"So, we'll get straight to the point. In fact, we are extremely interested in your story 'The Lover's Curse'. In your encyclopedia, it seemed like the story was extraordinarily brief and lacking in detail," said Shaun. "Is it possible that you could tell us a bit more about it?"
"もちろん, I'm glad someone is still interested in this kind of things. Nowadays, people don't care about folklores anymore. They think science and technology is more important than culture and tradition," sighed Professor Kiriyama as he picked up a thick slice of taro sashimi with his chopsticks and slowly put it in his mouse.
"すみません, I've wandered off topic," continued the professor. "The reason why I've left out some details is that they could not possibly be verified. The problem with folklore is that many things can't be cited, which means it can never go into published material. Anyways, here's how the story goes:
During the Edo period, there was a wealthy merchant with a beautiful daughter whose name was Yuki. She was the only daughter of the family and she seemed to be the incarnation of perfection. She had everything a woman at the time could wish for: wealth, power, and beauty. Her only imperfection was that she was deaf mute, after losing her hearing when she was a mere child due to the bout of an illness.
The beautiful Yuki had a childhood best friend whose name was Haru. Haru was a plain-looking girl who was the daughter of her family’s servant. As they were born merely a few days apart, they naturally became childhood companions and soulmates. After they grew up, Haru became Yuki’s maid and they did many things together, including learning the traditional Japanese art of bonsai and ikebana. Due to the plain appearance of Haru, she often envied Yuki's pretty countenance but she also felt sorry for Yuki's disability so was always very kind to her.
One day, when Yuki and Haru were out shopping in the market when they perceived a handsome man walking on the other side of the street. Yuki fell in love with him at first sight. The man also noticed the beautiful Yuki and he walked towards them.
"はじめまして, nice to meet you! My name is Tatsuo," the man introduced himself.
Despite her instant liking to the handsome man in front of her, Yuki was far too shy to respond, so she quickly dragged Haru away.
~To be Continued~
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