Chapter 2: Kōyō (I)

ASAHI: "Mm!"

Asahi exclaims as he bites into his manju, the pair of brothers walk down the street as many others walk alongside them, taking in the sight of the countless crimson and golden autumn leaves as they fall gracefully from the trees, like raindrops from a golden sky. Taka matches Asahi's pace as they walk, biting into and enjoying his manju in a more reserved and mature manner compared to his little brother. But as they admire the leaves falling while they walk, Taka also watches something else; the people walking with them.

TAKA: "I haven't seen the people in this city this happy in a while, what's the occasion?"

Taka turns to ask his little brother, hoping to get an answer as he watches his brother try not to burn his mouth whilst eating hastily. He holds his hand up to his mouth as he chews as to not accidentally spit out the treat as he answers his brother. Through full cheeks and chewing his food, he answers his brother.

ASAHI: "Didn't you tell me yourself? The-"

He takes a moment to swallow.

ASAHI: "The war's over!"

Taka stands still, only for a moment. He can't believe the words his brother had just told him. He almost couldn't believe it, until a group of cars had driven past them, all carrying soldiers. Some wounded, but more celebrating in pure glee as they rode by raising their fists up to the air and cheering. It finally sunk in for him, his brother hadn't been lying. This is reality, real victory.

Satisfied with this news, he takes a less dignified bite out of his manju, throwing a little care to the wind, so that he could ease his mind and enjoy his day just a bit more. The pair admire the leaves as they joke around and tease each other, giggling and smiling to themselves as they prance past the auburn, uneven ground. They say hi to the old lady running the cigarette store, who's always a very kind and caring woman but now is even more ecstatic to see the brothers. Just then, Taka realizes to himself that he doesn't actually remember the date, so he tries to get a peek at the calendar the lady has in the store, before getting interrupted by Asahi as he drags him away from the store to the nearby street. They bare witness to a grand parade making its way up the farther end of the road from them, with shrine maidens dancing gracefully with ease up the stone road, like a swan making its way through a pond. The drummers hitting their taikos with ferocity, but without the intent of hostility. This thrills Asahi, as well as the scattered groups of soldiers looking on from within the crowd in the sidelines. Taka turns to see the boy with a smile bigger than he had ever seen on him ever since he was born. Taka then looks up to the beaming parade, and decides that everything from this point onward is the only thing that matters.

ASAHI: "Hey Big Brother, let's go follow them!"

Asahi runs off to follow the parade. Taking a deep, elated sigh, Taka soon follows Asahi into the crowd.

-

They then arrive at a red gate, in front of a crowded shinto shrine. Many people are there to bask in the shrines warm light, to take shelter from the cold, to celebrate the end of the war in the presence of others. The brothers decide to do the same, going into the crowded shrine to celebrate along with them. They are surrounded by a lively and warm crowd, full of smiles. People around them converse, talking about their day, what they ate, and prospects for a brighter future. Asahi comes to notice something much farther back in the shrine; a saisen box. Asahi tugs on Taka's clothes, signaling him towards the box. Taka notices and decides to oblige his little brother, walking on over towards the box with him. 

TAKA: "You got a coin, Asahi? Or do you need one from me?"

Asahi puts on a smug grin, as he turns to his brother with two, shiny 5 sen coins. 

ASAHI: "Look! I got one for you and me!"

Taka is genuinely surprised that his little brother had actually got his hand on some sen coins. Nonetheless, he happily accepts one of the silver coins from his brother. Both of them toss their coins in simultaneously, and then bring both of their hands together. They stand with their eyes closed, seeing nothing, but feeling a warmth and light like never before enshroud them. 

-

The brothers walk down the scarlet ladened, grey brick road. They watch as soldiers walk by them, eagerly walking to their homes. Bits and pieces of the festivities from beforehand slowly fall around their path, as normal daily life slowly set in to take claim of their worlds. Taka looks at Asahi, his smile beaming in the dim streetlight.

"Good." Taka thought. It's been a long time, since they've had a day of happiness or even normalcy, if there ever even had been such a day in the first place. He looks up to the sky, the stars gently painting the dark navy night sky. He only feels one thing, in this moment, right here and right now; elation. He takes a deep breath, and exhales, noticing his breath coming out in a white cloud from his mouth. It's almost winter. He had almost forgotten. He didn't even think they'd make it to winter. He finds it funny that he would look forward and be so excited for winter like this, an fact he preferred summer more. He smiles. Asahi notices this.

ASAHI: "I've never seen that before."

Taka comes back from his thoughts.

TAKA: "Seen what, Asahi?"

Asahi grins, as he too begins to look up the sky.

ASAHI: "When I looked around that temple, I noticed that I knew everybody. And I got to see them all make a face that I never knew they could make before." 

Taka remains silent, and decides to look up at the sky along with his brother. 

ASAHI: "I noticed... that they were all smiling. I've only ever seen you smile, Taka. And even then, it never felt like what I saw in like, the manga I read. If you know what I mean? Not to say you have a bad smile though."

Taka scoffs, as he thinks to himself to search for the North star.

ASAHI: "But today, it was totally different! Because the war ended, everywhere I looked everybody was smiling. And when I looked back at you, I realized that you were truly happy. It was like a dream come true. That's why I went over to that saisen box earlier, hoping that the gods would grant my prayer."

Takas eyes shuffle around, looking for the North star. Until finally, he finds it as he responds to Asahi.

TAKA: "What'd you pray for, Asahi?" 

Asahi smiles.

ASAHI: "I prayed that everyday after this one is just like this, full of smiles and happiness for forever!''

Taka looks back at his brother, and suddenly, he's gone. Taka turns around, and sees a little kid running after him. 

ASAHI: "Taka!"

Taka looks down, and sees two pieces of manju in his palm. 

CHAPTER 2: END.