It was a spring morning. Soft light filtered into the inner garden. The leaves of the trees swayed in the breeze. A gentle rustling. A peaceful sound. But Sayo's heart was not at peace. (Last night...) Beneath the cherry tree. Standing with three people in the moonlight. Oda Nobuhiro's profile. The expression on his face when he spoke of her mother. Sotaro's complicated gaze. Something tender hidden in the depths of his eyes as he looked upon his lord. All of it still churned within her chest. Sayo held a needle. She sat with the other attendants, mending a kimono. Otake sat beside her, and Oyuki across from her. A younger maid worked with her hands a little distance away. Pierce the needle. Draw the thread. The same motion repeated. (Calm down.) She loved this quiet time. In the modern world, she had never done handwork like this. Everything had been mechanized. Clothes were things you bought. Not things you mended. But here was different. One stitch at a time, carefully sewn. The repetition of it soothed Sayo's heart, if only slightly. Otake coughed softly. Sayo looked up. Otake's complexion seemed even worse than yesterday. "Otake, are you all right?" Sayo asked. Otake smiled. But that smile seemed forced somehow. "Yes. My throat is just a bit scratchy," Otake said. Sayo frowned. (The cold is spreading.) More people in the castle were coughing. The change of seasons. A time when one's health easily faltered. "I'll prepare some medicinal herb tea later. Oyuki, your complexion seems poor as well," Sayo said. Oyuki bowed her head. "Thank you, Sayo-sama," Oyuki said. Then footsteps echoed in the garden. Sayo looked up. It was Oda Nobuhiro. The attendants set down their needles all at once. They bowed their heads. Sayo hurriedly folded her knees as well. Nobuhiro glanced at them. His eyes were sharp as always. Sayo's heart beat once, hard. (Lord Oda...) It was rare for Nobuhiro to come to the inner quarters. Had something happened? Nobuhiro's gaze turned toward Sayo. In that moment, her breath stopped. "Sayo," Nobuhiro said. Her name. Nobuhiro had called Sayo by her name. Her chest grew warm from within. Her heart pounded heavily. Until now, Nobuhiro had called Sayo only "you" or "concubine." He had never called her by name. But now, he had called her "Sayo." That single word shook Sayo's heart violently. "Y-yes," Sayo answered. Her voice trembled slightly. She noticed it herself. Her face grew hot. Nobuhiro spoke curtly. "I have something to discuss with you. Come," Nobuhiro said. With only those words, he turned his back. Black robes. A perfectly straight spine. Sayo stood. Her legs wavered slightly. The attendants watched her with surprised faces. Feeling their gazes on her back, Sayo followed Nobuhiro. They walked along the covered corridor. Nobuhiro's back moved ahead of her. Sayo gazed at his back. (Why did he call me by name...?) Questions swirled in her chest. Why had Nobuhiro called Sayo by her name now? Had something changed? Since last night. Since that moment. Sayo's heart swayed violently. ―― Nobuhiro led Sayo to the study of the main tower. They entered the room. Nobuhiro sat before his desk, and Sayo knelt near the entrance. Silence. A long silence filled the room. Sayo gazed at Nobuhiro. His profile. Those sharp eyes. Nobuhiro said nothing. At last, Nobuhiro opened his mouth. "A cold is spreading through the castle," Nobuhiro said. Brief words. Sayo nodded. "Yes. I am aware of it," Sayo said. Nobuhiro looked at her. "I hear you have been making medicinal herb tea," Nobuhiro said. Sayo was surprised. Did Nobuhiro know such things? But she understood quickly. It was Sotaro's duty to report the state of the castle to his lord at all times. Yesterday too, such daily matters must have been conveyed from Sotaro to Nobuhiro. "Yes. Though my efforts are meager, I hope to be of some service," Sayo said. Nobuhiro nodded briefly. "Continue as you have been. I rely on you," Nobuhiro said. At those words, warmth bloomed in Sayo's chest. Nobuhiro had been watching her. He acknowledged her. However small that might be. For Sayo, it held great meaning. "I understand," Sayo said. Nobuhiro said nothing more. Sayo understood that this was her signal to withdraw. She bowed her head and moved to leave the room. Then. "Sayo," Nobuhiro said. Again. Her name was called. Sayo turned back. Nobuhiro gazed at her. His eyes seemed different from yesterday. Something softer was mixed within them. "The people of the castle hold you in affection," Nobuhiro said. At his words, Sayo was bewildered. "That is because everyone is kind to me," Sayo said. Nobuhiro shook his head slightly. "It is because you are sincere," Nobuhiro said. At those words, Sayo's chest grew hot. Her heart beat heavily, loudly. Nobuhiro was evaluating her. He was acknowledging her sincerity. "Thank you," Sayo said. Her voice trembled faintly. Nobuhiro said nothing more. Sayo bowed her head and left the room. In the corridor, Sayo placed her hand on her chest. Her heart still beat violently. (He called me by name.) That fact filled Sayo's heart. And those words. That I am sincere. He had said that. Sayo felt her heart being drawn toward Nobuhiro, little by little. She knew it was dangerous. But she could not stop it. ―― Afternoon. Sayo set out for Tokiwa-cho in the castle town, accompanied by two attendants—Otake and Oyuki. The medicinal herbs were running low. She intended to ask Koto of the Kusanagi-do to share some with her. When leaving the castle, the gatekeeper bowed respectfully. "Sayo-sama, please take care," the gatekeeper said. Sayo nodded. The streets of the castle town were lively. The voices of merchants echoed. Children ran about. Sayo walked through that bustle. Entering Tokiwa-cho, familiar shops lined the street. She passed the rice merchant "Tawaraya." The proprietor Zenbei was speaking with a customer in front of the shop. Noticing Sayo, he gave a light bow. Sayo returned it. Walking on, she arrived at the Kusanagi-do. She opened the shop door. A bell chimed—karan. "Welcome," Koto's voice rang out. The proprietor Koto—a widow of forty—always greeted Sayo with a calm smile. "Koto-sama, might I trouble you for more medicinal herbs?" Sayo asked. Koto nodded. "Of course. Which ones do you need?" Koto asked. Sayo named the herbs she required. While Koto retrieved them from the shelves, Sayo looked around the shop. The scent of dried herbs. A unique scent, yet calming. Then the shop door opened. The bell chimed—karan. Sayo turned. An unfamiliar man entered. Perhaps in his late twenties. Refined features. A gentle smile. A dark indigo kimono bearing the Oda family crest. He noticed Sayo. "Ah. So you are Sayo-dono," the man said. His voice was soft. It inspired no wariness—a friendly, approachable voice. Sayo was on guard. An unknown man. Someone she had never met in the castle. "Yes. I am Sayo. Forgive me, but who are you?" Sayo asked. She bowed respectfully, yet maintained distance in her manner. The man laughed. "Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Soichiro. Nobuhiro's cousin," Soichiro said. Soichiro. Sayo committed the name to memory. Nobuhiro's cousin. In other words, of the Oda clan. "I've only just returned from Kyoto. I've been away so long that I'm amazed at how the castle has changed," Soichiro said. He looked around the shop. His gaze was gentle, yet carried a hint of calculation. Koto spoke. "Soichiro-sama, it has been a long time," Koto said. Soichiro nodded. "Koto-dono, my apologies for the long absence," Soichiro said. The two seemed to know each other well. Sayo understood instinctively. (This person wears a kind face, but...) There was something beneath it. The air of a strategist. Calculation. Ambition. Sayo's observant eye sought to penetrate Soichiro's true nature. "I hear Sayo-dono is knowledgeable about medicinal herbs. That is wonderful. The people of the castle must be grateful for your help," Soichiro said. His words were affectionate. Yet that very affection made Sayo more wary. A man who speaks so familiarly to someone he has just met. It was not normal. When she heard those words, Sayo's heart warmed for a moment. She felt recognized by someone, and her chest fluttered with joy. But immediately after, sensing something lurking in the depths of Soichiro's gaze, a wave of caution rose within her. "No. I merely do what I can," Sayo said. She answered modestly. Without presenting herself as more than she was. Soichiro stared at Sayo's face intently. His gaze seemed to appraise her entire being. "You are humble. But Nobuhiro must have had his reasons for taking you as a concubine. He is not a man who does things without purpose," Soichiro said. At those words, Sayo felt a sense of wrongness. Something probing in his tone. Sayo did not answer. She merely bowed lightly. Soichiro said nothing more. He told Koto his business and began examining another shelf. Sayo received the herbs from Koto and left the shop. Otake and Oyuki waited outside. "Sayo-sama, thank you for your hard work," Otake said. Sayo nodded. On the way back to the castle, Sayo's heart remained unsettled. This man, Soichiro. A gentle smile. Yet she sensed something hidden beneath it. (Is this person an ally...?) Sayo could not yet tell. ―― Night. Sayo prepared the medicinal herb tea in the inner garden. She filled a large pot with water and added the herbs, letting them simmer. Steam rose. A unique scent, yet one that brought peace. The moon had risen. A white moon illuminated the garden. Sayo gazed at the pot, reflecting on the day's events. Being called by name by Nobuhiro. Meeting the man named Soichiro. All of it shook Sayo's heart. Then she felt a presence behind her. Sayo turned. Sotaro stood there. In the moonlight, his scarred face appeared stern. His amber eyes gazed at Sayo. "Sayo-dono," Sotaro said. His voice was low and severe. Sayo stood. "Sotaro-sama," Sayo said. Sotaro stepped closer. His gaze pierced through her. "I give you a warning," Sotaro said. His voice was oppressive. "Do not draw near to Soichiro. That man cannot be trusted," Sotaro said. At those words, Sayo looked up in surprise. "Why do you say such a thing?" Sayo asked. Sotaro paused before answering. "To protect my lord. You have changed the lord. Whether that change brings fortune or calamity, I cannot yet say. But if you place the lord in danger, I will show no mercy," Sotaro said. His eyes were earnest, piercing through her. For the first time, Sayo sensed the absolute loyalty Sotaro held for Nobuhiro, and the complex emotions hidden beneath it. Jealousy? Obsession? Or perhaps...love? Sayo's heart wavered. Her chest beat rapidly. Sotaro continued. "You are beginning to touch the lord's heart. That is..." Sotaro said. His words trailed off. For just a moment, deep loneliness and anguish flickered in Sotaro's eyes. Sayo held her breath. She could not look away. How deeply did this man love Nobuhiro? And how did he see her? The moonlight illuminated them both. Sotaro spoke curtly. "Obey the rules. That is all," Sotaro said. With those words left behind, Sotaro vanished into the moonlight. Sayo stood alone in the night garden. Her chest ached. The weight of Sotaro's words and the human side he had revealed were etched deeply into Sayo's heart. He too was lonely. Understanding and sympathy for Sotaro began to bloom within Sayo. ―― The next day. As Sayo walked along the covered corridor of the second tower, Soichiro appeared. A quiet place where no one else was present. Soichiro approached Sayo. "Sayo-dono. There is something I wish to ask you," Soichiro said. Sayo was on guard. "What might that be?" Sayo asked. Soichiro, maintaining his gentle smile, spoke. "Are you aware of the matter concerning Nobuhiro