Novel "Awakening One Morning" Chapter 7

The female dwarves are resting in their beds inside the cave. They are likely exhausted from being required to perform various labors by the witch. All of the dwarves seem to be sleeping soundly. Light is streaming in from the entrance of the cave. I look out from the entrance and gaze at the sky. I saw a bright full moon near the horizon. Its light is heading into the cave. Suddenly, I notice that the light seems to have changed into a soft, warm glow. When I reach out my hand to the light, it shines even more intensely, and the source of some very heartwarming, gentle power soaks into my chest. I feel no pain. I feel as if my entire body is wrapped in a warm membrane. As I look around, the light seems to spread into the cave, enveloping and healing the dwarves as well.

I realize that it was a dream. I open my eyes gently. The ceiling of the dimly lit bedroom comes into view. For some reason, I still feel as if I am continuing to dream. The warmth I felt in my body during the dream persists. I think about things vaguely. Although it felt like a continuation of the dream I was having during my period, this morning's dream was different from usual, and I felt no pain. Moreover, there was a warm sense of comfort.

At that moment, I realize. Mana was wearing a full moon pendant. She also said that her goal was to support female workers. In the dream, perhaps the light of the full moon, which is Mana's symbol, was healing the female dwarves who were being exploited by the witch. It seems I, too, received strength from the light of Mana's full moon. I recall the warmth of the full moon's light in the dream. I recall Mana's soft expression. I feel that I want to be with Mana more. I must have been in love with Mana from the very beginning. That feeling, which was a small bud at first, grew little by little while bathed in the light of the full moon, and blossomed this morning.

I slowly sit up. My period must be over. There is no more pain in my lower abdomen. I finish my morning preparations. I hesitated as I was about to put on the pantsuit I had laid out last night. What kind of outfit would be desirable to convey my feelings to Mana? For a change, I put away the clothes I had prepared on the pole hanger the day before and peer into my closet to ponder. Since it had been winter until now, I had been wearing pantsuits the whole time. Mana transferred here in the winter. She has probably never seen me in a skirt. Should I go out of my way to wear a skirt that I don't usually wear on the day I convey my feelings to a woman? Although I was a little hesitant, I thought that would be lovely too. I was attracted to Mana, a woman, as a woman myself. I want her to see my beautiful side and I want Mana to accept me.

I take out my favorite pale pastel pink setup suit skirt that I hadn't worn for a while, lightly spray it with deodorizer, and press it with a steam iron. To make my complexion look good, I combine it with an ivory lace blouse as an inner layer. I change my clothes, wash my face, do my skincare thoroughly, and then move to the dining table with my makeup tools.

I stare at my face reflected in the vanity mirror. A woman with an innocent expression that looks young for her age is reflected. I have always prepared this woman for battle and made her play the role of a strong-willed woman. Will this woman go out to battle again today as usual? I think for a moment. Conveying my feelings to Mana is not a "battle." There is no need to apply "armor" to protect myself. Rather, I want to infuse my love for Mana and my wish to support her and live together with her into this.

I apply my makeup carefully. I have always used eye makeup that leads to a strong-willed gaze. Today, I draw my eye area with a soft impression, making the most of the original shape of my eyes. I express a spring-like gentleness that matches today's outfit with pink-toned eye color, which I actually like but don't use in my usual "armor" makeup. Does the me in the vanity mirror have an expression that conveys my wish to accept and support Mana? How would Mana feel if she saw me like this? Thinking of Mana's smile filled with compassion, I couldn't help but smile. I finish my makeup and fix my hair. I put on a silver necklace decorated with lily of the valley flowers. I wear the sweet tonka bean perfume that I usually wear on my days off. I put away my makeup tools and have breakfast.

I pick up the fountain pen that I had left to dry on a paper towel in the kitchen and assemble the nib. I choose a bright green ink that evokes fresh greenery from the ink set I had planned to give to Yuji-san and put it into the fountain pen. I bring a new notebook from the shelf in the bedroom. I open the first page and start writing my message to Mana there.

Dear Mana-san,

Along with the new breath of spring, a new chapter is about to open in our hearts. In the light of this morning, I would like to share my deep gratitude and hope for the future with you, Mana-san. Like a new awakening, we are about to take a step forward.

First of all, let's make this new notebook our exchange diary. I hope we can freely write everything from small daily discoveries to the deep thoughts hidden in the depths of our hearts on these pages. I hope this notebook will serve as a means for us to know each other's hearts more deeply, and as a bridge to strengthen our bond.

Reading your letter, Mana-san, I deeply empathized with your profound love for Artemis Blend and your passionate desire to reach out to female workers, children, and sexual minorities. From your words, I feel your deep understanding and respect for those in vulnerable positions in the world, and your strong will to help them. I strongly feel that I want to support such a Mana-san with all my might.

Meeting you, Mana-san, has added a new color to my life. Your existence is an irreplaceable treasure to me. Together with you, Mana-san, I want to chase our dreams, support each other, lean on each other, and help each other as we build a wonderful relationship together. I believe that our future will surely shine beautifully.

I sincerely hope that this notebook will become a place where we write our story, connect our hearts, and allow us to grow together. I promise to cherish the days with you, Mana-san, and to continue growing together. May our relationship be the spring light for us, and may it always be warm and comfortable.

With heartfelt love,

March 9, 2023 Ayako Yoda

When I finish writing the message to Mana, I pick up the spray of tonka bean perfume and lightly push it in front of me. I pass the notebook with the page open through that space a few times to let the paper faintly absorb the scent. I insert a bookmark on the first page, close the notebook, and secure it with a rubber band.

I record this morning's events in the notebook I usually use. I put the notebook I am giving to Mana, my regular notebook, and my fountain pen into my bag, put on my jacket, throw on an off-white lightweight coat, and head to the entrance. When I put on pumps with slightly higher heels than usual, I carefully reflect my expression in the full-length mirror and raise the corners of my mouth to make a smile. Since I started falling in love with Mana, my smile has become bigger. Love makes a woman beautiful. While feeling happy about that, I called out "I'm off!" to the me in the mirror.

On the way from the central station to the Starbox Cafe, there is a street of Kawazu cherry blossoms. The Kawazu cherry blossoms are in full bloom as if to announce the end of winter and herald the arrival of spring. Walking under that row of cherry trees, I realize that spring has arrived. I like spring. I also like seeing various brightly colored spring flowers blooming everywhere. I also like how, as the flowers lose their vigor, the bright green leaves gain strength and push aside the petals to grow thick.

Plum blossoms have bloomed, and now the Kawazu cherry blossoms are in full bloom. After this, apricot and peach blossoms will start to bloom, then Yoshino cherry blossoms, and the season for double-flowered cherry blossoms will come. By that time, I will be able to enjoy the fresh greenery of early summer as well. While bathing in the morning sunlight that was gradually becoming brighter, I felt happy feeling the end of winter and the arrival of spring. I felt happy that I could convey my feelings to Mana on such a morning with dazzling morning sun.

I stop and look up at the Kawazu cherry blossoms in full bloom. I think about the short peak of the cherry blossoms. Neither life nor love has beautiful moments that last forever. That is precisely why I want to cherish the feelings I felt for Mana this morning and convey my feelings to her in this very moment. The petals of the Kawazu cherry blossoms dance and drift in the wind. Beyond them is the Starbox Cafe. The way the cherry petals are guided by the wind seems to represent my heart.

I arrive in front of the Starbox Cafe. Mana is unlocking the door and opening it for me. Seeing me heading toward the cafe, Mana looks at me with a beaming smile. Seeing that, I also look back at Mana with a big smile.

(End)