Page 20 of The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop
‘Huh? You’re actually willing? That’s a first.’
Removing her left hand from her chin, the girl held up her index and middle fingers together and touched the cat’s paw pads. It was the equivalent of a high five. Then, when the cat lifted its other front paw, the girl did the same with her right hand. Right, left, right, left. As if they were playing a clapping game, they continued to slap their palms and paws with each other in time with the rhythm ofBoléro.
‘Well done! Now this side. Here, one more time.’
Little by little, the girl raised her hands higher and higher, eventually making the cat stand on its two hind legs.
‘Amazing. You’ve some talent, Kobako.’
But just when the cat had fully stretched its hind limbs, it abruptly turned away, apparently having had enough.
‘Is that all? That’s a shame.’
The cat had already turned its focus to licking its front paws, completely absorbed in the task. Seemingly giving up, the girl once again turned her eyes to the middle of the shop where the couple was still dancing.
* * *
‘How long ago was it? You told me about the beautiful blossoms on the Yamazakura trees across the station in the mountains. We’d talked about going there some time, perhaps bringing along Sanae and Mai. But before we got round to it, the line closed. And then I fell ill.’
Had I said such a thing? Perhaps I did. But when?
Before he could fully form a replyin his head, the sensation of Yuriko in his arms began to fade. Perplexed, he watched her gradually dissolve into that same shadow-like figure. He tried to call out to her, but his voice was stuck in his throat.
The next thing he knew, Shingo was standing alone in the middle of the shop. Only the strains of music lingered, filling the room with its unwavering rhythm in three-four time. Its tempo had maintained perfect punctuality.
‘So… Did you manage to remember a few things?’
He turned around to find the girl standing with her hands clasped behind her. Shingo nodded silently.
‘In that case, I believe it is time for you to return to your rightful place. Of course, I will not be accepting a payment. It was us, or rather the capricious Kobako, who chose you and invited you here. Besides, it was the book that opened up the passage and connected us. Let’s just say that we were brought together by a series ofcoincidences.’
The girl bowed reverently to Shingo.
‘The shop is called Sakura. I would be happy if you remembered it sometime. Although?—’
The girl brought both of her hands up to her face, pressing her fingertips together. There was a touch of gravity in her eyes.
‘It’s absolutely fine if you don’t. And, Mr Kikukawa – saying this makes me feel a bit presumptuous, but there’s no need for you to be so afraid of forgetting. Once created, memories and words will never be erased. Even if you forget yourself completely, that will never mean that you did not exist. You see, when a tree falls in a forest, and no one is there to hear it, it will still make a sound.’
At last, her smile returned to her lips as she said, ‘It’s still chilly in the mornings and evenings. Please look after yourself and take care not to catch a cold.’
From somewhere far away, he thought he heard the soft flop of a book closing.
* * *
Shingo had returned to the wheelchair by the Kawazu cherry tree. The book laid open on his lap, and his fingertip was almost exactly at the same spot where he had been tracing the words. For a moment, he sat there in shock, then, hastily looked around him. But that building and the mysterious weeping cherry tree seemed to have completely disappeared.
Have I been asleep?he wondered, although it didn’t feel at all like he had been. Cocking his head to one side, he noticed something draped over his shoulders. It was what looked like a woman’s shawl. Judging by the sunlight, the day was already close to evening. A chilly breeze had picked up.
‘Grandpa, you’re awake.’
A voice came from behind him. Then, he saw his granddaughter peering over his shoulder.
‘Hello there, Mai. Sorry, I seemed to have dozed off.’
Mai looked momentarily surprised before breaking into a bright smile.
‘You recognise me?’
