Opening Worlds

Her days have been fuller as of late. Sae was studying her notes, trying to make up for lost time. She did not even look out the window longing for the forest like she normally would. Finding someone to share her world with was worth the effort.

One of her classmates, who usually watched her from the more chaotic world that was the class, was suddenly standing next to her desk. The girl looked almost nervous. Sae allowed herself to shift her attention from the notes to the girl.

“Hey, Sae,” the girl started shaky, “do you remember me? We used to be friends when we were kids.”

Sae simply asked, “Are we not friends anymore?”

The girl’s smile shone on Sae, as bright as the sunlight through the window.

“Of course we are,” the girl said, seeming relieved.

Some of the girl’s other friends came over to show support, one placing a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

Kaho had entered the room and watched the exchange with a smile. She is opening up to her friends again.

That afternoon, the girls happily skipped down the road towards the forest. As they passed the farmer, they waved. The farmer waved back with a smile.

“Hope you girls have fun with your search,” he said as they passed by.

Sae offered a quick bow in acknowledgment.

Kaho returned his smile. “We will, oji-san!” Her wave became more exaggerated.

Kaho took another look at Sae, who had sped up her skip, sensing the forest was near. She has not noticed the change yet.

Sae took out her notebook as usual before entering the forest. The leaves greeted them once more, and the girls waved in return. Sae brought Kaho to a new trail; she was clearly happy to be checking her shrines once more.

As evening came, they did not return to the base as usual. The girls shifted their attention to the anomalies Sae had observed that week. Only then did they return to the base.

Sae was busy filling out her logs. Kaho tried to push herself as far in on the bed as possible to give her room. The blanket Sae provided did little to make Kaho forget she was resting on a bed of twigs.

This is part of the adventure.

After finishing her logs, Sae placed the logbooks back under the shelf. She stood up and started to clear the pins from her map. Everything had been recorded for this week; time to prepare for next week.

Sae finally turned to see Kaho squeezed up against the earthen wall to leave room for her. It was going to be a tight fit for two. She made herself a mental note.

Base: Make a second bed.

She tried to be respectful of Kaho’s space as she settled in for the night. The base had become home for two. Sae was already planning renovations.

The fire from the night before was barely noticeable. The black coals gave off a little heat but no light. The girls stretched, both pleasantly surprised at how well they slept.

Sae wasted no time in gathering the necessities for a long trip into the forest. Kaho was slightly embarrassed that she had not prepared anything herself. She was the one who wanted to go on the adventure after all.

They quickly found themselves out on their journey. Sae’s planning complemented Kaho’s spirit.

The trails grew thinner as the girls ventured further into the forest. Sae had an easier time with this than Kaho. She had never come this far, but she understood the forest in general.

The trees felt older and had a stronger presence. Sae felt this was truly a step in the right direction. If she were a Mori-no-otosan, she would choose the sturdiness of these trees over those at the edge of the forest.

“Shouldn’t we put shrines out this way?” Kaho asked, as much to break the silence as out of curiosity.

Sae inspected the area a bit more.

“We will move shrines this way if we find the clearing,” she concluded.

The sound of moving water became clear after about an hour into the trip. Sae stopped trying to determine its direction. She moved off the path. Kaho, already struggling on the path, hesitated. She soon followed after Sae, who was already standing on a cliff. It was not a tall cliff, Kaho was relieved. The water was just a meter or so below.

“A water source near the clearing,” Sae said, pleased with the finding.

Kaho looked at the water and then around the rest of the area. She saw nothing but trees and greenery.

How does she know the clearing is near?

Sae moved back to the path and started to make a marker. When she finished, she placed it on the side of the path where the water was. Then she took out her notebook.

June 27th: Journey Marker 1: Water off trail.

Kaho watched diligently, as if this were a lesson she must learn. Sae continued down the path. Kaho followed behind.

“How do you know the clearing is near?” Kaho finally asked the question that had been bothering her.

Sae pointed to the ground. “Lack of shrubbery, green patches of grass, and the tree line is thinning.”

Kaho studied her surroundings; she had not noticed any of those changes.

“You really are amazing,” Kaho spoke with awe in her voice. “I have a lot to learn.”

It never crossed her mind to doubt Sae. She simply accepted the explanation and moved forward. The destination her adventure was leading to was within sight. Sort of.

Kaho perked up as she saw the sun peek into the forest. Even she knew that was a sign of the trees giving way. She got so excited that she nearly tripped. Sae caught her as she stumbled.

Kaho pointed. This must be the place where the Mori-no-otosan gather. She seemed more excited than Sae, who had spent half her life searching.

Sae smiled. “Maybe I will finally be able to thank the one who helped me.”

“What will you do after that?” Kaho was genuinely curious.

Sae had never considered the idea that she would ever do anything different from what she already was.

The two girls entered into the light, shielding their eyes from the sun. A sun whose light was so strong after it had evaded them in the forest for hours.

Kaho waited at the edge as Sae moved out into the field of golden grass. The only sign of life was the sun spilling over the field as the wind rustled it. The sight was beautiful to look at. Kaho’s eyes were wide with wonder.

Truly magical.

Sae stood in the middle of the field and inspected it as if it were the area around one of her shrines. She took out her notebook and began to take notes.

June 27th: The field is empty. Feels like a gathering place.

Sae looked up into the sky and saw the moon and sun inhabiting it all at once. Like two worlds colliding, making the field feel more special. She sat down in the field and just looked up at the shared space above.

Kaho watched as Sae sank to the ground. She made her way to her.

She must be disappointed.

“What are you thinking?” Kaho asked carefully.

Sae looked up at her and pointed to the moon-and-sun sky. “I am thinking they are like us.”

Kaho looked up for the first time; she could sort of understand what Sae meant. She lowered herself to sit next to Sae. Both girls shared a quiet moment observing the clear blue sky.

“The Mori-no-otosan may not have allowed me to thank them,” Sae said, “but I believe they guided me again.”

Kaho studied the thoughtful face of Sae as she had this introspective moment.

“My world has opened up once more,” Sae finished, “I have a friend to share it with.”

Kaho looked up at the moon and sun in the sky. They would not share the same sky for long; each would go back to their own worlds.

“I think we are different,” Kaho said without explaining.

I will never leave your world again.