Washing Statue Wanderlust – Chapter 8

ARAI KANNON

“I’m sorry for constantly badgering Yuki to take me away from here, but what was I supposed to do?”

“You were supposed to sit and do your job.” Kokei shakes his head at me. “I’ve told you a million times that if we take you away from here, the local population will be very upset. You’re a part of the neighborhood, and you can’t get up and walk away. This is your life.”

“I know. I wasn’t asking to leave permanently. I only wanted a day or two away.”

Kokei sighs and glances away from me, his green tea steaming in the hot morning sun. We’ve been waiting all morning, hoping Yuki will show up, but so far, nothing. She may not ever come here again.

“How are you planning on getting me out of here anyway? Aren’t I bolted to the ground?”

“I’ve hired a mason who is going to come and chip you out since your bolts are frozen…” His voice fades away as Yuki and her friend round the corner into the shrine area. Yuki is hesitant, fear tensing her muscles, while her friend pulls her forward by her arm.

“Ah!” Kokei smiles and bows. “I do remember you, Yuki-san. I was afraid I would not.”

Yuki stands silent, her expression filled with sadness and regret. I’ve seen her many times depressed and alone, but never like this. This is my fault. She’s sad because of me.

“Thank you for coming.” Kokei bows again. “Did you see the interview on the news?”

“Yes, I did. I’m sorry, but I came to say I won’t be helping you and won’t be coming back here. Please don’t call for me again.”

“Wait!” I shout, upset over her sudden turn. “Don’t go, Yuki. Kokei has arranged for me to go on a day trip. I was hoping you’d help me plan it.”

Yuki closes her eyes and breathes deeply through her nose. “I feel manipulated and cheated. How could you ask me to do those things for you when you knew you couldn’t go?”

“Wait, Yuki-san,” Kokei beckons to Yuki to stay. “This statue…” He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s relentless. For decades, it’s been asking anyone who would listen to take it away and show it the world, but most people just ignore it. What made you listen?”

A tear forms in the corner of Yuki’s eye but she ignores it. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and she has always talked to me…”

“She?”

“Yes, Arai is a she. Can’t you tell?”

Kokei shrugs his shoulders.

“You never asked,” I say, and Yuki’s lips quirk in a reluctant smile. “Yuki, I didn’t mean to manipulate you. I only hoped to sway you to my side and help persuade the others to give me something I’ve wanted forever. I remember the day I was brought here, so long ago, and now I just want to see some of the world.”

Yuki swipes at the tears in her eyes, and Kokei lays a hand on her shoulder.

“What makes you think Arai manipulated you?”

“She bargained with me. Told me if I helped her then she would give me good health for the rest of my life.”

Kokei glances sideways at me. If I could crawl in a hole right now, I would.

“What does a young woman like you want with that kind of wish?” Kokei asks, his arms crossed.

“I… I’m a diabetic, and I have come here for many years hoping to stay strong and healthy. It’s hard dealing constantly with my diabetes, and I only wanted a little break.”

Kokei rubs his face with his hands and sighs. “It’s all making perfect sense. I’ve been arguing with the other priests on your motives and sanity, but now I can’t help but believe it was the statue’s fault all along.”

Silence descends on us, and a line of people wait to wash me, watching the whole situation unfold.

“So, now what?” I ask. “You keep me here for the rest of eternity? What about what I want? And what I’ve promised?”

“You…” Kokei points his finger at me. “You are going to make this right.”