kscans

Chapter 5 - The Private Wake

Now that the funeral schedule was set, the relatives began to leave in twos and threes. The only ones who remained were her father's two younger brothers. It seemed they were prepared to drink right through until the funeral was over while they kept watch over the incense and candles.

Tsukie wished the family could have the night to themselves to say their farewells quietly, but her uncles were her father's flesh and blood, too.

She put Mayu to bed upstairs and went down to prepare some snacks for the drinkers. Hinako, saying, "I'll leave it to you, Sis," promptly went upstairs herself. She must have been tired from the sudden trip and from dealing with the relatives.

Tsukie sent Tetsuro, who had to drive again tomorrow, and her mother, who had been under a great deal of stress since last night, to bed first. She would stay up through the night with her uncles. She suspected that they, lost in their drinking and reminiscing, probably wouldn't be able to keep the incense burning until morning. That would surely become her job in the early hours. In this world, it's always the sober one who draws the short straw.

Besides, Tsukie was a little afraid to sleep. She had a premonition that she might have that dream again.

A diesel railcar traveling through a snowy plain, carrying two little girls. The swaying of the car and the rhythm of the hanging straps.

Where was that train headed? Where were the two of them going?