1. The Burial

"Akira-kun…."

"Akira-kun…."

A tap on his right shoulder awoke him from the daze as he saw the worried look on the kind granny Hamada's face.

"Gr-ranny…." He heard his voice quaver as his eyes turned red while his face turned more whiter from pale.

"Oh poor Akira-kun—". For the first time, ever since from the hospital to the funeral, granny Hamada finally saw emotions on the young man's expressionless face as she embraced the young man and gently patted his back.

"It's okay Akira-kun…just let it out…let it out…" Grandma Hamada consoled him.

The warm embrace feels like a small fire within his now lost heart. Unconsciously, tears slowly fell as he felt his heart stuffy and his throat felt uncomfortable.

For the first time, a soft cry of anguish was heard from a young man within that hill. The heaven seems to feel his grief as the pitter patter soon be heard. Three lonely figures stood under the shower of cold rain. One young, two old. In front of them lies the tomb…

Facing down can be seen the roof of the lone house surrounded by greenery. Far ahead across the light fog a town can be seen.

The rain continues to pour until the three go back to the lone house below the hill.

Akira silently handed two towels to the two elders. The three of them were soaked wet from the rain. The two old couples were with him from the first day he received the news of his grandfather's accident. They were the one who brought his grandfather to the local hospital and informed him. Thus, he is truly grateful to the old couple. Unfortunately, his grandfather did not make it.

 The old man goes down to town to buy ingredients to celebrate his passing the prestigious Imperial University entrance exam in Imperial City when he suddenly falls down near the old couple's ramen shop. The old man had a heart attack while riding his bicycle on the way home. The head injury during his fall cost his life. 

He still remembered the old man's last word before leaving that day…

"Hey kiddo, I will be going down to town to buy some ingredients. Let us have a sumptuous meal tonight to celebrate your passing the exam." Said the old man to his grandson who sat silently in front of the old computer waiting for the Imperial University Entrance Exam Result.

"Too early." (The result is not out yet.) Akira answered without looking back as he continued staring at the computer screen.

"What? You don't  have confidence in your ability?" Tease the old man.

This time, Akira looked at his grandpa with the same blank face. Nodding slightly. "I believe." Then stared back at the computer screen. Rubbing the nail of his left thumb finger against his left forefinger.

The old man saw this and smirked. Clearly, the young man is tense despite his blank face.

"Go dry yourself quickly. Your soaking wet too." Grandma Hamada's urges woke him from the memory of his last conversation with his grandfather.

Akira nodded and silently went back to his room. A moment later he returned with a pair of clean bathrobe. And handed them to the old couple.

Grandma Hamada smiled as she accepted it and handed one to the old man beside her who was currently drying himself with the towel earlier while gazing at the rain outside.

"Tsk,tsk. This rain will not stop. I think we should stay here tonight. If it is convenient to Akira-kun." Grandpa Hamada looked at him.

"Will it be okay with you Akira-kun?" Grandma Hamada hesitantly asked. Even though they were with the young man in this house ever since the funeral and knew him for a long time, they are still worried if Akira-kun felt uncomfortable having other people inside the house aside from his late grandfather. The old Herbalist Yanase was a very private person. Despite knowing each other for a long time, it was still their first time entering the house on the day they brought back the old Yanase's ashes.

"Hmm." Akira nodded. "The hot bath is ready." And handed them another pair of unused mossy green colored yukata from his grandfather's wardrobe.

The old couple smiled. As they also urged the young man to take a hot bath in fear of falling sick.