Ch. 113.1 - I Like Shihou, and Everyone Too Pt1
After passing through the lush, towering forest, Harutaki and Chouko soon arrived at another famous landmark within Kifune Shrine—one of the reasons the shrine was renowned for matchmaking.
During the Heian period, the poet Izumi Shikibu was said to have come here to pray for her husband to return to her. Moved by the sight of fireflies flickering in the mountains, she composed a waka poem. Not long after, the estranged couple reconciled.
On a moss-covered rock was engraved the very poem she had written. The rock was named “Firefly Rock,” and even today, fireflies were said to gather and dance around it in summer nights.
Unfortunately, Harutaki and Chouko had come neither at night nor in the height of summer. There would be no drifting points of light beneath the darkened sky.
“Guess we really didn’t pick the best time…”
Chouko sighed again in disappointment, but her mood lifted just as quickly. Like summer weather, it shifted in an instant. Or perhaps she was simply still a child at heart, unwilling to let small regrets weigh her down.
Pinching her smooth chin thoughtfully, she suddenly said,
“Speaking of which, Izumi Shikibu wrote a poem and received the blessing of love, right? So then…”
She paused, turned to face him, and softly recited:
“I long to send you word, yet no messenger can depart.