Chapter 3: Ripples – The Path of Feelings and a Small Commotion
On her way back, Anna met Misaki in the shrine grounds. Noticing Anna’s appearance, Misaki asked with concern:
“Anna, is something wrong? Your cheeks are flushed…”
Anna smiled and showed Misaki the hand mirror.
“This… Mr. Saeki…”
Misaki looked at the mirror and seemed to grasp the situation. She gently embraced Anna’s shoulders.
“I’m so glad for you, Anna… Everything will be alright.”
Anna nodded firmly at Misaki’s words.
Several weeks had passed since Saeki left for Tokyo. Anna thought about him every day, eagerly awaiting his reply to her letter.
While performing her duties as a shrine maiden and cleaning the grounds, she seemed distracted. Misaki, worried about Anna, occasionally encouraged her.
One day, a letter from Saeki arrived for Anna. Upon opening the envelope, she saw Saeki’s neat handwriting.
The letter detailed the results of his tests, though the specific diagnosis was withheld, his treatment was progressing well, his life in Tokyo, and above all, his feelings for Anna. At the end of the letter, Saeki wrote:
“Anna, being in Tokyo has made me realize how essential you are to my heart. Your strength gives me the courage to persevere. I will definitely return in good health. And then, at our special place once more, together…”
Anna hugged the letter to her chest, her eyes welling up. Knowing that Saeki was thinking of her too was the greatest source of encouragement for Anna.
Around this time, preparations for the autumn festival began at Shinmei Shrine. Usually, Anna would take the initiative in preparations, but this year she seemed distracted. Chiyo sighed as she watched Anna.
“Anna, are you ready for the festival preparations? How long are you going to daydream?”
“…Yes, Grandmother. I understand,” Anna replied weakly.
“Really… A shrine maiden, yet always thinking about a man…” Chiyo said, though her expression showed some concern.
As the festival preparations progressed, Anna gradually regained her spirits. As she decorated the shrine grounds with Misaki and practiced her dance, her smiles naturally increased.
A few days before the festival, Anna wrote a letter to Saeki. She told him about the festival and honestly expressed her desire to see him. At the end, she wrote:
“Mr. Saeki, I sincerely hope that you will return in good health on the day of the festival.”
The day before the festival, Anna was drawing water at the purification fountain in the shrine grounds. The grounds, illuminated by the setting sun, seemed a little lonelier than usual.
“Anna,” a voice called from behind. Turning around, she saw Mr. Munakata standing there.
“Chief Priest…”
“We’ve heard from Mr. Saeki.”
Anna’s heart skipped a beat at Mr. Munakata’s words.
“Mr. Saeki…?”
“Yes, he says he’s coming back temporarily for the festival.”
Anna was speechless with surprise and joy.
“Is that true…?”
“Yes, it’s true. His condition has improved considerably, it seems.”
Tears welled up in Anna’s eyes at Mr. Munakata’s words.
“Thank you… Thank you so much…” Anna bowed her head repeatedly.
On the day of the festival, Shinmei Shrine was bustling with people. While performing her duties as a shrine maiden, Anna seemed restless. When would Saeki come? She kept looking towards the shrine approach.
In the evening, the climax of the festival, the dedicatory dance, began. Anna, dressed in a scarlet costume, took the stage. Even while dancing, she searched for Saeki’s figure.
Then, in the crowd, she spotted a familiar scarlet coat. Anna’s heart began to race. It was Saeki.
As soon as Anna finished her dance, she rushed to Saeki.
“Mr. Saeki…!”
“Anna… I’m back.”
Saeki looked at Anna with a gentle smile. He seemed to have lost some weight, but his eyes were as kind as ever.
Anna grasped Saeki’s hands. His hands were a bit weaker than before, but they warmly enveloped Anna’s.
“Welcome back… I’ve been waiting all this time,” Anna said with tears in her voice.
“Thank you… Anna. I too, have been…” Saeki started to say but swallowed his words. His expression conveyed emotions too deep for words.
On the night of the festival, the two talked quietly in a corner of the shrine grounds. Fireworks illuminated the night sky, as if to celebrate their reunion.
“Mr. Saeki… Welcome back, truly,” Anna said again, looking into Saeki’s eyes.
“Yes, I’m home. Anna. And… thank you,” Saeki smiled and gently squeezed Anna’s hand in return. A profound connection, transcending words, now bound their hearts.
(To be continued)
