There has been a particular urban legend that haunted the innocent women of the Matsuryoku Town whenever the full moon ascended. 

Among all of the disturbing legends that haunted the town, a wandering ghost known as 'Kiri no Tsujigiri' was most feared.

He appears only when the town is empty to sneak behind lonely maidens to ask them a question, offering two Higanbanas to choose from;

One is blue. The other, red.

If you choose the red Higanbana, you have declined his question, and your fate will be met by his katana before abandoning you in a bloody mess.

If you choose the blue Higanbana, he will attempt to take you to the ghost realm by suffocating you until your skin turns as blue as the flower.

There is a way to avoid either fate. Should you simply refuse to answer, not touch his flowers, and pretend as if he weren't there, he too will pass you by.

However, as cruel as Kiri no Tsujigiri's heart was, as the never-ending winter, any maiden who left his question unanswered would be bound to fall into a pit of insanity.

Even death.

The townspeople were led to believe that the tsujigiri had sought to offer a human sacrifice to a vengeful death god known as the 'Shinigami King', whose wrath was said to have resulted in the endless winter that stripped the town of spring and summer for many decades.

Only death, fear, and despair await the future of this town.

Nevertheless, not all hope was lost when the people discovered a way to bring peace to this pitiful place; they must offer a bride to the Urami Shrine, where the Shinigami King, the alleged master of Kiri no Tsujigiri, was worshipped and devoted.

Thus, a sacred ceremony became a tradition of the town. It was a way to stop the deaths of women and the terror of Kiri no Tsujigiri for the rest of the year.

A prophesied maiden would be chosen as the bride and must dance in the blistering cold through midnight until she passes out in exhaustion, before surrendering to a painless execution.

Every ceremony, priests and shrine maidens, no matter how few, would gather to be granted a month free from the ronin's murders before he returns at the dawn of a new year.

That is the legend of the ghostly tsujigiri-the henchman of the Shinigami King.

I repeat the legend to myself as the first thing to do each morning, almost so that the others have begun to consider me extremely devoted to my role as the head maiden of the Urami Shrine.

This has been a part of my routine ever since I arrived here a year ago. Supposedly, all head shrine maidens should be devoted to their duties. Then again, being devoted wasn't the case.

"Reading that again, Mira-chan? The sun still hasn't even been up."

I flinched from the tender voice of my roommate before letting out a deep breath as I closed her journal of urban legends she lent me.

She loved to journal about the strange things in this town. Maybe I was too absorbed in the pages, I didn't even notice the door slide open.

"You remember what happened a month ago, Ayumi-san. When . . ."

"Yes, when Michiko was killed by the Tsujigiri."

"And the ceremony will happen tonight, too . . . " I sighed and placed the book on the wooden floor next to my futon.

"Aren't you worried about what's about to happen?"

"It's a bit too early-and cold-to get worried, Mira-chan. If you're so worried about it, why don't we ask Hayashi-san?" Ayumi walked into the room and came to me with a piece of paper and a coin in her hand.

On the floor, the paper had Hiragana characters written on it. She then placed her finger on the coin as I stared at the paper with intent.

"Are you seriously asking a ghost about the ceremony?"

"It won't hurt to try. All we're going to ask is a harmless question. It's not like he'll randomly possess someone so early in the morning."

Typical Ayumi. She enjoyed fixating on occult stuff like this and would drag me along to her interests. It never bothered me, though. I find it fun to learn things with her.

Hayashi-san was one of the older urban legends known in this town, and quite the least violent one.

To summon him, you would need a paper with written Hiragana characters and a coin, chant his name, and he would move the coin to spell out the characters as long as your index finger is on it.

They say that he can answer anything, even tell the date and time of your death should you ask.

But once you let go of the coin, he will start to haunt you until you die on the exact date and time of your supposed death. 

Ayumi began to chant, "Hayashi-san, Hayashi-san, Hayashi-san . . . I summon you, for I seek answers . . ."

"Uhm . . ."

Silence. The coin sat still on the paper.

"Maybe Hayashi-san's in a ritual with someone else?" I spoke, letting a nervous chuckle escape my lips.

"You think so?"

"Well, he used to be pretty popular, I've heard. Perhaps people in the capital are chanting him-"

The coin started moving!

"He's here!" Ayumi's eyes sparkled.

"What?! But that's impossible! I mean, no one performs the ritual as much these days, right? It stopped working a decade ago!" I stammered.

"You know something. Hold on. He's saying something . . . " Ayumi's expression turned serious as she began to fixate on the moving coin.

Is she for real?! She began to carefully decipher the characters as the coin shifted from one character to another.

"He says, 'Yes . . . The ceremony . . . will go . . . well.' There you go!" Ayumi beamed with pride.

"Hey! You're making it all up! That wasn't Hayashi-san at all!"

Ayumi chuckled in response, admitting to her act as she let go of the coin. It honestly made me laugh as well.

"But he could be. Listen, tonight will go smoothly as planned, and I know nobody else can do it but you." 

Ayumi released a cheerful hum as if what she said didn't involve-

"Don't forget! You promised you'd treat me with a nice stroll around town and a taiyaki today. Breakfast's done, so stop being a worrywart and start getting dressed. Or else, Hayashi-san would haunt you!"

I nodded at her teasing remarks as she took the paper and coin. She left the room and slid the door closed. The sound of her footsteps made a creaking noise from the floor as she climbed her way down the stairs.

She's right. She's totally right.

It's too early for me to be a worrywart and cry and weep.

All I could focus on now was to spend as much time with Ayumi, complete a few shrine duties before escorting her down the aisle towards her destined marriage with the Shinigami King.

And as her executioner.

❁

Dressed in thick layers of robes enough to keep me warm from the cold, the sun rose after I finished breakfast with Ayumi.

We began our early stroll around the dull town-filled with people preparing decorations, lanterns, and talismans for the ceremony.

As written in one of Ayumi's journals about this town's history, it is said that talismans protect the town as long as it's bright. That's why people are allowed to go out and about.

Whenever night comes, the talismans deactivate, and the townspeople start getting wary of ghosts. That's why the town is always empty at night. I didn't believe it at first until the night when Michiko was killed.

Many ghost sightings have been reported to have occurred only at night. Though it still made me doubt if these talismans actually work.

Once the townspeople noticed Ayumi, they immediately smiled and greeted her as if it were an ordinary and splendid day, "Good morning, Ayumi!"

"Out for a morning stroll, Ayumi-chan?"

"Ayumi! Good luck tonight!"

Ayumi returned their greetings with the brightest smile and the prettiest laugh ever, "Thanks a lot! I'll miss everyone!"

It's early yet she's already brimming with energy and bliss. If only there were spring, Ayumi's beauty would be enhanced, turning her more charming than she already is. I feel embarrassed just walking beside her.

Frequenting the shrine, I have rarely gone out for a stroll since the day I arrived here-

"Hahahah!"

A small group of children laughed before scattering out of sight when I turned around to look, before feeling the sensation of a small rock hitting my back. I could only sigh as Ayumi gave them a furious glare.

People here barely know who I am and rarely greet me, let alone acknowledge my existence. Some would avoid me because of my eyes.

It was humiliating. Children would make haunting stories about me like I was a ghost myself.

There was a story about me being the ghost of winter. That the longer I lived, the longer this eternal winter plagues the town.

When people talk to me or even look at me, they'd freeze to death.

It's fascinating, actually. Children make up the most interesting stories. I also wouldn't bother to notice me when I'm someone so creepy and isolated. Can't blame them.

After all, I was sent to Kyoto for shrine training the moment I was born here. My elders would say that my eyes were proof that I possess sacred blood, that I was meant to be the head priestess of Urami Shrine, which I didn't really take seriously till now.

I should appreciate the reason why the people are greeting Ayumi and pretending I don't exist like this.

"Look, Mira!" A small pink petal landed on Ayumi's palm.

"Sakuras are in bloom! Looks like they're being tested for the atmosphere."

More petals scatter around the center of the town, mixing well with the snowflakes, making the season like a breathtaking fusion of winter and spring.

Of course, those aren't real sakura petals, but only fakes made from thin pink fabric cut and trimmed into the shape of petals.

Not only did it serve to comfort those who yearned for the presence of spring, but it also made the town look more presentable and brighter.

Yet I can't help but feel sad about it. The ceremony had become a part of the townspeople's lives that they rarely even mourn the loss of the previous sacrificial brides and victims, like my good friend Michiko.

Right. I would feel this way. I've spent the majority of my life in Kyoto. Everything here, especially the ceremony, would not be considered abnormal in the other places of the capital.

Ayumi spoke with a gentle tone, "You know. These remind me of you, Mira."

"Really? But . . . "

Sakura fits girls like Ayumi a whole lot more. If anything, I guess I'm more like the snow. Always there, cold and lingering. Kind of a burden, really.

Huh. That sounded kind of poetic.

"I've written about these in one of my journals. It turns out that sakuras resemble new opportunities, change, and femininity."

"I see. But what does all that have to do with me?"

Ayumi flashes a gentle smile before letting the fabric petal get blown by the wind.

"I bet you will bring a good change in this town someday."

I rubbed my chin in thought, "Let me guess. Did Hayashi-san tell you that?"

She chuckled, "If I were Hayashi-san, I would also tell myself that about you. I don't know, I just can tell."

We watched as the petal flew away from our sight. Ayumi's dark hair breezed. I wanted to laugh at her statement, but instead I looked down.

Change . . . It felt like a word meant for someone warmer. Someone like Ayumi, who saw fake petals for real ones. This is a place bound to be frozen by the eternal winter.

A place haunted by ghosts and urban legends. And I'm just a person. It's not like I've got superpowers like the deities and legends. Nothing good will come out of anything but endless winter and suffering.

Oh, stop it, Mirai. Ayumi only said that out of pity. She has it way harder. After all, she's going to . . .

. . . Where is everyone?

The town turned silent. When I lifted my head, no one was in sight. A second ago, this area was bustling with people and children assembling and putting on decorations.

The sakura petals are gone, and only snowflakes remain.

Where's Ayumi?

Time felt frozen and still. I felt nauseous and my vision was hazy, but my body was still, frozen rather, and I felt like I was about to faint.

A metallic stench filled my nostrils when I heard footsteps slowly approaching from behind me. I tried to turn, but I couldn't move my body.

I can't feel anything but my breathing, and my heartbeat has been pounding faster than I've ever felt in my life.

I'm stuck. It didn't feel like this body was mine.

"Will you marry the Shinigami King?"

A tall shadow cast over me, and spoke with a sharp and threatening tone. 

Breath as deathly cold as the snow breeze faintly brushed against the back of my neck. My vision became colorless, making the town appear more haunted than it already is.

This is impossible.

Talismans work only during the day! There aren't supposed to be ghosts around at this hour!

A pale, slender hand wrapped with bandages lifted in front of me. Fingers holding the stems of two Higanbanas.

One is blue, and the other red.

"I'll ask again . . ." He chuckled before shoving the flowers slightly firmly towards me. "Will you marry the Shinigami King?"

My arm started lifting itself as if I were controlled like a puppet. The song! I could chant the song! But I can't even speak, let alone open my mouth.

This was the perfect opportunity, and I'm wasting it away!

My fingers flexed, slowly making their way toward the flowers.

Was this why most of the victims ended up getting mangled to death?! I tried to control my hand with as much force as I could to pull it away from the flowers.

Stop! Don't choose either! I swear, I will-

"Mira-chan!"

I blinked and found Ayumi running towards me with her usual smile, holding two folded napkins. There were people again, and the bustling noise faded back into my ears.

"Stop, Ayumi!" Oh. I can speak now!

I spun around- No! He's..!

"Uhm . . . Mira? What's the matter?"

"Ah, Ayumi!" I switched back to her, feeling the cold beads of sweat roll down my temples.

Was it only my imagination? No. I felt that.

"It's...! He's..!" 

Stop, Mirai. I shouldn't bring Kiri no Tsujigiri up on her last day of living. I bit my tongue and pressed my lips together to swallow the words. It'd be a huge problem if Kiri no Tsujigiri ruined the ceremony.

"Here." Ayumi thrust a wrapped taiyaki towards me, which made me frown.

"Ayumi-san . . . I was supposed to treat you."

She simply smiled at my words-it never failed to make me melt.

"I know, but . . ." She sighed and lifted my hand, placing the taiyaki on my palm.

"Since we won't be meeting much anymore, I figured it felt right if I treated you to something for the last time. Think of this as a remembrance. I don't think I'll be able to do this again after the ceremony."

At that, I slowly and carefully took a bite of the taiyaki, savoring each second and breath she took in front of me. The taste of the brown filling was warm despite the season, so sweet and quite sour. 

Ayumi has always had a sweet tooth, and this taiyaki would be the last sweet thing she'll ever eat.

Death in Matsuryoku isn't quiet. It grabs you by the throat and drags you down, even when you're not ready to fall. I hated the way death always felt cold here.

Like snow settling in my throat. I hated how everyone made peace with it, even when it stole the freedom of others.

If there was a way . . . If the ghosts wanted something. Anything. I'd give it. If it meant Ayumi could stay.