Yukimido, the Unfreezing Wish

The hot pot is filled with plenty of Chinese cabbage, pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, and tofu. Steam rises, and the scent of yuzu drifts softly.

The setting is Shirayuki-cho, a small town in the snowy country.

Seven o'clock in the evening. Shirayuki-cho was deeply buried in snow. The last town bus had passed by, and the silence was absorbed into the piled-up snow.

"Dad, isn't it about time to eat?"

His high school daughter, Mitsuki, peers into the steaming clay pot. Her father, Keisuke, runs the only bookstore in town, "Yukimido." In this winter, when the snow is heavy and customers are scarce, this hot pot is a warm ritual for the two of them.

"You know, today Ms. Miyuki said that this winter's cold reminds her of the story of the 'Snow-Clad Traveler' who once passed through this town."

Keisuke stopped his chopsticks. That legend is an old story about a traveler who appears in winter and leaves behind 'something' that never freezes for only one person in town, and the house that possesses it will be blessed with great happiness in the spring.

"Well, it's just an old tale. More importantly, hurry up and eat."

Keisuke laughed and placed the largest shiitake mushroom onto Mitsuki's small plate.

The next morning. Mitsuki was out of town for an expedition, and Keisuke was tending the shop alone. As he turned on the store's heater and drank tea, he noticed an old book on the shelf next to the register. It hadn't been there until yesterday.

The cover had a texture like Japanese paper, and while it had no title, it was surprisingly warm to the touch. When he opened it gently, only a single phrase was written in ink.

“Do not freeze, passionate heart”

The moment he saw those words, the words of his wife, who had passed away ten years ago, came back to Keisuke. "The snow in this town sometimes freezes people's hearts, but please don't let Mitsuki's dreams or your own feelings freezeね…" Keisuke realized that in his desperation to protect the bookstore, he had buried his wife's wish and his own passionate heart under the snow.

Just then, along with a bell-like voice saying "Hello," an elderly woman he didn't know, wearing a deep indigo kimono, entered the shop.

The old woman stood before Keisuke and smiled gently.

"Oh, what a fine bookstore. It seems that 'something' that doesn't freeze has indeed remained in your home."

She then glanced at the warm book.

"That is the Book of the Heart that the traveler left behind. It is a place to write down your passionate feelings."

After saying only that, the old woman quietly disappeared into the snow without buying anything.

That night. Mitsuki returned home, and the usual clay pot was set over the fire. Keisuke added some luxurious chicken meatballs that he didn't usually use.

"From now on, I think I'll try all sorts of things. I'll try putting all kinds of things into this pot."

Keisuke showed Mitsuki that warm book and confided in her about her mother's wish and the old woman's story.

Mitsuki smiled as she traced the characters written in the book.

"It's okay, Dad. I know Mom's feelings very well. That's why I will definitely make my dream of going to art college come true."

The two of them gathered around the steaming pot and laughed to their hearts' content.

Spring arrived, and as the snow in Shirayuki Town began to melt, Mitsuki was accepted into art college and it was decided she would set off on her journey. Keisuke gazed at the passionate feelings recorded in the book of his heart and blessed Mitsuki's departure from the bottom of his heart."

This year's spring in Shirayuki Town felt warmer than usual, and there was a premonition of a new beginning.

The ingredients in the pot were the last pieces of Chinese cabbage left in the earthenware pot. The two of them watched that warmth gently.

Click here for short stories set on the same stage

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