A/N:
HELLO!
Happy first anniversary to this story! :)
I can't believe it's been a year since I wrote this fic. ;A; I initially thought this is going to be really short, given the randomness and crack-ness of this idea (lol), but then, I found out along the way that there were many things I wanted to write about this fic. So yeah, here we are. Also, it's thanks to all of you, who are reading and enjoying this, for giving me motivation! Thank you so much! T-T
To theEmpress09, aaah you're making me cry with all your lovely reviews ;A; I truly appreciate them~ I'm also glad to hear that Setsuna left a good impression on you. And yes, her name! It did take me some to time to search for a meaningful name for her (lol). Anyway, that short scene of the Joui4 visiting a red-light district played a very important part in letting this fic exist, so thank you Sorachi-sensei for that and for giving us Yakulk-loving Bakasugi (lol)! Btw, I got the idea of using Takasugi Shinsaku's actual lines, after seeing Sorachi-sensei's drawing of Shinsuke with the dodoitsu about crows (the one in chapter 8) written alongside the drawing (it's in lesson 573 of the manga, if you're curious). Yay to Sorachi-sensei~ Sadly, gorilla-sensei didn't give us more info about Seita's father :( but if he did, this fic wouldn't exist, so in a way, thanks again sensei (lol). Also, yeah, our emo edgelord's reaction to losing another person would really be sad T-T so I decided to write Hinowa's perspective first. Hope you don't mind tho (sorry), and hope you enjoy reading this, even if it's 3am or whenever! :)
To Mitsuki, I love your name! I wonder what it means :) Also, ikr, this fic is really random (lol) that's why I didn't expect to get such wonderful comments from y'all T-T And thanks a lot for liking our warrior, Setsuna. I'm pleased to know her actions, goals, and personality managed to move you.
To TheInsectPillar, aww you're all making me cry too! T-T And yes, ugh, schoolwork is making me cry too (lol). As for your question, I wrote Hinowa's POV first. :) Thank you for patiently waiting and again, I wish you enjoy this chapter, as well~
Okay, enough of my babbling (lol). As a celebration of this special day, here's the next chapter! :)
"Happy birthday, Hinowa."
Hinowa turned towards the chestnut-haired girl, she just met a month ago when they arrived in this place, then beamed, "Thanks, Kuri-chan!"
The girl called Kuri – Hinowa was proud to give her that fitting name – looked away and fiddled with her fingers, "I don't have a gift...so I'll tell you a secret", before staring directly into her orbs, "Promise me you won't tell anyone?"
Blue eyes instantly lit up, in contrast to the other's dark eyes, "Promise!"
"My real name is Setsuna. It means 'pure world.'"
"Setsuna...", Hinowa repeated, and she liked it way better than 'Kuri', so she couldn't help but ask, "It's such a pretty name! Why hide it?"
"Because I hate this place."
...
Even before Hinowa was brought to Yoshiwara, she already has one goal – to help the mister, who owned this place and was called Lord Housen, to make up with the sun, so that everyone in here could see bright and egalitarian skies again – which was probably why she really didn't have problems in being here. However, hearing such words from her friend made her realize the reality that this place was a prison for all, and majority of the people here has one goal – to escape. Persuading Lord Housen would most likely take a lot of time, and during those times, a lot of women and girls, like Setsuna, would continue suffering in this sun-less and moon-less place they loathe. Therefore, the then-eight-year-old Hinowa became determined to be a great older sister to the then-seven-year-old Setsuna, and rise as the sun of Yoshiwara, while she proves to Lord Housen that the sun is a friend and must be welcomed by opening the ceiling.
This was why during the wee hours of a spring morning – the period when customers becomes really drunk and even wasted, and when courtesans and customers get busy in their rooms – the twenty-year-old Hinowa was still holding the hands of the-nineteen-year-old Setsuna, as the latter was currently in childbirth. Despite her own hands getting squeezed hard, Hinowa took all the pain in, hoping that she could somehow absorb even just a bit of the immense pain the pregnant one was currently experiencing. She has to stay strong for her. Moreover, she shouldn't show any panic – even if a Hyakka went inside and told them about news reaching Lord Housen; and even if Lady Miya entered the storage room and handed them a set of samue or work clothes (which consists of a top and pants), while sharing a brief yet meaningful look with her.
"An old man will be waiting on the surface by the nearest bridge. He'll keep the baby safe, for now, until we get his mom to escape. So, as soon as the baby comes out, one of 'ya must run and bring the baby to him."
Next, the older woman took a kunai from the Hyakka member and used it to cut Setsuna's chestnut hair, which was given to the Hyakka member right after, "Take this to your superior, and report that 'ya have successfully killed the pregnant Lady Kuri, who was in labor, so the kid also died. Along with the other courtesans currently serving customers at the shop, I'll try my best to delay them."
Once Lady Miya and the Hyakka left, the dark-haired lady felt her hands getting crushed, but instead of flinching, she let out a smile to her friend, "It's okay. Just push. You can do it", and continued to do so until the baby finally did come out.
"A boy!", someone said; and the usually well spoken Hinowa was rendered speechless, while watching them clean the tiny creature and wrap him in fresh clothes. In an instant, she was drawn to the child; and without much thought, she hoisted the child up – as if he were the brightest star, even more than the sun, who illuminated all the darkness in them.
The child of Yoshiwara.
And now, they've become mothers.
At the sight of the thin chestnut hair of the boy, the black-haired woman felt so proud of his chestnut-haired mother. Hinowa felt extra warm in seeing mother-and-child together, and in seeing Setsuna tear up, as soon as the child was in her arms and stopped his crying.
"Seita. My baby, Seita...written with the characters... 晴太 , which means 'clear up' and 'thick or very' respectively."
"Seita.", Hinowa repeated, and just like the moment she first knew of her friend's real name, she was truly delighted. The child's name was as beautiful and symbolic as his mom's.
The boy opened his eyes; and she immediately understood why the lady near her got captivated and fell in love with this boy's father.
His eyes were a lovely shade of green.
"In all of this darkness and death, there will always be light and life in this world...like the flames of candle wicks, the sun, the moon...and this boy's green eyes."
At such eloquent and enlightening statement from the dark-eyed woman, more tears formed on her own blue eyes; though, after only a few drops, her tears stopped, when she saw her friend getting even more pale, and the infant slipping away from her friend's weakening grasp. Quickly, she caught him.
"Setsuna?"
"Oh no, her pulse is too fast! She lost a lot of blood and her body probably couldn't take it", someone said, painting the room with worry. The ever-composed Hinowa couldn't help but get anxious too, "Oh Setsuna...I'm here. Don't give up..."
"Hinowa, t-thank you...my sun...my everything, I-I love you so much."
By this time, azure eyes roamed the room for help, before going back to her dear sister's pale yet beautiful face. Her lips began shaking uncontrollably – getting really scared for not knowing what to do for the person she wished to support no matter what, "I love you too...Setsuna...hey...stay strong, please? Please!"
"E-everyone...t-thank you...p-please take care...of our child..."
Ash eyes closed, causing Hinowa to gently shake the owner of such eyes, "Setsuna?!", before proceeding to check her pulse, only to detect no pulse from her. Panic and fear surged in the ravenhead, as she desperately called out to her, "Setsuna!"
Immediately after someone pronounced Setsuna dead, the room became filled with noises of grief, contrary to previous tunes of glee due to Seita's birth.
And ultimately, the bright sun was covered with too much clouds. Just like how rain falls down, Hinowa allowed herself to melt and cry. Plenty of negative thoughts swarmed in her head, and darkness slowly crept in her – trying to break not just her heart, but even her unbreakable soul.
But this didn't last long, because fate has different plans for her.
A sound from the bundle of life in her arms awakened her from her sorrow, and protected her firm soul.
Green irises stared back at her sky-like ones.
That's right.
She can't break down now. She has to be strong.
For Seita.
For the mothers of Yoshiwara.
For Setsuna.
Planting a kiss on the forehead of her demised best friend slash younger sister, she bid her farewell.
"You did well, Setsuna. Rest now, my chestnut."
Reminded of Lady Miya's instructions, she recovered and immediately handed the child to one lady, while she changed into the samue or work clothes. At their confused expressions, she explained, "Someone inform Lady Miya and the others. I'll take Seita to the old man."
"Lady Hino– "
A scream and masculine voices cut one lady off, signaling danger. Not wasting any more time, Hinowa wrapped Seita with an additional cloth and took him in her arms; left the storage room at the back of Lady Miya's shop; then ran away, hearing rushed footsteps from the shop. When she reached the alley near said shop, she saw some men with pikes directly outside the shop. Another group of men with pikes emerged from the shop, "That bitch's dead already! But the brat and that bitch Hinowa's fucking gone."
Surveying the area, she figured there was no other direction towards the elevator that leads to the surface, and that she would soon be discovered. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself for a long chase. Just as expected, as soon as she moved away, she heard the men shouting at her, "Oi! That might be her! Stop!"
With the help of the adrenaline rushing in her, she went even faster. Passing by drunks, pissing men, and baffled courtesans, she only looked forward – focusing on her mission to flee this place with Seita. The women's lenses followed the baby in her arms; and despite her not looking back, she could sense their dull eyes light up, as they used some tricks to try delaying the men chasing after Seita and her. Once she reached the elevators, some Hyakka members were already prepared to capture them. However, the treasure she's holding was powerful, because directly after Seita let out another sound, the trained soldiers' fierce and void gazes became softer and curious. The courtesan showed them the baby's face, and that hit the nail on the head, as proven by the armed women dropping their weapons and allowing them to pass through.
As the elevator traveled upwards, Hinowa could only watch the place Setsuna despised turn smaller. Thinking about all the people, who helped them during Setsuna's pregnancy up to now, she could only hope that she had managed to help her friend like this place, throughout the years, even just for a bit.
After more than twelve years, the black-haired twenty-year-old has, at last, set foot on the surface again. She rested for a while and took in the image of the outside world, which probably changed a lot in a decade and more. In an hour or so, the sun would probably rise, though, with the skies being dark and cloudy and with rain pouring down, she sadly wouldn't be able to see the sunrise.
She stopped gazing at the heavens and scanned the area, instead. Not far away from the entrance, she spotted a bridge. Holding the kid closer to her, she ran some more, until she reached the foot of a long bridge, where an old man was already anxiously waiting.
The old man was relieved to meet them, "Did Lady Miya send you?"
Catching her breath, Hinowa could only nod, until she could speak again. Albeit a bit breathless, she was direct to the point, "Seita...H-his name's Seita, 晴太 ...meaning 'clear up' and 'very'."
From the direction of Yoshiwara's entrance, a commanding and familiar voice could be heard, and stood out against the noises of raindrops hitting the ground.
Lord Housen.
Confirming that Yoshiwara's overlord was on to her, she realized that she couldn't get away from the red-light district like this. She can't leave behind Tsukuyo, Lady Miya, and all of the women. Recalling her statement to Tsukuyo in the past – which was about how they won't find freedom if they simply run, and how they must fight from inside the cage, instead – led her to a decision.
She has to face the king of the land of eternal night – who personally participated in this search – and gladly bear all the blame. Eventually, she'll willingly receive the punishment, which is death. Besides, the sun still hasn't risen in Yoshiwara, so she must remain as their sun in the dark, up until her final moments.
Consequently, she took the extra layer of cloth from the boy to wrap it on a piece of wood, then handed the boy to the old man, "Hurry mister! Hide under the bridge, then run away once I push them to leave."
One last time, she caressed the child – their only hope and savior – and ruffled the chestnut hair he inherited from his mother, as her lips curved up, "Go and be free from the darkness. I'll take care of this."
The old man did as told. Meanwhile, she used whatever strength left; and with her aching legs, she tried her best to rush to the other side or the head of the bridge to serve as a decoy for their pursuers, who, unfortunately, has spotted her already.
"There she is! Hurry!"
The captors were fast enough to catch her in the middle of the bridge and push her down. Surrounding her, with their pikes pointed at her, one of them seized the bundled 'baby', only to throw it on the ground after seeing what it really was. The men then gave way for Lord Housen, who approached her. Unyielding, she didn't even wince when the tall man with an umbrella forcefully grabbed her face.
She stared straight and intensely into his eyes, "Kill me."
Housen's following words on how he won't let her off easily and let her suffer in hell, and how she's still useful in other ways, still didn't faze her one bit. In spite of his refusal to kill her being against her plan, she didn't give up, and even pulled the blade of a spear towards her – not minding the pain on her bleeding hand.
"I know you have no use for a puppet like me, now."
King or whatever – an old man, who remained dry by hiding underneath his umbrella, didn't scare her, who's drenched in the rain.
Unluckily for her, the rain and darkness has favored the night king. He warned her of his power, and revealed his knowledge about an old man hiding under the bridge, with the child, and leaving the choice to her. The stormy clouds has overwhelmed the sun and the blue sky; and she must let herself be caught alive for Yoshiwara's hope to be saved – and eventually be the clear sky in order for the sun in the Yoshiwaran women slash mothers' hearts to shine.
Back underground, one of the rising stars of the land of eternal night – if not the most radiant of them all – was thrown in a dim cell inside the ruler's mansion. A man, alongside a Hyakka member, asked the boss on what they were supposed to do with those who were part of this rebellion, alarming Hinowa at once.
Before Housen could even speak, the quick-witted lady stood up and beat him to it, "I take complete responsibility! Everything's all my idea. Please don't do anything to Lady Miya and the others. It's my fault for involving them."
The mister she met back when she was younger, she recalled, almost always bore a stern expression; nevertheless, she always noticed a hint of gentleness and loneliness in his eyes, whenever she tells him about the sun. Today, however, was different. She had broken his rules and betrayed him, after all. His dark orbs darkened even more, and she could see fury in them, while his voice boomed.
"Is this how you beg? With those eyes of yours?! At least get on your knees and lower your head, you wench!"
Housen moved so fast that she only realized he had struck her with the Hyakka's pike he quickly took, when she fell to the floor, and felt extreme pain on the back of her left foot. Due to the pain and shock, she remained paralyzed. The two other figures beside the tall overlord seem to be frozen in their spot as well.
"Come on, Hinowa! Beg for your other foot! Beg for your life!"
Hinowa didn't say a thing. Heck, she didn't even let out a whimper.
Figuring out what he desired from her, she bit back all the tears and pain, and only resolutely lifted her head and glared at him even more. As expected, her right foot swiftly ended up with the same fate.
The gray-haired man threw the bloody pike away, and declared, "Lady Miya and her girls bring profit to Yoshiwara. The Hyakka protect this city. They're all still useful to me. You, however...will only remain being the damn sun you fucking love, and a wingless doll that the others will foolishly idolize for them to work more...", before tossing a bundle of chestnut hair towards her, "...until you die alone and join your weak friend."
At the sight of Setsuna's chopped hair, she instinctively reached out for it, only for Housen to kick it back to him and keep it in his yukata, obviously wanting her to be at his mercy.
She was hurting so much, not just due to her sore legs and bleeding feet, but also due to all the sorrow, rage and darkness that ate her inside. It was getting seriously difficult to keep herself together. She just wanted to mourn for her best friend; for Seita, who'll grow up as an orphan; and heck even for herself. With all these thoughts and emotions, tears formed for the nth time that day, and threatened to spill out.
In contrast to her clouded vision, an image of clear skies and green eyes suddenly popped inside her mind.
.
.
.
Seita.
Yes, Seita. As long as he's free and as long as his green eyes see the sunny skies of the outside world, nothing could make Hinowa's own sky dark. Her eyes – the windows to her soul – would remain blue, glowing and regal like the heavens. Reminded of this resolve, she forced her tears back and pushed herself to continue fighting.
Azure eyes only burned even stronger against dark eyes.
Because of this display of defiance and strength, Housen's face contorted into a mix of confusion and anger; and he ended up storming off and ordering both the other man and the Hyakka woman to lock her up, until he says otherwise. After seeing such reaction from the man, Hinowa knew that despite her wounded and incapacitated feet, she was successful in standing her ground.
A king of the night, who shields himself from the sun, would never win against the sun, herself.