A/N: Nearly forgot to update this month. Time flies when you're buried in assignments. Hopefully, it'll be over soon.
The last scene of this chapter was inspired by episode 10 of the anime Classroom Crisis.
Next month's update should be an interlude chapter or a chapter for my other story Ookami-san, depending on which I finish first.
Comments and criticism highly appreciated. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 8: An Old Friend
Kotori waited patiently in her room for the time of Maki's arrival, playing idly with Tori-chan. It had been a few days since the medical practitioner's initial visit and it was time for her to check on Eri's condition.
The taupe-haired girl offered to accompany the other girl. She had been following the situation closely ever since she discovered one of the servants withholding food. When asked, the servant explained that she merely overlooked it, but her tone of voice and expression connoted otherwise. Maki clearly was not overstating about the public sentiment against the Ayase family.
Kotori had considered bringing in the meals herself. She suggested it to Umi, who quickly ruled it out. The taupe-haired girl must not be seen in any measure doing what could remotely be suggested as assisting the blonde. This would not do well with the allies of the Sonoda family - the Toujou family and the Yazawa family - who have already marked the Ayase family as the enemy. In a country that highly values nationalism, collusion with the enemy was seen as a serious offense and was punishable by blood.
Hence, Kotori was highly limited in what she was able to do. She was somewhat certain at least that the blonde was being fed. She asked Hanayo to inform her whenever she sees a tray of food being carried to the stables and, to her relief, the olive-haired girl came in daily with relative consistency. While Hanayo never personally saw Eri receive the food, Kotori was fairly confident in her assumption. The guard in the stable heeds orders meticulously and thus, so long as food arrives to the stables, the prisoner would likely be fed.
Still, it was simply conjecture. Maki's visit would give her reason to go into the stables once more and validate her assumption.
The songbird chirped insistently.
"No, Tori-chan, you are not getting any more food. I know Umi-chan fed you this morning."
It huffed and turned away, refusing to respond even as Kotori stroked its feathers in the way she is certain it likes. As she had mentioned, the songbird has certainly become more plump recently, the cause of which was attributed to the cobalt-haired girl.
Being confined to her room, Umi had developed certain rapport with the Tori-chan. One which involved a large amount of feeding and one of which Kotori definitely did not approve.
It was undeniably amusing at first, watching the cobalt-haired girl cave to Tori-chan's pleading eyes. One or two seeds was harmless, but the cycle continued until the songbird become as round as it was this day.
Kotori could only take solace in the fact it was not children to which the cobalt-haired girl relented. She would have to take caution in the future to avoid spoiling them.
It was nearly time for Maki's arrival. Giving Tori-chan one last stroke, the taupe-haired girl stood up. She made her way to the front gate, waiting to greet the medical practitioner.
"This is a private household. You are not permitted to enter."
"My friend lives in here! If you would let me find her, I can prove it to you."
The voice was one she had not heard in a long time, but she would recognize it anywhere.
It cannot be...
Kotori pushed past the guards blocking the way, ignoring their startled cries. Her eyes focused only on the person before her.
"Honoka-chan?!"
Her childhood friend grinned back at her.
"Good to see you too, Kotori-chan."
"I'm sorry for making you wait, Honoka-chan."
Maki had arrived not soon after their unexpected reunion. After having asked Hanayo to bring Honoka to wait at the rock garden, Kotori led Maki to the stables. To her relief, Eri looked much better than before. Her movements no longer seemed to cause any pain. Even Maki seemed satisfied with her condition, because the scarlet-haired girl had removed Eri's bandages before she parted with a few kind words.
"Heiki. I came by unannounced anyways."
"What are you doing here?"
"Father plans to expand the family business. He sent Yukiho and I to spread the word about our product."
"Did the bandit attacks worsen? Is that why he decided to expand now?"
"Oh no! Actually, the banditry situation has improved. There is still the common one or two attacks every now and then, but that is to be expected. Though, I heard there have been increased sightings of bandits at the north. Perhaps, there is more bounty northwards? Either way, Father wouldn't have let us leave otherwise."
"I see. It is a relief to hear this."
"Definitely, as I was saying, since you are familiar with this area, I thought it would be a good idea to have you show me around."
"What were you planning to do if the guards did not let you in?"
"Try again tomorrow?" Honoka rubbed the back of her head, a sheepish look on her face.
Kotori laughed.
"Shall we go?"
Contrary to Honoka's belief, Kotori was not as accustomed to the town as she had hoped, but it mattered little. Her childhood friend's notion of spreading the word meant stopping any and all of the townspeople they met and presenting them with a sample to taste.
Progress was slow, but fruitful. By the end of the day, a small crowd was lingering behind them, hoping for a second taste. It took Honoka multiple assurances that there will be more samples the following day before the childhood friends were willingly left alone.
"Here." Honoka placed a small clothed box into Kotori's hands. She did not have to check to know what it was. "As thank you for accompanying me today."
"Thank you. You didn't need to."
"Then consider it a bribe for accompanying me again tomorrow?"
Kotori laughed.
"Of course."
"Close your eyes, Umi-chan."
"Why?"
"Onegai, Umi-chan."
The other girl looked worried and reluctant, but relented to Kotori's plea nonetheless.
Waving a hand in front of the other girl's face to ensure she could not see, the taupe-haired girl quietly opened the box she had procured. Deft fingers picked up the confectionery and, with a hand below to ensure it did not drop, held it to Umi's lips.
"Say 'ah', Umi-chan."
Kotori placed the sweet in the other girl's mouth before withdrawing her fingers, blushing when the tips brushed against tongue.
"H-how is it? Do you like it?"
Umi chewed thoughtfully.
"It is delicious!" The cobalt-haired girl swallowed before opening her eyes. "What is it?"
"Manjuus." Kotori held up the box in her lap. "I met Honoka-chan today. She gave me some of her family manjuus."
Umi stared longingly at the sugary treat.
"Would you... like another one?"
"May I?"
Kotori offered the box in response. The other girl picked a piece before placing it in her mouth with closed eyes, relishing in the flavor. A part of the taupe-haired girl wanted to chuckle; this was the first time she had ever seen Umi looked so youthful, free of all the burdens she carried as heir of the Sonoda family. Kotori would not mind seeing more of this aspect of the cobalt-haired girl.
"I'm meeting Honoka-chan again tomorrow. If possible, I would like you to join us."
The smile she received in return was genuine.
"I would be honoured."
Linking her arm with the other girl the next morning, Kotori began to realize how much she had missed being able to spend the mornings together with Umi, before everything that had occurred with Ayase family. It made her glad she asked for a meeting.
"I'm sorry, I should have told you beforehand that Honoka-chan has a poor perception of time."
Even as the words flow out of her mouth, she wondered on the truth of her words, because, for now, more than ever, does she desire to remain basking in the calm, soothing silence of the early daylight with Umi.
"It is alright."
Kotori didn't have a chance to respond for the next moment she spotted the distinct ginger hair which only her childhood friend could possess and instinctively ran towards her.
"Honoka-chan!"
Her childhood friend, who was wandering aimlessly, straightened up at the sound of her name. She grinned as she turned and saw the taupe-haired girl.
"Kotori-chan!" She greeted, arms opened in front of her. The taupe-haired girl stepped into them, used to her friend's affectionate greetings.
"Honoka-chan, what are you doing? I thought I told you to meet me by at the corner shop."
"I got held up. Some of the folks recognized me from yesterday and asked for a second..."
The rest of the sentence died off as Honoka looked into the distance, eyes wide. Kotori turned, her own eyes quickly landed on Umi who had quietly followed her.
"It is an honour to meet you again, Honoka-san. Kotori speaks highly of you."
"...H-hello again..."
The taupe-haired girl look questioningly at Honoka and Umi, wondering if anything had happened between them when Umi picked up Honoka's letter for her. At the momentary look of surprise on the cobalt-haired girl's face before she recovered, Kotori knew Umi was as bewildered as she was.
Of all the ways Kotori thought this meeting would turn out, she could not have imagined such a strained ambience, coming from Honoka no less! The taupe-haired girl licked her lips, knowing that her next words would prove vital in defusing the situation.
"Umi-sama! Sonoda-dono requires your presence immediately. It is urgent."
It was Rin who interrupted them, speaking between deep breaths. The sweat on her face indicated she had ran all the way here.
Umi was ready to take her leave, but she hesitated at the last moment; eyes glancing towards Kotori.
"You should go."
Umi gave her a thankful look. Her lips turned in a half-smile.
"I will meet you later."
At Kotori's nod, Umi and Rin left hurriedly. Once they had gone, Kotori turned to her childhood friend, who had yet to speak. She wanted to question Honoka about her strange behaviour, but knew that now was not the time. She settled on a less troubled matter.
"Shall we?" Kotori asked, gesturing to the samples Honoka had yet to give out.
"...Sure..."
"Honoka-chan... Honoka-chan...!"
The other girl has been distracted ever since she met Umi, and Kotori was starting to get worried. This was the fifth time she had to shake Honoka out of a daze; it was a wonder they were even able to finish handing out the samples.
"Is something bothering you?"
"No! What's wrong? N-nothing is wrong! Everything is fine."
"Honoka-chan, you are a terrible liar." Kotori chided, before adding in a gentler tone. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
"I know..." Honoka grimaced. "I... you seem happy, and I don't want to ruin that."
"What do mean?"
"I think Umi-san isn't a good person." A sigh. "I looked into the Koizumi incident a bit further after I sent you my letter... I think the Sonoda family had a hand in the massacre."
Kotori's blood ran cold. "What...?"
"Don't you think it strange? The Sonoda family and Koizumi family have no dealings with one another. Yet, somehow they were the first in discovering the murder. There was no reason for them to know... unless they knew what was going to happen in advance."
"I thought you said the Yazawa family already uncovered the traitors...?"
"Yes, his children, in fact. There are doubts though. Yazawa children were too young to have committed such a crime, not to mention they lacked motive. It is popular belief they were scapegoats for the true culprit."
"The Sonoda family?"
Honoka nodded.
"Yes, the Sonoda family grew greatly in power and influence soon afterwards. Much more than reasonably expected."
Honoka's reasoning is not ungrounded. Kotori had also wondered once or twice why Umi would be at the Koizumi household, given that it was known their families weren't close. She would have continued suspect her, if she didn't already have a culprit in mind.
Her childhood friend was partially right, the Yazawa children were without a doubt scapegoats for the true perpetrator, but it was not the Sonoda family. Rin had hinted her towards them during her confrontation with Nico.
Crimson eyes.
The Head of the Yazawa family, Yazawa-dono.
The thought of the man being able to betray and send his own children to their deaths sent a chill down Kotori's spine. A man without mercy; it would not bode well for any of his targets. It was a wonder Eri even could have survived his and Toujou-dono's ire for so long.
Yet, Kotori could not tell Honoka any of this. Not without revealing the survival of Hanayo and Rin, which in turn would lead to more suspicion against Umi and the Sonoda family.
"I'm certain their growth in power merely coincided with the incident. The Sonoda family is a samurai family. The death of an alimentary trading family would bear no effect on their influence nor on their power."
"Still, you must agree that the circumstances under the Koizumi incident is questionable at best."
"Yes, but... I trust Umi-chan. Though she is distant at times, she has not been unkind to me. I do not think she would be able to carry out such a horrific act."
"...Kotori-chan... you like her."
Kotori turned to look at Honoka questioningly. "We are friends."
"No, I mean, you like her, don't you...?"
The denial was like an impulse on the tip of her tongue, threatening to escape, but she stopped herself the last moment. Would it be so wrong? They were married after all.
Her thoughts brought her back to the past weeks she had spent with the other girl. The delight she felt when Umi brought her the clothes and fabrics. The worry she felt at the possibility of her death. The fear when she saw Jirou waving his katana over her prone form. The general pleasantness whenever she was close to Umi.
"Uh... forget about what I said. I wasn't thinking. Come on, let's find some place to eat, I'm getting hungry!"
Honoka pulled at her hand and began leading her away.
"Yes..."
Her childhood friend paused in step and turned back to regard her.
The pleasant feeling within her bloomed into elation at the admission, and the taupe-haired girl could not stop the forthcoming smile on her lips. Not that she would want to.
"Yes!"
The smile Honoka returned her was warm and full of joy. She opened her arms in front her invitingly.
"Congratulations, Kotori-chan."
As she stepped into Honoka's arms to return the embrace with tears at the corner of her eyes, Kotori realized she truly could be content for the rest of her life.