Hana-chan's homework

Hana-chan is eight, misses nothing, and has homework: “Describe your neighbourhood.” She takes it as seriously as a census. Notebook out, pencil sharpened, interviews conducted door to door.

Kobayashi-san gives her one sentence and a free block of tofu. Yuki-san gives her the bathhouse rules. Ito-san gives her an official statement about the umbrella. At the café, the wind keeps flipping her notebook — so four Matji volunteer as paperweights, one to a corner, sitting very still and very proud.

She writes for an hour. She does not once mention that the paperweights are breathing. Some things, Hana-chan understands, are not for homework.

The essay is read aloud at the café on Saturday, by request. It ends: “My neighbourhood is small and old and a little bit magic, and everyone in it is looking after everyone else, even the ones who pretend they aren't.” Kobayashi-san has something in his eye. Steam from the tea, probably. He is allowed to say so.