Golden Era (Book 2)

71. Friends No More

Leaving the imperial estate, laid out in front of Ayuna were veils of snow. She vaguely saw the outlines of temple gates, the listless flapping of restaurant banners, the burst of colors from pedestrian umbrellas... When the pain from her injured foot became unbearable and her hands grew numb from the cold, she ducked into the nearest inn and booked a one-night stay.

From the snow-covered veranda, she called Fuji to tell him that everything was settled. However, he should stay for a few more days before coming back to Kyoto. She would let him know when and told him to take care until then.  

"Don't worry about me," he said, his voice strained, "how are you?"

"I'm fine," Ayuna forged a smile, hoping she sounded convincing. Worn out from the day, she said goodnight and hung up. 

Trudging back into the room, her foot finally gave in. She toppled over, her ribcage hitting the floor. Unable to prop herself back up, she curled into herself and let the chill of the night whistle through half-open doors. 

She didn't know how many hours passed before she heard someone in the room.

Still in semi-paralysis, Ayuna raised her head slightly. Entering her vision was a smear of red followed by Noa's face coming into focus. She had no coat on and a duffle bag in her hand. 

After shutting the door and setting down her bag, Noa lifted Ayuna off the floor. She verified her temperature then proceeded to peel off her socks to check the wounded foot. "You don't have a fever," she said with a smile. "Looks like you need is time."

"What are you doing here?" croaked Ayuna.

"Did you think I was going to stay in that house for one second without you?" Noa shot back. "Not a chance."

"What about your position with the imperial family?"

Noa scoffed. "I'm an Ami. A job with the imperial family is more of a drag than anything. Getting out of that political circle means I finally get to whatever pleases me!" Sensing a "but" was coming, Noa shook her head, "The bottom line is, I don't want to be there without my best friend. Like I said at the outset, you're justified to be human, and I'll always be on your side for it."

After making sure the floor was properly heated, she rolled out a futon. As she tucked Ayuna in, Noa told her that tomorrow, they would go apartment hunting together; they would restart, set out on a life without onerous rules and worries; they'd be free to be with whoever they wanted.

Her words brought a transient smile to Ayuna's face.

When her brows furrowed again, Noa said, "I bet I know what's on your mind."

"You do?"

"There's one question left and you want to get to the bottom of it. Am I right?"

Ayuna nodded.

"And that's Shiraishi Kuranosuke."

Consoled by her friend's insight, Ayuna nodded, "That's right. I'm going to find him—I have to."

***

The first snowfall in Osaka came as serenely and unexpectedly as it did in Kyoto. Arriving with the earliest train the next day, Ayuna took the subway directly to Shitenhouji Temple.

She greeted the monk shoveling snow in the front yard and exchanged bows. From there, she waded through dunes of snow leading to the inner precincts. It was Friday morning, a time Shiraishi always dedicated to temple service. 

She said a quick prayer to the Buddha as she clomped up the steps of the meditation hall. The wooden room was warmed up using an old-fashioned coal stove in the corner. Off to the side knelt Shiraishi, who alternated between polishing the floors and checking on the flame.