1557 AC, in a small village in Japan
As the sun dipped below the horizon, I felt an overwhelming urge to break free from tradition and
explore the world beyond our wooden family home. My mother called after me in worry, asking where I
was going.
“Just for a walk, mother. I won’t be long,” I reassured her, though my true destination was anything but a
leisurely stroll. I was headed for a secret meeting, one that defied the ancient feud between our family,
the Koyabashi, and the Tanaka clan. Despite my mother’s pleas for me to return, I pressed on, my heart
set on following the path of love, no matter the consequences. I found solace by the tranquil lake,
reflecting on the weight of our ancestors’ bitter conflicts, like the Genpei War that had scarred our
history with immense loss of life. The Koyabashi and Tanaka clans had been enemies for generations, and
the very idea of loving someone from the Tanaka family was forbidden, a challenge to the deep-rooted
animosity of our ancestors. But in the eyes of my beloved, I saw a glimmer of hope, a chance for love to
overcome the shadows of the past. With stolen glances and tender touches, destiny seemed to beckon
us towards a future where love could bridge the gaps of hatred.
As the wisteria bloomed in vibrant hues around me, its beauty seemed to symbolize the blossoming of
our affection and the hope we held for a future together. Amidst the wisteria’s embrace, we dared to
dream of a love that could conquer all, defying the ancient feud and carving a new path for our lives.
“I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival for quite some time, precisely before the sun dipped below
the horizon,” Ayumi’s soft voice reached my ears from behind, causing my heart to skip a beat. I turned
around, taken aback, and faced her with a mixture of surprise and guilt evident in my expression.
“I apologize, my love. I attempted to slip away from my mother’s watchful eyes, but it seems I was not as
discreet as I had hoped,” I confessed, my voice trembling with unease. Ayumi, however, quelled my
anxiety with a tender kiss that seemed to transport me to a realm of pure bliss.
“I am delighted that you came,” she smiled, her lips illuminating the surroundings with their radiant
glow. I found myself captivated by her beauty, clad in an enchanting purple kimono that complemented
her grace and charm.
The gravity of her words caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but get lost in her mesmerizing gaze.
“Yes, we do need to talk,” she stated with gentle determination, gesturing for me to take a seat beneath
the sprawling wisteria tree.
As I settled down beside her, I felt a sense of tranquility wash over me. The wisteria’s delicate blooms
adorned the branches above us, their soft fragrance lingering in the air. The moment felt ethereal, as if
we were suspended in time, shielded from the world outside.
Ayumi began to speak, her words flowing like a gentle stream, weaving a tapestry of dreams and hopes.
She shared her thoughts, her fears, and her desires with a vulnerability that touched my heart. As we
opened up to each other, our connection deepened, and it became clear that our love held the power to
transcend all obstacles.
Under the wisteria’s canopy, our hearts beat as one, forging a bond that defied the constraints of
tradition and prejudice.
As the sun set, painting the sky with hues of gold and pink, we embraced the possibilities that lay ahead.
Our love, like the vibrant wisteria, symbolized the blossoming of affection and the promise of a shared
future.
With the wisteria tree as our witness, we vowed to stand united against the storms of history, to
overcome the shadows of the past, and to forge a new legacy for our families. For in the embrace of our
love, we found the strength to confront the world, hand in hand, as one. At least, those were my
thoughts before the disaster.
“I demand an explanation! What is the meaning of this?!” The words escaped my lips, propelled by a mix
of anger, confusion, and heartache. My emotions spilled over, oblivious to the possibility of onlookers
witnessing the raw turmoil that consumed me.
Ayumi’s eyes met mine, a glimmer of sorrow flickering within their depths.
“There are reasons I cannot reveal here and now,” she replied softly, her voice laden with regret. “We
have to end our relationship, for both of our sakes. I’m truly sorry.”
A surge of pain pierced through my being, as if my very core was collapsing. “Two years together,
Ayumi,” I stammered, tears betraying my resolve.
“I had hoped we’d spend forever side by side. I want to marry you, to build a future together.”
Her grip tightened on my hands, a mixture of sadness and solace emanating from her touch. It was an
odd juxtaposition, leaving me bewildered, unable to comprehend her true intentions. Did she truly want
to sever our connection?
“Why?” I pleaded, my voice quivering with vulnerability.
“I know in my heart that you want us to last. Please, Ayumi, tell me why you’re doing this.”
Regrettably, she lowered her gaze, avoiding the intensity of my stare.
“There are circumstances I cannot disclose, but I believe this is the best path for us, for you,” she offered,
her voice filled with an internal struggle that mirrored my own.
“Akihito! Where are you?” My mother’s voice echoed through the Wisteria Garden, the urgency in her
tone evident.
Ayumi’s eyes met mine once more, her expression a mix of sadness and determination.
“You should go,” she said, gesturing towards the exit.
I hesitated, my heart unwilling to accept this abrupt end. Tears blurred my vision, my face flushed with
emotions threatening to overwhelm me. But, with a heavy heart, I turned and started walking away,
leaving behind the girl I loved, unsure if this was truly our final farewell.
As I made my way towards the exit, I glanced back one last time. Ayumi stood there, waving with a
gentle smile, her left hand concealed from view. I couldn’t decipher the meaning behind that hidden
hand, but in that moment, I knew that this parting held secrets and pain that went beyond what my
heart could bear.
With tears still streaming down my face, I ran towards my mother and embraced her tightly, seeking
solace in her familiar arms. “Something happened, and it hurts,” I whispered, unable to find the words to
explain the pain that consumed me.
Concern etched across her face, she gently stroked my hair. “Tell me what happened, my dear. Who hurt
you?” Her voice held a mix of worry and protectiveness.
But I couldn’t find the strength to reveal the truth, to unravel the tangle of emotions that had engulfed
me. “I can’t… I can’t explain it right now,” I choked out, my heart heavy with the weight of my unspoken
turmoil. “Please, just take me home.”
Surprisingly, my mother respected my wish and guided me back towards our humble abode. Despite the
hurt and confusion in her eyes, she chose not to press me further. Perhaps she sensed that this was a
battle I needed to face alone.
“I warned you not to linger around the Wisteria Garden and Lake,” she reminded me, her voice tinged
with a hint of reproach. In her eyes, the fault lay with the beautiful flowers that adorned the garden,
unaware that the true source of my pain lay elsewhere.
“I know, mother,” I replied, my voice tinged with resignation. I knew in my heart that it wasn’t the
wisterias that had wounded me; it was something far more profound.
In silence, she led me back home, the weight of my emotions hanging heavy in the air. Disappointment
and sorrow clung to me like a shadow as I retreated to my bed, seeking solace in the embrace of sleep.
The events of the day had left me emotionally drained, and I yearned for the sanctuary of slumber to
ease the ache in my heart.
As the night enveloped me, I lay awake, grappling with the questions that plagued my mind. What had
transpired at the Wisteria Garden? What secrets did Ayumi conceal in her enigmatic smile and hidden
hand? The answers eluded me, shrouded in a veil of mystery, and I knew that the path to understanding
would be wrought with uncertainty and challenges. But one thing was certain – the vibrant wisteria, with
its symbolic beauty, had become intertwined with the intricate tapestry of my emotions and my fate.
The next morning, I woke up feeling drained and devoid of energy, the events of the previous day
weighing heavily on my heart. My mother sat by my side, her eyes clouded with sorrow and regret. “All I
wanted was to protect you, and I’m sorry I failed,” she said, her voice tinged with guilt.
Confused by her words, I assured her, “Mother, it’s alright. Breakups are a part of life, and while it hurt,
I’ll be fine.” I spoke with a sense of conviction, trying to convince myself as much as her. But my mother
had something to share, something that would shatter the illusion of my confident façade. She handed
me a closed papyrus, her gaze averted as if unable to face the pain in my eyes.
As I unrolled the papyrus and began to read, my heart sank with every word. “For the love of my life,” it
started, and I knew it was Ayumi’s voice speaking to me from beyond the grave:
[My love, I’m sorry that it had to end that way, but if you’re reading this, I’m dead. Our families and me
wanted just to protect you from tearing apart after my death, I apologize for not accomplishing it. You’re
the man that I will always love and protect, even if I’m not there. Live your life at its fullest and make
your dreams come true… For me! I didn’t really want to break up, you know, I was forced to do so,
because Black Death was killing me day by day. Sorry for not having the courage to tell you all these face
to face. And don’t you dare harm yourself, live to remember me and we will meet in another lifetime, it’s
our destiny, you’re my soulmate.
P.S. I will miss you as much as you will miss me, I love you.
Your almost wife,
Ayumi]
Tears blurred my vision as I read her final words,
The weight of her loss and the depth of her love crushed me, the pain almost unbearable. I felt my body
tremble with sorrow, and my heart felt as though it were being torn apart. Overwhelmed by grief, I
succumbed to darkness, my consciousness slipping away as I passed out. The agony of losing Ayumi
engulfed me, her presence forever imprinted on my soul. As I drifted into unconsciousness, I clung to the
promise of another lifetime, where we would be reunited once more. The pain was unbearable, but her
love, her sacrifice, and the hope she left behind would forever guide me, shaping my destiny as I
navigated a world without her presence.
The day of Ayumi's funeral was one of the darkest days of my life. The mere thought of laying my eyes
upon her lifeless body was unbearable. I knew that the sight would pierce my heart like a thousand
arrows, and I feared it might crush my will to live. Thus, I made the difficult decision to stay away, sparing
myself from witnessing the finality of her passing.
Instead, I sought solace in visiting her monument at the graveyard. As I stood before the elegant mosaic,
with her name delicately etched upon it, memories of our time together flooded my mind. The weight of
grief bore down upon me, and I found myself lost in a whirlpool of emotions.
For hours, I lingered there, as if time had lost its meaning. My heart ached with the emptiness her
departure had left behind. But amidst the pain, I felt a glimmer of hope. Ayumi had loved life with such
intensity, and I knew that she would want me to cherish every moment, even in her absence.
As I prepared to leave her monument for the last time, I felt compelled to leave something behind. With
a heavy heart, I placed a papyrus at the base of her memorial, a token of my undying love and devotion.
Upon it, I inscribed a poignant phrase from a philosopher from Eastern Europe: “Come back, even as a
shadow, even as a dream.”
In those words, I poured my yearning for her return, even if it were in the form of a fleeting presence.
The sentiment captured my deepest desire to be reunited with her, to feel her spirit once more, even if it
were just a mere semblance of her essence.
As I walked away from the graveyard, a mix of sorrow and hope filled my soul. The pain of loss remained,
but I clung to the belief that Ayumi’s love would continue to guide me, even in her absence. Her memory
would forever be etched upon my heart, and I vowed to carry her with me through every step of my
journey.
Time passed, and with each passing day, the ache in my heart began to heal, ever so slowly. Ayumi had
left an indelible mark on my life, and while I would never forget her, I found the strength to move
forward, cherishing the moments we had shared.
In my dreams, I felt her presence, and in the whispers of the wind, I heard her voice. The pain of losing
her would always be a part of me, but it was balanced by the love and hope she had instilled in my soul.
And so, I embraced life once more, carrying Ayumi’s spirit with me as I journeyed through the world she
had once been a part of. Though she was no longer physically by my side, her love remained an ever-
present force, guiding me through the beauty and complexity of life.
In the darkest hours, I would turn my gaze to the stars, knowing that Ayumi’s light still shone, even if she
had become a part of the vast universe above. And with each sunrise, I was reminded of her parting
words: “Live to remember me, and we will meet in another lifetime, it’s our destiny, you’re my
soulmate.”
In those moments, I felt her love surrounding me, and the hope of a future reunion filled my heart.
Ayumi’s love transcended time and space, binding our souls together for all eternity, even as we walked
separate paths in this world and the next.
