Chapter 29: 28

Part 4:

The Color of the Sky I Saw that Day was also Blue

Chapter 28:
The Color of the Sky I Saw that Day was Also Blue

Blue sky. Faint trails of white clouds. The coastline, sculpted from volcanic rock almost as white as the clouds. The sound of waves crashing against the white, sandy beaches that spread out across the view. And then the water’s surface, sparkling emerald green.

Jodogahama. It had been a few years since he had visited this scenic spot in Miyako City, Iwate, but the view that greeted Osakabe’s heart had not lost an ounce of its beauty or splendor.

It was summer again. The fifth summer, since the last time he came. Every year when this season of dazzlingly beautiful sunlight arrived, those days would spring to mind whether he wanted to remember them or not. Although every day slid dully by, never changing, and the days not worth remembering piled up into the ever-expanding past, his memory of those thirteen days remained vivid, never fading.

With the arrival of August every year—even now.

 

“Gorgeous weather.”

“Yeah. It’s always so beautiful.”

 

He let slip the expression of awe while standing on the sandy beach, and stepping up beside him, his wife agreed.

 

Time flew by since that summer of his fateful encounter with Honoka, and before he realized it, five years had passed.

He was still employed at the factory he had been hired at five years ago. Sometime around last spring, he had even received a promotion.

He had once thought it impossible to ever love again. But then he met someone after Honoka’s death, and after a year of dating, they married four years ago. Almost immediately after they married, they were blessed with their first daughter.

As his work performance remained stable, he got a raise, and even their dream of owning their own—albeit small—house came true.

 

The autumn of the year he found his new job, he made the rounds a second time to apologize to the bereaved families of those lost in the bus accident.

There were all sorts of reactions to his visit. Many turned him away. Others wore expressions of undisguised bitterness during his visit. But the other half welcomed him politely.

Gradually, even the memory of the bus accident that had made the name Osakabe Kengo infamous faded away from people’s memories. Having completed his parole, there was hardly anyone who scowled at hearing his name.

Bit by bit, even the deep pain he felt remembering the days he spent with Honoka began to fade. Of course, he never once forgot about her—there was no way he ever could. And yet, the pain he’d feel at her memory had certainly diminished.

That was entirely thanks to his wife, who always remained at his side to support him when Osakabe became bitter or depressed. No matter how much he voiced his gratitude, it was never enough.

 

Finishing a late lunch at the Jodogahama Rest House and tired of walking along the sandy beaches, he headed for the observation deck on the southern side.

Halfway up the road to the observation deck, he intentionally strayed from the path and pushed aside the undergrowth as he stepped into the trees. It was difficult to walk through the overgrown weeds.

 

“Papa—”

 

He stopped to pick up his young daughter who had voiced her uneasiness.

 

“Akane,1 it’s hard to walk through here so I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

 

As he spoke, he remembered the words she had once told him.

 

“While the view from the observation deck is pretty enough, I know a special spot.”

 

For several minutes he picked his way through the uneven rocks in the patch of grass. His daughter gasped in awe at the view when they arrived.

 

“Beauuutiful!”

“Akane. I saw this same ocean and sky once, long ago, with your aunt. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

 

They gazed down at the scenery of Jodogahama from high above.

The view, looking out from a spot where the trees suddenly cleared, was still special, unchanged from that time long ago.

Today too, they could see the figures of many tourists on the white beaches. The color of the ocean was the same emerald green as the feathers of a kingfisher. In contrast, the deep sea beyond it was dyed a deep, marine blue.

Even from this high up, they could hear the laughter of the beachgoers and the crash of the waves.

 

He wondered what color the Blue Cave would be today. Was it blue, or green perhaps? That’s right, back then it was—he suddenly remembered.

 

After checking the footing, he lowered his daughter to the ground.

His daughter would soon be turning three. She was at the age where she wanted to walk for herself, if it wasn’t too difficult. In the way her hair curled under, he could even see a shadow of her—he patted the top of her head.

His wife, who had trailed behind the two of them, finally arrived at that moment.

 

“Hey, don’t give up now—keppare,” he teased her with a hint of the local dialect. “Your legs aren’t that weak.”

 

Osakabe looked back with a smile at his panting wife. At that, Osakabe Mafuyu responded with a sulking tone, her cheeks puffed in indignation.

 

“It can’t be helped… I’m not the athletic type. Don’t leave me behind like that.”

“Mama, you’re so slow.”

 

Akane rushed up to her mother as she finally arrived, and Mafuyu wrapped her arms around her daughter in a hug. “Sorry, I’m late.”

 

“Brilliant kelp, the velvet of the sea, spread out glistening on the shore of Paradise.”

 

Mafuyu gave Osakabe a puzzled look as he quoted the poem out of nowhere.

 

“What’s that?”

“It’s a poem Miyazawa Kenji supposedly composed when he visited the area in 1917 and saw the pebble beaches used to dry kelp. Honoka taught it to me.”

“Hmmm… You still remember all these things about my older sister. I might get a little jealous.”

“You? Jealous?”

“I’m only human,” Mafuyu said. But then she brought her head close to his and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”

 

Separating for a moment, their eyes met. Mafuyu’s face overlapped with Honoka’s suddenly. He often felt guilty seeing traces of Honoka in Mafuyu like this over and over again, but…

 

“You were thinking about kissing me, weren’t you?”

Mafuyu, sharp as ever. Even in this respect she resembled her sister.

“I was.”

“Well, are you going to?”

“I suppose so.”

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Osakabe drew her close and laid his lips on hers.

He tasted something startlingly nostalgic. A familiar scent. If he closed his eyes, then even now it was like Honoka was standing beside him.

Unable to bear it, he opened his eyes, but it seemed Mafuyu was not ready to let him go just yet. Laughing, he stroked her hair. And then he thought privately, For a long time, through every season, these two sisters have supported me, helped me.

 

“You know,” Mafuyu said, “When I close my eyes, I feel like Honoka is still alive right now.”

“That’s strange, I thought so too.”

 

And so when the two of them closed their eyes, she spoke to them in their dream.

 

You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?

Yes, an awful lot. I managed to find a job again, but the road there wasn’t easy, you know.

But, you were okay, weren’t you? I always knew things would turn out okay for you, Osakabe-san.

Yeah, things went a lot better than I imagined.

Do you remember the day of our first kiss?

Of course. It wasn’t my first time, but I was so nervous. For me, that was probably the first one to be filled with so much happiness and heartbreak.

Well, when you put it like that… Now I’m blushing. I was super nervous too.

Maybe it’s a little insensitive to ask at this point, but was it really okay for me to be your first kiss?

Why wouldn’t it be? I only wish we had just one more chance for some hanky-panky, you know.

Yeah, if only. My legs and arms were trembling as if it was my first time, I was so excited. Did you notice?

Nope. I was too busy worrying about myself… Oh, speaking of—are you and Mafuyu a good match?

Yeah, we’re just fine. Besides a little difference in personality, you two are really exactly alike.

I’m glad. But also a little jealous.

Sorry about that.

You remember that promise you made to me?

Yeah, I do.

You promised that if I waited for two years, you’d come for me. And that you’d make me your bride.

I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep either one.

It’s fine. I couldn’t last for two whole years in the end. So, please take care of Mafuyu instead.

Yeah, you can count on me.

She’s a little selfish sometimes, but she’s a good person.

I know. She’s really just as kind as you. And as cute.

That’s good. I’m glad.

 

Hey, Honoka.

Yeah?

Were you happy?

…Of course I was. We had so many fun memories, and though there were just as many painful ones, I was just happy that you told me you loved me. …Oh, that’s right.

What?

There was one more promise.

 

Don’t forget my name.

 

When he opened his eyes, the bright sunshine burned his eyes for a second.

In the next moment, he flashed back through his memories of those days. The Jodogohama bus stop where they met. The days they spent riding back and forth on his scooter. The countless embraces they stole by the seashore. The last night they spent in tears. At the same time, he could still remember so clearly his feelings of affection for Honoka along with his desire to meet her five years ago, that he could hardly believe it was all a dream or illusion. He was disoriented at the all too brilliant afterglow and strong clarity as if they had happened yesterday.

 

“As if I could forget.”

“Hm, what was that?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

 

I really am the worst, he thought while stroking Mafuyu’s head. But you can forgive me reminiscing about her, just for today at least?

That’s right. I won’t ever forget again. Not your name, not the thirteen days we spent together. I absolutely will never forget. My reason for living before and after that time completely changed. My memories with her will always be an important piece of myself.

Five years ago, I was in despair.

I could only brood, never seeing a future beyond the present day.

Yet a ray of light shone on me there. From Akane. From Mafuyu. And most of all, from Honoka—because all of you loved me.

 

He looked up at the sky.

Everyone, everywhere, was hurt bit by bit.

Sometimes brutally, pain and sadness could fall upon anyone anywhere.

But if people went on living in spite of that, they would always find some happiness too.

Everyone had fun times, happy times, painful and lonely times, and though everyone must come to grips with all of these feelings as they’re etched into their memories, they must also go on to face each new day in their life.

Sometimes I read the letter you left me and cry, remembering the days we spent together, but I’m still okay. I will never look back, but keep on moving forward. Because whenever I close my eyes, I can feel you with me.

And always, you keep pushing me forward.

That’s why, he thought.

 

Don’t forget me either, he thought.

 

Thank you Honoka. I won’t forget you, or the days I spent with you.

I love you more than anything in the world.

Always, and forever.

 

The vivid blue of the sky, as if painted with a brush, was the same clear blue as the sky he saw that day.

 

The color of the sky I saw that day was also blue.

(The End.)

T/N: And that’s the final chapter! Thank you for reading along with me!! This translation was an interesting experience for me, especially because Jodogahama is the site of some special memories of my own. Do check out some photos of the place (or swing a visit if you can ;D) as it really is just as beautiful as described.

1

Osakabe’s daughter’s name Akane is written with the characters 秋音, which mean “The sound/music of autumn.” This is likely a reference to a fall birthday, as well as Honoka and Mafuyu’s autumn birthday. It also continues the seasonal symbolism of all three girls’ names—summer for Honoka, winter for Mafuyu, and autumn for Akane.

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