Chapter 45: 45. A Mother Daughter Sister Affair

Jiro pressed his face to the car window and watched the world pass by. Everything had been going so well before Aya’s arrest … He hoped she was okay. What was it like in a Japanese prison? Did they feed you properly? What if other prisoners tried to molest her? He wished all of this evil spirit trouble would end so he could return to the bathhouse, relax, and take a proper bath.

They’d been on the road for nearly an hour, and neither Kaori nor Yui would tell him where they were headed. He knew they were going north. They had passed Koko Town some time ago and were now driving alongside a wide, rocky river. There were rice fields all around them and here and there he could see large houses owned by farmer-landowners.

“So where are we headed?”

“You’ll see soon enough,” said Kaori.

“I hope we’re not camping out again.”

Yui turned in the passenger seat and looked at Jiro. She put a finger to her lips. “Shhh!”

“What? I’m being noisy?”

Yui nodded.

“But I want to know where we’re going.”

Yui knitted her brow and shook her head.

“No? Why? Is it supposed to be a surprise?”

Yui nodded again, this time more eagerly.

“Well okay then … I guess I can wait.” Jiro smiled despite himself. He was growing fond of Yui. She had no parents. She was periodically possessed by crazy spirit creatures. But yet she managed to stay innocent and childish. Because of Yui, he now saw his own grandfather in a different light. Sure, the old man had abandoned Jiro to run the bathhouse. But he had also taken in Yui, an unwanted orphan, and raised her well … Could a man like that really be so wicked?

The river gradually widened out and a large red bridge came into view. Kaori turned onto the bridge and followed the road into a thickly wooded area. Jiro felt the car hit an incline. As the car climbed bends and turns in the road, Jiro had to swallow several times to clear the pressure from his ears. This went on for some time.

Then, when the car passed one final bend, the forest opened up and disappeared. In the center of the wooded area was a wide clearing. The ground was covered with little stones. And in the heart of the clearing was a giant stone gate. Beyond the gate was a wooden shrine compound. The enormous structure, easily the size of ten ordinary houses, was made entirely of wood.

“Where are we?” asked Jiro. “It’s magnificent.”

“Jinja Temple,” said Kaori. “It’s the largest temple in this area of Japan. I could tell you the history of it but we would need to go back a few thousand years.”

“Do we have time to be stopping at a shrine? We’re kind of in a hurry.”

Yui looked at Jiro ... and barked. It took him a moment to realize she was laughing.

“What? What’s so funny?”

Kaori pulled the emergency brake and turned the key in the ignition. Then she sat grinning at him through the rear-view. “You’re so cute, Jiro. This is our destination.”

Jiro blinked. He looked out at the shrine. It was like something out of a tourism PR movie. Tall, regal trees. Clean swept shrine grounds without a single blade of grass or weed. A stone torii gate from which hung strings of paper cutouts. And, in the heart of the compound, a majestic building where (Jiro assumed) the kami, or god, of the shrine was housed.

“Your family lives here?”

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Kaori laughed. “I told you, my family is part of a long line of shrine maidens. And when I say long, I mean looong.”

Outside the car, the difference was immediate. Gone was the hot humid air of Koko Town and the bathhouse. Here, the air was cool, almost cold. Jiro felt goosebumps emerge on his arms. He followed Yui and Kaori through the stone torii gate and down a stone path toward the compound. The path was lined by statues of lions and other creatures Jiro did not recognize.

Before the main compound, the path split off in two additional directions. Kiro took the path to the right, and soon Jiro found himself before a smaller building, two stories and also made of wood but less magnificent than the main shrine.

Kaori knocked and, after some time, the door slid open. Standing in the entryway was a woman dressed in classic shrine maiden attire: a white kosode top and bright red hakama pleated trousers. She had her hair tied back and braided with a red ribbon. Jiro let out a slow breath. The resemblance to Kaori was immediate.

“Ah Kaori,” said the woman, “To what do I owe this sudden oof!”

The Kaori lookalike did not finish, for Yui had kicked off her shoes and dived into her arms. Yui buried her face in the woman’s chest and hugged her tight.

“Yui!” She woman returned Yui’s hug and then pushed the girl off. “It’s good to see you too … but behave yourself! I see I need to be introduced.”

“This is Sumire,” said Kaori. “She’s the head maiden at the shrine, and also an expert in all things spiritual.”

Jiro bowed politely, at a ninety-degree angle to show respect. “My name is Jiro. I’m the, um, new proprietor of the bathhouse. It’s a pleasure to finally meet Kaori’s sister.”

He remained bowed, looking down at the ground, but there was no response or recognition from Sumire. When he finally looked up, all three women were shaking with silent laughter. Sumire had her head against the door. Kaori was clutching her stomach. Yui was laid back in the entranceway, kicking her feet up and down.

“What? What’s so funny?”

Sumire wiped a tear from her eyes. “You’ve found yourself an interesting boss, Kaori. Jiro, was that your name? I’m flattered, but I’m not Kaori’s sister.”

“You’re not?” Jiro felt sheepish. “But you look so much alike. I’m sorry, I thought …”

“No need to apologize,” she said. “I’m flattered that you would think so.”

Jiro looked at Kaori in confusion.

“Don’t you get it, Jiro? Sumire isn’t my sister. She’s my mother!”

Jiro turned red and babbled some incoherent words.

“Don’t pay him any attention, mother. He’s very uncomfortable around women. Especially beautiful women like you and me. Right, Jiro?” She gave him a wink.

Sumire let out a laugh. “Looks like you two get along well. Maybe I’ll have myself a son-in-law soon?”

Jiro looked at his feet and mumbled something. Even he did not know what he was trying to say.

“That’s enough teasing mother. Any more and the poor boy’s head will explode.”

“Alright, alright … I’ll save the teasing for later. Now tell me,” said Sumire, waving them inside. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this sudden visit? I assume you haven’t just come here for tea and sweets?”

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