Side One Hundred And Eighty-Three – Fujiwara Miyu / Fujiwara Honoka

    “So that’s what we need to do next, Miyu. Miyu.” There was a long pause, before the annoying voice spoke up again. “Miyu! Are you even listening to me?”

    Holding in a biting sigh, Miyu blinked, looking at the speaker, her father, who was pacing restlessly in his expensive suit, from the famous Royal Line tailors, who only catered to the nobility and political elite of Japan and those they recommended, a treasured antique watch on his wrist that he constantly checked nervously. I know Akio has been getting his suits from there, after grandfather provided him a recommendation. To an ordinary person it hardly matters, but a discerning eye will realise it means he is accepted by the nobility.

    “I heard you. Please do not address me so informally, it rather upsets me.” she replied. Beside her, Michiru, her friend, bodyguard and companion, glowered at Miyu’s father, clutching the hem of her bright crimson scarf.

    “Informally, Miyu? You’re my daughter, despite what you think. Miyu, Miyu!”

    She ignored him, until he gave in with a sigh. “Miyu-san. Calling my own daughter such... I get that you dislike me, but I am still your father. And my father wants this event to be a success, so I have to do my best. You respect father, at least, don’t you? You never talk to me or acknowledge me!”

    “I am talking to you now, no?” Miyu responded acerbically, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. It was hardly proper for a daughter of nobility, especially of Fujiwara house, but perhaps she had been corrupted by Hinata, Akio and others. If so, I hardly mind. Akio and the others have much noble about them. They make more of a difference than father does, have saved many lives. Mine included, else I likely would have killed myself by now, and that saved Michiru, as she would have followed me into death...

    “Yes, but...” Her father sighed, and Miyu felt a brief flash of satisfaction, though there was a little guilt mixed in as well. I have changed a touch, it seems.

    “So, what is it you want?” Miyu asked, cutting him off. They were seated in an executive box at the Tokyo Dome, watching the charity concert. Miyu was actually interested, for while idol performances were not something daughters of nobility should have been concerned with, as a student of the Kyomai school of traditional Japanese dancing, she had a professional curiosity, and while as opposed to her elegance and worshipful calm, idol dancing was frenetic, cheerful and showy, she found it impossible to deny the charm of it.

    “I was discussing our next steps. But... I’m your father, Miyu-san. Much as you’ve ignored me for almost your entire life, I’m still worried about you!”

    This time Miyu couldn’t hide her disdain, and Michiru was having a hard time, knuckles white on her scarf. “It is rather late for that, father. You have had no involvement in my life. You left everything to grandfather, as always.” She glanced at his watch, her expression contemptuous. “Besides, I hate inconstant men.”

    “I... nobody gainsays father.” He admitted, frustrated. “Besides, it was for the best. Father is still vigorous, despite his advanced age. Moreso now, isn’t he? Older brother Hidemasa is nearly sixty, and while I’m younger, I’m hardly young.” His tone was bitter. “Father is too stubborn to die, it seems, and older brother... he’s not exactly capable of running the behemoth that is Fujiwara house. Yes, there are plenty of capable helpers on the board, like Harada-san and Ueno-san, but... well, I know my brother. He isn’t a listener, and he’s arrogant.”

    Aren’t you too, father? Still, Miyu did him the courtesy of listening to his complaints.

    “But that means that it falls upon you and Honoka-san to be the heirs. Although... you are both girls. So by the rules of the nobility and Japan...”

    “It would be our husbands who took over the family.” Miyu agreed. “Though Honoka-san is the daughter of Hidemasa-sama, so it will be her husband who must guide Fujiwara house when grandfather is gone. Besides...” Miyu’s lips twitched, as she held down a smile. “I cannot marry without the permission of my master.”

    She enjoyed the look of bemused discomfort on her father’s face as he pondered that. “It’s all a nonsense. How could you have decided that? Why didn’t you...”

    “Talk to you? Why would I?” Miyu interrupted. “It is my life, and you abdicated responsibility for it. Did you have any input in my prior engagement?”

    “No, but...” her father protested. “You know I’ve left the inner echelons of Fujiwara house to make my own way as a figure in government, in the MEXT department. I’m not Hidemasa, who can only sit there pretending to be important, when father and Harada-san make all the decisions. I chose my own path, and I make it on my own merits.”

    Really? I suppose this is why I have no respect for you, father. You see less clearly than I do, and I was blind too. “Your own merits? Hardly.” Miyu scoffed. “Yes, you have made your way up the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, but on your own merits? There is a limit to being a fool, father. I too was sheltered, but I somehow know more than you. You think that your status as the son of Fujiwara Shige does not influence others? How many times have your ideas been accepted simply because of your ancestry, or your fellows smoothed out problems for you, because not to do so might be seen as a slight against Fujiwara house, a mistake?”

    “And how are you any different?” her father snapped back, before a trace of guilt flashed across his face. “I’m sorry, Miyu-san, that was uncalled for...”

    “No, it was not.” Miyu shook her head sadly. “I much prefer your real feelings, than trying to pretend to be a parent at this late stage. I have seen real families now. Fujiwara house is worthy, and wealthy, and powerful... but... a family it is not. Perhaps it cannot be, for the weight of what we carry through these hundreds and hundreds of years is too much, too precious... but... while I am a daughter of Fujiwara still, and that cannot and will not change... I am also not free to simply be that.” Gathering her thoughts, Miyu smiled, and she didn’t notice her father taken aback by her genuine, unusual expression, Michiru looking on approvingly.

    “Of course I was simply Fujiwara Miyu, I was respected and praised simply for being her, rather than being me. Yes, my dancing, my piano, they are talents that are my own, but without the opportunities afforded to me which were none of my doing, I could never have realised them. Unlike Hinata, who, despite the same bloodline as me, one of the Three Great Houses, was treated with disdain. I was rather pathetic. And woefully selfish. When I was visited by Ame-no-Uzume and given... perhaps forced... to take these powers, I despaired. Perhaps if I was a different woman, I would have spoken to you, father. Or grandfather. Though that would have been futile. He would simply have used me, as he uses us all. I hardly hate him for that, I respect grandfather... but I cannot sacrifice myself for others. No, instead I demanded others aid me. I was pathetic.” she repeated bitterly.

    “No, Miyu-sama!” Michiru protested, heartbroken. “It was I who was so disrespectful to Akio-sama and Hinata-sama, nearly injuring Hinata-sama! We... went about matters wrongly. Though with father’s advice, that men are not to be trusted...”

    “It seems we think the same of father, and the pair of you are very similar.” He nodded at Michiru. “Yes, father will set aside his own needs and those of others for Fujiwara house and Japan. It is praiseworthy, perhaps... but... I leave that to Hidemasa-san. As for you...”

    “Yes, as for me... I was fortunate. Akio answered my wishes, but not in the foolish way I envisaged. Now... now I am Miyu, and I have my own worth. It is hard, and often frightening, but... never lonely.”

    “Of course not!” Michiru insisted, and Miyu felt warm at her care. “I am always with you. Now... more than ever. With your Throne empowering me I am better able to protect you!” she insisted stoutly.

    “Yes, though... it is sadly a waste. Five Levels, even fifteen... while admirable and meaningful, compared to what Hinata enjoys... but that is for another time.”

    “I notice that you call Oshiro-san and Takatsukasa-san without honorifics, Miyu-san. That... surprises me. After all, you loathe men, and are not close to others...” her father pointed out, and Miyu once more struggled not to roll her eyes or grimace and tut irritably.

    “Of course I do. And whose fault is that? We are taught that men are wolves, and never meet any outside our family, and even at parties where they are, they are kept away from us. We are to be sold for the benefit of our families, and yes, we benefit, I have had opportunities many, even Hinata, have not had, but the price we pay... besides, grandfather has had a hand in Honoka-san’s education, and mine... and he has biased us.”

    “You think Oshiro-san wouldn’t use you for his own gain?” her father insisted, and Miyu laughed scornfully.

    “Nobody in the world does not think of profit and loss. And the world, especially now, is hardly kind enough to allow me to receive while not giving. This is the lesson I learned with some difficulty. Yes, he works me to the bone, making me dance endlessly, all to save an hour here or there. But in doing so, I found a measure of happiness and self-worth. If you mean, because he holds the rights over me due to my Vassalage, he can sell me as he wills... in theory, were he to go against grandfather, or persuade him, which is possible, if enough if offered, but...”

    Michiru spoke up. “Akio-sama is not one to sell another’s happiness. Especially not those he has sworn to protect. When you swore to be his Vassal, ever since, he has cherished and supported you, Miyu-sama.”

    “Indeed. He would rather fail and face defeat than sell another for his victory, and fortunately, Hinata and the others he surrounds himself with agree. Not that I feel he will fail to triumph. Hinata has discerning eyes. As for why I call them so familiarly... it seemed foolish not to, for to them, I am not Fujiwara Miyu, but simply Miyu. I do not despise him for being a man. For it seems not all men are created equal.”

    “I see.” her father muttered after a long, uncomfortable silence. Outside, her fellow Vassal, Suzu-san, had just finished her set. I must congratulate her later. It is only proper.

    “You never were close to Miyu, were you?”

    “No. We kept to ourselves. It is hard, only Sakura-sama, Mayumi-sama and Miyu-san were of a level I could approach, and being youngest, I felt rather out of place. Perhaps some of the higher Fifty-Eight, such as Motoko-san would have been sufficient as friends, but... it was problematic. If we show favouritism, it causes chaos. At least, it did...” Honoka smiled. “Now matters at Hanafubuki are quite different. Miyu-san has changed, and Hinata-sama has taken over Takatsukasa’s heir spot, displacing Sakura-sama...”

    “Yes, I know. I know it well. Takatsukasa house...” her father frowned. “So, Miyu... has she given you any indication of her intentions? If she was... for example, to marry Oshiro Akio...”

    Really? I cannot see that, though Miyu-san likes him well enough. She is very distrustful of men. “If so ordered she would, I have no doubt, but who would order her? Grandfather has conceded authority to Akio-sama, and I doubt he would do such a thing.”

    “Nai?ve.” Her father sighed, a long, slow exhalation of breath. “If you are complacent, Miyu will become more important to Fujiwara house than you, daughter. I have my suspicions about this Oshiro Akio. From appearances he seems perfect, but I know that shadows conceal hidden flaws. They always do. He’s currently abroad with Mayumi-san from Ichijou house. Hinata, Mayumi-san, Miyu... don’t you see? Honoured father is blinded. Whether it’s greed at the possible power, or the thought of good health and long life...” he grimaced, clearly troubled. “...honoured father, and the heads of the other houses are sleepwalking into handing everything to the lowbrow upstart who didn’t even have any wealth or lineage before this year!”

    “I do not think you should be criticising grandfather that way, father.” Honoka chided him, only to be surprised as he glared at her, something he hadn’t done before. Gaping, open-mouthed, she was shocked for a moment, before correcting her unladylike pose. “Grandfather is Fujiwara house, and we uphold it. Miyu-san does no less. Besides, grandfather would be ill-pleased if you speak behind his back. He appreciates forthrightness.”

    “Maybe from you, daughter.” He disagreed. “But he seldom brooks any disrespect or argument from us. He never listens to me. If Kazuhito hadn’t of entered government service... no, you’re right.” He visibly restrained himself. “I am out of sorts. These last few months have been difficult for us all. But...” He smiled warmly. “...I do worry for you. From when you could walk you’ve lived in the main estate with grandfather, sometimes I feel he is more your father than me. And then you shall be married, and another man will take charge of you.”

    Kozue was frowning beside her, but Honoka paid her no mind, merely smiling sweetly. “It is the honour of a woman to marry for her family. I have hardly neglected my training. I will marry as ordered, but... I am aware the world has changed. The candidates for any union are likely very different now. I only hope you can bless it, father.”

    “My suggestions have been... dismissed.” he admitted, frustrated again. “Sons of good families, well prepared to marry in and manage Fujiwara house, giving grandfather leisure to enjoy his golden years. I have been preparing too... but out of nowhere, this mess.”

    “But in change comes opportunity.” Honoka disagreed. I do not like questioning father, but... he seems restless, more so than usual. “Besides, if Miyu-san and her husband proves better able to run Fujiwara house...”

    “No. You are missing the point. No matter. I’ve been listening to your stories of how everything works on the occasions I have been free, but... you need to excel, and learn more. It’s simply imperative. You... there must be those you can ask that will aid you? The favour of Fujiwara Honoka is no small matter.”

    Honoka nodded. “It is a place where status is disregarded, but... that is merely words. The other nobility there, they of course defer to me, to Miyu-san, Hinata-sama...” I was rather rude to Hinata-sama when I first met Akio-sama. While my status far surpassed theirs then, so it was justified, it was... short-sighted. Now, even by our own rules, Hinata-sama is my equal, or perhaps more.

    “...Mayumi-sama as well, obviously. The shrines have a similar response, as they know of the nobility. Though the common folk, the Fae... their attitudes are equal parts refreshing and perplexing. But yes... many are eager to help me.”

    “Great, great.” her father brightened up. “Then work hard and don’t disappoint me. I know honoured father holds high hopes for you too.”

    “Is that all you wanted, father?” Honoka asked politely.

    “Oh, not exactly. Can I not come and see you, Honoka?”

    You have visited me more recently of late, even if the visits are still fleeting, mere chats about my studies and experiences. “Of course you can, father. I am at your disposal.”

    “Good. Good.” He nodded, seeming tired, or perhaps stressed, but there was a light in his eyes she had seldom seen. “I have a lot going on. You know, I don’t trust... oh, we’ve been over this. But honoured father likes bold successes. So, if I am to upstage that fox Koji, I need to achieve something. I know...” He glanced down at his watch. “...honoured father thinks little of my drive, but I have achieved before, oh, how I have.” His lips curled into an odd smile. “...and I can again. I know honoured father, as well as Ichijou-san and Takatsukasa-san, the other heads of the nobility, they are all furious and grief-stricken at the Shiraishi disaster with the Tengokusentou.”

    Honoka nodded. “Indeed. Poor Nozomi-san and Arisa-san are quite devastated, their house essentially collapsed. Fortunately, Hinata-sama has taken them in, and you are surely aware that she is confident of reclaiming it from the foreign investors...” She trailed off at the look of satisfaction on her father’s face.

    “Maybe so, but I have hardly been idle. I have my people working on it. Honoured father thinks I lack the instincts to get things done, am content just to waste away, growing older day by day. But your father isn’t so weak, Honoka. I expect a breakthrough soon, perhaps even today.”

    “I see.” Honoka was impressed. “I am sure grandfather will be delighted. I still remember celebrating Shichi-Go-San all those years ago there. My kimono was beautiful. Miyu-san looked stunning as well. And the weddings, and funerals...”

    “Yes, I have fond memories myself.” Her father agreed. “And it will be even more satisfying when we are there in the future, as everyone will know it was thanks to me! Yes, it’ll all be worth it...”

    Honoka merely smiled and listened, in impeccable seiza, until her father excused himself. As he left, Kozue, who had remained silent the whole time like the professional bodyguard she was, finally spoke up. “Your father... he seemed... rather preoccupied.”

    Honoka nodded. “Yes. Of course, everyone is working hard. I dare say father is no exception. We must as well. After all, you do not wish to fall behind Michiru, do you?”

    Kozue ground her teeth, her beautiful, doll-like face blank. “My sister is an idiot, she takes after father. All flashy showmanship with no substance. That is not ninjutsu. Nor is it bodyguarding. It is simply vanity, the need to show off. But...”

    “I am sorry.” Honoka apologised. “I cannot give you the advantages Miyu-san can give Michiru.”

    Kozue was horrified, bowing low, head touching the floor. “No, I have no wish to make you feel guilty. It is surely my fault for my lack of skill. But... no matter what my useless older sister gains, I shall always be superior, because I am not an idiot!”

    “I believe in you. But Michiru deeply cares for Miyu-san, you should respect that.”

    “I do, I stand corrected.” Kozue sighed. “Though... I have my suspicions their relationship is... not proper. I would never be so bold, Honoka-sama!”

    I do not quite understand. But I suppose I do not need to. “So, there is no training today, due to the concert, most of the training school is in attendance. What should we do?”

    “I shall do whatever you wish.” Kozue promised, and Honoka nodded, relaxing her legs now father had gone.

    “What do I want to do? I think... perhaps I should speak to grandfather. For some reason...” I feel a nervous chill. Perhaps I am coming down with a cold, or... perhaps it is a foreboding. Grandfather always taught me to be logical, to assess the known facts carefully, but also... never disregard a feeling. It may be, it probably is, nothing, yet... our brains make decisions based on information that we may not be aware we have... but I am still young and nai?ve.

    “I find that a wise idea. Besides, Fujiwara-sama always enjoys seeing you, Honoka-sama. Who would not?”

    Honoka stifled an unbecoming giggle. I feel you are not an unbiased judge, Kozue. But... yes, I miss grandfather too. I spend so much less time with him recently, what with my training. It will do me good to see him looking healthier and happier... and perhaps he can untangle my misgivings...