🪷 Chào Bạn 🪷

In which, Mai froze in horror after hearing the implication of her words. Originally, Nobunaga gave that title to her as his way of thanks for saving his life but to think it would be used like this? It made her realize how much power she has over the common people who look up to her and knowing she and Yoshimoto would be wed. “Y-you… you plan to use the influence that I have for the shogunate benefit…?”

Amari did not answer, only ordered Mang to bring Mai back to her room while she attended matters outside of the manor. Mang obliged while keeping an eye on Mai’s movement to see if she would try to escape. They aren’t alone as they escort Mai; Ryo laid subtle alarms near Mai’s room in areas that could be used as an escape.

CLANK

Yoshiteru and Amari were sparing each other with their bokken in the courtyard. Both of them are equally matched as Yoshiteru’s sense of predictability and Amari’s sense of time didn’t give any of them an upper hand in this spar.

They weren’t fond of talking much unless it's necessary, letting the sounds from their bokken do the talking on their behalf.

Yoshiteru kept up with Amari’s fast attacks while dodging the afterimages at the same time, which is not a surprise knowing Yoshiteru’s talents.

It was only when both of their bokken reached each other’s throats that led the spar to its conclusion – a draw. A simple nod from each other was enough to tell that they respect each other compared to those outside their circles.

Mai sat in her room as she tried to pass the time only to have an unexpected guest – Shin. Knowing she is a hostage in this situation and has little leverage to this, she reluctantly allowed her in.

“I apologize if she is cold,” Shin gave a sewing kit to Mai.

“H-how did you know I love to sew…?”

“Yuna, she saw your fingers and told me about it. She too is a seamstress, well, formerly. Regardless,” Shin kept the gentle smile on her face, almost like it was genuine.

“...I’ve never gotten your name despite your hospitality to me,” Mai felt she can trust Shin in this situation despite her being close to her kidnappers.

“Shin. I’m Amari Raku’s strategist and her second-in-command,” Shin didn’t lie, merely gave the truth to reassure Mai that she won’t harm her.

“I wouldn’t expect you to be in that position let alone close to her…” Mai saw the wrinkles on Shin’s face, “I know I may be overstepping myself but… do you have a family of your own?”

Shin’s smile faltered after hearing those words, “I had one… but war took my husband away and… my children from me. Leaving me alone with this guilt and… desire of death.” Shin had her head down to hide her expression from Mai, “I’m thankful to my lady as she saved me and gave me a purpose, which is why I’m willing to do everything to repay her. By being her strategist, her support, everything…”

Mai’s eyes widened at hearing it. She knew it happened but to know that her children died probably so young made her gasp. She knows her friends had become desensitized to it but the feeling is still there, the guilt of being unable to prevent the tragedy.

“I-I’m sorry… that was rude of me.”

Shin took Mai’s hands in her aged hands, “It’s alright, dear. Everyone out there is in pain from the war. All of us here in the Raku manor are grateful to her, as she saved us from our sorrow.”

A sense of guilt washed over Mai, she thought Amari was cruel but to realize she saved so many from themselves unlike her. It made her feel helpless despite knowing her position could help so many and yet… even that power has restrictions because she has to borrow power from Nobunaga and Yoshimoto – not herself.

In a room that is reserved for the shogun and his inner court, they all shared information and created plans against the alliance as a whole by using the wormhole or the ghosts of the Li on the Takeda and Ikko-Ikki. Rikyu was lucky enough to get the Uraguchi onto the shogun’s side after that embarrassing defeat of theirs.

“What have you gathered, Sazio?” Hisahide awaited the ninja’s answer.

“The Alliance plans to negotiate with us for the return of the Princess of Fortune. Lord Hisahide… should we…?” Sazio was nervous like usual.

“Kanbei?” Hisahide turned to the man in question.

“How about… we lay our own terms with them, by terms. I say we mess with them, psychological wise. Wouldn’t you say so, Amari?”

“...Must I?” Amari answered while her eyes were closed – nodding off to sleep.

“Well… those four – Yukimura, Ranmaru, Ellara, and Morgan – did make you stop in the midst of your attack, Amari–” Sazio paused after seeing the eyes were all at him. “D-did I–?”

“Nevermind. They got too close,” Hisahide shut down the proposal which Yoshiteru didn’t object to.

“Amari.” Yoshiteru turned to Amari, “What did they say during your battle against them, if you remember.”

Amari was already drifting off the sleep but she gave the answer from the memories of that battle she hasn’t slashed, “...mentioning about me having a little brother or a family that belongs to the Li. The name… Masao was it? It seems to pause my body, to which I have no answer.”

“Oh?” Rikyu was now curious, “Did they try to gaslight you? Or was it–”

“Regardless, even if their words are true. There is nothing to be changed,” Hisahide interrupted Rikyu which made him frown.

“We did meet before, Amari, under your previous name,” Kanbei said.

“Can we get back on track? As we do have a matter that mustn't be ignored,” Rikyu made sure the clink from the ceramics was loud enough.

“Very well.”

The feeling of the seasons changing can be felt, it was once overpowering heat that many couldn’t bear to go out only for it to change to a cooling breeze. Signaling the arrival of autumn and where the Moonlit Mirage will be active once more. Much to the dismay of the alliance, who now realize the threat that branch of the Ashikaga’s army pose.

Sazio could only act like a sad puppy as Kanbei and Rikyu double down on their attack on him. Amari didn’t seem that interested in the matter, just observing. Only to remember why she came here, “Kanbei.”

“Oh? What is it?”

“Something to be useful in the upcoming battles. From what I foresaw that is.”

“Not bad, you want a treat?” Rikyu looked at her with mischief.

“No. Sazio you can go,” with that Amari walked away.

“O-okay!”

The moment the two left, Kanbei and Rikyu sat in silence as Kanbei was heavily focused on what he was given. Seeing the notes that were given, he started to plan out in his mind. 

“Are you going to get the Moonlit Mirage involved in the next?” Rikyu was at ease when saying the name.

“Maybe. Most of the people in mind wouldn’t be considered to be worthy for them, I do see some usage in them though,” Kanbei didn’t think much for the names involved.

“Oh? Are you going to bring them into ruin?”

“Humans are foolish at times.”

“T-thank you Amari!”

“You said that ten times already,” Amari would be annoyed if anyone continued to do that. Perhaps she is used to Sazio doing it and is accustomed to it.

“S-still! You are a lifesaver!”

“...” After that, Amari didn’t answer Sazio. Just letting him be her shadow in the meantime. They are used to this situation due to it being the first orders that they were given since meeting each other.

“D-do you still remember?” “Remember what?”

“W-when Lord Yoshiteru gathered us! Ack- sorry! I’ll dig myself a grave…”

“...I remember fragments of it. It wasn’t surprising that Yoshiteru can do that or Hisahide. And, you don’t need to bury yourself. You would end up suffocating,” Amari merely shook her head before heading outside of the palace.

“Where will we be going…?”

“A ritual that Yoshiteru wants me to oversee on behalf of the shogunate.”

“That would mean…”

“Eyes, everywhere,” Amari paused in her walk before turning to Sazio, “You don’t need to come if you don’t want to.”

“B-but… if I don’t I would–!”

“You don’t need to answer right now, you could just watch.”

It was a ritual, Setsubun, to hope for fortune while casting any omens or demons out of the household with roasted beans in order to welcome spring – the new year. Amari stood there with her hands holding each other, hidden under her sleeves. A sense of nostalgia washed over her as she witnessed the children throwing beans without understanding, thinking it was a game of sorts. She closed her eyes on instinct, not understanding why before opening it once more to turn to the head monk.

“The ritual is completed, I shall take my leave. Thank you for extending your hand to allow us to take part,” Amari gave a slight bow to him.

“No need! It is a miracle that Lord Yoshiteru came back with members of his inner court to be capable! It is a shame that his younger brother wasn’t like that.”

Amari paid no heed to the monk’s words knowing it was the truth. It did take a bit of time to recover the image of the Ashikaga clan and the shogunate as a whole in Kyoto after Yoshiaki’s stunt on overthrowing the Emperor.

With that she and Sazio, who is in the shadow, took their leave, letting the background noises be filled with children's laughter and adults’ prayers for a better future.

“Here is the report for this year’s Setsubun,” Amari plops it down on Hisahide’s desk.

“That fast?” Hisahide quickly picked it up before reading its content. “So that’s everyone’s wish for the year. I suppose we can bring the luck they need soon," Instead of getting a headache, Hisahide seemed to smile at it.

“...is the plan to get the Princess of Fortune to begin in the following weeks?” Amari was waiting for a confirmation as it is a goal that was talked about the moment they set foot in Kyoto.

“We mustn’t be hasty, not until Yoshiteru says so, Amari.”

Amari looked at Hisahide with understandment, knowing that Yoshiteru’s mind is more intelligent than hers due to it being stable. Thus, she doesn’t press further than that before walking to her manor.

“Oh? Amari!” Yuna – a member of the Moonlit Mirage – called out to her.

“Is there something–!?” she was in the midst of her sentence before a pair of arms quickly engulfed her.

“Your hair is soooo fluffy as I remember! I wonder how you keep it like that!” Lu ruffled his leader’s hair despite the cold glare he was getting.

“Enough.”

“OWUCH!” Lu quickly fell to his knees after receiving a quick elbow in the stomach.

Amari looked at Lu before nodding to his brother, Han, to bring him to a place to sober up. Being an Onmyōji was never easy, but it was the only role that can allow her to use her powers in public, even if it’s painful – thankfully she merely needs to predict as that’s what everyone told her.

“You seem to be lost. Is there something that bothers you?” Yuna walked up to her, worried.

“...sometimes, I wonder who I was. Who I was before I became who I am,” Amari’s eyes held no light nor hope, just inclined to accept the world’s cruelty.

Yuna had no answer for her leader, just pity. Everyone in the Moonlit Mirage knows that their leader is special due to her powers but the cost of it is too much in their eyes. That is why they make sure she doesn’t need to use her sword much, otherwise the recent memories would be slashed like the old.

“You will find your answer some day,” Shin walked up to the two, clearly done organizing the schedule for tomorrow.

Amari did not respond, merely a glance of acknowledgement at her right-hand.

Ranmaru held the red muted haori that Amaryllis’ father wore as safe keep. Feeling a sense of unease that he cannot understand. After all, this haori is the only thing left of the Li Clan as a whole, with no other crest out that survived except for this one.

“ …I hope you’re alive, Ama.”

A nickname that he gave to them, who no longer exists, someone who has lost herself as she focuses on keeping track of time, as if preparing for something.