kscans

Chapter 21 - Idle Talk

After enjoying the nicely grilled rice cakes with hot tea, Nanafushi asked a court official to clean up the grill and began to make his way to his post. The entrance to the post was left open even in winter, so he could see what was happening inside as he approached. Miyake was tending to his sword beside a brazier.

"Did they both come?" Miyake stopped his work and looked up.

"Aye. You too?"

"Yes," Nanafushi replied, then sat cross-legged by the brazier.

"I told Masaki I’m going to see that swordsman. He was quite surprised."

"Hahaha."

"What do you think, Miyake-dono? This business about him flying high in the sky."

"Hmm. If he can jump six shaku, I’d be taken aback."

"It might be ten shaku, you know."

"Hohoho. That would be a divine feat. Not something a normal person could do. Impossible."

"But if he doesn’t jump at least six shaku, it won’t be enough to say he lives up to the rumors."

"Indeed. We’ll ask Masaki’s retainer for the details. I’ve already sent for him."

"Hoh. You’ve laid the groundwork well."

*

And so, the summoned Sahei found himself tense before the two men. He knew their interest was in Shintaro and not him, but being the center of attention for the men known as the Emperor’s right and left hands was enough to shorten one’s lifespan. Sahei swallowed hard and began to speak, his eyes darting around.

"...In the training hall, he jumped nearly to the ceiling, so that would be about two to three ken. Outdoors, I heard he went to the top of a pine tree that was about five ken tall, so that’s roughly four ken. However, on cliffs and such, he kicks off the middle to go even higher, so if you ask me exactly how high, I cannot give a clear answer." Nanafushi and Miyake’s mouths hung open. They were so dumbfounded that they had to ask again, doubting their own ears.

"Is he shaped like a man?"

"Y-yes, of course. We’re having trouble with all the town girls making a fuss over him."

"What. How enviable," Nanafushi said, stroking his chin.

"He doesn’t have an arrogant personality, does he?"

"No, not at all. He’s a man of few words, doesn’t seem to fool around, attends the dojo diligently, and goes straight home. He also seems to be sending money to his parents and doesn’t spend lavishly."

"Sounds plain."

"Yes. But his presence overwhelms all others. There is no one in the Western Capital now who does not know of Shintaro-sama."

"Hoh. It all sounds a bit too good to be true. A man must have a flaw or two. How about it?" Sahei clenched his fists on his knees. Seeing this, Nanafushi frowned, wondering if he had hit a sore spot, or perhaps… his thoughts leaned toward the latter. Sahei’s expression was calm, but tinged with a faint anger.

"Did I ask something I shouldn’t have?" Nanafushi asked lightly. Sahei relaxed his fists, placed his hands on the tatami mat, and bowed his head.

"When you meet him, I believe you will understand Shintaro-sama’s character. If you’ll excuse me." Sahei exited the samurai quarters, his body still bowed low. Nanafushi and Miyake exchanged glances before watching him go.

"Well, well. Seems we offended him," Nanafushi muttered. Miyake replied with a wry smile.

"It’s the way you asked. It sounded as if you were saying he’d only say good things for the sake of his house’s restoration."

"Then how was I supposed to ask?"

"You should have just nodded along obediently and said, ‘I see, I see.’ There was no need to question him."

"But still…"

"Come now, let’s save the fun for later. As the man said, we’ll understand when we meet him." Rebuked by Miyake, Nanafushi reluctantly nodded. Nevertheless, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Sahei’s story was somewhat exaggerated. No matter how great one’s jumping ability, the limit was six shaku at best, and that would require some kind of springboard. He couldn't doubt his own inference that Shintaro must have used something to jump so high. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the storyteller, but Nanafushi understood that when people witness something and emotions like "surprise" are involved, they often don’t remember the information correctly. Emotion takes precedence over what the eyes saw. Besides, estimates of distance vary from person to person. In any case, four ken was an overstatement. It wouldn’t do them any good to get his hopes up so high. So Nanafushi thought, letting out a faint sigh.

*

That sigh was now a thing of the past. The freezing winter had passed, and the time was the beginning of Uzuki, the fourth month. The season was pleasant. Miyake and Nanafushi stood before the gate of the Masaki dojo, which had been repaired so much it was almost unrecognizable. They hadn’t conducted an official investigation, but they had picked up some town rumors. According to them, the number of disciples had reached one hundred and fifty, and the dojo was beginning to generate a stable, if small, profit. At this rate, they wouldn't have to carve out the Tower’s maintenance costs from the meager tax revenue, a thought that pleased both men.

"He’s putting in quite the effort." To Miyake’s words, Nanafushi replied with a cheerful "Indeed." Then he added, "By the way, are you serious about this?" Miyake nodded deeply. The plan was to request a match with Shintaro under the guise of being on a training journey.

"Don’t try to stop me."

To Miyake’s comment, Nanafushi scoffed.

"Stop you? I’ve always wanted to see you get beaten by someone at least once in my life."

"Hoh. You’re quite the spectator. But I won’t lose. I swear it on my name as Imperial Court Chief."

"The times are passed down to the next generation, you know."

"You and your smart mouth." Miyake smiled sarcastically and passed through the gate, as if competing with Nanafushi.