The Way we Breathe: Book of Beginnings

Chapter - 1: Festival of Rebirth

1

    “Hurry up, come on!” My younger sister’s always been so rambunctious, she’s not so much uncontrollable but more of a high spirited and hyperactive child. I won’t lie, it gets on my nerves at times, mainly because I’m more laid back and mellow, but I love her for it. 
“You’re so slow, you’ve never taken me with you to the festival so I want to see everything that I can as fast as I can. I don’t want to miss a thing!” She continued her boisterous behaviour with complete disregard to anyone around her. She’s always lived in her own little world, another thing I love her for, “Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.” I stumbled a little trying to rush since she was so far ahead of me already. “You know, I’d take you to more of these if I had the money for it. You’re lucky I got an advance on this week's pay.” I breathed in the fresh air of the mountain as the tree leaves flew past my feet. 

    This year’s festival is being held at the midway town Ryu, on Mount. Ryujin. The way up the mountain is through a path that was said to have been made by a dragon and his friend. It’s said that the man was a kind & gentle person who showed the dragon morality and trust. The festival goes on for three days, with each day claiming one thing from three different people who go there. 

    “You’re daydreaming aren’t you?” Hanako’s voice sounded flustered as she stared at the ground and I could see that her patience was running even lower than ever. I can’t blame her though, I’ve really never taken her to a festival before. “Sorry, was I that obvious?” I pat her head gently and watched her slightly turn her gaze away from me and to the ground. “What’re you doing? You know it’s dangerous-” “I know, but you're just as adorable as ever.” I reassured her seeing as she can’t really look at herself in a mirror, at least we don’t think she can. “Come on Hanako, we’re very close now.” 
    As we arrived near the end of the trail, Hanako took out her wagasa and held it above her head. “Can you still see?” I held her hand and told her to stay close to me so that she wouldn’t get lost. “Mhm, I can see the bottom half of people. Now can we go in already? I can’t wait anymore!” 

    We walked around and enjoyed the festivities for hours, but it felt like minutes to me. I guess time really does fly by you when you’re having fun huh? The festival was as busy as ever and people were as far as the eye could see. “I have to use the restroom.” Hanako tugged on my kimono. “See, what’d I tell you about drinking all of that stuff?” As she went into the restroom I stood outside with a bag of goodies and a few pictures we took together. Her face was always covered in all of the pictures, actually, every picture we’ve ever had of her never showed her face. I’d guess she must get teased a lot in school… I remember her coming home silent one day, which is odd of her, and went straight to bed. I could hear her quiet sobbing through our empty home.

    “What’s taking this girl so long?” I was about to head in, that’s when she came out and stopped me in my tracks. “Sorry, it’s still hard for me to wash my hands when people are around. I bumped into someone and it was awkward for me.” As much as my little sister is outgoing and high spirited, she gets very nervous and socially awkward with strangers. “I understand. Let’s watch the fireworks, they should be starting soon.” Hanako walked in front of me eating her candy apple while she looked around to see what she could see. It was special moments like these that make me forget all of my worries and sets my mind at ease. I feel... happy. Money is usually a problem, it being only me and her, but her enjoying herself makes it all worth the expenses. I can only imagine the smile on her face… I can only imagine her face. 

    We sat down near a shop that was set up near the fireworks for a bite to eat. “Hanako you need to eat actual food.” She had already finished her candy apple a while back so I assume she’s ruined her appetite a bit. “Fine, but only Oko’.” The chef served her up a plate of okonomiyaki which she devoured in a matter of minutes. 
    A loud boom filled the air right after, followed by shimmers of lights. The fireworks had begun and I was mesmerized by the elegant colors covering the sky. One big crash after the  other accompanied by a spectrum of flashes. I turned over to see Hanako, but she was gone. With the sound of the sky exploding my heart skipped a beat, I panicked. “Hanako? Hanako?!” I looked around as my heart fleets with an unbearable adrenaline. “Hanako?!--” I stopped a couple asking if they had seen a little girl in a white koi fish patterned yukata. Then I saw, from the corner of my eye, Hanako. That parasol and yukata She was there, with some kids.
    “Hanako, what are you doing?! I turned around and you were gone!” I grabbed her by her arm and walked away with her. “H-hey, sis, stop. I was just-” “No, it’s dangerous. You didn’t even say a word to me. You just up and left! We’re going home.”