Kouya Hijiri: CHAPTER 13

There was a tall thin pine tree which I took hold of and looked up. The gibbous moon was overhead and stars were coming out. I had lost sight of her. I looked down and there she was at the foot of a small cliff looking up.

“Be careful.” She called up. “Is it difficult to walk in those geta? I’ll let you wear my zori.”

“It ‘s all right. If I can’t walk in these, I’ll just take them off. I don’t want to make any further bother for you, Miss.”

She laughed cheerfully. “You’re calling me ‘Miss’? “

“The old man called you ‘Miss’. Are you a ‘Miss’ or a ‘Missus’ ?”

“It doesn’t matter to you. I’m old enough to be your aunt. Come on.”

She pulled up her kimono to her knees. In the moonlight her white legs were shining like frost.

While we made our way down the slope a huge toad appeared from underneath a bush. “Oh what an ugly thing.” She said. The toad approached her and seemed to cling to her leg. “Can’t you see I’m with a guest?” she scolded. “Why are you holding on to my leg? Even that’s too much for you. You just stick to eating bugs. Priest, don’t be afraid. He’s harmless. In the deep mountains like this, these creatures are tame and they’re not afraid of people. Go away Toad! I’m ashamed for you and your friends to be seen by my guest.” The toad went back into the bushes.