(Eula Fujioka)
- - -4:40 P.M. Friday - Nagano, Japan- - -
***The sounds of bamboo swords clashing filled the air.***
"Ms. Fujioka! Ms. Fujioka! Noya won't stop crying," a child exclaimed.
Eula walked over to the children and bent down. "Okay, Toda, what happened?"
"I just hit him a little. It was a little, I swear," Toda murmured quietly.
Eula looked at Noya. "Noya, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Noya nodded, sobbing.
Eula sat Noya on a low chair and examined his foot. It seemed Noya had twisted his ankle.
"You're going to be okay, Noya. I'll bring you an ice pack. Stay here," Eula reassured him.
She headed to the infirmary room.
"What happened?" Mark asked as Eula reached the freezer.
"Noya twisted his ankle. I need an ice pack—and get the kit ready for me, he has some scratches."
As soon as Eula closed the freezer, she saw Maki. Eula sighed and continued walking toward the hall.
"I told you not to distract me during working hours, Maki," Eula said.
Mark poked his head out and called, "Eula! You forgot something!"
Eula quickly returned and grabbed the kit.
"Who were you talking to earlier?" Mark asked, looking around.
Eula smiled. "No one. I was talking to myself."
Mark gave her a puzzled look.
Eula headed back to the children.
Maki laughed. "I like the new nurse. He's fun."
"Don't mess with him, Maki. I don't want another nurse quitting or more haunting rumors," Eula said.
Maki chuckled.
Eula Fujioka, a 25-year-old half-Japanese, half-American woman, had owned the kendo teaching center for nearly three years. Recently, many nurses had quit due to rumors about the daycare being haunted.
Eula handed Noya the ice pack and bandaged his injuries.
"I called your brother already. He'll be here in a few minutes," Eula said.
Noya nodded.
Toda inched closer to Noya. "I'm sorry, Noya," she said sadly.
Noya smiled. "It's okay, Toda. I'm strong. I can handle this much!"
Toda's face brightened. "I promise, I'll master the move so you won't get hurt next time!"
Eula smiled and stroked Toda's hair. "All right, Toda. Now, why don't you go practice and let Noya rest?" Eula suggested.
As 6 PM arrived, the kendo center was near closing time. Eula waited with the remaining kids as their parents arrived.
Eula waved goodbye to the last child as they got into their parent's car.
Just then, an old lady arrived at the entrance. "Eula."
"Elder, what are you doing here?" Eula asked.
The old lady walked closer. "I haven't seen you for the past month. I was wondering what happened."
Eula smiled. "It's nothing. I've just been quite busy these past few weeks."
As they sat down, the old lady murmured, "Are you sure it's because you're busy and not another reason?"
Eula sighed. "My parents contacted me a month ago. They want me to return to the States. Elder, what should I do?"
"Your old man called me this morning," the old lady said.
Eula's brows rose. "What did my grandfather say this time?"
"He wants you to leave," the old lady said.
Eula sighed again. "I-I'm not sure if I'm ready."
"This is your life, Eula. Do you want to be stuck in this small village forever? You know you can't hide the fact that you are special," the old lady suggested.
Eula smiled and sighed.
After the old lady left, Eula strolled around the teaching center to make sure every door was locked.
Maki happily ran behind Eula. "Eula, are you going to leave for real?"
"I don't know," Eula said.
"Oh, come on, let's leave! The old man doesn't have much time anyway," Maki remarked.
Eula stopped in her tracks.
Maki instantly covered his mouth. "I'm sorry, Eula."
Eula proceeded to lock the last room before exiting the entrance.
***Eula's Home***
Eula gulped down a cup of alcohol.
Maki peeked from behind, feeling guilty for what he'd said.
"Eula," her grandfather said as he opened the door to the front yard where Eula was sitting.
Eula quickly put her cup down. "Grandpa, you're not asleep?"
"How can I sleep when you're out here drinking?" her grandfather said as he took a seat in front of her.
He sighed. "Go to the States."
Eula raised her sad eyes to look at her grandfather. "But—"
"I know you're worried about me, but I won't die yet," her grandfather continued.
"Grandpa, don't say that," Eula said sadly.
Her grandpa laughed. "I've lived long enough, Eula."
Eula frowned.
"You were just ten when you came here. I remember you cried for a week after your parents left. You were such a stubborn and naughty kid—remember when I took you to the temple, and you ran back and hid in the forest for three hours? You were so stern about never going back there, but look at you now. You won't miss a day going to that small temple," her grandfather laughed.
Eula chuckled. "I guess."
"Go back. Give your parents a chance," her grandfather said with a sigh.
Eula chuckled bitterly.
The night settled, casting eerie shadows around Eula's home. She finished her drink and wandered inside, the walls whispering secrets only she could hear. The house, old and filled with memories, seemed to breathe, its wooden floors creaking under the weight of unspoken words.
As Eula lay in bed, her thoughts drifted to the spirits she often saw—specters that appeared in the corners of her vision, their eyes hollow, their forms translucent. She had grown accustomed to their presence, but tonight, they seemed more insistent, as if urging her to heed her grandfather's advice.