The blue, purple, and pink sky filled my eyes with wonder as the sun sets.

 “It’s sunset, come back to the house, Mio!” Mother shouted. Through the tall grasses of the farm, I made my way to the house. I spotted Father and my sister, Rin, praying near our grandmother’s graveyard. 

“Mio! You were supposed to pray five minutes ago! What were you doing?” my mother demanded. I stuttered as I tried to speak. My father was as soft and gentle as the cherry blossoms that bloom during the spring. On the other hand, my mother was sometimes harsh when she would be furious. It would be disrespectful to ignore, so I responded, 

“Remembering grandmother, as she would twirl during the sunsets.” My mother stood there silently. I could see her eyes sparkle with tears. She wiped her eyes as she called Father and my sister, Rin. Legend has it that ten minutes after sunset, no one should be outside. If someone were to break the rule they could be consumed by an evil spirit. My mother is the strict type that respects the laws of the spirits, and so do Rin and Father.

It was dinner time and I helped Mother set the table. We sat down and said our prayers. Before we had the chance to pick up one grain of rice, we heard a familiar scream. Father’s eyes widened. 

“Brother!” he yelled out. Mother started to worry. Rin looked and me, and I looked back in confusion. We all followed Father to the doorstep. I noticed as a tear rolled down his eyes. I peeked outside to see blood and my uncle’s head roll down to the first step of our door. A mysterious shadow returned to the forest.

 “Hiachisukusama.” Mother whispered.

Father remained on the doorstep. Mother tried to comfort him and urge him to return to the house, but he refused. I could notice his tremendous loss. Tears kept falling. 

“Come on Rin and Mio. Give your father space.”  Rio and Mother returned to the house, but I wanted to comfort Father. I walked over next to Father and sat down next to him. I knew whatever I said couldn’t change anything. Why did Japan have to have these rules? Having all these spirits attack once in a while? I decided to no longer wait and see who was actually behind all this- I still refuse to believe in spirits. I figured if I would tell Mother and Father they would disapprove of me venturing into the woods, alone. I didn’t want anyone to know, and no one to come along. I would risk their lives if  I made a mistake or lure the murderer to us. 

“You know, Mio.” Father started, “These cherry blossom trees weren’t around for long, and neither was this family in this area. The cherry blossom trees adapt to nature, like us. Whichever spirit committed this sin, made my brother adapt to his death quickly and painfully.” Father’s words sounded soothing, yet why would he mention such a thing? It got darker as the sun was out of sight. Father stood up and headed back to the house as I followed him along. Before I would set foot inside my house, someone whispered to my ear, but it sounded like a voice inside my head. 

“Mio. Would you want the truth? Meet me ten minutes after the sun sets. Be forewarned, you must be alone.” The voice disappeared as I turned around. My heart pounded like a hammer in my chest. My vision got worse. I felt dizzy. Who was that? It couldn’t be a human. If so, where did they disappear to? My curious mind wondered of such possibilities that my mind could no longer contain. 

“Mio! Return to the house immediately!” Mother yelled. I decided to no longer wait out. I returned to the house and shut the door. Mother awaited me with a look. It remained silent for a while. 

“Mio. I admire your curiosity for nature, but sometimes you could get carried away. Sit at the table, now.” Mother’s words sounded gentle for the first few seconds she spoke but got stronger as she finished speaking. I put my head down and headed for the table. As embarrassed as I was, Rin and Father looked rather disappointed in me, but I refused to pay attention to that. I still hoped that I could figure out who committed this crime. 

I helped Rin and Mother clear the table once again. Father looked out the window, wondering what he should do with his brother’s head. That was one of the mysteries.