Side Fifty-Seven – Fukumoto Hinata

Side Fifty-Seven – Fukumoto Hinata

As Shaeula entered the Boundary, her form suddenly becoming still and lifeless, not even breathing, unlike the other three who were lying on the prepared futons, their breaths coming slowly and loud in the enclosed shrine annex, she turned to her senpai at school, the very popular and much higher-ranked Tsumura Motoko-senpai... No, I guess it is Motoko-san while we are studying under the same master... her eyes flickered back to Akio-kun at that thought, before she put her attention back on Motoko-san.

She looks motivated, Natsumi too. There was no need for honorifics with Natsumi, she was a bodyguard, even if she was actually from one of the Three-Hundred, albeit one of the lower branches. I think her family runs a traditional textile firm that makes yukata and other traditional outfits? No, that doesn’t matter now. What does matter is... “Motoko-san, why did you dol that?” she asked, actually scandalised. “No-one from nobility can humble themselves like that, least of all someone from a family as noble as yours! If anyone were to find out...”Fịndd new updates at novelhall.comi looked pensive, while Motoko-san merely smiled gently. “Yes, you are quite right. I would expect no less from a cousin of Takatsukasa Sakura-sama. It is unbecoming for a daughter of nobility to humble herself, as it reflects poorly on our family and our ancestors.”

“So then why...” Hinata began, only to stop at the strange, almost longing expression that crossed Motoko-san’s face.

“Because there is nothing more important to me than passing down my family arts to the next generation, to my children. But more than that... I love them, Hinata-san. I feel so much joy as I train, as I spar with Natsumi...”

“I feel the same way!” Natsumi declared, holding Motoko-san’s hands. “I was honoured to be chosen as your apprentice and bodyguard, but now... now it’s what I want to do! I want to master the Tsumura arts, recreate the old techniques within the records, and see the true path! I don’t just want to see it , I want to do it, by your side!”

“Even so, you shouldn’t have to humble yourself!” she declared. The pride of nobility... I hate to see it tossed aside. After all... it’s what I want for myself! I want to be beautiful, proud, respected, looked up to by the other girls at school, treated the same as Sakura. I want... I want Mayumi-sama to treat me as an equal. That was a pipedream of course. Mayumi-san was the only granddaughter of the Ichijou house, and only the two granddaughters of Fujiwara-sama could compare. Takatsukasa house is on the wane... even a great legacy can be squandered by poor decisions. “We are making a trade here, Akio-kun should be more than happy to agree to your demands in exchange for the support of our families.”

“Maybe so. But... are we only our family?” Motoko-san shook her head. “I thought you hated that, Hinata-san.”

It was like a bolt of lightning ripped through her, she was so stunned. She’s right. I hate only being judged on my family, not what I can do, who I am... and now I’m trying to use the same as a club, a bludgeon. “I see. Even so... there were better ways. He... Akio-kun... he doesn’t seem that unreasonable. I think he would help you anyway. He seems a bit of a pushover, really.” She snorted.

“Maybe so. I think in this strange world we cannot see, perhaps swords, bows and spears have a use. I could certainly find new trainees, pass on the arts. But... you know that grandfather has tried to find matches for me. I am quite the catch...” she smiled self-deprecatingly, with a touch of bitterness. “... ordinarily I would marry into one of the three great houses, or perhaps be betrothed to the heir of a house with similar standing to mine. There have been talks, and mother and father are pressuring me to accept a proposal. Yet... every single one expects me to be a perfect flower, to be seen, admired and then put away when not needed.” she sighed, clutching her carrying bag close, the weapon within comforting her. “I’ve met some of these gentlemen, and when they hear of my wish to continue with combat arts, it’s always the same. I’m sorry, but girls should avoid strenuous, dangerous acts, what if you were injured, or worse, scarred? Or why can’t you take up more respectable hobbies, such as flower arranging or tea ceremony. It’s always the same. And I can perform tea ceremony, and dance traditionally, if not as beautifully as the Fujiwara daughters. I have studied to be the perfect bride and mother. Is it too much to ask I be allowed to indulge myself as well? Apparently so... within the nobility at least.”

“But... you don’t have a choice. You have to marry within the...” I see. I’ll be honest, I’ve thought about it too, ever since we were elevated to the Fifty-Eight. Even with that, it’s only by decree and the other Fifty-Seven still look down on us, nothing has really changed. Yet.

“When I talked to Akio-sensei about my arts, he was interested, he praised me, he seemed genuinely impressed. His sister, Aiko-senpai, she is a practitioner of kyudo. When we were talking before, he told me about how he scrimped and saved to help her afford her bow, which she treasures to this day.” Motoko-san stroked her own weapon lovingly. “I can relate. These are the precious weapons of my family. My brother should be wielding them, or my father, but instead they let me have them, as they see no use for them in the modern world. I hate that. I hate always being the perfect daughter, hiding my pain.”

Yes, that’s the only reason my mother married my father. The dowry and financial support from Nichibotsu has kept them afloat, but we can’t provide endless wealth ourselves. Mother is particularly worried for her brother and niece... but if he marries Sakura... “That would be even worse! I’ll be relegated to a mere concubine, a mistress. I will have no influence or respect at all!” Hinata declared angrily, not realising what she had revealed by her words. Everyone else noticed though, especially Kazumi, who looked pained but resigned.

“Hardly. You can know a person through their martial skills.” Motoko-san said, and Natsumi agreed brightly. “That’s right! There’s no darkness in his heart, I can tell!”

“Besides.” Motoko-san continued. “You’ve seen it. He treats a princess the same as a common girl. At least with Akio-sensei, I believe anyone he loves will be treated fairly, be they Sakura-sama, a daughter of Fujiwara house, a bodyguard, or you.”

Yes, I get that. I do. “Maybe. But it isn’t like I’m planning to marry him. It’s just something that Fujiwara-sama suggested to my father. He’s not convinced, and neither is mother. Grandfather doesn’t care so much about the nobility, he’d be happy so long as I was, and Hiroto... well, that idiot thinks with his lust. He likes Akio-kun because he has beautiful girlfriends. He thinks he’s a womaniser just like him!” she paused for breath, her brother’s annoying grin when marriage talks came up needling her. Just because I found Akio-kun handsome when we first met, and he’s got more attractive since... uh, never mind. “Mother has been trying to find me other matches, but other than the Three-Hundred, nothing of value has been proposed except for some Takatsukasa branch families, which defeats the whole point if we are just absorbed back into the main house... so when this came up... I think they see it as a gamble that might pay off, and if it doesn’t it will earn us goodwill with Fujiwara-sama, so at least Hiroto should get a good match out of gratitude.” She snorted at that, bitter at the way women were treated as commodities. I envy that Eri girl and Shaeula for getting to marry who they love...

“You do understand then. I was worried for you.” Motoko-san smiled. “Your brother is wrong. Akio-sensei seems to be quite the loyal man. I do not believe he will marry us simply for political or financial gain. There are other things he can offer for the support of our families, and he is not used to the ways of nobility, sealing important alliances through marriage and shared bloodlines. Hence why we had to beg, right Natsumi?”

“Indeed, Motoko-san.” Natsumi said triumphantly. “We had to make it clear, that we intend to compete for his love and why. It may be because it is a chance for us to live happily, doing what we love, while still satisfying our commitments to family and the nobility, but... I think I like him well enough. So... I’d like to see if I can love him, and he me... no, us.” She blushed, looking at Motoko-san. “It may be rude of me, a mere bodyguard...”

“You are no mere bodyguard.” Motoko-san denied. “You are my friend, my pupil and I see you as a sister. So speak freely.”

“... Motoko-san, I see you as a sister too!” she cried, emotional. “So... loving the same man, living together, raising our children to be warriors, sons and daughters both. It’s a dream I want to reach for!”

“Indeed, I feel the same. But it will not be easy. Unless we win his heart he will not consider us, and we also need to win over Eri-senpai. Shaeula-sensei is supporting us, it seems. As a princess, she understands the merits of concubines and secondary wives, no doubt. Still, Hinata-san, you are right. We have spent barely any time with him yet, nor with his women. But... that is merely an issue of time. As long as we have intent we can overcome that. I too, though I have known him for only moments, feel like he is someone that could become special to me. Perhaps it is just that I am so starved for praise, for anyone who will affirm my choices, but... I do not dislike him, not at all.”

“Indeed, we are going to a party, are we not? I wonder what a commoner gathering will be like?” Natsumi giggled. “In any case, we can spend time with Shaeula-sensei, Eri-senpai and their friends. That will show us more of who they are, and we can listen to tales of Akio-senpai. What better way to learn?”

Bodyguards as sisters, huh? How do I feel about Kazumi? With that as just one of the unanswered questions, Hinata noticed that the girls and Akio-kun were starting to stir. ”Looks like time is up. I wonder where they went, what this Boundary is like...” she sighed. “I still am not convinced, and think your desperation to carry on your family arts and avoid a marriage that ends that is making you reckless, but... I’ll admit Akio-kun has me curious. It can’t hurt to find out more. Nothing is set in stone yet...”

I mean, I could certainly do worse, I thought it possible I might end up a mistress to a high-ranking noble, or a wife of a lower one. Still, I want to make my own choices, get what I want. With that, I can agree with Motoko-san... Smiling reassuringly at Kazumi, who was showing a troubled expression after the frank conversation she felt she wasn’t qualified to hear, the girls waited for their teachers and seniors to awaken from their mysterious slumber. Besides, at least life would certainly never be boring...