The Gardener of the Sleeping Forest, Episode 10: 'The Banquet of the Bystanders / Takatora Muromi'

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Episode 10: 'The Banquet of the Bystanders'

During the summer vacation of my first year of high school, while I was helping out at the job site day after day, my foster father—with whom I had reached a point where we barely spoke—called out to me while I was trimming a hedge.

'Tora... could you take a look at this for a second?'

Thinking it was about work, I turned around without a word, but I was taken aback. Even under the scorching sun, my foster father's face was deathly pale.

All around us, the cicadas were buzzing with deafening intensity.

My foster father opened the flip phone that was popular at the time and held it out to me.

'This email from your mother... I don't... I don't understand what it means...'

It was a short, blunt email stating that she had been diagnosed with acute leukemia and that there was no hope for recovery, even with treatment.

From then until my mother passed away, it felt like it happened in the blink of an eye. My foster father became a hollow shell before my very eyes.

Having grown up in an institution, my foster father had no family of his own, and although he had married once when he was young, they never had children. He had been head-over-heels in love with our mother, whom he met when he was nearly forty, and their reputation as a devoted couple was well-known in the neighborhood.

Ignoring the concerns of those around him, by the time the first anniversary of her death arrived, he had started drinking from the moment the sun was up. Before the third-year memorial service (the second anniversary of her death) could even arrive, he died in an accident, as if following his wife. It was a single-vehicle accident caused by drunk driving.

The day I was called by the police, I screamed at his corpse.

'How could you be so irresponsible!!'

My foster father, who abandoned us. But we were both cold-hearted. I had suspected in the back of my mind that a day like this might come, yet instead of doing anything for my crumbling foster father, I had continued to treat him harshly. If we had been his biological sons, would he have been able to hold it together?

Regarding this outcome, I felt more anger, hatred, and a sense of relief that he had died alone without involving others, rather than sadness or a sense of loss.

At the time, I was a third-year high school student, and my brother, two years younger, had just entered high school. We needed money to survive after losing our parents, and it was a blessing in disguise that we didn't end up as the family of a perpetrator.

Even though I had lost both parents in quick succession, I didn't even have time to shed a tear. Inheritance, taxes, various name changes, insurance money, allowances, and subsidies. I desperately scrambled to learn everything I could about money.

After all, my younger brother, who was left in this world with me, was just a complete idiot.

My brother, who enrolled in the lowest-ranked private high school in the prefecture, was by no means a malicious person without morals, but in this day and age, he was the type of complete fool who couldn't think ahead—the kind who would happily sell his bank account for quick cash and get used and discarded by a special fraud group.

I had to get him through high school no matter what. As for college—well, even if there were a college he could get into, the degree wouldn't be worth anything. He has physical strength, so if he could pass the Self-Defense Force exam, that would be ideal. If that's impossible, maybe I'll have him get a heavy vehicle license. In any case, I have to get him to the point of independence. I really want to avoid my only remaining family ending up behind bars.

Having reached that conclusion, I decided to quit high school and start working.

I had already mastered the basics of the gardening business, and thanks to being taken to job sites since I was young, I already had regular customers and connections with others in the industry. Since a degree isn't necessary for a gardener, it was better to start moving before losing my clients than to wait until graduation.

I don't think for a second that the more foolish a child is, the cuter they are, but even a brother like this is family. I'm sure I'd have bad dreams if I abandoned him.

Unbeknownst to his brother, it would be two years later that the brother would get his girlfriend pregnant and drop out of high school.

.....

Every year, no matter how busy the end of the year gets, I schedule my work so that I can leave early on Christmas Eve, thinking of my brother's children.

The two oldest, a high school freshman and a third-year middle schooler, are at the age where they get excited about limited-edition Christmas goods and special streaming events, but the youngest, who is still five, is a cute kid who believes in Santa.

When I finished work and went to park the car at the office, my niece, Murasaki, called out to me. She was heading out now and asked if I could come pick her up since she would be returning at night.

I assumed she was going to a shopping mall or something. As I listened, thinking, 'Don't boss your uncle around when he's exhausted during the busy season,' a statement that made me doubt my ears popped out.

“Wait, Uncle Taka, you haven't heard anything? I've been invited to a party that Mr. Yanagawa is throwing.”

That bastard Yanagawa—don't tell me he's hitting on a minor, and of all people, my niece!?

I called Yanagawa with the intention of punching him through the smartphone, but I couldn't get a straight answer. After putting it on speakerphone and talking with the three of us, including Murasaki, the full picture of the complicated process became clear.

It seems that a Christmas party for the pediatric ward has become a tradition at the general hospital across the station, but the volunteer group that had been helping until last year had disbanded. Yanagawa, having heard about this from a doctor working at that hospital, and wanting to look good, had pushed himself forward, saying, 'Then leave it to me.'

And so, the flow of events was that the doctor and Yanagawa tried to gather people to fill the volunteer quota, so they reached out to a certain person, and that certain person invited Murasaki.

In other words, the person Yanagawa wanted to look good for was 'Azumi-chan,' and 'Gin-chan,' who was asked by those two to invite friends if possible, asked Murasaki—whom he had recently met—because he didn't have any friends.

I had my doubts about the company, but a Christmas party at a hospital, especially in the pediatric ward, had to be as wholesome as it gets. Besides, it might be a good experience for Yukari.

I told her, "I'll drive you there too," and set off in the car.

A few hours later, I headed to the general hospital at the appointed time and parked in a lot that was practically empty, a stark contrast to the daytime. When I messaged Yukari, it seemed the cleanup wasn't finished yet. Since I'd been told I could get in if I explained the situation to the security guard, I decided to go inside to pick her up.

Recalling the route explained at the night reception, I made my way through the unfamiliar hospital corridors at night, guided by the emergency lights at my feet. At the end of the hall, from inside an open door, came a blindingly bright light and Yanagawa's exuberant voice.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work today!!"

Peering into the room labeled 'Small Hall,' I saw a scene that looked just like the aftermath of a children's Christmas party. Yanagawa, dressed in a ridiculous outfit consisting of a triangular hat and nose glasses, was surrounded by a group of Santas.

The children were already gone, and it seemed the organizers had gathered to deliver their closing remarks.

"Yanagawa, thank you for today!!"

When 'Azumi-chan,' the chubby girl dressed as a mini-skirt Santa, thanked Yanagawa in a loud voice, a crowd of other Santas began to chime in with their own words of gratitude.

"Thank you, Yanagawa-san. And Azumi-sensei, I'm sorry we left all the recruitment to you even though it's outside your department. Thank you so much."

"Thanks to both of you, we were able to see the children's smiles."

With Yanagawa looking satisfied, I, who had only come to pick up my niece, looked around, unsure of how to act in this situation.

Yanagawa noticed me and gave a light wave, but continued talking to the Santas around him. While looking for Yukari, I also searched for another person, harboring a glimmer of hope and a sense of dread at the same time, but neither of them was to be found.

In the corner of my vision, a figure approached. Thinking it might be Yukari, I turned my head, but it wasn't my round-faced niece or the other person I was looking for. It was a surreal monster in a tuxedo with a realistic reindeer head.

The monster headed straight for me, stopped dead in front of me, and let out a muffled voice from inside the mask.

"...Good evening..."

Even without seeing his face, I knew immediately from his model-like physique. It was 'Gin-chan,' Hana-san's cousin.

Apparently, the rubber head made it hard to talk, so he pulled the mask off with a slide. As if a curse cast by an evil wizard had been broken, a top-tier handsome young man emerged from within the monster, and a few squeals of delight rose from the onlookers.

I had been distracted by the series of impacts, but I finally noticed that Yukari had been clinging to the back of the handsome young man.

Uncle Taka, thanks for coming to pick me up.

My niece, who said that, was wearing an oversized, solid green dress, and her entire body was wrapped in a large amount of tinsel.

What is that outfit of yours?

It's a Christmas tree, obviously.

When Yukari answered that, she said, 'Look,' and pulled the hood of her dress over her head. A large star ornament appeared on the top of her head.

Ah... I see...

Even while we were talking like that, it seems the handsome young man in the tuxedo noticed that I was distracted, glancing around the venue as if my mind were elsewhere, while he held a reindeer head under his arm.

Hana isn't coming. Every year on Christmas Eve, she goes to see The Nutcracker at the New National Theatre.

Was there a bronze statue with that name at the New National Stadium? Regardless, it seemed I wouldn't be running into her here. The tension that had been coiled tight inside me suddenly loosened all at once.

Hana-san hasn't come to the convenience store since that day. The messages I sent remain unread.

Her incomprehensible behavior and the surreal, abnormal weather. Everything about that day felt like a dream. I couldn't find any peace of mind like this. I want to meet her properly and talk, but honestly, the fear that she wouldn't even speak to me if we did meet was stronger. I'm pathetic, I know.

Caught between disappointment and relief, I heard Yukari say to me,

Uncle Taka, you think 'New National' refers to the stadium, right? Gin-oniisan is talking about the New National Theatre. And The Nutcracker is a ballet performance, a story for Christmas.

Ever since meeting this handsome young man, Yukari seems to have become infatuated with him like a fan with their favorite idol, and in this short time, she seems to have become quite knowledgeable about ballet as well.

My niece was bullied in junior high and started attending a free school. She used to be a friendly person, but she became completely uncomfortable around others. As her uncle, I'm happy to see her regaining her former brightness.

After showing off her knowledge with a smug look on her face, Yukari abruptly changed the subject and brought up the one topic I least wanted to touch upon.

Come to think of it, Uncle Taka, you didn't have any plans on Christmas Eve? Did that lady dump you?

Teenage girls, could you choose your words a little more carefully? Her round face is from her mother, but her blunt way of speaking is exactly like her father's.

I had no energy to answer that question, and as I stood there in silence with a bitter smile, I saw the overly voluptuous mini-skirt Santa and Yanagawa approaching us while waving.

Hey, Gardener!! Long time no see. I never expected Ginsui to bring your niece along. Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Hey, good work. Tell me, which should I be more surprised by: the fact that you're actually a doctor, or that you've become close with Yanagawa before I knew it?

The response to my snide remark was a fastball straight to the gut.

What about you? How are things with Hana?

As I fell silent, having lost my escape route, Yanagawa, still wearing his pince-nez, let out a sigh and shook his head with a touch of exaggeration.

Takatora is surprisingly shy, you see. Besides, he has a tendency to sanctify women a bit too much. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but why not show your masculine side once in a while? Why not approach her with the raw intensity of saying, 'Your pantyhose are my staple food!'?

Who exactly is lecturing me, and on what? Stop it, my niece is right there.

Hey Ginsui, how has Hana been lately? Is she doing well?

The tuxedo-clad figure answers the question from the mini-skirted Santa.

Hana has been strange lately. You know, Hana sometimes gets like that, doesn't she? Like she's invincible.

Ah, I get it. She's stronger-willed than she looks, after all. She gets into that state periodically, like she's in an invincible mode...

Yeah, that. But this time it's not just about being strong-willed; the mood swings are intense. One moment she's completely absorbed in her work, and the next she's suddenly laughing out loud, and she's talking to Chihaya-san all the time. Come to think of it, when she gets back from her daily morning walk, her eyes often look like she's been crying.

Is this Chihaya-san a friend of hers? It's complicated to hear that she's full of energy, but I felt conflicted, torn between the worry for her—since she seems to be crying alone—and the part of me that felt a glimmer of hope because of it.

Whether they knew my inner thoughts or not, the two continued their conversation.

Azumi-chan, you already know, right? That Fujisaki-san entered into a civil partnership with the artistic director, Andrew Evans.

Yeah, I saw that on the news online. A civil partnership in the UK is like a step before same-sex marriage, right?

Yeah, that's why Hana is deeply hurt. She says she's fine, but it looks like she's barely eating, and it's painful to watch.

Ginsui, come on, just admit it. That's just your own wishful thinking. The truth is, there was never any fact that Fujisaki-san was waiting for Hana and staying single, was there? If the reason Hana is crying is a man, it's not Fujisaki-san in the UK, it's the Gardener right here.

The mini-skirted Santa pointed at me, and the flesh of her toned upper arm wobbled with the motion. The tuxedo-clad figure looked at me with a cool expression, thought for a moment, and then said:

Speaking of crying, it's been since the day this person made Hana cry. That's when Hana started acting strange.

Yanagawa, having heard those words, suddenly cut in.

You... don't tell me you tried to do something weird without her consent!?

The 'something weird' he was imagining was probably weirder than the average person's idea of something weird, but regardless, I, being innocent, shook my head with all my might to deny it. My niece's gaze was stinging.

Hey, Gardener. In all honesty, did something happen between you and Hana?

Standing right in front of me, the mini-skirt Santa pressed me to confess. Despite her plump face, her eyes, which were large enough to match that fullness, stared straight at me. Succumbing to an indescribable pressure, I gave up on keeping silent.

I don't know... I'm the one who wants to know how Hana feels. Honestly, I think we both felt that there was mutual affection, and I swear I didn't do anything weird. From my perspective, it really felt like I was suddenly rejected...

I see. Well, since you're both adults, I'm not going to say much, but Hana has a tendency to rush ahead on her own. To make sure neither of you regrets anything, you should try talking to her properly once.

I'd like to do that, but I can't get in touch with her. I can't exactly force my way into her house, can I?

The mini-skirt Santa took my words, glanced at the man in the tuxedo, and said,

...You know Hana's walking route, don't you?

What do you expect me to do with that information? Think about it. If a woman is out for a morning walk alone and someone like this 'pirate' Lankedem is lying in wait, it's scary, right? She'd be terrified of being kidnapped.

I don't know what a Lankedem is, but I could tell it wasn't a compliment. Yukari quietly approached me and whispered a supplement.

There's a performance called 'Le Corsaire'. Lankedem is the role of the slave trader. He's a scary guy.

I'm often told I have a villainous face, but this is the first time I've been called a slave trader.

The Gardener isn't Lankedem, he's Conrad.

Yukari supplemented the mini-skirt Santa's rebuttal once more.

Conrad is a pirate, but he's a good guy. He's the heroine's love interest.

Either way, he's still a pirate, isn't he?

Anyway, Mr. Fujisaki belongs to the artistic director now. For the sake of Hana's happiness, whom you love so much, just cooperate with us once.

The mini-skirt Santa tried to persuade the man in the tuxedo to nod, but there was no reaction. After thinking for a moment, she played her trump card and said this.

"Your ex-boyfriend still has feelings for Hana, doesn't he? She's scared because he still tries to contact her."

"……That guy hates me. And I hate him too."

"Right? Hey, compared to men other than Mr. Fujisaki, isn't the gardener not so bad? He'd even protect her if a dangerous man came barging in. Look at that chest, it's like a gorilla's."

Calling me a gorilla is definitely an insult.

The tuxedo-clad man's gaze shifted between me and Yukari, and then he opened his mouth as if reluctantly.

"……There's a large park with a big pond about a five-minute walk from Hana's apartment. She definitely passes through there. There's no set route, and I don't know the exact time……"

As I started to thank him in surprise, he cut me off with a "Don't," tossed the reindeer head into the air, caught it with ease, and continued.

"I'm telling you, I'm going to follow Hana tomorrow morning too. If Hana says she doesn't want to talk to you, you have to promise to give up then."

"……Understood, I promise."

He nodded at my words, and for some reason, handed the reindeer head to Yukari, saying, "Here, a Christmas present." Yukari, having received the mysterious object, was thrilled and kept repeating her thanks.

Then, as the handsome young man in the tuxedo was leaving, he turned his perfectly groomed face toward me and said with his usual poker face,

"It's not that I trust you. But Yukari is a good girl, so I figure you, as her close friend, probably aren't a bad person either."

A mysterious scent of roses enveloped me.

My younger brother is a real idiot.

After losing both our parents in quick succession, I dropped out of high school, and while being mocked for my lack of education, I worked recklessly hard. My brother, who should have been watching my back, got his girlfriend pregnant, dropped out of school, had children back-to-back without any plan, and even ended up making me babysit.

But, frustrating as it is, I suppose it's thanks to that idiot that I've been able to keep moving forward without stopping, never having time to feel lonely. In the car on the way home, I thought about this while looking at the profile of my niece, who had grown so much.

I believe that life is also filled with warmth.

Continuing to Episode 11, 'After the Rain'

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