In the Land of the Crane by Lina Vine

Author:Lina Vine [Vine, Lina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-10T05:00:00+00:00

Seven

The following morning, Kiko Ochisan woke up with the first bleak, silvery light. She looked out the window to see that a thin layer of frost had crystalized on grass blades and flowers. The crowns of white and yellow spider chrysanthemums looked like delicate jewelry. They’ll probably die now from that hoarfrost, Kiko thought, lying down in her cozy, western-style bed. She picked up the shredded piece of faded crimson silk and studied the numbers: 3413 13535.

Someone rang the gong at the inn’s door and Kiko wondered if it was the milkman or fisherman delivering their products. But she was wrong. She heard a familiar voice talking to the innkeeper. “Give this to the girl when she wakes up,” the yakuza’s bodyguard said. “It’s important. And this is for you, from Mayadzuko-san. He may stop by later.”

Perhaps it’s high time to split before my limbs and ears get sliced off by the yakuza, Kiko thought, getting out of bed.

She packed quickly and, having made up her mind to eat breakfast elsewhere, came down to pay for her five-week stay.

The owner bowed to Kiko – a beatific smile on her lips – and asked her whether she had slept well and if everything had been all right during her stay. Ever since Kiko had moved to Japan from the United States, she was bowled over by Japanese hospitality and customer service – impeccable and, frankly, a little over the top.

“You were a wonderful host. Thank you,” Kiko said, handing over cash.

The innkeeper bowed and said softly, “You have a letter.” She slid a golden envelope across the counter. “It’s from Mayadzuko-san.” She bowed again, as if apologizing for the gesture.

“Thank you,” Kiko brushed it off the counter into her purse and turned to leave.

“Would you like to leave a message for Mayadzuko-san? As far as I understood, he may stop by later.”

“Okay, let me see what he wants,” Kiko retrieved the envelope and sliced it open. The letter consisted of three short sentences: “You’ve got an impressive technique. Perhaps you could think of working for me. If you find the onna-bugeisha’s treasure and bring it to me, you’ll never be in need of anything again.”

She jotted down a one sentence reply underneath his note: “I’ll give it a thought when my retirement comes.” She put it back in its original envelope and placed it on the counter. “Please give this to Mayadzuko-san if he asks for me.”

The woman bowed and put the letter away.

Kiko still had about three or four days till her return to Master Hijiri. He had told her to follow the natural flow of events. Since she had come into possession of a silk ribbon with a secret, her next natural step would be to begin the quest for it somewhere in the Kii Mountains. She decided to think over her plan at breakfast.

Kiko chose a non-descript café on the other side of the village. It was a homey street-side noodle venue that also served mukodamashi, sweet dumplings, the local specialty.

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