Michiko, of course, seemed to sense my thoughts and came over to rest her hand on my shoulder after she’d shooed the children outside. “Are you all right, Tobias-san?”
“I’m just worried about what others might say.”
“I have worked long enough for Maeda-san to know he does not meddle in the affairs of his teachers as long as they do their work well.
So long as we remain professional in our work, I do not see why we cannot enjoy the beginnings of a wonderful relationship.” She leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I am going to take Chikako home. I will see you tomorrow, Tobias-san.”
After she was gone, I sat there staring at the door for a while with this goofy grin on my face before realizing I had a pile of ungraded papers to manage for the next day. I headed back to my classroom, and about a half an hour later there was a knock at my door. Pushing my glasses up from the end of my nose, I peered through the glass and felt my stomach drop. Ryuto Maeda stood in the door.
“Maeda-san,” I gulped, standing up. “Won’t you come in?”
“Thank you,” he replied gruffly. In an instant, he was inside and sitting in my chair behind my desk. “Sit, please.”
There was no argument from me. I sat back down. He folded his hands together. “You are slowly becoming a part of our family here at the school. You would not be here if you did not have skills. I’ve received praise from so many parents at the improvement in their children’s English skills. However, I must inform you of our strict policy regarding appropriate school conduct.
I don’t mind what you do with people outside of work, but here in my school, I expect you to act like a professional, especially with your co-workers. Your purpose with the S.E.L here in Japan is to connect with our people and our culture.
Michiko-san has become like a daughter in her time working here with me. I want you to treat her with respect. She is not some geisha who will dance and entertain you. She is a woman to be treated with the utmost respect.”
“Sir,” I felt my voice quiver lightly. “I apologize if I did something inappropriate in your school, but what I feel for Michiko is not just some spring fling. She is not an object to me. She isn’t some prize. I would not be the success you say I am without her.”
He stared at me for a moment and then nodded. “That is a good answer, the sort of answer I expected from you. From now on, though, keep the affections private. Understood?” I nodded.
“I will let you get back to your work then, Tobias-san.”
I was left alone with my thoughts. It seemed everyone was going to have an opinion now, but that was to be expected. Here I was an outsider falling for a Japanese girl.
It’s bound to get more complicated.
My mom would probably faint when I told her, and my dad would give me a long talk about his opinion on how to make the best impression.
The air of that afternoon was especially sweet with the smell of flowering blossoms smooth and clear as subtle perfume upon the wind. I knew that summer would come too soon and replace this fragrance and beauty with searing heat.
A cicada called and a few more answered. This was not unusual in the Japanese day though I’d become more used to their nighttime song. Feeling adventurous, I checked my watch and decided I had enough time to catch the train to Fushimi for a quick visit to the shrine before returning back home.
When I arrived, the place was mobbed. From the moment I left the station to when I passed beneath the main gate, I was jostling among people. Most were Japanese families, many with cameras. All had come to see what I had only just experienced, the magnificent color of Kyoto’s spring bloom. Suddenly, I knew this was a bad idea.
There was no getting around them. People were lined up at vendors offering weird little trinkets, baskets, and plastic statues of foxes. All were rather ghastly in my opinion.
This was the heart of Inari’s domain, and I was shuffling along with everyone else. Then, in the blink of an eye, everyone was gone. I emerged into a green colonnade mixed in with lush colors of cherry blossoms and maples that lined the shrine’s walkways. The forest around me echoed with the dull murmurs of other people far away.
Here, branching off in different directions were brilliantly colored orange torii gates in a line snaking up into the darkness of the mountainside. It was like a tunnel with no walls and no ceiling, yet a tunnel all the same. The breaks in the gates became windows to only the trees and rocks. Here and there were little side paths like branches. I stumbled out and found myself alone at a split in the torii track.
Maybe I should turn back?
No, I’d traveled this far, and I wanted to see it through. I had this strange feeling that I’d been here before, standing in the shade with the breeze flowing past me and up through the mountain with the stirring of a thousand leaves.
“I didn’t think you had it in you to tell her, Gaijin.”
Matsuri leaned against a gate to my left, her arm curled up against it to support her body. I faced that familiar smirking fox mask.
“With a little help, I am sure, Matsuri.”
“Oh, no. It was your own effort, silly boy. I had nothing to do with it.” A cricket chirped in the underbrush, and the breeze stirred the branches in their rustling conversation. “It is peaceful here, isn’t it?”
“It’s beautiful. The crowds are a little overwhelming though.”
“Such is the life of a kitsune. We are very popular,” she chuckled, shaking her head. “Most of these pilgrims would be jealous of your own experiences.”
“It’s been a long journey.”
“Hai, it has, Gaijin. But there is a great deal more for you to experience. You are still just scratching the surface of my native country. There is so much more for you to see and experience. Your journey is only just beginning.”
“You sound like you are going away, Matsuri.”
“I am, Gaijin, at least for a little while.” Her form seemed to glow, shimmer and diminish. Soon a two-tailed fox stood where she had been with white coat almost aglow in the waning light. She glanced back at me, and I saw her wink. “You can be sure I will be watching you. Just because you have a girlfriend now doesn’t mean you will be rid of me.”
“Wait! Where are you going?”
She didn’t answer but took off at a great pace up the path.
I started after her weaving in and out through the hillside, she like a flickering white candle and me struggling along. Suddenly I tripped and fell, sprawling in an open space where there were no torii.
A single kitsune statue stood alone there near an open building. A trickle of water spilled from a fresh sprig of bamboo placed in its mouth into an open basin like gentle laughter at my expense. There was no sign of anyone or anything else. Matsuri was gone.
I got up, brushing myself off as my hands and heart ached a bit. I went down the way I had come. The crowds had dispersed somewhat when I arrived at the base of the mountain. There was an open spot now so I slipped through, tossed a few yen into the box and rang the bell.
I have traveled far to the land of the rising sun. I thank whatever forces watch over me for my health, my knowledge and a new relationship. I know I am but a guest, a traveler in this land, and I humbly ask that my knowledge grow. Keep me safe here so long as I remain.
I clapped my hands and left the shrine of foxes behind.
• • •
“Ah, Tobias-san. You are home a little early!” Aoki greeted me with a smile as I entered, though it quickly vanished as soon as she saw me. “What is wrong? Did your friend not enjoy the gift?”
“Oh, no, Aoki-san. It went better than I could have possibly imagined, but my kitsune friend has gone.”
“I had a feeling that might be the case, Tobias-san. Come inside. I have tea and dinner waiting, and Jomei is out again with the men tonight.”
A welcoming chicken dinner greeted me at the kitchen table with a big steaming bowl of white dumplings like round snowballs set on a plate in the center of the table. My
troubles were forgotten for the moment, and I settled down to the meal.
“Wow, this looks good!”
“Hai, one of my favorites, Tobias-san. My son’s as well.” She sat opposite me folding her hands in front of her on the tabletop.
The dumplings were warm, sweet savory chicken mixed with a strange spice that gave it just enough kick to get my mouth watering. The ball itself was made of compressed rice surrounding the meat.
“Why do you think Matsuri left?”
“I don’t know, but I doubt that is the last time you will see her. Of that you can be certain.”
“I had a nightmare yesterday. A fox with nine tails told me I should not follow foxes like my friend. Do you think she was right?”
Aoki frowned. “No, I do not, Tobias-san. Dreams are strange things, but yours is a good and noble heart. That is something precious, something which draws good luck. I would not worry, but you tell me if that fox comes back.”
Her words put me at ease. “Thank you, Aoki-san.”
“Anytime, Tobias-san.” She stood again and crossed over to the sink pausing there to glance outside. “Tobias-san, there is a young woman standing at the gate. Come see.”
I rose and crossed to the window. It was Michiko! She waved to me, and I felt my cheeks suddenly flush as I waved back.
“Go and see her, Tobias-san!” Aoki chuckled.
My heart was hammering as I opened the door, and there she was standing on our stoop.
“Hello, Tobias-san. I hope you do not mind me coming here. I thought maybe we could go for a little meal in town. I know you do not like raw fish, but I know a sushi place that serves wonderful teppanyaki.”
“Sure, why not?” I smiled and took her hand. Behind me, I heard the door close and caught sight of Aoki winking at me from the kitchen window.
“Are you ready to go, Tobias-san?” Michiko asked squeezing my hand and giving me a kiss on my cheek.
“I sure am.”
As we passed into the street, I caught the shadowy white figure of a fox watching me from afar with bright amber yellow eyes. In that moment, I felt certain that this was only the beginning of a greater journey into the unknown beyond my newly opened gateway.
I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
ENDNOTES
[1] Silly boy, you come all the way here not being able to speak Japanese?
[2] Mr. Sato! Hello, it’s been too long!
[3] Jomei, the boys have arrived with Sato-san!
[4] I see them, woman! Calm down.
[5] Maeda Private Elementary School
[6] Hello, children, and good morning. You may be seated.
[7] Chikako-chan, that is quite enough! Give the other children a chance to ask their own questions!
[8] Chikako-chan, please move over a little.
[9] Well, Michiko-san?
[10] He was trying to learn Japanese, Maeda-san.
[11] What? Really?
[12] Yes, his method was very unorthodox, Maeda-san, but the children wanted to learn.I think he can learn as they do.
[13] Michiko won’t worry. I’m better at directions than she is!
[14] There you are, Chikako-chan! I have been worried sick!
[15] I am sorry, Michiko-san. I forgot my lunch pail upstairs.
[16] Welcome!
[17] He’s quite the outrageous young man!
[18] He’s asking the children to teach him Japanese!
[19] Eh, typical gaijin. Trying to learn to be Japanese!
[20] That’s enough! You are cowards to speak about Tobias-san as if he is not here!
[21] I wouldn’t want to make a bad impression on our young prodigy.
[22] Jomei-san, the stove has gone out again!
[23] Chikako-chan, why don’t you go out to the playground? This is no place for children.
[24] Now children, stay together. Each of you will receive a pass, so be sure to keep it close or you will not get inside.
[25] Patience, children. We are coming up next. Tobias-sensei and I shall follow you.
[26] Can we eat lunch with you, Tobias-Sensei?
[27] I’ll be here too, Tobias-sensei!
[28] Fresh fish, fresh fish here!
[29] Back, demon of jealousy! You are not welcome within this city!
[30] Don’t test me. Get away from the boy!
[31] You saw me, big sister?
[32] Will not!
[33] Well, I don’t lead a gaijin around like a string toy.
[34] Come on, stop!
[35] All right, Aya-chan.
[36] He certainly is nervous with us around.
[37] Do you sense that, Sister?
[38] It is the demon again, little one.
[39] This way!
[40] It’s bad enough when sister tells me.
[41] I warned you not to trespass in these territories twice before, Demon. You should have stayed back in the mountains.
[42] Damned fox! This is my food!
[43] You won’t chase me away again! This time, you die!
[44] I’ve got you, nasty fox!
[45] Let them go!
[46] Oh what a frightful little thing!
[47] Are you going to beat me up?
[48] You are safe, but do not move.
[49] No, I am here!
[50] He stares like an anxious koi, Matsuri-chan.
[51] Forgive him. He’s just a foreign boy.
[52] These bones will need a good time to heal.
[53] Where is that boy with the clean water?
[54] Ah, there you are! Hurry over here with that fresh water. We have much work to do.
[55] You did well, child. Now sit and watch carefully.
[56] I hope you are feeling all better!
[57] It is my fault the Gaijin got hurt.
[58] I do not wish to impose, but could you watch my sister while I return the Gaijin home?
[59] I am in your debt, Haro-san.
[60] Not at all, Matsuri-chan.
[61] Tobias-sensei has crutches!
[62] Good morning, Sensei!
[63] Where is Michiko?
[64] Is it serious?
[65] Hey! Where did it go?
[66] No, thank you, Sensei!
[67] Goodbye, Tobias-sensei!
Kitsune Matsuri: The Open Gateway Page 16
