Meeting up with Miyu and Mayumi-san, Hinata and I returned with them to the Material. Mayumi-san was pining that I had kept the noble sons and daughters waiting for my Chirurgery, but before I could respond, Hinata was first.

  “Really, Mayumi-sama, I’ve expined all this.” She sighed theatrically. “Akio already had pns, important pns, and the schedule for Chirurgery wasn’t agreed by Akio, was it? It’s just asking for a favour, without adequate pensation.” She the bodyguards apanying us, Kazumi-san, Michiru-san and Mayumi-san’s elegantly dressed guard. “Akio is kind enough even to perform the Chirurgery on our bodyguards, when really, it’s a priceless service. Only Akio and Shaeu do it, so you ’t put a value on it.”

  “Well, who say whether some of these people with strange abilities, these Chosen, that Ichijou house has found, will be uo do such feats?” Mayumi-san protested, stretg her knotted muscles.

  “Oh really?” Hinata raised one eyebrow. “You’d pare them to Akio? That’s very… bold… Mayumi-sama.”

  “Well, I will admit that they seem more motivated by money and are less… impressive, all told.” She pouted a little, not used to being talked back to. “Even so, Akio will be marrying Tsumura Motoko-san, and even you, Hinata. As part of the nobility, there is an obligation to the greater whole, even if only reted by marriage.”

  “Really, I think the nobility needs Akio a lot more than he needs it. Besides…” she looked at Miyu, who nodded slowly.

  “Mayumi-sama…” she said formally, much shyer thagoing daughter of Ichijou house. “You’ve seen the nds and host Akio-san ands. I… I am a Chosen too, though my power is pitiful in parison…” she looked down abashed.

  “That’s far from true. Your Dance of the Returning Dawn has the potential to be a erstone of my pns, and its value is incalcuble.” I assured her. She gave me a slight smile, before tinuing.

  “That aside. Many will be like me. A coward, unwilling to press onwards. Selfish and weak.”

  “As a daughter of Fujiwara house, you should not denigrate yourself so, it sets a bad example to the rest of the nobility.” Mayumi-san was irritated.

  “I only speak the truth.” She stood her ground. “I regretted that this came to me, hid it from Grandfather, and was even prepared to risk my life, or die, to avoid this terrible burden. Until Akio-san, Hinata-san and his sister all set me on the right path.”

  “Me too, Miyu-sama!” Michiru-san decred grandly, flourishing her scarf. “As your bodyguard, I should have been able to proteot just your body, but your spirit and happiness! I failed…” she gnashed her teeth. “… but I have a sed ce!” she bowed to me. “And I am most grateful, Akio-sama. I will protect Miyu-sama forever.”

  “This is missing the point.” I interjected. “Don’t worry, Miyu, Michiru-san. I too will protect you both. But … I also have other people to protect.” I fixed Mayumi-san with a stern gaze, which she met pcidly. Yeah, I have to admire her fidence, if nothing else. “Chirurgery is not a priority, when it es to proteg Tsukiko-san. Now that the situation is stabilised in Kyoto, I have a little time, so we’ll see.” It’d be quicker with Shaeu here, but I don’t want to interrupt her time with Urakaze. It would be helpful if Kana and my sis were able to do Chirurgery as well, like they both hope. But I’m not sure how we make that happe…

  “Well, from what grandfather says, the Diviner is an important woman in the pilr of faith.” Mayumi-san agreed. “Even so… proper time ma is important in business, grandfather says so. You o do better!”

  “That’s true, though not the do better part.” Hinata protested. “Akio is already doing more than anyone else could and…” as they argued, Michiru-san leaned in, whispering to me very faintly, trusting my ears to pick her words up.

  “Please, call me Michiru. If Miyu-sama has no honorific, it wounds my heart to have one myself, it is so disrespectful. No ninja tolerate it!” her face was impl, so I found myself nodding.

  “Well, we are here.” We entered one of the rooms iraining school, where a few familiar faces were waiting, as well as a number of newers.

  “Hiroto, how are things?” Hinata asked her brother, who was sitting with two others, a younger boy aiting nervously, perhaps of middle-school age, and someone who seemed of a simir age to Hiroto-san and looked a lot like Mayumi-san. Behind them were sharply dressed, strong-looking bodyguards.

  “Fihough… I don’t like being in such rarefied pany.” He sighed.

  “Don’t be an idiot. You know cousin Minoru-sama and Hideki-sama. Sakura as well.” She smiled at them, as well as the girl who shared some simirities in appearah Hinata, who must have been her cousin Takatsukasa Sakura-san. “As for our uest…” she nodded politely. “Honoka-sama, it is a pleasure to have you here.”

  The you girl out of those here, who I had met briefly before at Fujiwara-san’s mansion, nodded. Her bodyguard, Michiru’s sister, Koga Kozue-san, was gring at Michiru and Miyu, which surprised me.

  “So, it seems we meet again.” Honoka-san observed, looking at me with eyes that seemed ge first gnce, but were actually pretty sharp and probing. It had been the same when we had talked in the mansion, she had asked a lot of strange questions, showing how sheltered she was, but she was unafraid and sure of herself. Though it seems her bodyguard is still as wary of me as ever.

  “Yes, it’s a pleasure.” I bowed, introdug myself again, aing introdus from the newers. Minoru-san was only in his sed year of middle school, so was a bit shy, and didn’t seem to have the forcefulness I’d expect from a son of Takatsukasa house. His sister Sakura-san was quite different, and seemed to have some sort of rivalry going with Hinata.

  “I am Takatsukasa Sakura. I am pleased to meet you.” She said primly. She was very pretty, much like Hinata, but there was something uhe surface I couldn’t quite pce, a fragility of sorts. “sidering you are accepting Hinata as your fiancée, you must be a man of deep tolerance. If she causes you grief, I would uand if you choose to break yagement. Tsumura Motoko-san is a far better match, as Tsumura house has a long history and great standing. You should be deeply hohat such a match has happened.”

  Hinata s that. “Well, Sakura.” She snorted, annoyed. “Perhaps you are out of the loop. It’s not Akio that bes from the match, but actually me, and Fukumoto house.” She grasped my arm, pulling me close. “Our match is one of love, not profits, though of course, there’ll definitely be a lot of profits.” She grinned. “Well, poor Takatsukasa house.” She tinued impishly. “Ichijou house is f a solid e with Akio due to the new partnership he has with Mayumi-sama…”

  “I still worry about that.” Mayumi-san’s brother, Hideki-san said, appraising me. He had introduced himself as a sed year at the highly prestigious Tokyo Uy, studying Business and Politics, and he had the sort of fidenly someone from a powerful, rich family could have, used to being obeyed and fawned over. A lot like his sister. “Not a partnership, it seems that there are profits to be made there, but the terms.” He looked at me then, weighing me up. “To have a share in Ichijou house as a reward, it seems excessive. Especially for someone so unproven.”

  “I don’t know about that.” Mayumi-san said, surprising me. “Hinata has a good eye for opportunity, and is always ho, even when she would be better keeping her silend going with socially expected fttery.” At that Hinata smiled impishly, and Sakura-san looked angry for a moment, before realising she was in high pany and smoothing out her facial expression.

  “And from what I’ve seen, he’s definitely capable, more so than those we’ve uncovered.” She ceded, perhaps refereng our earlier versation. “I anticipate that our new pany will bring great profit to Ichijou house, far more than what we are giving away.” She looked thrilled, her face red with excitement, and I once more realised why Hinata liked her, despite her overbearing nature and arrogahey are two very simir girls, both ambitious and into business. The only difference is the family status they were born into. Hinata ’t pete ih and nobility, despite having plenty of both. No wonder she’s frustrated. “I see, as the heir, brother, you must be frustrated to see grandfather make such a decision, but trust me, when our new pany is a match for all our other industries bined, you’ll be begging for a seat on the board. Besides…” she looked at Hinata again. “She’s right. Ichijou house does need a tie with such a powerful individual. And marriage is clearly not an option. My bloodline is the , I ’t marry down, unlike Hinata.”

  “Ign the casual insult…” Hinata was still smiling, but I could see her anger. Sakura was reag too, looking unfortable. “… Akio doesn’t care for you anyway, Mayumi-sama. I admit you’re pretty, but we are all beautiful ourselves. As for nobility, Shaeu has you beat.” She sniffed. “Still, you feel the excitement, ’t you? After the Chirurgery, after seeing Akio’s Territory. And you’ve only scratched the surface.” She spoke to Hideki-san. “We don’t know each other well, Hideki-sama, but trust me when I say this. A bet on Akio is a winni. A little wealth is a small price to pay.”

  “A little?” Sakura-san muttered, barely audible. Oh yeah, Takatsukasa house is supposedly a pale shadow of their past, financially. That’s why Hinata’s mother is a Takatsukasa. Ordinarily she’d never marry into Fukumoto house. The politics was a bit of a tangled web, and it was annoying to navigate, but if I inteo act with freedom in Japan, I he es, the support, the favours.

  “If I may…” Miyu said diffidently.

  ”Of course. Go ahead Miyu.” Hinata said, and Sakura-san gasped.

  “Hinata! Your rudeo Miyu-sama is unfivable! port yourself properly. You have Takatsukasa blood, even if your upbringing is not noble, you should know better!”

  “Pay it no mind.” Miyu said softly, and Hinata unched into a pint against her cousin.

  “My upbringing was as noble as yours, cousin Sakura. My mother is your father’s sister. She was raised just as your father was. Just because she married my father doesn’t make that disappear. Besides, here, you are breakiiquette.” Hinata pressed. “Here, this is Akio’s world, and Miyu is simply his vassal. And as his fiancée, calling a vassal with -sama would be stupid, right?”

  Sakura opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. It was then that Honoka-san spoke up. “I weas w about that, Miyu-sama.” She addressed her sister ily enough, but I caught a gleam in her eyes. “Yagement has been celled, and none has been annouo repce it.”

  “That is true.” Miyu said, and she g me, giving me a grateful look. Michiru also looked satisfied, from what I could see, though her scarf hid her smile. “I currently arry as pnned, due to the issue that I possess the blessing of Ame no Uzume. It is not simply a matter of my bloodline. Besides, you are still heir, Honoka-sama.”

  “I uand that.” Honoka-san tinued. “But there is no way that a daughter of Fujiwara house be a vassal usumura or Fukumoto houses. It would make a mockery of the system grandfather has goo such pains to protect, and also of you, Miyu-sama.”

  Behind me Michiru tensed, probably notig the pleased body-nguage of her sister as she stood behind Honoka-san, who was questioning her own sister, seemingly ily, but I wasn’t so sure.

  “It is not the same.” Miyu-san said. “This is a vassal under Akio-san in terms of this strange new world. I have pledged my support to him, and in exge, he defends and protects me and my Territory, thus the Fujiwara mansion.”

  “Even so…” Honoka-san persisted. “If you were to marry, and he gave you an order that flicted with your duty to your husband, what would you do? A daughter of Fujiwara as a vassal ot work.”

  “Well, if I am uo marry, so be it. Hinata-san said it best.” Miyu surprised me. “Fujiwara house also needs a tie to Akio-san. I know more than most his strengths. Other houses may choose to seek alliah others like him…” she nodded elegantly to Hideki-san, who frowned, listening. “… and I feel no noble house without a stake in the new world will prosper. But Fujiwara house is one of the greatest in all of Japan. We erely seek adequate.” She smiled. “I am the tie that binds Akio-san to us.”

  “So, do you think you will get married to him then?” Honoka said, troubled.

  We exged gnces, before Miyu shook her head. “That would likely cause more problems than it solves, at least for now. Grandfather annulled my e, because it is more beneficial for me to be avaible, a prize for others to covet. But I ot be given away so easily. And I arry Akio-san, for it would be disrespectful to Tsumura, Hori and Fukumoto houses. I would be elevated above them. No, this way is better.”

  Yeah, you don’t have any i in men as far as I tell. In fact, you’ve e a long way in how you are less shy around me, in just a few meetings. I remember the first time we met… as I reminisced, Hinata jumped in once more, delighted.

  “You see how it is, Sakura? Well, poor Takatsukasa house has no ties to Akio, unless you or cousin Minoru-sama fe them.” I noted she gave her younger male cousin a lot more respect than she did Sakura-san, although while they argued, I thought I knew Hinata pretty well, and it seemed to me she wanted Sakura-san to uand her. “Oh wait…” she tinued. “Silly me, I am desded from Takatsukasa house, so I suppose you have no need of ties. I’m already his fiancée!”

  “Susoleowards Sakura-sama!” Kozue-san protested, fuming, but Sakura-san waved her to silence, her face red.

  “I admit, father and grandfather have tried to find others of these special people, like Ichijou house. But we haven’t the resources to persuade them to work for us.” she sighed. “Hinata, if you want to be seen as true nobility, you have to act like it. That means showing respect to the higher nobility, deferring when necessary.”

  “Well, as I said, my sister-in-w is a princess. Another is a proud daughter of Tsumura house. And my husband is Akio, who ’t be measured by ventional wisdom.” She smiled.. “So I think I stand in a high enough pce to be informal. Besides, you’re my cousin, Sakura. Shouldn’t we be closer? Akio cherishes family, and that makes you part of his family too. Family shouldn’t have these stupid rules.”

  “I wonder, if Miyu-sama is your vassal…” Honoka-san said, thinking. “Does that make me your family too, if you are taking care of her?” she asked me.

  “Well, Miyu and I don’t have that sort of bond.” No more than I have with Kikuchi Shuta-san. Though my bond with Haru-san is a lot deeper… “But if you are ever in trouble, I’m sure I’d be happy to help.”

  “I see.” Honoka-san mused. “Well, I still think this will not work, but I admit…” she smiled at Hinata gently. “You make a pelling case for the y of a new infusion to the nobility. Perhaps my dear cousin Miyu-sama has formed the e grandfather wished for after all…”

  “All right, this is all very iing.” Mayumi-san was grinning. “I have never had such a frank versation with those who are my equals. It is very stimuting. But Hinata is right. Although…” she peered at Hinata curiously. “I don’t remember you being this cheeky. Well, you’ve always beeertaining, but this forceful personality of yours is rather new.”

  Hinata merely ughed at that, allowing Mayumi-san to tinue. “Maybe there are others out there with equal reater worth than Akio-san, but he is here now. Hideki, wait and see. I have grand pns which will amaze you. But as for you all…” she smiled at me. “It’s time for Chirurgery.” She shuddered a little. “I feel truly wonderful, now, but it’s extremely unpleasant enduring it at first. Well, it ’t be helped, it? Besides, I’m sure you won’t miss the opportunity to show off, right Hinata?”

  “That’s right! My cheeky words are not as impactful as seeing the Territory.” Hinata smiled, releasing my arm at st. “Well, are you starting with the bodyguards as usual? How about…” she poi Kozue-san, and behind me Michiru bit down on a happy snort. Yeah, I’m pretty certain there’s far too many people here who enjoy the idea of others suffering a bit of humiliation and pain. Oh well, I might as well get started. After all, I had gained a few new insights from watg Bintara work, and I wao try them out…

  ********

  “… was quite the amusing sight, seeing Sakura and the others so stunned.” Hinata was rubbing her head against me affeately as we sat in my room oerial. Uhe others, who had been whisked away by limousines back to their homes, Hinata had stayed longer. After I had performed the Chirurgery, finding it a bit easier and less pain-indug due to using a fra of Bintara’s teiques, I had charged them up and gave them a very brief tour of the Territory.

  “The bodyguards were so on edge, especially meeting Grulgor.” She tio ugh happily. “And Mayumi was having a grand time seeming like she was an expert, despite only havio your Territory twice before.” She sighed. “Sakura is… well, it’s hard to be her cousin. I do wish I could get on with her more, but she’s in a difficult position. As the daughter of Takatsukasa house, she o act as regally as Mayumi, which is a tough ask, and Miyu and Honoka-sama too.” She sighed. “But Takatsukasa house is only holding oo Fujiwara and Ichijou house supp them, and the rest of the nobility knows it. Ordinarily, I’d have never been born, my mother should never have married down, as Sakura so rudely put it. But the whole nobility thinks it. It’s so unfair. Mayumi thinks of it simirly. She sees me as a friend, and I know she likes me. But she’ll never see me as the type of friend we have, unless we ge her perspective. And I do so want to be friends. I love her charm, her arrogance, her drive to succeed.” She looked up at me, brown eyes pleading. “Akio, you do something about it? No, you will, I know.”

  “Of course.” I bent down and kissed her lips tenderly. As we parted, she was flushed but happy. “Your cousin, well, she’ll e around. The old ways have to ge. As for Mayumi-san, well, it must be lonely, being at the top, looking down on everyone else. So I’ll help you climb up beside her.”

  “Great! I love you!” We kissed again, and after we were done, I patted her head. “It’s te. You’d better head home, or you’ll not have any strength at school tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry, I get by on a little sleep nowadays, at least for a day or two.” She promised me. “I won’t disgrace my husband-to-be, or my parents, by showing weakness at school. So, what will you be doing?”

  I shrugged. “Well, I’d love to get some sleep, it’s been days, but…” I haven’t slept since before Tsukiko-san transferred me her Divine Favour. But right now there’s too much to do… “I o return to Kyoto and pump Yasaka-san for ao a few questions, and I have other things to do as well.”

  “I see. Well, you o take care of yourself, none of us want you breaking down from bearing too many burdens. I’ll be sure to ask Eri the others if you did so.”

  “All right, I promise.” I assured her, and once Hinata had also left, I returo the Boundary, a lot still to do…

  ShipTeaser