(Art: “The Rescue,” by Mai-sensei)
Shiomi’s story about the girl with no face; the kudan; and the vampiric trees had been riveting. I was torn between fascination and sympathy at her loss. I’d never run into that level of prejudice, but Tomo had. He’d lost his kid and been beaten at one job. He made light of the latter, but I suspected it had left psychological scars. How much worse it must be for Shiomi. She’d lost everything she’d dreamed of.
I reached over and put my hand on hers. “I wish I had been there.”
She smiled sadly. “So do I, but what could you have done? Stormed into management’s office, White Knight Sama?”
Then, with a bitter laugh, she continued, “What the fuck does my liking woman have to do with my singing and dancing? That’s all I’m good at. Sure, I violated the rules of my contract. I shouldn’t have slept with her or let her buy me a drink, but I was so alone. They were all out to get me.”
She started crying but continued. “What was it all for? So I could work in a konbini?”
Shiomi sat, tears running down her face, and I just watched stupidly. What should I say? I was so utterly useless in these situations. I wanted to hug her. But after what had happened between us, I wasn’t sure that was the right thing.
I had almost decided to do it when Tomo stuck his head in the room. Nope, I wouldn’t hug her in front of Tomo. Besides, Shiomi wiped her nose and attempted a smile as soon as he appeared. She gave my hand a little squeeze and mouthed, “Thanks.”
“For what?” I thought.
“If you’re through,” Tomo said with displeasure. “We have to talk before you go to work. Unless you’re going to call in sick. Your boss sounded pretty ticked, so I wouldn’t. Anyway, could you come into the kitchen?”
“Yeah, sure,” I said. Squeezing her hand back, saying, “We’ll talk later. It will be alright. But I have to go.”
I got up and joined Tomo in the kitchen thinking, “He’s so right. I am such a sucker for strays.”
Tomo leaned against the kitchen counter, looking sour. He’d neatly folded his apron and put it next to him. His breakfast dishes still sat on the table and the kitchen was messier than usual. I wondered if those were clues. Probably.
He just looked at me. Not saying anything. “Oh, God., He’s changed his mind,” I thought.
“If this is about Shiomi,” I started. “Please give her a chance. She’ll behave and will help around the house. If she doesn’t, you have my promise.”
“I said I would, didn’t I?”
His reply was dismissive, as if his thoughts were elsewhere. But I didn’t notice, and I plunged on, “Show her around the kitchen. Explain things to her. Just give her a chance.”
“I said I would, why wouldn’t I?” Now he sounded irritated.
“You didn’t even come out to say hello. I was worried you couldn’t stand the sight of her. That you hated her that much.”
“Ume, you should know me better than that. I just wanted to let you have time together, besides my temper’s frayed. Didn’t you hear it last night?”
“No, I was out like a light. Did Shiomi do something?” I still wasn’t a hundred percent assured, like a dog worrying at the wrong bone.
“No, but it’s related to her. I woke up to the sound of the windows rattling. When I looked, I glimpsed a woman’s face. As soon as she saw me, she vanished and there was a rattle at the door, like someone throwing gravel at it. And a woman’s voice begging to be let in.”
His brows knit as he continued, “Who comes knocking at two in the morning? I’m not about to open the door at that time of night. But she kept begging to speak to Shiomi, saying it was all a mistake and she could explain. It was hypnotic. I’d start thinking, ‘What harm would it do to let the two of them talk it out?’ I mean, what was I afraid of? Ghosts? Get real, there’re no such things. That’s what I was starting to think.”
“Then I would remember what you’d told me. Pardon me, but you’re not a good enough author to make all that stuff up.”
Panic edged his voice. “It was Mikawa, wasn’t it? Your ghost? What if I had opened the door!?”
“Call Kawanami-san and get him out here. We can’t let Shiomi hear her.” There was probably a touch of panic in my voice as well.
His voice got louder. “Are you listening to yourself!? These things have tried to kill you three times. They’re turning our house into a virtual prison. What about me? I never ask for this!”
This was what I had been afraid of. No matter what he had promised, I could hear an ultimatum coming, and all I could do was plead. “I promised her. I promised not to abandon her. We can figure this out. Call the priest, and we’ll get this all straightened out.”
“Okay, Ume.” He sounded defeated. “I promised to give her another chance, didn’t I? But please don’t get us killed.”
Relief washed over me.
Having at least temporarily patched up one catastrophe, I needed to hurry to keep another from exploding. “Got to go Tomo. I’m already in hot water at work and I can’t afford to lose this job. Call Kawanami. It’ll work out, I promise.” With those parting words, I hurried out of the kitchen. Glancing at Shiomi, “Please,” I prayed to myself. “Don’t let me down.”
She gave me a wane smile when I stopped in front of her. Putting aside the rising sense that my life was spinning out of control, I said, “Tomo will show you around. Don’t worry, you’re with friends now.”
Other thoughts boiled behind my words. “I hoped that’s true. Please Tomo, give it a chance. Don’t blow things up.”
My smile remained glued to my face as I continued, “But I have to go. I’m already in enough trouble at work. I can’t afford to be late.”
“You have to?” There was pleading in her tone.
“Got to pay for those smokes somehow. Anything else you need?”
“No. The only thing I can think of is makeup and cigs. When you’re free, let’s go shopping together for makeup that’ll suit you. — Ume-san, I promise to behave. No loud music; no drinking or swearing; and I’ll take care of the kitchen. Is there anything else?”
“Wash the clothes, including yours; help Tomo, if he asks you to, otherwise stay out of his way.”
“Okay, I’ll try. He scares me.”
I left her looking lost, but I had to get to work. If I lost this job, we would all be in serious financial trouble.
Work was a blur. My head was full of thoughts about Shiomi, the supernatural, and Tomo’s reaction. I should have been at home dealing with our situation, but I didn’t dare. One look at my boss convinced me of that. If he had been a youkai, I would have been dead.
My boss glowered at me whenever we crossed paths and I think he gave me the hardest work to make up for the inconvenience I had caused. After work, he called me over. “Your husband called when you were out, but I expected to hear from you. Is there anything I should know?”
“Sorry, sorry. Things turned out a lot worse than I expected. It was insane at my aunt’s. And there was no phone reception.”
“Okay. See if you can take care of your business on your days off. Use this weekend wisely.”
The unspoken threat hung heavily in the air, and I was glad to leave the tension of work behind. My stop at the konbini to buy more smokes reminded me of my financial position. With that in mind, the only booze I bought was for Hanayome-shin.
I was already gloomy when I got to the register, where the sight of the stoic-faced clerk reminded me of better days flirting with Shiomi. I hoped things would be peaceful when I got home, someplace I could chill out.
At first, it seemed like I was going to get my wish. Things were quiet when I entered. The house smelled of tobacco smoke, but the room was clean and there was no screaming. Shiomi looked up from the TV, waved, and called out “Welcome home.” It was a picture of domesticity.
I looked around for Tomo. He usually came out to greet me if he wasn’t busy. I didn’t see him and I didn’t hear him working in the kitchen, so I asked, “Is Tomo around?” I already had a sinking feeling.
“Yes, I think he wants to see you privately.” She pointed at the kitchen.
I frowned, and she added, “I was good. He showed me where things went, and I don’t think I messed anything up. I vacuumed, did the laundry, and even cleaned the bathroom. Not that it needed much cleaning.”
That was a relief. At least what Tomo wanted to see me about wouldn’t be her misbehavior. But something was going on.
“Did the priest come?” I asked.
“That’s what I think he wants to talk to you about. I heard him calling, and he was livid afterward. That’s when I went to clean the bathroom. He scares me when he glares at me.”
“His bark is worse than his bite,” I said, tossing her a pack of smokes.
The next stop was the kitchen. No point in putting it off.
Tomo sat at the table with a beer next to a picture of his kid. Off to one side sat another empty bottle. That was unusual for him. The only times I had seen him drink during the day were after dealing with his ex. Custody of their kid was a big issue.
I went over and gave him a peck on the cheek. “What’s happening? Shiomi said you were upset.”
“He’s dead. He’s dead, Ume!”
“Your kid? He’s dead? What?”
“The priest. Kawanami-san. I spoke to his son on the phone. All he would say was that Kawanami-san took ill last week. That would have been right after he was here. When I asked what happened, the son clammed up. Ume?”
“Yabai.” Things just kept getting worse, I thought.
Then I remembered the card the priest had given me. “Stupid,” I thought. “Something or other sensei was who I should be calling.”
I moved toward the door and explained, “Wait a second. I know who to call.”
“He’s dead, Ume. We killed him!”
I stopped. It might be heartless, but there was nothing I could do about that and right now, I had to worry about keeping us alive.
Then the full meaning of Kawanami’s death dawned on me. I slowly voiced my thoughts as I formed them, “If he’s dead, Mikawa’s going after anyone that helps Shiomi. It doesn’t matter that they have nothing to do with her anymore. Sending Shiomi away won’t help us.”
“Yeah. What if Mikawa goes after my kid, or I’m not there for them?” Tomo touched the picture in front of him, then picked up his beer, took a slug, and managed a weak smile. “If you get us killed, I’ll never forgive you.”
God, I loved this guy. Even now he was trying to crack a joke. By all rights, he should be ripping me a new one. Me and my infatuation had landed us in deadly water.
His weak attempt at humor didn’t last long, and he continued, panic seeping into his voice again. “Why hasn’t Mikawa killed you? Or me?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Hanayome-shin. I keep hearing she’s powerful.”
I could see Tomo was in pain, but words weren’t going to fix things. But there was something I could do.
“I’ll be just a second.” With those words, I left the kitchen and went into the bedroom to rummage through my papers. Where was that card? It wasn’t in the random stuff at the bottom of my bag. I shook my papers. The only thing that fell out was some notes on “The Peony Lantern” and other folktales I had been studying.
Did I remember the priest’s name? “Ma” something. “Masa” something “sensei.”
Masaki-sensei? Masashi? Masahiro? Masatoshi? It was hopeless.
Panicking, I checked the corners of my bag. No, not there.
Then my purse. For a moment I thought I had found it but no, it was a card for an all-you-can-eat ramen shop.
I desperately turned out my coat pockets, but still nothing.
Had I thrown it away? No, I’d looked at it when writing about my visit to Kawanami. Then, I remembered! I had clipped it to my notes for the Rokudai Bridge incident. My heart pounded as I opened my bag again and pulled out my notes. I leafed through the pages. Peony Lantern, Kiyohime, Hanayome-shin, Mikawa’s obsession. There it was, Rokudai Bridge, Thank-God.
“Mikito-sensei. It was ‘Mi’ nothing like ‘Ma.’” I thought.
Card in hand, I sighed in relief and returned to the kitchen.
Shiomi watched me walking back and forth. Concern was written on her face, but she remained quiet. I was glad. It meant I didn’t have to tell her to wait and risk offending her. I still didn’t know what might set her off, and I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to worry about it.
When I got back, Tomo had a third beer in front of him and another one was open at my place. I sipped it, then took out my phone. Still feeling stupid, I called Mikito-sensei. I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent person. Why hadn’t I done this as soon as Kawanami had left? If I had, he might still be alive.
The phone rang a few times, and a man answered, “Moshimoshi. Chinmoku Izumi Temple, how may I help you?”
I glanced at the card. “May I speak to Mikito-sensei?”
“Mikito-san is not available at the moment, but I’m his son, and maybe I can help you.”
“I’m Ume Fumiko and Kawanami-san of the Katsuzo temple referred me to you. We have a problem, he said Mikito-sensei could help us with.”
“Yes, I see Kawanami-san’s referral here. An onryo, it says. Mikito-san is away dealing with something. I can see you tomorrow, or you could wait.”
“I need to see someone right away. This is an emergency. I think one person is already dead, Kawanami-san. And the onryo is trying to get into our house at night. She almost killed me and a woman staying with me.”
“I think you had better see Mikito-san. If you’re willing to drive up north, I’ll see if I can get you an appointment tomorrow.”
“Please. I would be very grateful. Please make it later in the day. I don’t dare drive at night. She almost got us that way.”
I debated if I should mention money. We were poor, but we needed help. If Kawanami, a priest, couldn’t deal with Mikawa, how were we supposed to? So far I’d been lucky, but I couldn’t count on that continuing.
Worse comes to worst; I suppose we could sell the car, or I could get an office job.
“Better to get over with,” I thought and said, “We don’t have much money.”
“That’s not a problem. I can’t promise Mikito-san will take your case, but it won’t be because of money. — Can I text you at this number, or do I need to call?”
“Text is fine.”
“I am sorry for your troubles, but we’ll do our best to help you.”
We bid each other goodbye. I hung up the phone and took a gulp of beer.
“I have to wait to see if I can get an appointment with the big wig. He’s out of town,” I told Tomo.
“You should tell Shiomi,” Tomo said. I noticed he didn’t call her my girlfriend or Shishi, but at least she wasn’t Shiomi-san any longer.
“I’ll wait till I have the full story. It’s been an awful day and I need some space to breathe.”
He saluted me with his beer, and we waited in silence. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I got a reply.
>沈黙泉: Mikito-san can see you at 12:30 at Daienji Temple in Katashina
>沈黙泉: It’s just off Route 401
>沈黙泉: You may need overnight things
>沈黙泉: There are plenty of hotels if you need to stay the night
>沈黙泉: But you are more likely to be staying at the temple
>沈黙泉: Bring the cursed lady
>>Ume: I’ll be there
>沈黙泉: I will let him know
>沈黙泉: Sayonara
“I’m going someplace called Daienji Temple tomorrow,” I told Tomo. “It’s out in the sticks in north Gunma. Do you want to come with us?”
“That’s okay. Your road trips are too exciting for me.”
The joke fell flat. But I smiled anyway. I could always count on Tomo.
“I need one more favor.” I was sure Tomo would agree, but I had to ask. “Let her sleep in the bedroom again. I don’t want her to hear Mikawa at the door.”
“Sure, now go tell your girlfriend about the road trip and then do some writing. I’ll have to cook dinner.”
“Please eat with us. Get to know her.”
“If you’re sure.”
*** The Red Door (Umi POV) ***
(Art: “Ume Fumiko,” by Mai-sensei)
I awoke with a start and sat up. Tomo was breathing softly beside me. The rattling sound hadn’t disturbed him. I sat listening, my heart pounding for what seemed like ages, until the sound resumed. It was like someone throwing gravel at the house.
“Let me in. Please, it’s so cold out here.” A woman’s voice pleaded. “Just let me talk to her. Pleasse.”
I shivered and pulled the blankets tight around me. Fat chance I was going to let HER in.
The voice continued, “It’ss a misstake. I have to sspeak to her. Let me explain.”
I pulled the covers over my head, trying to blot out the hypnotic sound.
“Pleassee.” The covers made no difference and I could plainly hear, “I love her.”
The words pulled at me. They sounded so persuasive. But no, I couldn’t let them sway me. The priest had listened and see what had happened to him. It never occurred to me I shouldn’t know that. It was just a fact I knew.
“Maybe a cigarette would help,” I thought. It would at least give me something to focus on instead of her voice. With that in mind, I felt for my smokes. It took a moment to find a pack. I swore softly, “Golden Bats.”
It took another moment to get a cigarette out and lit. The end burned brightly in the dark as I inhaled.
The ritual of smoking had distracted me, so the urge to let her in eased. I could still plainly hear the voice coaxing me to help her.
I was about halfway finished with my smoke when a low, male voice joined hers. The words were indistinct, but they whined angrily. Like a mosquito that refuses to land.
Beyond the glowing ember of my smoke, I could see the door. When had Tomo painted it red? Bright red like a Torii gate, outlined in faint phosphorescent fire.
I took another drag and noticed the smoke faintly perfumed the air with an unpleasant metallic odor. Again, I wished I had found my Pianissimos, not these cheap things.
I rolled over to ask Tomo where he had put my smokes and froze. I was staring into the face of Kawanami-san. His eyes were staring and his tongue protruded.
“It’s your fault!” he said. It was the male voice I had heard before.
Kawanami continued, “Let her in Ume-san.”
The voice at the door called to me. “Pleasssee. Let me in.”
I tried to roll away, but roots like red shrine ropes held me down.
Beside me, Kawanami laughed. “Shine, shine, shine…”
The ground started shaking and the two voices, Mikawa-san and Kawanami-sama, joined in a cacophony of overlapping sounds, “Shine…” “She’s mine…” “Shine…” “Please…”
A third voice joined them. Dimly at first, as the ground shook harder and harder, “Wake-up, Ume. Wake-up.”
I awoke with a start and sat up. Tomo was shaking my shoulder.
“Are you okay? You were screaming.” He asked.
“Kawanami,” I gasped.
“He hung himself. You saw it too?”
“No… She wanted in and he…” I couldn’t go on and started sobbing.
“It’s okay, Ume. We’ll get through this.” He was stroking my head; I slowly relaxed and lay my head in his lap. As I drifted back to sleep, I whispered, “Don’t paint it red.”
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Notes:
Traveling by day, that should be alright. Please join us to find out how the trip goes.
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Story by Nara Moore
Twitter/X:@nara_moore
Mastodon: sakurajima.moe
WordPress: Josei Yuri and Paranormal Romance
Art by Mai-sensei
Twitter: @Maiisheree