On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

Sixty-Five

The meal had concluded, everyone satisfied. My father was leaning back on his cushion, another glass of whiskey in his hand, while my mother was talking animatedly to Shaeula and Aiko, waving her hands around. “… you know, I always thought that Aki would get married to Eri-chan, since they were always close as kids, but now a strong new rival has arrived. Shaeula, dear, can you tell me more about yourself, if you are going to join the family…”

“Mom, you are embarrassing Eri-chan…” Aiko hissed, looking at her friend who was hiding her red face with her hands.

Yeah, mom still can’t handle her drink, unlike father. Ironic, considering British people were supposed to be far better drinkers than the Japanese… I eyed the beer cans lying empty beside her. Never mind embarrassing Eri-chan, I’m feeling pretty shamed myself… having my mother insisting to their faces they should be my romantic partner must have been torture for the poor girls, it certainly was for me!

As I tried to think of a tactful way to stop her, my father spoke. “So, son. I think we have something else to discuss.” He sounded serious, so I unconsciously sat up straight.

“Yes father?”

“Aiko now has her passport, as you suggested, but just where were you planning to take her? If it is a business trip, it is surely unprofessional to have family along. If you are now finally reaping the benefits of your hard work, it would be a shame to spoil it now, would it not?”

At his firm advice everyone else had stopped talking, merely looking at me in silence. Well, all except Shaeula, who is ignoring the mood and is still drinking…

“Well, yes it is business. Shaeula and I have some tasks to complete, though it should still leave plenty of time for leisure. But you know, I thought I’d be a good chance for Aiko to see what travelling abroad is like, since it isn’t like we’ve had much opportunity unfortunately.”

At that Aiko raced over and pulled me into a hug. “Thanks big bro. you’re the best brother a girl could want.”

“I know I am, but please… get off…” I flushed as I pushed away my clingy sister, who chuckled and told me to not be so embarrassed.

“But that still hasn’t told us where we are going, big bro. Okinawa or somewhere similar I’m guessing?”

“Well actually… Las Vegas. You know, the USA?”

At that everyone went silent, and Aiko’s face fell, Eri-chan suddenly looking as if she was going to burst into tears. The hell? I don’t get it…

Shaeula, once more not reading the atmosphere, frowned. “Is there something wrong with this Las Vegas-Vegas? Everyone seems rather downcast.”

“it’s not that, dear.” My mom said to Shaeula. “Las Vegas isn’t… exactly cheap, you know.”

“Wow, Yeah…” My sister said mournfully. “Sorry big bro, but I thought that I could talk you into taking Eri-chan along. We used to go on trips together as a family all the time before you moved to Tokyo, so I thought I’d be really nice if she could come with us, just like old times… but…” she trailed off, and Eri-chan took over.

“I’m sorry big brother. It was selfish of me. I can’t afford such a trip…”

Ugh, this atmosphere, it was supposed to be a happy reveal… I was silent as I considered the options. I could certainly spare the cash, my luck on the train ride in alone would more than cover it with significant spare funds, but would it be appropriate to travel with Eri-chan, considering she was a young girl not yet out of school…

Seeing my silence everyone else grew more despondent, my father shaking his head, my mother patting Eri-chan on the shoulder comfortingly.

“I fail to see the issue here-here.” Shaeula broke in again, reaching for the nearly empty bottle of whiskey. As she poured herself another glass she grinned. “Akio here can easily support the cost. Such matters are trivial to him-him. I for one see no problem in having Eri accompany us.”

“Really, it’ll really be fine big bro?” Aiko was giving me puppy-dog eyes, the look of hope in them almost painful.

“Yeah, why not, whatever. I can amend the reservations I’ve made and book the flights. I guess it would be good to have Eri-chan there so Aiko isn’t causing trouble all alone…” I mean, I would have invited Eri-chan were it not for the fact that she’s of an age where being out unsupervised with a guy, even one as gentlemanly as me, really isn’t appropriate… But since everyone seems to think it’s not an issue…

“Wow, rude much! I never cause trouble!” Aiko pouted, a broad grin across her face.

“Are you really sure?” Eri-chan asked, and I reassured her.

“Don’t worry about it. If I couldn’t do it I’d say so. Like my troublesome sister said, we always used to go to the beach together when we were young, right? Besides, you’ve never been abroad either, have you? You might as well make the most of this chance.”

“Ohohoho, and just where is our invite? Or do you only want the young and cute with you? I smell a Las Vegas wedding in the air!” my mother interjected slyly.

As Eri-chan went bright red yet again, hiding her face, I looked at my mother with exasperation. “Come on mom. You lived abroad for years, and father travelled for work. Aiko and Eri-chan haven’t been out of Japan, and I barely remember my childhood in Britain. Maybe next year we can all go together, if things are still going well for me?”

“Are you really sure about this?” My father asked again, and I met his steely gaze.

“I am. I work to make money to look after my family, don’t I? Now that work is finally paying off, we might as well enjoy it.”

“You hear that Eri-chan?” Aiko was extremely excited. “Wow. We are off to America. USA woooooo! We have so much to pack. We’ll have to buy stuff too. Wow, I hope we have enough money. Your parents’ll be okay with this right…”

As Aiko overran Eri-chan with her enthusiasm, my father proceeded to lecture me about not letting fun interfere with my work and lose the momentum I’d built up, as well as making sure to keep my sister, Eri-chan and Shaeula out of trouble. I nodded along, agreeing.

Once everything had settled down, I looked out the window. The sun was dipping below the horizon, the evening drawing in.

“That reminds me. It’s time to go visit the shrine. You coming, Shaeula?”

As Shaeula went to stand, Aiko grabbed her arm. “Oh no you don’t. You can go alone big bro, Shaeula is going to stay here with me and Eri-chan. We’ll have a nice long girls talk, all right?”

“If Akio is fine with that-that, I would be happy to stay and talk with you.” she acquiesced.

“Fair enough. I can handle our business myself.”

“All right then. Come on Shaeula, Eri-chan. Let’s have a bath first and then get ready for a fun night of games and chatting! No sleep until dawn!” she looked at me one last time. “Oh, and no flirting with young girls, okay big bro? When you have two flowers waiting for you here, picking more is really bad!”

I waved away her inane comments and headed out, leaving our small house and heading out into the hot evening, listening to the quiet noises of the rural wilds, cicadas chirping and leaves rustling in the wind. It didn’t take me too long to reach the shrine, which was further up the mountain from the side street where we lived. The Torii gate was faded, the ceremonial ropes looking tired and frayed, and the two statues of the kami of the shrine were as worn as I remembered.

Ugh, I hate dogs. I’ve never really got over that time one attacked Eri-chan and Aiko. No-one ever did own up to whose dog it was… it was pretty big and well-fed for a stray… reminiscing about the past I reflexively touched my abdomen, where a set of faded scars remained where the wild dog had mauled me as I tried to fight it off, shielding Eri-chan and my sister from harm. There had been blood everywhere and Eri-chan was hysterical. Still, I remember standing tall and smiling as if it didn’t hurt, reassuring them both everything was okay. Thinking about it, that was probably the most heroic I’ve ever been until recently… damn, after it ran off we never did see that dog again…

Putting aside those memories I mounted the steps, passing under the arch to Chairoakitara shrine, dedicated to the brown dog of the mountains. As I crested the steps, pleased at no longer feeling out of breath like I used to, I came across a young girl sweeping the steps in a shrine maiden outfit, using a traditional bamboo brush. When she saw me she hurried over, her brownish pigtails swinging.

“Good evening, what brings you to our shrine?” she said politely. Her gaze then took me in, and she paused. “Excuse me senior, would you happen to be Oshiro Akio-sama by chance?”

Akio-sama? No thank you! “I am indeed, but please, just call me Akio. No need to be formal. You must be Takeyabashi-san, right? My sister mentioned you. Here, I’ve brought a letter from some of the shrines in Tokyo.” I pulled it out and she nodded when she saw the seal.

“I must be careful to show you the proper respect, senior. I could not use your name so carelessly. If you could follow me, my grandfather is waiting.”

She’s definitely too serious for her age. Cute though, not that I’m into young girls. She’ll be gorgeous when she grows up though I bet… still, that isn’t the issue at hand.

Looking around the temple grounds, which would be cleaned up by everyone tomorrow morning before the afternoon baseball match, in preparation for the festival on Saturday, I remembered many a day spent with Aiko and Eri-chan, playing games and eating stall food. It’ll be nice to do it again this year, with Shaeula too.

“Here we are, senior.” Takeyabashi-san said with a bow to me as we reached the main shrine building. “Honoured Grandfather, Oshiro Akio-sama has arrived. Please prepare to receive him.”

Before I could protest at the formality again, she ushered me inside, and I was greeted by an elderly yet still spry man in priest robes. I vaguely remembered him from previous shrine visits. Before I could speak he bowed to me.

“It is an honour to meet the one who will support our shrine in reclaiming lost glories.” He said. Turning to Takeyabashi-san he spoke. “Marika, some tea for our guest. Bring out some sweets too.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to…” I began, but she bowed and hurried off.

“I have heard much from Shirohebizumi shrine about the oracle, and other matters.” The priest said. “I believe you should have a letter for me?”

I handed it over and waited in silence as he read the contents. Takeyabashi-san returned with three steaming mugs of tea, as well as a plate of mochi treats. Kneeling down beside me in seiza she passed me a mug with a polite bow, before taking one herself and blowing on it adorably to cool it.

I absentmindedly munched on a mochi while we waited. Hmm, this isn’t half bad… after taking a few sips of the hot tea, the priest put down the letter and looked at me.

“I see, it is as expected. It has been fifteen-hundred long years, but finally the shrines will rise again.”

“Fifteen-hundred years?” I asked, and the priest explained. Apparently millennia ago the shrines wielded real power, their maidens and priests able to use wonderous abilities, guiding the faithful and communicating with the kami and greater gods. However, over a period of a few hundred years long ago the gods fell silent, and the kami withdrew, having less and less contact with the peoples of Japan. The abilities of the bloodlines of the true shrines (a term I had heard at Shirohebizumi) had also gone into decline, and now only a few had some minor powers, like Kana-chan’s sight, or her father’s flame.

This is strangely similar to the tale Shaeula told of the Seelie and their withdrawal from human lands…

“So, are there many true shrines left?” I asked.

“Not as many as there once were. Those that remain do stay close-knit, and when great events occur that affect the gods we are summoned to a great conclave at Kyoto, site of many of the holiest, most powerful shrines. One has been called, which is no coincidence. No doubt it related to what is written in this letter, the time of great danger, and the rise of heroes.”

Beside me Takeyabashi-san was looking impressed, gazing at me with bright eyes, which made me a little uncomfortable.

“I see. The priests I met at Shirohebizumi shrine thought it would be important for me to be recognised by the shrine of my hometown for the conclave. Would you be open to that?” I asked.

“Of course. It would be in our shrine’s interest as well. There are of course some matters to discuss… such as an oracle. Would it be possible to hear the voice of our kami, as did those of the White Snake?”

“Well it isn’t impossible, but there are issues. I did intend to meet with the kami of this shrine tonight, with my companion Shaeula, and secure his support…”

“You can meet Chairo-sama?” Takeyabashi-san burst out excitedly, before realising what she had done, blushing and covering her mouth with her small hands. I had to laugh.

“If he wants to meet me, then yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem. As for the oracle, it requires quite a chunk of spiritual resources, so right now it isn’t a good time, but as I told the other priests, if all goes well by Christmas I should have a surplus and it’ll be a lot easier.”

“I see.” The priest looked over at the still ripe-red Takeyabashi-san. “And my second request is for Marika to join this study group. She is my only granddaughter who showed any interest in taking on the responsibility of the shrine here. Her sisters follow my daughter-in-law, and only care for secular matters. Such a disappointment. Still, she carries a small gift of spiritual energy within her, minor though it is. She is an eager child, and will not balk at any teaching, no matter how difficult.”

She bowed then in a proper fashion, fingers flat on the floor, her posture impeccable. “Please, Akio-sama. I implore you, allow me to learn the ways of the gods, so I may properly serve Chairo-sama as did my ancestors. I will do anything that is required of me, no matter how difficult it may be!”

Girls really shouldn’t offer to do anything for a guy… still, she really is earnest. But the problem is…

“Well, the teaching itself isn’t a problem, but I am not going to be able to spare the time to come here often, which might make it difficult…”

“Pay it no mind. I will arrange for Marika to lodge at Shirohebizumi shrine, so she can be trained with the other priests and maidens of our alliance. It would not do to have our shrine fall behind. I only ask that you take care of her, as she is unfamiliar with Tokyo or other big cities.”

“Yes Akio-sama, please look after me. I will be no bother, and will follow any instructions you give me.” She said while still bowing. “If I could be granted one boon though, I would dearly like to meet this Shaeula-sama, a kami that walks among us. It would be such an honour.”

“I too would like to meet this mighty being, as well as have a demonstration of the spiritual powers you showed before the other shrines.”

Kami? An honour, mighty being? Shaeula would be proud as hell to hear such praise. It doesn’t quite fit if you ask me, though… “Well, she’s not quite what I’d call a kami, but close enough, I guess. She intends to enjoy the festival at the shrine though, so I’ll make sure to bring her to meet you then. I’m sure she’ll get along with Takeyabashi-san just fine, she likes cute girls…”

“Cute…?” Takeyabashi squeaked. Raising her head she looked at me shyly. “If I am to be under your care, honoured sensei, please call me Marika.”

I nodded. “Okay then Marika-chan.” I switched to a more informal address like she wanted. “If you just want to see a demonstration of aether and wind, I can do that now…”

I spent a while demonstrating some tricks, earning rapt applause from Marika-chan and praise from her grandfather. By the time I returned home it was pitch-black out, the clear night sky shimmering with stars, reminding me of my childhood here, nights spent playing with Eri-chan and my sister, looking up at the skies in wonder…