| Narrative: |
On this clear day early in spring, Shuurei goes to the Shinshi (successful examinees) Ceremony. It's her first step towards becoming Saiunkoku's first female court official. |
| Seiran: |
It's a beautiful day today, isn't it? |
| Shuurei: |
Father, Seiran, I'll be off now. |
| Shouka: |
Yes. Do your best. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes!
|
| Title: |
Perseverance wins out in the end.
|
| Shuuei: |
Have you completed your preparations? |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah. Has everyone been assembled? |
| Shuuei: |
Yes, for the most part. Well, there's one person who isn't present but... |
| Ryuuki: |
It's a beautiful day. |
| Shuuei: |
Yes.
|
| Reishin: |
Ah, it's a beautiful day, isn't it Kouyuu? It's the same colour of sky as that day when you'd passed in the number one spot at sixteen years of age and been chased about by top officials at banquets wanting you to marry into their families.
What is it, Kouyuu? |
| Kouyuu: |
Nothing. Um, is it still being kept from Shuurei that you were her sponsor? |
| Reishin: |
Telling her I'm her uncle comes first. |
| Kouyuu: |
In that case, it won't be for quite some time, will it? |
| Reishin: |
Good things should always be saved for later.
|
| Prot. Officer: |
Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs - Kou Reishin-sama and Assistant Secretary of Civil Affairs - Li Kouyuu-sama have entered the hall. |
| Kijin: |
It's even more unsettled than when Li Kouyuu passed at the top of the year. |
| Kei: |
It's only natural, what with the top three to pass being like that. |
| Official: |
To Eigetsu, passing in the number one spot at 13 years of age. He broke Kouyuu-dono's record so handily... |
| Official: |
Number two is Ran Shuuei-dono's younger brother, Ryuuren. Skipping out on the Shinshi ceremony is unheard of. |
| Man: |
This year's truly a strange year. Just when you find that women are being permitted to take the exams, suddenly passing in third spot... |
| Man: |
That woman, doesn't she look a lot like the princess who'd entered the Imperial Residence earlier? |
| Man: |
Now that you mention it... |
| Man: |
She looks more like the young man who'd been working in the Department of Finance last summer... Maybe they're related...? |
| Kei: |
Things are going to be quite difficult from here on, isn't it? |
| Kijin: |
No doubt she's prepared for it. All we can do is wait for that girl to claw her way up here, isn't that right, Reishin? |
| Reishin: |
Yes, that's right. |
| Prot. Officer: |
Saiunkoku's Emperor - Shi Ryuuki-sama has entered the hall. |
| Sou: |
It's finally about to begin. |
| Shou: |
Yeah. Let's see what sort of era these young people create. |
| Prot. Officer: |
This year, passing at number one - Jougen - To Eigetsu. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes! |
| Prot. Officer: |
Second - Bougen - Ran Ryuuren.
Third - Tanka - Kou Shuurei. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes! |
| Prot. Officer: |
There you have the first and third top examinees.
|
| Shuurei: |
Kochou-neesan! The Shinshi Ceremony was held today... |
| Kochou: |
I'm sorry, Shuurei-chan, but I'd rather you not come here for a while. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?
|
| Shuurei: |
Ah. I need to buy some salt on the way home.
I'll take a bag of salt please. |
| Shopkeeper: |
Yes! |
| Shuurei: |
I should hurry home. It'll soon be time for Kouyuu-sama and Shogun Ran to arrive...
Obasan! How's your back been lately? |
| Woman: |
Uh, yeah... |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?
|
| Kochou: |
Excuse me. |
| Man: |
You're joking! You lost that ring?! That's the mark of the head of the Sa Clan! What have you done, especially seeing as it had just been found! I've already sent word that it's been found! If they find out I don't have it, the money and rise in status will vanish like smoke. Kochou, I'm sorry, but I'll take my leave for tonight. |
| Kochou: |
That's a shame.
|
| Shuuei: |
Did you get lost coming here again? |
| Kouyuu: |
Shut up. Rather than that, there's a rumour that you've been going to a brothel again lately. |
| Shuuei: |
Don't be so jealous. I'm a healthy young man afterall. |
| Kouyuu: |
More than a brothel, how about going to a doctor and having them exchange than rotten head of yours?! |
| Shuuei: |
I've been doing my work. I got a report that that ring's been found. |
| Kouyuu: |
What? |
| Shuuei: |
But it seems like it was lost soon after. |
| Kouyuu: |
What's that supposed to mean?! Is that supposed to be some sort of joke?! |
| Shuuei: |
Now then, shall we be off and enjoy Shuurei's home cooking? There'll be a celebration today.
|
| Shuurei: |
I haven't changed at all, and yet...
Waah... ow... |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun?!
You didn't get into a fight again, did you? |
| Eigetsu: |
Hmm... it seems that way... |
| Shuurei: |
Thank goodness. Running into you - at least you haven't changed. |
| Seiran: |
My lady! I've been looking for you. |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran! |
| Eigetsu: |
Seiran-san |
| Seiran: |
Ah, so you were with Eigetsu-kun then. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes |
| Seiran: |
My Lady, I thought I'd made it clear that you shouldn't go out on your own. You'd only just received your stipend afterall. You're prey for every thug out there.
Eigetsu-kun... you didn't perhaps already become a victim, did you? |
| Eigetsu: |
No, I sent my entire stipend of eighty silver to my hometown... |
| Seiran: |
All... of it?! |
| Shuurei: |
Eh?
Then why did you get in a fight? |
| Eigetsu: |
As far as I remember... I was made to drink some sake in some noble's residence... and asked about taking their daughter as wife... |
| Shuurei: |
You went on a rampage in some noble's household?! |
| Eigetsu: |
No, I ran out after they made me drink alcohol so it should be okay. |
| Shuurei: |
It would probably be safer for you to refuse any invitations to banquets from now on. |
| Seiran: |
Afterall, you'd passed as Jougen. Afterall, the top successful candidates get various priveleges and it can't be helped that there are many who seek to make ties to promising future officials. |
| Eigetsu: |
Ah I see, is that why. |
| Shuurei: |
By the way Eigetsu-kun, you sent a letter to your hometown about passing, didn't you? |
| Eigetsu: |
No, afterall, the department of protocol said they'd send notice by fast horse, so I sent the money with that courier... |
| Shuurei: |
I'll give you some paper later so write them a letter by the end of the day. |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh? But... |
| Shuurei: |
No buts. You have to send note to your town's people that you'd passed. Those people who are waiting will be much happier if you tell them directly, right? |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san |
| Shuurei: |
Not to mention you have to write them to ensure the money's safety. |
| Eigetsu: |
The money's safety? |
| Shuurei: |
Of course. Sending eighty silver all at once... Even with the department of protocol's couriers, there are cases where half the money being sent disappears before it even arrives! It's an amount that anyone would want to steal so you should've at least sent it a little at a time. |
| Eigetsu: |
Eh? Really?! That's Shuurei-san, you're very responsible. |
| Seiran: |
When it comes to money, there aren't too many people better than her. |
| Shuurei: |
Sheesh, you two...
|
| Shouka: |
By the way, when will Shuurei's and the others placements be decided, Kouyuu-dono? |
| Kouyuu: |
Ah, I believe you'll get a notice regarding that soon. |
| Shouka: |
Ah, I see. |
| Shuuei: |
Well, this year's exam was rather eventful afterall.
|
| Kouyuu: |
Not to mention your younger brother skipped out on the Shinshi Ceremony. |
| Shuuei: |
That one's beyond my limits of comprehension. While I did wonder when he'd run, even I have to admit that was pretty quick. |
| Kouyuu: |
The elder brothers are one thing, but the younger brother being that way... sheesh, your entire family is insane! |
| Eigetsu: |
Umm... he really was something... in a number of ways... his looks and his personality... |
| Shuurei: |
That's true. Quite frankly, if that man had come in at the top of the year, I would've be thrown into utter despair over this world.
Everyone was studying so frantically while he was always sleeping in the dorm. And just when you think he was awake, he's playing that flute! Add to that, after eating his fill of what someone had made, he says "when you've missed out on marrying into a family, I'll hire you as my personal chef." I seriously thought about kicking him when he said that with such a straight face! I had to fight to restrain myself because he's Shogun Ran's younger brother but... |
| Shuuei: |
Thank you very much... |
| Shuurei: |
Ah, I'm so sorry. |
| Kouyuu: |
Don't worry about it Shuurei. Afterall it's all true. |
| Shouka: |
In any case, tomorrow will be something to look forward to for both of you. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. Let's do our best, Eigetsu-kun. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes.
|
| Eigetsu: |
I'm really looking forward to see where we get assigned. |
| Shuurei: |
True. I wonder where it'll be... Although I'd rather not be assigned to the central courts...
What should I do? Senior Secretary Kou will find out won't he? ...or maybe he's long since found out? |
| Eigetsu: |
Shuurei-san, let's do our best. For the time being, I'll be with you. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you, Eigetsu-kun.
|
| Shuurei: |
S-Senior Secretary Kou!
Umm... Senior Secretary Kou. Last summer... |
| Kijin: |
What are you talking about? |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? I used the name Kou Shuu... |
| Kijin: |
The Kou Shuu I know was a reasonably good working young man. You'd do well to learn from his example. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Yuuri: |
Rather than that, you two, is it okay for you two to be taking your time in a place like this? |
Shuurei &
Eigetsu: |
Eh? |
| Ryuuki: |
Is this where you were?! You're going to be late! |
Shuurei &
Eigetsu: |
Late?
!?!
|
| Shuurei: |
The time on the letter was wrong?! That's not funny! |
| Eigetsu: |
Being late from the first day... |
| Ryuuki: |
No doubt it's a prank by someone who's jealous of you. |
| Shuurei: |
They must hate us quite a lot. |
| Ryuuki: |
It'll be faster if we cut through there! |
| Shuurei: |
And here I thought we should look forward to a bright future, but this is more like we should expect the worst! |
| Ryuuki: |
That's why I'm here. For now, I've left the majority of the Emperor's work to someone who can take care of it perfectly. |
| Shuurei: |
Huh? |
| Ryuuki: |
As of today, we... um I'm the guard assigned to the two of you.
|
| Shuurei: |
Somehow... |
| Eigetsu: |
...we've managed to get here on time. |
| Ryuuki: |
Both of you, while it's a little late but congratulations on passing. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Ryuuki: |
Ah... |
| Eigetsu: |
They've wilted. |
| Ryuuki: |
I put it directly into my pocket after picking them. Forget what I just said! |
| Shuurei: |
Adonis flowers... thank you! This is more than enough. We'll be going then.
|
| ?: |
It's them... |
| ?: |
They really came |
| ?: |
The upstarts. |
| ?: |
Having women take the exams... |
| ?: |
If a single woman didn't pass, they'd have lost face over letting them take the exams, so no doubt they were really easy on her. |
| ?: |
Half the joy at having passed the exams is lost having some woman here... |
| ?: |
Just what did that kid do to be able to get the Jougen spot at 13?! |
| Haku: |
Not only is there a girl but also a kid. This year's a joke. |
| Prot Officer: |
Senior Secretary of Protocol Sai and Protocol Officer Rou have arrived. |
| Sai: |
First allow me congratulate you on having passed the National Exams. This year, by order of His Majesty, the top 20 successful examinees are to be temporarily assigned to the Imperial Court. While it's a temporary assignment, I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity and learn as much as you can from it. In two months, your official assignments will be decided according to your abilities. Until that time, Official Rou will be responsible for supervising you. I'm sure he'll guide you all well.
Official Rou, they haven't even been given the status of officials yet, so please don't be too hard on them. |
| Rou: |
I'm aware of that.
You people who've managed to make the top 20 on the national exams, are the first successful candidates of the current Emperor and the chances of your being assigned duties key to this country in the future is high. During these next two months, you'll be given various practical assignments. From among them, after one and a half months, you're to put together a report on your work and hand it in. Your assignment doesn't necessarily have to be handed in to myself. It can also be done jointly. The content and format are also up to you. Hm? Shinshi Kou, Shinshi To, your uniforms are rather dirty. |
| Eigetsu: |
Um this... |
| Rou: |
No excuses! You obviously don't care about your appearance. Perhaps you're mistaking this place for an aviary? |
Shuuri &
Eigetsu: |
I'm sorry. |
| Rou: |
It appears you're lacking proper awareness. Very well. I'll see to it that you're given an appropriate assignment. Now then, I'll give you your work and department placements. You should ask about the details of your work from the individual place assignments.
|
| Sign: |
Lavatory |
| Shuurei: |
Hmph. Fine. You're vastly mistaken if you think I'm going to be defeated by this! I'm used to cleaning lavatories from my jobs. Even so, it stinks. I guess it means that what top officials excrete is the same.
Well, with this, the lavatory's a little better. |
| Official: |
Oh, it stinks. It stinks. It smells like pig in here. |
| Official: |
How disgusting. For all that it's a lavatory, it's most disagreeable to have it going about the sacred courts. |
| Official: |
By the way, have you heard... about that? |
| Official: |
Ah, it seems quite a number have been moving. Though I'm not sure how they're being supplied... |
| Shuurei: |
I won't be beaten by this.
|
| Official: |
I'm really sorry, having the Jougen polish my shoes like this. |
| Eigetsu: |
Not at all. It's my job afterall. |
| Official: |
Seeing as you had to eke out your living in a very rural part of Koku Province, perhaps you're used to this sort of work. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes, very much so. Ah, although I've never polished such wonderful shoes before. Okay, all... |
| Official: |
Oh my, I lost my balance a bit there. |
| Eigetsu: |
Ow ow ow ow |
| Official: |
We're very busy so we'd like you to take care of both of us at the same time. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes! My pleasure! |
| Official: |
By the way, Official Wa. About that rumour... |
| Official: |
Ah, I heard it's quite the sum of money...
|
| Official: |
Oh sorry, sorry. |
| Eigetsu: |
I'm all right.
|
| Official: |
I'll leave those papers for you to take care of.
|
| Yuuri: |
Shuu-kun's still cleaning the lavatories. The poor thing. It's been half a month already.
|
| Yuuri: |
Shinshi To passed in the Jougen spot and is still polishing shoes... |
| Kijin: |
Seeing as their supervisor's Official Rou, it can't be helped.
Those who'll claw their way up will claw their way up. Leave them be.
Rather than that, Yuuri, this. As I recall, cleaning lavatories and polishing shoes is during the mornings. In the afternoons, they're supposed to take care of paperwork and should be in the archives. Before Shuurei and Shinshi To get to the archives, slip these in with their work. |
| Yuuri: |
Eh? I'd utterly misjudged you! Even now, they're having more work forced on them compared to what they're assigned out of spite. |
| Kijin: |
And what of it? If you have any complaints, read those papers on the way and think about things as you go. |
| Yuuri: |
This...? |
| Kijin: |
Go! I won't listen to any more of your complaints. |
| Yuuri: |
Yes!
|
| Shuurei: |
They say that perseverance wins out in the end... So I have to believe that there will be something to gained from this one day.
Now then, this place is done now.
Ah, you're Heki Hakumei-kun, right?
What's wrong? Do you have a stomach-ache? |
| Haku: |
No. Aren't you angry about this?! You've been cleaning bathrooms this entire half month!
|
| Shuurei: |
Umm... |
| Haku: |
Well, maybe the work is suited to a woman. You're a woman, why'd you take the National Exams?! |
| Shuurei: |
I... |
| Haku: |
Thanks to you, I passed in fourth place! Me! Who's so well known for being a child prodigy! That I finished below you and that you're in charge of cleaning toilets will be to my lifelong shame!
Hmph! |
| Shuurei: |
I have work to do in the archives next, so I'll be going.
|
| Wa: |
It must be boring cleaning toilets so I'll let you help me with some of my work. You should be grateful. Be sure to finish by tomorrow morning. |
| Shuurei: |
Understood. |
| Haku: |
(You're a woman, why'd you take the national exams?!) |
| Shuurei: |
I should try to get some done before Eigetsu-kun arrives. |
| Kouyuu: |
Shuurei. |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama. |
| Kouyuu: |
I came to see Shouka-sama but it seems like he's not here. Have you finished cleaning the bathrooms? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes. |
| Kouyuu: |
Is this your work? |
| Shuurei: |
No... ah yes! It's work that Eigetsu-kun and I accepted. |
| Kouyuu: |
I see.
Climb your way up. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? |
| Kouyuu: |
From here on, you're on your own. Don't expect help from Shuuei or myself. Even so, make your way up. Until you reach what you're aiming for. Passing as Tanka at your age isn't because of my or Shouka's help. It's because there's a strong wish inside you. Otherwise, you couldn't become Tanka at 17. There's a place you want to reach, isn't there? |
| Shuurei: |
I do! |
| Kouyuu: |
From here on, that wish is what's going to support you. Fight your way up like your life depends on it, as much as you're able, as high as you're able. We'll be waiting. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you very much, Kouyuu-sama.
Kouyuu-sama! |
| Kouyuu: |
? What is it? It's almost time for lunch, so I'll be going. |
| Shuurei: |
Umm... the exit isn't that way... |
| Kouyuu: |
This mountain of books is in the way! Why are there so many books here?!
|
| Kouyuu: |
From here on, that wish is what's going to support you. Fight your way up as though your life depends on it, as much as you're able, as high as you're able. |
| Shuurei: |
My wish is what will support me... |
| Trailer: |
Whether it's cleaning the toilets or polishing shoes, I'll do whatever I have to. I'll never be beaten by harassment. Hm? Kouyuu-sama, you seem a bit down... |
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