looked up at the sky.

"Damn, I didn't bring an umbrella. Spring will end soon, it looks like it will rain in a few days," Ito sighed.

Toyoda took out his umbrella from inside his bag, "Do you want to join to the shop to buy one?"

"Do you have an umbrella with you?" Ito looked surprised.

Toyoda laughed, "My wife put it in my bag. She said the umbrella would be very useful when it's raining or hot day."

Ito sighed, "How lucky, huh? If you have a wife,"

"Ito-san, you must get married soon. So, someone can take care of you," Toyoda laughed, "What if I introduce you to my wife's acquaintance?"

"No." Ito shook his head, "I have enough with an arranged marriage." Ito laughed, "They say, love, will come unexpectedly when you don't look for it."

"I see." Toyada smiled, "See you then." he opened his umbrella and walked down the stairs in front of the police station.

Ito looked at the drizzling rain which seemed to be getting heavier. He took off his coat to protect his head and ran down the stairs. He then passed a shortcut by passing the park. The rain fell heavily, so Ito took shelter near the park.

"Damn. I got soaked." Ito squeezed the water from his coat, then saw the sky that was getting darker, "It seems like it won't stop in a short time." Ito sighed. Suddenly his eyes were distracted when he saw an umbrella lying in the corner of the shelter. It looks worn, but it looks like it can still be used.

Ito stepped up and took the umbrella. He checked every part of it, "Nothing was broken even though it was a bit worn out. I wondered if someone threw it here," Ito looked around but found no one.

The bright blue umbrella looked like made by high-quality paper parasol with decorative yarn on the inner side and beautiful glossy cashew lacquer on the outer side.

"Is it okay if I use it?" Ito thought again, "But what if the owner is looking for it?"

"Don't worry. They have thrown it away,"

Ito's eyes widened when he heard the voice comes out from the umbrella. He turned left and right, to make it sure, but there was no one there. He then looked back at the umbrella.

"It's you?" Ito, still, seemed surprised, even when he used to that kind situation.

"Oh. Can you hear me?" The umbrella said.

"Yes...you could say that. I'm a bit surprised, though." Ito nodded, "Lately, I have been caught with strange things,"

"Then ... please take me to an antique shop in this town. They said when you walk down to the narrow back alley in a certain downtown area, you can find an antique shop where old object get together and live a quiet life in solitude,"

"You mean Gen'ei's antique shop?" Ito asked.

"Is there a girl, a fox and a crow?" The umbrella asked.