Night had fallen, and Yuki was standing in front of his father’s office. He thought about what had happened with Miyako. The moment he had seen her, he sensed there was something special in her. He felt they might easily make a connection. And then, she appeared again, here in the castle. It was almost like fate.

Miyako was a nice and charming person, and Yuki found himself quite endeared to her. They got along so easily, so he had hoped that she would see things as he did. Perhaps she was also someone wishing for hope. Thus, he showed her the greenhouse, his garden.

She too wished for a better homeland.

However, it would seem she was wishing for more, or something else as well. To unite the islands. It was not exactly Yuki’s intention. All he wanted was to restore the lands, to be graced by the true beauty of nature. It was his life’s goal. It was at that moment that he realized they were the same in seeking ‌hope, but they had different goals they wanted to achieve inside.

As Yuki sought rejuvenation for the lands, Miyako sought ‌unity. Both were noble goals. Yuki was quite hesitant to do it, but Miyako was a genuine person, and her goal was for the sake of the archipelago. And somehow, he just wanted to see her happy. If having his help would get that, then he would help her. It would be a difficult endeavor, but it was not like he was not pursuing an impossible goal too. In that regard, they were the same, pursuing the impossible. Which only made Miyako an even more amazing person.

She shared his hope that the lands would be restored once more, so he shall share her goal of uniting the islands. He didn’t know how to do it exactly, but they shall start small. Every adventure starts with a single step, after all. That being said, what he was asked to do might be difficult. His father had already rejected Miyako’s proposal of a trade partnership. Once he had made his mind, especially that it was all in his plans, it would be impossible to revert his decision.

However, he had to at least try. For Miyako.

He knocked on the door. “Father, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Yuki stepped inside and quickly closed the door. His father was sitting behind his desk, writing on some parchment.

“Son, why are you here?”

Yuki sat on the chair in front of the desk. “I’m just wondering, in your thoughts, how the assembly is holding up overall.”

“It is peaceful, and going smoothly.”

“Smoothly, huh? But is it going smoothly in our internal affairs? You’ve given Katsuo a good amount of trouble.”

“Not surprising. He won the race, and the other clan members want to bring him down.”

There have been complaints from the other clans about the lord picking Katsuo as his companion in the assembly. Which meant that Katsuo was favored closely by the lord. That itself brings a lot of influence and power, as someone who stood beside the ruler. The other clan leaders didn’t take it quite well, as they thought Katsuo didn’t deserve it. Which, to Yuki’s eyes, was just slander. Katsuo was a competent and serious man for the job.

“But Katsuo works hard to secure his position, it will all die down eventually.”

“I just wonder why now of all times that you bring someone as Katsuo by your side? A commander of an army. Father, what exactly are you planning for Nishinoa?”

“You do‌ not need to think about it. What I do is all for our sake.”

Yuki let out a sigh. “I am not fond of war, Father.”

He raised his eyes. “Once I succeed with my plans, you will no longer think about such matters.”

“... I’ve been thinking about Nishinoa’s offer.”

“What offer? The trade partnership?” He dropped his work and directly faced Yuki.

“Yes. It’s… I don’t think it’s a bad plan. It will indeed be beneficial for us.”

“You’ve heard my answer to that. Has Miyako been talking to you? Trying to get to me through you?”

Yuki shook his head. “... It’s not like that… I just thought it would be a good chance to enhance our relationship with them. It would reduce tensions between us.”

“Perhaps. But I cannot let another island have an opportunity to grow. It will be counterproductive to our plans.”

“You’ve been building up this plan for years, we will always be ahead.”

“Yes, that’s why I don’t want the opposition even the slightest chance.”

He truly was stubborn.

“It would be a good thing for us to work together for the future.”

Yoshio let out an exasperated sigh. “I promised ‌your mother that I’d give you the best future. To give you everything good. I’m doing this for all that.”

“But, Father…”

Yuki’s mother died when he was still young. A sickness, incurable by anything. They couldn’t tell what was the source, perhaps it was natural, or just the result of this blighted land. But her death did something to Yoshio. He only became more determined to get what he wished for. Or what Yuki’s mother wished for. Yuki couldn’t even remember her face, so he couldn’t relate to his father’s conviction.

“The only way for everything to be good is if my plan succeeds.”

“We don’t have to keep a monopoly on power.”

“No. You seek partnership, and alliance, a shared power structure? None of them can be trusted. Like it or not, our division is rooted deep in our being. Share power between islands to rule the archipelago, but there would only be scheming to be ‌superior to the others. Our politics here in the city would be a small game compared to that. Because after all, despite an alliance, we are still different islands. Our ways are different after centuries of division.”

“But we can’t be certain. Surely everyone would be willing to cooperate properly.”

“If only things were that simple. We are humans, Yuki. Not everyone will behave as you wanted. Not always. We cannot unite the island under a shared rule. There must be only one, an absolute authority. That way, no more scheming for their own sake. All will be united in serving one lord. That’s what a king is.”

“Do you truly not intend to accept Nishinoa’s proposal to partner?”

“No. In the end, we cannot fully trust them… If such an ideal goal were possible, it would have been achieved centuries ago.”

Yuki lowered his head, feeling disappointed. He felt terrible about what his father was planning for Nishinoa. He didn’t even know how to stop it all from happening.

“Once everything is ours, all will be in order. The people will welcome our rule… For we bring the hope to restore the soils of our lands.”

“This is a long battle, Father.”

“Indeed, it will be, but this division shall end with us. Only we can trust ourselves.”

It’s hard to do that when there are others trying to sabotage one of our own…

That was happening to Katsuo.

Still, father truly was giving his all in this, since a long time ago.

He started the research to grow proper plants, in hopes that the green would once again blossom in this dead land. It was a noble and daring goal, one that many would laugh and mock. But still, his father went for it.

He was amazing. All of his work was in preparation for a future that he was certain to achieve. Shinoroa ruled by Hokunoa, and an archipelago with growing green plants. All to make something good. All were ambitious goals.

But Yuki was tired of fighting battles against other people. Was this the only way to do it?

No… It can’t be. Miyako is seeking a way to unite the islands without war. This partnership would be the best way to go about it.

“Will you not change your mind, Father?”

“Of course not. We’ve reached this far, so the only way is forward.”

Yuki slowly nodded. But his father was just too stubborn.

“My son, this will only be in the beginning. But in the end, all will be for the better. “

“Very well, Father…”

I’m sorry, Miyako. I failed. It would seem we have to figure out another way.

Everything should be fine for the time being. While the lord of Nishinoa was still alive, Yuki might still be able to find a way to stop the fighting. Unless they found a fatal weakness in Nishinoa, which would be troublesome for the goal of unity. Still, no matter how things would end, he made a promise to Miyako.

***

Takehiro, the lord of Tobunoa Island, and his subordinates had gathered in their provided private chamber. They were about to have a meeting in preparation for the near-ending assembly of lords. The lord was sitting on a chair as one of his closest aides walked up to him — his adviser. He was the one missing from today’s assembly.

“Bakin, how goes your task? The assembly might be ending tomorrow. We might leave the day after.”

Bakin bowed his head. “It went well. And I had formed an idea. I’m not certain of the result, but it will surely stir some chaos.”

“So we resort to causing some chaos?” Takehiro raised an eyebrow. “Fine, I’ll take whatever after the fuck-up we got. When are you doing it?”

“Depends on the actions of Miyako and Yuki tomorrow. However, I am quite certain all will go as I want it to. They have been meeting together.”

Takehiro chuckled. “Miyako is sneakier than I thought.”

“Also, it appears that Yoshio and Yuki have been up to something interesting lately. A fool’s errand, if I may say.”

“Why, what have they been doing?”

“They have a building where they nurture plants. Green, living plants.”

Takehiro’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Woah, seriously?“ He laughed. “Is it working?”

“Yes. I took a peek. It’s quite easy when Yuki himself pushes the ninjas away from him.”

“That’s interesting. Are they up to some noble goal or something?” Takehiro chuckled. “Trying to restore the land by planting green plants… Hmph, I’d like to see them try…”

“... That would be all for nothing tomorrow. If I have your permission to do it.”

“Do what you see fit, as long as it aligns with our goals.”

Bakin smirked. “Understood.”