Chapter 1: Homecoming

The scenery outside the shinkansen brought back memories from two years ago, when I left home for the first time. Paddy fields gave way to houses, modern towers and expressways gave way to mountains and forests.

Home. After two years of no contact with home, family and friends. I had made a promise. I wasn't sure if I'd already broken it. How will they receive me? Does Yuki still remember the promise we made? Or have I already broken it when I left without a word?

Life in Sendai was... good. Starting life anew in senior high school at a new place while living with my relatives made it easy to adapt from life at Kaminoseki. What went too well was the avoidance. Running away from problems I left behind at home.

The shinkansen slowed to a halt at Tokuyama Station. The sea, the scenery, the surroundings — it all reminded me strongly of home. The excitement and dread in my chest heightened. I hadn't told anyone I was coming home. Not even my parents. My parents lived apart. Only my mum was at Kaminoseki, together with my younger sister, Sachi. Our father worked in another prefecture and was basically a stranger to us. But what mattered more to me were the neighbours, the Inoue family. Three of them in particular: Kenji, Yuki and Hana.

I can still turn back right now. Nobody's expecting me. I won't ruffle any feathers. They probably don't remember me anymore anyway. Without warning, Sachi's voice message burst into my thoughts. Onii-chan. You haven't done the dishes for two years. It's the summer holidays now. If you don't come back this time, I'll show Yuki your manga collection. I've seen them. I wasn't impressed. She wouldn't be either.

There. She said the magic name. Yuki Inoue. My childhood crush and neighbour. I had promised her I wouldn't leave her. But that was before things changed. Before the bullying incident made my parents decide that Sendai would be a better place to start anew.

The train stopped at the final station. From here on, it was a bus ride home. Well. I've come too far to turn back now. I lost myself in the ever-familiar scenery outside the bus window. It reminded me of the time I left. It wasn't particularly dramatic. I hadn't told anyone. Which made it worse when Yuki texted me shortly after I left. I took out my phone and looked at our last messages.

Yuki: Ryo. Wanna hang out later?

Ryo: I’m sorry. I went out.

Yuki: Why are you apologising? When will you come back?

Ryo: I don’t know.

Yuki: Huh? That’s not funny. 

A few hours later. 

Yuki: Sachi just told me you moved to Sendai. Why didn’t you tell me?

Yuki: Fine. So much for the promise you made. No need to reply to me.

That was the last message I received from Yuki.

The bus finally arrived at Kaminoseki. As I stared out the window, the bus passed a shrine. Recognition flashed, and I got off at the next stop, retracing my steps back to it.

“Ah, if it isn’t Ryo-kun. It’s been two years, hasn’t it?”

Shimizu-san. The local shrine priest. A bit younger than the average priest, with tidy black hair, a fair complexion, and decent looks. One would be puzzled why such an eligible man chose to stay in Kaminoseki as the priest, instead of heading to bigger cities for a more lucrative career. But his kind smile and patience showed his aptitude for the job.

“Shimizu-san.” I lowered my head respectfully. I still felt sorry for leaving without a word to anyone, but Shimizu-san had always been forgiving. He was, after all, the one who had helped and counselled me after the incident years ago. I approached him.

“Ryo-kun. You’re back. With a purpose, it seems.” His twinkling eyes and smile hadn’t changed, as if he could see straight through me. “Any souvenirs from Sendai?”

Ah. Of course. Word must have travelled throughout the entire town by now. “I’m sorry, Shimizu-san, I didn’t bring any...”

“I didn’t ask for myself, Ryo-kun. You’ll need a lot of gifts to pacify your sister. And some others.” He paused. “I’ll do what I can, and pray for your survival. Especially since you were kind enough to stop by before going home.” His eyes scanned my trolley bag.

He knows everything. Must be part of the job as a priest. Good thing he’s good with secrets. “What do you mean, survival?” I asked, puzzled.

“You’ll find out when you reach home. But you’ll be fine... Eventually. I think Sachi-chan’s in a better mood these few days. You chose a good time to return.” Shimizu patted my back enthusiastically and laughed. “You know where to find me, Ryo-kun. Don’t waste time with an old man like me.”

“Old? You’re no more than ten years older than I am, Shimizu-san. Wait — you mean I have to watch out for Sachi?” I tried to piece the puzzle together.

“Ten years means I’m a whole generation before you, Ryo-kun. Anyway, don’t tell Sachi-chan I said anything, OK? Go on your way now. I’ll be seeing you again soon, I expect. Oh, wait.” Shimizu turned back to the shrine and came out with a wrapped candy bar. “Give this to Sachi-chan. It’s her favourite. She might go easier on you.”

I smiled at him. “Sure... Thanks, Shimizu-san. As usual. I’ll come by to say hi. I’ll be around for a month or so.”

“A month or so, huh. You’ll be here until after the festival. Good. Sachi-chan and Hana-chan are part of the Obon dance troupe. You won’t want to miss that. Send them my regards.” Shimizu waved as he sent me on my way.

I continued walking, pulling my trolley bag along. My house appeared after I rounded a corner. I smiled wistfully. It was supposed to feel like home. It did. Now I braced myself for the very real possibility that one of its occupants would attempt to tear me apart limb from limb, and my only real chance of survival was the wrapped candy bar in my pocket.

I lifted my hand to the doorbell, took a deep breath, and pushed it.

A few moments of silence, before —

Thump. Thump. Thump. Footsteps approached the door from inside.

“Coming! Wait a moment.” That unmistakable clear and loud voice. Sachi Hayashi.

I braced myself, hand gripping the candy bar, ready to fling it at a ravenous lioness. The door swung open halfway, and silence ensued.