Trust

Mayu observed the room quietly, her empathetic instincts urging her to tread gently but purposefully. She could see the cracks in Mr. Ishida’s resolve, the unspoken ache mirrored in Kuro’s solemn gaze. There was progress today, but the bond still needed healing, and a deeper emotional release was vital.

“Mr. Ishida,” Mayu began softly, “would you be open to a small exercise to honor Misaki’s memory? It might help create some space for your grief while allowing Kuro to support you in his own way.”

Mr. Ishida’s brow furrowed as he considered her words. “What kind of exercise?” he asked hesitantly.

“A reflective moment,” Mayu explained. “We could light a candle together and send a prayer or thoughts to her—something that allows you to speak directly to her spirit. Kuro can be part of this, offering his strength and presence as you connect with her.”

Mr. Ishida hesitated, his hand brushing Kuro’s perch again. The owl leaned in slightly, as if sensing his partner’s inner turmoil. Finally, Mr. Ishida nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. “Alright. Let’s try.”

Mayu gently set up a small candle she carried in her bag for moments like these. She placed it on a low table and lit it, the tiny flame dancing softly between them. “Take your time,” she said. “When you’re ready, speak to her.”

The room was silent except for the occasional rustle of Kuro’s feathers. Mr. Ishida closed his eyes, his face taut with emotion.

“Misaki…” he began, his voice breaking slightly. “You were everything to me. You brought light into every dark corner of my life, and now… now it feels like that light is gone. I’ve been lost without you. I don’t know how to live in a world where you’re not here.” His voice wavered, and tears slid down his cheeks. “I’ve tried to keep your memory alive by holding on to you. I feel incomplete, like my life stopped when you left.”

Mayu felt her throat tighten, but she maintained her calm, steady demeanor. “Mr. Ishida,” she said gently, “can you share a moment with Misaki that brought you joy? A memory that still warms your heart?”

Mr. Ishida sniffed, his eyes fixed on the candle’s flame. “There was this time… in winter. We went to the mountains to see the snow. She loved the snow, said it reminded her of her snow leopard, Shiro. We built a snowman together, and she made the most ridiculous scarf for it out of twigs and scraps of cloth. She laughed so much that day—her laugh was like music. It was… perfect.”

Mayu smiled softly. “That’s a beautiful memory. Misaki’s spirit would want you to hold onto that joy, to let it guide you through the grief. She wouldn’t want you to carry this pain alone.”

Kuro hooted gently, hopping closer to Mr. Ishida. The man reached out hesitantly, his hand trembling as it rested on Kuro’s feathers. The owl leaned into the touch, a bridge forming between the two.

“I think this is a good place to pause for today,” Mayu said after a moment. “You’re doing incredibly brave work, Mr. Ishida, but healing takes time. Let’s plan to meet again next week to continue this journey.”

Mr. Ishida nodded, his face still damp but slightly lighter. “Thank you, Ms. Takamura,” he said, his voice steadier now. “I think… I think this is the first time I’ve felt like I could breathe in a long while.”

“You’re taking an important step, and Kuro is right here with you,” Mayu reassured him. “Between sessions, I encourage you to write down any memories of Misaki that bring you peace or joy. It’s okay to feel both the pain of her absence and the love she left behind.”

Mayu briefly explained the stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—emphasizing that grief isn’t linear. “It’s a process, and there’s no timeline,” she said. “What matters is giving yourself permission to feel, to remember, and to rebuild.”

As Mayu left Mr. Ishida’s home, her thoughts lingered on the couple’s story. She imagined Misaki, vibrant and full of life, with Shiro, her graceful snow leopard familiar, padding beside her. What kind of presence had she been in Mr. Ishida’s life? What wisdom and kindness had she shared?

Her thoughts turned to her grandmother. Did she have someone like Misaki in her past? A partner whose absence shaped her quiet resilience? The question tugged at her heart, but she knew it wasn’t one to press just yet.

Settling onto the train home, Mayu texted her grandmother a simple message: Goodnight, Grandma. I love you, and I’m so grateful for you. The reply came quickly: Goodnight, my sweet Mayu. I love you too.

With a deep breath, Mayu leaned back, her heart full of determination. 

Back in her apartment, Mayu sat at her desk, her notebook open to a fresh page. Luma curled up beside her, a quiet presence that seemed to ground her as she began to process the day’s work. She picked up her laptop and started typing notes, her thoughts flowing with precision and care.

Case Notes: Mr. Ishida & Kuro – Session 1

Overview: Mr. Ishida is experiencing profound grief following the death of his wife, Misaki. This grief has led to a disconnection with his familiar, Kuro, whom he views as a potential replacement for the closeness he shared with his wife. His belief that moving forward dishonors Misaki and has trapped him in a state of emotional paralysis. Kuro remains physically present but emotionally sidelined, further deepening the rift.

Interventions Applied:

1. Reflective Prayer Exercise: Engaged Mr. Ishida in a symbolic ritual to honor Misaki’s memory. This provided a space for him to express his grief openly and reconnect with positive memories of their time together.

2. Positive Memory Reframing: Encouraged Mr. Ishida to share a joyful memory, reinforcing the importance of holding onto moments of love and happiness rather than solely focusing on loss.

3. Psychoeducation on Grief: Introduced the stages of grief and normalized the complexity of the process, highlighting that his feelings of loss and love can coexist without betraying Misaki’s memory.

Mayu paused, tapping her fingertips against the keyboard. While today’s session had shown progress, she knew the path ahead required a more tailored approach. She began jotting down her ideas for a specialized treatment plan.

Specialized Treatment Plan: Mr. Ishida & Kuro

1. Strengthening the Bond with Kuro:

• Incorporate Kuro into daily rituals, such as morning tea or evening reflections.

• Practice guided meditations with Kuro present to create a sense of shared calm and safety.

• Assign small, collaborative tasks that require Mr. Ishida to rely on Kuro’s support, reinforcing their partnership.

2. Honoring Misaki’s Legacy:

• Encourage Mr. Ishida to create a “memory journal” where he can write about Misaki, her qualities, and their shared experiences.

• Suggest dedicating a specific area in his home to Misaki’s memory, where he and Kuro can spend time reflecting or simply being present together.

3. Gradual Exposure to Emotional Reconnection:

• Schedule short outdoor walks with Kuro in places that Misaki loved, allowing Mr. Ishida to associate positive memories with Kuro’s presence.

• Facilitate art or writing exercises where Mr. Ishida expresses his feelings toward both Misaki and Kuro, bridging the emotional gap.

4. Coping Strategies and Self-Care:

• Teach breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises to help manage overwhelming emotions.

• Explore hobbies or activities Misaki enjoyed, encouraging Mr. Ishida to participate as a way of feeling close to her while also nurturing his own well-being.

Mayu added a final note to herself:

Continue monitoring Mr. Ishida’s emotional progress and the development of his bond with Kuro. Be prepared to adapt interventions based on his responses. Trust the process, and remind him that healing takes time.

Satisfied with her plan, Mayu closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair. She felt a quiet sense of accomplishment but remained aware of the work still to come. There was potential here, a glimmer of hope that Mr. Ishida and Kuro could move forward together, carrying Misaki’s love with them rather than being weighed down by it.

She turned to Luma, stroking her soft fur. “One step at a time,” she whispered. With that, she prepared for bed, eager to bring her full energy to the next session.