“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” said Toshiya hoping to change Kaoru’s mind.
“Positive,” answered Kaoru. “You guys go have fun. I’m too tired to be happy.”
“We can bring some souvenirs if you want,” said Die.
“Just don’t buy any chili peppers,” said Kaoru.
“Chili peppers? Why would I do that? Iwate’s not even known for chili peppers,” said Die.
“Kaoru, I think you’re going insane staying cooped up in a room. Go take a breather with us and get your mind off of things. Even Shinya is coming with us,” said Toshiya.
“It’s fine, guys. You guys deserve some time off. Just make sure you all come back for dinner,” said Kaoru.
“Ok Dad,” teased Toshiya.
The three walked to the nearest train station to take the JR line. The air controlled doors let out a small hiss. The train was fairly empty when they boarded. Only the soft hum of the moving vehicle accompanied on their journey.
“So where are we off to first,” asked Toshiya.
“I think we should check out Chuson-ji Temple. There’s a lot of other things nearby to check out within walking distance,” suggested Die.
“Do you think we will have time to check out Motsu-ji Temple as well?” said Toshiya.
“It depends on how long we will stay at Chuson-ji Temple. What do you think, Shin-chan?” said Die.
“I’m only here for the limited edition Cheburashka goods,” said Shinya.
At Chuson-ji Temple, the air was crisp. Unlike the densely populated Tokyo, it was vast in emptiness. The serene waters of the famed garden were perfectly still mirroring the autumn trees across the temple. In the distant mountains, there were echoes of the cackling cries of birds. With the sparse amount of tourists on the temple grounds, one’s breathing would be in sync with the relaxing rhythm of nature. The sound of crunching gravel under the walking feet came to a halt when met with the ringing of the ancient temple bell. Somber and ominous, the empowering sound rang in the air. The three musicians stood still and absorbed the atmosphere.
“You know, I think this is more of Kyo’s kind of thing,” said Die.
Indeed, Kyo would have enjoyed it the most. A proud resident of his hometown, Kyoto temples are something not to be missed. The Golden Hall was a dazzling spectacle of venerable Buddhas lined up one against each other. The calm faces each held a peaceful smile and their slender hands held graceful gestures. Even in the dim lighting, the Buddhas shone radiantly. Under careful inspection, the details of the Golden Hall came to life. Every bit of floor, ceiling, and wall was covered in gold leaf. The spectacular intricacies were befitting of a national treasure from the the patterns on the thick pillars to the golden peacocks below the Buddhas.
After touring the museum and noh theater, the band took transit to the Takadachi Gikeido. The stone steps led them to the stone plaque and memorial of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
“We have one seriously cultured tour today,” said Toshiya as he panted up the steps.
The tiny shrine stood plainly among the trees.
“At least we got a nice view,” Die pointed out.
Out in the distance was the Kitakami River and its dark mountains swallowed in mist.
“Poor Yoshitsune,” said Shinya as he read the plaque. “To be betrayed by the local Fujiwara lord right where he thought he would be safest here.”
“Nevermind the depressing history. We should focus on something else than betrayal and death,” said Toshiya. “We can still make it in time to visit Geibikei Gorge.”
“I don’t know. Isn’t it kind of far from here? We don’t have too much time left for today,” said Die.
Shinya pulled out the map. “If we take this train, we should be able to make it there and back at the inn before nightfall.”
“Is it worth visiting?” asked Die.
“You get to throw special stones,” said Toshiya.
“Alright, I’m in,” said Die.
Tall and jagged, the gray rocks of the gorge towered majestically over them as they sat in the raft. Carried by the voice of their rower, the raft drifted placidly over the shallow waters. When it finally hit shore, Die was the first to leap off. Shinya smiled seeing that the guitarist was genuinely happy since the terrible ordeal. Toshiya was also excited to take off after Die.
A little old lady sat by a wooden box. In the box were wooden pieces carved with kanji characters.
“So where do I get to throw stuff?” asked Die.
“It’s a marketing gimmick here. If you get to throw one of your stones into that large hole across the water, your wish will come true,” explained Toshiya.
“Hmm. Let’s see what stones they got,” said Die.
“You just want to show off your throwing skills. I bet you can’t even make it across the waters,” teased Toshiya.
Die smirked. “Oh yeah? Let’s have a contest then.”
“I’m joining too,” said Shinya.
Toshiya smiled. “I didn’t expect you, too.”
“Don’t underestimate these muscles,” said Shinya pointing at his thin arms.
Among the many different stones, Die picked “luck” for all five of his. Toshiya picked 3 “luck” stones and two “prosperity” stones. Shinya who spent the most time thinking picked “luck”, “prosperity”, “longevity”, “bonds”, and “love”.
“Is Shin-chan looking for some love in his life?” sniggered Die.
“Shut up, Die. I saw you staring at those ‘love’ stones for a long time,” defended Shinya.
“What!” said Die who was now a bit flustered. “That wasn’t me. It was Toshiya.”
“Eh?!” said Toshiya in surprise. “Don’t blame it on me. Just admit it that you were looking for love in your life too.”
Die puffed out his cheeks just like a little child would. He gripped his stones tightly and blurted. “I’m going first!” With all his might, he flung the wooden piece across the water. To his dismay, the piece hit the stone wall and fell into the river with a kerplunk.
“That one’s just a warmup.”
Toshiya raised his eyebrows and smiled. Stone by stone, they each sank to the bottom of the river. So much for good luck.
“Watch and learn from someone who actually has skills,” said Toshiya.
He flexed his biceps and threw the first stone. It hit the wall and met its fate in the river. By the very end, Toshiya’s stones also joined Die’s at the very bottom of the river.
“So much for luck and prosperity,” said Toshiya shrugging his shoulders.
“All hope rests on you, Shin-chan, except I don’t have much faith in you as well,” said Die.
“I will definitely get one in. mark my words,” said Shinya.
In Shinya’s palm were five different for five different goals. Shinya decided to throw “prosperity” first. In a swift motion, he plunged the stone forward. To everyone’s disappointment, the projectile flew straight into the water. Shinya wrinkled his brow a bit and continued to throw “love” and “luck”. They, too, went headfirst into the waters.
“Oh my God, where were you aiming?” Die scoffed.
“Shut up and let me concentrate,” said Shinya.
The fourth stone hit the wall close to the hole.
“Maybe fifth time’s a charm,” said Toshiya.
Shinya rubbed his hands together and put all focus into his arm. The wind began to pick up and shake the trees on the rocky cliffs. The red foliage sprinkled onto the clear waters.
Both Toshiya and Die held their breaths in anticipation. It was only a silly contest, but the last two months of vexing trials put their spirits to test. Shinya drew his right arm backwards and pitched the stone into the hole. The hollow sound of a pebble hitting the cave brought Toshiya and Die to life. They cheered loudly surprising the old lady by the box. In that instant, they had realized that all their hopes on a single pebble came so quickly and insignificantly.
“Did it really go in?” asked Die.
“I think it did,” said Shinya in disbelief.
“Are you sure?” asked Toshiya.
“I didn’t see it plop into the waters. You two were watching as well,” said Shinya.
“Shin-chan, you did it!” said Die. He clapped his arms around Shinya’s neck.
Toshiya ruffled Shinya’s long hair. “So what was the last stone carved with?”
“It was ‘bonds’,” replied Shinya.
“Eehh. You should save the best for last,” Die pouted.
“What’s the best in your humble opinion,” Shinya said sarcastically.
“Luck, of course,” said Die.
“Well I think bonds isn’t so bad. We may terrible luck, but bonds is still keeping us together,” said Toshiya.
“If you put it optimistically, I guess bonds is a good choice. I still wish it was ‘luck’ though,” said Die.
“What do you think Kaoru would pick?” Toshiya wondered aloud.
“Without a doubt, he’d pick ‘love’ for all five of them,” said Die. Their roaring laughter echoed in the gorge as the day was came to a close.
*****
BGM: Vanitas by Dir en grey
It's been too depressing for the guys. Time to give them a good day. If you ever go to Japan for sightseeing, where would you do? Or perhaps you have a locale you want to recommend. Leave a vote and a comment below.
