墓を狂ったように掘り返したら見つかったもの

墓を狂ったように掘り返したら見つかったもの

“Brother… whose name is that?” Tomohiro’s voice trembled. Shunsuke was at a loss for words, still holding the white box. “…Kinoshita Sawa, born in 1998.” “I’ve never heard of her… what does this mean?” Keiko’s face turned pale, and the air froze in an instant. Shunsuke’s hands trembled, and the lid of the box opened slightly to reveal an old photograph and a letter. “To Sawa : I will find you someday.” – written in his father’s handwriting. Shunsuke’s knees collapsed. “Dad… what were you hiding…?” Amidst the sounds of Keiko’s sobs and Tomohiro’s angry shouts, the barking of a dog echoed in the distance. Yuki’s bark echoed in the cemetery, sharp and long, as if accusing someone – the bark of this earth that no one knew about. Beneath it all, another life was sleeping. It was a small town on the outskirts of Tokyo, and a spring rain was falling gently. In a corner of the Takahashi family’s garden, a white dog named Yuki sat motionless. Raindrops fell on his fur, and the wind blew, but Yuki didn’t move an inch. A man was watching him from the veranda. His name was Takahashi Shunsuke, a veterinarian who runs an animal hospital in this town. A look of deep concern was in Shunsuke’s eyes. “Again today,” Shunsuke muttered softly . Yuki always sat in the same place from morning until evening. He gazed out over the mountains. Until a few years ago, Yuki was a lively dog. He would run around the garden and follow Shunsuke’s father, Takahashi Seiichiro. Every morning, Seiichiro would go for a walk, and Yuki would follow him , wagging her tail happily. But since Seiichiro passed away, Yuki has changed. Shunsuke has examined countless animals at the veterinary clinic, identifying the causes of illnesses, providing treatment, and saving many lives. But yet, he just couldn’t make his own beloved dog recover. He had blood tests, X-rays, and numerous physical examinations , but nothing was found to be wrong. Yuki’s body was perfectly healthy , but her mind was clearly sick. “Thank you for your hard work,” his wife Keiko said, bringing over some hot tea. Keiko gazed at Yuki in the garden and sighed softly. “You really miss your grandpa, don’t you?” Shunsuke nodded silently in response to Keiko’s words. Animals have feelings too. Yuki was probably expressing his own sadness at the loss of a loved one in his own way. In the evening, Shunsuke’s younger brother, Tomohiro, would come in from work. りうるせせらぎ English: Tomohiro came home from work after a rainstorm. Tomohiro is an office worker, and in contrast to his brother, he has a down-to-earth personality. “Brother, are you still worried about Yuki?” Tomohiro asked in a slightly exasperated tone. “A dog is a dog, and it will forget about it eventually.” Shunsuke didn’t think that Tomohiro’s words were wrong , but looking into Yuki’s eyes, he couldn’t just let it go that easily. When the rain stopped and dusk fell, Shunsuke went out to the garden and sat next to Yuki. Yuki was still gazing out at the mountains beyond , and a deep sadness was evident in her profile. “Do you want to see Grandpa?” Shunsuke asked gently, and Yuki turned around for the first time. Her brown eyes stared at Shunsuke , and there was something indescribable in her eyes. Shunsuke remembered his father. Seiichiro was a man who cared deeply for animals. When they welcomed Yuki into the family, he would take her for a walk every day, saying, “This child is also an important member of the family.” Even while their father was in the hospital, Seiichiro was worried about Yuki. “Is Yuki doing well?” “Are you taking her for walks regularly?”りとやんや English: “I wonder if he’s doing well?” Even in his hospital room, he would always talk about Yuki. And then, the day before he died, Seiichiro said to Shunsuke , “Take care of Yuki, she’s special.” At the time, he thought it was simply love for his beloved dog, but now he thinks there might have been some deeper meaning to his father’s words. As the night drew on, Yuki continued to sit in the garden. Shunsuke brought a blanket and gently covered Yuki. “Are you planning on staying outside tonight too?” Yuki didn’t answer. She just continued to stare off into the mountains beyond. Shunsuke returned home and looked around the room where he had been sorting through his father’s belongings. The bookshelf was lined with books about animals. On the desk was a photo of Seiichiro and Yuki together. In the photo, Seiichiro and Yuki looked very happy , but for some reason, behind those smiles, he sensed a shadow of something hidden. Shunsuke opened a drawer in the desk and found a diary written by his father. He flipped through the pages and found many entries about Yuki. “Yuki is a really smart dog. It’s as if he can understand human language.” “Today too , he seemed to remember the place where he and Yuki went for a walk , and he stopped to look for something.” As Shunsuke continued reading the diary, he realized something. Perhaps his father and Yuki had a secret that he didn’t know about. The next morning, when Shunsuke went out into the garden, Yuki was still in the same place. Covered by a blanket, she was gazing intently at the mountain beyond. At that moment, the postman arrived. “Takahashi-san, thank you for your hard work.” “Thank you as always.” Shunsuke accepted his mail. Among the items was an unfamiliar envelope. He couldn’t read the sender’s name, but it was addressed to his father. The moment he picked up the envelope, Yuki stood up for the first time. She turned to Shunsuke and let out a soft cry. It was Yuki’s voice, the first he had heard in a year. It was the morning of the first anniversary of his father’s death, and the sky was covered in heavy clouds. Preparations had begun early at the Takahashi household. Shunsuke was dressed in black mourning clothes and had prepared flowers for the funeral. Keiko had made a lunch box, and Tomohiro was checking the incense and offerings. “Shall we take Yuki with us?” Keiko asked, looking out at the garden. Yuki was still sitting in the same place, gazing out at the mountains beyond. He had hardly moved in the past year. “That’s right, Grandpa would be happy.” Shunsuke approached Yuki and gently put the collar on her. Yuki didn’t resist, but she also refused to walk. Shunsuke had no choice but to pick her up and put her in the car. The drive to the cemetery was quiet, with Yuki sitting obediently in Shunsuke’s lap. However, his eyes continued to stare out the window, as if searching for something. When he arrived at the cemetery, the smell of damp earth hit his nose . The cemetery, located in the mountains, is usually quiet, and today there were no other visitors in sight. The sunlight filtering through the trees cast a mottled light on the surface of the tombstone. Takahashi Seiichiro’s grave was on the slope of the mountain. His father’s name was engraved on the simple black tombstone. Shunsuke offered flowers and lit some incense. The smoke slowly rose, spreading its fragrance in the still air. The three family members clasped their hands together in front of the grave. Shunsuke prayed with gratitude for his father. Keiko prayed for Seiichiro’s soul to rest in peace, and Tomohiro recited a short greeting in his mind. At that moment, Yuki suddenly stood up. Shunsuke turned around in surprise to see Yuki gazing at the tombstone. There was a strong light in his eyes that he had never seen before. His ears were perked up, as if he had discovered something. “Yuki?” The moment Shunsuke called out, Yuki jumped onto the grave and began digging in the soil with his front paws. “No, Yuki!” Shunsuke frantically tried to stop Yuki , but Yuki wouldn’t listen. He continued digging desperately. Black soil splattered in all directions, knocking over the flowers that had just been offered. “What are you doing?” Tomohiro also rushed over in a panic. Keiko’s face was pale, and she was watching Yuki’s actions . Shunsuke tried to pick up Yuki, but Yuki violently resisted. He continued digging with strength that was hard to believe for such a docile dog. His claws hit the stones, and blood began to seep out. But Yuki still wouldn’t stop. He continued digging as if possessed. “Yuki, stop!” Shunsuke’s voice A cry echoed through the cemetery. However, Yuki’s behavior became even more violent. This time, he began barking furiously at the tombstone. The cry was unlike anything he had ever heard before. It was neither a sad cry nor a happy one. It was a desperate voice , like a strong plea for something. Scratching at the tombstone with his bloody front paws, Yuki seemed desperately trying to communicate something. His eyes were a mixture of human-like intelligence and despair. Keiko was trembling with fear. Tomohiro’s face was also pale as he stared at Yuki’s strange behavior. “This isn’t normal.” Shunsuke, from his experience as a veterinarian, knew that Yuki’s behavior was not simply emotional. There must be some serious reason. Yuki’s cries echoed through the mountains. It was like a cry for help, but also like a warning. The birds flew away in surprise, and the silence around them deepened. Shunsuke forcefully pulled Yuki away from the grave. Yuki struggled violently, but Shunsuke wouldn’t let go. His bleeding front paws left claw marks on Shunsuke’s arm. “Let’s get away from here for now,” Tomohiro suggested . Keiko nodded and quickly began to put away the offerings. However, Yuki refused to leave the grave. She struggled desperately in Shunsuke’s arms, staring at the tombstone. There was something in her eyes that refused to give up. “Sorry, Dad, I’ll come back later,” Shunsuke said softly, apologizing to the grave. He had originally intended to offer his condolences more slowly , but Yuki’s strange behavior made it difficult for him to do so. On the way to the car, Yuki continued to look back. She craned her neck and stared back until the cemetery was out of sight. It was as if she had left something important behind. An oppressive silence fell over the car. As Shunsuke gripped the steering wheel, he thought back to the events that had just taken place. Yuki’s behavior was clearly abnormal. It was simply sadness. Stains and loneliness cannot explain it. “Brother, something’s wrong with Yuki,” Tomohiro began. His younger brother, who was usually indifferent to animals, seemed surprised by what had happened today. “Yes, he’s different than before,” Shunsuke replied briefly. As a veterinarian, he had treated many animals, but he had never seen Yuki behave like this. When they returned home, Yuki sat in his usual place in the garden again , but his behavior was clearly different from that of the morning. His whole body was tense, and he had his ears pricked up, trying to listen for something. In the evening, Yuki looked up at the sky and began to sing. He continued to sing in a long, low voice, facing the dim sky where the moon had not yet risen. Yuki ‘s cries were filled with a deep sadness that was different from the intensity of the morning, but at the same time, there was something like a strong will. It was as if Yuki was trying to communicate something to someone. Shunsuke sat on the veranda and listened to Yuki’s cries. In Yuki’s voice, he sensed a more complex and earnest emotion that went beyond simple longing for his father. “This isn’t just sadness,” Shunsuke muttered to himself. His intuition as a veterinarian told him that there was some serious problem hidden. As the moon began to rise, Yuki’s cries grew stronger, as if he was pleading with the moon. His voice echoed throughout the mountains, It seemed to have reached homes far away. Shunsuke remembered his father’s belongings. He couldn’t help but feel that the words written in that mysterious diary and the letter that had arrived the day before from an unknown sender were all connected . That night, an oppressive silence hung over the Takahashi family’s dinner table. As steam rose from dinner, the three family members remained motionless, chopsticks in hand. From the garden, the low cries of Yuki could be heard intermittently. Keiko was the first to speak. “What do you think of Yuki’s condition today?” her voice was small and trembling. The events at the grave that morning were still deeply etched in his mind. Shunsuke put down his chopsticks and turned his attention toward the garden. Yuki ‘s cries sounded as if she was trying to tell her family something. “It wasn’t just sadness , it was clearly a reaction of someone who knew something.” Tomohiro frowned. “Brother, that’s…” Tomohiro started to say, but stopped. However, he knew what he was saying without her saying anything more. Shunsuke stood up and brought the diary from his father’s study. He placed it on the table and turned the page. “There’s something interesting written in Dad’s diary.” Keiko and Tomohiro leaned forward. Shunsuke began to read aloud. “Yuki stopped in the same place today, as if she was trying to find something.” “Where is that place?” Keiko tilted her head slightly. Shunsuke turned over another page. A more specific description came into view. “If anything were to happen to me, Yuki would tell me a secret that only she knows.” Tension spread around the dinner table. All three of them seemed to be feeling the same anxiety. Tomohiro asked in a trembling voice. “What secret?” Shunsuke closed the diary and sighed deeply. “I don’t know , but there was something between you and Yuki that we didn’t know about.” At that moment, Yuki’s cries from the garden became even louder, as if he was reacting to the family’s conversation. Keiko’s face turned pale. “Could it be that your father-in-law is hiding something? “You mean he was there?” Shunsuke stared out the window. Under the moonlight, Yuki was crying, facing the direction of the cemetery. There was a strong will in his voice that refused to give up. “Seeing how he acted at the grave today, I can’t help but think that.” Shunsuke’s voice was quiet, but filled with conviction. “Yuki is trying to tell us something.” Tomohiro thought in silence for a long time. His desire to believe his brother’s words was battling with realistic doubts in his mind. “But even if that’s the case, what can we do?” Shunsuke turned and looked at his brother and his wife. “We have no choice but to find out.” The moment he understood what he meant, Keiko covered her mouth with her hand. ” You mean … digging up the grave? ” Tomohiro’s voice was trembling. Shunsuke nodded . His face was a mixture of anguish and determination. “How could you do something so disrespectful?” Tears welled up in Keiko’s eyes. “How dare you disturb my father-in-law’s peaceful sleep.” Shunsuke fully understood his wife’s feelings . Respect for the dead is the most important value to the Japanese, and he was well aware of the gravity of violating that value. “I don’t want to do that either,” Shunsuke’s voice was filled with deep anguish. “But when I see Yuki’s behavior, I can’t help but worry.” Yuki’s cries could be heard from the garden , and it was as if the voice was urging the family to make a decision. Tomohiro held his head in his hands. “I understand how you feel, brother. But what if nothing comes out of it?” “When that happens, I will sincerely apologize to your father,” Shunsuke replied immediately. “But I think it would be rude to continue to have doubts like this.” Keiko wiped away her tears and looked at her husband. “Do we really have to do that?” Shunsuke’s expression was serious. The intuition he had developed over many years as a veterinarian told him that this was not normal. “Yuki knows , there’s no doubt about it.” Tomohiro finally nodded gravely. “I understand , if you say so, brother.” However, a deep sense of anxiety was etched on his face. “But what if something really does come out?” No one wanted to think specifically about that possibility . Shunsuke looked at the clock. It was already late at night. “Let’s go tomorrow night, when no one can see us.” The three family members had made the most difficult decision of their lives. They were torn between love and respect for their father, and a desire to know the truth. At the moment of making the decision, a snow cried out in the garden for a long time. It was a cry of relief, as if approving of the family’s choice. As the night deepened, Shunsuke could not sleep. Sitting by his pillow, he thought of his father’s gentle face. When he was alive, his father always put his family first. Could his father have been hiding something? If so , what could it be? Beside him, Keiko also seemed unable to sleep. She would occasionally sigh softly. She too was feeling crushed by the weight of what she would do tomorrow night. She could hear the sound of tossing and turning in her sleep from Tomohiro’s room. His usually practical brother seemed unable to hide his agitation this time. In the garden, Yuki was still crying out to the moon. Her voice, unlike the sadness it had felt up until then, held a tone of hope. Shunsuke looked out the window. Illuminated by the moonlight, Yuki looked different than before. It was as if they knew that something they had been waiting for for so long was finally about to begin. Tomorrow night, their lives would change dramatically. Whether that would be for the better or the worse, no one knew yet . However, there was one thing he was sure of: there was no turning back. Shunsuke gazed at a photo of his father. His gentle smile now seemed to have a somewhat complicated expression . The night wind rustled the window, causing the curtains to sway slowly, as if watching over his son’s decision. Was it just Shunsuke’s imagination that the sound sounded exactly like his father’s voice? “Dad, please forgive me,” Shunsuke murmured in his heart. “But I believe knowing the truth is the true way to pay tribute to him.” The snow cried one last long cry in the garden. The sound echoed across the mountains and faded away .——————————————– **Part 4 : The White Box Beneath the Grave** A pre-dawn fog enveloped the mountain cemetery. The light from their flashlights illuminated the damp surface of the tombstone. Shunsuke, Keiko, and Tomohiro stood in front of the grave with heavy shovels in hand. “Are you really going to do this?” Tanaka, the funeral director, confirmed with an anxious voice. Tanaka was a friend of Shunsuke’s from college, and the only person willing to accept this extraordinary request. “Please do.” Shunsuke’s voice was trembling, but his resolve was unwavering. Tanaka sighed deeply and placed the shovel next to the tombstone. “I understand . But if nothing comes out, I’ll bury it right away.” The work began in the fog. The only sound that echoed in the silent cemetery was the sound of the shovel digging in the soil. Keiko leaned against the tombstone, hands clasped, and continued to pray. Tomohiro looked around to make sure no one was watching. After about an hour, the shovel hit something hard. “It’s a coffin,” Tanaka said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Part of the wooden coffin was emerging from the earth. Shunsuke’s heart began to beat wildly. They had come this far, there was no turning back. As they dug further into the earth, the whole coffin came into view. It was a simple wooden coffin, just like the one used when the body was buried a year ago. However, next to it was something no one had expected. ” What is this?” Tanaka’s voice trembled. Next to the coffin was a small white box. It appeared to be made of ceramic, and was about the size of a palm. The surface was dirty, but something could be seen written on it. Shunsuke knelt down and picked up the box. The feeling of the cool earth lingered in his hands. Shining a flashlight on it, he could see that letters were carved into the surface of the box. “Kinoshita Sawa “Born in 1998.” The moment Shunsuke read it out loud, everyone in the room gasped. “Who is Kinoshita Sawa?” Tomohiro’s voice rose to a high pitch. Shunsuke looked around at his family. Both Keiko and Tomohiro had confused expressions on their faces. No one recognized the name. “My father-in-law…” Keiko stopped mid-sentence . He couldn’t accept the reality that his husband’s father had buried something in the grave without his family knowing. Shunsuke held the box in both hands and stared at it. Born in 1998, she would be 27 this year. What kind of relationship did she have with her father? “Shall we take a look inside,” Tanaka suggested , but there was hesitation in his voice. Shunsuke tried to open the box , but his hands were shaking and he couldn’t. What was inside? He couldn’t imagine what it was like. The lid slowly opened. Inside were an old photograph and a letter. The photograph was faded, but the face of a young woman was clearly visible. It was a stranger with a kind smile. The letter was written in his father’s handwriting. “To Sawa : I will find you one day. Until then, please wait here.” Shunsuke’s knees gave way. He clutched the box to his chest and collapsed . “Dad, what are you doing?” Keiko put her hand on her husband’s shoulder. She, too, was shocked by this discovery. Tomohiro picked up the photograph and stared at it. “I feel like I’ve seen this woman somewhere before.” At that moment, the sound of a car engine was heard in the distance . It seemed that several cars were approaching the cemetery. “Someone’s coming,” Tanaka said, standing up hastily. A car stopped at the entrance to the cemetery and several men got out. They were wearing uniforms and appeared to be police officers. “We’ve received a report that someone has been acting suspiciously in the cemetery.” One of the officers approached, pointing a flashlight at him. Shunsuke was unable to stand up, clutching the white box to his chest. The shock of finding the box and the reality that the police had arrived left him confused. “Excuse me, could you please explain the situation to me?” The police officer frowned as he looked at the exhumed grave. Tanaka stepped forward and tried to explain the situation, but he was at a loss for words. How could he explain it so that they would understand the situation? Keiko clung to her husband, crying . Tomohiro, also pale-faced, stared at the police officers. At that moment, they heard the sound of a dog barking from the other side of the mountain. It was Yuki’s voice, as if he had just heard that his family had been discovered. It was a cry of relief, as if Yuki had been born in a small white box. Shunsuke stared at the box. A woman named Kinoshita Sawa, born in 1998. A letter left by her father. And a secret that Yuki knew . The whole mystery began with this small white box. The police began to contact headquarters by radio. The discovery at the cemetery was no longer a simple family matter, but a case requiring a formal investigation. The fog began to clear, and the eastern sky grew lighter. It was the start of a new day, but for the Takahashi family, it was also the start of a day that would change everything. Shunsuke thought of his father’s face. Who would have imagined that such a secret was hidden behind that gentle smile when he was alive? The woman in the photo inside the box seemed to be smiling. However, it felt as if deep sadness was hidden behind that smile. Yuki’s cry began again. The voice echoed through the mountains. It was as if a long-held secret had finally come to light. Shunsuke stood up and faced the police officer. He didn’t know what was going to happen next, but he was prepared to face the truth. He couldn’t give up until he had solved the mystery his father had left behind. The afternoon after the police questioning ended, a heavy atmosphere hung over the Takahashi household. Shunsuke sat in the living room, exhausted. Keiko was preparing tea in the kitchen, but her hands were shaking and she couldn’t hold the bowl. The doorbell rang. “Who is this?” Keiko asked, heading to the front door. When she opened it, a familiar woman was standing there. “I’m Yoshioka Yoshiko. I was your father-in-law’s caregiver.” Yoshiko was in her mid-fifties and had been taking care of Seiichiro until a year ago. However, today… Yoshiko looked more haggard than he had ever seen her before. “Yoshiko, what’s wrong?” Keiko was surprised and led Yoshiko into the living room. Shunsuke also stood up and looked at Yoshiko. As soon as Yoshiko sat down, her hands began to tremble in her lap. She looked like someone who was about to confess something important. “Actually, there’s something I need to tell you.” Yoshiko’s voice was small and trembling. Shunsuke and Keiko leaned forward. Could it have something to do with what they’d discovered this morning? “It’s about Kinoshita Sawa.” The moment Shunsuke mentioned the name, his heart leaped. Yoshiko looked up and began to speak, tears in her eyes. “Sawa is my daughter.” Shunsuke and Keiko gasped at her words. Yoshiko’s tears spilled down her face . The time had finally come to reveal the secret she had kept suppressed for so long. “My daughter was born with a weak constitution and has always been in the hospital. I was raising my daughter alone. “I was raising her, but I couldn’t pay the medical expenses.” Yoshiko’s voice was often broken. “I got into more and more debt and even turned to loan sharks, but I still wanted to continue my daughter’s treatment.” Shunsuke listened to Yoshiko in silence. The difficulties of raising a daughter as a single mother must have been unimaginable. “My daughter passed away last spring , but I didn’t have the money to buy a grave.” Yoshiko wiped her tears with her sleeve. “When I received my daughter’s ashes from the crematorium, I didn’t know where to bury her.” Remembering the despair she felt at that time, Yoshiko ‘s shoulders shook. “That’s when I remembered what Seiichiro had said.” Yoshiko looked up at Shunsuke. “My father-in-law often told me to always come to him if I was in trouble.” Remembering Seiichiro’s kindness, Shunsuke’s heart ached. “So one night, I was holding my daughter’s ashes, and “So I went to the cemetery,” Yoshiko’s voice was hoarse. “I dug a small hole next to Seiichiro’s grave.” Shunsuke remembered the scene from this morning. The white box contained the remains of Yoshiko’s daughter. “Yuki was there then.” Yoshiko looked toward the garden. “Yuki watched my every move, not making a sound, just watching over me quietly.” Only Yuki knew what had happened that night . “I was tormented by guilt for a year after that, thinking that I had disturbed Seiichiro’s peaceful sleep.” Yoshiko choked up . “But I couldn’t just leave my daughter alone.” Shunsuke took Yoshiko’s hand. His hands were cold and trembling. “It must have been so hard for you, Yoshiko.” At Shunsuke’s words, Yoshiko covered her face and began to cry . The emotions that had been building up for a year spilled out like a dam had broken. Keiko wiped away her tears as she spoke . “I got a call from the police this morning and heard that she’d been found.” Yoshiko looked up. ” I realized I couldn’t keep it a secret any longer.” Shunsuke understood Yoshiko’s feelings. Having lost her beloved daughter and with nowhere to bury her, she had chosen Seiichiro’s grave as her last hope. “Yuki knew all this time, didn’t she?” Shunsuke looked out at the garden. Yuki was gazing at him. There was a deep understanding in her eyes. Yoshiko nodded. “She was keeping my secret.” This explained all of Yuki’s behavior over the past year. The reason she had been staring in the direction of the cemetery was because she knew of Sawa’s existence. “I’m sure Seiichiro will understand,” Shunsuke said, smiling at Yoshiko. “Your father couldn’t just leave someone in trouble alone.” A hint of relief appeared on Yoshiko’s face . The sun streamed in through the window, illuminating the room with a warm glow. The truth that had been hidden for so long was finally revealed, and a quiet peace began to settle in the hearts of all involved. After Yoshiko finished her confession, silence fell over the living room. The setting sun streamed in through the window, illuminating Yoshiko’s profile with a warm glow as she wiped away tears. Shunsuke took a deep breath and slowly began to speak. “Yoshiko, I don’t mean to blame you.” Yoshiko looked up at Shunsuke’s words, and there was still guilt in her eyes. “But I decided to…” Keiko interrupted Yoshiko. “Yoshiko, you took such good care of my father-in-law until the very end.” Keiko’s voice was gentle and confident. “And there’s no way my father-in-law wouldn’t help you when you were in trouble.” Tomohiro nodded. “You’re right, brother. Our father was the kind of person who couldn’t ignore people in trouble.” New tears welled up in Yoshiko’s eyes, but they were not tears of guilt, but tears of gratitude. “Will you really forgive me?” Shunsuke stood up and sat back down in front of Yoshiko. “There’s no need to forgive me. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Shunsuke’s eyes were serious. “As a mother, it’s only natural to cherish your daughter.” Keiko sat down next to Yoshiko. “I’m sure Sawa-chan is sleeping peacefully, too.” At that moment, they heard Yuki’s footsteps from the garden. The veranda door was slightly open, and Yuki slowly came into the room. Yuki stopped in front of Yoshiko and gently placed her head on Yoshiko’s lap. Yoshiko was surprised and looked down at Yuki. Yuki’s brown eyes were gazing at Yoshiko with kindness , as if they were friends who had shared a secret for a year. “Yuki.” Yoshiko stroked Yuki’s head with trembling hands. The feel of his soft fur, I could feel it in my palm. Yuki narrowed her eyes and let herself be stroked by Yoshiko. There was a sense of peace in her expression, as if a heavy burden she had carried for a long time had been lifted. “This child has been trying to protect you all this time,” Shunsuke said, gazing at Yuki. “Ever since that night, he has been watching over Sawa-chan.” Yoshiko hugged Yuki, tears streaming down her face. “Thank you, Yuki, you weren’t alone.” Yuki meowed softly in Yoshiko’s arms . It was the first contented cry she had heard in a year. The light of dusk bathed the room in an orange glow. The four of them and one dog were sharing a quiet moment. Outside, birds were chirping in the evening, and the wind was rustling the trees. “Yoshiko,” Keiko began. “Please stay with us from now on.” Yoshiko looked up. “But I…” “You are family,” Keiko said firmly and without hesitation. “You and your daughter, who treated my father-in-law well, are our family.” Shunsuke nodded. “My father often said that family isn’t just about blood ties,” Tomohiro agreed . “A true family is one that is connected by caring for each other.” A look of surprise and emotion came across Yoshiko’s face. It felt as if the burden she had been carrying alone for a year had finally been lightened. “Thank you so much.” Yoshiko’s voice was trembling with tears, but there was a warmth of relief in it. Yuki curled up in Yoshiko’s lap. It was as if he had finally found the place he had been searching for for so long. Shunsuke looked up at his father’s portrait , and Seiichiro seemed to be smiling in the photo. “Dad, is this really okay?” Shunsuke said to his father in his heart. As the night grew deeper, the five of them continued talking in the living room. Yoshiko told stories of Sawa’s childhood, and Shunsuke and the others shared their memories of Seiichiro. Yuki would cry every now and then, as if he were joining in the conversation. There was no longer any sadness in his voice. The moon rose, and soft light poured into the room. Looking out the window, Yoshiko quietly murmured, “I think Sawa is happy, too.” Shunsuke smiled, “I’m sure he’s watching over us, together with Dad.” That night, the Takahashi family gained a new member. Though not related by blood, they were a true family, connected by heart. Yuki was asleep at Yoshiko’s feet , her sleeping face more peaceful than anyone had ever seen her before. The long period of sadness and anxiety was finally over. The room was filled with the warm atmosphere of family. Love for those lost and newly formed bonds coexisted quietly. Seiichiro’s portrait seemed to smile gently in the moonlight , as if watching over everything and approving of everything. What is family? What is love? What is forgiveness ? The answer lay quietly in this small living room. One morning a week later, a gentle spring breeze blew through the mountain cemetery. Cherry blossom petals fluttered down, placing white flowers on Seiichiro’s tombstone. Today was the day Sawa would be officially buried next to Seiichiro. Shunsuke, Keiko, Tomohiro, and Yoshiko were standing in front of the grave. Tanaka, the funeral director, was also present, holding a small wooden box. With the police investigation complete and official permission obtained, today was finally here. Yoshiko was dressed in black mourning clothes and clutched a photo of Sawa to her chest. Unlike when she confessed a week ago, Yoshiko’s expression today was one of peace. “Sawa “From today, you’ll be with Grandpa,” Yoshiko whispered softly to the photo. Her voice was filled with relief, having been freed from the anxiety she had been carrying for so long. Tanaka dug a small hole next to the tombstone. This time, it wasn’t a secret burial. The entire family watched as the formal burial took place. The wooden box was slowly placed in the ground. Shunsuke lit some incense, and the smoke rose into the sky. The sweet scent was carried by the spring breeze and spread across the mountain. Keiko offered white chrysanthemum flowers. The petals were wet with morning dew and glistened. Tomohiro also clasped his hands together and silently prayed, “Dad, please take good care of Sawa-chan. “Seiichiro,” Shunsuke said to the tombstone. Seiichiro’s name, carved into the stone, stood out in the morning sun. Yoshiko knelt down and placed her hands on the ground. “Seiichiro, thank you.” Her voice was trembling with tears, but this time the tears were tears of gratitude. “Thank you so much for accepting our daughter.” Birds could be heard from the other side of the mountain. The beautiful song of a Japanese bush warbler, announcing the arrival of spring, echoed through the silent cemetery. At that moment, Yuki came walking slowly from the bottom of the slope. Over the past week, Yuki had regained her former energy. She was eating properly and spending more time with her family. Yuki stopped in front of the grave. He looked alternately at Seiichiro’s tombstone and Sawa’s resting place. His eyes were filled with satisfaction at having fulfilled a responsibility he had carried for so long. “Thank you, Yuki.” Yoshiko stroked Yuki’s head. Yuki narrowed his eyes and rested his face in Yoshiko’s hand. Shunsuke remembered his father’s diary . The words written there now revealed their meaning. The “secret only Yuki knew” was Sawa’s existence. After visiting the grave, the family slowly made their way down the mountain path . Yuki followed them, walking lightly. Her steps were light, and the heaviness from before had vanished. They got into the car. Before leaving, Shunsuke turned and looked up at the cemetery. It was a place where two souls rested peacefully. From now on, neither Seiichiro nor Sawa would be alone. “Yoshiko, let’s continue to visit the cemetery together,” Keiko said, taking Yoshiko’s hand. “Yes, please.” Yoshiko’s reply was filled with gratitude for her new family. On the way home, the car was enveloped in a peaceful silence. Yuki was asleep on Yoshiko’s lap. Her sleeping face had a peaceful expression that she hadn’t seen in a long time. When they arrived home, Yuki didn’t go to her usual spot in the garden . Instead, she sat on the veranda, watching over her family. There was no need to gaze beyond the mountains anymore. Yoshiko joined Shunsuke and the others in the living room. Over the past week, Yoshiko had been accepted as a member of the Takahashi family. Keiko made Yoshiko’s favorite tea, and Tomohiro was preparing to display Sawa’s photo on the Buddhist altar. In the evening, Yoshiko spoke to Sawa’s photo, “Sawa, you’ve met a kind family.” Sawa in the photo appeared to be smiling. Shunsuke looked up at the portrait of his father. Seiichiro’s photo also looked satisfied. “It all went according to Dad’s plan,” Shunsuke muttered to himself. From the very beginning, their father had accepted Yoshiko and Sawa as part of the family. Perhaps Yuki was trying to get away. As the night deepened, Yuki curled up at Yoshiko’s feet and fell asleep. His gaze was filled with a sense of relief, as he had found the place he had been searching for for so long . The next morning, when Shunsuke went out into the garden, Yuki was running around energetically. It was the first time he had seen him in a year. She ran up to Shunsuke wagging her tail and meowed in a pleading voice. “Good morning, Yuki.” Shunsuke stroked Yuki’s head, and Yuki meowed back happily. There was no sadness in her meow anymore. Yoshiko also came out to the garden and began to play with Yuki. Yuki ran around Yoshiko, stopping occasionally to stop. He looked up at Yoshiko , as if enjoying life with his new family. Shunsuke looked up towards the mountain. It was in the direction of the cemetery where Seiichiro and Sawa were buried. There was no more sadness there. Only love, gratitude, and peace dwelt. Even while working at the animal hospital, Shunsuke’s heart was light. As he examined the animal patients, he remembered Yuki’s change. With love and understanding, any wound can be healed. When he returned home in the evening, Yoshiko was preparing dinner. Standing in the kitchen with Keiko, Yoshiko had already become a full member of the family. “Welcome home,” Yoshiko greeted. Shunsuke smiled heartily at the greeting. “I’m home.” In this casual greeting, a new family bond was born. Yuki snuggled up at Shunsuke’s feet and meowed contentedly. Her cry seemed to announce that everything was resolved. That night, the whole family gathered in the living room. A photo of Seiichiro and Sawa quietly watched over the family. Shunsuke was reminded that family is not determined by blood ties alone. Anyone can become a family if they are considerate and supportive of each other. Yuki was asleep in the center of the family circle. He had let go of the secret he had kept for so long, and was beginning a new life. Yuki’s sleeping face, now that she had found Yasu, looked the happiest it had ever been. A night breeze blew in from the other side of the mountains. It seemed as if the wind was bringing blessings from Seiichiro and Sawa. On an autumn afternoon, the gentle sunlight poured into Yoshiko’s small apartment. Yuki was taking a comfortable nap on the tatami mat. As Yoshiko prepared dinner in the kitchen, she would occasionally look back at Yuki and smile. It was a completely different scene from three months ago . Back then, Yoshiko was all alone and spent each day feeling miserable. But now it was different. She had a family called Yuki, and a large family called the Takahashis. “Yuki, it’s time for a walk,” Yoshiko called out , and Yuki stood up with his ears perked up. He ran up to Yoshiko’s feet, wagging his tail , and there was no longer any sadness in his expression like before. The two walked through the local park. Yuki walked happily beside Yoshiko, stopping occasionally to smell the flowers or look at the birds. It was a happy time just like a normal dog. As they sat on a park bench, Yoshiko stroked Yuki’s head. “Sawa must be happy too,” Yuki said, leaning her face into Yoshiko’s hand . It was as if Yuki hadn’t understood what her daughter was saying. As if he was trying to save her, Shunsuke came to Yoshiko’s apartment in the evening. Recently, he has been coming once a week to check on the family. “Thank you for your hard work, Yoshiko.” Shunsuke was holding an old book in his hand. It was his father’s diary. “Actually, I found an interesting entry in my father’s diary.” Yoshiko invited Shunsuke into her room. Yuki joined them and sat at Shunsuke’s feet. Shunsuke opened the diary and showed Yoshiko a page. “Please read this.” Yoshiko put on her glasses and followed Seiichiro’s handwriting. There was something surprising written there: “I want to take care of Yoshiko and Sawa-chan.” “I want to welcome them into my family. They’re both struggling too much on their own.” Yoshiko’s hands trembled. “If anything happens to me, I want to ask my sons to support Yoshiko.” Tears ran down Yoshiko’s cheeks. Even before he died, Seiichiro had considered Yoshiko and Sawa to be family. “Father-in-law…” Yoshiko’s voice was trembling. Shunsuke smiled gently. “I would like to carry on my father’s wishes.” Shunsuke took out an envelope. “This is part of my father’s inheritance . I would like Yoshiko to accept it.” Yoshiko hurriedly waved her hand. “No, I’ve had enough.” “This is how you feel as a father,” Shunsuke said, and Yoshiko wiped away her tears. That night, Yoshiko looked at Sawa’s photo and said, “Sawa, Seiichiro was such a kind person.” Sawa in the photo seemed to be smiling. Autumn gave way to winter, and then spring came. Yoshiko and Yuki’s lives were completely stable. Yuki took Yoshiko for a walk every morning, and they watched TV together in the evening. With the arrival of spring, the whole family went to visit the grave. The mountain cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the entire cemetery was dyed a pale pink. Seiichiro and Many wildflowers were blooming on Sawa’s grave. They had sprouted naturally, without anyone having planted them. “It’s so beautiful,” Keiko exclaimed in admiration. Yoshiko sat in front of the grave and put her hands together. Yuki sat next to her and quietly gazed at the grave. “Seiichiro, Sawa, thank you.” Yoshiko’s words were carried away by the spring breeze. Shunsuke looked up at his father’s gravestone. It was as if the chaos of a year ago was a lie, and he now felt at peace. “Everything went according to Dad’s plan,” Tomohiro murmured with deep emotion. At that moment, Yuki spoke briefly. It cried softly. It wasn’t a cry of sadness, but a gentle voice, like a greeting. It was as if it was saying, “It’s okay now.” The petals danced in the wind and fell on Yuki’s white fur. Yuki didn’t mind and continued to sit there contentedly. On the way home, Yoshiko stroked Yuki’s back as she walked. “Yuki, I’m so glad you were here.” Yuki looked up at Yoshiko and cried happily. Shunsuke watched the pair of them from inside the car. Two once lonely souls now support each other. When they returned home Keiko was preparing dinner. Yoshiko helped out, and the whole family sat around the table. Yuki was asleep at their feet. “Maybe this is what a real family is like,” Shunsuke muttered, and everyone nodded. A family bound not by blood ties but by bonds of the heart. They supported each other in times of trouble and shared their joys. This warm bond was the greatest gift Seiichiro left behind. That night, in Yoshiko’s apartment, Yuki was asleep, curled up at her feet. Yoshiko was knitting, listening to Yuki’s breathing. A full moon was floating outside the window. Its light gently illuminated the room, enveloping the two of them in a peaceful moment. Yoshiko stopped knitting and looked up at the moon. “Sawa, Seiichiro, please watch over us.” Yoshiko’s voice echoed in the quiet night. Yuki cried softly in her sleep . She must have been dreaming about meeting Seiichiro and Sawa. The next morning, Yuki woke up full of energy. He licked Yoshiko’s face and asked to go for a walk. “Yes, yes, I’ll go now.” Yoshiko smiled and began getting ready. When they went outside, the warm spring sunshine caressed their cheeks. It’s the start of a new season. Yuki is walking, wagging her tail. Her steps are light and filled with the joy of living. Yoshiko is smiling as she follows Yuki. A year ago, she was living a happy life that she could never have imagined. In the distant mountains, Seiichiro and Sawa are sleeping peacefully. Their souls are no longer alone. They are sleeping peacefully, surrounded by their loving families. And that love continues to this day. The spring breeze caressed Yoshiko, Yuki, and Shunsuke’s family, as they share the warm bond that flows between them. It was like a gentle blessing from heaven.

「忘れられた名前」は、人生の中でふと立ち止まる夜、
誰にも言えなかった記憶や、胸に残る言葉をそっと語りかける“感情朗読チャンネル”です。

昭和の路地裏、古びたアパート、母の背中、雨のバス停——

🎯#朗読ドラマ, #感情朗読, #昭和の記憶, #心に響く話, #夜の語り部, #忘れられた名前, #静かな夜の物語, #人情話, #癒しの朗読, #眠れない夜に
忘れられた風景とともに蘇るのは、家族とのすれ違い、幼い約束、
そして、伝えられなかった一言。

本チャンネルでは、50〜80代のシニア世代を中心に、
孤独・後悔・赦し・再生といった人生の節々をテーマに、
心の奥深くに響く一人語りの朗読ストーリーを毎週配信しています。

朗読の舞台は、昭和の記憶、家庭の匂い、誰かを待つ夜——
日々の喧騒から離れ、ただ静かに“自分の物語”と向き合いたい方へ。

眠れない夜や、過ぎ去った日々をふと思い出した時、
この朗読があなたの心にそっと寄り添い、
忘れていた何かを優しく思い出させてくれるはずです。

#朗読ドラマ #感情朗読 #昭和の記憶 #人情話 #夜の語り部 #シニア向けストーリー #癒しの朗読 #静かな夜の物語

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