Whether it was an optical illusion due to the light emanating from behind or the overwhelming power of the Jizo statue itself, I couldn’t discern. In its right hand, the Jizo held a shakujou (a staff with metal rings used by Buddhist monks), and in its left hand, a houju (a sacred gem believed to grant wishes). Uniquely, it wore straw sandals, a characteristic of this particular Jizo statue in Japan.
Yesterday, at noon, when Akane and I had visited Suzumushi Temple, we were granted access to the main hall to listen to the priest’s sermon. Recalling the words I heard from the priest, I shared what I had learned with Saki.
“This Jizo statue is called the Jizo of Happiness.”
“Okay.”
“When you make a wish you deeply desire to this Jizo statue, it will grant it for you.”
I handed the yellow amulet from my pocket to Saki.
“What’s this?”
The light that illuminated the Jizo statue also shined upon Saki.
“It’s an amulet. You can also use it to make a wish,” I explained.
Curious, she inquired, “How do I use it?”
I pointed to the word happiness inscribed in the center.
“Hold it between your hands, making sure the happiness part is facing outward,” I instructed.
“Like this?” she asked, mimicking the gesture.
“Yes, exactly like that. Make your wish in that position. Just remember, you can only make one wish,” I cautioned.
“Only one wish…” she repeated thoughtfully.
“After making your wish, state your name and address. This Jizo statue will visit your home to grant your wish. See the straw sandals he’s wearing? That’s how he travels to fulfill wishes,” I elaborated.
“Really?” Her eyes glistened with excitement.
Yesterday, Akane had said, “There’s a spell that grants anyone’s wish, but only one wish.”.
The rumor, circulating among junior high school students, transcended the boundaries of Buddhism and ventured into the realm of fantasy, captivating young hearts.
“My friend came here, made a wish, and then she got a boyfriend,” my little sister had blurted out, her cheeks tinged with a blush.
I couldn’t help but think, Hey, isn’t having a boyfriend in middle school too early?
Well, during my time, some people had started dating in middle school, but when it came to my little sister, it felt different.
At that moment, Akane had closed her eyes, adopting a serious expression. She’d tightened her grip on the amulet and bowed her head. After a while, she’d lifted her face and asked, “Brother, don’t you have any wishes?”
I replied, “I’m good.” I didn’t have anything specific to wish for.
In that moment, my thoughts were consumed by Saki. I had contemplated giving her the recently acquired amulet. As I had observed my sister making her wish, my mind had also been occupied by thoughts of Saki. If Saki’s wish could be granted, there would be no greater joy. The wish I had harbored throughout the day was now coming true.
Standing before the Jizo statue, Saki held up the character for happiness on her amulet and bowed her head, making her wish. Unlike Akane, her expression was gentle, with a slight uplift at the corners of her mouth and softly closed eyelids. Surely, she was wishing for that one thing that would bring her happiness.
What could Saki’s wish be? Earlier, she had been squatting alone by the edge of the tranquil spring, scooping up stars. She gazed at the moon, Kyoto Tower shining like a candle, and celebrated her birthday with her mother in the moonlight. She pointed and said, “Keiichi, this is my home,” then proceeded to create a pale-colored drawing that no one else could replicate in Hinata Dormitory.
“I rode the Randen for the first time.”
She hadn’t traveled by train or bus or explored Kyoto’s bustling city center. What was that one wish she, who didn’t possess much, longed to have granted?
The faint chime of bell crickets resonated from the main hall. Bell crickets were creatures of the night, with the male emitting that distinctive sound to attract a female. The abbot had mentioned it, hadn’t he…?
At night, the bell crickets sang, producing the most beautiful melody in the world — a scratchy, intermittent sound directed toward the one they had fallen in love with. Their behavior mirrored mine. Though unable to utter the word love, my feelings continued to blossom, and I expressed my sentiments differently by her side. I hoped that these emotions would reach her.
“Are you finished with your wish? Keiichi-kun, are you alright?” Her voice brought me back to reality. She had completed her wish and was now looking at me.
“I’m fine,” I replied.
“By the way, did you make a wish when you came here with your sister yesterday?”
“Yes, I did,” I lied.
“I’m glad. Here’s your amulet back. Thank you,” she said, extending it toward me.
I shook my head and declined. “You keep it.”
“Are you sure?”
“They say the amulet contains a Jizo-sama, the embodiment of a happy Jizo, who will protect the person holding it.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep it with me,” she responded, a smile gracing her lips as she lovingly gazed at the amulet in her hand. In the moonlight, she appeared ethereal and radiant. My heart swelled with happiness.
“And also…” I reached into the opposite pocket of the amulet and pulled out a small bag, handing it to her gently.
“If you’d like, you can have this too.”
Saki looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“I found it yesterday, thinking it would look good on you.”
In truth, I had hesitated about giving it to her. I was worried receiving it might be inconvenient or overwhelming for her. But if the opportunity arose, I’d wanted to, so I’d kept it hidden in my pocket.
“Is it alright?”
She stood before the small gift bag, appearing unsure. I nodded silently. “Yes, of course.” Since I’d bought it with her in mind, I hoped she’d accept it.
“May I open it?” Saki asked, hesitantly holding the bag.
I nodded.
“Wow,” I heard her exclaim as she peered inside.
Inside was a hair accessory adorned with a star. The hairpin had a large star at the top, with a delicate string of smaller shimmering stars hanging down, creating a beautiful ornament for the hair.
When I saw this hair accessory at the store yesterday, I immediately thought of Saki. Without hesitation, I took it to the cashier while Akane had gone to the next store. I was surprised by my impulsive behavior, but now I understood why I’d bought it. I’d simply wanted to see Saki’s joyful expression.
“A hair accessory?” she murmured as she delicately held it up.
Before her eyes, a large star and small stars came into view. The thin string that held the small stars beneath the large star swayed gently in the wind. Perhaps she’d only noticed the prominent large star when she glanced into the bag.
She seemed speechless upon realizing there were also small shining stars dangling from it. Saki stared at it quietly, her mouth slightly agape. I began to worry that I had somehow failed, as I expected her to say something like “It’s beautiful” or “I’m so happy.”
“Don’t you like it?”
She shook her head in response to my question, and tears welled up in her glistening eyes. She pressed her lips tightly together, holding back the tears that clung to her long lashes.
“Eh, Saki?” I called out to her, and she spoke at the same time.
A mist of tears blurred her vision, quickly pooling in her eyes. As she blinked, the tears streaked down her cheeks.
“Why?” Her voice seemed distant as if it didn’t belong to her, and I heard the word again.
Her lips parted slightly, and her slender shoulders trembled. She cried, her gaze fixed on the star ornament in her hand. I couldn’t fathom the meaning behind her tears, but I wanted to wipe them away for her. I extended my right hand, but it trembled so uncontrollably that it felt like someone else’s. I tried to reach out and brush away her tears, exerting all my effort to move my right hand, but she took a step forward.
A sweet, lingering fragrance wafted, and her forehead collided with my chest with a soft thud. Warm breaths tickled my neck, and my heart felt like it was about to burst. I could no longer move my hand, frozen in place. Saki, who had entrusted me with a fraction of her weight, repeated, “Why?” like a child who had forgotten her words. And then, she fell silent again, quietly shedding tears.
The stars shimmered in the night sky, and fragments of starlight, illuminated by the blue moon, gently descended. It seemed as though she was fading into the azure landscape, so I pulled her gently toward me with one hand. My hand, which had struggled to move before, now reached out naturally, as if it were meant to be. We shared our warmth.
She continued to weep in my embrace, her tears flowing ceaselessly.