A Journey to Seisetsu-cho: A Tora-san Spin-off

In the evening, the bell of Taishakuten temple rings out at Cafe Kurumaya in Shibamata, Katsushika, Tokyo.
Sakura, wearing an apron, was closing up the shop with the manager, Sanpei, who was wearing a bowtie, when the black rotary phone suddenly started ringing. Sakura hurriedly picked up the receiver.
"Hello, is this Kurumaya? Oh? Mitsuo! What's wrong? Yes, Saku-chan... sent a letter? Unfortunately, my brother has gone on a trip again, and I don't know where he is. Oh? You're going to send it? I understand. If it arrives, I'll pass it on to him. Talk to you later."
Sakura hung up the receiver, looking dazed. Sanpei stopped wiping the table and stared at her curiously.
"What happened, ma'am?"
"You see, Sanpei-chan. Three months ago, I left the shop to go to Noto Village, remember?"
"Yes, I remember. I watched the shop by myself that time."
"A girl named Saku-chan I met in Noto Village back then wrote a letter to my brother and gave it to Mitsuo."
"That's a shame, they missed each other."
Torajiro had just left on a trip to the north three days ago.
Sakura sat in a chair and began to tell Sanpei the whole story of what happened in Noto Village. After they had been talking for a while, they suddenly heard the sound of a mail motorcycle, followed by a thud in the mailbox out front.
"Oh, ma'am, speak of the devil, it seems it really did arrive."
"It seems so."
When Sakura went outside, there was an envelope in the mailbox.

That evening, while eating dinner, Sakura told Hiroshi about the phone call.
"Huh, so that Saku-chan entrusted a letter for Brother-in-law to Mitsuo?"
Hiroshi poured whiskey into his glass with a steady stream.
"That's right. And you know, it seems she sent the letter for my brother by express mail, and it arrived this evening."
"She must have really wanted him to read it."
"But my brother suddenly left on a trip three days ago, didn't he? I wonder where he's traveling now."
"He seemed to be saying something about going north."
"North is a big place, though."
"Did you read the letter?"
"Yes, I'm sorry, but I went ahead and read it. Here."
Sakura handed the letter to Hiroshi. Hiroshi put on his reading glasses and said, "Let's see," as he began to read.

Dear Dr. Koto, or rather, Mr. Mitsuo Suwa, this is Saku Yone.
Are you all doing well in Nekomimi Village?
I am once again entrusting you with a letter for Tora-san.

Tora-san, it's been a while.
Have you been tricked by any mermaids lately? Or snow women, for that matter?

The other day, an invitation arrived for me and Teto Kasane.
I couldn't find it on any map,
but it was from someone who called themselves the secretary of "Seisetsu-cho" (Star-Snow Town).
They said there is a song they want us to sing, so please come together.
That was the message.
It seems it's a song written by a poet named Keigo Shimakizawa and a composer named Juichi Chamoto.

When we were waiting at a designated diner in Aomori, a bus came to pick us up.
After passing through a tunnel where various lights were flying about,
we arrived at "Seisetsu-cho."
Even though it was summer, it was covered in snow.
Star-shaped ice fragments called 'light shards' were falling,
and they say, 'If you write just one wish on one and put it in a bottle, your wish will come true.'

You might get an invitation too, Tora-san, but you should be careful.
You might fail with a mermaid and a snow woman again and end up at the edge of the galaxy.
Besides, Seisetsu-cho has a forest without sound, just like in the song,
and since it's a quiet town, it might not be suitable for your line of work, Tora-san.

Oh, that's right,
if it were the nearby "Nanairo-cho" (Seven-Color Town), you might be able to sell ice cream!

I look forward to the day we can meet again.

"Huh, Seisetsu-cho, is it? Never heard of it. So, Saku-chan went to that town?"
"Yes, it says here she was invited to Aomori with her friend Teto."
"Aomori, huh. It's been a long time since I went there. If I recall, you went there looking for Brother-in-law too, didn't you?"
"That's right. That was back during the Hana-chan incident..."
Sakura looked off into the distance. That was a story from over half a century ago.
Torajiro met Hanako, a runaway girl from Aomori, in Numazu while traveling. As he took care of her at Kurumaya, she became attached to him and caused a huge commotion by saying she wanted to be "Tora-chan's bride." Eventually, her elementary school teacher, Mr. Fukushi, came to pick her up, and she returned to Aomori. Torajiro, feeling depressed, went on a trip, and a worried Sakura went to Aomori to find her brother. There, she found Hanako working happily at an elementary school and felt relieved when she found Torajiro chatting at a bus stop as usual.

"Come to think of it, my brother said there was a diner in Aomori that took good care of him... I think... it was called Fuyutsuki Diner."
"Alright, let's send the letter there. If he's headed north, he might stop by Aomori, right?"
"Yes, I have a feeling he might."
After discussing it, they decided to have Sanpei look up the address of Fuyutsuki Diner on the internet and forward the letter there.

"It was a summer evening just like this..."
Hiroshi said sentimentally while looking out at the town of Shibamata sinking into the twilight.
"Huh? What was?"
Sakura took a break from drinking her tea.
"You know, when we first got together. When your brother told me to give up on you."
"Ah, that happened, didn't it? That was a long time ago. Back then, Hiroshi-san, you ran off saying you were going back to your hometown."
"Yeah, I packed my bags and went to Shibamata Station. I wonder what would have happened if you hadn't come for me that day."
"I wonder. We might still be strangers even now... It's strange, the bonds between people."
"That's true. ...It's all thanks to your brother."
"...Hehehe."
"What is it?"
"You said something very wonderful back then, Hiroshi-san. I still remember it."
"Hahaha. I feel like I said something quite naive."

There were seven passengers on the bus. Torajiro was fast asleep in the back seat, clutching his trunk with his usual fedora hat on.
How much time had passed? Torajiro suddenly opened his eyes.
Outside the bus, it was pitch black, and streetlights flickered lonely in the distance. There wasn't another car on the winding road.
"Well now, I feel like I've been having a very long dream, but where on earth am I?"
A young woman in a kimono was sitting two seats in front of Torajiro.
Torajiro quietly left his seat and sat down next to her.
"Excuse me."
"..."
"I'm sorry to bother you, but could you tell me where this bus is headed?"
"Yes, this bus is headed to Seisetsu-cho in Aomori."
"Huh, it's been a long time since I went to Aomori, but I've never heard that name. Was it newly created by a municipal merger?"
"I'm afraid I don't know. They say that even though it's summer, it's covered in snow. Star-shaped ice fragments called 'light shards' fall, and 'if you write just one wish on one and put it in a bottle, your wish will come true.'"
"Huh, that's quite interesting. Snow falling in summer. And if you write one wish and put it in a bottle, it comes true, you say?"
"Yes, I heard that story and decided I absolutely had to go to Seisetsu-cho."
"Young lady, what on earth are you going to wish for?"
"Yes, I wish to know all the truths of this world while I am still alive."
"Huh, that's a pretty high-level wish, isn't it? That's quite something. Truly impressive."
"Ohohoho." The woman covered her mouth with her hand.
"Hehe, is it funny?"
"Yes. It is very funny. By the way, sir, if your wish could come true, what would you wish for?"
"Me? Well, let's see..." Torajiro closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and thought hard.
"...I've always wanted to be a handsome guy just once."
"Hohoho."
When the bus passed through a tunnel carved under Mount Iwaki, the surroundings were enveloped in light. And when they emerged from the tunnel, they were in the silver world of Seisetsu-cho.

Sakura and Hiroshi were enjoying a drink together, feeling a bit tipsy. Just as they were reminiscing, they suddenly heard a loud knocking at the front door.
“Oh my, who could that be at this hour?”
Sakura hurried to the entrance and opened the door to find a thin, bald old man with a bright red face standing there.
“Good evening. Sorry to bother you so late.”
“Pr-President! Hiroshi, the President is here!”
Hiroshi hurried down from the living room to greet him. The President was wearing his worn-out factory uniform.
“Well, well, President. It’s been a long time. What on earth brings you here at this hour?”
“Well, you see, I ran into Sanpei-chan earlier. He told me that Tora-san, who we thought had died, had returned after 27 years. I was so surprised I rushed over to see for myself, but they say Tora-san has already gone off on another trip?”
“Yes, that’s right. I was planning to tell you about that, too, but things have been so hectic with Mitsuo’s new assignment in Noto Village...”
“You’re being awfully distant, Hiroshi. You should have told me sooner. We all thought Tora-san must have died on the road and even held a funeral for him. But I’m so happy. I can’t believe Tora-san is still alive.”
“I’m sure my brother-in-law will be happy to see you too, President. By the way, are you working overtime again in that outfit?”
“That’s right. It’s no joke, I tell you! No matter how much they talk about a society where everyone can play an active role, they shouldn’t make us work until we’re 100.”
“President, have you finally reached 100? That’s something to celebrate!” Hiroshi bowed deeply.
“I turned 101 this year. You see, I had a serious illness when I was 74 and almost died. But when I reached the Sanzu River, I realized something: I hadn’t received enough pension yet. So I came back, unable to die, but now I have to work to pay off my debts.”
Tako-shacho, or Katsura Umetaro, had retired from Asahi Printing, but after losing all his assets in a failed stock investment, he was left with heavy debts. To pay them off, he was working as a temp at a metal processing factory.
“Isn’t it great that you can still work? Working until you’re 101 is a model for all seniors. I’m sure you give many middle-aged people dreams and hope.”
“A model for seniors? Dreams and hope? You say such nice things. You’re the only one who encourages me like that, Hiroshi... My daughter Akemi just blames me for playing the stock market...”
The President looked down with a sad expression.
“Well, well, never mind that. How about a drink, President?”
“That sounds good. I think I’ll take you up on that for the first time in a while.”
The President’s face lit up with a smile as he and Hiroshi went up to the tatami room.
“I’ll go get some drinks and snacks now.” Sakura headed to the kitchen to prepare.
“Sorry to trouble you, Sakura-san, for an old man who should have been dead already.” The President scratched his head.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m just so happy and nostalgic that you came, I’m actually tearing up.”
Sakura took a yellow handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her eyes.

Torajiro arrived in front of Noheji Station, at the base of the Shimokita Peninsula. He was surprised to find that the Fuyutsuki Diner, where he had been taken care of during his travels long ago, was still in business, and he couldn't help but step through the noren curtain.
He sat straight at the counter and immediately ordered, “Hey, old man, give me some sake and a snack.”
“Coming right up.”
Torajiro realized that the white-haired man with slicked-back hair standing in the kitchen was a young man he used to hang out with when he traveled through these parts.
“Hey, old man, don't tell me you're that mischievous young guy from back then?”
“Huh?”
“It’s me, it’s me, Tora. Have you forgotten?” Torajiro pointed to his own face.
“Tora? Oh... oh! You’re that Torajiro-san from back then.”
“That’s right. We used to hang out together, didn't we? Your name is Ko-chan, right?”
“Yes, I’m Fuyutsuki Kozo. But Tora-san, you haven’t changed a bit since then.”
“And you, Ko-chan, have really aged.”
“Well, of course. It’s been 50 years since then.”
“50 years, huh? I don’t have any memory of that at all.”
“Well, that happens. It’s on the house, so take your time.”
Around the shop, five or six salarymen were drinking while eating yakitori and sashimi.
Torajiro was sipping sake with Kozo. After a while, feeling tipsy, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder from behind. When he looked, it was a woman in her thirties.
“Excuse me, mister, aren't you Tora-san?”
“Hmm? I am indeed Torajiro, but have we met somewhere, miss?”
“Oh, come on, Tora-san. It’s me, it’s me! You took care of me at the Ginga-tei, remember?” the woman said, tapping Torajiro on the shoulder.
“Ah! I remember now. You’re Misato-chan, aren't you? It’s been a long time!”
“Hehe, I never expected to run into Tora-san in a place like this. I’m so happy.”
“I’m happy to see a beauty like you again, too, Misato-chan. Come on, let’s drink to our hearts' content tonight!”
“Yeah! Two large mugs of Ginga Kogen beer, please!”
“Coming right up!”
Misato sat next to Torajiro and poked at the appetizer with her chopsticks.
“But what brings you to Aomori? And what happened with your husband, Kaji-san?”
“Oh, don't ask, Tora-san. That guy was hitting on a beautiful customer at the Ginga-tei. We got into a fight, and I just ran off.”
“Hey now, I’m sure Kaji-san was just joking. He’s head over heels for you, Misato-chan.”
“I know that. I know, but I just felt so frustrated, and I missed Earth so much.” Misato said, downing her beer.
“Ahhh!”
“So you came to Earth to clear your head?”
“Yeah. You know, at the North Cross Station, there was a direct flight to Star-Snow Town, so I just hopped on.” Misato stuck out her tongue.
“Aren't they worried about you now? Kaji-san at the Ginga-tei, I mean.”
“It’s fine. Bill and Masako are running the cafe, so it’s okay.”
“Is that so?” Torajiro also took a big gulp of beer while snacking on edamame.
“...Besides... I was wondering what happened to the Earth we risked our lives to protect. I wonder how Shinji-kun is doing now. I’m dead, so I can’t see him, but...”
“You must really be worried about that Shinji-kun.”
“Yeah, I was supposed to be Shinji-kun’s mother, after all. Just a sloppy, good-for-nothing mother...”
Misato looked down sadly and slumped over the counter.
“I see. You’ve had your share of hard times too, Misato-chan.”
“Yeah. Even though I look like this, I’m full of scars. It’s truly ‘A Woman is Hard to Be’.”
“Hahaha, that sounds just like a movie title.”
“Oh man, why was I born a woman? I wish I had been born a man, too. Then I could travel wherever I wanted, just like Tora-san.”
“What are you talking about? Being a man is hard, too.”
“You think so?”
“Come to think of it, on my way here, I heard something interesting on the bus.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
“Apparently, if you write a wish on a piece of ice and put it in a bottle, the wish comes true.”
“That’s interesting. I think I’ll try it.”
“That’s great. What are you going to write, Misato-chan?”
“I guess I’d wish for a world where Shinji-kun can live happily.”
“Are you sure? Even if you don’t come back to life?”
“It’s fine. I’m already dead, after all. Running the cafe with him at the Ginga-tei is enough for me. What about you, Tora-san? What will you wish for?”
“Me? It’s embarrassing, but... I’ve always wanted to be born a handsome man just once.” Torajiro smiled lonely.
“Don’t say that, Tora-san. You’re handsome enough as you are.” Misato stroked Torajiro’s shoulder.
“Is that so... You sure know how to make a guy happy.” Torajiro drank his beer in good spirits.
As they continued to share drinks, the night deepened for the two of them.
Eventually, they stepped outside and began walking through the snowy town. In search of the piece of ice that grants wishes...

“Oh no! I forgot to give Tora-san the letter.”
Kozo, who had been wiping the table, shouted suddenly and rushed out through the noren curtain. But there was no sign of the two in the snow-lit town.

*This is a parody of Tora-san and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
*The images were created by AI.