One week later, Hijikata Shichiro had the crematorium running neatly and in order, busy but organized, and Hijikata Izumi had been laid to rest peacefully.
Shichiro took Aragami Arashi's schooling very much to heart and had already handled the arrangements, in half a month Arashi could formally enroll.
Today was also the day Arashi and Shichiro and the other crematorium coworkers said their goodbyes.
"Arashi, remember to come back and see me often!", Shichiro waved reluctantly at the countryside bus.
Arashi sat in the last row by the window, one hand on the glass, looking back at the four or five people left on the road and said, "I'll come back when I have time. Oh, Shichiro, if you run into trouble you can tell me, after all, I've got guts!"
As soon as Arashi finished speaking, the bus engine revved and it sped forward.
"I will!", Shichiro wanted to say more, but the bus was already far away and he let his hand drop.
Actually, he still liked Arashi... calling him "Ara-chan" made it sound more intimate. Around others he tried to keep it formal, now that he was the owner here, he had to maintain some authority.
"Ahem! That's it, the farewell ceremony is over. Everyone get back to work," Shichiro put on a serious face and spoke, with none of the earlier reluctance.
"Shichiro... oh no, boss, look, the sun's already down. Why are you still working?", One of the local men pointed at the sunset, indicating it was quitting time.
"Oh, then go on back. Don't be late tomorrow morning," Shichiro laughed awkwardly and quickly headed to his own room.
Now that work was done, he needed to catch up on the latest anime releases.
"Looks like another sleepless night...", Shichiro chuckled. He'd been saving up these new shows for a while, tonight he could binge them.
———
Four middle-aged men stood at the foot of the hill, watching Shichiro's shoulders bounce with worry.
"You think Shichiro can manage Izumi's crematorium?"
"Hard to say. He acts cool in front of us, but I once caught him watching that..."
"That what?"
"Ahh!"
"Say it, don't leave us hanging."
"Enough, enough. Don't say it. Shichiro's a bit flippant, but lately he's been handling things quickly. I think he's fine."
"Ahem! Other people's hobbies are their business. Let's not bother them."
"Haha, true."
"Okay, okay, off work, off work!"
———
Arashi tilted his head and leaned by the window, squinting at the sunset glow and thinking who knew what.
There were very few people on the bus, aside from the driver and Arashi, only two others, so it felt very spacious.
The fields by the roadside were particularly green, blurring past his eyes.
Arashi glanced down at the slightly heavy envelope in his hand. Inside were this month's wages and a letter of introduction.
Normally wages wouldn't feel heavy, but Shichiro had given him double pay when he left, money for rent and daily expenses. Because Arashi was alone, Shichiro worried and insisted on giving him more.
Arashi wasn't ungrateful. Since Shichiro was so enthusiastic, of course he accepted. After all, once he got there he'd be on his own.
A fresh feeling came over Arashi. In this interesting world, and with a secret skill, he could live a more exciting life and make his days full.
Given his current strength, he didn't feel overly stressed. He wouldn't actively hunt curses for points every day. But if a curse came looking for trouble, he'd gladly take it.
Holding these pleasant hopes, Arashi fell asleep, sleeping deeply and sweetly.
Nobody in the front row paid much attention to the boy sitting alone in the back, and the bus continued quietly onward.
———
"Boy, this is your stop."
The middle-aged driver cleared his throat out of habit. Arashi woke, saw that it was already completely dark outside, and looked around at the houses coming into view.
'Looks like we've arrived in Sendai City,' Arashi stretched, thanked the driver, and picked up his cloth bag and backpack to get off.
From here on everything was up to him. Shichiro had done all he could to help.
"First thing next, get a full meal!", Arashi licked his lips. At Shichiro's place he'd become famous for an enormous appetite. One young Arashi could eat the equivalent of three laborers' portions.
For a fourteen-year-old, it was pretty ridiculous.
But that was who he was; Arashi didn't hide it. The crematorium workers all knew.
"Sanharu Noodles? You're the one!", Arashi grabbed his bags and headed toward the Sanharu noodle shop in the distance.
He walked in and said straight away, "Boss, three bowls of noodles, please!"
"All right, find a seat inside. Coming right up," The owner was a trendy old man, white hair that Arashi suspected was dyed, clothes that looked young.
Seeing Arashi sitting alone, and no one else coming in for a while, the owner wondered, 'Is this kid ordering three bowls? No, maybe his companions will show up soon.' Still, he kept working and soon three basic bowls of Sanharu noodles were served.
By the time Arashi finished all three bowls, the owner stood amazed, watching him, 'He really ate them alone?'
'That appetite...'
The owner thought Arashi's appetite a little monstrous. One bowl of Sanharu was enough to fill a construction worker; and this was a kid.
Arashi paid cheerfully for the three bowls and left, not forgetting to let out a satisfied burp as he stepped outside, "Grrrr~"
The sound drew a surprised smile from the owner. He didn't push the matter further, but his eyes held a little pity as he watched Arashi go, 'That big load of bags, that kid must have a hard life.'
Arashi was truly full. The portions were generous and tasty. Next he'd spend the night at an internet café, and the following day rent a room and buy some daily necessities.
The internet café here was more like a capsule hotel than a typical café. Everything was provided, indistinguishable from a hotel and maybe even better.
Private rooms, huge displays, clean bathrooms, full toiletries, microwave, washing machine, refrigerator, everything.
If Arashi had more money he might have stayed longer. The service here was excellent, with dedicated cleaners.
But Sendai is a small city, renting is still far cheaper than the café. Tonight he'd experience a Japanese-style internet café he'd never tried in his past life, and tomorrow he'd find a place to rent.
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