I took the bullet train to Kyoto. The cityscape of Tokyo slowly began to fade away, giving way to open fields and mountains in the distance. Despite the uncertainty, there was something comforting about the sound of the train moving along the tracks and the sight of the trees swaying in the wind.
As I watched the scenery, my mind wandered back to my grandfather's letter.
"Don't make the same mistakes I did."
What had he meant by that? Why was he talking as if the farm was more than just property?
And strangest of all... what did it mean that the road was erased and the map was blank?
Nothing made sense.
I sighed and decided to distract myself by checking my phone. As expected, there were no messages from my family. To them, I was no longer part of the Kiryuu.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the back of the seat.
"I guess I'm alone now," I muttered.
After a couple of hours of travel, I finally arrived at Kyoto Station. I got off the train and was greeted by the characteristic cooler air of the ancient capital. Unlike Tokyo, where everything was modernity and bright lights, here the streets had a more traditional charm, with temples and wooden houses on every corner.
I pulled out the letter and checked the address my grandfather had mentioned. The place was on the outskirts of town, far enough that I needed to take a bus and then walk.
I made sure to take everything with me and headed for the bus terminal.
As I got further away from the city, the surroundings became more rural. I saw rice fields, houses with old tiled roofs, and small roadside shrines. It seemed like another world compared to the life I had led in Tokyo.
Finally, the bus dropped me off at a lonely stop. Ahead of me, a dirt road meandered between hills and sakura trees that still bore some of last season's blossoms.
There was no turning back.
I adjusted my backpack and started walking.
Each step brought me closer to the truth behind the Spring Charm farm.
As I made my way down the dirt road, the sound of my footsteps echoed in the still air. The wind blew gently through the sakura trees, scattering a few petals around me.
"This is definitely the opposite of Tokyo," I muttered.
There was no sign of cars, trains, or the hustle and bustle of the city. Just birdsong and the rustle of branches swaying in the breeze.
As I continued walking, a figure appeared on the path ahead.
It was a girl.
She looked to be about my age, maybe a little younger. Her long brown hair swayed in the wind, and her emerald green eyes reflected the sunlight. She wore a light pastel dress and simple sandals, which gave her a fresh, natural air.
When she saw me, she tilted her head curiously before smiling kindly.
"Oh! I don't often see new faces around here. Are you a traveler?"
I stopped a few steps away from her, assessing the situation. She didn't look like someone with bad intentions, but I wasn't used to talking to strangers either.
"Something like that," I answered cautiously.
The girl seemed to notice my discomfort and let out a small laugh.
"I'm sorry if I seem too nosy. It's just that this town doesn't get many visitors—especially not someone who..." she pointed up and down at me with a mischievous gesture, "...looks more like a businessman from Tokyo than a lost farmer."
I frowned slightly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Definitely," she nodded with a smile. "Your clothes, your posture, the way you talk... it all screams 'city.'"
I sighed. It wasn't like I was trying to hide it.
"I'm looking for a farm. It should be around here somewhere."
"A farm?" The girl blinked a couple of times before putting a hand to her chin in thought. "Don't tell me... could it be my grandparents'?"
That caught my attention.
"Your grandparents... they own a farm in this area?"
"Yes. They're the only elders who own a farm on the outskirts of town. My name is Ailany, by the way."
"Haruki Kiryuu."
"Kiryuu..." she repeated the last name as if it sounded familiar. "Wait! Come to think of it, my grandparents mentioned they were expecting a visit from someone. Is that you?"
"Probably."
Ailany clasped her hands together, excited.
"Then it's no problem! I'll take you to them."
Without waiting for an answer, she started walking down the path, gesturing for me to follow her.
"Let's go, Haruki."
I watched her carefree energy and let out a sigh before following her lead.
"I'm not very good at dealing with people like that," I muttered under my breath.
But for some reason, her presence didn't bother me.