The snow started to fall as Mr. Fujii Itsu ended his speech. "So, thank you all for coming. I'm sure Aki would be pleased in spirit."

Watanabe Hiroko had come to the ceremony commemorating the second anniversary of Fujii Itsuki's death. As Fujii Itsuki's father stood in front of the tombstone talking about the memories he had with his son, whom he calls Aki, Hiroko wished that he could just stay a little while longer. The news two years ago was still fresh in her mind. She and Aki were getting married then, but Aki had gone for a mountain climbing expedition before the proposed marriage. That was not to be, for a freak storm at the mountain forced the party to make a detour using an alternate route which was seldom used. At a steep incline, Aki slipped and fell into the cliffs below. Hiroko was devastated by the news, but she found another man, Akiba Shigeru, a glass maker, and she had been going out with him for a year; and they were getting married next month. However, Hiroko had not completely gotten over Aki's death. She had so many questions to ask him, so many things to say.

Now, the snow got heavier and the guests made their way to the cemetery's office. "Everybody," Mr. Fujii Itsu called out, "let's have a drink here. I have the best sake!" Hiroko was in no mood for socializing. She walked to her car, got in, and sat there, watching the gentle snow float down onto the white road. Just then, Mr. Fujii Itsu and his wife came to the car. "Could you drop my wife off at our house? She's having a terrible headache."

Mrs. Fujii Itsu staggered into the back seat. Hiroko nodded at her, and turned the ignition. Shei had not changed since Hiroko got to know her two years ago. She asked Hiroko what she had been doing since they last met. Hiroko noticed that Mrs. Fujii's headache had become much better. "I'm not really having a headache, I just want to leave the party and go home," said Mrs. Fujii, smiling at Hiroko.

The Fujii's live in Kobe, and the house was a modest two-story dwelling place. "You really should come by and visit us more often," said Mrs. Fujii as she led Hiroko into the house." Aki's room was quite ordinary, and there was a large bookshelf with rows of books." Pardon the mess. I have not cleaned up his room for a long time now." She pulled a volume out, and handed it to Aki. "This is Aki's graduation album. Have a look." She left the room to get a cake for her guest.

Hiroko fingered the album carefully. The pages had turned yellow as it had been about ten years since Aki graduated from high school. The class photograph was still clear, though, and Hiroko could identify Aki among his classmates. She turned the page, and there was a list of names of the people in the class, as well as their addresses. She moved her finger along the list, and found Aki's name with his address : 24, Toshiki Lane, Otaru. Hiroko looked at the address, and without thinking jotted it down on her hand. Mrs. Fujii returned with the cake, and Hiroko asked her about Otaru. "Otaru is about 800 km from here. We used to live there, but now the old house is demolished to make way for a new expressway."

That night, Hiroko sat at her desk and started to write a letter.

Dear Aki,

How are you? I'm fine.

Sincerely, Hiroko

 

Hiroko posted the letter the next day, a love letter to heaven.

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