Keiko and Kazuki were driving in the deep forest to seek for the birthplace of the volunteer person whose test result was normal. The narrow road was winding up and down into the deep mountain region.

“Is there really the village in such place?”

“Yes maybe. According to the car navigation system we will arrive shortly.”

After departure from Tokyo they had already taken 5 hours and finally arrived at the destination village in Gunma Prefecture.

They visited the village office at first. The purpose was asking the water supply of that village. In such a rural village like here people sometimes used the natural spring water. But it was against their expectation.

“I think water supply may not have so much difference from that of Tokyo, because we are following the Government regulation standard. This standard is adopted same for all over Japan. We add the standard chlorinated pesticide.”

The village officer explained with confidence. Keiko was a little reluctant to hear that. The water is not likely the cause.

Then they went to the direct sales market of the Agricultural Cooperatives. They were selling not only agricultural products but other various goods like fertilize, pesticide, soil and seed which were almost same as those of Tokyo. There would be not so big difference in such a period as the traffic system had been developed. It was not so easy to find the cause of infertility. They finally gave up the research on that day.

They took up a lodging in one small hot spring hotel near the village.

The landlady welcomed them and attended to the guest room.

“Are you a couple?”

The lady asked, serving the welcome tea. They looked at each other in a shamefaced way.

“Oh, Sorry. You looked so friendly I believed you were newly-wed couple. If so, you would be very lucky. A legend says this hot spring was called ‘Spring of Fertility”. Many people soaking the spring had got a new baby.”

The landlady showed proudly one album which was filled with a picture of babies and thank you letters from the guests who had stayed here.

“It’s so cute, isn’t it?”

Keiko looked at pictures of various newly born babies and parents. All of them was smiling with the highest happiness.

But turning pages, Keiko noticed Kazuki’s sudden changing. He was a little trembling and his face lost color. His breath was getting harder. It was same as before. What did happen on him?

At last he started shouting.

“I am sorry, sorry, Please forgive me. Akane. It was up to me. Unless I had proposed, unless I had enforced…”

Keiko and the landlady froze and waited for his next words.

“It was two years ago. I forced Akane to have the ISI, the microscopic insemination operation against her will. At first it was successful. She was pregnant. It was our first baby. We celebrated her first pregnancy. But, but…”

His excitement had reached the peak.

“It had happened that evening. She suddenly started suffering. When the ambulance arrived, her skirt was dyed with blood. It was an ectopic pregnancy. When she arrived at the hospital, she had almost lost her consciousness. She said ‘Thank you. I was very happy’ It was her last word.”

How piteous story it was? Keiko and the landlady looked at each other. Keiko had finally realized the reason Kazuki lost his energy and looked exhausted for this two years.

After long silence the landlady opened her mouth.

“What is a child? Why does everybody make a fuss about children?”

Saying so she brought another album.

“To be honest, the Spring of Fertility is a superstition in the end. There had been many couples who could not have a baby finally. But they lived a completely new life without children. These are letters from such people.”

Kazuki opened slowly one letter which was handed from the lady.

Dear Landlady

Unfortunately we could not have a baby after soaking the hot spring. But we could find completely different new life after talking with you. Before that time all we had thought was having a child. Child, child and child day after day. We lost our own lives.

But thereafter we reconsidered our lives. We must enjoy our own lives before having a child. Even if we cannot have a baby, we will live, we must live.

Now I am working for an elementary school as a teacher. My husband started studying the Legal Examination to aim at becoming a lawyer. We are now enjoying incredibly fruitful days. We knew the importance to live our own lives thanks to you.

Thank you so much and sincerely yours.

Reading that letter Kazuki had shed tears after tears. His hard breath had gradually calmed down.

The next morning. The landlady gave them a hint.

“Good morning. Did you have good sleep? Today don’t you visit an elementary school, do you? You may find something. It’s just my expectation.”

Kazuki, who was completely refreshed, followed her recommendation. The village elementary school located near the valley. It was just a branch school for this area because the main school was far away from here. The number of pupils was only 12 overall.

They met a principal and talked their purpose. The principal kindly agreed with them to look around inside the school. The school which was made of woods and very old at sight, but it looked like the very typical rural elementary school.

“Hmm, I cannot understand the difficult thing, but we have done nothing special as you see.”

The principal explained.

Keiko and Kazuki walked out from the schoolhouse to the playground. The blue sky, green trees, fresh air, a children who had grown up in such good environment would become a healthy adult. They felt there was nothing special in this place.

Just when they would say thanks and leave, the school chime was ringing to notice the lunch time. Soon children were rushing out to the playground with a small box in their hands. The box was not so big and wrapped by a colorful clothes.

“What is that?”

“What do you mean?”

“That box children brought in their hands.”

“Ah, it’s a lunch box. Today it’s very fine. Then I directed them to have a lunch at the playground.”

“Lunch box? Don’t you have any official school lunch service, do you?”

“No, no. We have only 12 pupils. The supply center is far away from here. It takes maybe 2 hours. It may be also better for children to bring an individual lunch box from home.”

At that moment one hypothesis flashed in Keiko’s mind and she rushed away vigorously.

To be continued