*AKIHIKO AND THE WOODEN DOOR*
Akihiko's uncle had just received a transfer to the countryside, and his new quarters were too far away from the town. So, Akihiko decided to stay with his grandmother, who lived in a cozy old house in the countryside. As he settled into his new surroundings, he was given his mother's old room to stay in.
As he entered the room, he noticed that the walls had been replastered, and the wooden door that used to be there was now hidden behind a layer of smooth, white plaster. Akihiko wondered why the door had been covered up, but his grandmother just smiled and said it was an old door that hadn't been used in years.
As he unpacked his bags and settled into the room, Akihiko couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. He kept thinking about the hidden door and wondering where it led to. He tried to push the thoughts aside, but his curiosity kept getting the better of him.
That night, as he lay in bed, Akihiko heard a faint creaking sound coming from the wall. It sounded like the old wooden door was trying to tell him something. He sat up in bed and listened intently, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear. What was behind the door? And why had it been hidden away for so long?
The next morning, Akihiko woke up feeling refreshed and curious about the strange creaking sound he had heard the night before. He got dressed and headed straight to the kitchen, where he found his grandmother and caregiver Tanaka already preparing breakfast.
His grandmother, Obachan, smiled warmly at him.
"Ohayou, Akihiko! Did you sleep well?"
Akihiko returned her smile, trying to play it cool.
"Yeah, I slept great, Obachan. Thanks."
Tanaka, a kind-faced woman with a gentle smile, nodded in greeting.
"Good morning, Akihiko. Would you like some breakfast?"
Akihiko's stomach growled at the delicious smells wafting from the stove.
"Yeah, please. I'm starving!"
As they sat down to eat, Akihiko couldn't help sneaking glances at the wall where the hidden door was. He wondered if he could find a way to investigate further without arousing suspicion.
Obachan noticed his gaze and followed it to the wall. For a brief moment, Akihiko thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes - concern, perhaps, or even fear. But then her expression returned to its usual warm smile.
"Akihiko, would you like more rice?" she asked, breaking the silence.
Akihiko nodded, feeling a bit puzzled. What was going on behind that wall? And why was his grandmother being so secretive?
As Akihiko ate his breakfast, he suddenly felt a gentle breeze caress his ear, carrying a soft whisper that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at the same time. "Open, open the door..." The words were whispered repeatedly, growing slightly louder each time, as if urging him to take action.
Akihiko tried to ignore the whispers, focusing on his breakfast and the conversation with his grandmother and Tanaka. But the words continued to echo in his mind, making him feel uneasy and distracted.
His grandmother and Tanaka noticed his sudden change in behavior, his eyes glazing over as if lost in thought.
"Akihiko, is everything okay?" Obachan asked, concern etched on her face.
Akihiko realized he had been closing his ears, trying to block out the whispers. He felt embarrassed and apologized,
"I'm sorry, I just...thought I heard something."
Tanaka's expression was sympathetic, while Obachan's eyes seemed to hold a deeper understanding, as if she knew more than she was letting on.
"It's okay, Akihiko. Maybe you're just tired. Finish your breakfast, and then you can go explore the garden."
But the whispers lingered in Akihiko's mind, refusing to be silenced. Open, open the door...The words became a mantra, echoing in his thoughts and fueling his curiosity about the hidden wooden door.
As the warm sunlight filtered through the garden, Akihiko settled into a comfortable spot on the grass, his book in hand. The gentle rustle of leaves and chirping of birds created a soothing melody, lulling him into a state of relaxation. He became absorbed in his reading, the words on the page transporting him to a different world.
Just as he was getting to the good part, a soft, furry presence appeared beside him. Akihiko looked up to see a beautiful calico cat, its whiskers twitching as it sniffed the air. The cat's eyes, a bright shade of green, locked onto Akihiko's, and it began to purr contentedly.
Before Akihiko knew it, the cat had climbed onto his belly, its paws kneading gently into his shirt. Akihiko couldn't help but laugh at the sudden invasion, but he didn't mind. There was something comforting about the cat's presence, something that made him feel at ease.
As he stroked the cat's soft fur, Akihiko felt his worries begin to fade away. The whispering wind, the hidden door, and his grandmother's secrets all seemed to melt into the background, replaced by the simple joy of the present moment.
The cat, sensing Akihiko's relaxation, began to purr even louder, its eyes drifting shut in bliss. Akihiko smiled, feeling a deep connection to this little ball of fur. Together, they basked in the warm sunlight, lost in a peaceful reverie.
Cat voice echoed in Akihiko's mind, her tone a mix of scolding and concern.
"Akihiko, why did you visit me less when you became taller? Did you think you were too grown-up for the simple joys of nature?"
Akihiko looked down, feeling a pang of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Yone. I got caught up in my studies and other things. I didn't mean to neglect you and the garden."
Yone's tail twitched, her ears perked up in attention.
"You used to come and sit with me for hours, listening to the trees and the river. You understood the language of nature. What happened to that curious, wonder-filled boy?"
Akihiko sighed, reflecting on his journey.
"I guess I just got busy and lost touch with that part of myself. But I'm back now, and I want to relearn the secrets of the natural world."
Yone's curious expression turned into a playful scold.
"A 12-year-old boy, busy? What could you possibly be busy with? You're not even grown enough to reach the top shelves yet!"
Akihiko chuckled, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Well, I've been trying to help out more at home, and I've been studying hard for school. And...and I've been playing with my friends, of course!"
Yone's tail twitched with amusement.
"Studying hard, hmm? I hope you're not forgetting to leave some room for wonder and curiosity. And playing with friends is important, but don't forget to make time for the quiet moments, too – like listening to the trees and the river."
Akihiko nodded, taking Yone's words to heart.
"I'll try to find a balance, Yone. I promise."
Yone's expression turned serious, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Akihiko, I need to warn you about something. Don't go near the old wooden door in your room. It's not safe."
Akihiko's curiosity was piqued.
"The wooden door? What's so special about it?"
Yone's tail twitched, her ears folding back slightly.
"Just stay away from it, Akihiko. It's not for you to explore."
But Akihiko's curiosity had already been sparked. He found himself wondering what could be behind the door, and why Yone was so insistent that he stay away.
As he continued to explore the garden with Yone, Akihiko couldn't help but sneak glances at the old wooden door. It seemed to be calling to him, its worn surface and rusty hinges beckoning him to come closer.
Yone noticed his fascination and growled softly.
"Akihiko, I mean it. Leave the door alone. It's not a game."
But Akihiko's curiosity had already gotten the better of him. He made a mental note to investigate the door further, to uncover the secrets that Yone seemed so desperate to keep hidden.
Zorinpuii Renthlei
(zawrpuii)