Chapter 9: Hosokawa Gracia “And then…”

Hosokawa residence.

A room for us to rest in had been prepared at the edge of the courtyard. In front of that room, Miki was washing the car.

Splashhh!

“OK! Sparkling clean!”

Miki was very pleased.

Wearing a white T-shirt and overalls tied at the waist, Miki wiped her sweat while holding a bucket.

“Good work.”

I called out to her while shaking the dust off the floor mats at a distance.

“Not done yet.”

Miki turned back and smiled.

“What now?”

“Waxing. I’m going to make it shine to the very end.”

With a hearty laugh, Miki struck a guts pose.

“You’re unusually fired up.”

“Well, yeah. You can’t show up looking sloppy at the big moment, right?”

Miki pulled liquid wax out of the car trunk.

“Miki, you’re not planning to take this car onto a battlefield, are you?”

When I said that, Miki looked back and grinned wickedly.

“Wha—seriously?!”

“Of course not. Sure, the body’s sturdy, but it’ll get scratched, the glass will shatter from shocks. Besides, I still have three years left on the loan.”

“So basically, you just mean your car is precious…”

“That’s right. Didn’t you learn to take good care of things?”

“I guess. I remember learning those words, but I don’t recall you being the type to actually take care of your stuff.”

I glanced at her meaningfully.

“Geez, that’s rude… Ah!”

“What is it?”

Miki scratched her head.

“If we stay in this era, I can skip out on my loan, huh?”

“Yeah, sure. In exchange for strawberry parfaits at La Seine by the station, Takaishi Torimachi’s concerts, mixers with med students, and all the other etceteras—you can stay here if you like.”

At my words, Miki was startled.

“I withdraw that statement immediately!”

She snapped to attention like a soldier and saluted.

“You’re really weak to desire, aren’t you.”

I pressed a light fist to my lips and whispered with narrowed eyes.

Miki scratched her head.

“Say I’m obedient to instinct instead.”

She pouted.

I snorted, and she snorted too.

Then I smiled, laid the mats in her car, and helped with waxing.

The day we parted from Tadaoki at the wharf, we never saw him again.

The next day when we awoke, Tadaoki had already left the residence. No one in the household could tell us where he had gone.

He had told the servants only this:

“See that Lady Tamao and Lady Miki lack nothing, and treat them with the utmost care. But tell them to refrain from going out!”

And then he left.

Miki and I spent our idle time at the residence cleaning the car, since we needed its power to return to the modern era.

“Kuma! Long time no see.”

“Isn’t it Tortoise. I’m glad, brother. But rumor had it you died of plague.”

Kuma laughed loudly, truly like a bear.

“Idiot, don’t kill me off on your own.”

“Well, a playboy like you won’t last long anyway.”

“Say what you want!”

The two seemed to be on easy terms.

“By the way, Tortoise, how’s your mother?”

“Ah, lately her back pain is awful. She stays in the house. Keeps saying she’ll die soon so hurry up and get married and show her a grandchild’s face.”

“She’s not bedridden, is she…”

“No, no, she’s healthy enough but her neuralgia’s bad.”

“That’s tough.”

“So, we’re heading to Hida tomorrow for hot-spring treatment.”

“Hida?”

Kuma asked again.

“Yeah.”

“Don’t go to Hida. That’s bad.”

“Why?”

“Things are unsettled that way.”

“A war?”

Tortoise’s voice rose.

“Hey, don’t shout!”

Kuma shoved him.

“Ow! S-sorry.”

“Standing here talking won’t do. Let’s eat somewhere.”

“Ah, o-okay!”

Their footsteps faded as they left together.

Miki and I had been eavesdropping inside the residence wall, following their voices.

When things fell quiet, we still strained our ears.

“What is it!”

Suddenly, a voice behind us made us whirl around in shock.

“T-Tadaoki-san!”

Miki cried and rushed toward him, still holding a seat cover she’d been working on, catching it on the door and tearing it slightly. She tossed it into the car. I too approached.

“You’re safe?” Miki asked.

“Safe? Of course, not a scratch,” he replied, then smiled at me behind her and sat on the veranda.

“Forgive me for leaving without a word and worrying you.”

“I feared you’d gone to war…”

I trailed off in relief.

“Well, that is…” Tadaoki faltered. Silence flowed between us. Miki quietly went back to the car, giving us space.

“Now then, I’ve finished the seat covers… Tamao!”

“Eh, yes?!”

I came to my senses.

“I’ll do the cleanup,” Miki said, gathering brushes and cloths. “Don’t worry.” She winked and left.

“Tamao-dono.”

“Yes.”

“Won’t you sit?”

He patted the veranda. I sat beside him.

“Have you been comfortable in my absence?”

“Yes, everyone treated us kindly.”

“I’m glad.” He smiled.

“Tadaoki-san, that… your appearance…?”

“I must leave Osaka briefly.”

“For how long?”

“Perhaps ten days.”

Unease rose in me.

“Whom will you serve, in the great battle?”

He shook his head.

“That is not for you to worry about.”

“But if the Toyotomi lose—!”

He raised his hand to hush me.

“You must not speak recklessly! It could cost you your life.”

“But—”

“No. Anyone may be listening. This concerns your life.”

He placed his hands gently on my shoulders, smiling. I realized I was trembling.

“Now, breathe deeply.”

His kind eyes… I breathed deeply.

The stress, the release, made me dizzy and stumble into his arms.

“Lady Tamao! What is wrong!”

“S-sorry. Just a bit dizzy. I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry. I, Tadaoki, will return.”

“Y-yes.”

All I could do was reply. To let him go forward unburdened, I could only say yes. He understood my feelings.

“When I return, let us hold a tea gathering.”

He smiled.

“Ah… yes. I’ll practice. Tea and poetry both. I’ll train hard so I can be closer to you!”

My heart blazed.

“I look forward to it. Well then!”

He stood.

“Tadaoki-san!”

I felt dread, a premonition.

He turned, smiling. Time stopped for a moment. Then he strode toward war.

That night I could not sleep. The silence was only heavier.

“Tamao, can’t sleep?”

“S-sorry, did I wake you?”

“No…”

Miki turned toward me.

“I couldn’t sleep either.”

“Eh?”

I flinched.

“Don’t worry, I won’t make a move on Tadaoki. Stealing lovers isn’t my thing.”

“I-it’s not like I…”

“It’s fine. If you care for him, he’ll know.”

“Miki!”

“Ah, your face is red!”

“Eh? No way!”

“Just kidding. How could I see that in the dark?”

She giggled.

I smiled too. Silence returned.

“Miki…”

“Hm?”

“If we can’t return to our world…”

“Then we must be prepared.”

“If you could choose—go back, or live with Tadaoki—what would you do?”

“That…”

“There’s a third possibility.”

“Third?”

“Yes. You know it. That we may slip again, into another time…”

She said quietly.

“…”

I couldn’t answer.

“If we keep drifting, we’d live in history yet not exist in it, like leaves on a pond…”

“Enough!”

I cut her off.

“Sorry. But we can still believe—believe we’ll return, believe we’ll meet loved ones again. Even without leaving our names in history, we can live true to ourselves.”

I couldn’t answer.

“Let’s go see him tomorrow. If we share the same time, let’s live without regrets.”

“…”

“Tamao?”

“…”

I wavered between wanting to return, and wanting to stay with Tadaoki.

“Tamao!”

Miki suddenly sat up, face inches from mine.

“Let’s go, Tamao!”

“Eh, what?”

“Tomorrow, let’s go to Tadaoki. If we share this time, let’s live without regret.”

“But on the battlefield we’d only be in the way…”

“Then tell me, did Tadaoki die in battle, in history?”

“N-no.”

“Then no problem!”

She said it as obvious.

I thought briefly, then said brightly,

“Yes, let’s go. To live the moment!”

“Is that all the luggage loaded?”

“Yes, just the lunchbox left!”

“You’re well-prepared.”

“For Tadaoki-san!”

“Eh, what about me?”

Miki pouted.

“Of course, yours too!”

I loaded the wrapped box.

“Good!”

Miki gave a thumbs up.

“All set?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go!”

She shut the door energetically.

Bang bang!

Just as we got in, the front gate was pounded loudly. We exchanged glances, but it stopped quickly. We sat.

“Well then, Tamao.”

“Let’s go, Miki.”

We felt refreshed, as if welcoming a new year. For the first time since falling into the gap of time, we had chosen our path.

Miki shifted into drive and pressed the accelerator gently. I looked at the blue sky through the windshield, thinking of Tadaoki.

(Tadaoki-san…)

“Tadaoki-san… it’s written on your face, Tamao.”

“Eh, wh-where?!”

I touched my cheeks.

“Honestly…”

Her cold stare made me flush.

“Stop teasing, Miki!”

“Thanks for the treat. Now, let’s go!”

“Yes!”

The car headed for the gate. I checked our route on a road map found while cleaning.

Soon the car turned the corner and the gate came into view—Miki braked.

“What?”

She squinted.

I followed her gaze.

The gate was open, but not for us. A scuffle.

“What is that?”

“No idea.”

She set the brake.

I unbuckled and stepped out.

“Hey, Tamao!”

“It’s fine, just asking.”

“B-but…”

Ignoring her, I walked to the gate.

“Um…”

The moment I spoke—

“There she is!”

One of the intruding samurai spotted me.

“What?!”

A Hosokawa retainer blocking them cried out, “Lady Igarashi, flee quickly!”

“What…?”

I couldn’t grasp it.

“There! There she is!”

About fifty men pressed in. This wasn’t a welcome—it was an arrest.

They surged inside. A horse entered.

“That’s…!”

On horseback— Ishiida Mitsunari.

“Why?”

Because of our belongings—Miki’s lighter and cellphone shown at the teahouse.

I bolted for the car.

“Stand back if you value your life!”

Miki hurled a smoking flare. Fireworks taped to it crackled. Soldiers froze.

“Lord Mitsunari, what do you want of us?”

She spoke boldly.

The soldiers parted, Mitsunari rode forward.

“I came to escort you. To Osaka Castle.”

“Quite a forceful escort.”

“Neighboring provinces grow restless.”

His eyes gleamed.

“Tamao, what do we do?”

“I… I will not go. I go to Tadaoki!”

I declared. Miki smiled.

“You heard her.”

She got in the car.

“You have no choice. Lady Tamao is a Christian, yes?”

“So what?”

“Just now, Christianity was banned.”

I frowned.

“To believe is a crime. But we are not without mercy. Come quietly.”

Miki got out, defiant.

“No need. We go to Tadaoki!”

Mitsunari snapped.

“Seize them!”

We leapt in. Miki spun the car, gravel spraying soldiers.

“Back gate!”

She swerved, but it was blocked.

“No choice. We’ll smash through the house!”

She drove into the veranda. The car rocked, trapped. Flames spread from the flare.

“Give up.”

Mitsunari sneered.

I clutched my cross.

Suddenly—BOOM! The gasoline can and car lighter ignited. Explosion, fire. Soldiers and horses scattered. The car lurched into the house.

Miki swung the wheel, smashing sliding doors, aiming to U-turn out—when the floor collapsed.

“Ahhh! Tadaoki!”

I screamed his name as everything fell—darkness.

“Lady Tamao, Lady Tamao…”

I woke to his voice.

“Where…?”

I tried to rise. He pressed me back gently.

“Do not strain. It’s over.”

“Over?”

“Yes. No more worry.”

“The war… ended?”

He only smiled.

“How do you feel?”

“I… I’m fine.”

Yet unease remained.

“Then rest well.”

He stood, stepping into the next room.

“Wait!”

I called, but he did not answer.

“Tadaoki!”

I tried to follow, but couldn’t move.

“Wait! Tadaoki!”

I cried again and again. He left in silence.

“Tadaoki!”

Then—I awoke again.

A white ceiling. Curtains. An IV dripping.

“Wh… where?”

A window, sunlight. A blurred figure.

“Morning. How do you feel?”

It was Miki.

“Miki!”

I tried to sit, pain in my leg made me sink back.

“Don’t push yourself. Stay down.”

She sat beside me.

“Where…?”

“Central Hospital, 5th floor, surgery ward.”

I saw the card—‘Igarashi Tamao’.

“We came back. From that time.”

“Back…”

I stared at the ceiling.

“Yes. Remember? The highway accident. We returned to that moment.”

“To… then…”

“Dream…?”

I looked at her face.

“No dream. We traveled through time. And returned. To where we belong.”

She spoke gently.

We confirmed together what had happened—Nobunaga, Mitsuhide, Tadaoki.

“Why were we cast into that turmoil…?”

I gazed out the window. A great camphor tree stood.

“That tree has watched people for centuries…”

“Tamao…”

“Only emptiness remains…”

“Empty?”

“Sorry.”

I apologized. But I couldn’t erase my feelings for Tadaoki.

Miki sighed suddenly.

“You still look like you can’t forget him.”

“Eh?”

“Wait.”

She took a tote bag, pulled out A4 papers and three books, and placed them by me.

“Tamao, read. I printed info online yesterday. The books are a bonus.”

“What?”

“Just read. I’ll call your family. Want a drink?”

“Orange, please.”

“Okay.”

She left.

I picked up the papers. Red marks highlighted passages.

“About Tadaoki…”

A timeline of his life.

“What!”

It said he already had a wife.

“No way…”

Then—

“His wife… was Akechi Mitsuhide’s daughter.”

I trembled.

Highlighted—Hosokawa Gracia.

Born Mitsuhide’s third daughter, named Tama. Married Tadaoki. Survived the fall of the Akechi. Later converted to Christianity, baptized as Gracia. During the Sekigahara campaign, when ordered to Osaka Castle as hostage, she refused, set fire to her residence, and took her own life.

My arms dropped.

At the door, Miki stood.

“Tamao.”

“I…”

“Exactly. You existed in history. Tama = Tamao, Gracia = Igarashi. Hosokawa Gracia was a Christian.”

She sat.

“I… was Gracia…”

“Yes. Tadaoki’s wife.”

Joy welled up.

Miki murmured, “Good.”

“Eh?”

“I worried telling you would hurt you.”

I shook my head.

“No, thank you.”

She winked.

“Your mother’s coming soon. Rest. Graduation’s over anyway. Perfect timing.”

She placed a juice on my stand.

“Eh, leaving already?”

“I’m buying a new car. A brand-new one!”

“New… car?”

“Yes. From the trunk of the wreck, we found a tea bowl. My antique-dealer relative sold it for a huge sum. Enough to pay off the loan and buy new.”

“What…”

“A gift from Tadaoki. He left a letter too.”

“What! You sold it?!”

“Mine was a Rikyū bowl. Yours—at your bedside—was made by Tadaoki.”

I touched it. Yes, it was there.

“Miki…”

“When you’re discharged, let’s go somewhere in the new car?”

“No more!”

I laughed.

“See ya.”

She left. I waved.

I reached for the bowl. A note was with it—Tadaoki’s letter, transcribed.

Lady Tamao, after you vanished following Honnoji, I realized when we met again two years later. I would go to war now, but I beg you, don’t leave again. I entrust you my most treasured handmade bowl. Keep it as a reminder of me, until we meet again.

Lady Tamao

Hosokawa Tadaoki

I placed the letter down, held the bowl. Pressed it to my cheek, closed my eyes. A tear fell.

The lace curtain swayed in the wind.

Outside, the city clock tower’s bell began to ring.

The bell rang equally for all who could hear it.