MOUNTAIN WHISPER
A 6-passenger SUV steadily car at a constant speed of 40 km/h, calmly and comfortably. I was engaged in a conversation with my wife while the dimly lit road stretched ahead of us. We were heading towards Mount Terashiyama, departing from Yamanashi Prefecture, and the journey would take approximately 2 hours.
Today, we were on a vacation to visit my grandmother's house. I managed to take three days off, starting from tomorrow, Wednesday, so that we could enjoy a week-long vacation.
"Darling, did you buy the wine for my father?" I asked, briefly turning my gaze away while keeping my hands on the steering wheel and my eyes on the road.
This morning, before going to work, I reminded her to buy some specialties from Yamanashi.
"Oh, Sunitory and Sadonoya, right? I bought all Red Wine," she replied.
"What about Kikyou Shingen Mochi?"
Kikyou Shingen Mochi is mochi sprinkled with kinako flour (soy flour) and covered with brown sugar. The texture is chewy with a sweet and nutty taste.
"8 boxes," she added. "I also bought health supplements for them."
"Oh yeah, tubers? And... what about mom and dad's favorite seafood?”
Yukiyo nodded. "Squid and sea cucumbers, right?"
"You're a smart wife!"
"Heh, so all this time you thought I was foolish?" she retorted, leaning her right arm against the car window and turning her face away. Meanwhile, her left arm gently caressed her belly, which had grown for the third time.
"Just a little teasing after receiving praise. Can't you take a joke?" I said playfully.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not like a marshmallow that's always soft and sweet," she added. "Besides, can't you see why our rear compartment is full? We're practically stocking up for a whole year!"
"Hehehe, all for you and our child, of course!"
My wife, Yoshigahara Yukiyo, was a pure Japanese woman with straight shoulder-length black hair. She had a calm and humorous demeanor. I married her because Yukiyo was a simple woman with an amazing memory and not rigid.
I had known her for a long time, even after working for 10 years. It's not just because of her physical appearance. Her nose had a slightly pointed shape, resembling a Westerner, and her cheeks would puff up when she got angry. The good thing about it was that I could understand her expressions.
"Yukiyo... if you want something, just ask. Don't hesitate..." I briefly stepped on the brake, then increased the speed because the white sedan in front of us was moving too slowly. I accelerated to overtake it and returned to a steady speed of 40 km/h.
"Why are you suddenly like Santa Claus?"
"Yukiyo... Santa Claus doesn't exist in the autumn..."
Yukiyo didn't answer immediately. It seemed like she knew where our conversation was headed. Meanwhile, I made a right turn for a few seconds.
I just didn't want Yukiyo to worry too much about Kenjiro, our six-month-old unborn baby. I just wanted her to be happy and spirited. I even took time off work because she said she wanted to return to her hometown, Mount Terashiyama, in Takayama.
Now, our car was in a highland area. The branches and leaves of oak trees waved, partially blocking the streetlights. Although I wasn't too worried, our SUV had bright headlights.
It was only 7:40 PM, but the atmosphere was incredibly silent. Occasionally, a car would pass by, but it was a two-lane road after all. I, being able to lower the car window, could feel the gentle and calming breeze. It was as if the mountain was whispering to us.
"Shimei, Machi, what do you want to eat when we arrive at your grandparents' house?" my wife, Yukiyo, suddenly exclaimed with excitement.
Shimei was our eldest son, who was in the third grade of elementary school, while Machi was our daughter, still in first grade. They were both adorable and inherited Yukiyo's calm and humorous nature. They were honest individuals.
"Salmon, Mom!" Shimei replied happily.
Machi also expressed her desire, saying, "Eel!"
Yukiyo and I couldn't remember if we ordered eel or not.
"Machi... besides eel, what else would you like?"
Machi grumbled a bit, but she wasn't the type to throw a tantrum.
"Sea cucumber!" she exclaimed.
"Alright, grilled sea cucumber, then!?"
Even though the chilly mountain wind made us shiver, the warmth of our conversation surpassed that of our wool jackets. We continued chatting until we entered a tunnel. After the tunnel, and at a distance of about 1 km, we would definitely arrive.
"Mom, Shimei, and Machi really miss you and Dad!" Machi said with longing, as if her words alone could convey the embrace of her tiny hands. Yukiyo felt the same way.
Then Shimei chimed in, "That's why we hope Kenjiro will always be healthy and as cute as us!"
Within a few minutes, we arrived at the two-story old house. As we got out of the car, I finally sensed something strange.
My parents had also welcomed us and helped unload our belongings. Within three minutes, all the luggage had been taken out and transferred inside the house.
"Kids, let's go downstairs!" Yukiyo called out, looking towards my SUV with all the doors already open.
It was at that moment when I realized, and Yukiyo started crying again. My parents immediately took Yukiyo, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
For a brief moment, I remained silent, muttering to myself. I began to recall the one thing Yukiyo desperately wanted to forget... The small note. Shimei's failed appendectomy and Machi's weak heart.
I reached for a cigarette and lit it. I exhaled the smoke towards the sky.
"Shimei... Machi... forgive Mom and Dad, my dear children. Thank you for being with us, even if it was for a short time."
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