Learning the Method

Sae was trying to go over her notes, but the girl who hovered over her was a distraction she was not used to. She did not mind sharing her corner, and Kaho was respectful enough not to disturb her peace. She tilted her notes so Kaho could see them.

“Forest girl doesn’t seem to mind your presence,” one of her classmates said.

“Sae-san,” Kaho corrected her.

The classmate just returned to her place, not pushing back at Kaho’s correction. It was not that Kaho chose her world completely; she had still been friendly with the others all day. Kaho just had a way to seamlessly be in both worlds at the same time.

The night before, Sae had agreed to teach Kaho about her research methods. When the bell rang, she gathered her stuff and waited for Kaho to gather hers. The class watched in awe, having never seen Sae wait after the bell.

The two girls headed to the forest. Sae was carefree in her skip. Kaho tried to match her but was a bit more distracted by every new sight. As they passed the old farm, both girls waved, the farmer waving back. Kaho could not help but recall the day before.

Her routine is pretty set.

Kaho was a step behind when Sae picked up speed. She smiled at the ponytail waving in the wind.

She waited for me, but that was as far as she was willing to change.

When they got to the forest, Sae stopped and pulled out her notebook. Kaho noted it was different from the ones she used in class. They walked in, and a gentle breeze made the leaves rustle above them.

“The forest is welcoming today,” Sae said as she waved at the leaves.

Kaho waved too. Then the two girls followed the path into the forest. Kaho was ready to move off the trail, but Sae passed up the rough trail she had visited the day before.

A new trail to explore was found not too far ahead. Sae moved through the overgrown trail without a misstep. Kaho was finding it difficult to navigate the path and keep up.

Kaho was relieved to see Sae finally stop. Sae looked over the area surrounding the clearing she stopped in. She pointed toward a group of trees.

“Normally, this time of year, there are birds over there,” Sae explained.

Sae opened her notebook and wrote a note, then showed it to Kaho.

June 24th: Shrine 26 – birds are not present.

Kaho wondered aloud, “How do you know there are normally birds there?”

Sae knelt at the shrine sitting in the clearing. Kaho copied her movement.

“I recorded every event I could observe the first two years of each shrine,” Sae replied, while checking on the offerings in the bowl.

How long has she been doing this?

Sae poked at the berries in the bowl. “Half eaten, probably just critters.”

She proceeded to open her bag and pull out a bag of fresh berries, quickly replenishing the bowl. Sae wasted no time and continued moving.

Kaho glanced back at the shrine and then hurried to catch up.

The trail only got more difficult for Kaho to traverse. She looked ahead at Sae’s ease; it was like the rocks and brush warned her ahead of time.

Sae stopped again and inspected the area while waiting for Kaho to catch up. Kaho looked flustered but was managing.

Sae nodded. “See the tree stump over there.”

Kaho looked in the direction Sae was pointing; there was a rather large stump in the middle of the trees. Kaho confirmed she could see it with a nod.

“A family of weasels lives there. They are mostly harmless,” Sae warned.

Kneeling down at the shrine, Sae studied the empty bowl.

June 24th: Shrine 48 – jewel offering taken - rethink previous note on gems.

Sae once again showed Kaho the note before taking out a bag full of jewels and placing a few in the bowl.

Kaho asked, “Are they real?”

“I can’t afford real ones,” Sae shook her head. “I am seeing if they accept these fake gems.”

Sae was once again on the move. Kaho felt she was constantly a step behind.

After several more stops, they came across a shrine that was much more crude than the previous ones.

“This shrine looks old,” Kaho remarked.

Sae did not stop her research to answer. “Yes, I made this one when I was seven.”

Seven. We are fourteen. She has been doing this for half her life.

Kaho looked at Sae with quiet admiration. Kaho continued to follow Sae deeper into the forest, each stop learning a little more about the forest girl, Sae.

Eventually, Sae stopped and looked to the sky. Kaho followed her lead. Once again, the evening was upon them sooner than Kaho expected. They began their travel back to the main path.

After reaching the main path, Kaho did not make the same mistake as the day before and smoothly followed behind Sae to the base.

Inside the base, Kaho studied the structure; no nails or modern methods were used. The woven bed was sturdy, and the fire Sae had just started seemed well contained. Not something she could imagine how to even start to build.

“Did you build this yourself?” she finally asked.

Sae simply replied, “I learned from a primitive tech channel.”

Kaho marveled at each detail. Sae pulled out two logbooks from under a shelf.

“This is for weekdays; I transfer my notes from the notebook into this one,” Sae said, pointing at one of the logbooks.

She opened the book and showed Kaho the contents. It was nearly full. Then she pointed below the shelf, showing two other logbooks just like it.

“Seven years of data, every bit of it still important,” Sae then pointed to the second logbook she pulled. “This is my weekend log. It has notes from all the anomalies I find during the week.”

“Why do you keep them separate?” Kaho instinctively asked.

“I only have enough time to fully investigate on weekends,” Sae said. “You will see this weekend.”

I am already invited. Kaho smiled happily.

Kaho watched Sae transfer the day’s notes, adding a few details. Mostly, it was all the same information.

Sae stood after replacing the logbook under the shelf. She walked over to a map that was hanging on the wall. Kaho studied the hand‑drawn map; it had colored pin marks and pins with animals dangling from them.

As Sae was putting up a new color of pins, Kaho could not help but ask, “Why are those a different color?”

Sae shook the pin tray. “A different color for each day.”

These are the areas we visited today.

Sae then took a pin with a bird dangling on it and placed it near one of the colored pins.

She explained before Kaho could ask, “This is our missing birds. We need to investigate it on the weekend.”

Kaho could not hold it in any longer. “This is amazing, this base, the shrines, the information, the investigations.”

Sae drew back slightly at the burst of enthusiasm; she had seen it the night before. It was just not something she was accustomed to in her world.

“I have moved from town to town, met thousands of people, none have ever been as amazing as you.” Kaho was counting the shrines on the map as she spoke.

“Seventy‑two. Wow,” Kaho finished. “Why seventy‑two shrines?”

Sae answered, “I had eighty because I can usually finish sixteen shrines a day, but sometimes I failed to check them all.”

Kaho gave an understanding nod as she inspected the various pins with dangling creatures on them. Not all of them were creatures; some were plant and weather-related.

Very practical, not as ritualistic as I thought.

Sae then started pulling out her schoolwork. Kaho blinked before following her lead.

“If we don’t get good grades, we are not allowed in the forest,” Sae said as if it would naturally apply to Kaho as well.

“Why did you start all this?” Kaho inquired.

“I got lost in the forest when I was seven,” Sae stated. “After two days, something guided me home.”

Kaho wondered, “How do you know it was a Mori‑No‑Otosan?”

“My grandmother told me,” Sae answered. “She also told me about the berries, nuts, and gems that they took in return for helping people.”

“We should research more on them,” Kaho said. “Maybe there is something you are missing.”

“They are mostly forgotten now,” Sae replied, disappointed. “My parents barely know the name.”

Kaho looked up. “We can just ask the other elders in town.”

Sae thought about it. She had never really talked to anyone outside her family. She nodded in agreement; they could try that.

Another mystery awaits. I want to see it.

New information: Better progress.