"I"ll be going off now." He left. Knowing that nothing could go wrong with this. It will not harm them as it was simply a conversation between two girls. Masami went as well, knowing that she also didn"t want to talk to either of them.

But for some strange reason, Masami and Enyou didn"t look at each other. And taken no interest in the other, even when Yuki herself was certain that Masami did glance at her when she entered. But never made an attempt.

And let Enyou introduce herself. But Masami never interacted much with anyone, and she was more often listening than speaking.

But Yuki didn"t really mind. As she turned to Enyou, her newfound friend. She was like her in many ways, her face had big round eyes, her hair worn loose. Which she knew was the fashion here. Especially along the Samurai cla.s.ses, in which many of them could keep their hair until it reached the floor.

Although Yuki wondered how often do they wash it, and how it didn"t hurt their backs in the long run. It will have been extremely heavy, and impractical to not wear it up.

But she knew that the rich were not required to labour, unlike commoners. And here most common women had cut their hair, sometimes short around their chin, but never further than their waist.

She met Enyou when she snuck out a little earlier, Kazuho had been in his study doing whatever he did there. While Masami wasn"t even up yet, or at the very least didn"t leave her room. She took the chance to go out.

And came back with her as they met on the streets. Enyou saw her because she carried around a parasol, as it was something that she always did. Regardless of the time.

She lifted her cup to drink. Guessing that it was almost empty. And she have to take another teapot inside. She did not get anyone else, as Shinrou was gone.

While Masami only did it if Kazuho was around. So, she was satisfied with doing it herself. Realising that her tea has been poured for her.

Kazuho will only allow her to bleed him dry, she knew that and took full advantage of that weakness.

So, there were two possibilities. There was an intruder or if was Shinrou. Although none will be so kind as to help her pour tea, and serve her. At least without any repercussions.

Contrary to what Kazuho thought of her, she did know her surroundings somewhat. Even if she wasn"t the best in always maintaining that distance. But even she wasn"t completely certain what was on his mind downtimes.

"Why did you come here?" Enyou never asked any questions about where she came from. Her red hair gave it away, as few of them intermarried with foreigners. However, it was becoming more common.

"Curiosity I guess." The city may have been different from her thoughts, but she could still see why it was a nice destination. In autumn, with the falling leaves, and the architecture, wide roofs.

Which was something that she rarely ever saw. And seized the chance to, a moment in a lifetime. She didn"t wish to regret it. After all she could not tell when hers will end.

She enjoyed looking at it, which was a nice addition. A chance to see something new and something that few will ever have the chance to.

"Although your curiosity isn"t all that intelligent, you just met me on the street and invited me into your home." As much as Enyou had a point, one that Yuki did know. Just that she always thought that as long as it was just curiosity, it probably couldn"t go too wrong.

Or so wrong that it could cost her life. She wasn"t playing with truly dangerous things such as the court, or with the underworld. She simply wanted a friend, chances that she will meet a scoundrel was pretty low. By all means.

"Who said that we have to be? I mean, a lot of people who question things tend to get themselves into trouble. Sometimes, even meeting an early end."

"That is certainly true." She took another bite of her dessert.

"Are you related to them?" Although it was clear, since both of them did have black hair. With Masami having a pair of deep violet eyes. Yuki had hazel eyes, if it was anything to note.

"No, they just happened to know my family and we got along well."

"I can see that if you"re with them, when you"re likely from a foreign country." Although Enyou doesn"t inquire any further about her family. Or even the name of the country that she came from.

She took the final bite of Taiyaki. Which intrigued her because it was in the shape of a fish. And made by the new cook that Kazuho hired. She after all, ensured that whoever it was will know all the sweets. Which she liked a lot of them.

"Shinrou, get us another plate of this." Showing the empty bowls. Shinrou took the empty bowls and left the room. Back into the kitchen.

"Thanks for inviting me to your home. But I should leave, at least before my brother decide to make his appearance."

"Come on, he probably can forgive you just this once." She did know that she must rarely leave the house. Apparently, she learned that it was rare for them to leave the house. For her, it was necessary to look for a chaperone to accompany. Although sometimes she didn"t.

"True, it is rare that I even find someone who I can talk to." She sipped the drink. While Shinrou brought them another bowl. "Much less being able to find one when I"m walking the streets."

"Well, it just says that you have good fortunes."

--

Kazuho went off to his study. Sitting on the study table, as he continued to look at the map of the city. And the various sites that he needed to trust.

"Her name is Enyou."

Masami joined him. He had taken a teapot out, as Shinrou was serving Yuki. Besides he did like having this moment to himself. She looked out at the small garden, which most of the leaves had fallen.

For the winter, she will avoid growing any plants. Although she enjoyed it. She could do that in spring, when it came. Seasons weren"t something that he could help or change.

He looked at her. "When did Yuki come back?"

"A short while after. Talking to Enyou and wishing to have a more private place." And the only place she knew had been here. Not surprising given who it was they were talking about.

Although he didn"t ask her why didn"t she just close the door. It was not something Masami will do, he knew his sister after all.

"Anyway, what did Shinrou find?" She asked. Looking at the map. "And what took you so long?"

She clearly did see that it will not have been so long just to get Shinrou. "I looked for a jeweler for this." He showed the locket. Something which he had kept close to for years on end, and regardless of what happened he did not abandon it.

For he intended to find who it belonged to. Even if there was little leads now, and uncertain whether she was even still alive. After all, Okiban became a much more dangerous place to be.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing much, except how valuable it is. It could belong to the imperial family at a given point in time." He held out the locket. Masami didn"t need to see it. She has after all seen it more than enough. She knew what it was, although never trying to wear it even once.

"If that was not clear, as we asked another jeweler before the left." And they said that it could belong to minor royalty, or rich houses who could afford them. n.o.bility could become dest.i.tute, as easy as they could gain prestige and wealth.

And those who wished to be seen like them, often scoured for such antique treasures. This was by no means an antique, only being a couple decades old. But it was something that could acc.u.mulate in years.

Given how it was made and styled in a previous era. When each Emperor pa.s.sed, they had a posthumous name granted to them. And each Emperor"s court could be said to have showed their tastes. In every way possible.

"But I did want a more local opinion."

"You do know that it basically sounds the same." Masami did have a point, but he just wanted to confirm it. He did wonder whether it was a fake, although he did have years to truly test whether it was. And so far, it never seemed so.

"It was just a precaution." He held the locket, looking at the chance to do it again.

Masami didn"t disagree, although she did think it a waste of money. But he knew it was well spent.

Noticing that Shinrou was opening the door. "There is a man outside the door. And he is looking for someone." Clear about who he was looking for. It was Enyou, at the very least.

"Let him in." Although not further than just the main hall. Yuki invited her to her room instead of anyone else"s. Which he was content to allow.

He stood up and followed Shinrou. Who was by all means, continuing to serve those two girls inside. Outside the house, in the courtyard was a palanquin. But there was no one other than a boy there.

He stepped forward, dressed as a servant. Without a doubt, he could even guess who he was looking for. "I"m looking for Enyou-hime." Not using the term he will call her, as that was unhelpful. Any daughter of a Daimyo could be called that, no matter how little land her father possessed.

A name was far more useful. He nodded and obliged. But he hasn"t invited him inside.

"She"s inside. I"ll get Shinrou to call them out." It was understandable, although he looked at Kazuho. Perhaps to observe him, whether he was intending to do any wrong. Although for some strange reason, it seemed to tell that he wasn"t afraid. Or even anxious.

The main door opened, with Yuki waving her hand to Enyou. Laughing as she came out. While she turned to see her servant.

She came down the steps, while Makoto prepared the palanquin to have her inside. And to leave. Yuki waved, with her giving a strained smile.

Enyou turned back. Suggesting that she will visit again if they have the chance. She was not by any means restricted, and made the choice to come here.

"Makoto, let"s go." The palanquin closed and lifted. Yuki came out further.

"Next time, meet them on the street and keep it there. But since she already entered, I don"t really care whether she comes in or not." She was a woman born in the Samurai cla.s.s. And could be considered different.

"I"ll keep that in mind. Although, why did you take so long. I probably will have just talked to her there and left it there."

"How is this my fault?" He asked her. Clearly she wasn"t making any sense.

"Well, you could have just left a note."

"You snuck out earlier than I did, and behind my back. So, it is your fault." He had to stand up for himself, there was a limit that he could take. This was it.

He could accept that Yuki will be leeching off him, he accepted that. But having to deal with her antics was not something he signed up for, although in terms of food she was demanding as it was.

"Enough." Masami stopped them. Since they were outside after all, and she could see that this was where it should stop. "We"ll continue inside. After all, things are less precious when we"re in any of your rooms as compared to the main hall."

The main hall was a chance that Kazuho took to furnish quite well, although not flaunting his wealth. He did keep that in mind. And turned back into the house. He was not going to let this go down.