Just like that, the guards passed, their orderly procession a stark contrast to the chaotic flight of the serfs. The street was suddenly sparse. I couldn't help but mutter about how poorly designed the roads in Ukyo were. But then, considering all the dignitaries lived in the eastern Sakyo district, it was understandable that the west would be neglected.
After another half-hour of observing the terrain, I was about to head back when a voice stopped me.
"Master Kyosuke!"
The respectful call came from a thin but energetic old man in his forties or fifties. He stepped out from the gate of an ordinary-looking manor, his expression a strange mix of solemnity and joy. I glanced at him, giving a noncommittal hum. Who is this now? This whole suspense game of figuring out my own life was getting exhausting.
Seeing my silence, the old man asked in a questioning tone, "…Shall I gather the others right away?"
I simply said, "No need."
With that, I took a step and walked naturally through the manor gate as if I owned the place. Because, after a quick observation of the property and the steward's deference, I realized that I most likely did. In fact, I probably owned more than one.
This world is really trying to kill me with paperwork, I complained silently as I began to carefully survey my newfound property.
Day 22
I began to seriously consider buying an ox cart again. My trip to the manor yesterday had been revelatory. It turned out I didn't just own one manor in Ukyo; I owned ten. More importantly, stashed within the main residence were documents detailing my identity in this world.
It was then that I realized I wasn't a lower-class noble at all. I was solidly middle-class. In addition to my now-suspended 7th-rank position as an Imperial Calendar Doctor, I held another minor, ceremonial post. And that post was of the Junior Fifth Rank.
Everything clicked into place. Fifth rank was the watershed. Only those of the fifth rank and above were considered true nobles. Only they had the status to own a proper carriage and not have to walk everywhere like a commoner. Finally, I could get an ox cart!
But as the initial excitement faded, a frown creased my brow. A new problem emerged. Why was my identity so secret? If I, a supposedly low-ranking Onmyoji, suddenly bought an ox cart befitting a fifth-rank noble, it would expose my hidden status and undoubtedly cause trouble. After considering it for a long time, I gave up on the idea. Feeling a wave of depression wash over me, I went home and stress-ate two entire cans of braised pork.
That same day, the plague broke out again in Kyoto, this time more severe than before. People were dying, and a sickness began to spread among the cattle and horses, crippling the city's transport and farming.
Day 23
A sense of unease kept me from going out. Before noon, the heavens opened up, and a heavy rain began to fall, plunging the world into a pitch-black gloom. With candles lit against the darkness, I gathered Yukinoshita, Miku, and Satsuki in the room with the best view of the courtyard.
I didn't say anything, just lay on my side and watched the rain lash the garden. The three girls were equally silent. In their low status, they had no right to speak unless spoken to.
After a long while, I broke the silence. "You two said you wanted to find your relatives. Have you taken any action?"
Miku and Satsuki looked at each other. After a moment, Miku replied, "…Not yet."
"That's for the best. It's dangerous to go out these days. It's better to stay put."
Miku fell silent again, unsure how to respond.
"I'm bored," I said. "Give me a drop of blood, and I'll do a divination for you."
"Thank you very much, Lord Kyosuke!" Miku said hurriedly. Without hesitation, she bit her index finger with her canine teeth.
"So quick," I sighed. I slowly sat up, raising my hand. The bright red droplet on her fingertip floated through the air and into my palm. I then sent a small beam of mystic light to her hand, and the wound healed instantly.
As I did, my gaze drifted to Yukinoshita, who was sitting beside her. For a split second, in the flickering candlelight, I saw a vision under the silk of her skirt—a bright and beautiful peony flower, blooming quietly in the darkness. The image was so vivid, so sharp, it froze in my mind, sending a jolt like an electric shock through my entire system.
I collected myself in an instant, lowering my eyes to the blood in my palm and beginning my calculations. The three girls watched intently. About five minutes later, I looked at Miku.
"You have another relative in this world."
"—No, there are others," she protested.
"Don't question my abilities," I said flatly. "Fate has said you have one sister here. That is the truth. The others… perhaps they are in another world."
"Then… Master Kyosuke, can you tell me where she is?"
"In Ukyo. Probably working in some noble's mansion. I'll take a look when I have the time."
"Thank you, Lord Kyosuke…" Miku bowed her head. As she did, I felt a strange sense of pressure from her, my eyes drawn to the tall, beautiful peak of her chest outlined by the candlelight.
"Do you want one?" I asked, turning my gaze to Yukinoshita.
She nodded quickly and imitated Miku, biting her finger. After helping her heal the wound, I began the deduction. The answer came much faster.
"What relatives? None."
Yukinoshita bowed her head in thanks, a secret wave of relief washing over her. She could finally stop worrying that her family might have been dragged into this dangerous world.
It rained all day. That night, the girls slept much more peacefully.
Day 24
The downpour continued. I sat with the three girls in the Japanese-style room again, listening to the water flowing through the courtyard. With the help of candlelight, they read from the books I had provided. I was daydreaming, continuing to digest the massive amount of information I'd absorbed from the library.
At that same moment, in the flooded Ukyo district, a young man with a pair of dead-fish eyes stood drenched in the pouring rain. Dressed in simple armor, he gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on the countless people being swept away into the surging floodwaters as they tried to build a dike.
"Aba! Hurry up!" a soldier shouted. "Drive those bitches to keep working! I can't let the Procuratorate's men take all the credit! Lord Raiko must see my contribution!"
"For the glory of the Genji!" another laughed, cracking his whip.
Under the heavy rain, the Sasa-rindo crest of the Genji clan still fluttered proudly in the wind.
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