Moonlight Girl

"Do you know? Moonlight holds its own magical power. It is said that when the full moon arrives, the gate between this world and the other world will be connected. That's when the impossible things can come true. " Little Hikaru solemnly listened to his grandma’s story. 

The fairy tale about the moon has indeed been a bedtime story for Hikaru since childhood. Somehow his grandma prefers to tell fairy tales and full moon legends to him than to tell other stories. Hikaru never asked, he actually really enjoyed all the stories told by his grandma.

Those stories weren't just Hikaru's listening to. That boy's imagination always hovers when he enjoys his grandma's story. For Hikaru, moon is not just a space object. He even thought there might be another life up there.

Not without reason, Hikaru often hears tales about Princess Kaguya who is the princess of the kingdom on the moon who came down to earth or about the Moon Rabbit who made mochi up there. These are the things that make Hikaru always curious. Is there really life there? If so, he would love to go there. But how? This is what is now a big question for him.

Even though he was born to parents from different countries, Hikaru is more familiar with the culture of his father's family. Born and raised in Japan, with both parents who are busy working, Hikaru and his grandma have a very close relationship. It was from his grandma that Hikaru learned a lot about ancient Japanese culture and beliefs. Especially the Japanese people's belief in the magic of the full moon.

"Will everyone experience the miracle of the full moon, Grandma?" Little Hikaru's eyes flashed a bright glow of hope.

"Grandma thinks, only the chosen people will get it." His Grandma squinted as if she was glaring at the eyes of the boy in front of her.

"What? Disappointing." There was a tone of disappointment there. "Then, can I become one of those lucky people?" Hikaru said in a barely audible voice.

“Of course, Hikaru will get it. Hikaru is a full moon child, a very special child." His grandma who apparently heard Hikaru's words, then smiled as she rubbed her beloved grandson's back.

"What are you saying? Obviously, I'm son of Father Taka and Mother Joshephine." Hikaru laughed lightly.

“It's true, Hikaru is Father Taka and Mother Joshephine’s son. However, Hikaru was born on the eve of the Tsukimi Festival* 5 years ago. That's why you're a moon child. Your birth is blessed by the magical power of the full moon." There was a smile blooming on the innocent little boy's face. Feel amazed by what his grandma just said.

"Is it true? That’s cool." Hikaru muttered softly. "Then, when will I get that miracle, Grandma?"

His grandma didn’t answer right away. That old lady seemed to have been waiting for this question to emerge from Hikaru's tiny lips. She immediately got up from her seat and went to the ancient cupboard in his room.

His Grandma opened one of the dresser drawers and took out a square box measuring 10 x 10 cm wrapped in Furoshiki* patterned with cherry blossoms. For a moment, that old lady didn’t move and looked closely at the box in her hand.

"I think it's time," Grandma muttered.

She walked slowly back to Hikaru, who didn’t move from his seat. That little child usually can’t stand sitting still, especially when he is filled with curiosity. However, this time Hikaru looked very calm. That boy is waiting.

Yes, Hikaru is waiting for his grandma to come back to provide an answer to his question. That boy's eyes lit up even more when he saw his grandma was return with something in her hand. His curiosity must have increased. Not only want to know the answer from his grandma, but also want to know what things she brought at this time.

"Are you impatient?" Grandma seemed quite a bit of a fool. This time, she tried to tease Hikaru who couldn't sit still.

"Yes ... grandma, what is it?" Hikaru asked amidst his enthusiastic nods.

With her hands full of wrinkles, grandma opened the bright cloth carefully right in front of Hikaru. Contrasting with Furoshiki's color, inside is a dark wooden box which has been lacquered to give a sparkling impression with flower carvings that are very harmonious. Hikaru looked at his grandma's face several times and the box took turns, as if he couldn't wait to know what was stored in it.

Slowly, grandma began to open the box. Inside there are several women's jewelry and accessories with ancient models that are definitely hers. That old lady’s wrinkled hands began to get rid of some of the contents of the box. Until then, a circular pendant with a diameter of 5 mm was glistening when accidentally caught the light of that room. Its shape and luster really resemble the full moon shining in the night sky for the Tsukimi night.

"Under the full moon, when you turns 20, you will discover a miracle of your own." Grandma said while wearing the shiny pendant around her grandson's neck. There was no worry on the face of that old lady having handed over an item that looked fancy to the 5 year old boy in front of her.

"I'm a boy, Grandma. What's this locket for?" With a confused face and looking a little hesitant about accepting it, Hikaru asked and tried to get an explanation.

"Save it, that's for you. To Hikaru the full moon boy. Save it until you find your own miracle. One day, you will understand." Even though he didn't get the answer he wanted, Hikaru obediently accepted the pendant.

The boy immediately ran to his room, took off the necklace that had been stuck on his neck and then he stored that shiny object in his treasure box. The treasure box is nothing more than a tin box the size of his grandma's wooden box. That tin box was also has a small lock. In there, Hikaru used to keep his favorite toys and items.

“I don't understand what grandma mean. But, I will keep this pendant properly.” Hikaru lightly hit the tin box he was carrying. The boy seemed to have kept a precious promise that only he and his grandma knew in that simple treasure box.

***

[to be continued]

***

Footnote:

* Tsukimi: A festival to observe the full moon of Japanese people, usually held in autumn.

* Furoshiki: Japanese wrapping cloth, usually patterned with flowers or bright colors.