The next morning, the sun was shining brightly.  Everything was ready to welcome the weekend except for the gloomy girl who spent her night reading a book and had a heartbreak she never wanted. Seeing that it was already past her regular preparation time, she hurriedly wore her uniform, combed her tangled hair, put the romantic yet tragic old book in her backpack, and quickly ran down the stairs. Without even eating breakfast, she just greeted her mom, “Good morning! I’m leaving!” before her mom could serve her some nag. 

Even though she had her heart broken, Yumeko had to seize the day. Today was a Saturday, but she had to go to school for her club activity.

Saturday was her most awaited day of the week because she had a lot of spare time reading books. With this in mind, though heartbroken, she looked forward for a brighter day. 

Hakuna matata.

Mrs. Murakami was surprised seeing Yumeko being late and before she could ever ask, Yumeko already explained everything.

“I’m going to do my best for today, too!” Yumeko exclaimed as she quickly started her work. 

She was only thinking about the next possible contents of the book. In a blink of an eye, she finished everything. Mrs. Murakami  saw how unusual she was today but did not bother to ask. 

She was entertained while sitting on her chair looking at Yumeko’s funny unusual movements. She was carrying her book, walking back and forth and toured every corner of the library as if inspecting something. She looked lost in a place she had always been. 

“Do you need a direction in our four cornered-library, Yumeko?” asked Mrs. Murakami. 

“Sensei…” she tirelessly said with persuasion. “Don’t we have a fifth corner where I could read something? I might cry or chuckle out loud, so I need to hide myself. Honestly, I am really curious! A peaceful place, please!”

“There’s an attic in this library, Yumeko. Some books were placed there, too. Use the ladder near the 7th book shelf,” she calmly answered, showing support to the curious young heart.

“I owe you a lot sensei! Thank you! Always! I just want you to know that this place is where I’ll grow into a flower! Your support became my water that pours gently!”

Mrs. Murakami was deeply touched by her words. 

“Sweetheart, bloom beautifully; go on and read more,” she sincerely answered. 

Yumeko went on after leaving a lovely smile as a response to Mrs. Murakami. 

She then arrived in the attic and found a perfect spot. She continued from where she stopped—the first line of the last chapter. The atmosphere started to change as she read on and grasped some of the lines:

—and I was wrong. Sorrows never left.

I wanted to run away with you, escape from this thing that separates us.

But I became so afraid to take risks anymore, for I know I can’t be safe…if it’s not you that I am with.

I already died but I still breathe. I pray for a world where I could freely choose you, over and over.

My man, let’s meet there again one day and let our love flows to infinity.

Receive her love the way it must be. Happy Marriage.

——end.

Yumeko’s eyes were in total shock, tears fell down endlessly. There were more but these words caught her eyes the most.

“These words just struck pain in my heart. Why do I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere,” she said as her voice breaks apart. “Happy endings were impossible in Taisho. How tragic could it be living a life you have no control with,” she continued to comment despite her breaking voice.

Yumeko kindly checked the end cover of the book. Her hands started trembling. She was overwhelmed. It was a photo of a man and woman printed in black and white with a hand-written note below that stated:

Rendezvous of tale: Shibuya River, 1921, K&Y

She started to realize that they could be the ones who wrote the pitiful love tale in the book, 'Taisho Romance'.

"In the present, the author of this surviving and worth-reading book is still unknown, except the photo in the end cover," she discovered.

Yumeko felt the urge to wipe the image, hoping to see it clearly but having blurry eyesight because of the tears that just fell and the photo being too old, it was difficult to see their faces. However,  though she had not really seen the man’s face clearly she was quite certain about something.

“I…” she whispered. “I want to see you,” she said with extreme desire. 

She was swamped by her own emotions. She could not took notice of the woman’s face. It remained vague. She put the book inside her backpack and quickly hurried down the attic as fast as she could, as if she was running out of air. 

“Bye Mrs. Murakami. I’ll be leaving.” 

Yumeko, on her school uniform, headed to Omiya Station Platform (20) to Shibuya. It was 6:10 p.m—almost sunset.

She boarded the train and got off after thirty-eight minutes. While heading to Exit 8, the curious Yumeko instantly opened the map app on her phone, and searched for a location:

'Shibuya River'

It was the address written on the end cover of the book. 

It was an 8-minute walk from Shibuya crossing. Her concentration was set on the map solely.  

“I had to pass this crossing, I see.” 

She took part with the crowd, crossed in green light. She suddenly stopped, her surroundings became fuzzy as her mind.

“Why am I doing this? I must be crazy.” 

“It’s only a mere book. I should go home." 

“But…”

—then the light turned red, the sound of a short yet loud bang was heard. 

At 7:01 in the evening, Yumeko was caught in an accident. She was thrown three meters off the road. 

On August 11th, 2022, Reiwa 4, Yumeko Hosokawa, a 16 year old girl, died at that night.

***

It was summer time, a season to celebrate the blue skies and fresh air. It was morning. The sound from the singing cicadas and wind approaching from the outside of the window came in to a room where a girl was lying in bed deep slumbered in her sweet dreams. She looked like as if she had not had sleep in a short while. It was already past her usual wake up time. Being not awake at this hour, a girl in kimono, who was outside the door waiting for her to wake up, was already worried. So then she barged into the room and gently woke her up. But the hibernating beauty could not be awaken with such a gentle way, thus, she shouted as if it was her last breath,

“Lady Yumeko, it’s already morning!”

——TAISHO 10——

August 11th, 1921

Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

To be continued.

End Notes for Chapters 1, 2, and 3

Koto - a Japanese wind instrument developed in 16th century, the national instrument of Japan

Dango - a Japanese sweets made from rice flour, usually has three colors; pink, white, and green

Tanabata - a Japanese festival celebrated every 7th of July, also known as the Star Festival--it celebrates the meeting of Japan’s two deities; Hikoboshi and Orihime

Taisho (1912-1926) - was the period following Meiji period. Taisho was followed by Showa period. The era changes when the emperor changes, too

Taisho 10 - the year 1921 was the 10th year of Taisho

Reiwa 4 (2022) - the fourth and the current year of Reiwa period