kscans

Chapter 38 - A Fateful Reunion

By the way, the Emperor hadn't asked Razan and the others to stay merely because he had summoned Shintaro. They had visited the palace in the middle of the twelfth month. Whether Soma was appointed Imperial Court Chief or not, Razan had the additional task of offering New Year's greetings. Razan had intended to withdraw for a time, spend about two weeks at an inn in the suburbs, and then return, but the Emperor told him, "There is no need for such trouble." It was also a perfect opportunity, with Masaki Sanetsugu and Sahei soon to arrive, that he couldn't afford to miss.

And so the year came to a close, and with the new year, Sanetsugu and Sahei set foot on the palace grounds.

"Happy New Year," said Sanetsugu, seated next to Razan in the audience chamber as he bowed his head politely. Sahei, standing by behind him, bowed his head at the same time.

"Indeed. Welcome. Is all well in the West?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Excellent. On another note, there is someone I must introduce to you this year." As Sanetsugu raised his face, the Emperor looked off into the distance and beckoned with his folded fan.

"You may enter." Waiting near the entrance for that call were Miyake, Nanafushi, and Kawahara Soma. They ascended to the dais and stood in a line before the guests. Then, flanking the Emperor who sat on a higher level, Miyake and Soma sat to the left, and Nanafushi to the right.

"This man is Kawahara Soma. He is the next Imperial Court Chief." Sanetsugu was surprised. Even for the well-informed Sahei, it was a complete shock.

"The next Imperial Court Chief, you say?"

"That is correct. I had Kagasaki select and bring him. He is the finest swordsman in the East," the Emperor stated, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Sahei slapped his forehead, and Sanetsugu, after observing Soma, posed a question.

"Does he possess Divine Possession?"

"Indeed. He fought a good match against Miyake and took a point. He seems to have improved his skills even further while waiting for you all. You must be looking forward to it."

"...Yes, well." Sanetsugu affirmed, but he looked down with a grim expression. It was unnatural for the Emperor to ask a man from the West if he was "looking forward to Soma's future" when such a strong swordsman was in the East. Sahei also sensed something was off. But he didn't take it to mean they should be looking forward to Soma's future.

"Surely you don't intend to have him fight Lord Shi—" Sahei, about to say Shintaro, hastily swallowed his words. There were attendants behind Razan as well. The faces were slightly different from last year, but some were the same. The former were the three attendants, the latter was Saimon. The Emperor glanced at Sahei.

"What is it? Speak your mind." Sahei's breath caught in his throat, and he stared at the tatami mat. He rephrased his question to deflect his slip of the tongue.

"Sh... Surely you don't intend to have him fight Princess Shion's chosen partner?" The Emperor laughed, impressed.

"Hoh? Not bad. Your loyalty is commendable." Sahei bowed his head deeply.

"With all due respect, I must ask. Have you considered that the wounds in his heart could become wounds in Princess Shion's heart as well?"

"Of course. It is precisely because I care for Shion that I believe her groom needs this trial."

"A trial—is that not a bit harsh?"

"For which one?" Sahei couldn't help but look up. The Emperor's teasing smile vanished, and he stared directly at Sahei.

"For whom is it harsh? For Soma, who might have his confidence shattered despite possessing skills worthy of being chosen as Imperial Court Chief? Or for the East, which let a big fish get away?" Sahei flinched. For Sahei, who wanted to support Shintaro at all costs, those were harsh words.

"Sahei. Whether he realizes it or not, that man is not weak. He could take this country or destroy it. If he does not understand that, his heart will never be settled. It would be a problem if he were to come here only to waver."

"But that is precisely because he cares so deeply for Princess Shion."

"Have you asked Shion how she feels?"

"What?"

"Shion loves even the shadows that have fallen upon her groom's heart. And he, after much suffering, has chosen Shion as his lifelong partner. No greater reason is needed for a man and a woman to be joined. Hesitation only breeds suspicion and anxiety. To break those chains, one must sometimes face their hatred. If it is a hatred that will not fade, then no amount of time will help. But if it is a hatred that can be erased, then time should not be necessary." Sahei had no choice but to bow his head deeply once more.

*

Shintaro arrived in Kyo about two weeks later. His steps were slightly heavy as he proceeded toward the palace where the audience chamber was located. The reason was that he couldn't fathom why he alone had been summoned at this time of year. The first to greet him was Sahei. He had been waiting for Shintaro's arrival with nerves on edge. Upon seeing Sahei, Shintaro frowned. He had thought Sahei would have already paid his New Year's respects and be on his way back to the West by now. But thinking about it, since they hadn't passed each other on the road, it was inevitable. Besides, if Sahei was here, then Sanetsugu was too. In the end, it turned out he wasn't summoned alone, which brought Shintaro some relief. He didn't interact with Sanetsugu much, but he was the father who had raised Saneyuki. He held a certain amount of trust in him.

"Is something going on?" Shintaro asked as soon as he opened his mouth. Sahei nodded.

"Actually, the next Imperial Court Chief has been decided."

"...In that case, wouldn't it be normal to summon Shion?"

"He is a strong man. He became the finest swordsman in the East and won his match against Lord Miyake." Hearing that was enough. Shintaro seemed to grasp the situation and was rendered speechless. Sahei, guessing Shintaro's feelings, looked at him with a sincere gaze.

"Whatever happens, the Masaki clan, myself, and the people of the Western Capital are on your side. Please keep your wits about you and go before the Emperor."

Urged on by Sahei, Shintaro stood at the entrance to the audience chamber. But he hesitated to step onto the dais. In the back of the room was the Emperor. To his left were Miyake and a man who was likely the next Imperial Court Chief. To his right was Nanafushi. And on a lower level, sitting opposite each other, were two groups. On the right was Sanetsugu. On the left was a man with androgynous features, and Saimon. Given the situation, it was safe to assume the man next to Saimon was Kagasaki Razan. Shintaro felt a coldness in his chest and his shoulders tensed. Even from a distance, they could see each other. Shintaro had good eyesight, and Saimon's wasn't that bad either. Above all, they were fated adversaries. There was no way either could mistake the other. Saimon reflexively started to rise from his seat.

"Shintaro...?!" he cried out in a hoarse voice, and then Saimon's face froze, at a loss for words. Seeing this, Shintaro didn't know what to do. As Razan and Soma watched Saimon's reaction with suspicion, the Emperor spoke.

"What is it, my son-in-law? Do not hesitate, come up." Shintaro took a single breath and ascended to the dais with Sahei. Sahei sat formally next to Sanetsugu, and Shintaro sat down directly opposite the Emperor.

"You look well," Shintaro greeted. The Emperor's lips curled upwards.

"Thanks to you. Is Shion well?"

"Yes, well enough. She has recently been learning to cook from Lady Kiku."

"What did you say?" the Emperor exclaimed involuntarily. But he cleared his throat and feigned composure.

"What do you mean, letting her wield a kitchen knife?" From the side, Sahei interjected.

"Princess Shion insisted that she wanted to serve Lord Shintaro something she made herself."

"I am speaking to my son-in-law. Be silent."

"M-my apologies." After glancing at the bowing Sahei, the Emperor glared at Shintaro.

"It must be nice to be so well-loved." Shintaro returned the half-sarcastic remark with a confident smile.

"Thanks to her, yes." At this, the Emperor clicked his tongue and looked away, but Soma's eyes widened. The spirit emanating from Shintaro's entire being suggested that he was no ordinary man, just as the rumors said. Paying no mind to such admiration, the Emperor cleared his throat again and returned his gaze.

"There is a man I wish to introduce you to. You may have already heard from Sahei, but this is the next Imperial Court Chief, Kawahara Soma." As he was introduced, Soma bowed. Shintaro followed suit with a nod.

"I heard you defeated Lord Miyake."

"Yes. And you as well, I hear," Soma replied diplomatically. But Shintaro's brow furrowed.

"I fought him to a draw."

Soma's eyes widened slightly, and Miyake panicked.

"You allowed it to be a draw, my lord."

"Was that not just humility?" the Emperor asked. Miyake turned to face the Emperor.

"It was not humility, Your Majesty. If that match had continued, I would have likely... had my life as a swordsman ended." Now it was the Emperor's turn to doubt his own ears. He had only been half-listening to the story of the match with Miyake. He had assumed that whether Shintaro cut down five hundred of the palace soldiers or jumped five ken, his actual swordsmanship was on par. No matter how much the Emperor said, "Fight without holding back," it was the lot of a servant not to be able to treat a man his master's daughter favored so carelessly. He might one day be his own master. It was unreasonable to expect him to behave as if it were a real battle. Therefore, he had thought that if one had skill equal to Miyake's, cutting down five hundred men was also possible. As the Emperor reeled in shock, Nanafushi suddenly let out a wry laugh. It was directed at Miyake.

"If a sword swung with that brute strength came flying from five ken above, a normal person's bones would break. Lord Miyake deserves a medal just for receiving it without injury." Miyake returned the comment with a snort and a smile. However, there were several people who couldn't just laugh it off. One of them was Soma.

"Five ken...? Attacking from on top of a building or a wall, isn't that cowardly?"

"Eh? Ah, no, that's not..." Just as Miyake was about to explain the situation, Shintaro shot to his feet, cutting him off. Even here, he still couldn't reveal his true self in front of Saimon. Most people could understand most things with enough effort. But there was also a type of person in the world who would absolutely never understand. Shintaro knew that Saimon was that type of person. The limit of strength Saimon could acknowledge was Miyake, and Soma, who had beaten Miyake. To be called a monster was inevitable. Shintaro wanted to avoid that. To be showered with words harsher than the cold ones once thrown at him was unbearable. Shintaro remembered the Saimon he had respected as a master, the man he had looked up to as a father, the pride he had felt as his son-in-law—all of it, along with the cold expression he wore when he told him to leave the dojo. Even if he was consumed by hatred, he couldn't erase the true memories. Where had the Saimon from back then gone? Why had he looked at him like he was a nuisance the moment Mana's heart strayed? Perhaps it would be surprisingly simple if all those questions turned to hatred, but the reality was a mixture of sorrow and regret. And all of it came flooding back the moment he saw his face.

All eyes were on Shintaro's sudden action. He forced himself to look straight at the Emperor. He absolutely could not let Saimon's figure enter his field of vision.

"Now then, could you please tell me for what purpose you summoned me?" Faced with Shintaro's overwhelmingly dignified posture, the Emperor was slightly intimidated as he answered.

"Fight Kawahara Soma. And, of course, fight for real." Shintaro glanced at Soma, then gave a slow nod to the Emperor.

"Then, please inform me when the date is set. I will be at a nearby inn."

"You may stay at the palace."

"No, I must be excused." Shintaro turned on his heel and quickly exited the audience chamber. Nanafushi shielded his forehead with his hand as he watched him go and offered a word of caution to the Emperor.

"I do not think it is wise to anger him."

"Nonsense. Sometimes you need to pour oil on the fire. To draw out a person's true nature."

"And were you able to draw it out?"

"I was indeed. He is painfully straightforward." Seeing the wicked smile on the Emperor's face once again, even Nanafushi felt sorry for Shintaro and let out a quiet sigh.