Vol 6 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - Hime-Miko of the Sword
Part 1
The wind roared while the raindrops splattered furiously.
Had it been the earlier half of September, the landing of a typhoon would
not be out of place.
However, this storm was different. For the past few days, there have been
no reports of an approaching tropical depression.
”Yes, meeting the king today, because Ena can get along well with
anyone, it will go smoothly for sure. Yes, of course that side will also
progress well.”
Wearing her miko outfit, Seishuuin Ena stood facing the school building in
a corner of the sports ground in Jounan Academy's high school section.
She was soaked by the rain because she was not using an umbrella.
The phone she was speaking into was also drenched, but since this
cellphone was waterproof, power was not interrupted this time.
”Erica-san doesn't seem like she will be easy to handle, this will be
exciting. However, having obstacles will be very annoying, so if that's the
case, it would be best to keep it one on one. ..yes, thank you, your
a.s.sistance at that time will be appreciated.”
The Hime-Miko of the Sword. This t.i.tle of Ena's was due to the partner she
had just stabbed into the ground.
Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi. The sword whose blade measured 3 feet
and 3.5 inches.
The blade was simple in construction without any curves — just a straight
sword. The metallic l.u.s.ter on the blade was like sunlight descending from
the heavens.
An awe-inspiring longsword said to be the weapon of royalty.
”This looks fine. It's just the right place to set up preparations. Actually Ena
had been trying to decide which part of the school to use as a battlefield,
and this place turns out to be nice and wide open, with the bonus that
Erica-san pa.s.ses by every day. Yes, let's go with this.”
Finis.h.i.+ng her call, Ena pressed her right index finger onto the blade of the
Ama no Murak.u.mo no Tsurugi.
As the skin was sliced open, droplets of blood appeared.
Then Ena pressed that right index finger onto the wall of the school
building in front of her.
”The many-fenced place of Izumo / Of the many clouds rising — To dwell
there with my spouse / Do I build a many-fenced palace: Ah, that
many-fenced palace!”^
Chanting the ancient lyrics in a low voice.
She wrote upon the school wall the same words that she spoke.
This enchanted song carried the Hime-Miko's blood and the divine blade's
smell of rust. Washed by the rain, the poem written on the wall in fresh
blood disappeared.
That was fine. It will serve its purpose later on.
The only uncertain factor was Yuri, who had very good instincts. To
prevent that from being an issue, it would be best to deliberately create
encounters with her in school as much as possible.
Then even when Yuri felt the presence of the divine sword within the
school, she would not be suspicious.
Ena pondered as she ran along the school walls. After she completed the
same task on seven walls, the rain stopped, and the violent wind calmed
down.
It was still six in the morning, and no clubs began their activities that early.
”Good. This is it for the morning. One should get a change of clothes
before greeting the king.”
Ena murmured to herself as she gazed at her drenched body.
Even for someone as innocent and uncouth as Ena, the idea of meeting
someone in her current state — especially a boy with whom she will soon
develop an intimate relations.h.i.+p, proved to be quite objectionable.
”This job is so troublesome, grampsy. Hopefully next time he contacts Ena
for a job, he picks a more appropriate time. Always a.s.signing troublesome
tasks every time.”
Grumbling to herself as she slung her partner onto her shoulder, Ena left
the school.
Part 2
The recent weather had been rather turbulent.
For the past few days, there were sudden gusts of wind and frequent rain.
G.o.dou walked along the wet road as he looked up at the sky. The dark
clouds of the sudden rainstorm had all been swept away.
The clear blue sky seemed much broader.
Though the calendar clearly indicated that autumn had arrived, the
summer atmosphere was still heavy.
At 7:30am, G.o.dou's usual task was not going to school but visiting Erica's
home first to get her out of bed.
Walking along Hongou Street, he was nearing Erica's apartment.
Following this street that he took daily, G.o.dou suddenly spotted an
unknown girl approaching him.
She possessed beautiful soft black hair that was long and s.h.i.+ny, as well as
an appearance of a quintessential Yamato Nades.h.i.+ko. She was wearing a
uniform from some school, and slung over her shoulder was the kind of
bag usually used for bamboo swords.
”Excuse me, are you Kusanagi G.o.dou-sama? A pleasure to meet you for
the first time, my name is Seishuuin Ena.”
She walked before G.o.dou and introduced herself.
What is going on? Though he felt the girl was very strange, G.o.dou halted
his footsteps.
”Our meeting must be fate. I am the servant girl who will stay by your side.
We of the Seishuuin family would like to receive your blessing and set off
together along the path of domination. Please accept my loyalty.”
”...What?”
What was with these unusual words and honorifics?
G.o.dou was troubled, but this Seishuuin-whatever girl, who had greeted
him so strangely, smiled at him.
”Just kidding. Hey, can we not use honorifics? Yuri uses them all the time,
but Ena isn't very good at them. Still, Ena will continue using them unless
Kusanagi-san objects.”
The image of a prim and proper high-cla.s.s lady instantly dissolved.
Suddenly turning into an amiable girl next door, G.o.dou did not know how
to react. In any case, it would be best to agree first.
”I don't really mind. Do you know Mariya well?”
”Yes. We are childhood friends. Since Kusanagi-san knows about them
already, Ena is also a Hime-Miko.”
An unexpectedly shocking introduction of the one who called herself
Mariya Yuri's companion?
That was certainly what she said, and she did have an outstanding refined
air of a high-cla.s.s lady.
”Kusanagi-san may not know, but there are actually a few dozen of these
Hime-Miko like Ena. Anyway, the other related details can be gradually
explained.”
Ena smiled and said.
Like a cool breeze blowing under the scorching sun, the girl gave off an
unbelievably refres.h.i.+ng and cool feeling.
”This morning, I received news that I was recommended and invited.”
”Invited?”
”Yes, an invitation from Yuri, something like having tea with you together.
Are you free after school today? You will receive the invitation card later.”
The sudden suggestion greatly surprised G.o.dou. However, if Yuri will be
present then things should not go out of hand.
”Well, I'm okay with it.”
”Is that so? Great, then. Let us continue with the details later, farewell.”
The last words were chosen like a high-cla.s.s lady, but spoken with an
outgoing and friendly tone.
G.o.dou tilted his head as he watched the newly debuted Hime-Miko walk
off into the distance. The strangeness of this person left him standing there
bewildered for a while.
Of course, he could not have expected the doom and chaos that was
about to befall him in mere hours.
Cla.s.ses had finished... it was finally the end of the school day.
After the swimming pool incident yesterday, Mariya Yuri was rather
gloomy.
She never expected G.o.dou to have that kind of interest, but then again, as
a healthy male it was only natural to have those kinds of desires. However,
how should she handle this?
As Yuri pondered, she finally understood the reason why she was shocked
yesterday.
Having these concerns made her seem like she was trying to further the
intimacy of their relations.h.i.+p.
Back then, Yuri frantically ran away because she could not face such
thoughts and behavior. Having regained composure overnight, she now
decided to call Ena to discuss things.
'Just give G.o.dou-san a hug. You're not a woman if you can't even do
something like that.'
To think she was giving orders now.
”B-But why does it have to be like this?”
'You like that person, right? Then it is the only way. If you continue to tarry,
then you will be left behind and distanced by Erica-san and the rest.'
”l-lt's fine, after all, G.o.dou-san and I are just ordinary friends.”
'Really?'
”Y-Yes, really. Thus, to have to do something shamelessly lewd like
Erica-san...”
Not long into the conversation, and Yuri was already stuttering.
For some reason, she could not bring herself to speak decisively.
'I see I see. This must be part of the deep intricacies of the internal
tsundere struggle described by Amakasu-san. Well, no matter what, Ena
will a.s.sist you to get onboard. I have already met him today — Yuri, do you
have something to do right now?'
”Yes, today's tea ceremony club activities...”
Ending the fruitless discussion, Yuri made her way towards the club
building.
Lunch on the roof with G.o.dou and the rest had been a daily activity, but
she did not go today. Probably because Yuri did not know how to face
G.o.dou.
Glad that school was over, Yuri walked to the tea ceremony club.
This was located in one of the rooms of the j.a.panese style building
constructed between the high school and the middle school sections.
This building housed the activity areas of cultural organizations such as the
tea ceremony club, the flower arrangement club, the j.a.panese dance
research club, and others, and was commonly dubbed the ”j.a.panese
block.”
Today was Wednesday. The tea ceremony club met every Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday for activities.
Yuri took off her shoes as she walked into the tearoom — and gasped in
surprise.
”Ah, Yuri, it's been a day since we last met. As promised, I came to see
you.”
Seishuuin Ena was sitting right there.
Sitting next to her was the club president Hanabusa-san, who seemed
relieved to see Yuri.
”Mariya-san, you came just at the right time. Someone you know has been
waiting for you.”
Tea ceremony club president Hanabusa Akari was a second year high
school student.
A senior whose staid and gracious spoken mannerisms and benevolent
facial expressions always left a deep impression on people.
”She wanted to enter the tea room and struck up a conversation with me.”
”After asking students from other clubs for directions, they told Ena to
come here. Since Yuri will be here sooner or later, I didn't mind arriving
early.”
Ena spoke leisurely.
Would the school staff not notice someone running about in the school
wearing a different uniform?
Yuri felt worried, but Ena smiled mischievously.
”Don't worry, it seems like I wasn't discovered.”
”I see... In that case, is it really fine for Ena's own school? It seems like you
have not gone for the past few days?”
Yuri asked cautiously as the thought came to her mind.
”Ah, don't worry about it. I never went much in the first place anyway. If
attendance will be a problem, my family already promised to handle it with
the school, so I've been continuing my training in the mountains.”
Ena laughed heartily as she answered.
As expected of the Seishuuin family. Yuri sighed with admiration.
Contrasting with the Mariya family's impoverished state which persisted
until the Meiji Restoration, the Seishuuin family's exalted prestige dated
back to the Warring States Era and was unimaginably influential in all
areas of society.
”Anyway, are you the one with the most authority in this club?”
Ena abruptly turned to Hanabusa-san's dignified face and asked.
”Ah, I guess so. I am the club president for now after all. But why?”
”Just instinct. Ena always knows who the most powerful person in a group
is.”
Ena gazed at the tea ceremony club president as she bowed deeply and
said.
”Esteemed club president, I have a suggestion, no, a request. This
tearoom, could you lend it to me for a little while? Don't worry, it won't take
long.”
A request accompanied by a cordial smile.
This completely unabashed request, however, felt like an irresistible
command.
Ena had always been like this, doing things as she pleased. The
kind-hearted Hanabusa-san had no choice but to nod under pressure.
What was she planning to do here? Yuri felt more and more anxious.
Part 3
At that moment, in the cla.s.sroom of the First Year Fifth Cla.s.s —
Kusanagi G.o.dou was at his own seat, anxiously staring at the letter in his
hands.
A private letter written on j.a.panese paper.
On it were the words ”Please come to the tearoom for a visit after the
conclusion of today's lessons.” Written using a brush in extremely beautiful
calligraphy, it carried the signature of Seishuuin Ena.
Was this an invitation? ...It felt very suspicious. G.o.dou recalled the scene
that morning.
At some unknown point in time, the letter had somehow slipped into
G.o.dou's desk.
G.o.dou wondered how she placed it. Most likely it was magic. G.o.dou really
felt like scolding her not to engage in such suspicious behavior for the sake
of trivial things like this.
However, Yuri did not appear on the rooftop for lunch, probably because
she was avoiding him.
It would be bad if this awkwardness continued, and G.o.dou felt that he
really needed to have a good talk to clear things up. Though the matter of
this letter was unpleasant, at least it would give a good pretext.
Erica had already gone outside with the girls in the cla.s.s, but there was no
need to get her to come along anyway.
G.o.dou was going to visit the tearoom alone, until he suddenly thought of
another knight.
”Hey, Liliana, I have something to do alone. Why don't you go home first?”
”Something to do? What is it?”
Greeting her neighbor in the cla.s.sroom, Liliana resumed her usual
expression of solemnity.
”A little visit to the tea ceremony club.”
”The tea ceremony club? You have something with Mariya Yuri or your
sister s.h.i.+zuka?”
”Uh, I was invited by Mariya's miko friend. I don't really know what's going
on, but I'll just be gone for a bit.”
As soon as he gave that explanation, G.o.dou realized his mistake. If he
explained it like that, then she will insist on her knight's duty and come
along. He should have just made up an innocuous story.
”This smells suspicious. If she is Mariya Yuri's friend, then it is extremely
unlikely for her to be a normal person. I will accompany you, for I must
protect you.”
”Ah, yes. Though that sounds a little too exaggerated.”
”Not exaggerated at all. Of course, I need to pay attention, especially when
you are lacking in crisis management awareness. ...You are always one to
make others worry.”
And so, accompanied by the silver-haired knight, G.o.dou headed towards
the ”j.a.panese block.”
Jounan Academy's campus was quite large, especially the forest near the
boundary between the high and middle school sections. It was like a small
garden and even had ponds.
As the location representing the activities of the various clubs in the
cultural department, the j.a.panese building was also located there.
”So this is where the tea ceremony club holds its activities. It is my first
time here.”
”I don't come here often either. The only time I came here was when the
cultural department held its club introduction fair.”
The j.a.panese block was constructed as a long and narrow single-story
building.
G.o.dou and Liliana took off their shoes and placed them into the shoe
cabinet before walking inside. Not far along the corridor was the tea room
which was roughly twenty square meters in size,^ and there were already
six occupants inside.
One was Mariya Yuri, and beside her was Seishuuin Ena, the one wearing
a uniform G.o.dou had never seen before. The other four girls sat a little
distance away from them, and were all members of the tea ceremony club
that G.o.dou had never seen before.
— Uh, with one exception. That was his little sister s.h.i.+zuka.
”Onii-chan? Why did you come to a place like this?”
It was quite common for cultural organizations like the tea ceremony club
to have both middle and high school members in activities together.
It was probably expected for s.h.i.+zuka to be surprised. However, she was
not the only one surprised by the sudden intrusion, as Yuri also glanced
over with doubt.
”G-G.o.dou-san? Why are you here?”
”It's me, Ena, who called him here. Now that all the guests are present,
let's start the tea party. It also seems like an uninvited guest has arrived,
but welcome anyway.”
Ena, the only person who was not wearing a Jounan uniform, suddenly
spoke.
Hearing these exchanges, Liliana frowned unhappily. Just as G.o.dou was
about to speak, she had already bent down to sit in front of the two
Hime-Miko. Surprisingly she had taken the proper traditional j.a.panese
sitting posture of seiza. ^
Unlike Erica who never changed her ways despite any amount of nagging,
Liliana was more disposed to learning local traditions.
”...Please be wary of this woman, for she was following Erica and me a few
days ago.”
Liliana whispered softly to G.o.dou sitting beside her.
This unexpected warning made the atmosphere tense, but Ena showed
G.o.dou a rea.s.suring smile.
”Is that Kusanagi-san's younger sister over there? Hmm mmm, what a
coincidence. How should I address her?”
”No, there is no need for that. She doesn't need to join us over here.”
”No! Please let me join in.”
Even faster than G.o.dou's refusal, s.h.i.+zuka furiously declared.
In a manner inconsistent with the spirit of the tea ceremony, she had
rapidly approached and plopped herself down right next to G.o.dou, and
created a face-to-face situation opposite Ena and Yuri.
As things began to take an increasingly odd development, G.o.dou opened
his mouth to question.
”So this... how should I address you? You're a student from another
school, right, so why are you borrowing the tea ceremony club's room?”
”Just use my name directly. I requested to use this place from the club
president over there.”
Ena glanced towards the club member over in the distance.
She seemed rather kind but timid, and was smiling in a slightly awkward
manner.
”If you just wanted to speak with me, some other place will do.”
”That would be a waste of this rare opportunity, so let me serve you some
tea I personally brewed.”
Ena looked back at the electric thermos and iron kettle behind her.
Not exactly the most tasteful tea implements, but it could not be helped in
an amateur school club.
”Anyway, what is the nature of the relations.h.i.+p between Onii-chan and this
person...”
s.h.i.+zuka interrupted with an unhappy expression. This was rather rude
towards someone from another school, especially one who was older than
she was. G.o.dou sighed at his sister's lack of manners, but it seemed like
Ena did not mind.
”Yes, both I and Yuri here have something to discuss with your brother. To
sum it up, it concerns the date of Ena and Yuri's marriage into the
Kusanagi household.”
Cras.h.!.+ s.h.i.+zuka had fallen forward in a most exaggerated manner.
It was not just her, for even G.o.dou was so surprised that he sat straight up.
The rest of the tea ceremony club members who had been drinking tea
while leaning their ears over to the conversation also stopped all their
motions in shock. Only Liliana sat back silently with a matter-of-fact
expression.
”E-E-Ena! You and I marrying G.o.dou-san, what are you talking about!”
”Hopeless. You've always been like this.”
Ena admonished Yuri who was shouting with her face all red.
”Ah, Kusanagi-san, please don't mind Yuri, whose emotions were unstable
yesterday. Actually, what Ena has been saying to this child was, the earlier
she prepares herself to be taken by Kusanagi-san the better. So she
seems to have become a little too self-conscious towards you — perhaps
you have begun to tire of Yuri?”
”Nothing like that at all! But...”
”Excellent. No matter what happens, we will entrust ourselves to you. Yuri
will definitely become a great wife, and Ena should also be useful to
Kusanagi-san. Yes, though it feels strange for me to say this, but
Kusanagi-san is truly someone who reaps what he sows, how admirable.”
”Ena! Please watch your words, shame, shameless!”
”Even if it is shameless, this is important so there is no other way around
it — Kusanagi-san, please have some tea.”
Placing the tea powder into the utensil, she added boiling water and stirred
it with the cylindrical bamboo whisk.
Ena proceeded to hand the container towards G.o.dou. This appeared to be
thin tea.
The series of motions were performed in a simple flowing manner and did
not seem to adhere to any rigid conservative ritual.
This contrasted with the cautious motions of the rest of the tea ceremony
club.
To use an a.n.a.logy from calligraphy, it would be the difference between the
regular script practiced by a clumsy novice compared to the free flowing
cursive of a true master.
Accepting the tea, G.o.dou brought the cup to his lips.
He was not clear on the details of the ceremony, but this was not the time
to be hung up on them anyway. s.h.i.+zuka was frowning beside him. Let's
not say anything and try it for now — but wow, the flavor of this tea has
been carefully fine-tuned and tastes really good.
Ena used the same motions to serve tea to the others. Though foreigners
often disliked the taste of powdered tea, Liliana finished her tea in a
composed manner. Then she turned her sharp gaze towards the one who
served her tea.
Yuri was enjoying her tea in an elegant manner but with a worried
expression on her face.
The younger sister s.h.i.+zuka's displeased demeanor remained unchanged
even after savoring the tea.
”Anyway, back to the topic of marrying, it should be fine even if we don't
officially update the family registry™ right? Since marrying two people at
once const.i.tutes the crime of bigamy. But then again, it would be
troublesome to explain to the children...”
Ena made another shocking statement.
This woman is a troublemaker, perhaps even more so compared to Erica.
The shocked G.o.dou, the terrified Yuri, the calmly listening Liliana, the
sister s.h.i.+zuka who was glaring severely at her brother, as well as the rest
of the girls of the tea ceremony club who looked somewhat awkward...
All the girls, apart from Liliana and Yuri, stared daggers at Goudou.
'Onii-chan is the worst!' 'l-ls this the so-called adult relations.h.i.+ps!?'
'Kusanagi-san and her brother, it's really like the rumors...' 'Those rumors,
could they all turn out to be true...'
G.o.dou wanted to escape this place. Why is everyone looking at me with
such eyes!?
”Yes, it's like this. I have discussed with Yuri. For tasks like making love
and having kids, Yuri will come first and Ena will just be backup. Does
Kusanagi-san think this is fine? Or perhaps, you like Ena better?”
”Wait wait wait, wait a minute. This conversation seems to have taken a
strange drift. This is too weird!”
”Nothing like that. In fact, this is the most important point, so the question
is — what type of girl do you prefer. The withdrawn type or the lively type,
which do you like better?”
Ignoring his request for reprieve, Ena casually continued her questioning.
G.o.dou began to realize he must resolve to face Ena's willfulness with
deathly resistance.
”I won't answer you! I have no reason to answer such a question!”
”Fine, let's put that question aside for now. Then let's talk about what kind
of special interests you have, such as hidden fetishes? I once read a
magazine article that said 'problems in s.e.x life will cause break ups in
relations.h.i.+ps, so even if the man has abnormal fetishes, you must
proactively enjoy themiV Kusanagi-san, do you have such secrets, too?”
”Don't change the subject, listen to me properly!”
Resisting this girl seemed to require a properly prepared iron will.
G.o.dou spoke to Ena as she took out a women's magazine that was not
very thick.
”No matter how you change the subject, neither Yuri nor you will form that
kind of relations.h.i.+p with me. This is the first point that needs to be cleared
up.”
”You already have three consorts, what are you talking about at this point.”
Having spoken, Ena began to count on her fingers.
”Ena knows everything, there is Erica, Yuri over there and Liliana. See,
that's already three people... Ah, and a local wife as well.”
”All of them are just my ordinary friends. Stop talking like I'm some sort of