August, 11th year of Tenjo
Nobuyasu Sanada, General Manager of Koyasan, Kiikuni
The sun set beyond the horizon a long time ago, and only a few lights project two shadows. It's about the time of Hiroshi, isn't it? I naturally entered a special situation for those who came to the room without warning in the middle of the night.
However, the one who came in with the door open is still a child with less than ten appearances. The child of the temple who had accidentally lost himself in that position without the slightest dust and without the feeling of murderous rage.
"Boy, this is a guest house?" If you see the temple people, you'll get a scolding. Come on, I'll keep quiet, so go back to your room as soon as possible. "
Just in case, while holding the scabbard with your left hand, I put one knee on it and gaze at the child. Try to soften your voice as much as possible so that the child is not afraid.
However, the child turned around and closed the door.
"Hey, hey... what are you doing..."
My right hand stretched out unexpectedly. Then, somehow, the light of the moon shone through the gap to illuminate the child who looked back, and my hand stopped because it clearly reflected the figure of the child.
"You, those eyes..."
The face of a child illuminated by the moonlight. A thin, lean cheek with a senseless expression. And that pupil doesn't reflect anything.
Void
To the extent that I thought such words were most appropriate, there was no light of hope in those eyes.
--That's right... it's as if my heart was shattered by the irrationality of this world.
The scene of the village being ravaged by the bandits passed through my head, and I couldn't say anything to the child, and my right hand stretched halfway swayed. I wonder if you've ever heard of my upset, but the boy takes off his kimono as he used to do.
".........!"
Take a step back and take a breath. Exactly, the appearance of trying to hide the lower body was too much information to understand the whole life that the child had walked.
Precisely, the engraving... would be correct.
A thin, luxurious body that is thin until the skeleton rises. Stab wounds engraved all over the body. Black stains everywhere. Crushed limbs. Cracked, blood-soaked nails. A tooth type attached to the neck.
It was obvious that all of them were out of order, and even the amateur could see that they were not things that had been added yesterday or today. I had to admit that I never wanted to admit that this child was being treated like this on a daily basis.
― ― It was too horrible a figure.
However, as soon as I returned to my senses, I rushed to the child in a hurry and took the kimono that had slipped down to my lower body.
"Anyway, hide it. Here. Hold on tight......"
I noticed it for the first time. It is said that the kimono that the child wore is too crude to be considered modest.
To be sure, Koyasan is the head of the innocent Shingon sect. Therefore, even if you are a child of the temple, you will not be able to wear a fine kimono where you can see. I don't have the financial resources of the Oda family.
But... but this child's kimono is too crude. In other words, the cloth that has been used up for decades is out of stock. It can be said that I just wore it to conceal this huge body wound from my surroundings.
The child mumbled in a small way, pointing his eyes at the light that could not pass through.
Please feel free to use it.
".........!"
The words contained no emotion whatsoever. However, as usual, he repeated the same words in an uninhibited tone.
At that moment, tears began to rise for some reason.
I desperately move my trembling hands to make the child wear my feathers. Along the way, the boy stared at me strangely, but he gave himself to me without saying anything in particular.
I took a bit of time, but I managed to get the child to wear a feather. Although it is somewhat untidy, I think it has become somewhat more visible than before.
I stroked her cheek gently as my gaze turned towards the child.
What do you say your name is?
The question has no particular significance. It was just the beginning of a common conversation. By the way, the sole was too frivolous.
“Yes, there is no first name”
Take a breath.
"Is your name... no? Well then, your parents..."
“Yes, I don't know my parents. I am said to have been born in this temple, but I do not know the year of my birth. I've been spending a lot of time with everyone.”
The worst assumptions go through my head.
"... how many of them are there?"
"Yes, I don't know."
"Don't you know? Oh, don't you know how to count?"
"Yes, I was taught how to count. However, after a few days, the numbers will change, so I've stopped counting.”
"...... I see...... I see"
Bend down while firmly clenching the hem.
A child that can only be affirmed. I was born and raised in a temple. Everyone spends time in the same place. Numbers, not number of people. Each element is joined by a single line to derive the answer.
... no, I wonder who could do such an easy thing. My father would have caught sight of all this child as soon as he saw it. I just didn't want to admit it.
Being beaten by such a pathetic way of feeling, the child in front of her suddenly shrank herself and lowered her head.
"I've been asked to be your consolation." If you go back like this, you'll have a fierce cage waiting for you. Please, give my condolences to this poor child. "
…………
I couldn't say anything anymore.
I'm sure what this boy said is true. And I suppose you've been taught to say this to those who are reluctant to do so like me.
I'm sure this isn't just done in Koyasan. I've heard rumors about it. However, I was too ignorant of the reality.
I was made to realize that to an unpleasant extent.
I put the child to sleep on the futon.
"Um..."
A pupil without light is directed. I gave the order in a strong tone, staring into his eyes.
"Sleep here. It's an order."
“Yes, I understand.”
Then, the child went to sleep without resisting. I watched the situation until morning.
It was not until ten days after that that I arrived in Azuchi.