Chapter Text
“Your hand is unsteady today, Hime-sama,” the calligraphy tutor remarked.
“I’m sorry teacher, I’m a bit distracted today,” Akari replied, glancing down at her calligraphy.
冬来たりなば春遠からじ
If winter has come, spring is not far away. She discovered this proverb while reading an English poem and thought it would look beautiful as calligraphy. However, her work did not capture the elegance of the words drawn.
“How to hold the brush and how your hands move with it should be ingrained into your muscles by now- even when distracted.” The tutor admonished. Akari nodded in agreement.
Ever since Akari turned four, her days have been consumed by rigorous training. From calligraphy, math, etiquette- she learned it all to perfection. While there were some subjects she enjoyed, she knew these lessons were never for her own personal growth. Everything she learns is to become a perfect bride for her betrothed, and to become a perfect empress for their country.
“Akari, our guest has arrived.“ Seiya, her older brother announced. Standing over a foot taller with chestnut brown hair and striking gray eyes, Seiya was a stark contrast to Akari’s crimson red hair and gold eyes.
“They’ve arrived already? Then I must greet them,” Akari tried to contain her excitement. She bowed toward her teacher and quickly excused herself, her handmaiden following closely behind. Bound by her father’s strict rule, Akari was forbidden from leaving the estate until her marriage. When she was younger, the estate had been large enough to accommodate her energy and curiosity. But as she grew older, her life began to feel monotonous, with few opportunities to meet new people.
That was why Akari eagerly anticipated meeting their honored guest. Every winter, the family estate hosted a traveling swordsman who would train with her father, a man of samurai lineage. Their presence was like a breath of fresh air, breaking the stagnant routine of her home. What’s more, each visitor had unique personalities and quirks. Last year it was a vibrant, handsome man from a shinobi clan. The year before, a gentle giant of a monk. This year, she could only wonder what kind of person would be staying next.
Akari stepped into the tatami room where her family received their rare guests. Her father was sitting on the floor, engaged in deep conversation with a young man who appeared to be her age. His long black hair was tied back lazily, and he wore a haori with an unusual half-and-half pattern. One side a dark maroon, and the other side a bright mix of yellows and greens. When he noticed her, the boy immediately bowed low to the floor towards her.
“Akari, just in time. This is Giyuu Tomioka.” Her father introduced.
“It is an honor to meet you, Hime-sama,” the boy said, his voice soft and monotone.
“No need to be so formal, you may raise your head. Welcome to our home, Tomioka-sama.” Akari replied with a measured smile and a bow. When he lifted his head, Akari’s golden eyes met his deep blue ones. As she gazed at him, Akari felt an undercurrent of coldness that seemed to drift from him, like a winter breeze. Yet, beneath that chill, there was a flicker of something warmer. It was delicate, something she couldn’t quite explain, but the feeling grew stronger the longer she looked at him.
“Tomioka-kun will be staying with us until spring arrives. Akari, please give him a tour of the estate and show him his quarters.” Her father ordered.
“Of course, father. Tomioka-sama, shall we?” Akari gestured for the young man to stand. Tomioka quietly rose to his feet, bowing once more to Akari’s father before following her out of the room.
“Since you will be training with my father, I will show you the dojo first.” Akari said as she led Giyuu through the many corridors of the estate. Noticing the silence, she turned to make sure Giyuu was still with her. He met her eyes with a nod.
“So Tomioka-sama, I understand you’re a traveling swordsman. May I ask where your hometown is?” Akari asked, trying to spark a conversation.
“No where of significance.” He replied curtly. Perhaps he was shy? Akari thought.
“Then, how long have you been practicing swordsmanship?” She continued, tilting her head as she waited for his reply. She was determined to find a topic that would pique his interest.
“For a while.” He mumbled.
“You look much younger than other guests who trained with my father. Are we the same age?”
“Probably.”
“Oh… I see..” Akari reflected on her many etiquette lessons where she practiced polite conversation. Typically, the travelers would be the one to ask her questions, curious about her life as the future empress. But Giyuu Tomioka seemed to have no interest in her at all.
The remainder of Akari’s tour was marked by silence, interrupted only by her introductions of the key areas of the estate. “And lastly, this room will be yours for the duration of your stay. My room is nearby, so if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.” She announced.
“Thank you,” Giyuu bowed before heading into his room.
“Of course. Have a good night.” Akari said, offering a final smile to her guest as he shut the door. She turned to her handmaiden, who was quietly following them the whole time. ”It seems like it will be a quiet winter,”
☀
A month passed by without a notable conversation with the quiet swordsman. Akari would occasionally cross paths with him in the hallway near her room or kitchen, but their interactions were limited to polite greetings as they made their way through. Despite this, his aloof demeanor only deepened Akari’s curiosity.
“Ryuu, have you trained with Tomioka-sama yet?” Akari asked, addressing her second eldest brother. They had crossed paths at lunchtime, and with some coaxing, she convinced him to join her for a quiet meal on the engawa.
Their relationship had always been tense. As children, Ryuu frequently tormented her, often calling her a “freak” for things she didn’t understand herself. The distance between them only grew after the family relocated to Nara, where he withdrew from her entirely.
“I have,” Ryuu muttered, picking at his bowl of rice without looking at her. “Though I wouldn’t call him pleasant company.”
Like their older brother Seiya, Ryuu bore a strong resemblance to their father. Akari, on the other hand, had always stood out with her vivid red hair- a trait likely passed down from their mother, a distant relative of the imperial family.
“How are his swordsmanship skills?” She inquired. Both Seiya and Ryuu had been training their swordsmanship since childhood. Although swords were technically banned in the country, their father insisted they learn in order to keep the tradition of their samurai roots alive.
“He’s not as strong as other guests in the past, but he has the potential.”
“Really? That’s impressive. I wish I could speak to him more, but he seems…reserved.” Akari said carefully.
“Reserved is putting it lightly. The man barely speaks, and when he does it's usually something blunt and uncalled for.” Ryuu shrugged, as he got up. “Anyway, I’m heading out now.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m meeting with someone,” he replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice at her persistent prodding, before turning and walking out of the room. Akari couldn’t help but to feel a pang of jealousy. Her brothers could come and go as they pleased, but she was confined to the estate.
One of the estate’s maids began to giggle. “He’s probably going to the festival with a woman.” She chimed.
“Festival?” Akari asked, her interest instantly sparked.
“Yes! Every year the town holds a festival when the first snow of the season is predicted. I’ve heard they’re really going all out this year with fireworks!” The maid explained, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
Festival and fireworks!? Akari thoughts raced as eagerness bubbled up inside her. She wondered if she might see the fireworks from the estate- or if, just this once, her father might let her go.
She quickly dismissed the idea. Her father was kind, but incredibly strict when it came to this one rule.
Then, an idea formed in her mind. An idea that was uncharacteristically rebellious of her. But the more she listened to the maid speak about the festival, the more determined she became, completely forgetting about the swordsman that previously occupied her thoughts.
☀
Her plan went into action as soon as everyone turned in for the night after dinner. Instead of her traditional sleeping robe, she had requested her maids to dress her in a Western two-piece set, the trousers offering better freedom of movement. Once alone, Akari grabbed a lantern, a box of matches, and threw on her warmest haori. With her heart pounding in her chest, she tip-toed out of her room. The front gate was out of the question as two loyal vassals stood guard there each night, so she slipped away toward the dojo instead.
Several wisteria trees adorned the estate, but one in particular was her key to the outside. Its thick, sturdy branches reached high enough for her to jump onto the dojo’s roof. From there, she could easily climb on top of the stone barriers and reach the other side.
When she finally reached the wisteria tree, Akari paused, studying her path upward. Now that winter had stripped the tree of its lush leaves and flowers, its branches were completely exposed. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the lowest branch to begin her ascent, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and the fear of getting caught.
Once Akari climbed to the same height as the dojo’s roof, a wave of nervousness washed over her. Jumping from the tree to the roof was the most crucial part of her escape, and one misstep could send her tumbling to the ground. It wasn’t high enough to get seriously injured, but the fall would be painful. She took a moment to steady her breath, calming her heart before she made her fateful leap.
“What are you doing?” A voice broke her concentration. Her eyes darted towards the source, and spotted a figure looming atop the stone wall. Startled, Akari gasped and lost her balance, slipping from the tree.
Just as she began to fall, the figure leaped from the wall with impressive speed. In an instant, strong arms caught her mid-air, protecting her from impact with tree branches and breaking her fall. The momentum sent them both rolling across the ground in a tumble until they came to a stop, with Akari safely cushioned against the person’s chest.
Akari quickly scrambled to her feet, her face flushed from the compromising position they had landed in. The other person followed suit, calmly rising to his feet. As she looked up, her heart skipped a beat- standing before her was none other than Giyuu Tomioka, his expression as unreadable as ever.
“What are you doing?” he repeated, this time quieter, and more curious than she expected.
Akari instinctively grabbed Giyuu’s arm and led him to behind the dojo to hide, worried the noise of their fall would alarm the guards. “I want to go to the festival and see the fireworks…but I’m banned from leaving the estate.. so I tried to sneak out.” Akari whispered. There was no point in glossing over the obvious.
“You aren’t allowed to leave?” Giyuu asked, a trace of surprise flickering in his eyes. It was very subtle, but Akari caught his eyes widening by just a little. This was the first time Akari has ever seen him show emotion.
She sighed and began to pace in frustration. “Yes. I haven’t been beyond these walls since I was four! It’s so boring, and as the years go by, I’m becoming more and more restless!” She turned to Giyuu. “And I don’t even understand why!”
Her fiery golden eyes met his calm blue, and she suddenly became aware of her emotional outburst. “I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I’m telling you all of this. I’ll go back to my room. Just don’t tell my father please.” Akari started walking toward the main building, feeling embarrassed for her outburst and confiding in someone she barely knew.
“Wait.” Akari halted her steps, holding her breath.
“I respect your father, so I won’t break the rules he has set for you.” Giyuu began plainly. “….But if you want to watch the fireworks, I can help.”
“Really?? How??” Akari’s gold eyes lit up with excitement. Giyuu turned without answering.
“Follow me.” Akari followed him in anticipation, and was eventually led to part of the estate’s stone barrier. “We should be able to see it from here.” Akari looked around thinking there must have been a way to climb through, but the wall, nearly three times her height, was in perfect condition. She looked at Giyuu in confusion.
“Here?” Suddenly, Akari felt Giyuu’s arms wrap around her, as he leaped high into the air, their bodies floating far above the estate. Instinctively, Akari gripped Giyuu’s clothes in fear until they gracefully landed on top of the stone wall. “H-How did you do that!?” Akari yelped. Giyuu shrugged, releasing her and gestured towards the view. She followed his gaze and was taken aback by the view before her.
Past the lush forest of cedar trees, Akari could see a vibrant town glowing at the base of the mountain. Speckles of red light glimmered from the town, marking the festivities of the night. Beyond it, the silhouettes of hills and mountains took shape, outlined by the moonlight. She could even make out a large body of water in the far distance.
“Wow, is this what’s past these walls? I hardly remember any of it.” Akari said as she propped herself on the ledge. Giyuu sat down with her, but at an arm's length.
“Do you know when the fireworks are supposed to start?” Giyuu asked.
Akari shook her head. “I don’t. I only found out about it today. It’s to commemorate the first snow of the season.” She started to swing her feet in excitement, which were hanging over the stone wall.
“I see.” Giyuu replied. They sat together on the ledge in a comfortable silence, enjoying the view before them.
Akari then felt the gentlest of taps on the top of her head and looked up. Snow. “Oh? I think it started to snow!” Akari looked at Giyuu to share her excitement, watching as he held out his hand, trying to catch the falling snowflakes.
“Aren’t you-“ A sudden crackle in the sky interrupted Giyuu, signaling the start of the fireworks display. The fireworks burst from below, painting the sky with dazzling chrysanthemums of various colors. Her and her brothers often played with small fireworks during holidays, but she never saw a display to this scale.
She leaned a bit forward to catch Giyuu’s eyes and share her excitement. “Tomioka-sama, isn’t this just breathtaking?” she beamed, her smile genuine and unguarded. Another crackle struck the air, diverting her attention back to the fireworks before he replied.
“It is,” he quietly agreed.