Several days had passed since the night Omoto's silhouette had stopped beyond the shoji screen. Hikaru still remembered that presence. Soundless, wordless—simply standing there, and then vanishing as though nothing had happened. She had lain in her futon staring at the ceiling until dawn, unable to sleep. Tae had known, and the next morning had brewed her tea stronger than usual. That small kindness had eased something in her, just a little. It was frustrating to admit, but her body had grown accustomed to life in the castle. The firmness of the tatami mats no longer startled her. The voices of soldiers drilling in the early hours, the miso scent drifting through the corridors—none of it surprised her anymore. Tae had taught her how to tie her obi, and now she could manage it alone. But there was one thing she still could not grow accustomed to: the days when Kagetora summoned her. 　　　＊ The corridors of the main keep were always polished. Each time Hikaru walked them, the wooden boards reflected the light streaming through the windows with a lustrous gleam. Seeing her own feet mirrored in that light, clad in a kimono, still felt strange. As Hikaru approached the room, voices came from within. A low, measured voice—and another, slightly deeper and rougher. A servant gently slid the door open. Hikaru knelt and entered. Kagetora sat in the place of honor. His jet-black hair was bound at the nape of his neck, and his gray eyes lifted from the documents before him to regard her. The sword scar on his left cheek caught the window light, gleaming white. Beside him sat a man she did not recognize. He appeared to be in his mid-fifties. White streaked his short-bound hair, and stubble darkened his jaw. Thick brows, a fleshy face. His shoulders were broad, and even beneath his kimono, his solid frame was evident. Yet his eyes were sharp, holding a quality of appraisal. Kagetora spoke curtly. "[serious]Doshima," Doshima Hanbei—the name the castle women sometimes whispered. The chief elder, standing beside Kagetora, the most powerful retainer in this castle. Hanbei regarded Hikaru with a piercing gaze. It was the look of one weighing value. Not malice, but pure calculation: *Can this one be trusted?* Hikaru straightened her posture slightly. "I am Hikaru," Hanbei exhaled through his nose. He did not respond. Kagetora opened his mouth. "[serious]In the city below, when summer comes, many fall ill with stomach ailments. Last summer, nearly thirty collapsed. I am told you possess knowledge of such matters," Hikaru considered for a moment, then placed her hands upon her lap. Yes. This was something she knew. It had come up many times in her university lectures. "[serious]It is the drinking water," Hanbei's brow shifted. "[serious]When summer comes and people fall ill, it is because the wells and rivers contain tiny things invisible to the eye—things that cause sickness. When people drink such water as it is, these things multiply within the body, causing pain. That is why the water must be heated over fire first, boiled. Heat kills them," Hanbei's mouth curved slightly. Whether in mockery or exasperation, it was difficult to say. "[sarcastic]Invisible things in the water?" "Yes," Hikaru did not flinch. "[serious]Five years ago, in which part of the city below were the most stomach ailments?" Hanbei fell silent for a moment. "[serious]...Kawarahara-cho. Along the river," "Do they not use river water directly? For washing goods at the market, for cooking?" Hanbei's mouth closed. Hikaru continued. Her voice had grown steadier. Without realizing it, her desire to convey the truth had overcome her fear. "[serious]And those who fall ill should not be kept in the same room as others. Sickness spreads from person to person. Isolate the afflicted, and ensure those who tend them do no other work. Wash dishes in boiled water. That alone should greatly reduce the number of deaths," Silence fell. Hanbei sat with his arms crossed, studying her intently. Kagetora said nothing. He simply watched her quietly, his gray eyes unreadable. Not angry, not amused. Simply watching. After a time, Kagetora spoke. "[serious]Try it," A single command to Hanbei. Nothing more. Hanbei held her gaze for a moment longer, then bowed deeply. Hikaru stepped into the corridor and felt her legs trembling slightly. But it was not the tremor of fear. *(He listened. He truly listened.)* For some reason, she felt as though she might weep. She held it back. Through the corridor window, beyond the castle's stone walls, the sky stretched blue and endless. 　　　＊ Night came. Tae arrived to clear away the dinner tray and remarked, "The evening breeze is cool tonight." Hikaru looked out the window. Indeed, the oppressive heat of the day had lifted, and a wind carrying the scent of grass drifted in. Footsteps sounded in the corridor. Neither heavy nor light, but certain. Hikaru reflexively straightened her posture. "There is something I wish to show you," The voice came through the door. Not a command, not a question. Simply stated. Hikaru rose and smoothed her kimono before opening the door. Kagetora stood in the corridor. Only his sword hung at his waist; no retainers accompanied him. Hikaru realized this was something this man could do—stand alone in the night corridors, and no one would find it strange. "[serious]Come," He spoke briefly and began walking. Hikaru followed. They passed through the corridors and climbed stone steps. Lantern light illuminated their path. Night wind descended from above, and Hikaru instinctively pressed one hand to her kimono's neckline. At the top of the steps, a wide space opened before them. The castle's observation platform. The highest point of the fortress. Hikaru's breath caught—no, her breathing stopped entirely for a moment. Below, the castle town of Tategawa spread out in its entirety. The lights of houses floated like scattered stars in the darkness. The merchant houses of the main street, the tenements of Kawarahara-cho, the temple district in the distance—all of them held light. And beyond all of them, the Hayase River flowed, its surface catching the moonlight, gleaming white and still. It was beautiful. Simply, purely beautiful. Different from the night views of the modern world. No neon, no tall buildings. Yet knowing that behind each small light lay human lives, that very smallness pierced her heart. Kagetora stood near the railing, gazing down at the same landscape. For a long time, neither spoke. Only the wind moved. Hikaru glanced at his profile. It was different from usual. Not the face he wore in the administrative chambers, nor the face of a warlord surveying his domain. His eyes looked toward something distant. They seemed focused, yet unfocused. As though seeing somewhere in this vast night landscape, yet actually seeing something else entirely—that kind of gaze. "[gentle]You are interesting," He spoke as though to himself. Something deep in Hikaru's chest pulsed. Heat gathered in her cheeks. *(Interesting...)* She slowly considered the meaning of the word. Not mockery. When this man spoke that way, it meant something different. Like today, with the talk of plague—this man truly received what Hikaru offered. Hikaru kept her eyes on the river and spoke. "[whispers]...It is ordinary to me," She felt Kagetora move slightly. Perhaps his gaze shifted. "[serious]It is not ordinary. That you do not understand this—that is what is not ordinary," His words were quiet. Not criticism. Not admiration or exasperation. Simply stated. Hikaru looked at his profile once more. Sharp eyes fixed on the night city. But in their depths—loneliness, she thought. With so many retainers, a proper wife, the entire castle moving for this man's sake. Yet still he climbed to this observation platform alone at night. Without attendants. Something heavy dwelt within him. Hikaru could say nothing more. Words would not come. Yet strangely, the silence did not feel burdensome. The two of them simply stood in the night wind, watching the lights of the city below. Something in her chest began to burn quietly, but with certainty. What it was, Hikaru did not yet understand. 　　　＊ The next day dawned overcast. From morning, medicinal herbs occupied her thoughts. After speaking of the plague, Tae had mentioned that Hanbei had issued instructions to the castle physician. Wanting to learn more about herbs, Hikaru asked Tae if she might visit the apothecary in the city below. Tae seemed worried, but two of Kagetora's retainers were assigned to accompany her. With this, she was permitted to venture into the city. It had been some time since she last left the castle. Passing through the bustle of the main street, she turned into a narrower alley, and the air changed. Fewer people, the stone pavement giving way to dirt. Beyond lay the city's edge. The apothecary was in a secluded spot near the temple district, Tae had said. The two retainers walked slightly behind. When Hikaru quickened her pace, they drew closer; when she slowed, they fell back. They were watching carefully. Hikaru turned a corner in the alley. In the next instant, people stood before her. Not one. Three—or four? Soiled kimonos, swords at their waists. Their eyes were bloodshot and red. The smell of daytime drinking hung heavy. The men saw Hikaru. Leering smiles spread across their faces. She tried to retreat. But the alley was narrow, and when she turned, another man stood behind her. He had circled around from somewhere. "Quite a fine kimono you wear," A low voice. She tried to cry out. But her throat seized, and no sound came. One of the men grabbed her sleeve. She was pulled. Her body tilted. Her arms flailed. But the man's strength was incomparable. She was being dragged toward the ground— In that instant. A sharp sound cut through the air. The man gripping her sleeve suddenly fell forward. Her arm was freed, and Hikaru dropped to her knees on the stone pavement. One of her escorts had drawn his sword. The other had also unsheathed, moving against the remaining men. Seconds. That was all it took. The men lay fallen. Some had fled. Groans echoed in the alley. Hikaru remained on her knees, unable to move. Something struck her cheek. Warm and wet. When she touched it with her hand, it was red. Blood spatter. It took a moment to understand. *(Blood.)* Her body began to tremble in fine, uncontrollable shivers. One of the escorts asked, "Are you injured?" Hikaru shook her head. No injury. But the trembling would not stop. The violence of the Sengoku period was not something from a textbook. Now blood clung to her cheek. Its warmth still lingered on her skin. 　　　＊ Back at the castle, Tae washed her face. Tae's hands were shaking. Her face was paler than Hikaru's. "[crying]I am so sorry... truly, I am so very sorry," "It is not your fault," Her own voice surprised her with its steadiness. Her insides were anything but calm. Tae brought a basin of water and gently wiped Hikaru's cheek with a dampened cloth. The water's coldness eased the trembling slightly. As the sun began to sink, footsteps sounded in the corridor. Heavy footsteps. The same as always, yet today their weight seemed different. Tae's face changed. The shoji slid open. Kagetora stood in the doorway. Dark stains marked his kimono. For a moment, Hikaru did not understand what they were. Then comprehension came. Blood. Spattered blood. Kagetora's face was the face of the "Demon Warlord." Not the face from the administrative chambers, nor the face that had gazed at the night landscape. The face of a man who had finished something. Tae drew a small, sharp breath and retreated to the corner of the room. Hikaru's body went rigid. She could not stand. Seated, she looked up at him. Kagetora walked to her and stopped. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then