APPARENTLY, Mr. Takahashi didn’t know Shinozaki and Tsukushi’s current location. Nevertheless, we decided to take the subway to Hakata Station based on a lead he’d found.
As we walked, he explained why the seal on my memories had broken. “I visited my retainer at his temple the other day. During our conversation, I realized that he didn’t remember you. When I caught the familiar scent of a certain vixen, however, everything snapped into place: his memories of you had been erased.”
We tapped our transit cards against the automatic ticket gate, descended the stairs, and came to a stop on the subway platform. He moved through the station as naturally as a present-day human.
“Shino and Tsukushi have no idea the two of us met,” he said. “I never told Shino that I would be accompanying my retainer to help with the paperwork. After all, I expected Shino to flee if he knew I would be there. Alas, I still wasn’t able to see him.” Mr. Takahashi shrugged. “In any case, nothing about our meeting was in his company records.”
“So that’s why your memories weren’t erased?”
“Precisely. When you spoke to me, your spiritual energy exploded from within, destroying Tsukushi’s seal.”
I bowed my head deeply. “Thank you so much.”
Mr. Takahashi laughed. “Raise your head. I’ve done nothing to earn such gratitude.”
“But why are you doing so much to help me?”
“Well, that’s an easy enough question to answer.” He glanced at the parents and children waiting on the busy platform. A young father cradled a sleeping child in his arms. They must have been returning from an exciting day out.
Mr. Takahashi regarded them with a tender, wistful expression. “I loved you all as family,” he said. “Shino, Tsukushi, and even Sakura—your past self.”
“As family?”
“My son married into the family that you three served.”
“Um… That was the Tachibana clan, right?”
“Indeed,” he said. “Personally, I didn’t use shapeshifting foxes as familiars, but I often rode into battle with the Tachibana clan. Since the kitsune were employed as scouts and spies, I frequently crossed paths with them.”
“Oh, I see. That does explain the connection.”
I hadn’t known the extent of the relationship between the Takahashi and Tachibana clans. Really, I knew embarrassingly little about the past.
Mr. Takahashi chuckled at my obvious ignorance.
“I’m so sorry if I’ve offended you,” I said. “I definitely need to brush up on history.”
“I’m not the least bit offended. Some things are better left unknown.” He studied me fondly. “The more time I spend with you, the more I realize how much you resemble Sakura.”
“We’re that alike?”
“Not necessarily in appearance. It’s something about the way you carry yourself, though I can’t quite put it into words… Oh, the train’s here.” He winked at me as he boarded the subway. “I do my best to live virtuously. Helping you is for my own peace of mind as much as it is for your sake. Think nothing of it.”
“Th-Thank you,” I managed.
What kind of samurai can pull off a wink? I’d nearly missed the train, stunned by his debonair demeanor.
🍁🍁🍁