| Narrative: |
Only being given odd jobs, and not being given the chance to have their true abilities discovered is known as being at the bottom. |
| Shuurei: |
I have to clean the lavatory over there next. |
| Narrative: |
Having publicly passed the national exams, Kou Shuurei and To Eigetsu were truly experiencing the difficulty and hardships of being at the bottom of the pecking order. |
| Eigetsu: |
Okay, your shoes are finished.
|
| Title: |
The Child Doesn't Know the Parent's Heart.
|
| Shuuei: |
That's a rather depressed sigh? That look on your face is rather provocative. |
| Kouyuu: |
Keep the jokes within reason! I'm in a bad mood right now. |
| Shuuei: |
Shuurei-dono's working really hard, isn't she? |
| Kouyuu: |
Whether she'll be able to hang through it all though... |
| Shuuei: |
If worse comes to worst, no doubt that one will do something. |
| Kouyuu: |
He may all ready be doing something. |
| Shuuei: |
That's true. Considering his cute niece is being tormented this much, he might have gone to see His Majesty and give him a piece or two or three of his mind.
|
| Reishin: |
It appears that this year, you decided to have the top 20 shinshi entrusted to the Imperial Court for observation. |
| Ryuuki: |
I heard that in my Father's time, this occurred on occasion. |
| Reishin: |
Yes. That was the case in my year as well as Kouyuu's. It's an option for when people you're not sure how to assign take the top ranks. Well, it's only proper. If Kou Shuurei and To Eigetsu were suddenly assigned to one of the departments, they'd be crushed before their abilities could be discovered. That would be a waste. |
| Ryuuki: |
In your case, it seems like you're more likely to cut loose and abandon anyone who's likely to be crushed according to their ability. |
| Reishin: |
Of course I would cut them loose and abandon them. After preparing an appropriate place, where they could only do so much. I despise the weak, spoiled, and foolish. That includes how you were before.
However, this time, conditions are too bad. It would be like throwing a budding sprout into water. You have to at least make sure to put it on ground. Otherwise, regardless of how much effort it put in, it would only rot. |
| Ryuuki: |
You need not worry. Your niece will be protected. Without fail. |
| Reishin: |
The one who created the institution allowing women to take the National Exams is Your Majesty. If you can't get the institution you created on your own to work well, then I'll have no more to do with you. |
| Ryuuki: |
Senior Secretary Kou. Thank you for sponsoring Shuurei. |
| Reishin: |
It had absolutely nothing to do with you. |
| Ryuuki: |
In truth, I like you quite a lot. |
| Reishin: |
You're a hundred years early in trying to get me in your bed.
|
| Reishin: |
I thought I'd come see my brother and comfort myself, but... |
| Kouyuu: |
I'm afraid Shouka-sama is in town on business. |
| Reishin: |
Honestly! In truth, I'd like to immediately fire everyone who bullies Shuurei! |
| Kouyuu: |
It's not funny when the Senior Secretary of Civil Affairs who controls personnel says such. |
| Reishin: |
If His Majesty doesn't do anything after having that much said to him, I really will abandon him. |
| Kouyuu: |
He went afterall... |
| Shuuei: |
...to see His Majesty |
| Kouyuu: |
Reishin-sama, for all that you're her sponsor, if you interfere too much, you'll cause problems for Shuurei-dono. |
| Reishin: |
That's why I haven't even named myself as her sponsor. |
| Shouka: |
Hm? Reishin. You're here. |
| Reishin: |
Aniue! |
| Shouka: |
Those peach buns look delicious. |
| Reishin: |
I brought them for you to have. |
| Shouka: |
Thank you. Why don't we have them now. |
| Reishin: |
Yes! |
| Shouka: |
I was just getting hungry too. |
| Reishin: |
Really? |
| Shouka: |
Yes, really. Let's have them.
|
| Kouyuu: |
What's important to Reishin-sama really is... |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama?
I'm sorry. I'm of a newcomer's rank and since our ranks are so different, I don't think it appropriate to speak so familiarly, but... |
| Kouyuu: |
But? |
| Shuurei: |
Did something happen to get you down?
That's right! There's something I wanted to ask you! |
| Kouyuu: |
What is it? |
| Shuurei: |
You passed as Jougen at age sixteen, is that right? |
| Kouyuu: |
What about it? |
| Shuurei: |
What wish did you have? What is the strong wish that you have that supported you to climb to the top? |
| Kouyuu: |
My wish is very simple. I wanted to be by someone's side and help that person. Because that person gave me so much. So I wanted to repay him a little. That's all. It's a much more selfish motive than your own. |
| Shuurei: |
Did it come true? Your wish? |
| Kouyuu: |
Who knows. Probably nothing would change for that person... whether I'm there or not. |
| Shuurei: |
But it's wonderful, isn't it? That your feelings for someone else, supports you.
I'll also do my best! |
| Kouyuu: |
I'll bring you a snack later. |
| Shuurei: |
Thank you very much! |
| Sai: |
My, Kouyuu-dono. Is something the matter? Is there a problem? |
| Kouyuu: |
"Is there a problem"? Senior Secretary Sai, you're supposed to be in charge of overseeing the newcomers, aren't you? |
| Sai: |
What about it? |
| Kouyuu: |
When you see Kou Shuurei and To Eigetsu do you honestly think nothing?
|
| Sai: |
It's Official Ro who ordered them to clean the lavatories and polish shoes after all, so speaking of such to me...
Rather than that, Kouyuu-dono, you're Senior Secretary Kou's adopted child but even now, you have yet to be given the Kou family name, is that right?
Even though Senior Secretary Kou doesn't have any children, could this mean that he has no intention of bringing you into the Kou family?
My, that person is so capricious and cruel. It wouldn't be at all unusual for that person to throw you out at any moment. I value your ability. I'm no longer angry over that. The moment you achieve your independence, I... |
| Kouyuu: |
Excuse me!
|
| Reishin: |
What are you selling? |
| Kouyuu: |
Lotteries. |
| Reishin: |
I see. So that rubbish there are the prizes for the lottery then? |
| Kouyuu: |
If you're going to make fun of it, then please leave.
Here.
Your consolation prize. |
| Reishin: |
Plum blossoms. No doubt, there aren't many winning lottos. That's a pretty good business. Did your parents come up with that idea? |
| Kouyuu: |
I don't have... any parents. |
| Reishin: |
Very well. You'll do. |
| Kouyuu: |
Eh?
|
| Kouyuu: |
Taking me in was on a whim... like bringing home a small puppy. |
| Reishin: |
What are you doing standing in a place like this? I keep telling you that if you get lost, you should ask for directions from someone nearby. |
| Kouyuu: |
I was just looking at the plum blossoms. Likewise, what's wrong with you? You seem to be in a fairly bad mood. |
| Reishin: |
The one with something wrong is you, is it not, Kouyuu? |
| Kouyuu: |
It's... nothing. |
| Reishin: |
Fine. Apparently someone has been sent from the Kou mainhouse. |
| Kouyuu: |
From the Kou mainhouse? |
| Reishin: |
While I don't expect it, if they go to your place, kick them out immediately. No doubt, they won't be up to any good.
What is it? |
| Kouyuu: |
I-if I said I wanted to leave your side and go travel the entire country from one end to the other studying dim sum, what would you do? |
| Reishin: |
You... study dim sum? |
| Kouyuu: |
What am I saying?! |
| Reishin: |
You have no sense of direction, so how are you going to travel in the first place? |
| Kouyuu: |
Leave me alone. |
| Reishin: |
If you want to go, then go ahead and go. It's your life after all. Don't ask me.
|
| Kouyuu: |
Maybe I should go and study.
Strange. I thought the archives were this way...
You're going to the archives, aren't you? I'll join you.
Shuurei, I brought you a snack. |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama. |
| Kouyuu: |
I made some dim sum at home. |
| Shuurei: |
Kouyuu-sama's home is... as I recall, you're rooming in someone's residence, is that right? |
| Kouyuu: |
Um... yeah. I'm living with the person who'd taken care of me since I was a child.
Rather than that, let's eat while it's still hot.
No need to restrain yourself. |
| Shuurei: |
Ah, the shrimp is really succulent. |
| Eigetsu: |
The crab dumplings are delicious! While they don't look very good, they're very tasty! |
| Shuurei: |
Eigetsu-kun. |
| Eigetsu: |
Ah, s-sorry. I'll try the shrimp dumplings next.
|
| Shuurei: |
Ah, that was delicious! Thank you very much! Thanks to this, I can keep going! |
| Eigetsu: |
That's true. Shall we return to our work? |
| Kouyuu: |
Both of you are really hanging in there.
Even though you're facing a number of hardships. |
| Shuurei: |
What's most difficult is when those important to you are put in difficult situations or are suffering so... so I'll do my best to help make a nation where that doesn't happen. |
| Eigetsu: |
Although I don't know how much our effort will help the country of Saiunkoku itself.
|
| Sai: |
Did Kouyuu-dono just come from the archives? |
| Ro: |
So it would seem. |
| Sai: |
Aren't Kou Shuurei and To Eigetsu supposed to be in the archives at the moment? |
| Ro: |
It seems that before Kou Shuurei took the aptitude test, Kouyuu-dono would often visit the Kou family and teach her. The institution of having an aptitude test is essentially something that His Majesty created for Kou Shuurei's sake. In reality, in order to reach the final Kaishi test, it is necessary to spend a year passing various exams. But in Kou Shuurei's case, she was permitted to take the Kaishi test if she passed the aptitude test. |
| Sai: |
Since special consideration was given, the test itself seemed to be quite difficult. |
| Ro: |
However, in a certain sense, Kou Shuurei has been exceptionally fortunate. |
| Sai: |
And by that you mean...? |
| Ro: |
In the case of a woman taking the National Exams, either a top official or one of the major families must act as their sponsor. Kou Shuurei's sponsor was apparently Kou Reishin-sama. |
| Sai: |
I see... |
| Shuuei: |
My, this is unusual. That you're drinking sake. |
| Kouyuu: |
Go away. |
| Shuuei: |
If you're lonely, I'll join you. |
| Kouyuu: |
I'm not lonely! |
| Shuuei: |
Hey, Seiran! Come join us! |
| Seiran: |
No, I'm... |
| Kouyuu: |
Yeah. Join us! After all, it's essentially your fault that I'm drinking here by myself! |
| Shuuei: |
Huh? There you have it. |
| Ryuuki: |
Ah! Big Broth... urk..... |
| Shuuei: |
Your Majesty. |
| Kouyuu: |
What was that "urk" just now? You sit too! |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? |
| Seiran: |
And what's this about it being my fault that you're getting drunk? |
| Kouyuu: |
Um, it's nothing major... |
| Seiran: |
Don't say such. It sounds most interesting after all. |
| Shuuei: |
Kouyuu, give it up and tell. |
| Ryuuki: |
If it's about ani... umm Seiran, then I want to hear it too. |
| Kouyuu: |
Well... the story goes back to when I was still a helpless boy. I was suddenly taken in by Reishin-sama, and taken to his residence. Without any explanation. So I asked him, "why did you take me in?" |
| Ryuuki: |
He realised your potential at a glance! |
| Shuuei: |
You were as helpless as a little puppy. |
| Kouyuu: |
Wrong! I'm a substitute! |
| Seiran: |
A substitute? |
| Shuuei: |
For who? |
| Kouyuu: |
I was taken in around thirteen years ago. What happened at that time at Kou Shouka's residence? |
| Ryuuki: |
It couldn't be... |
| Kouyuu: |
"It seems that my most respected elder brother recently took in a boy. So I decided to take in and raise some random child in order to share that experience." That's what he said! And the one he saw at that time... My life ended once at that moment.
You're lucky because you got Shouka-sama! But I got that Reishin-sama! But my being the way I am now, is thanks to you. Anyhow, drink up! Nah, I'll drink! |
| Shuuei: |
We understand all ready. Let's go. I'll see you home. |
| Kouyuu: |
I don't want to go home! |
| Seiran: |
W-will you be all right? |
| Shuuei: |
Umm... since you have the chance, you and His Majesty can talk together without interference.
Let's go. |
| Kouyuu: |
Stop it! Let me drink! |
| Shuuei: |
If you drink any more than this, you'll pass out before you get home. |
| Kouyuu: |
If that happened, I wonder if he'd take me in again... maybe he wouldn't... |
| Seiran: |
So Kouyuu-dono sometimes gets drunk like that. |
| Ryuuki: |
Aniue-... |
| Seiran: |
Your also drunk aren't you, Your Majesty. |
| Ryuuki: |
I'm powerless. Even though Shuurei's suffering so much, all I can do is watch over her from the shadows... |
| Seiran: |
Even from the shadows, it's enough. You opened the path for her, so please give her all the support you can. I... can do even less than you.
I'll be going as well. I'll see you back to your room.
|
| Kouyuu: |
I drank too much. |
| Reishin: |
My, what's with the wretched state you're in. Honestly! I don't recall raising you into such a pathetic man. |
| Kouyuu: |
In that case, you should take in some other child that's more to your liking!
|
| Shouka: |
It seems that Shuurei stayed overnight in the archives again, didn't she? |
| Seiran: |
Yes. It seems she's been working very hard. |
| Shouka: |
You've also learned how to make truly delicious tea. In the past, you put the tea leaves directly into the cup and added hot water. |
| Seiran: |
Please forget about that incident. |
| Shouka: |
Seiran. |
| Seiran: |
Yes. |
| Shouka: |
You should live the way you want to. From the moment we took you in and, together with my wife, gave you your name, I've always thought of you as my own child. |
| Seiran: |
Master... |
| Shouka: |
Parents shouldn't become major burdens for their children. So you don't have to worry about me at all. There's still time until Shuurei's assignment is decided. So take your time, and think things over. |
| Seiran: |
Master... |
| Shouka: |
Hm? |
| Seiran: |
Would it be all right if I invited a troubled young man here tonight? |
| Shouka: |
Eh?
|
| Ryuuki: |
If you could. |
| Eigetsu: |
This is the first time I've ever polished an Emperor's shoes. |
| Ryuuki: |
Things aren't too hard for you, are they? |
| Eigetsu: |
No. I'm learning a lot polishing shoes. |
| Ryuuki: |
I see. |
| Eigetsu: |
More than myself, please worry for Shuurei-san more. Things are much, much more difficult for her. |
| Ryuuki: |
Eigetsu. |
| Eigetsu: |
Yes? |
| Ryuuki: |
This is for you. |
| Eigetsu: |
What is it? |
| Ryuuki: |
It's the Imperial family's stamp. If something should happen, use this. |
| Eigetsu: |
But, wouldn't it be better for Seiran to have this? |
| Ryuuki: |
No. Right now, it's not possible for Seiran to always be by Shuurei's side. |
| Eigetsu: |
Understood. |
| Seiran: |
It may be that I'm the only one who's troubled and unable to do anything.
At least...
|
| Kouyuu: |
Shouka-sama did? |
| Seiran: |
Yes. He asked if you could come. |
| Kouyuu: |
For what reason? |
| Seiran: |
Since I passed the message on, I'll be going. |
| Kouyuu: |
I wonder what it's about...
|
| Kouyuu: |
Excuse me! |
| Shouka: |
Kouyuu-dono. Welcome. This way, if you please. |
| Kouyuu: |
It's rather unusual for you to invite me over, isn't it? |
| Shouka: |
I don't think it's as unusual as the look on your face.
That plum tree was sent by Reishin this year. It was after he'd heard that His Majesty had sent the cherry tree. |
| Kouyuu: |
Is it because plum trees blossom before cherry trees? |
| Shouka: |
No. It's because, since a long time ago, he's always liked plum blossoms and fruit the most. |
| Kouyuu: |
But there's not a single plum tree at his residence. |
| Shouka: |
My younger brother isn't the type to openly show what he likes or dislikes.
That one doesn't like the Kou family. But even so, he couldn't escape from becoming the head of the Kou clan. I think he didn't want you to end up being bound by that. If he gave you the Kou family name, you would have ended up getting caught up in the ugly darkness that surrounds the family. Reishin himself couldn't escape that, so how could he drag someone important to him into it.
I think he wants you to choose the path that you want and that's why he gave you the last name of "Li". "Li" is for the plum, isn't it? The "kou" in "Kouyuu" is an even deeper, pure red than crimson. And the "yuu" indicates how water runs. Your name shows his pride in thinking of you as his own child and his hope that you will live freely like the running water. I think for my younger brother, he named you well. |
| Kouyuu: |
I didn't know that. |
| Shouka: |
The child doesn't know the parent's heart. Although I think it's fine that way. |
| Kouyuu: |
Shouka-sama. |
| Shouka: |
Yes? |
| Kouyuu: |
Thank you very much. |
| Shouka: |
You should give your thanks to Seiran. He's the one who asked that I listen to what was troubling you. |
| Kouyuu: |
Yes. |
| Shouka: |
That and Shogun Ran. He also mentioned it. He said that you were rather withdrawn and that when it comes to matters involving Reishin, you'd only talk about it to myself. You have good friends.
|
| Kouyuu: |
Shuuei! Sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!! |
| Shuuei: |
Why is it okay for Seiran, but not myself? |
| Kouyuu: |
Because! |
| Shuuei: |
Boy oh boy. Being able to grasp the Kou family members' respect and people's hearts is really something isn't it? |
| Kouyuu: |
Shouka has Reishin and myself in his grasp, the Emperor is in Shuurei's and they have Seiran, who is so able, as their retainer...
If Shouka and them wanted to, they could probably take over this country with ease. |
| Shuuei: |
Yeah.
|
| Trailer: |
Things are so busy what with cleaning lavatories, polishing shoes and taking care of paperwork. I'm feeling a bit beaten by it all. No. That's no good, Shuurei. You can't give up so easily on the dream that you've only just been realised! |
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