I admit it. I admit it!
I was careless!
But I still believe—the fault wasn't mine.
After all, I also lived in seclusion several years, right? After not needing to watch over Kagaya—naturally I had to inspect properties under my name. See if anyone slacked off or embezzled my money.
The Sword Abolishment Edict was issued long ago. If I took trains to different places—naturally couldn't carry swords on my person.
After all, going to many different places—if there were local specialties, I couldn't enjoy them alone. Had to buy several portions to send back to friends I knew.
So in others' eyes, I probably was a generous, unarmed, single woman who liked traveling at night. A very suitable target.
I lived too long. Also departed from normal social tracks. Slowly forgot how unfriendly this world was toward women.
So encountering a young girl seeking help by the roadside—I, with an old lady's compassionate heart, followed her to a secluded place. To see who needed help.
Suddenly someone pounced from behind. Used cloth soaked in something to cover my nose and mouth. I still spent a second thinking... Should I elbow this man, or lift him up and throw him to the ground?
But reconsidering—they did such wicked things so skillfully. Don't know how many poor women they harmed. Letting them off so easily wouldn't do.
I simply tilted my neck. When the person behind muttered "Why hasn't she passed out yet?"—pretended to faint.
This group moved quite efficiently. Seeing I finally passed out—his female accomplice immediately came over. One held my head, one held my feet. Hid me in a broken house.
That woman even felt all over my body. Took all my money. Even wanted to remove my earrings and bracelets.
These were gifts from Ume and Gyutaro!
I pretended unconsciousness wasn't complete. When she touched my wrist, struggled.
Probably fearing I'd truly wake—that woman withdrew her hand. Just her gaze still wandered over me.
Probably waiting until deep night—they brought me to transfer to the next location. Back and forth, constantly moving away from the city.
Midway, I pretended to finally wake. Falsely told them my family was very wealthy. If they'd release me, I'd pay ransom.
The leader was a scarred man. Hearing this, quite moved. Brought paper and pen, had me write home demanding money.
I pondered deeply. Mainly considering who to send to. Definitely couldn't directly send to Kagaya. Disturbing newlyweds' honeymoon wouldn't do.
Writing to Ume and her brother also wouldn't work. I feared she'd directly kill her way over... If angered enough to violate the prohibition against harming people—trouble.
However, just recently I contacted Tamayo. In her letter, she wrote a new address. Not far from where I was kidnapped. Originally, I also planned to visit her.
I convincingly wrote a letter demanding money from family sisters. Used code words Tamayo and I both understood to briefly explain the situation. Didn't need her to come help. Just needed her to provide cover.
I planned to see where exactly this group would take me. After arriving, make plans.
Tamayo cleverly grasped my meaning. Sent money once. This group of criminals' attitude toward me also improved considerably.
However, they didn't release me. Looked like they determined to continuously squeeze money from me.
They no longer bound me. As long as I didn't make suspicious requests—basically could be satisfied. But couldn't leave that room imprisoning me.
Every interval, they'd transfer. And mostly would add several victimized women.
After gathering ten women—the criminals stopped. Brought us westward. All the way away from Tokyo district. Toward more desolate, remote places.
On the road, no preferential treatment. Like other girls, I was bound at both hands. Squeezed together in a covered wagon.
To prevent anyone shouting on the road—everyone's mouth was gagged.
But this trick couldn't trap me. Also couldn't trap another kidnapped girl.
When she first came, didn't leave me a particularly deep impression. Kept crying. Behaved like an ordinary girl.
But shortly after boarding—she quieted down. I heard rope friction sounds. Couldn't help looking toward her.
She lowered her eyelids, concentrating on her task. Didn't take too long to cut the rope. Removed the cloth in her mouth. Shushed the girls.
"Everyone, don't be afraid. Also don't make sounds. Soon someone will come rescue us."
I suddenly became interested. Watched this agile girl. She only held a ceramic shard in hand. But movements obviously not ordinary.
But also didn't quite look like a samurai. What exactly did she resemble? I felt very familiar. Couldn't recall for a long time.
She began helping other girls untie ropes. Carefully moved in the wagon. Finally shifted to my corner.
I met her gaze. She blurted out, "Your eyes are so beautiful."
After saying this, she blushed first. Probably realized the environment didn't warrant such rambling words.
But when helping me cut the rope—she still couldn't help chattering. Looked like usually very lively.
"Looking at your attire—very different from other girls. You're a young lady, right? My name is Suma. Don't worry. Soon someone will come rescue us."
She removed the cloth from my mouth. I asked, "You were deliberately captured by them?"
Suma smiled and nodded. Also embarrassedly stuck out her tongue. "Because I'm very clumsy. Combat skills also not as good as my two sisters... But I also want to be useful. Fortunately, this mission doesn't need particularly amazing skills."
"How could that be? Daring to venture alone into such a dangerous place—already very amazing."
Hearing my praise, Suma looked even happier. Also couldn't help chattering many words.
So I learned traveling with her—besides two sisters, also a reliable man named Tengen.
She momentarily slipped, mentioning the word "shinobi."
I suddenly remembered. Active until before the Edo period—able to stand alongside samurai. Assassins hidden in darkness.
But its inheritance wasn't as open and aboveboard as samurai. I originally thought with changing times—shinobi already disappeared long ago.
We exchanged words in lowered voices. Though girls couldn't hear clearly—seeing our calm composure, also slowly relaxed. Didn't move chaotically.
After about an hour, I heard rumbling explosions outside. Also that group of criminals' panicked curses. And weapons' shrill whistles cutting through air.
After several wails—outside movements diminished.
Girls anxiously waited. Outside the wagon came an unfamiliar female voice. "Suma, are you inside? Are you alright?"
"Sister Hinatsuru!" Suma called out happily. Lifted the curtain, crawled out. "I'm fine! Everyone's fine!"
Outside daylight piercingly shone in. I secretly groaned. Again shrank into the corner.
Girls scrambled out. Only I remained in the wagon. Another beautiful young woman leaned in, looked toward me. Voice soothing, asked, "Are you alright? Don't you want to come out?"
I said I had a skin condition. Couldn't see light. Asked her to search the criminals' luggage. See if there was a pitch-black large umbrella.
The young woman named Hinatsuru patiently listened to me finish. Went out to search briefly. Found my umbrella. Helped me hold it open, waiting outside.
Only then did I crawl out. Carefully stepped on the wagon's shadows. After gripping the umbrella in hand, relievedly thanked her.
But immediately, another sharp gaze fell on me.
I turned my head. A tall young man walked over. Toyed with a kunai in hand. Suddenly pressed it against my neck, asking:
"Hey, you. Are you really human? I've heard—in this world exists a type of monster that greatly fears light."
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