Chapter 2 – The Silence of the Town
第2章 - 町の静寂
Some roads are not just remembered by your feet, but by your heart. At dawn, Daiki quietly got into his car. The city was still asleep. A faint unease stirred in his chest—not just duty was calling him. Something else, something deeper: the past.
He was the son of a Turkish father and a Japanese mother. He had grown up between two languages, two cultures, and two losses.
His older brother disappeared at the age of fourteen, under the shadow of a covert Turkish intelligence operation. Since that day, his family had never known a normal night again. His father buried his grief in his work, eventually rising to the head of the National Intelligence Organization. But time has a way of taking things from people. His career ended when his health could no longer keep up. Now, he managed a hotel in Kyoto. His mother was a renowned chef, celebrated across the country for blending Turkish and Japanese cuisine with remarkable skill. Years ago, she had come to a small town as part of a volunteer project and opened a culinary studio there. Later, the family returned to the city, but a part of her heart had remained behind—with those stone-paved roads and quiet mornings.
For Daiki, that town held both his childhood and untold secrets. And this weekend, he was finally following a lead he'd been waiting years to chase. As he drove, he had a brief phone call with his mother. Her voice was warm as always, but something caught his attention. A familiar voice echoed in the background: "I'll be picking up Meyra tonight. I won't be able to open the studio in the morning, Yumi." Asami's voice. And with it, something shifted in Daiki's mind. Meyra...A name. A sound that wasn't unfamiliar. Like a missing note from a distant melody—one he couldn't quite grasp, but that left a familiar echo within. Whenever Daiki immersed himself in music at night, it was as if each note he played had been quietly anticipating this arrival. That town was both his wound and his remedy. And now, it was ready not only to whisper his past… but also his future.
The train was on its final run toward the town. The metallic rhythm of wheels on rails wove into the silence like a herald. When the train let out a heavy sigh and came to a halt, only a few passengers stepped off. But one of them— She seemed to drift between the past and the future. Meyra stepped onto the platform, and an indescribable feeling washed over her. It was her first time here. And yet… something in her knew this land. Just then, from the far end of the platform, a cheerful voice called out: "Meyraaaa!"Asami was running toward her, her pink scarf fluttering in the air. Her smile was like the morning sun—bright, warm, full of years of longing, as if seeing an old friend after decades. Meyra's lips curled into a surprised smile as she quickened her pace. And moments later, Asami wrapped her in a tight hug. "You must be tired. Let's go," she said, her eyes sparkling as brightly as her voice. Asami's genuine warmth had already begun to melt the nervousness inside Meyra. As they walked together toward the station exit, Meyra sent a message to her family letting them know she had arrived."Yumi-chan has been waiting for you with excitement. She bombarded me with questions all day." Meyra chuckled softly. "I'm really happy to see her again too, Asami onee-san."
As Asami's sweet red car rolled down the road to the town, Daiki was already certain— he wouldn't be sleeping tonight. His mother was in the kitchen, drafting the ingredient list for the morning."You promised to attend the event at noon, Daiki.""I'll be there. Just going out for a walk now—I've got the key," he replied, heading toward the start of the old cobbled street where he had run countless times as a child. In that stillness, a voice from the past echoed in his mind— "Onii-chan!" That voice... It had been carved into his memory for years. His steps halted in front of the old building where he and his father used to send letters. His gaze caught on a weathered poster still clinging to the worn wall:「信じる者が道を見つける」 "Those who believe will find their path."
The fact that it was still there, after all these years— It stirred something in Daiki. Then, a message notification buzzed on his phone. It was from his mother: "Daiki, every road eventually leads home. No matter how far you try to run, you'll live what you're meant to live."
Night slowly gave way to dawn. And the lights at Asami's house were still on. "Meyra, this is our little sanctuary.""Asami onee-san… this place is so sweet… so peaceful," Meyra said sincerely. Asumi had already fallen asleep on the couch, wrapped in dreams. Asami gently carried her to her room and then showed Meyra where she'd be staying. Everything felt both beautiful and terrifying. And deep inside her… a new melody had already begun to form.
A cool brightness had settled gently over the town. When Meyra stepped out of her room after a deep, uninterrupted sleep, she was greeted by the soft stillness that filled the house. The curtains were slightly open; a gentle breeze slipped inside, caressing the floral tablecloth, making it flutter ever so slightly. In the kitchen, Asami was busy with something. "Meyra-chan, did you rest well?" "Hai, I slept so well. Arigatou, Asami onee-san."Knowing Meyra's sensitivities, Asami had thoughtfully prepared yaki onigiri, soy-sautéed vegetables, miso soup, and a warm, soothing cup of green tea.Meyra's eyes sparkled when she saw the spread. The care behind it moved her deeply."I'm starving!" came a cheerful voice from the hallway. It was Asumi, who dashed into the kitchen andjumped into Meyra's arms. Meyra listened attentively and with pride as Asumi excitedly recounted how she won second place in a Turkish writing contest and flooded her with question after question.Just as Asami took her last bite, a phone notification lit up her screen.Her face grew slightly more serious. "Meyra-chan, I'm so sorry, but an online meeting came up. I'll be at home, but I need to be in my room for a few hours." "No worries—focus on your work. I might go out for a walk. I'm curious about the town.""You definitely should. The weather is lovely today. Turn right from here, and there's a little flower shop. Farther down is a small library... I'll leave the map right here—you won't get lost.""Got it. Thank you." Meyra gave a gentle bow of gratitude, picked up her bag, and stepped outside. The sun was rising toward its peak— a golden noon approaching. And the town… quietly opened its arms to her. Maybe, just maybe, a trail… a hidden link from the past to the present… was waiting to be found. The scent of jasmine carried by the wind washed away the weariness of yesterday. Wearing a light jacket and with her bag slung over her shoulder, Meyra strolled through the town. As she passed the flower shop Asami had described, she paused, captivated by a tiny bonsai tree displayed behind the glass. Farther down the road, an old wooden building caught her eye.
There was a faded sign at the entrance: 黒波図書館 / Kuronami Library
The door stood slightly ajar. The sound of pages being turned inside, the whisper of paper, gently drew her in. The soft creak beneath her feet as she stepped onto the wooden floor didn't disturb the serene hush within. The space felt warm, as though stories slept in the shelves, waiting patiently. The bookshelves were lined with local history volumes— forgotten tales of rural Japanese towns. These stories reminded her of childhood. A quiet ache stirred deep within her chest. Her gaze paused on a particular book:「失われた絆」 / Lost Bonds
Just then, in the building's rear reading room, Daiki sat at a long wooden table, studying old documents. He had gained access to the library's archive, searching for clues about his brother. In his hands was a visitor log from years ago. His eyes landed on a name. He stared at it, lost in thought. Meanwhile, Meyra was in the front room, walking slowly between the shelves. Her soft footsteps on the wooden floordidn't echo far enough to reach Daiki. Under the same roof, yet unaware of each other's presence.
Moments later, Meyra stepped back outside. She decided to stop by a small café. There was a name scribbled on the corner of Asami's map:「月の音」 / The Sound of the Moon
As she stood at the café entrance, a soft piano melody drifted from inside. An old tune, tinged with both sorrow and hope—resonating perfectly with Meyra's inner voice. She took a seat in a quiet corner. A cup of local fruit tea was placed before her. Outside, the birds sang, while inside, hearts were quietly writing their own stories. At that very moment, Daiki walked down the back alley, heading toward the same café. A late coffee, and a moment to think... Meyra looked out the window; their eyes didn't meet. Yet, an unspoken presence echoed silently in both of their hearts. Without knowing why, they both paused for a moment. A gentle breeze blew. Two hearts passed through the same instant...