| Narrative: |
[Lately, Saiunkoku's Emperor - Shi Ryuuki - was completely absorbed in writing up the draft to a certain bill. It seems that he's stayed up late today as well.] |
| Ryuuki: |
All right. It's done. With this, I can finally go to see Shuurei. I really hung in there to finish writing this. Since I have court in the afternoons, going will have to wait until the evening. This is what's commonly known as an "evening tryst" isn't it? With this letter of apology, no doubt Shouka-sama will be more than happy to allow it! |
| Title: |
All good things come to those who wait |
| Ensei: |
Hey, Princess. Isn't the time of year for visiting the family graves over? Why are you cleaning the plots now? |
| Shuurei: |
Tomorrow's the anniversary of the day Mom died. |
| Ensei: |
I see. |
| Shuurei: |
Do you have any family Ensei? |
| Ensei: |
I did. A lot... but everyone was killed by bandits who broke in when I was a kid. |
| Shuurei: |
I'm sorry. |
| Ensei: |
It was a long time ago. But Princess' mother must've been very responsible and good at cooking. |
| Shuurei: |
While she was responsible, most likely she's not like how you're thinking. She was about as awkward as father. But she was really good at picking fruit from the trees. |
| Ensei: |
Isn't that supposed to be a man's job? |
| Shuurei: |
She really liked doing that sort of thing. She had fun with everything. She was always smiling, full of energy, and played with me a lot. Since I was sickly, she would constantly take care of me. |
| Ensei: |
Sickly!? Who was?? |
| Shuurei: |
I was. I used to have a weak constitution. |
| Ensei: |
You're joking right? |
| Shuurei: |
It's the truth. Although since Mom's been gone, I've strangely gotten better. |
| Ensei: |
Your Mom must've protected you then. |
| Shuurei: |
That day... there was a lot of thunder. Mom always had lots of energy and was in good health. And yet, it really was so sudden. Just until the day before, she'd been laughing. At that time, I'd been unwell. Shortly after Mom stopped moving, I got better. |
| Ensei: |
Your Mom protected you. Don't hold back. |
| Shuurei: |
I stole Mom's life! |
| Ensei: |
As if that were possible! |
| Shuurei: |
Mom ended up dying in my place...
I hate summer... and thunder... it takes away everything that I care about. |
| Ensei: |
If you're like this every summer, your mom'll cry in her grave. It was summer when I lost my family too but, I like summer. Because I've got so many more important memories of it. What about you, Princess? |
| Shuurei: |
I've forgotten... that sort of thing. |
| Ensei: |
You can remember. And when you do, no doubt, you'll come to like summer too. It's time for you to grow up too... You're still a child, making everyone around you worry. Since you got spoiled by me, you can do it, right? |
| Shuurei: |
You're... very kind, but strict, aren't you. |
| Ensei: |
It's part of being a good man. |
| Shuurei: |
Say that after shaving this unruly beard. |
| Ensei: |
Not being able to appreciate this wild appeal means you're still very much a child. |
| Shuurei: |
Until tomorrow. |
| Ensei: |
? |
| Shuurei: |
I'll be better by the anniversary of Mom's death. I promise. |
| Ensei: |
You've gotten one step closer to becoming a good woman, Princess.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Kouyuu, I've finished taking care of this letter. Now, what's next? |
| Shuuei: |
He's in a strangely good mood, isn't he. |
| Kouyuu: |
It's creepy isn't it. |
| Ryuuki: |
Kouyuu~ |
| Kouyuu: |
Your Majesty, you haven't eaten something strange have you? Like mushrooms growing outside, or some strange plant, or bug, or garbage...? |
| Ryuuki: |
What do you take me for?
I'm going to carry out an evening tryst tonight. |
| Kouyuu & Shuuei: |
An evening tryst?! |
| Ryuuki: |
Indeed. When I wrote to Shouka on the matter, he even replied that it would be all right. |
| Shuuei: |
By the way, what did you write in your letter? |
| Ryuuki: |
I'll come in the evening. If possible, I'd like to eat Shuurei's cooking. I also want to hear her play the erhu. I would be really appreciate if I could spend an evening with Shouka and Seiran. If possible, I'm free four nights hence. |
| Kouyuu: |
What about this is a tryst?? |
| Shuuei: |
That's just a visit to someone's home, Your Majesty.
That Your Majesty is going to visit Shuurei-dono means that the draft...? |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah, I finished it. |
| Shuuei: |
I see. But, if you want to have Shuurei-dono by your side, how about formally demanding for her to enter the Imperial residence? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei left the Imperial residence of her own will. If I then forced her to enter, no doubt she'd get angry. |
| Shuuei: |
You've gotten into trouble a lot of times from her up until now. |
| Ryuuki: |
I feel like this would be different. If I did that, I get the feeling something would end up breaking. |
| Shuuei: |
How well you understand.
Well, hang in there. You have a lot of potential.
|
| Kei: |
This room's rather lonely without those two, isn't it Houju? |
| Kijin: |
Don't call me by that name. |
| Kei: |
It's all right isn't it? Afterall, there's only the two of us here. |
| Kijin: |
Hm. |
| Kei: |
I wonder, if we asked Assistant Secretary Li, if it mightn't be possible to keep them here? Ensei-san may not be possible, but at least Shuu-kun maybe. |
| Kijin: |
That probably isn't possible. |
| Kei: |
Why's that? |
| Kijin: |
You really haven't figured it out yet? |
| Kei: |
? About what? |
| Guard: |
They went that way! Get them! |
| Kei: |
?! |
| Shuurei: |
Hey, just what's going on here!? |
| Bandit: |
That scar on his face... why you... |
| Ensei: |
Damn. He got away. |
| Shuurei: |
Oh, wow!
|
| Kei: |
Well, I'll go and explain what happened. |
| Kijin: |
They've discovered your whereabouts. There'll be a large number of visitors forcing their way in to see you sometime tonight.
You can use my place. |
| Ensei: |
Huh!? |
| Kijin: |
You don't want to cause trouble where you're staying do you? |
| Ensei: |
That would be great. You'll be coming too Shuu. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Ensei: |
I'll send a note to your home.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Wh-wh-what's this supposed to mean?! |
| Shouka: |
I'm so sorry, Your Majesty. I'd thought to tell my daughter that you would be visiting after she got home. |
| Ryuuki: |
*whimpers* |
| Shuuei: |
Talk about bad timing. |
| Kouyuu: |
Maybe you should give up and go back to the palace? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shut up! For one thing, just why are you guys here?! |
| Shuuei: |
That's... |
| Kouyuu: |
Because it seems like it'll be fun, obviously. |
| Ryuuki: |
Grrr... I'm going to this residence. For one thing, just who is this Ensei anyways?! |
| Seiran: |
He's an old friend of mine. He's been staying here...
Now then, I'll also be going. If everyone's coming, make sure to bring a sword. |
| Shuuei: |
What do you mean? |
| Seiran: |
The bandits that have been entering from Sa Province seem to be chasing a certain man. Our guest has a very similar distinguishing mark. No doubt he's been mistaken for the real person. |
| Shuurei: |
Just why am I drinking tea in a place like this!? |
| Ensei: |
That's Senior Secretary Kou for you. It's a wonderful residence. No doubt your garden is equally great. Would it be all right for me to go take a walk? |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? Ensei! |
| Kijin: |
Do as you please. |
| Ensei: |
In that case... |
| Shuurei: |
This is really awkward... |
| Kijin: |
It's almost been the promised one month, hasn't it. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? Yeah... although I wasn't able to to be of much help. |
| Kijin: |
It's too bad. |
| Shuurei: |
? Did you just say something? |
| Kijin: |
No, nothing.
|
| Ensei: |
So you came afterall, Seiran. But I didn't expect you to bring this many people with you. |
| Ryuuki: |
So you're Ensei? |
| Ensei: |
Hm? A new face? |
| Ryuuki: |
Just what do you have against us... er rather me, so as to interfere with my plans!? |
| Shuuei: |
Ah, calm down Your Majesty! |
| Ensei: |
"Your Majesty"? |
| Kouyuu: |
Wah! Oww.... |
| Ensei: |
Sorry, but Assistant Secretary Li. Princess and Senior Secretary Kou are over in that building there. I'd appreciate if you could take care of explaining things. |
| Kouyuu: |
Understood. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'll also go and see Shuurei... |
| Seiran: |
And just why did you come here? |
| Ryuuki: |
*sighs* ...To help. |
| Ensei: |
They're here. |
| Seiran: |
Sheesh! I'd told you not to cause trouble! |
| Ensei: |
That's why I borrowed this residence. |
| Seiran: |
And involving Her Lady? |
| Ensei: |
We were seen together. There was a chance she'd be taken as a hostage. |
| Ryuuki: |
For one thing just who are you!? |
| Shuuei: |
Ah, I was wondering about that too. |
| Ensei: |
Yeah. We'll talk about that later, okay?
|
| Kijin: |
What did you just say? |
| Kouyuu: |
That the ones fighting in your garden include Kou Shouka's retainer - Shi Seiran, Left Uringun Shogun - Ran Shuuei, ...and also His Majesty. |
| Kijin: |
That stupid Emperor.
Shouka-dono's daughter is in the room over there. You should go there. |
| Kouyuu: |
Senior Secretary Kou, that girl... |
| Kijin: |
Go. You're not the one with whom that's to be discussed.
Assistant Secretary Li. |
| Kouyuu: |
Yes? |
| Kijin: |
Those two were quite helpful. |
| Kouyuu: |
I'm glad to hear it.
|
| Kouyuu: |
It seems like you've finished. |
| Shuuei: |
Yeah. |
| Shuurei: |
? What is this? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei! |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?!? Just why are you here? |
| Ryuuki: |
You ask why... |
| Shuurei: |
Just what's going on here?? Ah, where's Ensei? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? Come to think of it... how dare the one who caused this entire mess run away. |
| Ensei: |
I haven't run away. |
| Ryuuki & Shuurei: |
Who're you? |
| Ensei: |
It's me! I just shaved and cut my bangs. |
| Shuurei: |
Ensei?!? |
| Ryuuki: |
Wh-what? |
| Ensei: |
For various reasons, I'd sent my assistant to attend Your Majesty's coronation, so this is the first time we've met. I'm the Governor of Sa Province - Rou Ensei. |
| Shuurei: |
Sa Province's Governor?!? |
| Shuuei: |
He's that...? |
| Kouyuu: |
Despite not taking the National Exams, he was chosen to be head of the provincial administration. He's the exception of exceptions. |
| Shuurei: |
...the National Exams? Is that possible? |
| Ryuuki: |
And? What is Sa Province's Governor doing here? |
| Ensei: |
Are you aware of the Sa family's history of trying to claim all regional power and avoid the central Imperial government's power? |
| Kouyuu: |
But I'd heard that when Advisor Sa - Sa Enjun - became head of the family, he'd successfully settled the matter in the family. |
| Ensei: |
For a while yes. When Enjun-sama was moved to Shi Province to the Emperor's side, he was no longer able to watch over Sa Province. As a result, the Sa family was able to plot against the top provincial officials. Some were bought out and ended up becoming puppet governments, while others were assassinated. |
| Shuurei: |
That's... |
| Ensei: |
It's a terrible situation, isn't it? And as a result no one wanted to become head of the government. |
| Ryuuki: |
And so, Advisor Sa's supposed to have said that someone who would be able to defeat any assassin should be assigned as Governor. And that was you? |
| Ensei: |
That's right. Certainly I have confidence in my physical strength, but I haven't passed the National Exams let alone the qualifying exams. So I was temporarily assigned the post. |
| Kouyuu: |
Temporary or not, Advisor Sa saw rightly. The newly appointed Provincial Governor was able to fight off any assassin that tried to sneak in. But that's not all. I've heard that his administration has also been excellent. Granted, an extremely capable assistant was also sent with him, he made all the final decisions and showed all around, who was the head of the Sa Provincial government. On top of that, he completely ignored any attempts to either bribe of threaten him by the Sa family. |
| Ensei: |
Saying it that way is a bit embarrassing. And the main issue... the reason I came to the capital, is because I wanted to put these in the Emperor's keeping. |
| Ryuuki: |
These... are the stamp and badge of the Governor of Sa Province. |
| Ensei: |
With the death of Enjun-sama, the Sa family's started to become very active again. |
| Ryuuki: |
If that's the case, then why did you come here? Now is the time for you to suppress the Sa clan, is it not? |
| Ensei: |
Certainly, if I were able to proudly declare myself as the Governor of Sa Province, I would have done so. |
| Ryuuki: |
What? |
| Ensei: |
My sponsor, Enjun-sama, is no longer here. And since I haven't passed the National Exams, it would be over as soon as someone were to say that they wouldn't accept me as a formal official because I hadn't passed the National Exams. And that's why I came here. To see what sort of person the new Emperor is, what sort of people he has with him, and after getting a clear idea of that, to speak to him. |
| Ryuuki: |
The reason you were being hunted by the bandits is...? |
| Ensei: |
It seems that they put a price on my head. I did cut down on my sleep time to hunt the bandits but... |
| Ryuuki: |
I understand the circumstances. I'll write up a proper letter of authority for you. |
| Ensei: |
I already told you. That I haven't passed the National Exams. There's no point in repeating the same thing over again. This is a good opportunity. This time, please assign a legitimate Governor that no one will be able to object to. |
| Ryuuki: |
And what will you do? |
| Ensei: |
I'll return to Sa Province. There's much I can do even without being the Governor. |
| Ryuuki: |
Ensei. I have an order for you. |
| Ensei: |
Yes? |
| Ryuuki: |
At least pass the qualifying exams. That way I can assign you as Lieutenant Governor. |
| Ensei: |
There's already a very capable Lieutenant Governor, but I already intend to take the qualifying exam. Because it was my dream to become an official of Sa Province. I've started to feel like it'd be all right to start all over again.
|
| Shuurei: |
Sheesh! Just why do I have to cook at this time of night in someone else's home?! |
| Ryuuki: |
I did send a letter - that I'd be coming for dinner. |
| Shuurei: |
I didn't hear anything about it. |
| Ryuuki: |
Are you not happy to see me, Shuurei? |
| Shuurei: |
I didn't feel like we hadn't seen each other for a long time thanks to the strange letters and gifts you'd sent but... I am glad to see you in person. |
| Ryuuki: |
Did you read my letters? |
| Shuurei: |
I read them. But using that sort of expensive paper to write a single line... Just what's "It rained today so the carp in the pond were happy." supposed to mean? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuuei said that the more faithfully I wrote letters the better. |
| Shuuei: |
The content is what's important. |
| Ryuuki: |
And the gifts? How was the ice? |
| Shuurei: |
We made shaved ice treats with it and had it with all the kids. It was cool and delicious. |
| Ryuuki: |
And the eggs? You'd said you liked them boiled... |
| Shuurei: |
I shared them with the neighbors and we all enjoyed eating them. |
| Ryuuki: |
And the red flowers? Weren't they beautiful? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. I'm pressing them in some books. |
| Ryuuki: |
And the voodoo doll? |
| Shuurei: |
I've put it on display in my room. |
| Ensei: |
Hey, is the voodoo doll a prank? |
| Seiran: |
His Majesty honestly believes that it's okay to do that. |
| Ryuuki: |
Actually, I brought something for you today too. |
| Shuurei: |
... This... |
| Ryuuki: |
The sapling should be delivered soon, but I thought I'd give you a branch for the time being. Afterall, you'd said that the cherry trees in your garden no longer flower. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you. I'm really happy. This one's the best of them all. We'll plant that sapling and someday, I'm sure it'll give beautiful flowers.
...I feel like something unbelievable has just happened...
Ryuuki... |
| Ryuuki: |
What is it? |
| Shuurei: |
Be good and accept being hit! |
| Ryuuki: |
Wh-why are you angry? |
| Shuurei: |
Even if I explained, no doubt you wouldn't understand! |
| Ryuuki: |
But... that's not fair. |
| Shuurei: |
You probably won't understand until you've had a bad experience! |
| Ryuuki: |
Calm down Shuurei. |
| Shuuei: |
Sheesh, those two never change. |
| Shuurei: |
Wait! Ryuuki! |
| Ryuuki: |
So you say but... |
| Ensei: |
Hey, aren't you angry that he's made a move on your dear Princess? |
| Shuurei: |
Be good and accept being hit! |
| Ryuuki: |
Don't pull like that! |
| Seiran: |
It's nothing major. Not to mention that with this, Her Lady won't cry any more when she looks at the garden. |
| Ryuuki: |
Hey, let go! |
| Shuurei: |
Give it up already, Ryuuki!
|
| Shuurei: |
Later then Ryuuki. Behave yourself at the palace. |
| Ryuuki: |
*nods* |
| Kouyuu: |
Shuurei. Do you have any desire to take the National Exams? |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Kouyuu: |
His Majesty and I intend to have a bill allowing women to take the National Exams pass within the year. But even if you pass, no doubt the path you'll take will be very difficult - not being given any serious work, having your opinions ignored, being scorned or ridiculed. No doubt, you'll have to work hard all on your own. Despite that, will you take the National Exams? |
| Shuurei: |
I'll do it. Please let me do it. I want to become an official! |
| Kouyuu: |
Well done. |
| Shuurei: |
I hope you will help guide me!
|
| Shuurei: |
Watch me, Mom. I'll do my best.
|
| Ensei: |
Well then Princess. It's time to say good-bye. |
| Shuurei: |
If you end up collapsing by the roadside again, you should do it in front of our place. |
| Seiran: |
Please spare me that. |
| Ensei: |
How cold. And here we're supposed to be friends. And in comparison, Princess is such a good child. It'd be really interesting if you could becoming our superior. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Ensei: |
Nothing. More than that, do your best on the National Exams. |
| Shuurei: |
You don't need to tell me that. They say that all good things come to those who wait, and it's a chance that will truly be well worth the wait. |
| Ensei: |
True. Well Princess, Seiran, take care. |
| Narrative: |
[At the end of summer, a certain bill was passed. It was for women to be given the right to take the National Exams. As both the Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs and of Finance, who are rumoured to be candidates for becoming the next Prime Minister, both gave their approval, all opposition to the bill was overwhelmed and the bill passed.] |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you, Ryuuki.
|
| Sa: |
Shou, you idiot. This is quite the foolish thing to do. |
| Shou: |
Enjun, since you've gone, there's been trouble here. Especially around Sa Province.
Welcome back, my friend. |
| Trailer: |
I'm sick in bed with a fever. Father... Seiran... Eh? Why's Ryuuki...? Am I seeing things because of the fever? |
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