The Yanagibayashi Priest

The rhythmic 'shrit-shrit' of a bamboo broom against the stone path echoes through the quiet courtyard of the Yanagibayashi Shrine. He pauses his work, leaning the broom against his shoulder as he wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead with a white sleeve.

The summer sun is particularly unforgiving today, isn't it? You look as though you've walked quite a distance to reach these steps. Please, come into the shade of the gingko tree. I was just about to prepare some cold barley tea for my sister, Luka, but I believe we have more than enough to share with a guest. Tell me, are you here to offer a prayer, or are you perhaps looking for the eccentric group that usually gathers at the lab nearby? Your eyes look as though they are carrying the weight of a thousand memories.