kscans

Chapter 13 - Azalea Garden

Even after they returned to the inn, Shintaro remained completely silent. It wasn't Kiku's words that were bothering him. He was trying to figure out why Saneyuki would bother staying at an inn with them when his family home was right here in the city.

He could guess why Saneyuki hadn't revealed his identity—so as not to use his title to coerce Shintaro into accepting his offer, for instance. Or to prevent selfish motives from tainting a pure aspiration. But now their interests were aligned, and they had seen the dojo and made the key arrangements. There didn't seem to be any reason to hide it any longer. Was there something else?

He couldn't help but briefly recall the story he had told Sahei about his past. But love and work were two different things. The personal feelings of a swordsman they were about to hire were none of their concern. Shintaro had his own livelihood to think about; he had no intention of letting his private affairs interfere.

At the dinner table, Shintaro surreptitiously watched Saneyuki, who sat diagonally across from him. Perhaps the timing of his confession was just delayed, he considered. If I keep pretending I don't know, he'll probably tell me within the next few days.

Next, he looked at Shion. He'd heard from the town gossip that the Tower's finances weren't in good shape, yet their journey was quite elegant. He deduced that the money was almost certainly coming from her. She was undoubtedly the daughter of a very wealthy family. Furthermore, for a man who was the next Tower Master to be so deferential to her, he either owed her a great deal of money or had been promised a substantial donation in the future.

Shintaro lowered his eyes.

He worried the burden must be heavy for her shoulders. She was still young enough to be called a girl, and so delicate. On top of that, she was blind. But he was in no position to meddle, so Shintaro did not raise his gaze.

*

When Shintaro finished his meal and was the first to leave the room, Kiku, who had been waiting for the opportunity, nudged Saneyuki's arm with her elbow.

"So?"

"Huh? What about?" Kiku slapped him hard on the back.

"Don't give me that clueless look! You think he doesn't know?"

"W-well... I can't say for sure."

"Oh, for goodness' sake. You're finished if you can't even figure that much out."

"What about you, sis?"

"I'm fine. It's not like I'm the heir or anything."

Saneyuki looked down, his expression pained. "In any case, I have to tell him soon. I can't keep it a secret, and it would be impossible to anyway."

"Let's just hope it doesn't turn into a big mess," Sahei interjected.

Saneyuki looked at him and smiled. "It might be easier than we think. If his spirit is weak enough to crumble over something like this, then no matter how strong he is..." He trailed off, but Sahei understood his meaning and nodded.

*

The next morning, the entrance to the inn was in an uproar. Sahei went to investigate and asked the innkeeper what was happening, only to be astonished to learn that a crowd of young women from the town had gathered.

"They're demanding to see the young man the young master brought with him, and they won't listen to reason. Could you please do something about it?"

It seemed that after just one short walk through town, Shintaro had already become the subject of rumors. A dozen or so girls were peering into the inn with hopeful eyes.

Sahei sighed and stepped forward.

"He is an important guest, so I cannot permit any meetings. Please take your leave."

As expected, the girls began to complain, but Sahei paid them no mind. Then, the girl from the teahouse stepped forward.

"I have official business, you know! See this? I came to return the money he overpaid me."

But Sahei was undeterred. He swiftly snatched the coins from the girl's hand.

"I will return it on his behalf."

"Hey! That's mean!"

"Arguing is pointless. You're disturbing the inn. Leave at once."

"Can't you be a little more flexible?"

"No."

"That's why you're still single, Sahei-san!"

"Shut up!"

Enduring their taunts, Sahei somehow managed to drive the girls away.

Shintaro happened to witness this scene as he approached the entrance. The commotion had drawn him out, but when he realized he was the cause, he quickly pressed his back against the wall to hide.

Once the entrance was quiet again, Shintaro cautiously emerged.

"My apologies."

Sahei looked at him with a grim expression, wondering what to do. "It's hardly your fault."

"No, it was my fault for insisting on paying when she said the jelly was on the house."

"...I don't think that's the issue here."

"You're quite friendly with the townspeople."

Sahei's eyes widened at the abrupt change of topic. He couldn't tell if Shintaro was genuinely unaware of his own popularity or was deliberately avoiding the subject. But, well, it didn't really matter. Sahei decided to answer the question directly.

"That's the way it is here. Everyone who lives in the same town is like family."

Shintaro lowered his gaze slightly. Then he began to ask, "That family—" but stopped himself. Sahei looked at him, puzzled.

"Something wrong?"

"No." Shintaro turned on his heel and quickly disappeared into the back of the inn.

Does that family not betray you?

That was what he had been about to ask. Shintaro pressed a hand to his chest, unable to bear the recurring pain. The betrayal of the man he had revered like a father and the woman he had believed would be his wife was not a wound that a little time could heal. The memory of Saimon's cold expression on that day came flooding back with vivid clarity the moment he closed his eyes.

I want to forget.

He knew that would be the ultimate revenge, but for Shintaro, whose heart was filled with nothing but a desire for it, that was an impossible task.

As he was struggling with these thoughts, he sensed someone approaching. He tensed, but then immediately relaxed. It was Shion, making her way slowly down the corridor. She stopped, as if sensing his presence.

"Who is that there?" Shion's eyes were wavering as she questioned the presence. It was a busy inn, with many people coming and going. She must have felt anxious.

"Where is Nana-dono? It's dangerous for you to be alone," he said.

Recognizing his voice, Shion's face brightened. "I have to let her and Saneyuki-san have some time alone together once in a while. It would be a pity otherwise."

"Huh?"

"Oh, you didn't know? Oh dear, I was so sure you'd been told... I'm sorry. The two of them have promised to marry. It was a love that began with Saneyuki-san falling for her at first sight. Isn't it wonderful?"

Shion recounted the story with a dreamy look in her eyes, but Shintaro was surprised. There was clearly an age gap of about a decade between them. Still, he could understand why Saneyuki had chosen Nana. She was considerate and, despite her frank personality, had a reserved side. Above all, she seemed devoted. She would surely make a good wife.

"Saneyuki-dono has a good eye."

At his casual remark, Shion's expression softened into a gentle smile. "Oh, yes, you're right. To have noticed Nana, he certainly does have a good eye."

Watching her smile, Shintaro felt a strange sensation. Shion looked genuinely happy when she praised Nana.

"Do you like Nana-dono?"

He asked without thinking, and Shion nodded honestly. "Yes, I love her... Why do you ask?"

Shintaro gently reached out to Shion, who had tilted her head in question. Her small, white, soft hand was completely enveloped by his. Avoiding her bewildered gaze, he gently pulled her along.

"There's an Azalea Garden in the back. Let's go."

*

It was the back garden he had invited her to, a simple way to pass the time so as not to disturb Saneyuki and Nana. White and crimson azaleas were in full bloom, glistening with dew from a light rain that had fallen at dawn. Describing the scene to her, Shintaro stopped in the middle of the garden and let go of her hand.

Shion felt a pang of disappointment, but a moment later, her hand was taken again. Startled, she felt a cold droplet on her fingertips.

"This one flower is purple. Strange, isn't it?"

"Oh, my! You haven't picked it?"

"No, I haven't."

"Good." Shion touched the flower carefully, so as not to damage it. Shintaro watched her profile, thinking how beautiful she was. The girl, pure to the very core of her soul, was almost transparent and seemed to glow against the purple azalea.

Shintaro tore his gaze away from her. He was on the verge of understanding why Nana, Saneyuki, Kiku, and Sahei adored her, and the realization suddenly frightened him.

They walked in the garden for about half an hour before returning to their room. Shion was her usual self, striking up a casual conversation with Nana, but Shintaro seemed out of place, staring out the window with a distant look.