NAKU JOSEI'S
END OF THE HOLIDAYS
The noise of the wind sounded loud and made the temple clatter.
They closed all the doors and windows to make the atmosphere a little quieter.
They all sat in a circle while listening to Nori-san's explanation of the incident in the village.
"So, it happened like that, huh? All right, I'll tell you a little bit of information about this creature" said Kotaro Sensei, who then began to tell the story.
"Ten-eight years ago, I was one of the people involved in sealing Naku Josei in Kaze village. It wasn't easy, because this thing was different from the creatures I've met before. He looks more like a demon than a ghost. Believe it or not, but this is not the first time Naku Josei has been removed from the Kramat object that sealed her ...."
"What do you mean by 'not the first time'?" Izumi.
"Hemmm .. Listen to my story until it's over. About fifty years ago, the demon was also once sealed by the village elders inside a chest, and buried near a river. But ... somehow the grave was dug up and the crate inside it was open. They said it was her husband who did not want her spirit to be treated like that. But anyway it's just a folklore going around. No one knows the exact origin of Naku Josei.
"According to another story, Naku Josei is a beautiful woman named Hanako Tatsumaki who once lived in the village with her husband and two children. They all lived happily, until the moment her husband left for work in the city, and a terrible incident happened to Hanako and her two children.
"Their house was robbed; the two children were killed, and the body was thrown into the lake; and Hanako was raped, and they killed her by hanging her from a rope.
But, there is one story more terrible than all those stories. There is an issue that says that actually Hanako herself has―"
BRUAK !!
The loud bang on the temple door shocked everyone inside. The red candles that had been lit, were now all blown to death by the wind that came out of nowhere.
SYUUUU ...
A gentle gust of wind entered through the cracks of the air vents, and there were sounds of footsteps from the roof of the temple followed by a soft cry.
HORN.. HORN.. HORN..
HICKS ... HICKS ....
*****
"Don't be afraid, hold on to your beliefs" said Kotaro sensei, who tried to calm them down.
Everyone who was aware of Naku Josei's presence began to pray and some of them held hands. Izumi, her mother hugged Yuki tightly, while Mark, her father prayed while holding the cross she held.
The atmosphere became even more tense as the strong wind blew the doors and every window of the temple wide open. That once-slow sound of crying had now turned into a terrifying scream.
Monks stood and walked around every corner of the temple praying, while Kotaro sensei walked out through the temple's open doors.
"It must be heavy, right? You must have been through something bad during your lifetime, Hanako-san."―Kotaro sensei walks down the steps―"I will pray for you and your children, but please .. leave the child," he asked.
Hearing the monk's words, Naku Josei immediately appeared in a very terrible appearance with a strange growling sound coming out of his mouth.
Kotaro sensei walked up to her, then said, "Are you going to hurt her just like you hurt other children? Don't you know that the parents left behind by their children have felt the same way as you do?"
The growling sound of Naku Josei is becoming more and more.
"Until when are you going to continue like this? Until you feel satisfied? If you do something like this, isn't this your act the same as the ones who hurt Ayumi and Oba?"
Hearing Kotaro sensei's words, Naku Josei screamed and flew to the roof of the temple. He stood up and looked down.
"I will pray for the good of you and your children. I promise you, Ayumi and Oba will be very happy if you meet them" said Kotaro sensei, who closed his eyes and began to pray.
Everyone inside the temple prayed with hope; asking for help and protection from Naku Josei's interference.
Tense, fear, even sadness, Yuki's feelings at that time were mixed.
HICKS ... HICKS ....
As the prayer was chanted, the sound of Naku Josei's cries gradually dimmed until it was finally heard no more. The sighting slowly faded, then disappeared.
The wind that had been roaring, had now returned to calm, and the atmosphere changed for the better.
After that nothing bad happened. That night, they all sat praying together inside the temple until the sun rose.
*****
In the morning, Yuki is still seen sleeping on her mother's lap inside the temple. Mark and Kotaro sensei are sitting next to him. On the other hand, everyone is seen already gathered in the parking lot, they are getting ready to go to the airport to drop off Izumi, Mark, and Yuki.
"No need to worry, there's still so much I want to tell you about the devil, but it looks like your son will be fine. It's impossible to chase Yuki-chan all the way to America, right? hehe," said Kotaro sensei who then said again,
"But, my advice .. don't take Yuki-chan to Japan before she grows up. Naku Josei only targets minors. Usually children under the age of 10 years, although sometimes there are teenagers, even adults who are victims. But believe me, the devil is only after children for their souls to take."
"We understand, sensei," Mark replied with his non-fluent Japanese.
"Alright, it seems like everyone is waiting for you outside. Come on, it's time for you to go home." Kotaro sensei stood up and walked out.
"Yuki-chan, get up, we'll get out of here soon," Izumi woke Yuki up by stroking her cheeks.
"Mother?" muttered Yuki.
He woke up, and the three of them walked out into the crowd of people who were already waiting.
Everyone had entered the car, staying there Yuki, Izumi, Mark and Nori-san who were standing facing Kotaro sensei and the other monks. They pay their respects and farewell to the monks.
"Again, thank you for everything" Izumi said, bowing, then walking into the car with Yuki and Mark.
Kotaro Sensei walked over and touched the shoulder of Nori-san who was about to enter the car. "If one day the boy comes back, please keep an eye on him" he said.
"Alright, sensei," Nori-san replied.
The temple gate was opened, and they left the place.
SHYUUUU ...
The wind gently blew on the dry leaves of the tree, making Kotaro sensei step back for a moment and say inwardly, "Hopefully the child is okay, never come back again, Yuki-chan."
*****
January 2, 2005. At 10:00 AM.
They finally arrived at Osaka International Airport. The other relatives accompanied them until the time of the flight.
Mark shook hands with all of them and said goodbye. Miyako cries hugging her brother and kisses Yuki. "May God protect you all" he said.
"How are you feeling now?" ask Nori-san.
Yuki just shook his head.
Nori-san took out something from behind her jacket and gave it to Yuki. "Save this parchment. Someday you will need it. This is the protective talisman of the evil spirit that my teacher gave me when I was a child" explained Nori-san, smiling.
"Thank you everyone," Izumi respectfully, bowed her head and walked away while waving her hands.
At 10:20. They Finally Take Off.
Along the way, Izumi tells Yuki about all the things she has just faced. He also tells Yuki that some of the people who drove them were their relatives, including Nori-san.
The vacation that Yuki wants turns out to be not in accordance with what he expected. Unexpected events happen to him. But she was grateful, because she and her parents were fine, until they returned home safely.
Yuki continues her life in Los angeles as usual, going to school and playing with her friends. He tries to forget about his bad past, and looks forward to pursuing his goals.
Time goes very fast too. When he was a teenager, bad news came that made his heart slashed. Yuki was seventeen at the time, when news came that his grandfather had died of severe illness.
Mark and Izumi go to attend her funeral, while they do not allow Yuki to leave. All she could do was contact her grandmother in the village while crying.
Sunday, 14 June 2020.
As time goes by, Yuki now grows into a very beautiful and sexy adult woman. His intelligence and achievements at the university he studied first, making him accepted to work in a well-known brand company in Los Angeles with a position that is quite important.
Yuki is completely preoccupied with her work, Until one day, she is contacted by her grandmother from Japan.
"Hello, grandma. How are you?" greet Yuki with a happy smile.
*****
CONNECT ...