Angst! Reunions! Class differences! Angst! On that note, here’s chapter two.
Two
For the first time in a long while, Kunitaka indulged in indolence. When he woke up, it was almost ten o’clock.
it was a Sunday, surely, he could take it easy today. It wasn’t that the lifestyle of the army was so rigid, but he felt as if he couldn’t breathe. Every so often, he wanted a break.
“Such nice weather…”
He finished washing his face and changing his clothes, and yawned again. He heard a waltz drifting from the gramophone, despite its jaunty tempo, he still felt sleepy. There was then a knock upon his door. “Come in”, he called out.
“Master Kunitaka, I’ve bought your newspaper and coffee.”
“You could have just had Sayo do that, you know.”
“Secondly, pardon my discourtesy at informing you, but various bills have been delivered.”
I see, Kunitaka nodded.
“You look pale, could you be tired? Master Kunitaka is, after all, not well suited to the army.”
“If I thought I wasn’t suited to it, I would have quickly given up.”
“Please excuse me for saying such impertinent things.” Naitou, without changing his expression, lowered his head.
Kunitaka shook his head. “It’s nothing to worry about. More importantly, isn’t tomorrow your golden wedding anniversary? Here.”
With a calm smile, Kunitaka held out an envelope with money inside.
“This…This is too much.” Naitou stared at Kunitaka in apparent surprise. Kunitaka shook his head and pressed it into Naitou’s hands.
“I’m sorry it’s such a small amount, but enjoy a good meal on me.”
“But…”
“Won’t you please accept this?”
“Thank you very much. Master Kunitaka, you have indeed become a fine person…I am glad I am able to serve such a kind person. ”
He wasn’t that he was kind. Or that he was a fine person. Kunitaka was grateful to the butler, that was true. Without Naitou, the house would have fallen apart a long time ago.
As he looked at the butler, Kunitaka picked up the newspaper. A newspaper focussed on gossip, it wasn’t very interesting, but on this particular day, a something jumped out at him. A headline, ‘Increase in the arrest of socialist activists’.
In the economic boom brought by the earlier Great War the amount of labourers had increased, but due to inflation the costs of living had also sharply increased, and the living conditions of the labourers had not necessarily become better.
To make matters worse, when the Great War had ended, the economic climate had noticeably declined, and along with that the conditions of the labourers had deteriorated. Before they knew it, the labour movement had not only begun to hold implications of class struggle, but with the success of the Russian Revolution 5 years ago, socialist activists were once again becoming more active.
Thanks to that, the authorities had strengthened their vigilance; people under surveillance were severely pressured. The military police regiment and the Special Higher Police were looking for the opportunity to exterminate the anti-establishment movements of the likes of the labourers and socialists.
Democracy and the era of Romanticism had ended, now, an air of unrest filled society. Kunitaka too, intensely sensed those portents.
Kunitaka, who was getting ready to go out, informed the butler he meant to leave the house for a stroll.
–
“If you’re going out, shall I bring out the car for you?”
Near the gate, the live-in driver, Narita, who was polishing the car’s windows, enquired in a husky voice. Kunitaka shook his head. “It’s close, the tram is fine.”
Every time he saw Narita, who in the past had been his grandfather’s coachman, Kunitaka remembered Ryouichirou.
Now, it was far too different, thinking about the boy who brought such sweet memories.
“Is that so? Take care, off you go.”
In a simple outfit of a shirt and pants, with a coat worn over the top, Kunitaka headed for the city tram station. Kunitaka was relieved to his innermost being, thinking about how it was fine to leave the house not wearing his military uniform.
Today’s matinee was from 3 o’clock, he had more than enough time to make it to Asakusa by then. Lately, small theatres flourished, with new theatre troupes forming one after the other.
Kunitaka too followed a particular theatre troupe, and all the members of his family knew that invariably, he would be going and seeing the opening and closing shows. If he had time, he also went and watched the shows on days in between, but a play of such length rarely happened, and Kunitaka was busy with work.
Only when he touched the world of books and theatre, could Kunitaka rest his strained nerves. There, Kunitaka was free.
Forgetting everything, parentage, work and bloodline, he could enjoy a normal world. What the butler had said, the army did not suit him, in a sense this was probably true.
After Kunitaka had gone to the Gakushuin school, where many children of noble families attended, he had gone to the Army Cadet School, and then through the Military Academy, becoming a sublieutenant at the age of twenty one.
This spring, he had graduated from the Military Staff College, advancing to the General Staff Headquarters, where he currently undertook professional duties as a lieutenant. The Military Academy, where military cadets were trained, and the Military Staff College were generally difficult to enter, only the best people could qualify for the exams. Kunitaka had graduated at the top of his class, he was treated as one with a future as one of the elite.
Nonetheless, in the height of the recession, ordinary citizens turned a harsh eye towards the military. In spite of being deadwood, a large budget was devoted to the military, and the military authorities were trying to expand military preparations. Towards the military, resentment festered, even though he was an officer, he was reviled as a parasite on taxes by the people, and incidents where people were picking fights with military officers were arising.
When Kunitaka had decided to enter the Army Cadet School, his classmates had thought he was crazy, and had opposed the idea. It wasn’t that he was the eldest son, but a career in the military had absolutely no prospects, it was a choice that not unlikely to cast a shadow on the future of the family.
However, Kunitaka had an obligation to protect his family’s name, and carried out his role as an Imperial military officer splendidly.
At the stand, he bought a box of milk caramels, and shoved them in his pocket. It had been suggested to box them in order to sell them at the imperial Theatre, and this was now a standard of theatregoers. Until then there had been caramels, but they had been sold individually.
Seating was unreserved, Kunitaka encamped himself in a row a little way back from the centre. There was still time until the show started, should he have bought something with him to read?
When he had started to yawn in boredom, he sensed the presence of a person next to him. When he nonchalantly raised his head, a young man by himself was about to sit down in the seat beside him. His stern profile looked both tranquil and nervous, as if he were praying.
Just like a pious martyr.
His heart pounded so much he hesitated to speak. Was that due to the man’s earnest expression, or was it the fact that Kunitaka recognised that intense face in profile?
Even while he didn’t understand which it was, Kunitaka’s lips moved.
“Ryouichirou…” Before he could control himself, the words came out.
It was the same man he had seen, on that day he had been drinking that unappealing sake with Asano.
The man, who turned to look, recognised Kunitaka, and his expression turned to surprise.
“Master Kunitaka…”
The low voice tickled his eardrums.
It was him, after all…?
He hadn’t mistaken him for the wrong person, or misunderstood?
Even within the grounds of the mansion, they had not been able to meet…so, to happen to meet him here, of all places…
Kunitaka was astonished; it was too much of a coincidence. Kunitaka was unable to say anything, until Narita Ryouichirou dispelled the tension, his expression changing completely, into a friendly smile.
“It’s been a long time.”
He, always, had been the boy who smelled of summer.
He had lead Kunitaka, who was almost stifled by the traditions of an old family, by the hand, and had tried to take him to a bright place.
In dreams, how many times had he called that name?
They were of different social status, and consequently, it was forbidden even to meet. In those days, how long had he been unable to breathe? Kunitaka had even wanted Ryouichirou to take him away. Along with him, he had wanted to escape together to far, unknown lands.
Childish wishes.
“Never would I have thought to see you here.”
“Me neither,” he said, in a tight voice. The sweet emotions that should be hidden deep in his chest, about to be brought back, Kunitaka very nearly withstood.
The way Ryouichirou looked directly at him like that, with a refreshing smile; he hadn’t changed at all from before.
At one breath, all the years, no, to be exact close to 15 years days and months had been overcome.
Ryouichirou was the only son of Narita, the Seikanji family’s driver, two years older than Kunitaka.
Since that incident, his name had been taboo.
Even though he wanted to call his name, he wasn’t even able to, and bringing up the topic was not allowed.
But now, that person stood before his eyes.
“Do you come here often?”
“Yes.”
“You must really like it, to come alone like this.” At Kunitaka’s words, he seemed shy, and simply smiled without answering.
“What have you been up to? What about work?” Kunitaka’s uncharacteristic agitation bled through, his questions sounded just like a cross examination. That was embarrassing, but Ryouichirou, as was so like him, calmly spoke.
“I’m employed at a book shop in Kanda now. After I left my uncle’s house 5 years ago, I took lodgings there too.”
He had only been allowed to attend the usual six years of primary school, but Kunitaka could easily see why Ryouichirou, who had been studious from childhood, would be employed at a book shop.
“Since I’ve also always lived in the school dormitories, it’s no wonder I’ve never seen you. You don’t go home sometimes?”
“I visit my parents sometimes, but I haven’t gone back to live with them.”
Since that, he had not realised that Ryouichirou had been left in the care of relatives the whole time. On the contrary, Kunitaka had been convinced that he had either been avoided or forgotten. He had been too scared to make sure, and he had not been able to go and meet Ryouichirou himself
“Master Kunitaka, I heard that you graduated from the Military Staff College at the top of your class, and are now a lieutenant.”
“You’re well informed.”
And yet he knew almost nothing of what Ryouichirou was doing now.
At Kunitaka’s odd expression of surprise, Ryouichirou quietly laughed. “My father told me all about your recent affairs.”
When Ryouichirou spoke to Kunitaka, his language was unfalteringly formal, and it made him all too aware of how different their circumstances and social position were.
More than anything, the adult Ryouichirou discerned that difference as much had the child Ryouichirou had, and that made Kunitaka’s feelings very mixed. He thought to smile, but the muscles of his face stiffened, and he couldn’t move them well.
“It was quite unexpected for you to join the army though.”
“I guess so. I’ve gotten used to it.” Kunitaka said in a low voice. It was a slightly reckless comment to make, if someone else were listening.
Kunitaka, as a young child had been so frail, it was a far reach for him to join the army. He had been afraid of killing bugs, and had rebelled against the rigid traditions of his family; he’d had absolutely no intention of joining the army.
However, there was only one reason he had joined the army-There had been Ryouichirou.
Of course, he had no intention of laying all of the blame on Ryouichirou. But, Kunitaka had grown tired of waiting.
He had waited and waited for Ryouichirou, and kept on waiting.
Therefore, he had chosen to advance into the Army Cadet School. If it was a boarding school, even though he would not be able meet Ryouichirou, he wouldn’t have a reason to feel despondent. He’d come to the conclusion that Ryouichirou had not come to meet him.
Would Kunitaka’s more than fifteen years of accumulated melancholy be able to understand this man?
Although though Kunitaka stood before Ryouichirou, he couldn’t even smile. Even though Ryouichirou kindly smiled refreshingly, with eyes that did not seem to hold any concern.
He was even surprised at the things about him that had not changed. The traces of Ryouichirou that remained in his memory were of a kind and gentle young man.
“I’m sorry, it’s been so long- just then, I bothered you, I didn’t think about the past.”
“It’s nothing.”
He was worried that he wouldn’t be able to continue the conversation, and then, Ryouichirou fell silent. Unable to bear it for a second longer, Kunitaka looked down.
If he reached out his hand and touched his hair, the scar from that day still remained. Like a wound that had never healed or disappeared, Ryouichirou’s existence left a vivid trace upon his own heart.
–
“Ryouichirou, Ryouichirou, where are you?”
When Kunitaka, who had just returned home from school, out of breath, called out into the shed, the face of a short haired boy peeked out. Wearing zori and a rough kimono, he smiled when he recognised Kunitaka, showing white teeth.
“Master Kunitaka. If you don’t get changed, you’re going to get your school uniform dirty, how many times have I said that to you?”
Because his father was a servant of the Seikanji family, Ryouichirou and his family lived at the back of the Seikanji mansion’s grounds. They had been together from young age, so, as expected, it was rare that he was formal when talking to Kunitaka. Kunitaka still hated being referred to as “Master”, but regarding calling him that, Ryouichirou would not relent.
As the son of a servant, Ryouichirou’s name was somewhat grandiose. Kunitaka had heard that Narita has requested Kunitaka’s grandfather to name him.
“I came home quickly because I wanted to play with you.”
The school Kunitaka attended was the primary school section of the Gakushin school, but his friends were not that many. Ryouichirou alone was those few friends.
“But, Sayo gets mad when you get your clothes dirty.”
The old housekeeper got angry if she knew Kunitaka was playing with Ryouichirou as soon as he got home. Narita, who saw him off to school and met him on his return was Ryouichirou’s father, but he too thought that it was inappropriate to their social station for Kunitaka and Ryouichirou to be so close, and the other adults around them thought the same.
Social status, what was it?
It was only the difference between families, who were all born the same way as anyone else, so why was there this absurd disparity?
Ryouichirou, who liked reading books, learned kanji much faster than Kunitaka did, and was especially good at mental arithmetic. He would help Kunitaka with homework he didn’t understand. Despite this, Ryouichirou had only done the usual years of primary school, and given up on advancing into higher level education.
Ryouichirou truly liked studying, he should have been able to enter higher schooling. When Kunitaka indignantly said so, Ryouichirou had smiled and asked “Well then, Master Kunitaka, do your best for me too then?”
Kunitaka actually thought that study was not worth worrying about, but he tried to be best at school, and that was always for Ryouichirou’s sake. Because he had wanted to do his best for Ryouichirou, Kunitaka too became a diligent student who tried his best.
“Oh, and since there was an interesting book, I went and borrowed it. Will you read it?”
“As always, thank you very much.” When Kunitaka said that he had borrowed the book from the school’s library, Ryouichirou instantly went quiet and indicated his thanks.
For Ryouichirou, who liked reading books, Kunitaka had decided to go and borrow books from the library.
“Hey, Ryou, what should we play today?”
“I’m sorry…today I haven’t finished my work yet. I need to carry that firewood over to the main house.”
After Ryouichirou returned home from school, he helped out with various odd jobs. Because of that, however much time he had, it was never enough.
“What…that’s so boring…” Kunitaka sulkily pursed his lips and looked up at Ryouichirou.
“If that’s the case, you should play with your friends from school.”
“You’re mean. That’s not fun.”
Kunitaka had never really been able to fit in to the small social world created by the noble families. It would have been better if his father, Fuyuki, had been a little bit more enthusiastic about socialising, but wishing that about him was equally as foolish.
Kunitaka had not sufficiently socialised with other noble families, but, that being said, he also wasn’t able to get close to any of the commoners, who amounted to one third of the school either. From Kunitaka’s point of view, school was not the least bit fun. For this reason, he was happier spending all his time together with Ryouichirou.
“It’s more fun when you’re here.” Kunitaka turned sparkling eyes towards Ryouichirou, and smiled. “I want to quit school and be with you all the time.” Because he was so young, he could say such earnest and innocent words.
Ryouichirou’s gaze fell. “Even if you’re joking, you can’t say things like that. There are people who want to go to school, but can’t…”
“I’m sorry…”
Ryouichirou looked at Kunitaka, whose shoulders drooped despondently, and silently shook his head.
Although children, they knew that there was profound difference in their respective positions in society. Was that something that could never be overcome?
“No, it’s ok. Anyway, here-”
The wall had been made.
That was the meaning of Ryouichirou’s formal language.
Ryouichirou, who took a few steps forward, pulled something from the bag placed at his feet, and presented Kunitaka with a taketombo. He had made it with a small knife during his breaks in work.
“Will you promise me not to go into the middle of the garden?”
“Why?” Kunitaka did not really like being spoken to in formal adult language like this. It would accord more with Kunitaka’s wishes if people spoke to him using informal language, but in Ryouichirou’s mind, Kunitaka was always “The son of the master’s family”, and Kunitaka was made to realise this.
“The tree that was hit by lighting in that storm the other day is still there. I got my clothes caught on it yesterday and my old man got really mad. It’s dangerous, still fallen over like that”.
“Ok, got it.”
Certainly, a new patch had been sewed over a place he hadn’t seen one before on Ryouichirou’s kimono.
After he left Ryouichirou to continue his work, Kunitaka let fly the taketombo. For being made by a child, it was well made, and it rode the wind and flew far.
Later, he would lend it to his younger brother Kazutaka. Time after time he let fly the taketombo, and before long the time where he had enough came.
“Wa-”
Lightly riding the wind, the taketombo was caught in the branches of a tree the height of the taketombo’s flight from the ground. Furthermore, the stump that Ryouichirou had told him to keep away from was nearby.
“Oh no-“
What should he do? That aside, he had been firmly forbidden by the butler and the gardener from climbing the trees in the garden. However, if he lost the taketombo that Ryouichirou had gone to the effort of making for him, surely Ryouichirou would be sad.
“All right then“. Without thinking of anything, Kunitaka set his foot to the branch, and climbed the tree. As he climbed, the dead branches caught on his shirt, but he couldn’t be concerned about that. At this point in time, the taketombo was more important than anything else.
“Ku-“ Just a little bit more. Just a little, and he would reach it.
The branch he was standing was on running out, and Kunitaka desperately extended a slender arm.
“Master Kunitaka-!”
Ryouichirou had come back, but noticing Kunitaka’s form, he piteously raised his voice.
“You mustn’t climb the trees! Get down from there!”
“It’s fine!” When he looked back at Ryouichirou, Kunitaka smiled.
There was the light sound of something snapping, the next moment, his body was mid-air.
“Ah-!”
It was an old tree in a poor state, that had started to wither. Although Kunitaka was light, the tree could not support his weight.
“It’s dangerous!” Ryouichirou stretched out his hands.
But, Kunitaka’s body was too great a burden for the arms of the boy, with a sharp crash, Kunitaka, along with Ryouichirou, hit the ground.
“Master Kunitaka! Master Kunitaka!”
At a yelling voice that was like a shriek, Kunitaka, who was losing consciousness, opened his eyes slightly.
“Somebody! Master Kunitaka is-!“
“Ryou…”
The redness of his field of vision, was that due to blood?
Whose?
“Master Kunitaka!”
Ryouichirou, looking at him twisted his mouth as if relieved, and held Kunitaka. He ripped the hem of the kimono he was wearing, and wound it around Kunitaka’s head.
He felt the slipperiness of the blood coming out.
“I’ll carry you to the main house now.”
“Ryou…it hurts…” Only a hoarse voice came out.
Where he had hit, his body had no strength.
“I’m sorry, Master Kunitaka, I’m truly sorry!”
Why was Ryouichirou apologising?
It was Kunitaka’s fault he was injured. He extended his hand, and Ryouichirou held it tightly.
Ryouichirou’s hand was sticky with blood, but it was so very warm.
“I never leave you again. I will always be by your side, Master Kunitaka.”
The back of his head throbbed painfully, but Ryouichirou had promised him that he would never leave Kunitaka’s side.
“For your whole life, I will not leave your side. From now on, I will risk my life to protect you.”
From there to what came next, he had already forgotten. Kunitaka’s injury was unexpectedly awful, due to the aforementioned stump.
Kunitaka’s parents had not blamed him, but the anger “A servant injuring the precious young master” was not restrained to the butler and wet nurse, and he had been forbidden from seeing Ryouichirou. The butler and the others from the beginning had not approved of close relationship between the child of a noble and a commoner, and Narita had been ordered to place Ryouichirou in the care of relatives.
On the other side, Kunitaka was told that from now on, if he saw Ryouichirou, Narita, Ryouichirou’s father, would be dismissed from his position.
He couldn’t cause trouble for Ryouichirou, who thought of his family.
However, even though Kunitaka himself could not make a move, Ryouichirou would surely come to see him. If he had been placed in the care of relatives, it would be easy to sneak away.
After all, they had promised to not be parted again.
Sometime, Ryouichirou would surely come. He would fulfil his promise.
Even if it couldn’t be today, then tomorrow.
If it couldn’t be tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow.
With that promise, Kunitaka had continued to wait. Waiting and waiting, for so long he thought he would go crazy.
In the end, after having waited for so long, nobody…nobody had come.
He had not once again turned his cheerful, smiling face towards Kunitaka.
What had remained, after the young Kunitaka’s wound had healed, was not only the scar, but also the pain of betrayal etched into his heart. He had been abandoned by Ryouichirou.
Kunitaka could not help but choose to avert his eyes from that cruel reality, thrust before a child of about ten.
Then, today.
Childish thoughts- therefore, he could only give up on the other person, but Ryouichirou, who Kunitaka had longed for, was now beside him.
Ten-odd years had skipped by, and he was here.
Due to the shock, the content of the play Kunitaka had so much looked forward to barely entered his head. Even though the play had finished, while Kunitaka sat dazedly in his seat, Ryouichirou diffidently started to speak.
“Master Kunitaka, shall I see you home?”
Ryouichirou, whom Kunitaka had so dreamed of meeting again, should be turning twenty eight or nine this year. He had grown into a quite a handsome man. Kunitaka couldn’t help but think that he would surely be sought after by women.
“Ah…no, it’s fine.” Kunitaka stood up, and quietly shook his head. “You’re not a servant of the Seikanji family anymore. You don’t have to do things like that.”
Looking like he wanted to say something, Ryouichirou gazed at Kunitaka, but didn’t say anything further.
If Kunitaka opened his mouth one more time, a childish demand for explanations would come flying out. Precisely because Ryouichirou was the person he had been fixated on for so many years, Kunitaka was afraid that he would start to accuse Ryouichirou of the misunderstandings of his childhood.
“Well then-“
“Master Kunitaka.”
“Ah?”
In order to put distance between him and Ryouichirou, Kunitaka purposely walked with large strides, and tripped just as he was in the threshold of the door.
In an instant, although his response was slow, Ryouichirou caught Kunitaka in his arms.
At his wits end, Kunitaka ended up red faced, collapsed against Ryouichirou’s broad chest. When Kunitaka nervously raised his face, Ryouichirou, close to him, smiled.
“Are you unhurt, Master Kunitaka?”
“…Ryou,” reflexively, the word tumbled from his mouth, that far too nostalgic name he used to call him.
He had always called Ryouichirou that.
“Ryou…” his nails tightly dug into Ryouichirou’s shirt.
Ryouichirou’s scent. A faint smell of sweat, telling that he had already, as a male, become an adult.
His heartbeat was remarkably loud.
“Why didn’t you come for me?” Kunitaka murmured, as if sighing.
Even though you promised. Even though you vowed to never leave my side. The himself of today, asked as if sulking, as if he weren’t a lieutenant in the army, or the heir that bore the fate of his family.
Wounded by being abandoned, he had been a mere child.
“Huh?”
“Since then, why did you never come and see me again?”
Extending his hands, he gently touched the back of Kunitaka’s head, and then opened his mouth to speak.
“Is this…the scar from that time?”
At the unexpectedly gentle feeling of his touch, Kunitaka was startled. By the silence that passed between them, Kunitaka confirmed Ryouichirou’s question.
“I’m so very sorry.”
First of all, his apology struck Kunitaka’s ears.
“I was also too ashamed to meet you, after inflicting that terrible scar on a person I cared about.”
With only those words, Kunitaka couldn’t judge whether Ryouichirou really had remembered that promise.
“Furthermore, my relatives kept a stricter watch on me than I thought they would, I couldn’t sneak out. At the time, I was also undergoing my apprenticeship.”
However, it was just like magic.
Those calm words permeated into him, parched sand being soaked in water. To bury those days and months of ten years of separation, by only those words, they were sufficient.
Even though he should not have forgiven whatever excuse, at merely only those words, Kunitaka surrendered all too easily. Even if Kunitaka had always obsessed over whether Ryouichirou remembered that promise or not, it seemed he didn’t need to ask.
“I’ll see you off. At least only for today, please allow me to be your servant.”
“If you’re even a little bit sorry, just call me Kunitaka.”
Kunitaka understood that he was making unreasonable demands of Ryouichirou. Although you could say that it had no direct relation to employment, he was the son and heir of the house that Ryouichirou’s father served, Ryouichirou could not so casually speak to him in that way. Even though knew Ryouichirou’s position, he had gone too far to make a demand like that.
“Forgive me, but-“
Hearing Ryouichirou quietly murmur his apology, Kunitaka now, was made to realise how much the flow of time had separated them.
“…Sorry, I said something foolish.”
“Master Kunitaka.”
“My bad, Ryou.” Kunitaka was unusually meek, and was able to make his apology.
Well then- Kunitaka adroitly turned aside, obstinately not wanting to ruin this reunion. Anyway, Kanda and Azabu were in different directions.
“Master Kunitaka, if you don’t mind at all, would you like to stop by a café?”
Ryouichirou’s voice, saying that to him, was unchanged from that time, holding the same cheerfulness.
“Eh?”
“A place I could take you to though, it’s not a particularly splendid place.”
“That’s not it at all!”
Ryouichirou looked a Kunitaka, who showed a glad expression like that of an infant, and smiled amiably.
“In that case, if we walk a little bit, there’s a decent café. The waitresses wear western clothing, it’s quite popular.”
“Do you have an interest in things like that?”
Without answering the question, Ryouichirou simply shrugged his shoulders and stopped walking.
The evening sunlight illuminated the surface of the road, and Kunitaka suddenly stopped there in his tracks.
Ah.
When he saw it in a brightly lit place that this, the colour of Ryouichirou’s right and left eyes was quite obviously different, and his gaze was uneasy.
An artificial eye.
On top of that, there was a mark like an old scar on over his left eye. It looked out of place on Ryouichirou’s mild face.
Knowing that Kunitaka, who had fallen silent, had noticed his artificial eye, Ryouichirou gave a troubled smile.
“The left is fake. A long time ago, I injured it somewhat. It doesn’t affect my everyday life.” At Ryouichirou’s words, spoken in a tone that refused further questions, Kunitaka’s old scar briefly twinged in pain.
In a place he didn’t know, Ryouichirou had grown up and become an adult.
A wound so severe that he had lost an eye. How on earth had he received such a terrible injury?
“Let’s hurry, it’s over there.”
Nonchalantly hurried along, Kunitaka pushed that question mark offside.
The existence of the Ryouichirou of his memory was becoming a thing of reality.
Maybe, he had always been waiting for this moment.
For ten years or more.
Translation notes
“When Ryouichirou spoke to Kunitaka, his language was unfalteringly formal”—the sentence is, more literally, “He used unfaltering keigo”. In everyday Japanese there is ‘desu/masu’ form which is polite and plain form ‘da’ for friends/family (…or where I live at the moment ‘ya’) Keigo is another level above the ‘desu’ level of politeness, it’s honorific language used by someone ‘inferior’ to a ‘superior’, and given their differing social positions and nominal master/servant relationship, Ryouichirou speaks quite formally to Kunitaka. In this case it’s not just use of the master/-sama suffix, but slightly different grammar/words as well. In contrast, Kunitaka speaks in very plain ‘da’ form, familiar language to Ryouichirou.
Taketombo- A bamboo propeller. You rub it between your hands to make it spin and it flies. I couldn’t find a neat word for it, so I left it as taketombo.
Seikanji Ichizoku Translations 