Belmont Times August 2021 Issue

Waves are crashing against my boat as I panic. “Oh, no. What do we do?” I say,
turning towards the boatsman. He’s sound asleep. I shake him violently just as
another wave barely misses the sail. My stomach lurches as we rise up and down.
“Captain!” I shake him again, harder. This time, he wakes up.
“...Huh?” he yawns. “What’s going o-” A crack of lighting hits the waters near us. He
immediately recovers from a daze. “Hurry, you! Grab the tiller! We can’t let her
tip!”I leap for the wooden lever just as the boom swings over our heads.
“I heard the Tengu had a legendary fan that could blow away any storm, but he’s
always fast asleep during any storm! It’s only a very rare occasion that he wakes
to the lighting and thunder!” I blurt out as I grip tightly onto the slippery
mast.“We’re going to sink!” I wail. In the gray distance, I see the outline of a…
green giant?
A sudden whoosh emerges out of nowhere, and I see a beautiful green fan flap as
the majestic giant continues to wave it towards us. One by one, the storm clouds
are pushed towards the mainland of Koji, where we set off from.
“Welcome to Nobu, newcomers! I’m Tengu. You called for me? Anyway, nice to
meet you! Head on over to the plaza and choose a team before you do anything
else. Me? I’m a Kappa team enthusiast, in case you’re wondering.” He winks before
soaring off into the distance.
“Wait!” I cry out. But it’s too late. He’s already gone.
“Huh. You were right,” the boatsman murmurs. He’s apparently in shock, because
hes trying to row the boat with a spoon to get closer. There’s a fair wind now, so
I carefully steer it to the shore before making a smooth banking.
“Alright. Where to now, Cap-” I say, turning around. “Captain? Where are you
going?” I say, looking around wildly. There’s no trace of him. I see a figure waving
on the boat. “Why are you leaving? Don’t you want to stay?”
“Sorry, mate. I’ve got a family to take care of. Let
me know when you want a return trip. See you!” he
calls back. A sense of loneliness envelopes me, but as
I look out beyond the sea of cheering people, I see
a familiar face. Maybe, just maybe, it won’t be so
lonely after all.