Caught at Lake Okutama (3)

As we wandered the deserted aisles of the convenience store, this mystery echoed in our minds. Saé, searching for answers in the shadows of the empty shelves, hypothesized that perhaps Edano could be a character from the film that had come to life. An idea that hung in the air like an unsolved riddle.

I considered the proposition carefully, but quickly shook my head and dismissed it. "It doesn't add up," I said to Saé, trying to dispel the shadow of doubt that hung in the air. "If he were a character in the film, he would have followed a script, wouldn't he? Yet his actions and reactions seem more spontaneous, as if he had his own arbiter."

Saé nodded, seeming to accept this logic. "You're right. It was just a thought that crossed my mind. But something's not right, Bun, and I can't seem to put my finger on it."

I whispered to Saé that I might have an idea about Edano's strange situation. I pointed out to him that my answer to Edano, when he had asked me about my theory regarding the film that came to us, had been deliberately ambiguous on my part. Saé seemed captivated by this revelation.

She shared with me a pertinent observation she had made at the end of the first riddle. The child's voice had called Edano "Takehiro" instead of "Takeo" as he had introduced himself to us. A subtle but significant discrepancy that added an extra layer of mystery around our mysterious companion.

I nodded to Saé that I might have a lead on Edano's true identity, but that I'd rather keep it to myself for now. "It's better if I don't tell you right now..." I whispered, aware that the slightest piece of information could be crucial in this ever-changing world.

The words I had chosen seemed to have struck a chord with Saé. She took offense at my answer, asking me if I didn't trust her enough to share my thoughts. I assured her that the opposite was true, that I had absolute confidence in her, but that I simply wished to protect her from the possible ramifications of this revelation.

She gave me a piercing look. "What exactly are you trying to protect me from, Bun?"

Saé took her distance, heading for the food shelves while mumbling. "It's always the same. My life is like an infinite loop. It comes to me and then it disappears..."

I stood there, caught between the desire to protect her and the need to maintain a certain veil over our discoveries, aware that the mystery around Edano was only thickening. I didn't know Saé well enough, but I was certain that telling her wouldn't help matters.

Saé stared at me with worried eyes, appealing. "Try to understand me Bun, I don't want you to disappear."

I reassured her as best I could that it wouldn't happen. However, the tension between us was palpable.

Finally, I decided to share my theory with her. Murmuring these words carefully. "It's possible that Edano had a criminal past before this film became reality." The pieces of the puzzle seemed to be coming together, but there were still grey areas that fueled my doubts.

We took our groceries from the mini-market and were about to leave the premises when suddenly, a translucent bluish barrier appeared in front of us. It seemed to be the tollgate for leaving this place. Instinctively, I was about to take out some money to pay, but Saé gently held me back, saying she would take care of it. Her eyes reflected a sudden determination, as if she were trying to take matters into her own hands.

Sae reminded me of our exchange at the cinema when I'd given her my popcorn. With a mischievous smile, she declared that we were now even. The question of payment then arose. "He's asking for 15 coins. Is that 15 yen?" asked Saé.

I quickly realized that real money was no object. The coins we'd received after solving the first two riddles seemed the appropriate currency.

After paying with our strange riddle coins, we exited the convenience store with our groceries in hand. I felt the need to remark to Saé that there was another reason behind her gesture of wanting to pay for me. She didn't seem surprised by my insight and confessed. "I believe you are the key to this whole enigma, so I wish to save you from futile worries."

"The key to this whole enigma you say?..."

On the way, we found Edano enjoying what he had bought. He asked us about having to pay to get out, and I confirmed that we'd also encountered this strange barrier.

"You too, eh? This is really strange," Edano commented, one eyebrow raised.

Saé nodded, adding, "We had to use these coins we got after solving the riddles. It's like they're our currency here."

Edano thought for a moment before asking, "And you didn't eat what you bought?"

I replied with a smile, "No, I thought I'd prepare it before tasting."

He shrugged, then concentrating again on his own meal. "Suit yourself," he said.

"Saé gave me an idea of where we could eat, a few minutes from here," I said to Edano.

He nodded, and we set off in the direction of that place. 

On the way, our eyes were caught by two Buddha statues dressed in samurai garb, an unusual scene that didn't fit in with Saé's memories. "There were three Buddha statues without strange accoutrements," she remarked, disturbed by this dissonance.

"Don't worry about that," I reassured her, "let's concentrate on the rest."

After a few minutes' walk through the quiet streets of Okutama, we reached a local inn. At first glance, everything seemed normal, but something was amiss. Subdued lighting and a quiet ambience gave the place a special atmosphere. There was no sound of conversation, no murmur of customers. The inn was surprisingly deserted, as if time had stood still in this unusual place.

I shared a puzzled look with Saé, who also seemed to sense the strangeness of the situation. "It's strange, isn't it? We haven't met a single person since we arrived here," she remarked, adding to the mystery of our epic journey.

Edano, as pragmatic as ever, commented lightly: "It's as if this town had been frozen in time." His observation further underscored the singular nature of our surroundings.

As I set about preparing soba noodles, I realized my culinary ignorance. Turning my eyes to Saé, I asked for her help. "You know how to prepare soba noodles, don't you?"

A knowing smile lit up her face. "An expert in the kitchen, Bun? I was sure I was getting my hopes up."

"I can't see the method on the internet since there's no network."

The perfectly prepared bowl of soba noodles she brought back was gratefully received. "There, it's ready," she declared, bringing a little normalcy to our strange situation. We sat down to enjoy our meal, each of us deep in thought, savoring this pause in the heart of the unknown.

As we savored our meal, captivated by the picturesque view of Lake Okutama, I couldn't help asking Saé how she knew this place.

Saé, reflecting on past memories, shared a personal story with us. "I remember that time when I lived here for a few days," Saé began, thinking back to past memories. "It was a time when I felt particularly lonely. So, in search of exploration and solace, I roamed the streets and nooks and crannies of this charming town," she shared. Her words echoed in the peaceful atmosphere of the inn, adding a touch of nostalgia to our experience.

Edano, silent until then, seemed absorbed by Saé's tales. The mystery surrounding our new companion persisted, but for a brief moment, we let ourselves be carried away by our friend's memories.

Lost in Saé's tales of the past, my eyes wandered over the details of the inn. It was then that I came across a painting of Odawara Castle, a captivating piece of history embodied in the masterpiece's vibrant colors.

This fascinating discovery drew my attention, but suddenly a child's voice rang out in the peaceful air of the inn. Her words heralded the imminent arrival of a new enigma, creating a palpable tension that blended with the historic atmosphere of the place. My gaze turned from the painting to my companions, ready to take up the mysterious challenge that lay ahead.