The Komainu That Mutters From Time to Time

A submission for the weekly short-short note project

Preface

In shrines, there are beings who watch humans even more closely than the gods do, in places where human voices do not reach.
Today, let's listen to the "grumblings of the Komainu" at the Toshogu Shrine in autumn.

Body

Dressed in autumn attire, the Toshogu Shrine was bustling with activity.
The Komainu at the entrance of the gate muttered softly.

“No one prays to us, do they?”
“That's right, because we're here to keep an eye on the bad guys.”

“But, wouldn't you like it if, once in a while, someone said to us, ‘Thank you,’ or ‘I’m grateful,’ or ‘Please, have this if you’d like’?”
“Well, to be honest, I do want to be appreciated.”

The wind blew through, and golden fallen leaves rolled at the feet of the Komainu.
“The Toshogu Shrine has truly become autumnal.”

“Oh, come to think of it, a couple was fighting the other day.
I wonder if they made up after that?”
“No, that’s impossible. They got caught cheating, after all.”

“The Toshogu Shrine is a popular spot. You never know who you might run into or when. It’s a grateful place.”
“That’s why it’s also known as the ‘Sometimes Toshogu,’ isn’t it?”

“Huh? ‘Sometimes’? I thought it was the ‘Heart-pounding Toshogu.’”

“...Ah, that’s good too.
Please be careful when you come to the Toshogu Shrine in autumn.”
(408 characters)

Afterword

Laughter and tears spill over in places where people gather.
The Komainu who watch over that silently might just be the most human-like beings of all.
*This story is a work of fiction.

I wrote this for the weekly short-short note prompt.
Thank you for the prompt.