Chapter 2: Budding – The Subtleties of the Heart (Hōga – Kokoro no Kibi)
The spring festival’s vibrant energy had long since dissipated, leaving Shinmei Shrine draped in its customary tranquility. Where cherry blossoms had once flourished, verdant leaves now dazzled the eye, their fresh green a testament to the season’s progression. Within Anna’s heart, the warm spring sunlight coexisted with a subtle, restless anticipation.
Days had passed since her encounter with Saeki, yet his presence lingered persistently in her thoughts. His endearingly absent-minded smile would unexpectedly surface in her mind, bringing with it a flutter of unnamed emotions.
One afternoon, Chief Priest Munakata summoned Anna to his private quarters. As she entered the shrine office’s back room, his customary gentle smile carried an enigmatic undertone that immediately captured her attention.
“Anna, please sit,” Munakata said, gesturing to a cushion while taking his own seat. As tea was carefully served, he maintained a deliberate silence that seemed pregnant with unspoken revelations.
“About Saeki-san…” The moment those words left Munakata’s lips, Anna’s heart quickened. Her hand trembled almost imperceptibly as she lifted her teacup.
“Has something happened to him?” she asked, her voice betraying a mix of concern and hope.
“No, nothing bad. In fact, quite the opposite,” Munakata responded, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He reached out, seemingly to pat her shoulder—but today, unusually, his hand landed on her back, causing Anna to nearly choke.
“Everyone has noticed the connection between you two. Especially Misaki…” Munakata’s words made Anna’s cheeks flush crimson, her gaze dropping to the tatami mat.
“That’s impossible…” she murmured, but Munakata pressed on with gentle persistence.
“Why resist? Even the gods celebrate love. Ōkuninushi, the matchmaking deity, must be delighted—though these days, people seem more interested in health charms than romantic ones.”
Just as he spoke, pushing Anna forward encouragingly, a sharp cough interrupted them. Turning, they found Anna’s grandmother Chiyo standing nearby, her stern expression brooking no argument.
“Chief Priest, what nonsense are you filling her head with?!” Chiyo’s grip on Anna’s hand was firm, her disapproval palpable.
“Grandmother…” Anna looked up, bewildered by the sudden tension.
“A shrine maiden’s sacred duty is lifelong service to the gods!” Chiyo declared. “Improper thoughts have no place here. Especially considering…” Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken concern about Saeki’s health hung in the air.
That evening, Anna drew water at the purification fountain, the shrine bathed in the golden light of sunset. The surroundings possessed a mystical quality that transformed the familiar space into something ethereal.
“Mochizuki-san,” a gentle voice called. Anna turned to find Saeki standing nearby, his crimson coat ablaze with the day’s dying light. Unlike previous encounters, he carried no gift-laden paper bag.
“Saeki-san,” she greeted him, carefully modulating her voice to appear calm despite the flutter in her chest.
“I was walking the shrine grounds and saw you,” he explained, a hint of bashfulness coloring his words. He moved to stand beside her, and a comfortable silence settled between them as they gazed at the sunset.
The sky dissolved into a canvas of scarlet and purple, clouds rimmed with molten gold. Distant mountain ridges blurred into the twilight, creating a landscape that seemed to breathe with subtle emotion.
“It’s beautiful,” Saeki murmured, more to the landscape than to Anna. Yet the words felt like a delicate bridge between them.
As evening deepened, Saeki revealed his true purpose for seeking her out. He spoke of his health, of his hidden feelings, carefully selecting each word. Anna listened intently, her compassion evident in the gentle way she took his hand.
Surprised by her touch, Saeki looked at her. Anna’s smile was kind, understanding. Their hands remained clasped, a silent language of comfort and connection developing between them.
By the time Saeki finished speaking, darkness had fully embraced the shrine. Moonlight painted everything in soft silver, and the quiet night was punctuated by the subtle sounds of insects.
Their relationship evolved slowly, characterized by moments of shared silence and gradual revelations. Saeki began sharing stories of his childhood, and Anna reciprocated, each story bringing them closer.
One day, Anna guided Saeki to a cherished childhood sanctuary—a small mountain shrine hidden behind Shinmei Shrine. Sunlight filtered through leafy branches, birdsong creating a peaceful backdrop.
“This was my refuge,” Anna shared softly. “A place where I could dream and feel safe.”
Saeki explored the shrine with wonder, listening as Anna described her childhood memories. When they discovered an ancient stone well covered in moss, Anna shared her childhood wishes—for happiness, family health, and understanding.
“You have that friend now,” Saeki told her, his words carrying profound meaning.
As sunset painted the landscape in golden hues, they sat together, their connection deepening with each passing moment. The hidden shrine became a witness to their blossoming relationship, holding their unspoken promises and shared hopes.
“Would you like to come here often?” Anna asked, her voice trembling with vulnerability and hope.
Saeki’s smile was answer enough. “It’s special because you’re here,” he replied.
Hand in hand, they prepared to leave, the shrine’s ancient stones seeming to whisper of love, destiny, and the delicate threads that connect two hearts.
(To be continued)
