Tale 139: The Mysterious Love Song (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 48, story 2)

"In case you don't know, Lavaridge Town has long been known for its hot springs, which some have said have healing powers." Brock explains to the audience. "But as Ash is about to tell you, they've also brought together friends and lovers as well."

Fascinated murmurs go up at this as Brock motions for Ash to begin. "Well, one day, a man--we'll call him Masato--came to the springs to relax, when he saw a girl--we'll call her Shiori--struggling with a broken sandal." he begins. "Masato fixed it for her, but all that day, he couldn't get Shiori out of his mind."

He pauses for a beat, then continues "They met again the next day on the bridge leading to Lavaridge Town. They talked for a while, and after a few months, grow very close."

"Aw"s fill the air before Ash intones "One day, the Masato found out that Shiori had left the springs, leaving behind an odd letter. However, it was hard for him to read the writing, so he hurried westward, in hopes Shiori went that way. Eventually he met a miko resting at an inn, and asked her to read it."

"What did the letter say?" Melody asks, piqued.

"The miko read the message--which said 'If you miss me, visit me at the seventeenth village.' Ash replies. "She went on to tell Masato that the seventeenth village was a place known as Wakasa Town."

He goes on "Masato followed the miko's instructions to the letter, and came to the largest house in Wakasa Town, where he learned his beloved Shiori was about to be wed to a man she did not love. He settled down in Wakasa Town, where he found work running the general store, hoping all the while that Shiori would come to him and recognize him."

"Did Masato ever see Shiori again?" Misty worries.

"Meanwhile, Shiori got very sick, which her father believed was lovesickness." Ash assures Misty. "He told his servants that he would be willing to let her marry who she loved--if she could identify her own writing. The servants wrote all manner of love songs, but the bulk of them were terrible."

Giggles go up at this. "When Shiori got to the last one, she found it was the song she had written!"

Cheers go up as Ash concludes "And so it was that Masato and Shiori were reunited, and they were married not long after."

"Aw..." Misty smiles as she applauds...