The air still clung to summer's warmth, but a subtle shift had begun. Mornings were thick with humidity, the sky painted in a pale haze as sunlight filtered gently through gauzy clouds. The days remained warm, yet not oppressive. As evening crept in, a cool breeze stirred the leaves, whispering secrets of the changing season. Nights grew quieter, more refreshing, laced with a delicate chill that hinted at what was to come. Occasional rainfall dampened the earth, leaving behind the comforting scent of wet soil. The once-loud chorus of cicadas had faded into a soft, distant echo.
With each passing day, excitement fluttered through the neighborhood like the first rustle of autumn leaves—the Otsukimi, or Moon Viewing Festival, was near. All around, families decorated their balconies and gardens with lanterns and pampas grass, preparing to gather under the full moon for a peaceful night of reflection and togetherness.
Meanwhile, the Baji household was as noisy and chaotic as ever.
"Oka-san! I said I'll have this and this—oh, and this—all for myself!" Keisuke declared proudly, holding up his shopping list like it was a sacred scroll.
Oka-san squinted at the paper, raising an unimpressed brow. "Keisuke... these are all just noodles."
Keisuke beamed, undeterred. "So what? Noodles are the best!" His eyes sparkled with the pure enthusiasm only a teenage boy could possess.
"Yeah, yeah…" Oka-san sighed, shaking her head, though a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
As Keisuke rushed off to get ready, Oka-san called out, "Asuka! You ready?"
"Yes, yes! Already here!" Asuka chirped as she skipped over, handing Oka-san her own list. "Ta-da!"
Oka-san took one glance at the items and blinked. "Manga... and snacks. That's it?"
"Hehe, manga and snacks are the perfect combo, Oka-san," Asuka said, puffing her chest out proudly. "They go together like magic!"
"But you already have a whole shelf of them," Oka-san pointed out.
"It's never enough!" Asuka grinned mischievously. "And you did say I could buy whatever I wanted if I scored well in school!"
"Fine, fine, whatever," Oka-san muttered, feigning defeat but clearly amused.
With lists in hand, the trio headed off to the mall. Keisuke sprinted toward the noodle aisle like a warrior charging into battle. Asuka zipped toward the manga corner, squealing when she spotted a new volume of her favorite series. Then she made a quick detour to the snack section, piling her basket high.
Once their personal missions were complete, both kids helped Oka-san gather ingredients and decorations for the upcoming festival. They agreed on making dango and other moon-themed foods to share with neighbors and friends.
By the time they returned home, the sky was painted in warm hues of orange and lavender. As they unpacked their shopping, laughter filled the air. Only two days remained until the festival, and preparations were just getting started.
Meanwhile, at the Sano household, things were more disciplined. The younger kids practiced in the dojo under Ji-chan's stern but loving gaze. In the kitchen, Emma and Shinichiro were busy making trial batches of sweets, while Manjiro helped by digging out lanterns and decorations from the storage room.
Finally, the night of Otsukimi arrived.
Excitement buzzed through every home. Lanterns glowed softly in gardens and balconies, casting a warm, golden light. Families gathered under the full moon, their faces lit with joy and reverence.
Keisuke lay back on a mat, arms folded behind his head as he stared at the glowing orb above.
"I heard a tale once," he said, his voice dreamy, "about rabbits living on the moon. They make rice cakes all day. Is that true, Oka-san?"
Oka-san chuckled softly. "Yes, that's a beautiful tale. I like to believe it's true. If you look closely, you can almost see them."
Asuka leaned against her father and looked up at the sky. "I heard about a moon princess once… the one who returned to the moon."
"Oh! You mean Princess Kaguya," Oka-san said, smiling gently.
"Want me to tell you her story?" she asked.
Everyone nodded eagerly.
Oka-san's voice softened as she began, painting the tale like a lullaby. "Long ago, a bamboo cutter found a glowing stalk in the forest. Inside, he discovered a tiny, radiant baby girl. He took her home, and she grew into a beautiful woman—Kaguya-hime. Suitors from across the land came to seek her hand, but she gave them impossible tasks they could not fulfill. Eventually, she revealed her secret—she was from the Moon. Though she had grown to love her family on Earth, her time here was limited. On the night of the full moon, celestial beings came to take her home. She left behind her tears and the hearts of those who loved her."
Silence followed the story, soft and reflective.
"So... in the end, everyone returns to where they come from," Keisuke murmured, his voice tinged with a rare seriousness.
Oka-san looked at him, then nodded slowly.
"But you know," she said, "the story of Princess Kaguya teaches us something. Everything—beauty, love, even life—is temporary. We hold on so tightly, but sometimes... we must let go. Acceptance is the only way to find peace."
The family sat in thoughtful silence, letting her words settle in like the cool breeze that swept across their balcony.
After a feast of dango, warm tea, and laughter, everyone slowly drifted off to their rooms.
But Asuka couldn't sleep.
She lay curled in her futon, eyes wide open, staring at the faint shadows dancing across her ceiling. The moonlight spilled through her window like a quiet visitor.
Her heart felt heavy.
> "Why does it ache like this?" she whispered to herself. "Didn't I accept this a long time ago? Didn't I already decide to come here to go to the other world?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the moonlight. She was only ten now. But in just a few short years five, maybe six. she knew the god would call her back. That was always the deal.
"But now... now I don't want to leave," she thought. "I don't want to lose this Oka-san's laughter, Keisuke's noisy teasing, Oto-san's quiet strength. I thought I came here to complete something. To prepare. So why... why do I want to stay so badly?"
She buried her face in her pillow, muffling a quiet sob.
'But I think it's alright as it is I'll ask the god about one wish which he can fulfill," Asuka said while controlling her tears.