A few days later…
Jiro wakes up and jumps out of bed.
Today's the day. Wonder what they got planned.
He heads over to the small basin in the corner and starts brushing his teeth.
Fireworks maybe?
Nah, they already did that.
He rinses his mouth and sets the cup down.
He steps out of the room slowly, expecting something.
Nothing?
Hmm.
He looks around. The temple is quieter than usual.
Looks like they're going with the surprise approach.
He makes his way down the corridor toward the training area.
He looks out into the courtyard.
"Genro. You out here?"
He waits a moment.
Nothing.
If he's not here, he must have something planned.
He steps back into the hall and continues down.
Where is everyone?
Two monks rush past him toward the entrance.
"Hey, where you guys going?"
They don't turn back.
Is this part of it?
He follows after them.
He steps into the front courtyard. More monks rush past him, nearly bumping into him.
Genro stands with a few of the other monks, talking quickly.
Jiro makes his way over to them.
"You guys are doing a bit much. What's all this?"
They keep talking, no one looks his way.
"Genro, you're overthinking it. He could be drunk in some back alley for all we know. It's only been three days."
"It doesn't matter. He's never been gone this long without warning. He told us if he ever was gone for too long, to lock down the temple."
"What're you guys talking about? What's going on?" He speaks louder.
They finally turn to him. Genro speaks.
"Jiro the temple is being locked down. No one it to come in or out. Go to Lady Chiyo, she'll need help with the children."
"Wait what? I don't understand. What's happening?"
"Nothing's happening right now. Just go. Let the elders deal with this."
"No. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on. Where's Naku? I'm sure he'd want a say before we lock everything down."
"He'll be back… I'm sure. We follow his orders until then."
Naku's not back yet?
Genro turns from the group and calls out, "No one is to leave the gates! They will stay shut until decided otherwise."
He turns back. "Baku, make sure Jiro gets to Lady Chiyo."
Baku places his giant hand on Jiro's shoulder.
"Hold on, I can help out her—"
"Jiro!" Genro meets his eyes.
"Please. Go. We'll talk later."
Jiro shrugs off the hand and heads off. Baku falls in behind him.
They walk down the corridor.
He glances back at the hulking monk.
"This isn't the longest he's been gone. Why's everyone acting like this?"
Baku keeps walking, not even glancing at him.
"Has anyone gone out to find him?"
Still no response.
Jiro stops.
"I can help. That old lady can handle the kids. If we're worried about the temple, I should be out there."
Baku shoves him forward, nearly sending him to the floor.
"Too weak." He huffs a laugh.
Jiro clenches his jaw and turns to him.
"Really? You're trying this now?"
Baku smirks and motions him closer.
He starts toward the giant, then stops himself.
He exhales. "And I'm the one who needs to grow up."
He turns away, shaking his head as he continues on.
Baku exhales through his nose, letting out a low grunt, and follows behind.
They reach the classroom.
Jiro opens the door, barely stepping in before Baku pushes him through.
"Hey—what the—!"
The door slides shut behind him.
"That idiot."
Jiro straightens up.
"Great. As if the kids weren't enough. Now I've got to deal with you too."
Lady Chiyo stands at the front of the empty classroom, hands full of supplies.
Jiro looks around.
"Where are all the kids?"
"Today we're taking a field trip to the underground shelter."
"So… an evacuation drill?"
"This isn't the time for your jokes. Why are you here?"
"They sent me to help with the children."
"Help?" She laughs.
"That's the last thing you do. I don't need you around them, teaching them your habits. Just go to your room."
"I can hel—"
"No. Just go. Masaki's already handling it anyway."
She walks past him, shaking her head as she leaves the room.
"…Of course she is."
Jiro steps out of the classroom and heads to his quarters.
Strongest one here and I'm being sent to my room.
Maybe they'll just have Masaki handle it.
He exhales through his nose.
Naku would've have me out there.
Could he really be—
He shakes his head.
Maybe he left something in his room.
Jiro looks around as he heads down the hall.
Beats doing nothing.
He turns and heads in the opposite direction.
Jiro reaches the room and slips inside.
Inside, the air smells faintly of incense and old wood.
A folded mat rests on the floor. A closet lines the wall. In the back corner, a worn statue sits on a small wooden stand, a faded flag draped behind it.
"Could use a poster or something… This is just depressing."
His eyes move over the room.
"I've been here for five years and never been in here. Feels… wrong."
He moves to the shrine, studying the small stone statue.
"You look a little different from the one in the chamber… Hm."
He studies it for a moment, then steps back.
"Don't go telling him I was in here."
He walks to the closet, glances around, then quietly slides it open.
Inside, a large wooden box with three drawers sits against the wall.
He pulls open the first drawer.
Folded robes are stacked inside.
"Nothing here".
He moves to the second.
The drawer is packed tight with empty gourds.
"That's a lot of 'elixir'… I can see why you make so many runs to the market now."
He steps back.
Could he really just be drunk in somewhere?
He exhales, then moves back in and pulls open the last drawer.
An ink stone, some brushes, and paper sit neatly to one side. Beside them, something sits covered with a cloth.
"What's this?"
Jiro pulls off the cloth, revealing a small chest etched with intricate designs.
He glances back at the door.
If it helps find him…
He sets the chest on top of the wooden box and opens it.
Inside lies a small, distinct gourd, a journal locked with a keyhole, and a stack of newspaper clippings. Resting on top of it all is a single card. To Jiro.
He picks up the card and studies it a moment.
It is for me…
He hesitates, then starts to open it—
"What are you doing?"
Jiro lets out a quick scream as the card jumps from his hands.
He turns to the door and sees Masaki standing there.
"Did no one teach you how to knock?!"
"Not when it's someone's room I shouldn't be in. You should know better than to go through people's things when they're not home."
"I'm lectured out for today so save it. I'm trying to find Naku—wait, what are you doing in here?"
"I—I saw you sneaking in… And I was coming to… stop you."
"You're a terrible liar."
"Fine. I was looking for something that could tell me where Naku could be."
"Miss Perfect… breaking the rules? I must be dreaming."
"This isn't the time for your jokes. Naku could be in trouble."
"Why are you so worried? He's probably boozed out in a bush or something. And if he's not the elders will handle it. I'm sure they already have someone looking for him."
"If you believe that, then why are you in here?"
"Because… maybe they missed something."
"It doesn't matter! None of the elders are out looking for him. Naku made it clear—if he didn't return, no one leaves. Not until it's safe."
"Safe from what? It's just a temple in the middle of nowhere—"
Jiro pauses.
Could he have been hiding from them this whole time?
No… he wouldn't risk going into town.
So why—
His last conversation with Naku comes back to him.
"Don't spend too much on my gift…"
Jiro places everything back in the chest, closes the drawer, then heads for the door.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"Someone has to look for him."
"If you're going, then I'm coming too."
Jiro stops and turns to her.
"No. It's not safe."
"What's so dangerous about going into town? Lady Chiyo's taken me to the market plenty of times."
"This isn't the market. There's a reason we go there instead of into town. It's dangerous. End of discussion. You're staying here."
She crosses her arms.
"How do you plan to get past the elders at the gate?"
"I don't have it all planned out yet. That's for me to worry about. Now go back before the old lady notices you're gone."
Jiro heads out the room, brushing past her.
His feet are swept out from under him.
He rolls onto his back. Masaki steps over him and plants her foot on top of his chest.
"You don't get to make those decisions for me. I can handle myself just fine."
Jiro lies there, stunned, a faint blush creeping across his face.
"Don't forget I came in third in our last competition."
Jiro tries to push himself up, but she forces him back down.
"I'll go alone if I have to, but I'm going. So, you can come with me… or stay down there."
"Fine. Now get your foot off me."
She lifts her foot off his chest.
He stands to his feet and brushes himself off.
"Just to be clear, you're the one coming with me."
She rolls her eyes.
"If we want any chance of getting out the front gate, it'll be just before sunrise. That's when we make our move."
"And what about the elders at gate you just mentioned."
"Leave them to me. Some things are just better handled by a woman."
She straightens out her yukata.
"Right…" He scoffs.
"Meet me near the front gate two hours before dawn. And don't let anyone see you."
"Wasn't planning on it… but sounds good. Now let's go before we get caught."
She turns and heads off.
After a few steps, Masaki slows.
"Jiro."
He looks at her.
She doesn't turn.
"Happy birthday."
She keeps walking.
Jiro stills.
"Thank—"
She's already gone.
He rubs the back of his neck, then walks off.
Three hours before dawn…
Jiro stands behind one of the pillars, watching the front courtyard, dressed in black from head to toe.
Sorry, Masaki. Can't take the risk.
He scans the perimeter.
Only the two at the—
A body bumps into him from behind.
He turns.
"What are you doing here?!" Jiro hisses under his breath.
"Me? What are you doing?" Masaki whispers, pressing in beside him against the pillar.
"You were going to leave without me!"
"Looks like we had the same idea. No point fighting over it now. Let's just go."
"Also… what are you wearing?"
"It's dark out. I'm trying to blend in."
"You look ridiculous."
Jiro scoffs.
"Can we focus? What's the plan?"
"What were you planning to do if I didn't show up?"
"I was going to sneak up and climb the wall while they weren't looking."
She looks at Jiro.
"That was your plan? Climb a twenty-foot wall?"
Jiro nods, proud. "Yup."
"Okay, yeah—no. We're not doing that. Let me deal with the guards. Once you see the opening move."
She steps off toward the gate, making no effort to hide herself.
"Wait—opening? What opening? Where are you going?!" he whispers, panicked.
She sharply waves a hand behind her back, signaling for Jiro to be quiet.
Jiro moves through the shadows, drawing closer to the gate as she approaches the base of the gatehouse above.
Masaki reaches the base of the gate. Stairs climb up along the wall. Two monks stand above, keeping watch out into the night.
"Here goes nothing." She heads up the stairs.
"You guys been out here all night?" she asks, her voice soft and deliberate.
The monks turn, startled.
"Masaki? What are you doing out here this late?"
She steps a little closer than usual.
"Just making sure the ones keeping us safe aren't getting lonely out here."
"Uh… why are you talking like that?" One monk speaks, a concerned look on his face.
"Like what?" she asks, batting her eyes a little too deliberately.
"Are you feeling alright? You're acting strange," the other monk adds.
"Yes, you idio—actually… no. I think I may faint."
She dramatically collapses into one of them.
"I think I see the light… it's getting closer…"
"Hurry, Ren, go wake one of the medics."
Jiro watches from across the courtyard, tucked behind a boulder.
What the hell is she doing?
One of the monks sprints past him, rushing toward the building.
Masaki pushes off the monk and steadies herself.
"I think I'm alright now. Sorry about that."
"Just take it easy until the medic gets here. Let them check you out."
Masaki straightens—then freezes.
"My-my…uh… pin. My pin!"
"Huh?"
She pats at her sash, searching.
"It's gone!"
She leans over the edge of the gatehouse, looking down.
"I can't find my pin. It must've fallen over."
The guard looks at her, confused.
"What?"
"I need to go look for it. Please, can you let me go check?"
"We're under strict orders not to open the gates. I'm sorry, you'll hav—"
"I had it when I came up…"
She shoots him a look.
"It must've fallen off when you grabbed me!"
"What? I didn't—"
"That's the only thing I have left from my mother. And you lost it!"
Her voice wavers and she lets out a quiet sob.
"I—didn't—uh…"
"The least you could do is let me go look for it." She buries her face in her hands.
"Okay, okay—just calm down. You can go check."
The monk cranks the gate's mechanism, and it begins to open.
"Just be quick."
She nods, her face still buried in her hands as she heads for the stairs.
As she heads down the stairs, she spots Jiro and gestures for him to follow.
He sprints over.
The gate looms above them as they pause beneath it.
"You ready?" She whispers.
He nods. "Let's go."
They share a look, then rush out through the gate.
"Hey!" the guard shouts from above.
"Get back here!"
The two disappear into the darkness.
"What was that?" Jiro calls over his shoulder.
"I told you—a woman has her ways."
"Not gonna lie, I thought you were gonna fail terribly. But… nice work."
He nods, impressed as they push deeper into the jungle.