Flower Spelling - Chapter 16

Chapter 16 – Letter

No sooner had one and all been freed from the dampness of the rainy season then arrived the scorching heat. Cicadas reverberated from all sides of the house, filling the atmosphere with an overwhelming volume of noise.

Should one pass by the southwest corner of the house and glimpse upwards in search of the cicadas, one would be struck by the white feet protruding from the roof. However, in this rarely visited place, there was no opportunity to chill the poor samurai’s nerves, as Sogetsu leisurely lingered under the shade of a tree, reading a letter sent by Ito in Kyo.

??

? To Sogetsu.

How are you doing? Over here, both Mr. Katsura and I are doing well.

I haven’t seen Mr. Kusaka in a while, but I was amazed when I saw him.

I heard that you were actively involved and indeed you are amazing.

I am sure you will be pleased to know that I am not the only one who’s a fan of your company.

I was wondering about your life, Sogetsu. How are your studies going? Was your face strained?

Even so, it’s hot in Kyo.

It seems like I might melt whenever I sit still.

But apart from that, Kyo is good. The sake is great, and there are lots of beautiful women.

Kyo women are good, aren’t they? Lovely.

The strong-willed women of Edo are good, but I can’t bear this sort of woman though.

(Below, indecipherable due to filling in)

Let’s see, what was it, yes, the folding screen you asked me to do.

Yesterday, I managed to get some time off, so I went to Teradaya.

Teradaya is an inn in Fushimi, run by a strong-willed landlady called Otose.

According to her, they do not own a folding screen with a picture of a cat on it, as Sogetsu described.

It’s a pity. That’ was your clue to get back home, wasn’t it?

But I will try to ask around on my way out.

Don’t be too disheartened, Mr. Katsura and Mr. Kusaka are willing to help.

Last but not least, I discovered some beautiful watermarked paper, which I will offer to you as a souvenir.

Please share it with Ohana.

Oh, and don’t let her know that I am a fan of Kyo girl!

Well, that’s it for now. Take care of yourself.

Bunkyu 2nd Year June 8th Ito Shunsuke ?

?

… Unn

Unknowingly, Sogetsu exhaled and laid down on her back.

Through the dark green leaves, the sun glinted through the trees.

I knew it wouldn’t be so easy to find.

??That day.

Upon receiving the news of the changes occurring in Kyo, Sufu swiftly assessed the situation and took steps to ensure the control of the clansmen.

Sogetsu had never wished for a more civilized world than this moment, frustrated by the fact that all she was able to do was to wait and pray for the safety of Kusaka and the others.

A few terribly long days passed until Katsura finally assembled everyone at the Yubikan.

First of all, it was announced that there were no casualties among the Choshu clansmen, including Kusaka. (This drew a sigh of relief from all present)

This was followed by the story of Teradaya.

Shimazu Hisamitsu, whom the clan had initially believed to be an expulsionist, was in fact not an expulsionist at all. Hisamitsu, however, felt aggrieved by some of the more militant expulsionists, dispatched his samurai to Teradaya, an inn where they were staying. He sent his samurai to Teradaya, a traditional Japanese inn, to avenge the expulsion of the barbarians who had declined to be pacified.

“Fortunately, there were no casualties this time, but if the Choshu had been present at Teradaya, they might have been caught in the crossfire. Therefore, I urge all of you to refrain from any rash actions.” So concluded Katsura.

That day was spent in celebration of the safety of their companions, and deep in the night Sogetsu eventually settled into bed and closed her eyes. It was then.

It was like a revelation exploding through the surface of her mind.

??”Teradaya”

How come she had not thought of it sooner? Wasn’t that the place linked to Sakamoto Ryoma?

If it was the place where Ryoma was assassinated, and if that folding screen that led Sogetsu to the end of the Edo period existed there.

… I may be able to return home.

Once the idea sprouted, it refused to perish, and once Ito informed her that he would be accompanying Katsura to Kyo, she requested him to visit Teradaya and inspect the issue.

Yet there was no such folding screen in Teradaya.

So where on earth is it?

Mr. Ito and the others said they will seek for me, but I shouldn’t ask for too much when they are busy… I suppose I’ll have to travel to Kyo and see for myself… Though I wonder how long it would take to get to Kyo from here.

?

“Well, a man can get there in ten days or so, but a woman’s legs would take about twenty.”

Having gone to Sagamiya to pass on Ito’s Kyo souvenir, she asked Hanabishi about it, who carefully inserted the paper into a letterbox before turning around.

“Even if you don’t use a palanquin for the whole journey, you still have to cover the cost of lodgings, food, boat fare on the Kawagoe, and a change of sandals. If you add it all up, you’ll probably need at least seven or eight ryo.”

“E-Eight ryo…! Does it really need that much!?”

“Oh, and this is assuming everything proceeds smoothly. In reality, it depends on the weather and your physical condition, and in case the water rises and the river is suspended for several days, you will be charged extra for accommodation during that period.”

“Besides,” continued Hanabishi, with a rare frightened expression on her face. “Especially as a woman travelling alone. Although travelling is growing more and more common among the public, you still have to worry about being chased and robbed at night.”

Even if considering arriving safely in Kyo, what to do with the life and where would the accommodation be? After being confronted with this, Sogetsu was unable to mutter anymore and fell flat on her face.

“… Sorry, I have caused you trouble.”

“It’s good that you understand.” She spoke in a clear and concise manner, but soon her face lit up with a caring expression. “Sou, I am really worried about you, okay? I know you want to go back home, but please don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Thank you, Ohana. But I haven’t made up my mind to go yet… First of all, I don’t have enough money to support myself even if I wanted to. I need to find a job and earn some money. Once I have accumulated enough money, I will consider it properly.”

“Yeah. Should you decide to go, be sure to let me know about it.”

“Yes. Definitely.”

Outside, the warm sea breeze ruffled her hair as she made a firm promise. The sun was already setting, yet it was still hot and tenacious.

Gazing at the distant horizon, “… Yosh.”

Bracing herself, she set off with a renewed spirit.

?

??To Master Ito Sunsuke.

I have read your letter.

Your health is good, I am glad to hear. Things are going well here too.

Firstly, I would like to express my thanks for the assistance regarding Teradaya.

Even though the outcome was discouraging, knowing that it was not Teradaya means that I have made a step forward.

I am going to be patient in searching for it, so please don’t exert yourselves too much, Mr. Ito and the others.

Besides, I am planning to go to Kyo at some point too… It’s a long way off in various aspects.

Oh, but I suppose I have achieved the first step.

While I was hunting for a job to earn some traveling expenses, Mr. Sufu kindly offered me a job translating Western books.

With my limited linguistic capabilities, there are quite a number of things I don’t comprehend, though I can look them up in a dictionary.

I have been cooperating with a man called Murata Zoroku who is an expert in Dutch studies.

Has Mr. Ito ever met Mr. Murata?

Apparently, Mr. Katsura invited him over for his talent in military science, but he has a somewhat distinctive face.

Moreover, he seems to be a little… no, fairly unsociable person.

Once you meet him, it’s tough to forget him.

Ah, speaking of Mr. Sufu, an interesting thing happened the other day.

When I went to Sagamiya to meet Ohana, Sufu, Kurushima, and their friends were there.

And they invited me to have a drink with them.

When I was moderately intoxicated and the alcohol was circulating smoothly, the conversation progressed like this.

We were discussing who amongst us would look best clad in women’s attire.

I think the conversation was about the possibility of disguising oneself as a geisha to extract information from the shogunate officials.

Amongst the various opinions, it was agreed that Mr. Kurushima would never be capable of doing so given his severe face.

Then Mr. Sufu started to say, “If you put on oshiroi, make it crimson and wear a furisode, you would look like a woman, wouldn’t you?”

Everyone burst into laughter, and the enraged Mr. Kurushima replied, “You guys can transform yourselves into women if you think you can.”

From then on it was terrific.

I served as the inspector and it was a spectacular sight.

Especially considering how many cross-dressing men with faces like whitewashed walls were lined up in a row.

To someone ignorant of the proceedings, one would have interpreted it as a community of ghosts.

Pardon me, but I guffawed wildly with Ohana and the rest of the geishas.

However, the next day Mr. Sufu awakened, he had no recollection of what had happened.

Later on, listening it from everybody else, he was quite disappointed.

How could I have forgotten such a funny thing! He exclaimed.

Well, I am not letting you in on who looked the best.

Just ask Ohana when you get back.

Alright, this is getting long, so I will leave it at this point.

Please give my regards to Mr. Katsura and Mr. Kusaka.

Mr. Ito, please take care of yourself and keep up your good work.

Bunkyu 2nd Year June 17th Sogetsu ?

?

“Shunsuke, you are reading rather attentively. A love letter?”

South-east of the Gosho. The Choshu domain’s Kyo residence was constructed alongside the Takase River. In the blazing sunshine, as the boat docked at the landing-place, Kusaka spotted Ito dipping his feet into the river to cool off, teasingly addressing him.

In contrast to Ito, whose collar was relaxed and sloppy, Kusaka’s collar was neatly adjusted in spite of the heat.

“It is from a woman but,” Ito finally chuckled. “It’s from Sogetsu.”

“… Edo is still the same apparently.” Upon skim reading, Kusaka released a wry smile. “But I am reassured to know that Sogetsu is doing well. I was concerned that she might be disheartened by the disappointment of the Teradaya screen.”

“How are the results of your enquiries, Mr. Kusaka? Did you find any folding screens that match the description?”

“I found a few screens with simply a picture of a cat on them. However, each one is a different shape and size. It would be more convenient to identify it if they were more distinctive.”

“Even Sogetsu couldn’t clearly recall it.” Ito wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand.

A folding screen that bound Sogetsu to her homeland.

To be honest, Ito didn’t exactly grasp how the folding screen was interrelated with Sogetsu’s hometown. In the first place, prior to Sogetsu employment at Tatsumiya, he barely knew anything about her.

“Sorry. I cannot explain the details to you. I understand that I asked you for a favor and that I am being selfish. But for me, this is something that I absolutely need to return home!”

He recalled the desperate manner in which Sogetsu lowered her head and pleaded for help.

In any case, Ito had nothing to lose.

Sogetsu was a dear friend, despite having no knowledge of what transpired in the past. If Sogetsu wishes to seek it out, simply he shall lend her his assistance. That’s all there is to it. This is probably the same case with Kusaka and Katsura.

“Shunsuke, this evening when you are free, why don’t we exchange information in my room? It would be inefficient if we all had to go to the same place.”

“I understand. I will also ask about Mr. Katsura’s progress of it.??Ah, that’s right, Mr. Kusaka.”

“What is it?”

Having already begun to leave, Kusaka halted and glanced back.

Ito’s gaze narrowed in amusement, “Who do you think will win this?”

He waved the letter flippantly in the air.