The River Kami Asked Before Taking My Hand novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: Typhoon Night

The typhoon came on Thursday night, and it brought the river with it.

Akari was home from lectures for the long weekend.

She had just finished a problem set at the low table when the lights went out.

The wind hit the house.

She heard something heavy hit the roof.

She heard the river rising.

It had a different sound, deep and hollow.

"Nagi?" she called.

Nagi was already at the veranda doors.

Her white robe was darker than it should have been.

"The water will reach the house tonight," she said.

"The house? Will it flood?"

"It will want to." Nagi's grey hair was moving though there was no wind in the room. "It does not mean harm. It is too much water and nowhere to go. I can hold it. I need to ask you for something."

"Ask."

"May I take your hand?"

Akari looked at her.

She had asked the question twice already, and both times Akari had said not yet.

This time Nagi's voice was shaking, not with shyness, but with something nearer fear.

"Why?" Akari said.

"Because I am bound to this house," Nagi said. "I hold the water back from the walls. It is easier when the keeper holds me too. It is the only thing the old keepers ever did that helped."

"Just my hand?"

"Only your hand."

Akari did not think.

If she thought she would find a reason to say no, and she did not want the reason.

"Yes," she said, and crossed the room, and gave her hand.

Nagi's fingers closed around hers.

They were warm.

They were warm the whole way up the wrist.

"Thank you," Nagi breathed, and then she turned and pushed the veranda door open.

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