Chapter 3: Ripples – The Path of Feelings and a Small Commotion
During the season when fresh greenery dazzled the eyes, a special bond had grown between Anna and Saeki, though it remained unspoken. Since the incident at the small shrine in the back mountain, they had become closer, spending more time together in the shrine precincts.
Saeki began to happily share stories of his childhood and memories of his hometown with Anna. Anna, too, started opening up about herself, bringing them even closer.
However, Anna’s position as a shrine maiden and the reality of Saeki’s fragile health cast shadows over their blossoming relationship. Saeki occasionally became short of breath or visibly weakened.
Anna was worried but took care not to push Saeki too hard.
One day, Anna was called by the chief priest, Mr. Munakata.
“Anna, do you have a moment?” Mr. Munakata greeted Anna with his usual gentle smile, but there was a hint of concern in his expression.
“Yes, Chief Priest. Is something the matter?”
“It’s about Mr. Saeki…” At Mr. Munakata’s words, Anna’s heart skipped a beat. She had a bad feeling.
“What about Mr. Saeki?”
“Well… actually… we received a call from Mr. Saeki’s family…”
Mr. Munakata began to speak slowly, choosing his words carefully. He explained that Saeki’s condition had worsened, and he needed to go to a hospital in Tokyo for a thorough examination.
Anna was stunned. Saeki was going to Tokyo? She hadn’t heard anything about this. Anxiety and sadness gripped her heart.
“But… Mr. Saeki didn’t say anything…”
“Mr. Saeki probably didn’t want to worry you, Anna. Besides, the test results are still pending. There’s no need to jump to conclusions just yet.”
Despite Mr. Munakata’s words, Anna’s anxiety didn’t subside.
That evening, Anna was cleaning in the shrine grounds. Her hands holding the broom were shaking. Misaki approached Anna, looking concerned.
“Anna, what’s wrong? You look pale.”
“Misaki… Mr. Saeki… he’s going to a hospital in Tokyo…” Anna said with a trembling voice. Misaki looked surprised but quickly put her hand on Anna’s shoulder.
“I see… That must be hard… But I’m sure Mr. Saeki will be fine. He’ll come back healthy, I’m sure of it.” Misaki encouraged Anna. At that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind Misaki.
“What’s all this commotion about?!” Turning around, they saw Anna’s grandmother, Chiyo, walking towards them with her cane.
“Grandmother…” Anna whispered.
“Anna, are you thinking about that man again?! Despite being a shrine maiden, such behavior…” Chiyo said in a stern tone.
“Grandmother, Mr. Saeki is… going for a medical examination…” Anna started to say, but Chiyo cut her off.
“Sick or not, it doesn’t matter! As a shrine maiden, you serve the gods! You mustn’t allow such personal distractions!” At Chiyo’s words, Anna couldn’t respond. Tears of sadness and frustration welled up in her eyes.
That night, Anna wrote a letter to Saeki, praying for his safety and honestly expressing her feelings. At the end, she wrote:
“Mr. Saeki, I believe in you. I truly believe and wait for you to return in good health.”
A few days later, Saeki departed for Tokyo. Anna wasn’t allowed to see him off, as it was strongly prohibited by Chiyo. Anna prayed alone for Saeki’s safety in the grounds of the Shinmei Shrine.
After Saeki left for Tokyo, Anna thought about him every day. She wrote letters and carefully kept the candy wrapper Saeki had dropped before.
She never opened the wrapper. She had decided to share it with Saeki upon his return.
One day, while cleaning the shrine grounds, Anna remembered the small shrine in the back mountain where she had visited with Saeki. Missing him terribly, she decided to go to the shrine.
When she reached the shrine, Anna closed her eyes quietly. She remembered the day she met Saeki, the mysterious light they saw at the shrine, and the day Saeki expressed his feelings for her.
At that moment, Anna noticed something shining in the back of the shrine. As she approached, she found it was a small hand mirror. It wasn’t there when she had come with Saeki before.
When she picked up the mirror, she noticed an engraving on the back. Looking closely, she realized it was a message written in Saeki’s handwriting.
“Anna, I’m always thinking of you. I will definitely return in good health.”
Anna hugged the mirror to her chest. Tears welled up, but they were tears of hope, not sadness. Saeki was thinking of her too. He would definitely return. Anna believed this with all her heart.
(To be continued)
