Side Story 1, Earth: Yuri โ Old Ginza Lady & Fancy Mom
Author:ย ใใฃใฑๅ็๏ผๅ้บป็ขง
Link:ย https://ncode.syosetu.com/n3862be/
Translated by Gumihou
Proofread by Zzonkedd
I am Shizuka Yuri.
In my previous life, I was called the White Sage of the East in another world called Maydea.
Clap, clap, clap!!
On the stage, the three coloured curtains in black, young onion green and persimmon orange closed amidst thunderous applause.ย
After the tea ceremony, I went to the [1] Kabukiza Theatre with my mother and sister to watch [2] <<Kaidan Botan Doro>>.
Along with the <<Yotsuya Kaidan>> and <<Sarayashiki>>, itโs one of Japanโs top three most popular ghost stories. It tells of a female ghost who walks around in wooden clogs making โkarann~ koronn~โ sounds as she visits her beloved night after night.
Mother has been bringing me to watch Kabuki theatre from a young age. Although I was technically young in this world, I am literally an old soul with the sensibilities of an adult. Therefore, I enjoyed these shows from the bottom of my heart and have a real interest in the intricacies that went into their production.
However, my younger sister, Miyaka, looked quite bored.
Well, itโs not unreasonable for her to be bored when surrounded by older people. Moreover, with the formal speech and old ways of performance, it must be quite difficult for her to understand, let alone enjoy.
โShizuka-san[5], Father-san would not be home today. Therefore, letโs have our dinner outside, what shall we have?โ
โBut, Iโm wearing a kimono.โ
โOh my, thatโs fine. We can just send the clothes for dry cleaning later.โ
With a little โfufuโ chuckle, mother slipped her arm around mine andโฆ with aย karan koronย of her geta sandals, she cheerfully clattered ahead, tugging my arm along.
At what age does a son belligerently say to a clinging mother โLet gooooโฆโ, I wonder. Well, I donโt quite know the answer to that.
As we walked through the city, the sound of geta sandals ringing against the night air reminded me of the play we saw earlier.
karan~ koron~
My mother, Aoi Yuri, is rather youthful as a woman with a son my age. Thatโs because she married young.
As far as I could recall, she had always been a neat and tidy woman with a gentle feminine air. As the second daughter of a Chief Priest from a famous temple, she had properly married into a rather prestigious family. Even so, she had remained somewhat playful and informal despite her rather traditional surroundings. An easygoing, somewhat fancy lady born into wealth and married into [3] one with all of the privileges and very few of the responsibilities gave her a uniquely buoyant personality. Which I think is what makes her so charming.
What, do you think I am a normal son?
โElder brother, I want Italian food.โ
โโฆI-Italian? In a kimono?โ
โWell, Iโm in a western outfit.โ
Miyaka is a 3rd Grader of an Elementary School. A rather precocious child who is trying to grow up too quickly. [3] Perhaps in rebellion against her Japanese roots, she seems to believe that Italian food is more fashionable. Whenever we go out to eat, she always wants Italian or French food.
She has no interest in tea ceremonies, flower arrangements or traditional dance lessons. She prefers trendy music and western clothes. Lately, she had been doing her best to learn the piano.
Well, thatโs part of what makes her cute.
โOh my, but mother prefers Japanese food. How about we go for [4] Yuba?โ
โโฆ nooo waayyyyโฆ weโre always eating Japanese food at home. Unless we eat out, I canโt have French or Italian food. Father doesnโt like Western foodโฆโ
โโฆ โฆโ
Mother and Sister continue to argue over what to have for dinner from either side of me.
โWell, Shizuka-san, which would you prefer?โ
โBrother wants Italian too, right?โ
I manage to keep the smile on my face, but I am dripping with cold sweat.
What should I do?
In truth, even though I looked like a 16-year-old schoolboy, having Italian food is rather tough thanks to my mental age. I like Japanese food since they are gentler on the stomach. However, if I say that, my cute little sister will puff up her face and glare at me. So, the words are stuck inside my throatโฆ
Even so, I also cannot betray Motherโs expectations just because Iโm worried about making my little sister unhappy.
โHmmโฆ what should we doโฆ?โ
Is there a way to resolve the matter without hurting either one of them?
I am still pondering over this when I spotted an ominous corner on the main street near the station. Rather than โspotโ, I should say that it is something I cannot overlook.
Magic should not exist in this world, however, this feels like something close to it.
[Old Ginza Lady]
It is obviously a fortune-telling booth, complete with a large crystal on the desk and the signboard. She is currently reading fortunes for a couple.
โOh my, I know that person. I do believe Iโd seen her on TV. Apparently, she is rather good.โ
โWell then, letโs have our fortune read and find out where we should have our dinner tonight.โ
โEeehhhhh~~? Are you serious?โ Miyaka looks taken aback, but I am indeed very serious.
In fact, after thinking about it, she looks intrigued too. Well, well, letโs have a look and see what passes as divination in this world.
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โWhat should we have for dinner tonight?โ
My question must be relatively light for her line of business.
The Old Ginza Lady is an old woman with a large wart on her forehead, a pointy nose and very wide, [1] almost protruding eyes that looked perpetually alarmed. She stares at me for a moment before taking my hand. After looking at my palm, she stares at my face for a long time.
โโฆ hmm?โ
[1] Her technique at least appears to be authentic.
My main goal is to resolve the dinner issue [1] with the help of some lady in possession of some wit and clever sleight of hand. To think that I would encounter the real thing here. Somehow, it made me want to observe this woman a little bit closer.
From either side of me, Mother and Miyaka are watching our interactions with excited eyes.
โโฆyou thereโฆ your nameโฆ?โ
โHmโฆ itโsโฆ Shizuka Yuri.โ
โโฆ โฆโ
The old lady groans to herself in a low voice as she stares intently into her crystal. As though she was staring at some kind of projection, it is honestly a little bit shady.
โโฆ you sir, are under a curseโฆ the shadow of death is upon you. I saw it the moment you arrived.โ
โโฆeh?โ
Eeeeehhhhhh????
Is it normal for fortune-tellers here to immediately declare something like that?!
โOh no!!โ Mother, who completely believe this personโs words, was immediately flustered. With a hand on her cheek, she flutters around a little, unsure of what to do. As for Miyaka, she blinked curiously, asking โShadow of what?โ.
โEven so, there is no need to fear. It is a mere precursor for your new life. You areโฆ a person of many talents, but stifled in many ways, unable to make the most of your skillsโฆ I can see that behind youโฆ are the spirits of a woman and a childโฆโ
karan~ koron~
The sound rang continuously in my ear. It is the sound of geta sandals ringing against the stone pavements. I look behind me suddenly.ย
However, there are only OLs (office ladies) on their way home from work and men in suits clinging to each other moving from one drinking party to another.
โA-are you saying that Shizuka-san will be killed by those spirits?โ Mother is really worried now. โThisโฆ isnโt this exactly like the Peony Lantern play we saw earlier?โ
โNo, no~ the spirits that follow the young man are not evil spirits. They are more like a memory or an obsession the soul hasโฆ causes and affects influence each other and karma is something that goes around and comes around. Therefore, I do not know if their existences are good or bad. Whether they will take you down to the underworld or protect you, all depends on how you perceive them. Wellโฆ itโs best to take more care at any rate.โ
โโฆ โฆโ
You tell me to โtake more careโ but what exactly am I supposed to do?
The Old Ginza Lady, this old fortune-teller, remained silent on the most important part.
โUm, then, Old Ginza Lady-san, do you believe in โpast lifeโ?โ
โโฆ โฆโ
It is only a simple question, why are you looking at me like that?
After a long while of staring, the old fortune-teller lady points at her signboard that says [Old Ginza Lady]. Then, at the much smaller words below those, [Past Life Divination].
โIf that is the case, what do you think of my past life?โ
โโฆ โฆโ
The old lady is staring intently at her crystal again.
โโฆ you were an onmyouji [6]โฆโ
โโฆ heh?โ my voice came out strange.
As for Mother, her reaction was โThatโsโฆ kind of wonderfulโ, a cheerful and optimistic answer [3] as a privileged second daughter of a chief priest. As for Miyaka, she looks like she was getting tired of our conversation and is now studying the amethyst crystals at the corner of the fortune-telling table with some interest.
โBehind you, were not only the spirits of the woman and the child. There are many monsters as well. A parade of a hundred demons! A Hyakki Yako [7]! A great Onmyouji who suppressed monsters, turning them into creatures that serve you instead! An Onmyouji served by a hundred Shikigami [7]!โ
โโฆ?!โ
Th-this old ladyโฆ
I had come to this stall thinking that this old lady must be running some kind a clever con job, but after hearing this, I am convinced that this old ladyโs powers are, regrettably, real. I grab hold of the old ladyโs hands without thinking. I never thought that I would meet someone in this world with such strange powers.
An onmyouji?
Certainly, the powers of the White Sage are similar to those associated with the Japanese โonmyoujiโ, with a rather Westernised spin to it.
โThen, what do you think is good for dinner tonight?โ
โโฆ โฆโ
With a smile on her face, the old lady squeezed my hands back. Without looking at her crystal, she answered casually, โRussian Cuisine.โ
What an excellent answer.
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To be honest, eating Russian food while dressed in a formal kimono outfit is rather surreal.
Even though the place we ended up going to is one of the moderately priced Russian Cuisine restaurants on the upper floors of the train station.
The borscht, piroshki, casserole and a little pot of out-of-season cheese fondue were all delicious. Both Mother and Miyaka appeared satisfied by this choice, so I believe that this is the right answer? Even though our little group sticks out a little in our formal outfits.
โShizuka-san, Shizuka-san, do you have memories of your previous life?โ
โโฆ โฆโ
I nearly spat out the piece of borscht in my mouth at Motherโs sudden question.
โEhโฆ? W-whatโฆ?โ
โDidnโt the old fortune-teller say it just now? That you were anโฆ onmyouji in your past life?โ
โNo, no, no, Iโm sure sheโs just saying something for the sake of itโฆ Although, I must say she sure knows how to spin a good atmosphere. I donโt… recall anything like a previous life.โ
A little agitated, I swallowed the entire content of my glass in one go.
Miyaki is currently absorbed in breaking bread over a pot of cheese sauce.
โThatโs rightโฆ well, I donโt wish to believe that Shizuka-san has the shadow of death eitherโฆโ
The words are a little ominous, but Motherโs tone is still quite carefree.
As for myself, I cannot think of a single thing or person in this world who would want me dead. In short, I cannot imagine how I would die in this [3] peaceful, magicless place. It is completely different from my previous world where I desperately survive hand-in-hand with death.
โโฆ โฆโ
A curseโฆ
For a moment, bits and pieces of my previous life trickle into my mind.
Hair as bright as fresh young leaves, eyes like deep mossy poolsโฆ
The fortune-teller who called herself The Old Ginza Lady struck a lot of points, even if they were just guesses.
If the things she saw were true, thenโฆ the woman and the child who follow me around must be remnants of my memories.
An obsession with the past life.
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โโฆ Mother, do you believe in past livesโฆ?โ
After dinner, as we are enjoying some Russian tea with jam, I ask her this question.
Mother tilts her head to one side. Her long lashes flicker and she narrows her eyes. โWhen I was littleโฆ I used to believe that I was the reincarnation of a European princess.โ
โโฆ โฆโ
The inside of Motherโs head is a flower garden [10]. I had thought so before, but I am completely convinced of it today. I never thought Iโd hear this from a lady in her forties.
โW-why is that?โ
โThatโs probably because I wanted to be one~โ
โY-yes?โ
โThereโs a term called โCycle of Reincarnationโ, right? Where the soul goes through several lifetimes. As a temple daughter, I often heard stories like that from my father.โ
Here, I thought she was going to talk about something light and absurd, but it looks like Mother is being serious.
โWhen I was much younger, I hated the old-fashion and formal atmosphere of the temple. Therefore, I secretly longed for fairy tales and fell in love with Western clothes and their fancy desserts. I loved Western music too and listened to them behind Fatherโs back. Later, I even got hooked on the Beatlesโฆ Well, since I liked foreign things so much, I thought I must have been a European person in my past life. Naturally, if possible, itโs best to be someone like a gorgeous princess in a castle.โ
โโฆ so, it is something you wanted it to beโฆโ
โIndeed, for me, itโs something I wanted it to be,โ the smile on Motherโs face is a little mischievous. โAfter all, if my soul reincarnates through several lifetimes, surely it’s possible for me to be a European princess, right? โฆ in fact, Shizuka-san, surely you must be a prince from a foreign country? You have the right kind of air for it.โ
โโฆ haha.โ
Was the last bit a joke, or do you really mean it?
Seeing Motherโs eyes sparkling with interest, Miyaka also says, โI want to be a princess too!!โ Although, I canโt be sure whether she really understands what we were talking about.
โOn the other hand, sometimes, I also like to think about who Iโd like to be reborn as,โ says Mother as she wipes Miyakaโs mouth, removing the smudge left by the chocolate cake with her handkerchief.
โโฆ โฆโ
Whenever I drink Russian tea, the sudden sweetness of the jam in my mouth is always startling, before it is mellowed out by the dark, bitter tea.
As I go through this ordinary life, now and then, the nostalgic scent Maydea would suddenly overwhelm my senses.
Moments like these are similar to dรฉjร vu
I have no idea whether reincarnating souls travel in a circle or a straight line, or if they stretch out like the branches of a large tree with parallel worlds of many possibilities. Even so, on this day, at this very moment on the planet called Earth, as I ate Russian food in a city called Ginza, the afterimages of my memories are affecting the โpresent meโ just because I remember them.
However, even if someone doesnโt recall things perfectly, they could still feel the longing for moments and feelings. Likes and dislikes are probably influenced by these unknown memories. In the end, are the feelings generated by past life’s memories real?
If that is the case, then, there is probably no such thing as starting out at zero. That a clean slate is never truly clean.
If we are all born with 0.1% of the sum of our previous memories, would the infants born with such memories be called gifted? Are these memories the gifts of oneโs soul?
I, Maki-chan and Tooru-kun all brought 90% of our memories when crossing over into this lifeโฆ
karan~ koron~
The memories from my previous life, which I could not shake off even now, follow after me.
Certainly, this could be a kind of curse that goes beyond the gift of a soul.
Even so, I cannot help but be comforted by it.
That is why, itโs probably something dangerous, right?
[Gumihou: This Yuri person reflects a lot.]
[1] Kabuki-za theatre โ a real theatre in Ginza, Tokyo
[2] Kaidan Botan Douro (Strange Tales of the Peony Lantern) โ Also known as Botan Douro (The Peony Lantern)
A famous Japanese ghost story (kaidan means strange or mysterious). The plot involves sex with the dead (Japanese people, wut, lol) and the consequences of loving a ghost.
The Botan Doro story entered Japanese culture in the 17th century through a translation of a book called Jiandeng Xinhua (New Stories Under a Lamplight) by Qu You (Ming Dynasty scholar, circa 1378)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botan_D%C5%8Dr%C5%8D
[3] Aoi Yuri seems to be the type of person who is casually wealthy and a good person.ย
[4] Yuba = Tofu skin or beancurd skin
There are many ways to eat Yuba. Kyoto, the city of fancy eats in Japan, is the most well-known for Yuba. Part of the charm of soy milk hotpot is fishing out the yuba that forms on the surface of the soup. Although, given that the Yuris are in their kimono, itโs more likely that Mama Yuri is thinking of kaiseki-style Yuba.
https://www.japanesefoodguide.com/what-is-yuba-tofu-skin/
[5] Addressing your own child with โ-sanโ. I tried looking this up, but this is only the second time I properly noticed it, the first being Yor Briar addressing her step-daughter โAnya-sanโ. I had thought she was just being overly formal since there is no blood relationship. However, Aoi Yuri did not address her daughter with โ-sanโ, only her son, soโฆ
Itโs probably an acknowledgement of his individuality and maturity?
Will try and find more information on this.
[6] Onmyouji, the person in charge of divination, and geomorphology in ancient Japan. Something like a โshamanโ but has official titles and everything.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmy%C5%8Dji
[7] Hyakki Yakou โ Hyakki Yagyou โ Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, refers to a parade of thousands of supernatural creatures (oni and youkai) marching through the streets of Japan at night.
This could be where the idea of 100 Spirits came from, since the actual list did not feature close to 100 spirits.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyakki_Yagy%C5%8D
[8] Shikigami โ creatures that serve an onmyouji
Could be conjured beings or small ghosts that an onmyouji gains power over.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikigami
[9] Russian tea with jam โ Woah, I canโt believe this is a thing! I supposed itโs similar to the Middle Eastern way of drinking tea with sugar cubes in their mouths.
The tea is left on the stove to boil until dark and bitter, so it makes sense to have something sweet in the mouth when drinking these bitter teas.
โฆshould I try it?
[10] Flower garden in the brain โ is a saying that basically means โa happy-go-lucky personโ. Suddenly, all the flowery scenes around a Main Character makes sense. Since a โhappy-go-luckyโ person with flowers in their head is basically looking at life through rose-tinted glasses.
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