Darcy
"I don't want to go to that place. I don't know their culture. I don't know their language. Please send me to any place but there." Darcy Maxwell, a skilled British photographer, complained.
"But you did say that you want to see the world," his boss reasoned. "Darcy, I know that you will never say 'no' to the beautiful views and wonderful festivals of Japan. Besides, I will give you a good lump of sum for this project. And I promise that you will stay in an English-speaking inn with very hospitable people."
Darcy went back to his home. He considered his boss's offer. If I go to Japan, I'd stay there for probably 8 months. It's a very long time and I would certainly miss my life back here. Going there may be worth the experience. He did promise me a fine inn and a good lump of money.
Sei Satou
"Why do we have to scrub the floors thrice? And the windows twice? Who is this Darcy Maxwell, anyway? Is he the emperor?" Sei Satou complained.
"Mr. Darcy Maxwell is a very great photographer, whatever that is. He would come from Britain tomorrow. We must make sure that this man would stay longer. He must be impressed with our inn and find our people approachable, nice and hospitable." her mother explained. "I know that you despised men ever since your father left us. You were very young then and--"
"Mom, please stop retelling me his tale. Who would love a story about a five year-old girl whose father left to marry a despicable woman just because he got her pregnant?!"
"Do not speak of your father in that way, Sei Satou. He will always be your father. Now, change the sheets in the 19th room." her mom scolded.
Sei Satou climbed the stairs and listened to the creaking her each step made. Mom would never admit that father didn't love us. Men don't know love. Oh, and I hate this Darcy. He would probably just boast about their fine culture and enjoy Mom's extra care.
Darcy
The long trip made him so exhausted. He arrived at the inn, received his key and went directly to his room. Darcy never bothered to speak to any of the workers nor to the innkeeper. He lied on his soft bed and drifted off to sleep.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Darcy was awakened by this. He turned the knob to see the face of a boyish Japanese girl.
"Who are you?" Darcy asked, annoyed.
"Mom wants to see you downstairs. She's inviting you for dinner." the girl replied, never bothering to answer Darcy's question. With that, the girl left.
Darcy, surprised by the warm welcome of the innkeeper and the girl's cold invitation, changed then went downstairs.
He saw the girl and approached her. He sat on the cushion beside her but before he opened his mouth to speak, the girl snapped, "That's mom's seat."
Darcy stood and took the cushion across the girl. He didn't bother to speak for he didn't know what to say. Afraid that he might get shouted at by the girl again, he looked around the room and observed the furniture. Everything was made of wood. Then a thin, middle-aged woman came followed by a man carrying food.
"Hi! I'm Sachiko Satou, the innkeeper and this is my daughter, Sei Satou," the woman said.
So that's the innkeeper's daughter, Sei Satou. Why does she act that way, anyway? Darcy asked himself.
Before Darcy could speak, there was a bowl of rice in front of him with lots of sauce. Then he remembered that he couldn't use the chopsticks very well. He took the bowl and the chopsticks. There's no turning back.
"Please put your food back, sir," Sachiko Satou said then turned to her daughter.
Sei Satou, knowing what her mother meant, said, "itadakimasu".
Darcy, afraid he might make a mistake again, observed the two ladies. Seeing that the two had taken their food already, he took his. He had a hard time using the chopsticks. He could only put a few grains of rice in his mouth. He didn't even know what the food tastes like. Seeing that the ladies had put back their bowls back on the table, he put back his too. He stopped eating though he was still starving. He doesn't want others to watch while he eats. He sipped his tea then put it back, smiling.
"Gochisosama," Sachiko Satou whispered.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou knocked on Room #19.
"Who are you?" the man asked.
Sei Satou was startled at his question. How rude of him. Instead of answering his question, she told him her purpose and hurriedly left. She sat on the cushion and looked outside. Suddenly, the man came. How dare he sit beside me! I had to tell him that it was my mom's seat.
Sei Satou was surprised by the man's silence. He didn't talk throughout the dinner, which she found good. The dinner went smoothly for her until she saw that Darcy did not empty his bowl. It's a good manner for Japanese people to empty their dishes up to the last grain of rice. Darcy haven't even eaten half of his food.
Darcy
He never wanted the dinner happen again. He never wanted to be embarrassed again.
I must not stay in the inn. I would leave early each morning and arrive late at night everyday. It's the only plan he thought to stay away from them and avoid turning down the innkeeper's invitations. I don't want to see the innkeeper become sad because of my refusal so I'd rather hide. Unfortunately, I don't know how to go where. He thought best not to stay too far from the inn. One day, Darcy woke a bit later.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Darcy grabbed his robe. His heart was beating so fast. Please, tell me it's not Sei Satou. He prayed. He opened the door and greeted, "Good Morning!"
"Mom wants to see you at dinner tonight," Sei Satou replied, ignoring the greeting.
"I--"
"Please don't tell me 'I can't'," Sei Satou interrupted. "Mom prepared dinner every night, hoping that you would come early. She would definitely enjoy having dinner with you. Seeing her customers enjoy her company is her only pleasure. Please come."
"If I come, would you promise to act a little warmer to me?" Darcy asked.
"Okay. I would do it for mom." Sei Satou agreed then turned her back.
"And one thing more," Darcy called back but Sei Satou stood still, her back on Darcy. "Help me with my work. I need to take pictures of Japan."
Sei Satou nodded silently and hurried downstairs.
Sei Satou
This man is blackmailing me. If only I don't love my mom so much, I wouldn't agree spending my precious time with him.
He never really stayed far from the inn. I always see him in the restaurants or walking in the streets.
"Mom, I convinced the man to see you for dinner," Sei Satou called to her mom. "Thank you, Sei Satou. Please act warmer to Mr. Maxwell. You probably scare him." her mother replied with a chuckle. "By the way, have you greeted him a 'Happy Valentine's Day'?" her mother added but Sei Satou was gone.
Darcy
Darcy was glad to know that Sei Satou would act warmer to him. On the other side, he was scared to use the chopsticks in front of her again tonight.
He entered a restaurant and ordered Ramen, a noodle soup with various toppings. He took the chopsticks and practiced using them. Soup spilled all over the table and his shirt. He dropped some of his vegetables too but he continued eating. After an hour or so, he emptied his bowl and admired his perseverance.
He entered another shop decorated with red hearts of different sizes.
"Good morning!" the saleslady greeted.
Darcy ignored the greeting and looked for a box of chocolates. After going through the shelves repeatedly, he finally found the perfect box of chocolates. He paid for it then went back to the restaurant he once were in to have lunch. He ordered Ramen again and discovered his improvement. He dropped less vegetables and prevented the toppings to splash on the soup which spilled on his shirt earlier.
He also noted that he emptied his bowl 25 minutes earlier. He was back in the inn early.
"Mr. Maxwell!" Sachiko Satou called.
Darcy approached her and saw Sei Satou seated beside her. He took again the cushion across Sei Satou's.
"Thank you for the invitation," Darcy said.
"It is my job to keep my customers happy," Sachiko Satou replied, smiling. She turned to Sei Satou who instantly said "itadakimasu".
They took their bowls and started to eat. It was the same food, rice with sauce. This time, he enjoyed the food and remembered its taste. He finished just after the ladies put their bowls back down.
"Gochisosama," Sachiko Satou whispered.
"Did you enjoy the meal, Mr. Maxwell?" Sachiko Satou asked.
"Very much," Darcy replied happily.
Darcy and the innkeeper exchanged stories. Darcy talked about his adventures in France, Germany, and Finland while Sachiko Satou talked about her experiences with her customers. They both gasped and laughed until late at night. Sei Satou listened silently and yawned throughout the conversation.
When the three of them stood, the innkeeper collected the bowls and left.
Darcy turned to Sei Satou and said, "I expect you to tour me around the city tomorrow." He handed the box of chocolates, smiled then greeted, "Happy Valentine's Day!"
Sei Satou's jaw dropped. And she ran to the kitchen.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou was surprised of Darcy's early arrival. She didn't really expect him to come but she was glad he did. Her mother was glad too. She was surprised to see Darcy empty his bowl. It made her think that Darcy was nice. Until he talked about his adventures.
I knew that Darcy would just boast of his experiences. Men are all the same. And he gave me chocolates! He insulted me! A girl with short hair doesn't mean that she's a man. Men are given chocolates on the 14th of February. Women are given during the White Day! I hate him!
"Sei Satou, forgive him. He doesn't know a thing about our culture. He's from Europe, you can't expect him to know everything about Japan. He probably had a hard time finding the perfect box of chocolates for you. I don't want to lose him. He's such a great man. Sei Satou, please be friends with the poor man. You don't know anything about men. Don't you know he's trying to befriend you?" Sachiko Satou explained.
"I know everything perfectly well about them," Sei Satou snapped.
Darcy
Darcy couldn't understand Sei Satou's reaction last night. He left the inn early like he used to do. He didn't expect Sei Satou to tour him around the city after what happened last night.
Thinking that he's stuck in a place where people speak differently and where people don't act normal, he felt lost. He wanted to return to Britain, the place he calls home. The place he knows very well. He entered a shop and browsed through the books. He found "So You Wouldn't Be Lost While You're Here" and flipped through its pages. It's a guide on how to survive the Japanese people. This is what I need. He thought. He paid for the book and went to his favorite restaurant.
Darcy, excited on the festivals Japan celebrates, turned the page about Japanese festivities. He looked for the month of February and read:
February 14: On this day, women traditionally give chocolates to their special men, as well as to their male coworkers.
He reread the statement and realized his mistake. Next he read:
March 13: Peach Festival. Girls display a set of dolls dressed in costumes of courtiers of the Heian period. Many families pass these dolls from generation to generation. Other customs include displaying peach blossoms; eating red, white and green diamond-shaped mochi; and drinking shirozake, a white beverage. According to an old wives' tale, a girl who leaves her dolls on display after this holiday will be late to marry.
March 14: White Day. On this Japanese twist on Valentine's Day, a man buys his special woman a treat.
Darcy smiled. So March 14 is the right day to give women chocolates. But she should have understood my mistake. She knows that I'm foreign.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou noticed Darcy's habitual absence. She felt sorry for him. It wasn't probably his fault. Mom's right. Maybe I should give him a chance.
Sei Satou woke very early the next day. She helped her mom cook mochi, a Japanese rice cake. They cook rice cakes every 13th of March to celebrate the Peach Festival.
"Mr. Maxwell!" Sei Satou called when she spotted Darcy approach the inn's exit. "Please, don't leave today. Today we celebrate the Peach Festival and um..Mom wants you to celebrate it with us."
Sachiko Satou chuckled then continued molding the paste into diamond-shaped mochi.
Darcy stopped, smiled then went back to his room.
Sei Satou couldn't speak. What's with him? He didn't say a word. I'm sure I was polite. Sei Satou thought then continued helping her mom.
Darcy
Darcy woke up early, as usual, but had different plans. He planned to take pictures of how Japanese people prepare for the Peach Festival but Sei Satou forbade him to leave.
What's with her? She acts so unusual. Her mother might have scolded her. Darcy wondered.
He loaded his camera with film and wiped its lens with a clean white cloth. He left his room and for the first time in his stay in Japan, he touched his camera and will finally use it.
He entered the kitchen and saw Sachiko and Sei Satou molding white paste. He took some pictures of them. He could see that Sei Satou was a bit annoyed but she tried hard to hide it.
Sei Satou
What's with the camera, anyway? I hate that thing. Can't he just lock his self in his room until we're done? Sei Satou carried a box and brought out her dolls. She arranged them on a five-tiered stand covered with a red carpet. There were 2 dolls on the top, 3 dolls on the second step, 5 dolls on the third, 2 dolls on the fourth and 3 on the last step.
"Do you mind telling me the purpose of the dolls?" came a voice.
Sei Satou looked up and saw Darcy. "Well, at the top are the emperor and empress. The next step contains three court ladies, followed by five musicians, two ministers, and three servants at the bottom. It's a tradition."
Sachiko Satou came and handed each of them a cup of shirozake. Sei Satou sipped then continued arranging her dolls. There were clicks again from the camera but Sei Satou ignored it this time.
"It's shirozake. Come taste our mochi. It's a cake made of glutinous rice." Sei Satou said.
His joke wasn't funny. I may look like a boy but it doesn't mean that I'd never get married.
Darcy
Darcy went downstairs and was surprised to see boyish Sei Satou play with dolls. Darcy found Sei Satou friendlier today. I was about to ask her if she could take me see the city. The innkeeper came and handed us a cup of what seemed like a white drink. Sei Satou said that it's called shirozake. It tastes like wine. The mochi was fine too. I'm glad I won't use chopsticks again.
The festival was fine before it lasted.
"You know, you should keep your dolls before tonight ends. You might get married at a very old age." Darcy joked.
Sei Satou left and went to the kitchen.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou left the inn and returned just before Darcy left.
"Mr. Maxwell," Sei Satou called and handed a box of chocolates. "Men are supposed to give chocolates today but I decided to give you instead."
Darcy thanked her and asked her to wait for her. Darcy was back after a few minutes and handed her the box of chocolates he bought a month ago.
"You did say that men are supposed to give chocolates today. So, will you take me around the city?" Darcy asked.
Sei Satou took Darcy to the Matsumoto Castle.
"This is one of the National Treasures of Japan. My favorite part is the Donjon Tower." Sei Satou said. She took him up the tower then said, "This is the topmost floor, the sixth floor. Here, we have a shrine to the god of 26 nights." Rain began to pour. "I would usually come here when I feel sad. And sometimes, when I feel extremely sad, I would shower in the rain. Then I would forget all my problems and feel so carefree. Would you like to try it?" Sei Satou asked.
Before Darcy could say 'yes', they were already laughing and dancing in the rain. The rain stopped when dark came.
"I always loved the moon. You would certainly love to see it." Sei Satou pulled his arm then went to the Yagura. "Open the mairado," she ordered pointing to the three sliding doors.
"Thank you for taking me here," Darcy whispered.
But Sei Satou didn't seem to hear him. "This room is especially designed to view the moon and is called the 'moon room'. See the moon?" she asked pointing to the sky.
Darcy
Darcy prayed for the night not to end. He wanted to play with boyish Sei Satou in the rain again. He loved the moon, it shone with brilliance, sitting on its throne. He took the film out of his camera and kept it. He reloaded it before going to bed.
It was a fine April morning. Sei Satou found Darcy nice, or so he thought.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Darcy opened the door and saw the usual face of Sei Satou.
"Mom wants to take you to our picnic. We always celebrate Hanami today. It means cherry blossom viewing. You will definitely love the cherry blossoms because I love them. Please come." Sei Satou begged.
"I would be glad to go with you. Let me get my camera first." with that Sei Satou disappeared down the stairs.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou lied on the picnic blanket while Sachiko prepared their food. Darcy kept taking pictures.
"I always loved cherry blossoms. When I was a kid, I once tried to make a dress made of cherry blossoms." Sei Satou told Darcy.
"I have always been excited to see cherry blossoms. I wish I lived in Japan." Darcy replied watching the kids play.
Sachiko served the riceballs wrapped in nori, thin dried seaweed sheets.
"Mr. Maxwell, why don't you try to say 'itadakimasu'?" Sachiko Satou asked him.
"Itadakimasu," Darcy whispered, confused.
"It means 'I gratefully receive'. We say it before we eat. Then we say 'gochichosama' which means 'Thank you for the meal' after eating." Sei Satou explained.
They ate the riceballs while they talked and laughed.
"You use your chopsticks better now," Sei Satou complimented.
"I have been here since February. I should know by now how to use it." Darcy replied with a smile. They laughed and exchanged stories, this time including Sei Satou, until it's time for them to go home.
Darcy
Darcy bumped to Sei Satou this morning. She gave him a pink strip of paper then left.
He looked for Sachiko Satou in the kitchen and asked, "What do I do with this strip of paper?"
"That is where you will write you wishes and romantic aspirations. We tie it to a bamboo tonight and who knows, it might come true." the innkeeper chuckled then continued with her work.
Darcy returned to his room and took out his pen. He lied on his bed for an hour but couldn't think of anything to write.
"Darcy! Give me your strip of paper now. It's time for us to tie it to the bamboo." Sei Satou called from outside.
They went out of the inn and tied their strips of paper to the bamboo. "Today is the Star Festival. We celebrate it on the 7th month of the year, on its 7th day. On this day two stars, Altair and Vega, that are usually separated from each other by the Milky Way, come together." Sei Satou explained. "There's a lot you need to learn from our culture. It's fun learning it, anyway."
Sachiko Satou motioned for them to go inside. The innkeeper prepared rice and tempura tonight which Darcy found easier to eat. Sei Satou and Darcy returned outside after eating.
So what did you wish for?" Sei Satou asked Darcy.
"That I had already found the girl I was searching for," Darcy replied. "And what did you wish for?"
"That the man I was looking for would never leave," Sei Satou answered.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou sat and began to write.
"What's that for?" Darcy asked. "The next Star Festival would come next year, you know."
"It's another wish, a wish for the people who departed. The Bon Festival ends tonight. We will float lighted candles in small paper lanterns tonight. Do you have something to wish for the people you know who died?" Sei Satou asked.
But Darcy was gone.
Darcy
Darcy was glad to know that there's another celebration. He fetched his camera and returned downstairs.
"Hurry!" Sei Satou called. "Mom had already left."
"Where do you float your paper lanterns?" Darcy asked.
"In the river," Sei Satou replied quickly.
"Today is August 15. When is the next celebration?" Darcy asked again.
"On the 9th of September, we celebrate the Chrysanthemum Festival," Sei Satou answered.
"I'd leave on the 11th of September," Darcy informed sadly.
"Leave? Why are you going to leave?" she asked, surprised.
"I was here because I have work to do. My job would be done soon, I can't stay any longer."
"I guess there's no sense in writing wishes during the Star Festival," she said sadly.
"Huh?" Darcy asked, confused.
But Sei Satou had ran to the river to release her paper lantern.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou was glad to know that Darcy would help her make a robe made of fresh chrysanthemum flowers for a life-size doll.
"It's a part of the Chrysanthemum Doll Fete," Sei Satou said. "This festival is the least celebrated of the five seasonal celebrations."
There were clicks from the camera again. Sei Satou, after 7 months, got used to the usual clicking of the camera.
Sei Satou decided to tidy up Darcy's room the next day. He would leave soon so he decided to take one last visit to the Matsumoto Castle.
She found the box of chocolates she had given Darcy during White Day. She removed the lid and saw photos, photos of women she had never seen before. They were undoubtedly Europeans. Each of them was dressed in different gowns; red, purple, black, gold. Sei Satou's hopes crashed. I thought that he liked me. I was waiting for him to tell me he loves me but he never did. He might tell me later but I'm glad I knew of his women collection earlier. I didn't know I was falling for him. And it breaks my heart to know that he has a women collection. I'm glad he never told me about his feelings. I could have fainted and given my everything to him. Tears streamed from her eyes. She left the room and waited for the rain to pour. Unfortunately, it did not.
Darcy
Darcy climbed the Donjon Tower. He would certainly miss this place, the first place he had gone to with Sei Satou, the woman he loved. He thought of the moments he had with Sei Satou. He planned to print Sei Satou's photos when he arrives in Britain. He couldn't wait to show his photos in an exhibit.
On the 11th of September, Darcy looked for Sei Satou. She was nowhere to be found. Darcy left with sadness, unable to bid his beloved goodbye.
Back in Britain, Darcy became very depressed. To get rid of his depression, he showered in the rain a lot of times. He got very ill because of this. Darcy soon discovered that he was suffering from pneumonia. Knowing that he would die soon, he asked his boss to wrap Sei Satou's pictures in a paper patterned with pink cherry blossoms, which he knew was Sei Satou's favorite. He asked his boss to send it to Japan.
Sei Satou
Sei Satou received a strange package one morning. It had a familiar scent but she did not know whom it belonged to. She ripped the package open and found pictures, her pictures. There were pictures when she had falling cherry blossoms behind her, when she was arranging the dolls during the Peach Festival, when she was floating paper lanterns, when she was burning the bamboo during the Japanese Star Festival, when she was in the Donjon Tower at the Matsumoto Castle and a lot more. A letter dropped from the package, it read:
Sei Satou,
Thank you for showing me around Japan. And for teaching me your culture. I was completely and incandescently happy being with you and I must say I love you. But I fear we might not see each other anymore. Where were you when I left, anyway? Anyway, don't forget to pray for me on the 15th of August. Please use a blue paper lantern. Thank you.
With love,
Darcy Maxwell
**end
P.S.
If there are any illogical references, don't comment harshly. I'm an amateur. Hehe.
