Crossing the pass, the rain eased to a drizzle as though it had never been. The thunder receded into the distance, and thin sunlight began filtering through gaps in the clouds. But the road was in terrible condition.
Water overflowed from crevices in the rocks; it was less a path than a narrow river. With every step, the mud swelled up, splashing as high as the knees. Koyoi wrung out the sleeves and breathed onto chilled fingers. The god of wind whirled in a small circle, blowing away the water droplets clinging to the body.
The clay-like red soil had soaked up the water, turning into something like a bottomless swamp. With every step forward, the feet sank into the mud up to the ankles. Pulling them free produced a heavy sound, draining physical strength with it.
"……Haah, haah."
Koyoi knelt down, hands covered in mud. The waraji had reached their limit. The cords were on the verge of snapping. The hem of the kimono was heavy with mud, as if dragging iron chains.
"Are you all right?"
Asahi reached out a hand. He too was covered in mud, but his stride remained steady.
"……Yeah. I can walk."
Koyoi stood up with Asahi's help. The warmth of his palm seeped into the chilled body.
"Don't push yourself. ……There's a rocky area with a good view up ahead. Let's rest there."
Upon reaching the rocky area, Koyoi sat down and removed the waraji. The soles of the feet were swollen and white. Blisters had burst, looking painful. In the shadow of the rocks, a thin trickle of water ran; Koyoi dampened a cloth and wiped the feet. The cold water stung, but the pain eased slightly. The god of wind blew a small breath, drying the damp toes. Asahi handed over a scrap of cloth and told Koyoi to wrap it between the toes.
"Take short steps. If you brace yourself too hard, the wounds will deepen."
Koyoi nodded and re-wrapped the cloth. Looking down at the valley from the rocky area, mist flowed thinly. The roofs of a distant village were visible for just a moment through the clouds. Signs of people were faint, but it was certainly a living landscape. Deep inside, Koyoi felt a desire to deliver the wind there as well.
"Apply this."
Asahi gave Koyoi an ointment kept in a bamboo tube.
"Medicine I received from the Chief. It works well."
A green ointment that smelled of medicinal herbs. Once applied, it gradually grew warm, and the pain subsided.
"……Thank you."
Koyoi changed into a new pair of waraji. Only one spare pair remained. The journey was a battle against depletion. Of supplies, of strength, of willpower. Peering into the bag, the dried mochi was down to about half. The water flask was still heavy, but if the rainy days continued, starting a fire would be difficult. Koyoi counted the remaining food on fingers and decided on a careful distribution. Koyoi took out a single piece of dried fruit and offered it to Asahi. Asahi bit into it in one mouthful and gave a short nod.
"As long as we can eat, we can move forward. When we can no longer eat, we stop."
The words were harsh, but they were the reality of the journey.
"……Hey, Asahi."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you so strong?"
Asahi thought while wiping his sword with a cloth.
Mud was encrusted on the blade. Asahi removed it carefully and checked for any dullness.
"My master made me practice on rainy days. The sword gets wet, the footing is slippery. But that's exactly why you learn how to use your body."
"Did you hate it?"
"I hated it. But now it's helping me."
Whenever it rained, the image of his master's back would come to mind.
"I'm not strong. ……I'm just used to it."
"Used to it?"
"Walking muddy paths, being pelted by rain, sleeping alone. ……I've lived that way since I was a brat."
A shadow fell over Asahi's profile. The time he spent living alone after his master was taken and he lost his hometown. That weight had made him strong.
"……I wonder if I can become strong too."
"You already are."
Asahi looked at Koyoi.
"You have a much better look on your face than when I first met you."
"Really?"
"Yeah. ……They say the eyes speak as much as the mouth. Your eyes are no longer 'eyes that run away.' They're 'eyes that search.'"
Searching eyes. For the gods. For the truth. For the Kamiatsume.
"But what if I can't find them?"
Koyoi murmured softly. Deep inside, there was still a part that feared the answer.
Asahi wiped his sword with the cloth and said quietly.
"Even if there are days when you find nothing, as long as you keep searching, the path won't vanish."
"If you stop, it ends. That's all."
Koyoi placed a hand over the light in the chest. The light flickered slightly, yet it did not go out. As long as this light existed, the feet would move forward.
"When I was in the village, I never walked like this."
Koyoi murmured as though speaking to no one. Just walking to the edge of the fields would leave Koyoi out of breath. And yet now, Koyoi was crossing mountain paths. The light in the chest was growing larger, bit by bit.
Koyoi looked up at the sky. In the sky after the rain, a rainbow arched across it. A bridge of seven colors. Koyoi felt that something was waiting beyond it.
"Long ago, my master told me."
Asahi murmured softly.
"Don't look away. Even if you're scared, if you keep looking, you'll see the path."
Koyoi nodded and followed the end of the rainbow with eyes. The gaps in the clouds widened, and the ridgeline of the mountains became clearly visible. Beyond the rain, there was solid ground. The wind swayed the wet hair, and Koyoi brushed the moisture from the shoulders. The thought of Shiori suddenly crossed the mind. Was she also looking at the same sky somewhere? Koyoi gave a small nod toward the sky and looked ahead.
"Let's go."
Koyoi stood up. The feet hurt. The mud was heavy. But the heart was light.
As they began to walk, a small stream blocked the path ahead. Swollen by the rain, water slid over the stones. Asahi crossed first and extended an arm. Koyoi held breath and stepped onto a stepping stone. Whenever Koyoi was about to slip, the god of wind pushed the back and steadied the body. After finishing the crossing, Koyoi let out a sigh of relief. The pack on the back had gotten wet and heavy. Asahi retightened the ropes and helped lift the pack. Even a small task went quickly when done by two.
The two began walking the muddy path again. Beneath the rainbow. Toward hope. The footing was still heavy, and the pain remained. Even so, within the heart, a wind was blowing to carry them forward. An old signpost standing ahead on the path came into view. The characters, eroded by rain, could barely be read as "Teahouse."
A place to rest was near. Koyoi adjusted the stride and headed for the next pass. The wind carried a dry scent, and the damp clothing felt slightly lighter. Koyoi thought a metallic creaking sound was heard in the distance but continued without looking back. The sky was still gray, but the thunder could no longer be heard. Feet that had grown accustomed to the weight of the mud moved forward bit by bit. Koyoi steadied the breathing and counted the distance to the next resting place. A single bird's voice returned, chirping briefly deep in the forest. Koyoi smiled slightly at that voice. The god of wind chirped in the same small way, inhaling the scent of the world after the rain. The edges of the clothing began to dry, and the chill in the body faded. The mud beneath the feet was hardening slightly, and the steps grew stable. Koyoi relaxed the shoulders and moved forward again. The distant sky was stained orange, and the presence of dusk approached. Koyoi felt that someone's light was waiting beyond the pass. Koyoi held that light in mind and continued without stopping. The rain did not fall again, and the path continued quietly to the next pass. The scent of earth grew thick, and the atmosphere of the mountain shifted. Koyoi engraved that change in the heart and moved forward. The god of wind chirped softly and pointed the way ahead. Koyoi responded to that voice and put a foot forward. Even if the pace was slow, progress was definitely being made. That certainty supported Koyoi's back. The journey still continues. The sound of footsteps was the answer. The path is endless. Only the front can be seen. The feet do not stop. The wind pushed the back. The breath also continues. The light does not go out. Forward. Proceed. Continue. Now.