Chapter 6 : History
Shi Kei would have fallen asleep during History classes if a really familiar name have not popped out.
"About two hundred years ago, a woman became the first female official to help govern the country. She was sixteen years old at that time, and was placed third in the examinations......" the History teacher clicked on her laptop, and a portrait of a beautiful woman appeared on the screen. Shi Kei almost felt his breath stop.
"Shuurei......" he spoke before he could stop himself.
The history teacher looked surprised. "Yes, Shi Kei, her name is Kou Shuurei. Glad to know that you do know a bit about our history." Then she added, " and try not to fall asleep this time."
Shi Kei ignored the snide remarks of the teacher, instead he focused on the image. No doubt she's the one in his dreams......
She......looked like Miyu......
Kei gasped. That's why I kept mistaking Miyu for her!
The teacher decided to walk away from Kei's seat, and continued, "She did many great things for the king at that time, Shi Ryuuki. It was believed that they were acquainted, or even lovers before Kou Shuurei entered as an official. Thus, there were a lot of rumors that said that the king was biased towards the female official. However, these rumors were extinguished when the king suspended Kou Shuurei's appointment two years later. Reduced her into a useless official as she took all the responsibilities upon herself, due to the epidemic incident around that time. Being the only female official, she was the easiest scapegoat and the fastest way to end arguments."
Kei filched. Why does all these sound so familiar?
" Then, there was the 'Red Clan Rebellion'. As their leader, Kou Reishin and his adopted son, Ri Kouyuu, were threatened of suspension, the entire Kou Clan refused to attend court, efficiently shut down the major workings of the central city, Kiyo. Fortunately, Kou Shuurei's father, Kou Shouka, quickly assumed the role of leadership and pledged absolute loyalty to the king of that time. Kou Shuurei, was also promoted as a concubine, as a direct line of Kou Clan would be needed."
Kei felt a pang in his heart. He knew all these.
"Kou Shuurei accepted the appointment as a concubine, but however, requested that the Lady of the back palace, Ran Jyuu-san hime, to be promoted as well." the teacher clicked on her laptop again, and the image changed into a woman in simple and neat clothing.
"It was unfortunate that Concubine Kou was assassinated two months after her promotion. She suffered two arrows, one in her back, and another in her heart. She died on the spot. But the catch is, there were no guards to protect the garden she was killed in. It was a planned murder by someone in the palace, but that someone was never found."
Gathering the last breath she had, a strained voice finally made its way out, "Ryu..."
"A week later, the king, Shi Ryuuki, was found to be poisoned to death in front of Kou Shuurei's grave. A few feet further, lied the corpse of the other concubine, Ran Jyuu-san hime. It appears that she committed suicide from the position of her wound and the fact that the weapon was on her hands. But who knows, this might just be part of a cleverly planned assassination to kill the royalty."
The transferee, Ran Aoi, paled as the teacher continued to recite the textbook. On the notebook, her pen was scribbling something that flashed in her mind,
Take responsibility.
"During the days where there was no king, hell ensued. There were a vigorous fighting over the throne, as to who will be the rightful heir as the young king left no children behind. Other countries also waged war as Saiunkoku was now vulnerable. The greatest drought and famine in history also occurred at the same period, causing the people of that era of immense suffering. In that six months alone, ten thousands of people died due to poverty and the fight of power. That period was referred as to the ' Period of Darkness'. Even till half a year later, the new emperor ascended the throne, the after effects of the power struggle was still evident."
Shi Kei suddenly banged his table, stood up with force, and stomped out of the classroom. The history teacher was startled,"Wha...Shi Kei! Stand right there! Its lesson time and......" and trailed off.
Kei ran towards the garden, desperately finding the sakura tree that always calmed him down.
There!
Kei stumped and crashed onto the ground, his back on the tree trunk. Raw memories were tearing her head apart, with the headache that started since yesterday......
" Haha. Actually I only need a few petals, but this branch is fine."
"There are things that no matter how much commoners try, commoners can't do. These are the duty of the King. If even the king slacks in these duties, who will do them? What will become of us commoners?!"
"Ryuuki......promise me that you'll be a good king."
" I......promise that I'll be back. And I'll cook vegetable dishes of the Sa Province, so wait for me."
"I want to be by your side, Ryuuki, but what I want to do is not just telling stories or playing the Erhu for you. I want to be able to help when you need me, stand by your side when trouble strikes."
"I must go. I'm not the Kou Shuurei two years ago already. Now that I have the power, I must do whatever I can."
"Okay. Until the sakura blooms."
"......If you want to take me in as a concubine, you must take Jyuu-san hime too."
"Ryuuki......I......Argh!! Never mind."
"Ryu......"
Tears strolled down Kei's cheeks again, as he finally remembered what he had forgotten long long ago. What have he done?! He......
" In that six months alone, ten thousands of people died due to poverty and the fight of power. That period was referred as to the ' Period of Darkness'. Even till half a year later, the new emperor ascended the throne, the after effects of the power struggle was still evident."
He......made a selfish choice. He chose to escape reality instead of facing Shuurei's death. he abandoned his promise, the remainder of what shared between him and Shuurei. His people.
"Ryuuki......promise me that you'll be a good king."
"I'm sorry, Shuurei...I'm sorry...I'm not a good king...I'm just a coward......I'm sorry......" Kei sobbed.
Is there anything he could do? Anything he could do to repair what he had caused?!
If only......he could start all over again......
Ran Aoi saw the boy that stomped out of the class now sobbing in the garden. She felt her heart shatter as the tears dripped from that boy's face. Suddenly, a burning sensation was felt on her neck. She dropped her files, and clutched on her neck tightly. She had not felt this sensation for a long time. The last time was when she was seven, when she accidentally pushed a kid off the stairs. That time, she also felt this sensation. The feeling to jump down the stairs as well. She almost did, but was pulled back by her childhood friend, Hyou Yue, who quickly called a teacher and bandaged the injured boy. Her eyes blurred, and suddenly, saw herself in a unfamiliar place, a unfamiliar scene......
The arrow pierced through the body of the other woman, the woman she hated so much. Blood gushed out from that fatal wound. She turned and saw me, not with anger, but with confusion, fear......and forgiveness. I did not understand, so I chose to ignore. Slowly, I pulled the bow in my hand to the fullest, and......"
"Aoi!" Hyou Yue's voice snapped Ran Aoi back to reality.
"Wha......Yue-chan......" a sob escaped, and Aoi pulled herself into Yue's embrace. "I thought I did something horrible just now......"
"Its alright......Aoi, you should get some rest. Lets go to the nurse office, okay?"
Ran Aoi followed her friend to the nurse office, her head hung low. Thus, she did not see the calculating look on Hyou Yue's face on their way.
Ran Shu stared at the leaving pair, sensing something amiss. The expression of her sister's childhood friend not missed his sharp eyes. He wondered the reason his sister was crying, but he had to attend the club meeting soon.
He struggled for a while, and decided to follow them. However, he was stopped by Shi Sei and Ri Kou, who were on their way to the council room.
"Shu, why are you just standing there? The meeting's starting." said the President, Shi Sei. Ri Kou nodded at him, signaling him to catch up.
"Right there!" he replied curtly, before tearing his eyes off the duo.
"Maybe I'll check with her later." he thought before he left, catching up with his best friends.
Later that night.
Knock knock.
Knock knock knock.
Knock knock knock knock.
Shi Kei rubbed his sore eyes as he twisted the doorknob. The door creaked open, and he saw Miyu standing outside in the cold rain, tears dripping down her cheeks.
"Miyu? What's wrong?!" Kei asked as he pulled the trembling girl into his house. He slammed the door behind him, and made his way towards his room to get a towel……
……and stopped on his tracks as Miyu clutched his hand.
"Miyu?" he asked carefully.
Miyu shook her head, and wrapped her arms around Kei's warm back,
"No, I'm not Miyu...I'm Shuurei, Ryuuki……"
Addition to the list:
Ran Jyuu-san hime = Ran Aoi ^-^
I've made a little changes to this chapter, it's to bridge it to the next chapter as I got writers block when I ended it abruptly last time. So I'm finally coming back to this story, I apologize for the really, really, really late update! *begs for forgiveness*