Somebody’s hands spread out fusuma’s wings. Ama listens for. Miko looks into the room and sees a child with its nose flattened out on one of the painted branches of the camphor tree. She smiles and gracefully sits on the tatami mats; no words, just waiting for the unfolding of events. Little girl catches her grandma’s glimpse and exclaims enthusiastically:
“Miko-san! Have you seen it?!”
“Who, Ama-chan?” Miko’s voice flows smoothly and quietly.
“Magical fox?!”
“It must have been a dream, Ama-chan” Grandma replies.
“But, Miko-san! I’ve really seen it!” The little girl doesn’t give up.
“All right, then. Tell me how it looked like,” Miko encourages Ama with a nod. Little girl smiles and looks into her grandma’s violet eyes which seem to radiate the unknown depths. Then, she comes up to Miko and rests on her laps. Enveloping grandma’s skin a delicate scent of roses fills Ama’s nose with warm lightness.
“Actually, I’ve seen only its shadow. I don’t know if that kitsune was real.” A grimace of doubt appears on Ama’s face.
“Come, I’ll show you something,” Miko says. They rise together. Ama weaves her little fingers into Miko’s hand and follows her to the garden. Grandma moves so lightly as if she were just a breath of air.
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