The Romance of the Seventh Star

Entry 9

Humbled by time in afflictions, I learnt to repent of my prejudices towards Tenpou and, by association, Kenren. It took a while still to adjust to their peculiarities till I could desist judging their characters through coloured lenses.

Tentative cordiality was established and to me, it was my halcyon days with them. My optimism of the occasion, however, was misconstrued by my own ignorance. For maleficent forces were already at work and even as I basked in the naïve delight of newfound friendship, Tenpou and Kenren were keeping watch on the emerging tentacles of malignity.

They were astute men, these two, and it is our loss that we have not and would not heed their words.

That is not to say that these men have been vocal with their opinions and assessments of the times. No, both the marshal and general knew when to speak and otherwise. (Even Kenren; for all his infamous brashness, he could be eloquent if he so chose.) Unfortunately, they found it more prudent to their health to maintain silence on their suspicions of those insidiously shifting powers. So deep and far-flung is stretched the influence of the secretly malicious they could only be effective if moving covertly.

Tenpou Gensui and Kenren Taishou have never deliberately enlisted me or anyone else, into their unseen battles. It was only by observation and chanced intrusions that I have come to be somewhat privy to the disquietude that burdened them so. Even then, they were cautious with their thoughts until I had independently come to similar conclusions regarding the various injustices cloaked beneath the veneer. They were wary of speaking their minds and rightly so for who, inflamed by the projection of our Realm's supposed perfection, as is our vast majority, would willingly agree with them?

How blind we have become! Even up to the final days of the great catastrophe, how opulent we looked and righteous we persisted in claiming ourselves to be! Therefore, how internally fraught with faults our society must have been for so many to be found fraudulent, and so pitiful in number the truly discerning and upright!

Chapter 9: Counterpoint Harmony

The army's outdoors obstacle course field was located at the north of the military compound, surrounded by a swathe of paulownia trees. Various contraptions spread over its sizable space, intimidating to anyone not up to the dexterous fitness challenge they served. A ruddy running track circumscribed the field like a thick, oblong border. At present, a sole runner dressed in baggy sweatpants and loose tee-shirt could be seen pounding the pavement.

Slep-slep-slep… slep-slep-slep … His footsteps seemed arranged to a triple beat.

From one of the massive trees a distance away, a pair of eyes lazily kept watch. It was rather difficult to spot the observer though, due to the profusion of broad leaves and towering stature of the tree.

Kenren had managed to make his lanky form comfortable on the bough that provided him his vantage point. He was casually clad in a dark turtleneck and tight jeans, propped against the trunk at mid-height. One long leg dangled down the broad, brown limb while the other was bent with an arm resting on the knee. A hand was tapping a slow, thoughtless rhythm on his tummy, but it paused upon sensing a presence.

"You're very dedicated to your charge, Kenren-san," Tenpou's sunny tenor drifted up by way of greeting. "How's Hikaru-san doing so far?"

Kenren dropped an impassive look downwards. The marshal's signature laboratory coat was visible through the gaps in the green foliage. "Not bad. Kid's motivated," he threw his voice towards the ground.

There was a lull in the conversation, which was filled by light rustling of leaves. From the corner of his eyes, Kenren marked the other man settling down on the nearest lower bough. "You're here for Hikaru?" he asked.

"Ah," Tenpou confirmed. "I've something to tell him."

Kenren cast a sharp glance. "More trouble?" he growled.

The protective display amused Tenpou, who decided not to needle the other officer about his own track record in stirring up the same. He shook his head, smiling, "Nothing so exciting. Just training matters."

Kenren wrinkled his brows, "Are you adding something to the schedule I drew up?"

"Regarding that schedule," Tenpou sounded wry, "I asked for your help to deal with Hikaru-san's debilities. But with all that stuff you're packing in, are you sure you aren't trying to scare him out of the army?"

Kenren shifted his attention back to the panting Seishin recruit in the distance, who had been able to keep his running rhythm steadily going. He shrugged, "How else can his strength and stamina be built? Anyway, he's not complaining and I don't know how long I've got."

The marshal smiled at the answer, hearing also an angling for news updates. Talking to Kenren Taishou was fast becoming routine, not least because he enjoyed the general's own sense of dark humour and astonishing ability to cut through his thought processes. The other officer's bluntness was a refreshing foil to his own subtility, disarming his characteristic caution.

In any case, there were fair reasons for Kenren's unspoken inquiry. On the morning after spoiling the ambush plotted for the Seishin attaché, Tenpou had been reporting the matter to Goujun when a surprise visitor showed up. It was the First Squadron's erstwhile general, Enrai, just barely keeping his smugness reined as he delivered a letter of authorisation from the Internal Security Bureau of the War Ministry. Two options had been dictated in the paper: one was to restore Enrai as the First Squadron general. The other was to remove the squadron from Tenpou's division altogether. The very names of those still detained in the cells and other identified agitators could be absorbed into the department at the Bureau where he was currently stationed.

Enrai claimed he had heard from the grapevine what happened and was given permission to resolve the situation. Such a case with potential cause for diplomatic fallout, the ex-Western Army general

had posited, needed to be turned over to the higher bureaucratic levels.

Tenpou let the previous squadron leader have his say. It was not as if he had been ignorant of how deeply embedded the other man's claw was in the Western Army. It rather validated his priority for house cleaning and that Kenren was correct – Hikaru had been instrumental in sifting out those with questionable loyalties.

Enrai's blatant arrogance was easily his blind spot, however. This attempt at taking advantage by element of surprise rather showed his hand. Tenpou had no doubt even Goujun could sense something suspicious. Yet at the same time, the general was appealing to the risk aversion tendency of the bureaucratic morass, which was quite on point as persuasion tactic. Should matters escalated to involve Seishin no Goten, it might reel out of control… an outcome Tenpou privately thought was advantageous, really.

The marshal had to take initiative. Upon pretext of agreeing to keep matters under the lid, he agreed to transferring the dissenters out. It was not without a catch: the Western Army should take responsibility over the pruning of membership.

Enrai had been leery, but there was little he could do given that his demands were met. Besides, Tenpou was counting on Goujun's sense of duty to prefer this most legitimate procedure. So, by the Dragon King's order, he had a fortnight to confirm the list of those who would leave the squadron. It had been a week since.

At present moment, he actually did have news concerning the soldiers arrested. "By the way, the Disciplinary Board sent a notification. Kuuyoku-san and others have been released into the custody of Internal Security on probation."

The marshal's tone was so casual, it took the other officer a moment to sort through his point. "That's fast!" he said with some astonishment before adding sarcastically, "Let me guess – the guarantor's a general we know?"

"Well, the letter only says they'll be tracked by the Advisory for Palace Security," Tenpou remained placid.

Kenren tightened his lips. The Advisory… these were ranking places indeed within the military hierarchy. But then, that was the nature of bureaucracy – typically top-down with the occasional bear traps cast by competing interests. He was not naive: by the time Tenpou thought it fit to address the matter of the ambush before the First Squadron, both he and Goujun should have already settled on their plan of action. Hence that afternoon, when Tenpou came by to speak to the First Squadron, he decided to simply spectate, even if it did not fit his style. He was curious to discover how the marshal would manoeuvre the situation.

Unsurprisingly, the archery practice on the day after the incident turned out to be pretty dismal. Although the general had made no mention of events from the day before, nor were the nine soldiers involved in Hikaru's rescue indiscrete, speculations were rife. More than ten people had failed to show, not including those still under remand. No one had been calm enough to perform well. Training was essentially pointless, and Kenren had been wrapping it up when the bespectacled officer appeared at the dojo.

Tension had instantly skyrocketed.

The green-eyed strategist had an announcement to make, and he started with a loaded speech. Divided loyalties within the First Squadron were mentioned, the actual agenda revealed in an oblique manner. Then news of the temporary suspension of the squadron and offer of voluntary transfer came, to flabbergasted responses. Kenren would be impressed if anyone was collected enough to parse through the intricacies woven in between the message and decisions tabled.

Effectively, the First Squadron was fractured. In the week since the talk, applications for transfer had been accumulating with twenty-seven at present and counting. The possibility of disbandment was in the air. He understood – and even approved – of the need to uproot Enrai's shadow from the First Squadron. But it seemed, with Tenpou's latest tidbit, there were hidden players to suss out.

"What about Goujun?" the general asked, dissatisfaction growing. "He's not interfering?"

"He's not pleased, per se," Tenpou frowned. "But the letter states that disciplinary measures are being meted. Goujun-sama… does not see any need to pursue the matter."

Kenren sneered, "The obedient, believing type, huh? As if following protocol and packing them off to the martial court does anything!"

Tenpou did not refute his criticism. "The bureaucracy cannot afford to have the matter blown up, after all. The Disciplinary Board's probably relieved that someone's willing to take the case off their hands." He paused and then stared intently at him, "Besides, Hikaru-san's contented to let things be."

"Che!" Kenren grumbled again, turning his face away from his reporting officer. "It's sure tempting to get the kid to raise hell. Shake things up a bit and see what worms would crawl out of the woodwork."

"Aren't you the one loathed to drag Hikaru-san into the matter?" Tenpou's teasing reply came.

Kenren refused to rise to the bait. He had made his opinions known already – twice even, and would rather avoid word games. By now, he was convinced of Tenpou's fundamental integrity. Yet, with increasing interactions, the more he was convinced not to accept the latter's words at face value. It felt quite ambivalent. Instead, he pointed his chin at the running figure on the track who was slowing down. "He's done," the general commented before leaping down from his perch.

Tenpou followed after, eyes cool and calculating as he hung back in their short stroll towards the obstacle course. His intentions for Hikaru remained the sticking point between them, he knew. Kenren had first sounded him out about it in the immediate aftermath of the foiled assault, after sending the troubled Seishin recruit off.

Cheh! That kid's too soft. The general had muttered over the smoke of the cigarette Tenpou wordlessly offered. They were reclining on the sofas, having arrived to a silent consensus that the day needed no further grandstanding, what with the excess of excitement since the morning. Hikaru's puerile motive in visiting his living quarters had caused quite a jarring sense of chagrin. Who knew aside from being opinionated and headstrong, the attaché could actually be this sentimental? The gaze Kenren turned on the marshal was lazy, but the shrewd light in its depth put the latter on alert. You seemed keen to have him get in touch with his court. Anything you're not saying?

Tenpou had been slow to answer, taking time to first discard the ash on his cigarette. Are you going to make a habit of questioning my every action?

His non sequitur had earned him a narrowed-eyed stare. Fine! Keep your schemes to yourself, though I'll not have Hikaru be your betting chip. Don't think I've forgotten about your clever manoeuvrings during the simulation exercise. I'd rather have the kid out of here before the next scape happens.

And the influence of the Seishin court could help, if Hikaru-san's inclined to use this card of his. Tenpou had kept his tone light as he parried. That issue aside, should he remain here, I'm putting you up to oversee an individual training plan for him.

The general did not object, having too noted the Seishin recruit's odd lack of power despite his articulate form. What Kenren griped at, with a snort, was Tenpou's offhanded remark that he would be entertained to oversee someone such as Hikaru.

Cheh! If being defiant and utterly disrespectful of authority qualifies as "interesting character" – Kenren had been quick to dismiss a comparison between himself and the youth. There's a difference between assertion of one's manhood and impertinence of a boy. The way he flagrantly thumbs his nose up at what's regular? Or interprets words to his convenience? Not that I disagree with him but he really riled the others in the squadron! He's going to get himself killed one day by one of those old geezers up there if someone doesn't look out for him.

Having a fair idea of how shameless a person like Kenren could be by then, Tenpou had figured it was counterproductive to point out the ironies within that little spiel. Anyway, he was sure the general was taken with the youth, fully aware how the other man had kept Hikaru under his wing during the simulation exercise. Like called to like, after all; his double standards but a cover for genuine protective tendencies.

Anyway, he could be assured that both latest additions to the First Squadron would be kept occupied while the surrounding turmoil was being dealt with.

But for all that he acknowledged of the general, certain subterfuge was necessary, such as the matter of Hikaru's true identity. It would have been a pity to give up solving that mystery – such a diversion! He had been prepared to do so should the attaché end up leaving the army.

At least, that was the initial idea…

Even before they emerged from paulownia forest, Hikaru had already spotted them approaching and was walking over. There was no trace of his past belligerence in the way he held himself. Apart from being flushed and sweaty, his tanned face was open and at ease.

"Tenpou Gensui. Kenren Taishou…" The Seishin attaché was still breathing hard as they neared.

"How's the training so far, Hikaru-san?" Tenpou asked.

Hikaru levelled serious eyes on him. "Downright insane, sir."

A strangled squawk was heard from Kenren. The Seishin recruit read the flare of humour in the marshal's emerald eyes and tacitly, they ignored the tallest person among them.

"Our excellent Taishou-sama seems to be aiming for a miracle, isn't he?" Tenpou nodded with grave air.

"Or he's just being an outstanding Taihou-sama(1)," Hikaru deadpanned.

Kenren cut in drily, "If you are done with the insults, I'm claiming my compensation for disservice done to me as the superior officer. My boots do need polishing."

There was the slightest widening of Hikaru's eyes. Tenpou's mirth deepened.

"I believed my stamina's improved!" the Seishin attaché smoothly amended with an innocent face. "And I'm learning some hand-to-hand combat patterns from Kenren Taishou."

Tenpou beamed at the general, "Sounds like you're doing a great job, Kenren-san!"

The First Squadron leader shot him a sour look.

Hikaru smiled to himself. Such repartee among them would have been unimaginable mere weeks ago. After being escorted back to his apartment that evening, it had been another sleepless night. The hostility from the First Squadron had shaken him deeply, forcing him to confront the blunt reality of being 'Hikaru', of needing to survive there and then. He was alone and felt alone.

There was a folder sitting on a shelf in his living room, chucked there on his first day at the compound out of distaste and ignored since. It was the dossier on 'Hikaru', a copy prepared by Mamoru Ni-ouji and Yoshi Roku-ouji for him. Back at Seishin no Goten, he had been so angry, unable to bear doing as advised, sullen when the princes tried to explain what it contained. But now… now, he needed a sign, needed to grasp the next step.

So, he picked the dossier up.

Have I really been so thoughtless? Hikaru had wondered, flipping through the pages slowly and noting for the first time how his profile was but a moderated version of the truth. His siblings had truly tried their best to make his situation easier to bear. His knots within since his exile began felt more burdensome than ever. Suddenly, he was struck by the futility of all his grievousness. How senseless rehashing the bitter memories were!

Yes. He could learn to accept his current place.

With no small contrition, he watched the next day as squadron members who showed up for archery practice fell into disarray upon Tenpou Gensui's terrible announcement. No one mentioned it, but he could admit how pivotal a role he had played in the disbanding of the squadron.

Afterwards, Tenpou had signalled for him to follow himself and the general back to his office. Once again, the marshal attempted to persuade him to return to the Court of Celestial Bodies. The green-eyed officer was in the middle of spinning some apology for 'dangers undergone' when Hikaru butted in. Are you trying to get rid of me?

At the side, Kenren Taishou stifled a chortle, to which Hikaru shot a look. From where he was seated at his table, a bemused Tenpou blinked.

The attaché flustered, suddenly sensitive to the inappropriateness of his outburst. His wide eyes flew everywhere, hands clenching and unclenching. My job, uh– is to participate in and study the Western Army… with the– with the– objective of improving Seishin no Goten's security. So, despite these– uh, unexpected disruptions– I, uh– what I mean is– is– Hikaru's explanation came in fit and stutters, awkwardly lifted from papers read in the middle of the night.

As Tenpou and Kenren looked increasingly confused, Hikaru decided to give up on being eloquent. Permission to speak plainly! He requested with a grimace. The stare Tenpou sent him was bewildered; he took it as assent to continue.

Don't take me for a spineless coward! He proceeded to blast. I'm capable of taking up my own fights and am surely capable of facing the consequences of any trouble I've caused! I have a job to finish so… by the stars, I will! I don't need your help to clean up my mess for me or for you to send me packing off to 'somewhere safer'! If you like being a babysitter so much, I suggest you quit your military jobs. That's all, sir! He did not forget to crown his speech with a salute, boring his eyes into the far wall.

It was Kenren who broke the stunned silence with his badly muffled laughter. Tenpou had a hand around his glasses, looking away and downwards.

Interacting with the two men had been much easier since then. Though Hikaru had cards he was keeping to himself, he could at least acknowledge a fair hand if granted. For one, Tenpou did not seemed to care about pursuing what had so displeased to him during the simulation exercise. Neither did Kenren mention a thing. True, greater problems had captured their attention since. Nonetheless, it was a détente.

Right now, the marshal was reaching into the right pocket of his laboratory coat. He took out a large iron cast key, holding it out to a puzzled Seishin recruit. "Here's something to help you. It's the key to my personal dojo. You may keep it since it's a duplicate," he explained.

Hikaru looked back and forth between the officer and object in disbelief. Kenren was staring at the other man, brows raised and wondering to which point his mental pendulum was swinging. Is Tenpou Gensui really being obliging or something was up his sleeve?

That day, after Hikaru fled the scene adorably embarrassed from his spirited declaration, he had unceremoniously called Tenpou out. You're hoping for Hikaru to raise the alarm, he had said. It finally clicked for him why the other officer had been pressing for the attaché to leave. If it's you pushing the issue, it would have put you in a really bad light with Tentei and the court, huh?

There's that. Tenpou had unabashedly admitted. Plus, having me as the tattletale would be meaningless if it doesn't guarantee definite results. All I have are guesses regarding any hidden hands. Involving Seishin no Goten exerts pressure which might draw them out without any losses of credibility.

So now you're fine using Hikaru as bait? Kenren had scoffed. It was quite the turnabout from how the other officer had reacted at the end of the simulation exercise. Or the favours he had granted the Seishin recruit before. The latter's lightning switches in plots and agendas was giving him a head spin.

Is he not safer with Seishin no Goten? Tenpou had countered. Besides, he's too convenient an instrument given his infamous run-in with Enrai. Hence, Kenren was informed of who had showed up that morning to interrupt the meeting between the marshal and the commander of the Western Army.

Kenren understood the reality of political sabotage and conspiracies. So, he could see how handily Tenpou had hedged his bets by having the Western Army direct the destination of the men who would opt out of the squadron, offering a modicum of control amidst all the unseen manoeuvring going on. Moreover, other squadrons were watching. As it was, he was hearing through the grapevines of the tremours that Tenpou's handling of the whole business was causing. Regardless of where other generals within the Western Army stood in the conflict, they recognised the line they should toe. Still, the pushback could only work so far, given the hidden forces behind Enrai's arrogance. Enrai and his backers will track them down. He'll want his power base back. He had openly mused to Tenpou.

The other officer did not respond, though likely, he must have already foreseen it. As for Kenren, he was more preoccupied with ensuring Hikaru not get caught up with the mess more than he already was. He might have agreed that getting the attaché returned to the Court of Celestial Bodies was a convenient fallback. But he wanted the youth the make his choice on his own terms.

And Hikaru did choose, dramatically too. Not a boring subordinate, for sure!

Of course, Tenpou could simply be generous by lending the use of his personal dojo. A lack of rationale could just be another way to mess with their minds – Kenren would not put it past the enigmatic strategist. It was hard to tell.

The bespectacled man was keeping his gaze on Hikaru as he pressed the key into an unresisting hand, his demeanour cordial and encouraging. He was honestly enjoying the expression on the attaché's face and hoped the latter would simply accept his offer without question. More importantly, he wished the general would do so.

Tenpou was aware Kenren sought clarity of his motives. The new squadron leader actually cared. In addition, it was beneficial to have his support with all the covert politics occurring.

But not everything could be plain. He saw no need to expose Hikaru to Kenren, for one, short of the other officer discovering the Seishin recruit's secrets for himself. Secondly, after watching the latter in action throughout these few weeks, he was in accord with the general in this: the slender, credulous youth was too green for the cutthroat affairs he had unfortunately muddled into. Tenpou knew what his preferred development of the whole Enrai affair was, but he would not insist on it. Not with how stoutly Hikaru had declared his decision to stay. That had been a highly ingenuous display. Perhaps… in spite of himself, he had been charmed.

Well, he always did have little tolerance whenever someone encroach into his ambit.

Major issues aside, he did not mind doing what he could to help Hikaru find his place within the army. This was what he was doing now, with the key had passed over. "Usually, the dojo in the compound's reserved for mass use and occupied. Considering your work with Kenren Taishou, you'll be needing a place for private practices, likely at your own timing," Tenpou continued to say. He turned, poised to walk away. "Come, I'll show you where it is."

It took the officers a few moments before realising the Seishin recruit had not fallen in step behind them. Hikaru, mien dumbfounded, was staring at the key held aloft in his hand. Then, his dark eyes were sweeping between Tenpou and Kenren, clearly moved.

His list of problems, broad or personal, had not miraculously dissolved. Yet, at this moment, with this unexpected gift in his hand and in the company of these two men, a sense of hope so breathtaking and overwhelming warmed the attaché's chest.

"Kid?" Kenren raised his voice, shaking the youth from his stupor. There was a knowing twinkle in his eyes.

One day, Tenpou predicted, the Seishin representative would take offence with that moniker. It should be highly diverting to watch the general received his comeuppance. Meanwhile, he was looking forward to much entertainment from them. Unbidden, his own lips stretched into a faint smile as he watched a grin of anticipation blossomed on Hikaru's face.

The attaché scrambled up, exclaiming "I… I'm coming!"

Whenever that day of reckoning might be, it could wait.

-tbc-

Footnotes:

1) Taihou-sama: Idiot-sir

Message from Author:

Hi everyone! Thanks for sticking it out so far in this story. This chapter wraps up an arc within the scheme of the whole story so it's a good time to seek for feedback on your reading experience so far.

There might be those who had read the original version and are aware of the difference between that and this redux one. I hope this version has proven to be a pleasure to read.

Cheers,
Lady Rurouni