Kōkina shōjo (A noble girl)
by Andrea Faye Endozo

Airi is a 8 year-old kid and was born and raised in Honshu, Japan by her grandmother. She is a cheerful person and her grandmother adores her. They live a simple life in the province. Airi always goes to Lake Biwa with her dog , Hachiko, after a long exhausting day helping her grandmother in household chores and selling tsukemono. 

One day, she saw a boy named Dai crying on the side of the lake. Unhesitant Airi ran towards Dai and asked why he was crying. Dai stared with Airi for a bit. He didn't want to talk with her but hachiko lick Dai's hand and he smiled. 

Dai answered that his father wanted him to go in with them in celebration of hanami but he wanted to stay at home though he never experienced celebrating hanami. Dai is a shy, introvert and picky about having friends. 

Airi explained to Dai that Hanami season is important and also, it is welcoming the new season. Dai was convinced by Airi and decided to come with his father, Hishiro. They play beside the lake until dawn. 

Hishiro arrived and told Dai that they needed to go home because it was getting dark out. He invited Airi to go to their house. But Airi said that her grandmother was alone at their house and she needed to go back home quickly. She promised to Dai that they will meet again tomorrow at the Biwa lake before heading to the festival of Hanami.

The next day, Airi was preparing tsukemono with her grandmother. She sold the tsukemono to the neighborhood quickly and did the chores in their house. Before dark comes, she quickly goes to the lake. 

While walking, a man with a mask on his face and samurai stop her from walking. She's too stunned to talk and scared with the man. The man suddenly cut her and she fell to the ground! 

Her blood spilled in the ground and she barely breathed now! The man removed his mask and she was shocked that the man who stabbed her was Hishiro. He said that he wants to kill her just like what he did to his parents because they betrayed him. 

He said that he is happy now he found her. He even says that she just looked like her mother.  Way back, Hishiro loved her mother but she chose the father of Airi!

Airi's tears welled up as she realized what happened to her family and why she only lived with her grandmother.  She was mesmerized everytime she asked her grandmother where her parents were, she said that they are in a far land working for her. But now, she then realized that she will be with her parents after a long search. 

Afterwards, Airi was out of breath and died. Dai was in Lake Biwa waiting for Airi. He saw Airi waving at him. He ran towards Airi and smiled at her... 

Airi smiled a bit and told Dai that he needs to celebrate Hanami without her. Dai was so confused. He asked her why she is not coming with him. 

Airi said that she needs to go back now because her parents are waiting for her. She just wanted to see Dai before going. Airi told Dai that everything was fine and if he knew the truth, don't be mad at his father. 

She also asked Dai to take care of her Grandmother and visit her often and adopt Hachiko. Lastly, she told Dai that he will remember her by waiting for the celebration of Hanami and the new life will begin. 

Then, Airi suddenly disappeared. Dai noticed his father's panting. He said that they need to go home now. After months, Dai never saw Airi again. He read a newspaper and saw the headline. 

Airi was dead. His eyes turned teary and the police men were in the front of their house searching for his father. They arrested Hishiro and he felt sorry. 

Dai was so devastated and realized that the one who talked to him was only the soul of Airi. He visited her grandmother and sympathized with its utter bereavement. From then, he lived with Airi's grandmother and adopted as own hachiko. 

Yearly, he goes to Lake Biwa before heading to the cherry blossom trees in the park. Then, he noticed this one cherry blossom tree grew in the forest. 

He remembered Airi and cried in the front of the tree. He talks to the tree like he's talking to Airi. He felt very sorry for what his dad did to her family.  Every Hanami, he celebrates it with happiness as he remembers Airi.

The End