Modern Crane's Return of a Favor | Short-Short [The Sound of a Knock]

There was a knock at the door.

When I opened it, a young woman in a kimono was standing there.

"I am the one you helped the other day. I have come to thank you."

I didn't remember her, but her eyes were clear and held a mysterious light, so I decided to let her in for the time being.

The woman asked to borrow the back room, and for three days and three nights, she was busy with movements that looked like she was weaving something.

Occasionally, I could hear the sound of a needle pricking and the rustling of fabric.

On the morning of the fourth day, she handed me a white bundle.

"Please, never look inside. I made this with you in mind. It will surely help you in your life."

With those words, she left as if she had softly vanished.

Suppressing the urge to look inside, I took the bundle to a pawn shop.

"This is incredible...!"

The shopkeeper's eyes widened, and he began to make a phone call to somewhere.
"It's the National Museum of Folk Crafts. Come over immediately."

The scholars who gathered opened the bundle with white gloves.
Inside was a hand-sewn kimono so beautiful it took one's breath away.
The embroidery was magnificent, and the quality of the silk was top-notch.
Patterns imitating crane feathers spread across the entire piece.

"Is this... a restoration of a wedding costume from the early Showa period? No, even so, it's strangely innovative."
"Hmm, there are logos here and there. Is this... from an electronics store?"

The word "National" was sewn into the chest in gold thread, and "Nakamura Tofu Shop" was sewn into the back.

Could it be... that the crane I helped a few days ago, which had been tangled in power lines, had carefully unraveled and remade the rags I had picked up at the neighborhood association bazaar as a token of gratitude?

In other words, it was a remade kimono.

However, because the craftsmanship was so creative, it was decided that it would be exhibited for some reason.

The title is "Modern Crane's Return of a Favor."
The subtitle reads "Aesthetic Sense of Community Ties."

I am now working as a volunteer guide at the exhibition.
Every day, I repeat the same thing.

"I was told not to look, but when I took it to the pawn shop, this is what happened."

Seeing the visitors giggle, I feel a little proud.

#ShinichiHoshi #ShortShort #TheSoundOfAKnock