Chapter Text
A nice little walk, a special walk to someplace private, just him and mommy. They had to dress for the weather, rain typical of their island home. Which meant a trench coat for the little boy; a heavy thing that forced a stiffness in his limbs and made him waddle. His mom found it cute so he tolerated the awkwardness for her. It also kept him warm and dry. Except for his head, that's where daddy's hat came in handy.
Daddy's hat had a wide brim that shielded his little shoulders. But it was still too big for the little boy, as the crown ate up everything above his lower lip. As such, the boy could barely see anything whenever he wore it. But it was the only thing he remembered personally of his dad so he loved this hat. So he couldn't contain the squealing laughter he let out when his mom permitted its usage.
The child had been unsure, everything about dad seemed to make mom sad ever since those frowning men visited. But she let him take the hat, and told him "good boy, it'll be like he's coming along too." The boy was too young to register the sad cracks in her voice. The shrunken family shared a smile before exiting their home for the last time.
The nice little walk took place a little after night but well before morning. "Stay close to mommy Ichizaemon, and don't make a sound." Her son answered obediently with a nod. Her slender fingers kept a gentle grip on his tiny ones as she guided him past the men in those domed helmets.
They walked like they practiced, torsos low and footfalls soft. The rain assisted in hiding any detrimental noises. The usual routes were not taken. Instead, Ichizaemon's mom led him through shadows, and they hid behind tall things.
The boy learned quickly that the men in the green clothes were to be avoided at all costs. They had come in larger numbers a few years ago soon after his dad’s deployment. The boy had not understood the gravity of the restrictions at the time, and the specific biases that came with them. Which gave the whole island an aura of venom that instilled shame in the boy every time he caught a glare in his direction. His mother’s hug would always tighten whenever he shrunk away from these.
The boy was glad he could hide under his dad's hat this time. The usual paper bag would've gotten soggy in this weather.
His mom suddenly stopped at the entryway of the woods. The same ones they would retreat into ‘for some fresh air’ whenever the sun made the watchmen drowsy. She straightened up, and this prompted the boy to mirror the action. Mrs.Takano took a deep breath and turned to her child. "Let's take off our shoes," that was new. Mommy’s eyes were glossy like her hair. She removed her footwear first. Then she placed the pair neatly at the wood's entrance like they were entering home or others’ houses with the same rule as them.
Of course, the boy did not understand, "Mommy?"
Already a step ahead of him, the woman forced a sniffle into a giggle. "Squishing mud under your toes is fun." Said toes squeezed the damp soil beneath them.
The coat's thick fabric hindered the boy's dexterity, his elbows did not bend as deftly as he would have liked. Fussy grunts almost made way for whimpering, before his mother knelt down to help. As soon as his feet were freed he rushed ahead to splash into a puddle. His wide smile beamed, with eyes that glowed in wonderment took the place of rambunctious laughter. His mother smiled, and he nodded back, he knew silence was needed here too.
Good boy, Ichizaemon.
They traveled hand in hand past the damp grass and mud. The rain had thankfully lightened up, but the path was becoming harder to walk for little Ichizaemon. The boy struggled to keep pace with his mom, as the floor became steeper and steeper.
His mother tried to reassure him "It's just a little further Ichizaemon." So the boy quickened his pace for her sake, but he still lagged behind. His mom's arm pulled on his, her determination against his slowness put a painful strain on his shoulder. "It'll be over soon," she muttered wetly.
Eventually the earth did finally even out to the child's preference. But to the boy's confusion his mother had not stopped tugging. Her impatience spread to him, and he yanked his hand away from hers.
This would be the last time he would know her touch. Soft lips on his forehead before bed time, or upon his scrapes to comfort him after an accident. Her delicate hands with those thin fingers and long nails were gone forever. Her impatient grasp in their final moments together would taint those memories no matter how large his own hands grew.
Feel her guidance. Words, and the letters and pictures that came with them. Stories of his family’s history, both true and fantastical. She had this contagious fun of sharing these things with her child, and he loved her lessons in turn. Before they were pressured to be less of something; less like the enemy who dropped bombs on their neighbors. Less like the spies they were sure to find after enough interrogations.
Her love. Affections just for their own sake. Held close in hugs. Sheltered in her arms from wary eyes and tense air. The love she had for his daddy, and her hopes for his return. Ichizaemon wanted him to return too, to show off the good job he did protecting the man's hat. The trust and comfort in held hands.
She would guide the way, and would stay close by her side. . . Until that promise was broken.
He would spend decades trying to pinpoint the look on his mother's face.
What expression did she wear before she vanished from his sight?
Off that cliff side over the ocean.
He let her go.
He let her fall.
At the time, shock had frozen the boy in place, which saved him from seeing anything gruesome. When he finally worked up the courage to look, all he could see at the bottom were crashing waves. He paced up and down that hill. What should he do? Should he get help? Who would help? Could he get help? Overwhelmed, he cried where he stood, then for his mommy in the waves. He hoped to hear her voice over their thundering splashes.
Then he stopped and sat on that ledge, his legs dangled over the edge.
Little eyes searched for any sign of his mommy.
Her raincoat was a bright enough yellow, it would be easy to spot.
The little boy sat there when the sun rose fully, and when it fell again. He missed lunch and dinner but not even hunger or thirst could move him from that spot. Ichizaemon was determined to make sure his mom was okay, and ready to return and apologize for scaring him.
His vigil was cut short later that night when large glowing eyes started scanning the forest. Ichizaemon took refuge atop one of the palm trees, and waited for it to leave. Once he thought he was safe he retraced his steps back to the city. But he soon discovered that the multi-eyed monster was going in the same place. He veered off course to the beach.
But the beach was too open, it left him too exposed to being spotted. Which almost happened when one of the eye's beams snapped away from the rest to scan the sands. In a panic, the boy climbed into a nearby rowboat and hid. He would emerge and return home before the next curfew. But he had been awake for over a day, and pure exhaustion hindered these plans as he went straight to sleep...
Ichizaemon had a nightmare where nothing made him leave his seat on that ledge. There's still no sign of his mommy, but he kept watch. He kept waiting. He sat and sat and sat until he grew big. Until he grew into his dad's hat.
Then the hat was too big for him again, its fabric brushed up his nose. It was being removed off his head! The boy's arm flailed in an attempt to place it back where it belonged. But it was already out of reach, and on the head of someone else.
Suddenly, Ichizaemon was in the middle of the ocean, with a Ferryman.