| Ensei: |
I finally made it. Heh. |
| Narrative: |
One month has passed since Kou Shuurei left the Imperial Residence. It was the middle of summer and Saiunkoku's Emperor and the capital city suffered under the scorching sun. |
| Sou: |
Any way you look at it, it's too hot.
Hm?
Oy! Pull yourself together! |
| Narrative: |
People continued to collapse due to the extreme heat. As a result, the Imperial Court became short on staff. |
| Title: |
Wanting to borrow even a cat's hand
*Idiom - wanting to use people that would normally be of no help when one is short staffed or extremely busy |
| Shuurei: |
It's really hot so don't work too hard okay Seiran? |
| Seiran: |
I'm only guarding the rice storehouses so there's no way to work too hard. |
| Shuurei: |
If that's so, it's fine, but... |
| Seiran: |
You don't need to worry, I'll be fine. Well, I'll be off. |
| Shuurei: |
This season's come again this year, hasn't it?
*sighs*
|
| Kei Jirou: |
People keep collapsing from the extreme heat and it's affecting the daily work. We in the department of finance are especially in a state of crisis as we've always been short-staffed. |
| Ryuuki: |
You all heard it. I'd like to have staff lent to the Department of Finance in this emergency. |
| Official: |
To the Department of Finance? |
| Official: |
Send one of our people to that strange person? What should we do? |
| Official: |
That's impossible. |
| Ryuuki: |
If the Department of Finance which takes care of all monetary matters can no longer function, wages will no longer be able to be paid promptly and would be a problem for everyone right? This isn't an order as Emperor, but don't you think that you should help one another out when in trouble? |
| Official: |
Understood. |
| Kei Jirou: |
Thank you very much. Senior Secretary Kou (yellow) is also very pleased. |
| Officials: |
Really? |
| Kei: |
Now then, next on the agenda, we've gotten reports that bandits have been coming in from Sa Province...
|
| Kei: |
That's all for today's bills... |
| Ryuuki: |
There's something I'd like to discuss - regarding the National Exams. I'm thinking of having women be permitted to take the exams starting from the next test. |
| Official: |
Huh? |
| Ryuuki: |
I would like to propose the possibility of women taking the National Exams.
|
| Ryuushin: |
Umm... "While I'm lonely, I'm sleeping by myself. Ano..." umm... |
| Girl: |
It says "Anonymous" (*lit. wishing to remain anonymous)
This one says "I miss your erhu playing."
This one says "I want to sleep together again and feel your warmth"...
Just what does that mean? |
| Shuurei: |
Yes, yes. You don't need to read it. Turn it over and use it for writing practice. Practice! There's lots of paper. |
| Class: |
Okay! |
| Shuurei: |
The things I've gotten from that clueless man can at least be of some use.
|
| Deliverer: |
A gift from someone wishing to remain anonymous. "To get through the heat." |
| Shuurei: |
Any way you look at it, it's too big! |
| Deliverer: |
A gift from someone wishing to remain anonymous. "An unusual flower was blooming." |
| Shuurei: |
The cluster amaryllis*... also known as the equinox flower. We're not a cemetary!
*often grows in cemetaries |
| Deliverer: |
A gift from someone wishing to remain anonymous. |
| Shuurei: |
Why boiled eggs? |
| Deliverer: |
A gift from someone wishing...
|
| Shuurei: |
Sheesh! That clueless man.
|
| Shuurei: |
Ryuuki. |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei. I love you. |
| Shuurei: |
What are you saying? I'm going to marry this person. |
| Seiran: |
Sorry Ryuuki. |
| Ryuuki: |
Big brother?! |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran's much more mature and so reliable. You'll give us your blessing right? |
| Ryuuki: |
Eh? Ah, wha- wait... |
| Shuurei: |
Later, brother-in-law. |
| Seiran: |
You should find happiness too, younger brother. |
| Ryuuki: |
Wha- wai- wait a minute! Aa!
|
| Shuuei: |
Ahahahahaha |
| Ryuuki: |
Get out. |
| Shuuei: |
Sorry. I couldn't help it, it's such a heart-warming dream. |
| Ryuuki: |
It was a nightmare. |
| Shuuei: |
Ahahahaha
But it does have a certain sense of reality doesn't it? That dream. |
| Ryuuki: |
It doesn't! It's a nightmare! A nightmare! |
| Shuuei: |
Certainly, Shuurei-dono is of that age though. Even if the other person weren't Seiran, having those sorts of offers wouldn't be at all unusual, would it? |
| Ryuuki: |
But, I've been diligently sending her letters and even sent her lots of gifts. |
| Shuuei: |
Hmm... by the way, what's the latest thing you sent her? |
| Ryuuki: |
A voodoo doll. |
| Shuuei: |
... the reason being? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shou Taishi told me that it's a famous charm. You put in your hair and feelings and send it to the person, and your hot feelings will be conveyed. |
| Shuurei: |
*chuckles* But you haven't received a single reply, right? |
| Ryuuki: |
Hmm... maybe I shouldn't have sent them anonymously. No doubt she doesn't realise who sent them. Yeah. That's it. That must be it. |
| Shuuei: |
The path is looking to be very long and difficult... |
| Ryuuki: |
Yeah, so I've been trying to think of another plan.
Kouyuu, how is it? |
| Kouyuu: |
Redo it.
You won't get Senior Secretary Kou of the Department of Finance to accept it in its current state.
Thanks to your sudden, idiot statement during court, he ended up leaving without a word. |
| Ryuuki: |
My feelings got the better of me. |
| Kouyuu: |
Getting a proposal to pass after it's been refused once is virtually impossible. Not to mention that this bill needed to be handled carefully in the first place. |
| Ryuuki: |
I know. I'll re-write it. Kouyuu. |
| Kouyuu: |
Yes? |
| Ryuuki: |
We are going to get this bill to pass within the year!
|
| Shuurei: |
I wish summer would hurry up and end already.
|
| Seiran: |
I'm home. ? |
| Ensei: |
Welcome home. |
| Seiran: |
I'm back... |
| Shuurei: |
Ah Seiran. Welcome back! |
| Seiran: |
Who is this person? |
| Shuurei: |
Um... |
| Ensei: |
? Eh? Are you perhaps "Little Whirlwind"?? |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran...? |
| Seiran: |
Don't tell me you're Ensei!? |
| Ensei: |
You got it. So it is you. It really has been a long time. |
| Seiran: |
What the hell are you doing here? |
| Ensei: |
It's a coincidence. Pure coincidence. I have some business in the capital. But, I haven't eaten much lately and collapsed by the roadside when your Princess came by and found me. |
| Seiran: |
Go back the way you came and get out right now. |
| Ensei: |
Uwaahh, how cold! |
| Seiran: |
Go collapse in front of some other residence. I'll even write a letter of introduction if you like. |
| Ensei: |
How mean. |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran... What's wrong all of a sudden? |
| Seiran: |
My Lady. You mustn't take in someone like this! Just because he'd fallen by the roadside... |
| Shuurei: |
But, he said that he was so hungry he was about to die. |
| Seiran: |
Ahahah, he won't die. I guarantee it. So let's throw him out right now. |
| Ensei: |
Eh? |
| Seiran: |
Immediately. |
| Shuurei: |
Aren't you acquainted? |
| Seiran: |
You're mistaken. |
| Ensei: |
That's right. We were just renewing our friendship. We're old friends aren't we... um... Seiran? |
| Shuurei: |
So you're Seiran's friend. Then, take your time. Father will be home soon too. |
| Ensei: |
It looks like you were taken into a nice place. It's good to see you looking so happy. I don't have any money to pay for dinner, so maybe I'll tell them some stories from your past instead. |
| Seiran: |
Just try hinting about the past. I'll chop off your head! |
| Ensei: |
I was kidding. Owww...
|
| Shouka: |
You said your name was Ensei-kun? What sort of business do you have in the capital? |
| Ensei: |
Ah, I came to meet someone. It's a bit difficult to see them so I'll probably stay in town for a bit. |
| Shouka: |
Is it a high-ranking individual? |
| Ensei: |
Yes, well. |
| Shuurei: |
In that case, how about introducing him to someone from court, father? |
| Ensei: |
If it ends up being impossible, then I'll ask. For starters, I came in secret... |
| Shouka: |
In that case, you should stay here until your business is finished. |
| Seiran: |
Master! |
| Shuurei: |
He's your friend isn't he? |
| Seiran: |
No, not friend... |
| Shouka: |
He's not a bad person, right? |
| Seiran: |
Well, that's true but... |
| Shouka: |
In that case it's fine. |
| Shuurei: |
Friends are to be valued. |
| Seiran: |
Yeah... |
| Shouka: |
Is this sort of run-down home all right? |
| Ensei: |
I'm sick of camping outside. It's more than I could ever hope for! |
| Shouka: |
No need to restrain yourself. Think of it as your own home. |
| Ensei: |
I'll gladly accept your hospitality. Another helping please. |
| Seiran: |
Don't accept! |
| Shuurei: |
*laughs*
|
| Shouka: |
Welcome back. Let's have some tea. Have a seat there. |
| Shusui: |
Um... I made some sweet bean buns. |
| Shouka: |
Sweet bean buns? |
| Shusui: |
I learned from Shuurei-sama when she was in the Imperial Residence. |
| Shouka: |
My. In that case, we'll have them with tea.
Thank you for seeing Kourin all the way to Sa Province. |
| Shusui: |
Not at all.
Advisor Sa's wife, who's taking Kourin in is... how should I put it, she's a surprising woman. |
| Shouka: |
Once you've met her, you'll never forget her. She makes a strong impression, doesn't she. |
| Shusui: |
Yes. No doubt, being with her, Kourin will be able to recover from things. No. Maybe I just want to think that. |
| Shouka: |
It'll be all right. Because like Kourin... no, even more than Kourin, she loved and was loved by Sa Taiho. And above all, she's a very strong person. If Kourin's with her, no doubt she'll be fine. |
| Shusui: |
Yes. Hopefully Kourin will be able to smile again soon. |
| Shouka: |
They look delicious. |
| Shusui: |
Eh? |
| Shouka: |
The sweet bean buns. |
| Shusui: |
Yes! |
| Shouka: |
They're delicious! They're as good as Shuurei's. |
| Shusui: |
You're tea is also... very nice.
|
| Ryuuki: |
Wrong! Not like that! The Senior Secretary of Finance wouldn't agree with that.
|
| Shuuei: |
You want men from the Uringun that guards the Imperial palace to be assigned to rounding up bandits? |
| Sou: |
You're aware that the local authorities are so short staffed that they want to use anyone they can get hold of, right? |
| Shuuei: |
We don't have enough leeway for all that. |
| Sou: |
Don't worry. I'll also take part. |
| Shuuei: |
You just want to fight, don't you? |
| Sou: |
That and, how about using this as a chance to get him back in the Uringun? |
| Shuuei: |
By "him", do you mean the one who's currently guarding the rice stores? |
| Sou: |
*nods* Daishoguns Koku and Haku are both extremely insistent.
|
| Shuuei: |
Where're you going? |
| Kouyuu: |
What do you mean where? Today's the day for the dinner party. That's why you're... |
| Shuuei: |
That's true but Shuurei-dono's residence is that way. |
| Kouyuu: |
And what's wrong with taking the long route?!
|
| Shuurei: |
Welcome. |
| Kouyuu: |
The residence and the garden are the same as always. |
| Shuurei: |
We already spent all the money we got from Advisor Shou. |
| Kouyuu: |
Even though you got 500 gold pieces? |
| Shuuei: |
Apparently they fully equipped the temple school and made a major donation to the town's doctors.
|
| Ensei: |
Wow! Being assigned to the Emperor at such a young age is really something! What's the current Emperor like?
|
| Kouyuu: |
An utterly naive, child-like, clueless, 19 year old. |
| Ensei: |
Huh? |
| Shuurei: |
That's true, he's clueless. |
| Ensei: |
Do you know him Princess? |
| Shuurei: |
Um, w-well... |
| Shuuei: |
But he could become really great. At least I think the possibility is there. |
| Ensei: |
Hmm. |
| Shuuei: |
By the way Ensei-dono. You said you came from Sa Province. How was your trip? |
| Ensei: |
You mean about the mountain bandits and thieves? They were extremely active. |
| Shuurei: |
What are you talking about? |
| Shuuei: |
Apparently a large number of bandits have been coming in recently from Sa Province. Personnel from the Uringun are being assigned to help guard the town or take part in rounding up the bandits and so we want Seiran to take part as well. |
| Shuurei: |
You want Seiran to help round up bandits? Seiran's just a rice storehouse guard! |
| Shuuei: |
Sou Taifu and our two Taishos are very insistent and won't listen. They're all completely taken with his skill. |
| Shuurei: |
But... |
| Shuuei: |
It's only temporary so I don't think it'll be long before he'll be able to go back to his current post.
Probably. |
| Seiran: |
Shogun Ran. How about this man? |
| Ensei: |
? |
| Seiran: |
He's got skill and unlimited strength. He's an absolute bargain. |
| Ensei: |
Um wait a moment. I also have something to take care of. |
| Shuuei: |
Hmm... If Seiran says so, then Ensei-dono's bound to be good at fighting but... |
| Seiran: |
He's good. |
| Shuurei: |
He's that reliable a friend. |
| Ensei: |
*sighs* |
| Shuuei: |
But even if he were to help, I doubt the invitations to you would stop. |
| Seiran: |
I see. Understood. |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran. |
| Seiran: |
It's all right. I'll do my best to come home for dinner. I'll cut whatever corners I need to and if things get dangerous I'll use someone nearby as a shield and run away.
Ensei will take care of things in my place. |
| Ensei: |
? |
| Seiran: |
Do you have a problem with that, Guest? |
| Ensei: |
No. |
| Seiran: |
Make yourself useful to her Lady. If anything happens, I'll chop off your head. |
| Ensei: |
I got it already. |
| Shuuei: |
Are you that worried about Seiran? |
| Shuurei: |
No. It's just that summer's... |
| Shuuei: |
Summer? |
| Shuurei: |
I-it's nothing.
*laughs nervously*
Did you want another helping Kouyuu-sama? |
| Kouyuu: |
Ah, I'll have another bowl please. That and there's something I'd like to ask of you. |
| Shuurei: |
Yes, what is it? Did you want me to help round up bandits too? |
| Kouyuu: |
How would you like to work at the Imperial Court for a month?
|
| Shou: |
*laughs* You look like you're struggling with something young man. |
| Ryuuki: |
Advisor Shou. |
| Shou: |
Oh, the matter of having women be able to take the National Exams. I see.
If it weren't motivated by self interest, I would've happily praised you for it. |
| Ryuuki: |
This rotten bastard. |
| Shou: |
It seems like you've really been working hard lately but... you're not thinking of getting it done in time for the next exam, are you? |
| Ryuuki: |
Shuurei... Shuurei worked hard for my sake. Now it's my turn to work hard for her.
What's that? |
| Shou: |
? Y-you mean this? It's a local specialty of an island in the East - they're pickled plums. |
| Ryuuki: |
Pickled plums? |
| Shou: |
*laughs* Even if you want one, I won't give any. It's an extremely rare item. |
| Ryuuki: |
Huh.
|
| Shuurei: |
Odd jobs for the Senior Secretary of the Department of Finance?! Regardless of how short-handed you are, that sort of important job... |
| Kouyuu: |
It really will be only odd jobs. It's not so important work. |
| Shuurei: |
Huh. |
| Kouyuu: |
You're not interested? Are you that against going back to the palace where the stupid lord is? |
| Shuurei: |
That's not it. It was pretty fun too. And as Shogun Ran said, that person may well become great.
But if I go back there, I might see that unattainable dream again. |
| Ensei: |
Why not go for it? It's not often that you'll get the chance to work in the Imperial Court. I don't know what you're hesitating over but don't you think it's better to go through life having tried and regretted something rather than not trying and regretting it? |
| Shuurei: |
Ensei... |
| Seiran: |
While I don't like to admit it, he's right my lady. |
| Shouka: |
I don't mind, if it's what you want. |
| Shuurei: |
Seiran. Father.
I'll be happy to accept. |
| Kouyuu: |
*nods* However, women can't work in the Outer Court so you'll have to dress as a man. |
| Shuurei: |
Won't I be discovered?! |
| Kouyuu: |
Don't worry. With that body, no one will ever realise you're female.
|
| Shuuei: |
Don't you think that the Senior Secretary of Finance will realise that Shuurei's a woman? |
| Kouyuu: |
He might. |
| Shuuei: |
? |
| Kouyuu: |
But no doubt she'll...
|
| Shou: |
The Emperor's future is something to look forward to. Don't you agree, Enjun?
|
| Shouka: |
It suits you well. |
| Seiran: |
Yes. No one will think you're a woman. |
| Ensei: |
You make a great male. |
| Shuurei: |
I don't know if I should be happy or if I should be sad...
Well, I'll be off. |
| Men: |
Have a good time. |
| Seiran: |
Oy! You're going too. |
| Ensei: |
Me too? |
| Seiran: |
Of course! Stay by Her Lady's side! If anything happens... |
| Ensei: |
You'll chop my head off right? Alright. Alright already.
Oy! Wait for me, Princess!
|
| Shuurei: |
To think that I've come here again.
|
| Shuurei: |
What's the Senior Secretary of Finance like? |
| Kouyuu: |
Potentially a future Prime Minister; he's extremely capable, strange and mysterious. |
| Shuurei: |
Huh? |
| Kouyuu: |
He's a member of the Kou (yellow) family, his name is Kou Kijin. |
| Shuurei: |
Eh? By "Kijin" you don't mean as in "kijin henjin" - eccentric and strange person "kijin"? |
| Kouyuu: |
That's right. However, his real name is supposed to be different. However, since everyone around him kept calling him "kijin henjin", he changed his name. |
| Ensei: |
There are some interesting people in the Imperial Court, aren't there.
By the way Assistant Secretary Li-san, we were supposed to get there in fifteen minutes, it's been almost two hours. Aren't we there yet? |
| Kouyuu: |
When did the Department of Finance move?! |
| Ensei & Shuurei: |
He got lost.
|
| Kei: |
Kou Shuu-dono and Rou Ensei-dono have arrived. This is the Senior Secretary of Finance - Kou Kijin. |
| Ensei: |
This is definitely... |
| Shuurei: |
An eccentric person. |
| Trailer: |
I've ended coming back to the palace. And I've ended up meeting a strange person. While I've met a number of strange people, this is definitely the first time I've met someone who wears a mask. Kou Kijin - a mysterious person. |
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