"She committed suicide, taking her own life and it is believed her unborn baby, to the spirit world," Midori-san spoke in a flat, monochromatic tone as if reciting a part. A monolog oblivious of the devastating effects it would have on the recipients' ears. "No one knows the reason leading to such an abominable crime. The only information available to us is what local folklore has passed down, word of mouth, through the distant echoes of time." In a grave silence that held our private thoughts hostage, Midori-san's left hand graciously swept her right kimono sleeve from the side of her delicate wrist, and poured us tea.