Flower Spelling - Chapter 3
Chapter 3 – To the Clan Residence
The seasons were changing, and Edo was beginning to show the signs of autumn. Even though the midday heat was still scorching, there was a pleasant cold breeze coming through in the mornings and nights.
Sogetsu, who was out running errands for the landlady, noticed a familiar figure in front of a dumpling shop on her way back.
“Mr. Takasugi, Mr. Ito!”
“Yo.” Ito grinned and murmured beside Takasugi, who nonchalantly responded with one hand lifted when she called out to him as she ran up to him. “Just on time. I was thinking of going to the Tatsumi Residence.”
“Oh, really? Just the right timing… that’s not it, um, it’s a coincidence.”
The three of them wandered through the town, which was bathed in the vibrant vermilion glow of the setting sun. Ito lifted the package he had just bought and shown it to her.
“Here’s a souvenir for you. You’ll have to wait until you get to the store to find out what’s in it.”
“Wow, thank you very much. That shop is well-known for its delectable fare. Ms. Eikichi and I were talking about how much we wanted to try it for at least once.”
As they approached the Tatsumi Residence, the three of them came to an unanticipated standstill. Several authorities were stationed in front of the store.
“What is this about?” Sogetsu recalled the ominous feeling in her chest and kept her voice quiet. “What happened last time should have been taken care of…”
“It couldn’t be that they find out about the act!?” Ito, likewise, arched his brow apprehensively. “We shouldn’t speak about this here. Let’s head into the store.”
Nodding at Takasugi’s words, the three of them snuck around to the back entrance. As they proceeded in with caution, Eikichi spotted them and flew to them.
“Sogetsu! I am glad you’re fine.”
“Ms. Eikichi, what on earth is happening? Why are the officials here again? Is it about the landlady…?”
“They’re not here for the landlady. They came for you!”
“Eh? For me?”
“What do you mean?” Takasugi asked on behalf of the exasperated Sogetsu.
“?Oh, the masters are with you? That’s…” Eikichi drew the three of them into a room adjacent to her, eyeing at the doorway as though assessing it. “Sogetsu, you can speak English, right? Have you ever spoken it elsewhere other than here?”
“Eh?”
“Hurry up and tell me!”
“Y-Yes… Um, I think it was when I met Mr. Jude at Tozenji.”
“So it was that time.” Eikichi bit her lip.
“Ms. Eikichi, please explain it properly. What’s the matter this about me speaking English…..?”
“What do you mean ‘what’s the matter’! You’re in big trouble now. They’re intending to interrogate you because they believe you’ve traveled to the West before.”
“Eh?”
She could feel her blood boiling.
It is against the law to travel to foreign nations without the shogunate’s authorization in this era. Takasugi’s mentor, Yoshida Shoin, had also been apprehended following a failed stowaway attempt.
Sogetsu did not travel to the West, but that did not mean she could answer questions regarding her background.
What to do? What can I do?
She tried to think, yet nothing came to mind.
“It had to be that foreigner who alerted the authorities! Damn it, that’s why you can’t trust foreigners!”
“No, I don’t think Jubei notified them. There were several other foreigners back then, and at least one of them had heard about it. Though, given how long it took them to arrive, they must have done an extensive investigation on Sogetsu’s background. There is also the matter of the landlady from before. They wouldn’t have gone out so strong if they weren’t so convinced… You have nothing to fear from them if you can make a clean confession. But…”
Takasugi cast a glimpse at Sogetsu, who shivered with a pale face. “Looking at your face, it seems impossible.”
“You know, we all have one or two things we don’t want to reveal to people in our lives! Especially the women of the Hanamachi district! It would be tactless to dig into the past of a geisha!”
“I know. I understand, but I don’t think you can tell that to the officials. What are they doing now?”
“The landlady is handling it. She’s attempting to conceal it in some way, but—”
Precisely at that moment, a rather loud voice emerged from the doorway.
“Just get her out of here! It won’t do you any good to hide her!”
“She did not travel overseas, as I previously said. She was in Yokohama. It shouldn’t come out strange if she can communicate a few foreign languages.”
The landlady remained as dignified as ever in the face of the overbearing official.
“Then, I’ll question you, where exactly in Yokohama? I contacted the authorities over there, but everyone I spoke to indicated they were unaware of such girl.”
“That is…” The landlady stammered, unable to reply.
The fact that she had been in Yokohama was a falsehood devised by the landlady in order to disguise Sogetsu’s somewhat unworldly identity, with her occasional use of an unfamiliar foreign language.
She didn’t realize that it would be reversed in such a way…
“You can’t tell me, right?” The official exclaimed triumphantly.
“You can’t go out, Sogetsu.” Eikichi grabbed Sogetsu’s shoulders and held her back as she slumped forward. “They can’t come on too strongly over what happened previously to the landlady. The fact that they simply threaten and do not come in is sufficient evidence. We’ll just go through it like we don’t know anything, and they’ll give up and go home.”
Yet, things did not go so smoothly.
“You sure are obstinate. You suppose there’s nothing I can do about this store. Not so fast! If you’re sheltering a criminal, you and everyone else in this store are equally culpable?”
“That’s enough! Since earlier, you’ve only been spouting nonsense. That girl is my precious daughter. Just because she speaks a few foreign languages doesn’t make her a sinner. That girl, or other people of this store, I won’t let you lay a finger on them!”
“You!”
At the landlady’s line of gab, the official’s face instantly turned red.
“I won’t stand this anymore. Step in!”
“?Wait a minute.”
The next thing she knew, everyone was flying out.
All the eyes in the room were focused on Sogetsu.
“There she is, that’s her, capture her!”
With her own body, the landlady pulled back the official who was ready to jump on her. She shouted to Sogetsu.
“Get out from here! Hurry!”
“But…”
Eikichi yanked hard on the hesitant Sogetsu.
“We’ll be fine. You, hurry up!”
Her eyes flickered with a mixture of uncertainty and trepidation.
“I am sorry.”
Sogetsu swiftly turned around and bolted out the back door via which she had entered. The neighborhood was already engulfed in darkness in the evening.
Officials at the front. Behind was a moat.
?No other way, have to get over the neighbor’s wall.
Twisting the hem of her garment, she boldly hooked herself to the wooden wall. Even as she struggled to climb, the footsteps of the officials chasing Sogetsu approached from behind.
Just as he was about to reach her, someone interrupted him.
?Mr. Takasugi!
Covering his face with a hand towel, Takasugi hastily elbowed the official.
“This way!”
He gripped Sogetsu’s arm and began dashing to the front.
“Wait, you guys!”
“Only a fool will wait.”
Ito, who was lurking in the side of the building, blasted the new official who came from the front with a body blow. The three of them slipped from the enclosure into the street.
It was six o’clock in the evening. This was the time when Hanamachi was in its most lively atmosphere. The storefront lanterns were vividly illuminated, and the streets are bustling with customers and geisha.
Looking at this place alone, the commotion at the Tatsumi Residence seemed like something from another world.
Takasugi and Ito ripped the fabric around their heads and merged in seamlessly with the crowd. Officials, on the other hand, were pursuing them from behind.
At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before getting caught.
“They sure are persistent.”
Takasugi snapped his tongue and clutched Sogetsu’s arm, tightening his grip.
“Okay, I’m going to let you slip away.”
“Huh?”
“An act, an act! Create a commotion and distract them. With this many people in a state of mayhem, the officials won’t be able to move easily. ?Shunsuke, stealthily tell them in a loud voice you’ve found her. I’ll take Sogetsu and go to the clan residence. We’ll catch up there.”
“I know what to do!” Ito immediately complied and effortlessly faded into the crowd. Soon, a voice came from behind them, “A geisha has escaped!”
Contrary to the instantaneous uproar around her, Sogetsu walked across the Eitai Bridge with Takasugi at her side. They continued westward, passing through Hatchobori and approaching Kojimachi when Sogetsu stopped with a small cry.
“What happened?”
“It hurts… My legs…”
The bare sole of her foot was wounded and drenched in blood, so she must have stepped on a sharp pebble.
“Idiot, why didn’t you wear sandals?”
“But I couldn’t afford to do that in that situation!”
“I guess there’s no helping it.”
Takasugi tore a hand towel into a bandage and tied it around Sogetsu’s leg. Then he shifted his position and crouched, turning around to say, “Come on.”
“…?”
Sogetsu stood there, unsure of his intentions.
“What are you doing? I’m just trying to give you a lift.”
“Eh!? No, that’s alright! I can walk by myself.”
“You can’t walk on those legs. Hurry up. If you don’t hurry, they’ll catch up with you soon.”
“No, but…”
Perhaps he had grown tired of Sogetsu’s reluctance.
“Yeah, it’s a pain in the ass.” Takasugi rose up and approached Sogetsu as he stated this.
Before she could even think about what was going on. her vision swirled around and she found herself being hoisted on Takasugi’s shoulders like a bale of rice.
“Whoa, hey, Mr. Takasugi!”
“Don’t move around or else I’ll drop you.”
Takasugi retorted to the flustered Sogetsu with some snide remarks before sprinting away. To avoid being detected, he sneaked through a narrow lane and ran into the Choshu mansion by the back gate when he arrived in an area surrounded by samurai residences.
“Well, it appears that we made it out unscathed.”
He carefully placed Sogetsu on the ground and checked her well-being.
“Yes, I’m fine…”
To be honest, she felt nauseous, her head was wobbly, and the soles of her feet were throbbing with pain, but she can’t say that.
“Is Mr. Ito here yet?”
“I am sure he will be here soon. He’s as quick as his name implies.”
Just as Takasugi had said, Ito came charging in not long after, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Mr. Ito!”
“Good job. How did it go?”
“Very good. I’ve done my best to distract them. By this time, they should be looking in the direction of the day after tomorrow.“
Ito, who had proudly raised his chest, muttered, “Gee,” and abruptly straightened and stiffened up.
“Mr. Katsura,” he whispered, and his gaze fell on a towering samurai staring down the corridor at them.
His hakama was perfectly folded, and his topknot was nicely trimmed. His neat face with thick eyebrows, however, was now ruined by the wrinkles between his brows.
“Takasugi, Shunsuke! What the hell is going on at this time of night! How many times do you have to cause trouble…”
As he started to speak, the samurai noticed Sogetsu and widened his eyes.
“What happened? That girl is?”
“We kidnapped her.”
“Kidnapped…!? What have you done! Depending on the situation, you’ll be in trouble.”
“I know. I know. I’ll explain everything, so don’t yell at me… At this time of night.”
Listening to the words, the wrinkles between Katsura’s eyebrows became deeper.
She was about to say something, but then, as if reconsidering, she pulled my lips together.
“… Fine, enter… You, too.”
Saying the last words to Sogetsu, all of them turned their back.
*
I suppose I’m safe for now.
In a huff, Sogetsu let out the breath she had been holding.
Takasugi and Ito had accompanied Katsura, a samurai, somewhere else. The maid who had come to treat to her injuries earlier had also left, leaving her alone in a wide room.
She was relieved that she had gotten away from her pursuers. Yet, when she was able to think clearly, the gravity of the situation gradually settled in.
It was fine for the time being, but what could be done now? Now that the government officials recognized her face, she couldn’t go out and return to Tatsumi Residence.
Yes, the landlady and the others, I wonder what happened to them.
Are they being held responsible for disobeying an official? If something terrible happens to them…
Thinking only in a negative way, Sogetsu curled up and nuzzled her face into her knees.
How long will this continue?
When she heard a reserved voice calling out, “Sogetsu” she gazed up and found a familiar face.
“Mr. Kusaka.”
“Sogetsu, I heard about what happened at Tatsumi Residence. That must have been rough… Are you alright?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice trembling miserably.
Kusaka regarded Sogetsu as if he was concerned, “My bad, but Mr. Katsura?My superior wanted to see you, can he enter?”
Nodding at it, Kusaka invited Katsura, who seemed to be waiting in the hallway. Takasugi and Ito followed from behind.
“Sogetsu, right?” Katsura, who was seated across from her, spoke up unexpectedly. “I am Katsura Kogoro, a samurai of the Choshu clan.”
Sogetsu hid her inner turmoil by delivering a slight nod.
The fact that Kusaka addressed him as “Mr. Katsura” allotted her a hint, but hearing it directly from him was a different issue.
“Takasugi and the others informed me of what happened. It seems that people from our clan have caused a great deal of trouble. I apologize profusely.”
When he bowed deeply to her, she was taken aback, but she was even more flabbergasted by what he said next.
“My comrades’ mismanagement is equally my mismanagement. I shall assume full responsibility for your protection at the clan residence.”
“Huh?”
As Sogetsu paused, unable to follow, Takasugi added a few words from the side.
“It is our fault that you got into this mess in the first place. It’s safe in the clan’s residence, out of the reach of the Shogunate.”
“But the store… The landlady, Ms. Eikichi, and the others are…”
Katsura nodded firmly as he understood precisely what the lethargic Sogetsu was trying to express.
“I have already sent someone to the store. We will check on them and if they seem to be caught, we will deal with it right away. If nothing else, I have told them to assure that you are safe, so don’t worry.”
“Is, is that so… Thank you very much.”
“Anyway, you should get some rest today. You must be tired.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Katsura said and left the room.
“Sogetsu? Are you alright?” Ito peered anxiously at Sogetsu’s expression, which stayed dazed.
How many times have I heard this phrase today?
“… I am not fine at all.” Sogetsu eventually admitted the truth and obscured her face behind her hands.
She was too exhausted to keep putting up a pretense any longer.
Things were moving so hastily that she couldn’t keep track of what was going on in her mind. Right now, all she wished to do was be alone and weep out.
“?I am sorry!”
Sogetsu looked up in wonder seeing Ito unexpectedly bow his head.
“You would be astounded if you were suddenly asked to live here, wouldn’t you? Besides, it’s all due to the havoc we’ve created. I am truly sorry!”
Following Ito’s lead, Takasugi and Kusaka both lowered their heads as well.
“I apologize too. At Tozenji, I was the one who suggested communicating in English. Sorry…”
“I am really sorry, Sogetsu. I know it’s not something I can just apologize for, but if there’s anything I can do, please let me know.”
“Oh, please raise your head! It’s not your fault. I was a suspicious person, to begin with. Besides, thanks to Mr. Takasugi and Mr. Ito, I was able to avoid being caught by the officials today!
She was about to push the blame to herself, “No, it’s not you, it’s me” when suddenly, there was a squeaky, goofy sound.
Takasugi, Kusaka, and Sogetsu all had their glances drawn to Ito.
Ito smiled sheepishly, looking embarrassed. “Well, you know, I’ve been running around without supper, so I’m starving…”
“… Speaking of that, I’m starving too.”
Sogetsu put her hand on her stomach as if she hadn’t thought about it, and Kusaka laughed a little and said, “Me too” and Takasugi sprang to his feet, “Then.”
“Let’s all go eat together. Sorry about the leftovers from the morning, but I’m sure they won’t taste bad if we heat them up over the fire.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Sogetsu joined in the laughter and was amazed to find herself laughing as well.
But now that she had laughed, she felt a bit better.
She was not sure what will happen next. But she was confident that everything will work out.
Sogetsu ultimately relaxed her tight shoulders as she started heading after the three of them.
T/N:
Timing – This word is spoken in Katakana, but Japanese did not use Katakana until the 20th century so the next word, coincidence, Sogetsu said it in pure Japanese.
Masters – It is referring to Takasugi and the others, part of the Japanese culture to refer the customers in a polite manner
Daughter – Not literally daughter, like an important member of the family
Name – ??, Shunsuke, ‘Shun’ means agility
Direction of the day after tomorrow – No idea what this means, I guess they are saying the opposite direction of where the sun will rise in the next day