บท 3: A Golden Afternoon
*20 years ago*
The soft glow of the afternoon sun bathed the world in hues of gold and pink as a 5 years old girl skipped along the stone path. The scent of cherry blossoms filled the air, their delicate petals drifting down like whispered secrets from the branches above. She giggled as she tried to catch them, her small hands reaching up toward the fluttering confetti.
"Careful, Catherine!" her mother, Hana, called out gently, a warm smile gracing her lips. She adjusted the picnic blanket spread across the grass, smoothing out the wrinkles with practiced ease. The patterned fabric was adorned with tiny cranes and blooming flowers—a favorite of Catherine's.
Her father, Eric, approached carrying a woven basket brimming with treats. "Our little adventurer is full of energy today," he remarked, his eyes gleaming with affection as he watched his daughter.
Catherine spun around to face them, her dark hair swirling like a halo. "Mama, Papa, look how many petals I caught!" She opened her hands to reveal a modest collection of blossoms, their colors vivid against her tiny palms.
"That's impressive!" Eric exclaimed, setting down the basket. He knelt beside her, examining the petals with exaggerated seriousness. "You might just be the best petal catcher in all of Japan."
Catherine beamed with pride. "Do you think so?"
"Absolutely," Hana agreed, joining them. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind Catherine's ear. "But even the best petal catcher needs to rest and have some snacks."
At the mention of food, Catherine's eyes widened. "Strawberry mochi?" she asked hopefully.
Hana laughed softly. "And daifuku, and taiyaki, and a few surprises."
They settled onto the blanket, the family cocooned in their own world beneath the canopy of blossoms. Eric poured freshly brewed tea into delicate cups, the steam curling upward like mirages. Catherine reached eagerly for a taiyaki, biting into the fish-shaped pastry with delight.
"Not too fast," Eric cautioned with a chuckle. "We don't want you turning into a little fish yourself."
Catherine giggled, her cheeks puffed out. "If I turn into a fish, can I swim in the big pond?"
Hana raised an eyebrow playfully. "Only if you promise to always come back to us."
"I promise!" Catherine declared, her words muffled by the treat.
As they ate, Hana pulled out a small packet of origami paper from the basket. "Catherine, would you like to learn how to make something special?"
Catherine swallowed her bite and nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"
Hana selected a sheet of paper, its surface shimmering with a subtle pattern. "Today, I'll teach you how to fold a crane. It's a symbol of peace and hope."
Catherine scooted closer, her eyes fixed intently on her mother's hands. Hana's fingers moved with grace and precision, each fold deliberate. "First, we start by making a square base," she explained.
Eric leaned back, watching the two most important people in his life share this moment. The sunlight caught in Hana's hair, casting a soft halo around her. Catherine mirrored her mother's movements, her small hands trying to emulate the folds.
"Like this?" Catherine asked, furrowing her brow in concentration.
"Exactly," Hana encouraged. "You're doing wonderfully."
They continued step by step, Hana guiding and Catherine following. Occasionally, Hana would place her hands over Catherine's, helping her make a tricky fold. Eric reached into the basket and retrieved his camera, capturing the scene as the two bent over their creations.
"Say cheese!" he called out.
Both turned toward him, surprised but smiling. The shutter clicked, freezing the moment in time. Catherine held up her partially folded crane. "Papa, look! I'm making a crane!"
"I see that," Eric responded, lowering the camera. "You're quite the artist."
With Hana's patient teaching, Catherine finally completed her first origami crane. She held it up triumphantly. "I did it!"
Hana clapped softly. "It's beautiful, Catherine. This crane is very special."
Catherine examined it closely. "Why is it special, Mama?"
"Well," Hana began, her voice lilting like a melody, "there's a legend that if you fold a thousand cranes, your wish will come true."
"A thousand?" Catherine's eyes widened. "That's a lot."
"It is," Hana agreed, "but each one you fold brings you closer to your heart's desire."
Eric chimed in. "What would you wish for, Catherine?"
She pondered for a moment, her gaze drifting to the blossoms above. "I would wish for us to be happy forever."
Hana's smile softened, and she exchanged a tender glance with Eric. "That's a wonderful wish."
Eric reached over and gently ruffled Catherine's hair. "With a wish like that, I'm sure all the cranes in the world would come to help."
They spent the next hour folding more cranes, the collection growing in a small pile beside them. Catherine's folds became more confident, her excitement infectious. Laughter filled the air as Eric attempted a crane of his own, resulting in a misshapen but endearing creation.
"I think mine has... character," he joked, holding up his handiwork.
Catherine giggled. "It looks like a duck!"
Hana laughed, her eyes shimmering with joy. "Perhaps we can start a new tradition of folding ducks."
As the afternoon waned, the sunlight began to weave through the branches, casting intricate patterns on the ground. Catherine yawned softly, the day's adventures catching up with her.
"Someone's getting sleepy," Eric observed.
"No, I'm not," Catherine protested weakly, her eyelids drooping.
Hana gathered the cranes into the basket and began tidying up. "It's been a full day. Maybe it's time to head home."
Eric stood and stretched, then offered his hand to Hana. "Shall we?"
Hana took his hand, and together they helped Catherine to her feet. She leaned against her father, small hands clutching his shirt. "Can we come back again tomorrow?" she murmured.
"Perhaps not tomorrow," Eric replied gently, "but we'll have many more picnics."
"Promise?" Catherine's voice was barely above a whisper.
"Promise," both parents echoed.
They walked back along the path, Catherine nestled safely between them. The evening breeze carried the scent of blossoms and the soft murmurs of the city beyond the park. Hana began to hum a lullaby, her voice soothing.
As they reached the park's entrance, Catherine looked up at her mother. "Mama, can we keep folding cranes at home?"
"Of course," Hana assured her. "We can fold as many as you'd like."
Eric smiled down at them. "Maybe we can fill the whole house with cranes."
Catherine giggled at the idea. "Papa, then we can make our wish come true even faster!"
"That's the spirit," he encouraged.
They continued home, the fading light casting long shadows behind them. In that moment, the world was simple and filled with promise—a family bound by love and shared dreams.
---
Later that evening, after dinner and a warm bath, Catherine sat cross-legged on her bed, papers spread around her. Hana sat beside her, guiding her through another crane. The soft glow of a lantern illuminated the room, casting a gentle light on their faces.
"Remember to fold this corner just so," Hana instructed, demonstrating the movement.
Catherine followed suit, her tongue peeking out in concentration. "Like this?"
"Perfect," Hana praised.
They finished the crane, adding it to a growing line along the windowsill. Catherine counted them aloud. "Eleven, twelve... Mama, we have twelve cranes now!"
Hana nodded. "Each one brings us closer to your wish."
Catherine crawled under the covers, hugging her favorite stuffed animal. "Will you tell me a story?"
"Which one would you like to hear?"
"The one about the moon princess," Catherine replied, her eyes heavy with sleep.
Hana began the tale, her voice weaving the story's magic. Catherine listened, her breaths becoming slow and steady. Before the story concluded, she was fast asleep, a peaceful expression on her face.
Hana leaned down and kissed her forehead gently. "Sweet dreams, my little crane."
As she stood to leave, Eric appeared at the doorway, watching quietly. Hana joined him, and they gazed at their sleeping daughter.
"She's so full of life," Eric whispered.
"She brings so much joy," Hana agreed softly.
They retreated to the hallway, closing the door partway. Eric took Hana's hand, squeezing it gently. "Today was wonderful."
"It was," she replied, a hint of wistfulness in her tone.
He noticed the subtle shift in her expression. "Is everything alright?"
She offered a reassuring smile. "Yes, just cherishing these moments. They're fleeting but so precious."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We'll have many more days like this."
Hana rested her head against him.
They stood in comfortable silence, the world outside quieting as night settled in. For now, their family was whole, and the future seemed bright—a tapestry yet to be woven, threads of hope and happiness intertwining.
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