Ishikawa Goemon - Vacation Story

“There’s a beautiful moon tonight.”

“It’s a beautiful full moon. You came at the perfect time.”

We are walking on the beach at night. It’s the first time we’re here together since we were born, no, perhaps it would be more accurate to say it’s the first time since we died.

“I wonder if father is doing well now?”

“Haha, don’t tell me you’re homesick?”

“It’s not like that but… I thought as I was walking on the beach with you like this… I’m sorry, I can’t say it well. But I’m planning to buy a lot of souvenirs and go home. I can’t believe he really gave us permission to go.”

Flashback to Lord Enma: “It’s not like I’m thanking her for the dango. Since My Sweet and you guys are taking things so seriously, I just thought it would be nice to give you a little reward. Dango really has nothing to do with it.”

I don’t think either King Enma or Takamura had said anything to her, but perhaps they subconsciously sensed what was going on.

“The sound of the waves.. So it sounds like this.”

“I can feel it coming through.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t stop… It’s strange.”

“Don’t get too close or a big wave might come and you’ll get wet.”

“I see, I’ll be careful.”

Since it’s a private beach, it’s just us alone. (T/N: Listen to Vacation Drama CD for context)

Although I could see little lights in the distance, just looking at the waves felt like I was back in time. After leaving the village, I arrived alone at the sea. It was before I met her.

“Maybe we should walk until tomorrow morning.”

“Eh?”

Flashback: “I wanted to walk on the beach with you.”

She stopped.

“When I thought that was finally going to come true, I couldn’t hold back and take you out early. But you can see better when it’s bright.”

“No, the sea at night is also beautiful. Especially tonight, when the moon is… Come, I want to see the road.”

The light of the full moon is reflected in the waves as if it’s trailing. It certainly looks like we can fly to the moon now. I’m glad she’s not the princess from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. If she could run away to the moon, I wouldn’t be able to chase after her.

But I guess, I would still desperately try to go there.

“I’m… definitely walking with you right now.”

“Yeah”

We gently intertwined our fingers. While walking along the beach at night holding hands, like human lovers.

“Do you know how happy I am right now?”

“I’m happy too.”

Words are useless. That’s all I can say. There are so many different thoughts running through my mind right now.

“I’m glad I was able to meet you once again. I’m glad that I was able to see you with my own eyes. I’m glad that we can finally walk together on the beach like this.”

Although she had a calm expression on her face, her voice somehow hints that she’s holding back her tears.

“So, I’m very very happy right now.”

There is no sea in the Asakusa Special Zone. So hen we decided to go on a trip, the first thing that came to mind was the sea. But I also wondered if I would be able to remain calm if the day I would actually walk on the beach with her came.

People often say that if you keep believing in your wishes, they will come true. But did we believe it? Was it that beautiful? It’s just… Just that we didn’t give up. I cursed at my own stupidity.

“You should aim higher.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t look like you’re about to cry. You’re going to be even happier from now on, right?”

I understand her feelings to the point where it hurts. I wanted to walk with her too. Something as simple as this would never have happened when we were alive. That’s why I want to dream about the future.

“I’ll make you even happier. You’ll be able to walk by the sea as many times as you like from now on.”

“Goemon…”

………………..

(After love making…)

She held onto me and I hugged her at the same time.

“Is your throat dry? Shall I bring the gelato we bought earlier today?”

Disheveled sheets and even more disheveled long black hair. The sea is visible at night from the opened window.

“Thank you. I’d be happy… if you could bring it.”

She asked for it more intensely than usual, and she fell asleep as if she were losing consciousness. I lay down and thought I was going to sleep, but as I was looking at the red marks scattered on her white chest, the night passed.

She opened her eyes again.

“Are you hungry? I bought some bread and other food, I’ll bring them over for you.”

I didn't dislike the act of bringing water and food to her after we met again. It was atonement for letting her be at the mercy of my desires, and it felt like a parent bird somehow.

“Is there something you want to eat?”

Then she thought for a moment.

“Coffee jelly?”

I don’t think she intended to pose an impossible challenge for me. Rather, I realized that it was an unconscious line because she hadn’t fully woken up.

That’s why I was so happy, but at the same time, I hated myself for forgetting the ingredients.

“Sorry, forget… what I just said.”

She got up, her silky hair falling freely.

“I’m happy that you like it so much.”

“It has very much become my favourite. To the point I would want them while sleeping.”

Now I can say this. I realize that our relationship is progressing little by little.

“Since I have the beans, I can make ice coffee right away instead. Would that be okay?”

She stared at me intently then uttered a horrifying sentence.

“Rather than that… can you please stay here a little longer?”

So, more and more. When night falls, I wonder what colour the sea will be as I walk with her. It must be the most dazzling thing I’ve ever seen.

Donate ❤