I'm sorry this took so long again! I was tasked with a new job that took a while for me to figure out. But this week I was incredibly productive and used some of that productive energy to complete this chapter. Enjoy!
The distance from Tokyo to Akita was pretty far, which was a major concern to Mamori. A seven hour drive, that was now cut down to four hours thanks to the bullet train, proved that Youichi's trip down and back would be exhausting.
She wondered if she was being selfish to make that wish, if she was placing a heavy burden on him.
But Youichi would say this everytime she brought up that concern to him. "You're allowed to be selfish."
For some reason, the possibility that Youichi might use some "questionable" methods to see her emerged in her thoughts. She had just cried for what felt like a long time, but this thought of Youichi pulling out his black book to blackmail a helicopter pilot made her smile. Usually she would be against using such methods, but then again it did come in useful most of the time.
Feeling slightly better now, she looked out the window to the scenery of greenery and hills, the picture perfect views of Japan that she had never seen before. She supposed she might as well take advantage and enjoy the view and the experience of traveling, as it was a rare treat after all to experience a different side of Japan.
Yet the memory of Sato Kaede insulting her for not being a true Japanese woman began to emerge. Then the face of her mother appeared, which made her eyes sting.
Mamori sighed. This won't do.
She grabbed her purse which she left on the seat next to her and pulled out her wedding ring. There were still a lot of unresolved feelings within her, and whether or not she was doing the right thing, but for now she had to put them away and focus on what needs to be done.
"It's okay," she whispered to herself. "We'll get through this."
Mamori put on the ring.
Upon arriving at her destination and leaving the train, a man dressed in formal uniform came forward to greet her and take her luggage. He introduced himself as the official driver for the Sato family, and led Mamori to his car where she was to sit in the backseat. They remained quiet during the drive, as Mamori noted the rural scenery around her, which was beautiful and breathtaking during the fall season.
The trees lined along the road were stained in orange and red, and occasionally they drove past plants she had never seen before. The buildings she did see were a mix of ancient and modern, a true testimony to Japan's heritage. It fascinated Mamori to see such beauty, having lived in the city for as long as she had.
They arrived in front of a wooden gate, with a wooden plate stating the name Sato. She could barely see the inside while she was outside the gate, which seemed to stretch for miles before her. She grabbed some of her items as the driver took the rest. But as she walked past the gates, Mamori couldn't help but stand in awe.
The Sato residence was a lot bigger than she realised. Multiple traditional houses were within the gate, some bigger than the others. The surrounding area was covered in mossy grass, greenery and stone, with beautiful plants and trees donning the corners. She felt like she had been transported back in time.
The driver led the way to where she needed to go, and she walked another good five minutes before arriving at the house she needed to be in. It was one of the smaller buildings in the area.
As she arrived at the concrete entrance for her to place her shoes, she was greeted by Saori, dressed in a light blue yukata, greeting her with a bow. "Thank you for arriving on such short notice," she said. "Please wear the slippers we have provided and bring your items to your room. You will need to change to the yukata given as well."
Mamori nodded, staying quiet to observe. She quickly took out her shoes and wore the slippers as instructed by Saori, then walked down the narrow path lined by shoji doors and walls. They then reached a veranda, with more sights of beautiful stones and greenery, where Saori stopped in front of one of the doors and slid it open.
"This is your room," said Saori, stepping away for Mamori to enter. "You will find a futon, some furniture and basic necessities inside. Just place your items and change into the yukata provided. I will show you the bath house after you're done."
Mamori quickly entered the room, excused herself and placed her items down after sliding the door closed. Saori stood nearby waiting for her, as Mamori wore the same light blue yukata as Saori's. Then stepped out to join Saori as she led Mamori to the back of the house.
As they walked, Mamori couldn't help but ask. "Is anyone else here in this house?"
"No, this particular house is yours and yours alone," said Saori. "It has internet access for your classes and your husband will also stay with you here when he arrives. But that doesn't mean you will get a lot of privacy. There will be people checking in on the state of the house every day from time to time. It must always be cleaned, and you alone will have to do it."
"Is that part of the test I have to do to prove myself?"
Saori stayed silent for a moment before stopping in front of a small bath house. "Everything you do from here on out will be done to prove yourself." Saori turned around and gave Mamori a determined look. "Just observe for today, stay vigilant, don't let your guard down. Kaede will look for even a speck of flaw on you to prove you're not worthy of being part of the Sato family. Just learn, pick yourself up, and carry on."
Mamori inhaled softly. The tension she had felt since she arrived had been rising, but she nodded. Saori then explained that the bath house they were facing will also be hers alone, and even she will need to keep that clean too.
Saori then showed her the different houses within the Sato compound. It turns out that some of the houses belong to those within the Sato family branch, and that if they stay here they must be loyal to the Sato family and their demands.
Finally, they were facing one of the bigger houses within the Sato compound. "This is the main house," said Saori as they faced the entrance. "You will be coming here quite a bit for your training so remember your way here."
"Will I be the only one training?" Mamori asked.
"In a way the training is solely on you, but you won't be alone," said Saori. For the first time, Saori seemed to smile. "There is another."
"Another?" Mamori blinked. The fact that she wasn't alone in this surprised her.
Saori smiled. "Yes. You've already met her. In fact, there she is now."
Mamori looked to where Saori was facing to the right, and saw a young, pale woman with shiny black hair pinned up in a bun walking towards them. Mamori looked in awe as she couldn't help but find her strikingly beautiful in what she can only describe as Japanese elegance.
Then she recalled who this young woman was. "Ah! You were the girl at my wedding!"
The girl smiled, almost ecstatic when she saw Mamori. She seemed to be restraining herself, as she bowed deeply instead. "It's a pleasure to meet you officially," she said. "My name is Sato Fuyumi."
That's right, Mamori recalled Saori calling her Fuyumi. Mamori bowed in return. "It's a pleasure to meet you too. I am Hiruma Mamori, I hope you can guide me as I am in your care." The words that left her mouth felt so foreign to Mamori, despite having practiced it to herself for so long.
"Ah, me too!" Fuyumi couldn't hold herself back any longer and rushed forward to hold Mamori's hands. "I am actually really happy to have you here! It's been so lonely, so it's great to have someone around my age to talk to!"
Mamori blinked, feeling overwhelmed by this girl's excitement. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but…" Mamori wavered.
"Oh, please call me Fuyumi! There's too many members of the Sato family here, so you must call me Fuyumi! And I'm seventeen years old and-"
"Fuyumi, control yourself," Saori spoke softly, but there was a level of sternness that made Fuyumi suddenly let go of Mamori's hands and take a step back.
Mamori watched as the bright, excited girl she had witnessed quickly composed herself back to the elegant beauty she had first noticed earlier. "Please call me Fuyumi," she repeated, the tone in her voice changing to that of demure and calm.
Mamori felt compelled to copy her demeanor. "It really is a pleasure to meet you, Fuyumi. I hope we get along."
"I'm sure we will," Fuyumi replied, a hint of a smile present in the corner of her lips. "Please, let's enter the main house together and wait for Madam Sato to arrive."
Mamori nodded, glancing at Saori who also signalled that she should enter the house. Mamori then followed Fuyumi and Saori where they entered a wide tatami room with nothing but cushions and some low tables.
Fuyumi sat down on one of the cushions, carefully sitting upright, her back straight and head facing forward. Mamori followed suit, feeling the tension rising once again. Saori had left them, it seems, to call Sato Kaede to the room and prepare tea.
The room remained silent, which thankfully didn't last long as Sato Kaede finally arrived. Fuyumi slowly bowed her head down to the floor, prompting Mamori to do the same.
"Hmph, you're actually here."
Mamori kept her head down. She wasn't sure if she should reply. Would it be rude? Would it be something like speaking out of turn? Mamori noticed Fuyumi kept her head down, so she did the same as well.
"Raise your heads," Kaede finally spoke, having seated herself on a bigger cushion across Mamori and Fuyumi, who raised their heads. Mamori noted the beautiful yukata Kaede was wearing, too formal for what should be a casual meeting.
"Saori informed me you are here to train to be part of the Sato family," said Kaede, her face obviously showing she was mocking Mamori. "I told her it was completely pointless. Your bloodline and marriage is nothing short of an insult to us. But she insisted that you could be trained, and brought up an important factor that we will be talking about very shortly."
Saori entered the room, bringing tea for all of them. She was in the midst of pouring it when Kaede resumed her words.
"But first, Fuyumi," Kaede looked at the girl. "How are you doing with your studies?"
"Very well, Madam Sato," Fuyumi spoke softly. "I will be receiving my results from my recent exams in the next few days."
"Remember, you will be in my very position as long as you continue your efforts," Kaede said sternly. "A lot is being placed on your shoulders, especially in the upcoming ceremony."
"I understand, Madam Sato."
"And speaking of the ceremony is where you come in," said Kaede, looking directly at Mamori. It seems that she won't even call Mamori by name, she noted. "Your training is to assist Fuyumi, ensuring that your methods in doing so are fully aligned with our ways, and preparing her for purification as she will be the main lead for the upcoming Full Moon ceremony."
Mamori could sense Fuyumi had straightened her body even more through the corner of her eye, and could tell the girl was holding back her excitement.
"If Fuyumi is well prepared and does well during the Full Moon ceremony with no issues whatsoever, you will be welcomed into the Sato family. You may even come to the temple the very next day and visit your dear Mother-in-Law."
Mamori's mind went blank. For some reason, she could sense there was something more to this task that felt familiar. "Of course," Kaede continued. "This means you will be checking on what she eats and keeping things clean for Fuyumi, while also preparing the items that Fuyumi needs for the ceremony, such as her robes. You must also be there to attend all her classes and lessons, as she will be performing a special purification ritual before the ceremony begins. All of which you will need to learn along as well, and learn fast.
"Seeing as you insist you are part of the Sato family, this training should be easy for you. Right?"
The entire time Kaede spoke, Mamori's mind went from uncertain to restraining herself from the overwhelming realisation as to what the training was about. Despite not knowing anything about what the Full Moon ceremony, or even the purification ritual, was all about, everything Kaede had said reminded her of only one thing. So much so that she had to keep herself from either laughing or crying.
As Mamori realised she was being made the manager of the next head of the Sato family... instead of a football team.
For those unaware of when Fuyumi was introduced (and I don't blame you that chapter was released years ago), you can read Chapter 5.
To be honest I had a very different idea for Mamori's training, one that would be quite harsh on her. But as I wrote this chapter, this new possibility came forth, one that won't be as harsh but would still be challenging. Plus I loved the idea of Mamori playing the role of the manager again and her having a more fun companion in the Sato household.
I cannot promise when the next chapter will be out. This chapter was delayed as I had a new job to do back in March which took up a lot of my time, and there's a possibility I have to take on another new job sometime in the future too! But as promised, I haven't given up on this fic yet. I cannot thank you all enough for your continued patience and please continue to support this fic until we reach the end, okay? Take care and hope you're all doing well!