After the meeting with the Fae, I had to return to the Material several times to deal with a few matters. Shaeu stayed behind to help Daiyu accumute more High Spirit Water, and Shiro was giving out her buffs like sweets. Jad Evelyn had been spending the day enjoying Tokyo before they would be flying out to Nishimorioka tomorrow, and they had also been introduced properly to Eri, which had been amusing. I ’t believe just how mu was talking about Eri to them. Apparently she has been for years. Eri was so embarrassed when she heard that.

  I had been too. My mom and auntie Mori had always joked about us ending up together, but perhaps they weren’t jokes, after all, and they had really expected it. And in the end, they were right, though nobody ever expected things to be like this. Eri had finished up her remote work and would join me ba the Boundary ter when Kana got back from school, while Jad Evelyn were apanied out by Karen- and several members of the Bck Wolf pany for security, letting them enjoy Tokyo while they were here. it’s a bit of a break for Karen- too, she’s had it tough while I was away.

  With that done, I was now ba the Boundary, the rest of the Bck Wolf pany gathered. As usual, Aliyah was taking the lead, addressing me sourly, though by now I was used to her bluster, knowing that was just her way, and that she didn’t really mean her insults so much as they were reflexive. “So, boss.” she said dryly, arms crossed under her massive chest. Like the others, she was now wearing matg bck armour, simir to the Twilight Brigandine, but of lower standard, more mass-produced. “You really made a se in Britain, didn’t you?”

  “That he did.” Shiro ughed from beside me, a touch of exhaustion on her face from her bours, though she still looked proud. “Aki came, he saw, he quered.”

  “quered what?” Aliyah scowled. “Better not be any more women. Besides, from the spectacle of you on TV, looks like you were doing some quering yourself.”

  “You think?” Shiro smirked. “But we certainly achieved what we set out to do. There’s no hiding it now. Not that you hide the light of this princess, I was always going to shine!”

  “You’re certainly geous, but shit, your attitude stinks.” Aliyah pined. “You know, you two are made for each other.” She looked at us sourly, and Shiro burst out ughing, pleased.

  “You’re exactly right. Aki a was meant to be.” She agreed. “So, enough about our escapades, fill us in. We’ve heard good things, right?”

  I nodded. “Kana told me you’ve been masterih element well, and have even started anising into teams to prepare for training others. I’m impressed.”

  “It somehow sets my teeth on edge getting praise from you.” Aliyah sighed, but at a look from her brother, she nodded, her hair beads jingling softly. “Yeah, a number of us have mastered it. Of course we have.” She let out a surge of red energy, and the ground below her spat out a number of bullet-like projectiles. “We’re the best. Professionals. Some might say the army is better traihan us mercs… sorry, I fet, we’re… uh, what the hell are we now Trey?”

  The big man shrugged. “I’d say we’re still a PMC. Just… we’re never allowed to break traht?” he looked at me, and I shook my head.

  “Maybe iure, when you’ve paid your debts and things have ged, but you know too much right now and have beed from our expertise, when really, you should be still under arrest.”

  “Don’t I know it? Man, this situation is all kinds of strange, but…” his own ruby energies surged, and a spire of roed, which he tore from the ground, the edge gleaming sharp, like knapped flint. “… ’t argue with results, we? Though sis and I aren’t the best…” he admitted. As he said those words, the eyes of the pany turo stare at Lua, who was standing a little shyly to attention, her somewhat diminutive status belying her fighting skills.

  “Well, it is… I just feel tierra, the ground, the soil.” She said softly. “It speaks to me. I hear the sussuros, whispers of the sto is quite… enjoyable.” Her smile retty, and I noticed a number of the men in the pany eyeing her. Supressing my own smile, knowing she was the sort of girl who would be very popur in such a male-dominated field, I asked her to demonstrate, my Eye shining.

  “e, tierra!” she called, and the red glow surrounded her, as well as the silvery glow of aether. She was using both together, and the soil beh her feet melted like wax, flowing up over her body, f a sort of armour. It solidified, but retained a strange sort of esticity, almost as if it was still molten. Like tar, maybe? I was certainly impressed though, such a w required real skill in visualisation and elemental maniputioher manipution as well, if she’s using it to make up for her shortfall in other areas…

  “So, I’m curious…” Shiro said, nodding. “Is that purely defensive or…”

  “Why don’t you show the princess here…” Aliyah seasing Shiro. “… what you do, Lua? Show them that the Bck Wolf still has fangs and cws, even in this new bullshit world.”

  “Si, I will do it.” She nodded, before leaping off the ground far higher than she should have been able to manage. My Eye caught that the muddy armour ushing on the ground, boosting her force. As she leapt the stone around her arm elongated, f a bde, the edge not merely flint-like, but glittering darkly like obsidian, balefully sharp. Her other hand pointed, and ks of the armour formed small bullets, which she discharged at the rate of a mae pistol. She then nded, and her armour rippled, dispersing the impact, allowio roll into another bat pose. She tossed her stone knife, and more formed, leaving her dual wielding in traditional bat stance.

  “I see.” I cpped my hands, my Eye having followed her movements. “Yeah, that is impressive. Though you shouldn’t get cocky, it’s much more draining to use such abilities oerial.”

  “Yes, I agree.” Lua nodded, and her armour dispersed, hardening and fking off her like mud, leaving her brushing dust off her bat uniform. “In training, I ot mahe armour. But un poco, a little…”

  “She’s still more than capable of using a knife.” Aliyah grinned. “Our cat here has her cws.”

  “I fess, I have received great help from s gemes, the two girls.” Lua told us. “And el phantasma. To think I would be w with a ghost.” She crossed herself. “But they make it so clear, so easy to uand. Only a fool would fail to learn, no?”

  At that some of the meraries shifted restlessly, and Aliyah grinned. “You heard her, you maggots! Those of you who ’t even manage what some damn schoolgirls had better pull your heads out of your fug asses a done, or Trey and I will drum you out for being useless wastes of oxygen.”

  “Yes boss!” the men shouted.

  “I ’t hear you. Louder!” Aliyah shouted back.

  “We said yes boss, sorry boss!” they chorused.

  “My sis might be a bit foul-mouthed, but she’s right.” Trey said, addressing the troops. “We have to uphold the Bck Wolf. You don’t want the soldiers to show us up, do you?” As they replied in the ive, Aliyah shook her head again.

  “The world’s mad. Shit, we’ve tested it, and Lua’s armour block stabs, bullets and more. Maybe she ’t use it properly outside of this madhouse…” she looked around us. “… but that’s just for nht?”

  “Yes, as the Boundary gradually dissipates, ether density will rise, and there’ll be less resistance…” I agreed.

  “When that happens, those who ’t do this will just be like kids pying at soldiers. Sure, it won’t be stopping RPG’s or other heavy ons, but it’s not like urban warfare just bee a shitshow of colteral damage. The battlefield may still be dominated by firepower, but urban warfare, suppressioions, security… assassination… all of it is going to be ruled by people like our little Lua here.” she paused for a moment. “Although against monsters like you pair, or your little bloyrant, she still has about as much ce of success as a fug ice cube does of putting out a bonfire.”

  “A monster? Me? Rude.” Shiro pouted. “I’m a geous princess, not a monster.”

  “Sure you are.” Aliyah chuckled. “Don’t take it so personally.”

  “We’re getting off-topic.” I said, ging the subject a little. “So Kana was telling me you’ve been helping out with the training of the newers. I appreciate that.”

  “She’s a clever one.” Aliyah agreed. “Pretty too. Wasted on you.” She snorted, showing her irritation. “Even without this Chirurgery, we’ve still been running through the exercises and a few other bits for orientation. Give them a head start. Though some of those brats are lucky I didn’t knock them on their asses. Pretentious shits.” As Aliyah grumbled about some of the rainees, Shiro and I exged amused gnces. Yeah, I expect that noble sons and daughters would find our brash Ameri friends a bit of a culture shock, especially with such weird training on top…

  ********

  “Akio, I’ve missed you!” Hinata ran into my embrace, so I lifted her up and spun her around, smiling at her impish expression. Motoko and Natsumi followed behind her, also smiling, but showing more noble poise.

  “Hinata, you should be less shameful. You’re a Takatsukasa now. Unmarried girls don’t do that, even with their fiancé.” A stern voice said, and I saw that the three of them hadn’t e alone. Mayumi-san was there, as well as Miyu-san, and surprisingly enough the speaker, Sakura-san, who was lecturing Hinata even as she was in my arms. There’s the bodyguards too of course, though they are wisely pretending they don’t see or hear anything. Even Kazumi-san is doing that, though she’s looking at me wryly.

  “Oh, do you think so?” Hinata retorted. “Motoko, Natsumi, don’t you want to hug Akio? It’s been nearly two weeks for you as well. Though I’m still jealous that you had su amazing trip with him. Even you, Miyu.”

  “Don’t pull me into this, please.” Miyu sighed, but she turo Sakura-san. “Please excuse Hinata’s excitement. She has missed him, and only wishes to show her affe. It is only us here, surely you five her?”

  As I put down Hinata, Motoko approached me, and she held out her arms too. I gave her a hug, and then Natsumi was there, equally as eager. After hugging her, I turo Sakura-san and apologised. “Sorry about that. But like Miyu said, ’t you let it slide? I’m happy to see everyone myself.”

  “I would hope so. You’ve been busy pying with fn Princesses and dignitaries.” Hinata took my arm, ign the teasing ughter from Shiro, who ehe feeling of superiority. “And I have missed out on… other things too.” Motoko blushed, looking down, while Natsumi pced a hand over her mouth, giggling.

  “That’s Aki’s fault, no question. Though I get it. You do reek of crime, Hinata.” Shiro pointed out.

  “That’s hardly fair. I got eo Akio before you did, and it’s been approved by my parents and also by Fujiwara-sama, Kira-sama and grandfather Itsuki.”

  “Don’t call grandfather so casually.” Sakura-san pined, only for Mayumi-san to step in.

  “This is all very well, but we have more important things to do today.” she said gently, nodding at me reassuringly, which surprised me a little. “Sakura-san, I know it’s hard for you the way things have ged, but you o adapt. Besides… you don’t really hate Hinata as much as you pretend.”

  “I don’t hate her.” Sakura-san protested, before realising who she was talking to, and she moderated her tone. “I apologise, I have bee too heated, and have broken de myself. I’m a little ashamed.”

  “Don’t be foolish, Sakura.” Hinata spoke up. “That’s the beauty of being with family and friends. I spent my whole life oside looking ie being your cousin, my blood the same as yours. It’s a beautiful thing, being elegant, refined and charming. Don’t misuand. I wao be a o be equal to you and Mayumi so badly. I looked on you both with envy. But… not everything is wonderful. If being nobility means I have to keep my feelings in check when the man I love returns to me after a long time, after a battle that could have been his st… then surely nobility o ge.”

  “She’s got you there.” Shiro agreed. “Besides, there’s nothing noble about burying your feelings. But I’m no fool. It’s not this that bothers you, is it?”

  “It’s that I’m finally being accepted. And not just at Hanafubuki.” Hinata said, a trace of sadness in her brown eyes. “The group of noble sons and daughters that have beeed for training treat me as a daughter of Takatsukasa now, just like Sakura. No, si’s clear I’ll be the heir now I get more respect.”

  Sakura held her expression still, but we could see Hinata’s words had hit their mark. I see. Well, Hinata’s wish was to be equals to Mayumi, true friends. I think she’s had that e true, or if not, she will. Their friendship seems to be in a good pce. I watched as Hinata, Sakura-san and Mayumi-san argued, while Miyu looked on, a touch bemused. Our eyes met, and I smiled reassuringly. I’ll sort this. For Hinata’s sake if nothing else. She did care for her cousin, or sister, teically now.

  “So, putting that aside, what brings you here today, Sakura-san, Mayumi-san?” I asked.

  “That’s simple.” Mayumi-san said, gd of the subject ge. “I’ve been utterly fasated by events over the st few weeks. And I’m desperate to get started on our erprise. So here I am, ready for an update.” She looked at Hinata then. “And of course, I wao see how Hinata reacted to seeing you again. It’s been rather amusing watg her reas to everything over the st few weeks. You’ve had it rough, right?” she said to Motoko and Natsumi.

  “I uand her jealousy. After all, we are the same.” Motoko said, and Hinata pouted.

  “I’m sure your debut will be just as big.” Natsumi interjected. “Akio’s known the world over now. And I know he’s not unfair as to only have ageme. There’s Eri too. And Kana-san.”

  “That’s right.” Daiyu too, though she’s a bit more problematic what with the anti-ese se, but that won’t stop me. Then there’s Asha. Though without a Throne… no, if the pn goes well, first thing we’ll do is upgrade a Throo Rank 3. I have an idea of who o be Chosen Heroes to maximise our potential… “In fact… I think that it might be time to use our fame to our advantage. I was thinking…” I expined my idea, and Hinata’s eyes brightened.

  “That’s a wonderful pn!” she said, eyes gleaming. “I want to stand on the same stage as the others. I’m your fiancée, and I’m proud of that. I want to shout it from the rooftops, to the world, to anyone who would listen.”

  “It’s certainly daring, and kills a lot of birds with oone.” Shiro agreed. “I’m not sure what Arisu will think, though. Suzu will love it, that’s for certain.”

  “Grandfather will support it, I think.” Miyu nodded. “It is time for the nobility to return from the shadows. Sihe fall of the zaibatsu after the War, we have kept to ourselves, in our own worlds, wielding political influence as best we could, but pared to the olden days, the keiretsu such as Nichibotsu Teologies and many other modern panies have a great deal of sway as well. Not all of them care for us. But now we o put aside our differences, otherwise Japan may suffer as the United Kingdom did.”

  “You’ll o get Yukiko onside as well.” Shiro added. “That shouldn’t be hard though, she sees you as a friend, Aki.”

  “Ichijou house will of course be involved.” Mayumi-san said, excited. “After all, we’d never let su opportunity pass us by, and I am your partner.”

  “Business partner.” Hinata sniggered, and Mayumi-san shrugged.

  “I know that. Don’t be foolish. I am Iayumi, I am not oo be so easily won.” She smiled, before turning to Sakura-san. “So, what will you do? I suspect that Akio-kun here has a role for you, sidering he’s been looking at you for the st couple of minutes.”

  Am I that obvious? I guess so. Not that it matters. “Sakura-san, Hinata, I be ho with you both here? No lies or dissembling words, just my ho feelings?”

  Sakura-san paused, surprised, but nodded. “Very well. In that case… I will not hold back either.”

  “Lies? To me? You don’t, I tell.” Hinata g to my arm. “But I think I see what you mean. I’ll be hooo. Mayumi, Miyu, as our equals in Ichijou and Fujiwara house, you witness.”

  Well there’s the bodyguards too, but they stay out of these matters… “Shiro…” I began, but she shook her head.

  “We’re staying. Right girls?” Motoko and Natsumi agreed. “Look, Aki. Hinata’s not just your responsibility. She’s ours, right?” she wi the younger girl. “When Aki asked me out, I knew he was engaged already. I retty pissed off, but… somehow it all worked out. I didn’t even know about you then, Hinata. But I accepted Aki, and all that es with him, just as he did me. I mean…” she ughed, a touch bitterly. “… didn’t I try and sell out the world in my own selfishness? My hands aren’t . But what matters is that we all stand together. You saw the news. I was there, fighting.” She was solemn, and our eyes were drawn to her, her silver hair shining uhe dark light of the Boundary, her beauty captivating, as though she was a goddess desding to give us wisdom. “In the face of those who would happily kill us for their own ends, those who ’t be reasoned with, this all seems so very foolish tue over. But it isn’t, is it?” she looked at me, and I shook my head.

  “No. If happiness is a foolish goal, then why did we even fight? Let the world burn.” I said, to some gasps. “Look. Hinata, I love you. I do. Just as much as any of the others. I’m sorry, but you’re so youthful and eietimes I see you as youhan you are. I’d like you to take it as a pliment. That’s why…”

  “You’ve not offered me the same as Motoko and Natsumi?” she said, and I nodded.

  “Holy, I feel guilty. I shouldn’t, after all, we’re engaged. We’re going to spend our whole lives together. But feelings aren’t rational, are they?” But Kyoto and London taught me that the biggest fist wins. And I ’t just have that fist myself. I don’t ever want to be helpless as people die around me again. It’s insane hubris to think that I save everyone, but with enough support… together we be strohan any of us alone.

  “No, they’re not. Akio… I don’t love you ahan Motoko or Natsumi. Or even Shiro here.” Hinata promised. “After all, I loved you from the first moment I saw you.” She chuckled, ashamed. “I never believed in love at first sight, but it happened. It’s your fault for being too charming! And then… all my dreams came true. So… I’m not a child. I’m a woman. Your woman.”

  “Not all your dreams.” I said, surprising them. “Look. Sakura-san, I’ll be ho. I love my family. I’ll do anything for their happiness. Hinata… she just wao be reised for who she is. The equal of any of you. This nobility thing… even now I don’t really get it. But I’ve met many people who could be called noble. Shaeu. Yukiko-san. Princess Eleanor. The Queen of Britain. And yes, yrandfathers.” I said to the girls. “And I’ll be ho, to me, Hinata, Eri, Kana… it doesn’t mater how ordinary they are to you, to me they are noble.”

  As Hinata blushed happily I tinued. “So Takatsukasa house… I didn’t want to take from you, Sakura-san, nor your brother. But I’ll be damned if I’ll let Hinata suffer. Mayumi-san… I’m happy you’ve realised what true friendship is. And I think you’ll be better for it. Isn’t it less lonely?”

  “I… well, I wouldn’t say I was lonely. But…” Mayumi-san said, pensive. “…everything is so exg, so fun. And I realise that it isn’t just us daughters of nobility who are special. It would be hard to say that, with you here.” she smiled at Shiro.

  “Aki, she’s a smart girl. She sees I’m a beautiful princess.” Shiro ughed, but I was still serious, not rising to the joke.

  “That’s right. In this new world, the mea beggar could potentially gain a power that could make them the ruler of nations. But I don’t care about that. I care about Hinata’s wishes. And she wao be respected, and for us all to be respected. We’re allies, friends, rades… not ckeys of yrandfathers. So… Takatsukasa house.”

  “I knew I wouldn’t i, that I’d be married out.” Sakura-san agreed. “That’s not why I am so angry.”

  “You’re angry? I k…” Hinata said softly.

  “Of course I am.” She took a deep breath, calming herself. “Maybe it wasn’t fair for you to be treated so differently to me, despite being my cousin. But that’s the way it is, the way it was! Why should we ge the whole system of nobility that Takatsukasa has carried for more than a thousand years? We… we might be the st geion. Without the help of the rest of the nobility propping us up, I know we’d have crumbled away. It isn’t just us!” she cried. “There are a number of houses on the brink. You know this!”

  “Oh, those.” Hinata agreed, and Motoko was looking sad. I see. Somebody they know, maybe? “That doesn’t make sehough. A lot of the help that kept you afloat came from Fukumoto house and Nichibotsu! Would it have been too much to treat me right?”

  “What’s right?” Sakura-san asked, her eyes reddening, and I noticed she seemed about to cry. “I did help you! When you acted arrogantly, I smoothed things over. I calmed dowher nobility when your attitude provoked them. I tried to offer advice, to help you avoid shaming yourself and me!”

  “Your advice was terrible! It was basically shut up and obey your betters!” Hinata shot back.

  “If I may?” Motoko said, and we all turo her. She looked at the two feuding girls, her expression solemn. “Hinata. I believe you know I have nothing but respect for you. It is rgely thanks to you that Natsumi and I had the bravery to finally seek out Akio.”

  “I know that. I like you too.” She said, fused.

  “Then… Sakura-sama is in this case correct.” Motoko softly spoke, everyone hanging on her words. “Your as were too domineering for one of the Three-Huhose of us at Hanafubuki often saw your as as rude, especially towards Sakura-sama. Now I know differently. I have ged.”

  “I uood it a bit more.” Natsumi said “After all, Hori house is nothing special. It’s impossible for me to be entirely happy with the way I am looked down on by others, but I always had Tsumura arts, and Motoko by my side. Though my retionship then wasn’t an even one.”

  Yes, when I first met them, they were very hierarchical, though it took little time for that to ge. firming my thoughts, Motoko agreed. “I have that to be thankful to you as well, Hinata. Akio too. And I suppose Eri, and the irls we met in Nishimorioka. Whe aside the rules that bound us, we found true friendship.”

  “Yes. It was hard at first. Tsumura house towers above Hori house, and I am a student in Tsumura arts too. So being equal to Motoko… it felt wrong. At first. Now it just feels natural.”

  “Of course, you’re friends.” I said. “And friendship doesn’t work if there’s a barrier in status.”

  “I see that now.” Mayumi-san agreed, her expression mog. “Although it took yer to show me. To think you’d be prepared to break yreement with Ichijou house, losing all that power, just for Hinata’s happiness…”

  “Yes, but since you are Hinata’s friend, if you were ever in trouble, I’d help you.” I said, and Shiro shook her head.

  “e on Aki, this isn’t the time for flirting. Sure, she’s attractive, but enough is enough. Eri will murder you in your sleep!”

  “I’m not flirting! You know I take friendship seriously. Just like I’m doing for Arisu-san, or I would for Hayato-san or any of the gang.”

  “Yeah I know. Shit Aki, I’m not so shallow.” She puffed out her cheeks cutely, annoyed. “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

  “I see.” Mayumi-san looked at Hinata, whed. “I appreciate that, Akio-kun. You may not be born noble, but you are certainly gentlemanly at times. I might take you up on that. Though for now, all I want is our factory to start w!”

  “So, you see where I’m going with this?” I said, looking at Sakura-san. “You’re Hinata’s retive. Therefore I want you to be happy too, and for you and Hinata to be friends. For Hinata’s sake, obviously. She ’t be truly happy unless you recile. And for your sake too. So… how I make that happen?”

  “Akio…” Hinata murmured, touched.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Sakura-san said, defensive. “Just like my grandfather, father and mother, and my little brother, I’ve accepted Hinata as my sister. After all, that is the way of nobility. Adoption happens and is respected. My thoughts oter are irrelevant.”

  “Accepting is ohing, but you said you’d not hold back. Your thoughts are relevant.” I pressed. “What do you want?”

  “I don’t know!” she shot back. “All I know is I don’t want this! It isn’t fair! I hate that I feel so inferior to everyone!” her red eyes were now brimming with tears. “I was respected, yes, the girls at Hanafubuki showed me deference, but I know I was always being pared to Mayumi-sama, to Miyu-sama. Even to you, Hinata! Takatsukasa house is empty, only our history remaining! You don’t uand what that’s like, Hinata!”

  “No, I don’t.” she agreed. “But you don’t uaher. I couldn’t even be pared. I was beaten before I started. You don’t expect me to feel sorry for you who had everything I wanted, do you?”

  “Of course not!” Sakura-san was heating up. “But you think I have it easy? Everything you do reflee, on Takatsukasa house! Like it or not, we are still family!” she was shouting now.

  “Yes, I feel a bit bad.” Hinata said, a touch chastened by her harsh words and obvious distress. “I wasn’t trying to cause trouble.”

  “It’s obvious to me…” I broke in, my tone low and soothing. “… that the past ainful. But that doesn’t matter. The past is the past. Hinata, you want to be true family with Sakura-san, right?”

  “I do. Especially if I was in the wrong. If Motoko says so, I believe her.”

  “I do not say you were wrong. But you were perhaps not best pced to uand Sakura-sama’s burdens.” Motoko said sadly.

  “Sakura. You have o use su honorific with me.” Sakura-san said, surprising us. “You will be married to him soon. He’ll be Takatsukasa heir through Hinata.” She looked at me, her expression unreadable. “It doesn’t matter what I say, that’s decided. As proved by the way Hinata took charge of the new nobles who will be joining us here.”

  “Sakura…” Hinata began, but I cut her off.

  “Hinata, Sakura-san, you’re both too stubborn. Look. Things are ging. Isn’t that right, Miyu?”

  My vassal nodded. “Yes, I never could have expected things to turn out this way. I, a granddaughter of Fujiwara house, subordio a man, a an at that. on.” She ughed. “There’s nothing on about him, is there? I wouldn’t wish to ge things. Not anymore.” She looked at me. “Things will ge. Both here in Japan and abroad. And… we have to ge with it. As we have been.”

  “You’re right.” I approved. “This is when we decide the new form that Japan will take. Everything will ge. From the top to the bottom of society, we’ll rewrite everything for the new world. So, Sakura-san… Hinata. It’s your ce. What do you want your new retionship to be? And if it has to be defined by the nobility, then… what do you want nobility to be?”

  “Sakura-san loves traditional Japanese dance as well. She attends the same csses as I do.” Miyu spoke up. “It is why she’s here today. She’s been helping me as I Dance for the Returning Dawn.” Miyu said, a slight smile on her face, and I was struck by how she’d ged. When I first met her, the weight of her burden was crushing her, and she would even have choseh rather than fight. Now…

  “Is that so?” I asked, and Mayumi-san agreed.

  “Yes, Miyu-san, Honoka-san and Sakura-san are all rather elegant. It’s not for me, I prefer business and trading stocks. Hinata tht?”

  Hinata agreed. “I’m not the graceful sort. But I have always appreciated traditional culture.” She smiled at Natsumi. “Your family makes the most beautiful furisode and yukata. And seeing Miyu dance is always soothing to the soul. Sakura… that’s nobility. What Fujiwara-sama and Kira-sama and grandfather want to preserve. Money or power. It doesn’t take an old, noble family to have those. But we ’t buy what is beautiful. I see it now. And sadly, Takatsukasa house has lost most of that.”

  “I know. But…” Sakura-san replied. “… I was born to that house. I ’t let it end in my geion. Our aors… it would bring them to shame.”

  “It wohough.” Hinata promised. “We won’t let it, will we, Akio?”

  “No. Sakura-san, I might not uand the pressure you feel, but I know this. You’re my family. Just like your brother wants to be a hero, I’ll help you achieve your dream too. All you o do is tell us what that is. Hinata will help too.”

  “As will I.” Motoko promised.

  “Me too.” Natsumi agreed.

  “I guess I’m in. Though…” she released my arm she’d been holding and clipped my head with her hand, though it was more a edic blow thah any strength. “… I’m pretty sure I told you to stop flirting with irls, Aki.”

  “I’m not flirting.” I said for the sed time today. “I know you know that!”

  “Just having some fun. To be ho, I’m a bit nervous about what Arisu is going to say… be a man, Aki, let me work off some stress!”

  “I’m sure she’ll be willing. After all, it’ll be her reve st.” I said, before turning back to Sakura-san. “So, we’ve taken quite some time here. Should we go? I’d be ied to see you dang with Miyu.”

  “I… I’m jealous of Hinata.” She said suddenly, surprising everyone.

  “Jealous? Of me? Why?” Hinata spluttered, shocked.

  “Because you’re free. No matter how people looked down on you, or how I rebuked you, you never ged. You never had to carry the weight of Takatsukasa house! The weight isn’t an easy thing!”

  “I see. Isn’t that something.” Hinata ughed, bitterness in her voice. “I wanted what you had, and you wanted what I had. But I did ge. Inside, I was getting hurt more and more. Until a ce fell in my p…” She smiled at me. “…and I took it. So, Sakura… it’s your ow. Akio doesn’t lie. He sees you as family. You are because you’re mine. So… just as he spoils his sister, he’ll help you if you ask him.”

  “I don’t know what I want.” She admitted. “All I know is I hate the way things are now. It eats me up inside. I feel lost.”

  “It sounds like what you need is purpose.” Motoko said. “Just as Natsumi and I have our ons and our husband, you need something to strive towards, to cherish.”

  “Yes. Find a dream, Sakura.” Hinata said, shaking her head. “Just like Minoru-kun has. He’ll be happier learning how to use these new abilities than shouldering Takatsukasa house. Leave that to me. I won’t… we won’t let it down.”

  “A dream. I…” she trailed off, still unsure. I decided to draw the versation to a close, g my hands.

  She’s been ho. She’s spat out the true upset she has for Hinata in her heart. It’s all a mixture of jealousy, misuandings and the weight of this system of nobility. Minor things, really, but the heart is plicated. Minor things often hurt the most. After all, didn’t I estrange myself from Eri and my sis for simir stupid reasons? That’s why I ’t let it go. “How about this? We’re about to move into the stage of development here. Motoko, Natsumi, it’s time to see just how far ush Tsumura Arts.” As they smiled in happiness, I tinued. “Not just that… Csses, elements, skills… we have rainees, new opportunities. Sakura-saarted with nothing here, now we are shaping Japan, no, the world. Whereas you, you’ve got a lot on your side. So… take your time, and when you know, reach for it.”

  “Sorry. If I wasn’t thoughtful.” Hinata said finally. “But it wasn’t easy for me either.”

  “Enough already.” Mayumi-san said, exasperated. “This is so foolish. You are just repeating my mistakes, Sakura-san, Hinata. I was wrong, I repented when it was made clear to me.” She smiled at me. “I’m having fun, supp Ichijou house. You just o find your fun, supp Takatsukasa house. If it means that much to you, there are solutions.”

  “There are.” Hinata agreed. “We’ve talked about them. And even if you wao start over, we’d help you. That was inally our pn, build an Oshiro house. But for now…” seeing I was impatient, Hinata smirked. “… I’m curious. About a lot of things. And I want to be stronger.” She wi me. “Besides, Motoko and Natsumi have told me a lot of iing stories…”

  “Yes, we don’t want to be te meeting Arisu-san.” I agreed. If anyone help us link the Ring Gates, Arisu-san . After all, she’s got her Room… and after that… It was time for training to start in ear, and not just for me, but for everyone…

  ShipTeaser