Chapter 345: The Woman of Fate and the Woman That Wasn’ (2/2)

“She be given an odd name without any rhyme or reason for it, ja.”

“Yes.”

“I do see why she would hold a grudge.”

“So she’s basically like the dregs left over from sake.”

“Akiha!”

Aoba chastised Akiha.

“But yes, that is how one percieves the other.”

“Indeed. I be not surprised that she feels she got the short end of the stick. Since she actually did.”

“Which means…”

Taiyou looked at Kohaku.

“There be no way to resolve this, ja. At least, no way to remove the grudge.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Well, I do understand how you feel.”

“Huh?”

This time, he looked at Sakura. She was smiling, except this time it was a cruel one.

“I am the same, after all. Have you forgotten?”

“Have I…oh.”

Taiyou gasped.

“Youran, Adashino, Sakura…Don’t you think there is quite a difference between the daughter of a legal wife, concubine, and that of a mistress? I, too, am someone who has had the short end of the stick. I didn’t even get a good name, let alone power. So I very much understand her feelings. I also happen to know full well how those feelings of ill will do not disappear.”

“I…”

Shirokiyami opened her mouth, speaking in a tone that was even more feeble than usual. Even her struggle from earlier had disappeared without a trace, and she lay limp in Taiyou’s arms.

“Should I…die?”

“Not happening.”

Taiyou asserted.

“But…”

“I won’t let you. No matter what. Even if it means…yes, even if…”

He took a breath before speaking.

“Even if it means killing her.”

“—-gh!”

Shirokiyami’s body stiffened in his arms. There was power in Taiyou’s words. He clearly meant what he said, and she felt that transmit itself.

“Well, me thinks that ye need not go so far.”

“Yeah, why should you have to sully your hands, Taiyou?”

“Just send her away somewhere else.”

“Kohaku-san…Akiha…Aoba…”

This time, Taiyou was the one who was surprised.

“Hey, any ideas?”

“I say ye give the lass enough money to play around in a foreign country. Then she won’t hurt any more scallywags.”

“True. From what I’ve seen, it’s fine as long as she doesn’t show up again.”

“Any other ideas?”

“First, let us prioritize what must be done first. If all we need be to ensure that the lass does not appear in front of her again, there are plenty of ways to do this. It needn’t require bloodshed. I can still count more options than the fingers on both me hands.”

“Then it’s a cinch!”

“Yeah, and then after that…”

The three of them looked at Shirokiyami in Taiyou’s arms all at once.