The Golden Aiste in Blue | A Japanese Legend Horror Story
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In a beautiful park, love birds orbit the trees with a deep sense of connectivity with nature, as if they are whispering their love story to the trees
Playful chirps and the hustle-rustle of the breeze brew a cozy atmosphere for people who came to inhale a breath of fresh air and exhale the heavy tension and bothers out.
Golden aura peeks through spaces between the tree branches, and the sun rays’ brush strokes paint the city in a comfy romantic mood while leisurely melting behind the tall buildings.
The fallen leaves voice out loud crunchy sounds, tingling people’s ears with child-like joy whenever they walk in the park.
Sounds of giggling, murmurs, babies crying, children shouting, and some people munching snacks are the voices of the park.
Some children are running here and there with their squirrel-like legs. On the one hand, some people calmly sat near a lake enjoying the view of the still lake, on the other hand, children were competing upon how far they could throw stones within the lake’s width.
While a few youngsters are plugged into their bubble of music, others are having conversations and fun with their friends.
However, a few people are sighing a lot and have stress painted on their faces, and gloomy shadows hovering over their bodies
Amidst these, a small group of children, about 10 years old, are talking expressively and complaining the next moment about someone while glaring at one of their friends.
In response, that child simply laughs, and continues running straight towards one end of the park, his legs seemed as cheetah’s legs for a second as he was so fast.
And finally, he stops mid-way, lazily turns back with a playful grin, and utters in a mischievous tone, “Catch me if you can, sloths !”, emphasizing the word ‘sloth’.
A small group of children is chasing him, and one of them demands with a hint of annoyance in his tone, “Kaito! Stop, this is not fair. We are not sloths, you are the one who is just too slippery to grasp just like a snake.
You are supposed to chase us, but, here you are making us chase you instead, all for my special photocard that I love, currently in your hand.
Her photocard is one of the most treasured things that I have. She is just amazing. She is a hero in my eyes. She is among the best heroes in the ‘Senshi no josei’ show. And, she is so beautiful, especially with her cute voice and…..Kaito! Stop run-…, stop…Running!”
A cheeky smile draws upon Kaito’s lips, he takes a sudden turn from his current direction and races towards them with his cheetah-like legs. His doe-like monolid eyes are directed at them and in addition, his innocent expression almost distracts them from the main topic of their conversation.
He imitates an innocent tone, “Yamato, Komiki, Nishi and Aoki, do you think I would dare to do such an act? Stealing your favorite heroine’s special photo! Never! I could never think of doing this to my best friends. Here, Yamato, take this.”
Kaito extends his palm towards Yamato. Yamato defends him with a convinced tone, “Obviously, Our Kaito is too innocent to do this. I know you are a great fan of Misakosan Sensei.
And, you are also our best friend, so Aoki, I think, you should let him borrow it for today. But then, you have to return it tomorrow. Okay ?”
Komiki chuckles, admiration twinkling in her eyes, “Yamato, You are such a kind friend.
Kaito, I am also a big fan of that show, and, I have collected at least 15 photocards from the Sensei no josei candies and biscuit packets. So, if you both want, I can give you two photocards each since you are also a big fan like me.”
Kaito sighs dramatically while patting his chest, “You both are so sweet. Aren’t they, Nishi, Aoki?” Both of them chuckle at their dramatic and sweet friends.
Kaito smiles, showing his toothy smile, infecting them with smiles as well. He bows his head slightly and expresses with a cheerful tone, “この写真を一日だけお借りさせていただきありがとうございます。 (Thank you for letting me borrow this photo for one day)”
Kaito keeps the photo card inside his shirt pocket. Something strikes his brain, his eyes go round and his face glowing with excitement spread all over his face. He animatedly claps his hands. His friends observe his face with curious gazes, questioning his sudden action.
Kaito announces with a wide grin lingering over his lips, “I forgot to tell you guys that tomorrow is ‘Kanoreki Rite of Passage’.”
Nishi exclaims, “おお (Wow ). That means, your 祖母 (Grandmother) / 祖父 (Grandfather)will turn 60 years old by tomorrow. You know, my grandfather (おじいさん) also celebrated his 60th year recently a month ago.
He wore a beautiful rose-red color vest decorated with light pink shaded sakura (cherry blossom) embroidered on the lower vest. And, he also wore a red hat embellished with knitted pink flowers. 祖父(Grandfather) looked so regal and beautiful.”
Aoki points out, “Wait. I think you missed one important thing. The white fan they hold in their hands on that day. I love those fans. Last year, my grandmother held that white fan, which had printed images of the Kyoto temple and sakura flowers floating in the air as background.
After the ceremony, I took her fan and played with it the whole day by fanning myself in such a way as if I were a graceful person.
To be honest with you guys, at that moment, I felt like a royal prince by holding it in my hands.”
Komiki suggests to Kaito with a curious smile, “Kaito, you can also give it a try, I am sure, it would look good on you. And, I can already imagine you, looking like a handsome magician with a royal heart. If Aoki can look like a Prince, then I am sure, you would surely look lovely in that attire. Hmmh…* playful smile*”
Kaito feels his cheeks heat and feels his ears burning with warmth. But nobody noticed as they were busy teasing Aoki.
Aoki scoffed at her joke, “Excuse me (すみません) (Sumimasen)! Nishi, tell Komiki that you witnessed my beauty that day. Komiki, ask Nishi, she came to my home that day.”
Kaito intently coughs and justifies in a sassy tone, “Of course, Nishi would. After all, she loves traditional customs and festivals. Poor girl! She has no other choice than to lie about the situation.”
Aoki hisses, “Kaito. Just what did you utter right now? I am taking back my photo card. You don’t deserve that card, since you think I am delusional. Give me back my photocard.”
Kaito scoots away from him while sticking his tongue out at him. Aoki chases him, but Kaito is fast like air, his hands can only grasp wisps of breeze tickling his neck.
They kept running in circles, and both girls stood at the center and rolled their eyes at their cat-mouse play.
Aoki stops for a while, calming his breathless lungs, inhaling the sweet scent of flowers lingering in the air, filling his heart with pleasant sweetness even though he is completely drenched in sweat sticking to his body.
Aoki then slowly walks back to the girls and stands next to Nishi. Aoki admits with goofiness, “ Okay, Komiki’s Handsome Magician, I admit my defeat to you. You really are a fast runner. You can take the photocard, but only today.”
Komiki covers her fluster by mumbling in a small voice, ” AOKI! you always do this. He is indeed a magician, but not like those gifted with magic tricks, instead he is a magician who naturally invokes a smile on anyone’s face and melts the darkness with his courageous heart.
So,……….. Why are you all staring at me like that as if I said….something..weird… Did I? No, no-no…I DON’T THINK SO.
Forget it! I think Kaito wants to say something, so please speak, I won’t interrupt this time. And yes, sorry for the interruption. Hehe..hehh…* Facepalms*
Kaito dismisses the awkwardness with a snap of the finger while inwardly blushing at Komiki’s statement in his mind.
He drags his feet to Aoki and dramatically bows to Aoki, “陛下 (Heika) (Majesty). Your order is my command. And, I invite you all to my house right now for Melon Pan and Wagashi treats.
If you are ready, then follow me to my house. And Your Majesty, please try to walk fast, we don’t want to reach by the next day.”
Aoki rolls his eyes and gestures for them to walk forward. They scoot over to Kaito’s home and discuss what game they will play tomorrow on their way to his home.
At his home, Kaito shouts in his small voice, “I am home, Okāsan (お母さん ) (Mom). Please bring us melon pan and wagashi for me and my friends.”
His mom answers with a low-adverb tone (deep voice), “Wakatta (わかった) (Okay), Kai. But before that, all of you wash your hands. Go now.”
They all washed their hands at once as their stomachs grumbled in hunger.
They sat down, and 4 plates are served with melon pan and wagashi for each one. Furthermore, they immediately jump over their plates, munching the bread and enjoying the savor of sweet red bean paste filled inside.
Komiki eats hastily and pieces of bread crumbs spread at the corner of her lips, which Kaito notices. Kaito laughs softly and extends a tissue to her.
Komiki discovers the tissue extended in her direction, one of her eyebrows raised at his gesture. She gasps low, catches her reflection on the glossy glass table, quickly wipes her mouth and smiles softly at him.
Kaito finds her expression adorable, he can’t help but give a lopsided grin at her.
Something clicks in her head, seeing his dopey smile, Komiki softly gasps, confirming her suspicion, “Kaito, you completed today’s worksheet, right? Remember, It will be checked by Kyōshi (教師 ) (Teacher) tomorrow. What about you two?”
Kaito says with a relaxed tone, “ I completed my worksheet just after I ate my lunch. I am sure, Nishi had also updated her worksheet.
But, Aoki being the mischievous one, he might not have done it. I am not sure about him.”
Aoki declares, a proud grin forms on his lips, “ I have also finished my worksheet. And, for 2 weeks, I have been a sincere student by updating my notes every single day.”
Kaito’s mom tenderly praises him and pats Aoki on his back, “ Good boy. Your parents would be happy due to your obedient nature. Keep going.”
Kaito pouts, “ Mom(Okāsan), wish me and pat my back too. I also always keep my notes updated. Pat me as well, Mom (Okāsan).” Kaito’s mom intentionally ignores him, having fun teasing her son.
Komiki unintentionally stares at his face and hears him demanding appreciation for his efforts. Instantly, unconsciously, she looms closer and pats Kaito’s back. She whispers into his ears with a low hum, “ Good work. Keep going, Kaito.”
She reverts to her seat and now, everyone is gawking at her with a stupefied look in their facial expressions. On the other hand, Kaito’s mouth snapped shut, his face painted tomato red.
He swiftly leans his head on the table, hiding his melted look in his eyes. He feels tingling in his stomach at her single phrase, he feels as if he has won his favorite things in a contest, and he just wants to enjoy this feeling more and more.
Komiki enjoys savoring mochi rice cakes stuffed with anko (red bean paste) as if nothing happened. Their expression reverts to normal when they hear a loud knock on the door.
Kaito’s eyes spark up, he trots to the door, unlocks it with giddy hands and hugs the legs of the person in front of the door. He whistles in a sing-song tone, “Otōsan (お父さん ) (Dad). You came early today, I am so happy.
But today, how did you come so early? Did you take half a day off? Is today some kind of occasion? ”
His Dad chuckles, “ Kai. You forgot. I told you yesterday, that today, in the late evening hour; we would go on a walk to the Blue Pond. Did you forget, Kai?
Come on, go, get ready. Let’s go and have some fun.”
Kaito claps happily, “Arigatō (ありがとう) (Thank you), Otōsan (Dad).”
Kaito announces to his friends, “Friends, right now, I am going for an evening walk with Otōsan (お父さん ) (Dad). So, I will see you, tomorrow evening.”
Nishi threatens playfully, “ Kaito, tomorrow, I will visit your house to see tomorrow’s celebration. I hope you don’t mind.”
Kaito shrugs, “You can come. We will all have fun. Why don’t you all come?”
Aoki and Komiki denies sadly as they have plans after lunch with their families. Kaito is a bit sad that his two friends can’t come tomorrow. Still, he smiles and focuses on thinking about the fun he will have tomorrow.
Kaito dressed in an autumn orange-colored turtleneck top with loose jeans at the bottom. A warm cherry-red scarf enveloped his neck to complement his faded brown boots.
His Dad wore a brown checkered pattern sweater vest and an off-white t-shirt with full sleeves. This look complements his brown belt wristwatch. He stood at the door waiting for his son.
Kaito jolts to his dad, grabs his hands and drags him outside. His dad grins at his son’s excitement.
They landed at the Blue Pond within 1 hour and 30 minutes via bus and 10 minutes walking from Sapporo station to there.
They sat by the pond, breathing in nature’s scent, experiencing their bodies falling into a cozy rhythm and being completely peaceful in the company of tall noble trees.
The beautiful fallen leaves release themselves from the branches and freely fall on the ground and a few lands gracefully on the lake’s surface imitating the ballerina’s dance.
Kaito squeals, “ Dad, look at the reflection, the trees look birch and the color of the water is so blue like the night sky and I can also see the reflection of stars on the surface appearing similar to gemstones.
Dad, did the lake absorb some colors from the sky for itself?”
His Dad snorts, and explains him in a gentle tone with his thick voice, “No (いいえ) (Īe), Kai. The shade of this lake is cobalt blue due to the presence of aluminum and other impurities in it, carried from the Shirahige Waterfalls. Now, you know the reason.
Lock this fact in your mind.”
Kaito animatedly uses his hands, imitating the gesture of physically locking the fact in his brain. His Dad laughs softly at his son’s cute antics. Dad caresses his head and reminds him softly, “ Good, You locked this, otherwise, someone would have stolen it.”