An amber model fish. A rose carved out of wood. An ivory comb created in the shape of a bird and embellished with billowing waves. An opal glass fish with a faint red tint. A wooden model fish…
Jusetsu placed the candle on top of the cabinet and picked up each of these items to gaze at them. She tied the model fish to her waist first, then wrapped the comb and the wooden rose in a handkerchief. She stuffed the parcel in her breast pocket, closed the cabinet, and retreated back to the entrance.
“Thank you for waiting,” she said to Onkei, and the two of them left the palace building together.
Jusetsu had sent Tankai in advance to inform Koshun of her imminent visit. By the time Jusetsu arrived at Koshun’s private room in the Gyoko Palace, he had already dismissed the eunuchs who usually acted as guides for his guests. Eisei, however, was standing behind him, having already prepared some tea. Its invigorating scent filled the room, making Jusetsu close her eyes for a few moments to enjoy the aroma.
“Come over here,” instructed Koshun, gesturing toward the space beside him on the divan.
Jusetsu walked over and sat herself down. Eisei placed two cups of tea in front of the pair and left the room, Onkei following him. Koshun picked up his cup and brought it to his lips. Jusetsu did the same and took a sip.
For a short while, the two of them were simply quiet. They both knew the reason why. Engaging in conversation would inevitably lead to them having to share parting words, something they both wanted to avoid.
That said, it wasn’t as if they could stay silent forever. Daybreak would eventually arrive.
Koshun put down his teacup.
“First of all…I’m glad that you’re unharmed.” His voice was just as calm as it always was. Tranquil, yet gentle and warm. “The Owl stopped talking at one point, so I was worried.”
“Oh… Right. He was quelling the eruption for us.”
“I heard about that. He’s not afraid to take risks, is he?”
“What has become of Shogetsu?” Jusetsu asked.
“He’s still a valuable asset when it comes to communicating with Je Island. Over there, Ayura is able to speak with the Raven.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear that.”
Silence descended between the pair once again. Jusetsu didn’t know what she was supposed to talk about anymore.
“Kajo’s father let you ride on his boat, I hear,” Koshun eventually piped up.
Jusetsu nodded. “Chitoku really went out of his way for us. In fact, he’s going to continue to be a big help.”
Koshun turned toward Jusetsu, and she turned her face toward his.
“I’m going to become a sea merchant. Chitoku is going to teach me everything I need to know.”
“A sea merchant…” he repeated.
“Before traveling by boat, I never knew just how vast and terrifyingly liberating the sea really was. I want to try sailing those waters for myself. I want to see what lies beyond them. Hearing other people’s stories isn’t enough—I want to see those things with my own eyes.”
Koshun stared Jusetsu hard in the face.
“I see,” he then said, shifting his gaze toward his feet. “I must admit, such a profession does seem like it’d suit you.”
“Kajo told me the same thing.”
“You’ve already seen her?”
“Yes,” replied Jusetsu. “She’s done so much for me—but in the end, I wasn’t able to repay her in any way. I’ll have to give her a gift once I’ve become a proper a sea merchant.”
Koshun let out a small laugh. “As long as you’re healthy, that’s all Kajo could ever wish for.”
“But a gift from me would prove that I was well.”
“I understand.” Koshun laughed again, albeit in a befittingly gentle and quiet manner.
“Now that I think about it, you’ve told me plenty of stories about sea merchants in the past,” Jusetsu said. “Perhaps that was what got me interested in what lay across the sea.”
“That’s true,” Koshun responded. “You won’t only be able to visit Ake, but Kada, Karoku, Uka, even Shamon. You’ll get to travel wherever you please.”
Koshun didn’t possess such freedoms. It was strange—Jusetsu, someone who was supposed to remain a prisoner of the inner palace for the rest of her life, was now free to sail the open seas. Now, Koshun would be stuck inside the imperial capital. It was he who was truly deprived of the ability to choose his own path in life.
“Koshun… You really did keep your promise.”
He had saved her, just like he’d vowed to.
Jusetsu went quiet and blinked. Nothing she could say would be able to convey the feelings inside of her accurately.
When Koshun had admitted that he saw her as an inextricable part of himself, it had given her peace of mind. She didn’t need to say anything else. Neither of them did.
“Thank you…” Jusetsu eventually managed to utter.
Koshun stared into her eyes, narrowing his own in a friendly manner. His gaze reminded Jusetsu of the sea as she’d seen it from Je Island. That vast expanse of water had struck her as so calm, profound, and open. Jusetsu couldn’t help but feel that description fit Koshun perfectly too.
She was sure that she’d be reminded of him every time she gazed out at those waters.
“Jusetsu.”
Koshun stood up and went over to the corner of the room. A table stood against the wall with a Go board laid out on top of it. He picked up one of the black stones and offered it to her.
“Play with me,” he said.
Jusetsu obliged, placing the stone where she saw fit. Koshun then picked up a white stone and made his own move.
“That’s enough for today,” he then announced, looking down at Jusetsu.
Jusetsu met his gaze. The two of them exchanged glances—albeit only for a fleeting moment.
Koshun smiled. Looking into his eyes, Jusetsu smiled too. She then shifted her focus back to the Go board and gave it a small nod.
Without another word, Jusetsu left. Koshun didn’t say anything either.
When she came out of the room, Onkei—who’d been waiting beside the doorway—quietly followed after her. Eisei was a few steps ahead of them, and Jusetsu stopped in her tracks when she reached him. Eisei was trying to give her something from his breast pocket—a handkerchief.
“What’s this?” Jusetsu asked.
“The handkerchief that you kindly allowed me to borrow. Regretfully, I hadn’t had the opportunity to return it until now.”
“Oh… I must’ve already forgotten about it.” Jusetsu took a quick glance at him. “I’m not a consort anymore, you know. You don’t need to be so formal.”
Eisei paused and gave her a slightly contemplative look. “It’s not as if we’re ever going to meet again. There’s no point changing things now.”
“Well, do as you like,” responded Jusetsu. “And you can keep that handkerchief. Could I have yours in exchange?”
“Mine? Whyever would you want that?” Eisei asked, a dubious look on his face.
“It’ll act as a good luck charm when I’m at sea,” Jusetsu explained. “I’ve heard using something that belonged to a relative is most auspicious.”
Eisei went quiet for a moment, but slowly pulled another handkerchief out of his breast pocket and passed it Jusetsu.
“Thank you,” said Jusetsu, but Eisei just stood there awkwardly.
Jusetsu laughed slightly, then continued to stride ahead. Eisei turned around and called her name. Jusetsu thought she had to be imagining it, but she stopped nonetheless and turned back around.
“Jusetsu…” he said. “Be well.”
The look on Eisei’s face was as cold as always, but there was a glimpse of sorrow, and even a slight hint of affection in it.
This display of mixed emotions brought a smile to Jusetsu’s face.
“Should I call you my ‘big brother’?” she said. “Or is that not fancy enough for your liking? My ‘honorable big brother,’ perhaps?”
Eisei instantly scowled, making Jusetsu chuckle again.