The train ride was long.
Tokyo slowly disappeared behind fields, rivers, and distant hills as the train moved deeper into the countryside.
Hikari sat by the window.
Her script for Beauty and the Beast rested on her lap, unopened.
Outside, the scenery changed gradually.
Tall buildings became small houses.
Highways became narrow roads.
Then eventually—
only forests and mountains remained.
By the time the train reached the final station, the sun was already beginning to set.
The station itself was small.
Just one platform.
A wooden building.
And a quiet road leading into the mountains.
Hikari stepped off the train and looked around.
There were only a few people waiting.
No taxis.
No buses.
Just silence.
An old truck sat near the station.
Its back was filled with wooden crates and supply boxes.
Vegetables.
Rice bags.
Fuel containers.
The driver leaned against the door, smoking calmly.
A middle-aged man with a weathered face.
Hikari approached him carefully.
"Excuse me… does this road go to Shirokawa Village?"
The driver looked up.
Then nodded.
"That's where I'm heading."
He gestured toward the truck bed.
"Hop in if you don't mind riding with the supplies."
A few minutes later, the truck rumbled slowly up the mountain road.
Hikari sat in the back between the crates.
The wind brushed through her hair as the truck climbed higher.
The road twisted through dense forests.
Tall cedar trees stood like silent pillars on both sides.
The further they traveled, the quieter the world became.
No traffic.
No city noise.
Just the hum of the truck engine and the sound of wind through leaves.
Hikari leaned slightly against a sack of rice.
Looking out at the mountains.
It had been years since she last visited.
The air smelled different here.
Cooler.
Cleaner.
Almost… ancient.
The truck passed a small wooden shrine beside the road.
A rope with white paper charms hung across the entrance.
Offerings rested quietly on the altar.
Rice.
Coins.
A small bottle of sake.
The driver spoke from the front seat.
"Mountain shrine."
His voice carried over the engine noise.
"Villagers leave offerings there."
Hikari leaned forward slightly.
"For what?"
The driver chuckled softly.
"For the mountain."
The truck continued climbing.
The forest grew thicker.
The sky slowly darkened between the tall trees.
Hikari watched the mountains in silence.
She didn't notice the movement on a ridge far above the road.
A large wolf standing among the trees.
Its silver-gray fur moved gently in the evening wind.
Golden eyes watched the truck below.
Watching the human girl riding toward the village.
The wolf remained still for a moment longer.
Then it disappeared silently into the forest.
Down on the mountain road, the truck continued climbing toward the quiet village waiting ahead.