Miyagi is a great place for a trip. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, has over a hundred fishing ports within the prefecture that can go out to sea, and many islands not far offshore.
The local seafood is incredibly abundant.
In a time before wastewater discharge and mass dead fish tides, the seafood here is definitely worth trying.
To the west, it borders mountain ranges, which also have ancient shrines.
"Do you want to relax at a hot spring?" Isayama Yomi suggested.
Japan sits on four constantly moving continental plates. Earthquakes and active volcanoes are, in a sense, local features, so there are also many hot springs—over two thousand, I hear.
"Sure."
Eiji naturally had no objections. It was a shame that the last time they went to a hot spring, Altoria and Shoko refused to use mixed bathing facilities.
Isayama Yomi...
Never mind, she has a fiancé now.
The car began to drive out of the city.
As they passed a cluster of old houses, Eiji noticed a flicker of worry in Isayama Yomi's eyes.
"What is that place?"
Eiji's sudden question made Isayama Yomi fluster for a moment.
This was a normal situation, being caught spacing out while chatting with an important guest.
Fortunately, after two days together, Isayama Yomi knew Eiji wasn't someone who would dwell on such things.
"That's the Tsuchimiya family's mansion. Kagura is visiting her father today, and I'm a little worried." Isayama Yomi explained with an apologetic smile.
"Speaking of which, Tsuchiya Kagura seems to have been living at your place for a while. Why is that?"
The Tsuchimiya family was the most powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer family in the region until three years ago. Weren't they afraid that the Isayama family would instill ideas unfavorable to the Tsuchimiya family in their next family head if she was staying with them?
"Actually, the Isayama and Tsuchimiya families have been allies for a thousand years. The ancestors of both families were friends, and after their passing, the two families have continued to support each other. This is why the Isayama and Tsuchimiya families have been able to endure for a millennium."
As if recalling the adorable Tsuchiya Kagura, Isayama Yomi smiled happily.
"Then why are you worried about Kagura visiting her father? Are you afraid he'll keep Tsuchiya Kagura at the Tsuchimiya residence?"
"No." Isayama Yomi shook her head.
"The Tsuchimiya family suffered a severe blow three years ago. The wife of the Tsuchimiya family head, who inherited White Heron, died in battle. The current head of the Tsuchimiya family, Tsuchiya Garaku, has been investigating the culprits from that time since inheriting White Heron. The Tsuchimiya family's internal security is insufficient, which is why they entrusted Kagura to the Isayama family for upbringing."
So that's it. They're worried the Tsuchimiya family can't protect their daughter, so they entrusted her to the Isayama family, which is still relatively strong.
"I'm worried about Kagura because... the head of the Tsuchimiya family is a very strict person."
Having grown accustomed to the infighting within large families, Eiji found himself quite interested in seeing two families supporting each other like this.
"Then let's go take a look."
"Huh?" Isayama Yomi hadn't expected Eiji to suddenly say that.
"I was planning to visit the Tsuchimiya family in a few days anyway, and I already had someone notify them in advance. Seeing them a day early won't make much difference."
Eiji's butler, Shuji Zenin, had already made all the arrangements for visiting both families, even preparing a set of gifts that might be needed for the visits.
They were all practical items, not particularly expensive.
Izuna Noriyuki, who was driving, also turned the car around and headed back to the Tsuchimiya family.
At the same time, at the Tsuchimiya family residence.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Tsuchiya Garaku, the head of the Tsuchimiya family, was using the saya of his sword as a ruler, striking Tsuchiya Kagura's hand repeatedly.
Knock, knock.
Tsuchiya Garaku's movements paused, the saya stopping in mid-air. He knew that if it wasn't something important, no one would come to disturb him at this time.
"Kagura."
"Yes."
Tsuchiya Kagura immediately sat up straight.
"Don't be so negligent anymore."
"Yes, Father."
With that, Tsuchiya Garaku got up and left.
Tsuchiya Kagura lowered her head and bit her lip. The pain in her hand was less than the ache in her heart.
Ever since his mother died, his father had been on the front lines of exorcising cursed spirits, so father and daughter rarely saw each other each year.
At this moment, a complex mix of anticipation and anxiety about seeing her father, the fear of disappointing his expectations for her growth in strength, and memories of her mother all welled up from the bottom of her heart.
Picking up the scabbard and sheathing her sword, Tsuchiya Kagura returned to her room with tears in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Tsuchiya Garaku also met Eiji, who had suddenly visited.
Compared to Isayama Naraku, Tsuchiya Garaku was much more rigid, and the atmosphere after they sat down was clearly not as pleasant as when he was talking with Isayama Naraku.
On the other hand, Isayama Yomi was looking at Tsuchiya Kagura, whom she treated as her own sister, with heartache.
"Does it hurt, Kagura?"
"It's okay, Sister Yomi, I just disappointed my father."
Tsuchiya Kagura's face showed visible disappointment.
Isayama Yomi gently embraced Tsuchiya Kagura.
Meanwhile, Eiji, who saw this scene through Altoria's shadow, had an idea.
"Would you like a drink? This is a fine wine that's hard to come by even in Kyoto."
Eiji took out a jar of wine and placed it on the table.
"May all endeavors be successful."
Clap, clap.
Tsuchiya Garaku clapped his hands, and a servant quickly arrived. Upon seeing the wine jar on the table, the servant immediately understood Tsuchiya Garaku's intention.
Soon, wine glasses and other items were prepared.
"It was wrong of me to suddenly visit and interrupt your reunion with your daughter today. I'll punish myself with three cups."
Eiji disliked drinking mainly because he hated the wine table where elders would interject and the unpleasant obedience tests from superiors.
If it were with friends he got along with, Eiji wouldn't refuse a drink.
Moreover, from the moment they met, Eiji had been feeling a sense of familiarity.
It was a feeling Eiji had experienced from an uncle in his previous life.
He maintained a constant air of authority and a serious expression, speaking in a rigid, official tone.
But in reality, it was a clumsiness born from not knowing what to say.
Because he didn't know what to say but still had to fulfill his responsibilities, that uncle chose the safest approach.
Tsuchiya Garaku gave Eiji that same feeling now, so Eiji chose to have a few drinks with him.
Because Eiji, who was forced to drink a lot, discovered that many things could only be said after drinking.
"The truth comes out after drinking" was indeed not an empty saying.
"No need to worry about it."
Tsuchiya Garaku shook his head.
"Kagura has good talent. Have you considered sending her to Jujutsu High?"
"Kagura still needs to inherit the Tsuchimiya Family, so it's inconvenient for her to attend Jujutsu High."
"Is that so? It must be hard to inherit the family business at such a young age."
"This is her mission as the heir of the Tsuchimiya Family."
With a starting point, their conversation began to flow naturally.
"From what the head of the Tsuchimiya Family is saying, it seems Kagura will inherit White Heron soon. But I've heard that Jujutsu Sorcerers who inherit the White Heron Inugami have short lifespans. Is that really okay?"
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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