CHAPTER 1

The Proposed Marriage Partner

School had ended for the day, and it was a bit hot as the early summer afternoon sun streamed in through a building window.

Inside, the floor and ceiling gave off the scent of moist wood, and the plaster walls were painted white. Long, narrow wooden desks each seated two, and the chairs neatly lined up behind them were covered with splinters. The desks and chairs faced the front of the room, which was dominated by a blackboard that bore streaks of white—still visible, though it had been wiped down.

In one of the classrooms at Yotsuru Girls’ Academy—a five-year, girls-only upper school situated in a corner of the imperial capital—the atmosphere was lively. On that day, as usual, lovely, vivacious young women dressed in a variety of colors were amusing themselves with gossip.

“Did you hear? Did you hear about the new teacher who arrived today?!”

“I heard! He came to replace Professor Tomita, who took a leave of absence the other day, is that right?”

“Oh, if he’s replacing Professor Tomita, that must mean we’ll be his students, too, starting from next week’s lessons. I can’t wait!”

The conversation that day was primarily devoted to the newly appointed language arts instructor.

Asana Amamizu listened in on her friends’ conversation as she put her textbooks and workbooks in her bag—her hands concealed by black lace gloves.

Asana was part of the conversation circle, but she was more of a passive participant than a contributor.

“His name is Mr. Sakuya Shigure. He’s part of the Shigure family. They’ve been close with my family for ages.”

“Wow!”

“The Shigure family has quite a noble pedigree, don’t they? I heard that they were lords of their own domain a long time ago.”

“Not only that, but Mr. Shigure is brilliant. He was working in the West until just recently. Plus, he’s young—only twenty-three! Hey, is it true what the rumors say? That he’s pale and handsome like an actor?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

The girls’ shrieks of joy were shrill but restrained.

Yotsuru Girls’ Academy was a school that catered exclusively to the daughters of wealthy families. All these girls, at the right age to be in love with the idea of love, had a weakness for men with promising futures.

So it was no surprise that those sorts of conversations would excite them. At times, the focus was on someone’s male relative, and at others, on a gentleman they had spotted at the train station. These talks were a daily occurrence.

Well, that sort of talk doesn’t have much to do with me, though.

With that in mind, Asana pasted a polite smile on her face and gave lukewarm responses like “Oh?” and “Hmm.”

Even so—

“What a surprise. Asana, are you interested in Mr. Shigure, too?”

One of her classmates tried to draw Asana into the conversation.

All she had done was give perfunctory responses, but suddenly, everybody was looking at her.

“Um…”

She was at a loss.

Asana had no interest in marriage. No matter what, she would obey her family, and she was certain the man her father and brother chose for her would be perfectly ordinary.

Therefore, she wasn’t the least bit interested in the new teacher.

With nothing to add, Asana decided to redirect the topic with a smile. She gave no indication that she hadn’t really been paying attention to the conversation.

“Yes, well, if we’re getting a new teacher, then that’s bound to have an effect on our lessons and examinations.”

The girls around her frowned in disappointment at her noncommittal reply. Only one of them laughed in exasperation and lightly swatted Asana on the upper arm.

She was one of Asana’s close friends and a central figure in their class, Kyouko Himori. The same girl who had mentioned her family’s association with the much-discussed Mr. Shigure earlier.

“Heh-heh. As always, you’re so serious, Asana.”

“Not at all. Isn’t everyone concerned about our lessons?”

Asana tilted her head, and Kyouko giggled.

“Sure we are,” she replied, “but not as much as you, with your outstanding grades.”

“Oh?”

“Everybody knows you’re number one, Asana.”

“Kyouko, that’s enough teasing.”

“‘Teasing’?”

“You’re the one everybody adores, Kyouko, not me. I’m no match for you.”

Kyouko was the belle of Yotsuru Girls’ Academy.

She was a beautiful girl. Like a large, soft peony flower, she always stood out. On top of that, she excelled at everything she did, and her pedigree was impeccable.

She made friends with everyone—even Asana, who didn’t join in their conversations—and was always at the center of any social circle. She was perfect in every way.

Totally different from me.

The only thing Asana had going for her was that she appeared to be a model student.

Someone like Asana—who played the part of the model student and was sickly pale, reticent, and devoted only to her studies—was a far cry from a girl like Kyouko.

In fact, their other friends nodded blatantly in agreement with Asana’s words.

Kyouko saw them and gave Asana a troubled smile.

“Asana, you’re exaggerating. I’m just doing the best I can with what I have.”

When Kyouko said it, it didn’t sound sarcastic, which was amazing. Asana was honestly impressed.

Kyouko’s long hair, which was tied back loosely, was straight and glossy. Her skin was an unblemished ivory white, and her small lips were the perfect pale shade of red.

It was like the phrase in full bloom was coined just for her.

Kyouko was dressed in a coral unlined kimono and the dark indigo andon-style undivided hakama bottoms required by the school. Her outfit was more or less the same as what the other girls had on, but for some reason, it looked much more sophisticated, refined, and beautiful on her.

“Listen, everyone. After school today, why don’t we go to that new dessert parlor together?”

They were all worked up, so one of their other classmates took the opportunity to propose this plan.

“Great idea! That’s the place everyone says has the most delicious cream puffs, right?”

“I’ve been wanting to try that place myself.”

“Me too! Kyouko and Asana, won’t you come as well?”

As all their friends talked over each other, Kyouko nodded with a broad smile.

“Yes! Of course I’d love to go with you. You’ll join us today, right, Asana?”

Asana shook her head.

“I’m sorry. I can’t go.”

The energetic, bubbly atmosphere suddenly deflated.

Ah, I feel bad.

It was as if she had poured cold water on their cheerful mood. Feeling uncomfortable, Asana finished packing her things and picked up her bag.

The disappointed looks from her friends pierced her and made her heart ache.

“Come on, Asana, there’s no way you can go?” Kyouko asked sadly, arching her finely shaped eyebrows.

Asana apologized again. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t forget to add a remorseful smile. “…I’ve got business at home. But I apologize for being such poor company.”

“In that case, how about going to the theater this weekend? I’m sure your family would allow it on a day we don’t have school?”

Her friend was so thoughtful to invite her. Asana was grateful, but the other girl was asking for the impossible.

“Regretfully, I must decline. You all have fun. I can’t wait to hear what you think about the place.”

After saying “Goodbye” and “See you tomorrow,” Asana quickly made to flee the classroom.

Behind her, she could hear her classmates whispering.

“It didn’t work again.”

“That always happens.”

“I wish I had more chances to talk to her.”

“The way she does that makes her seem so mysterious.”

They didn’t understand.

She wasn’t some enigmatic young lady. There wasn’t anything that interesting about her. She just wasn’t afforded much freedom. That was all.

Asana straightened, stood tall, and headed for the door, her indigo hakama fluttering as she exited the room.

“Goodbye.”

“Yes, have a nice evening.”

“Asana, goodbye.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Even as she walked down the hallway, other girls greeted her, and she responded cordially. When she did, they waved and bowed slightly.

Asana changed from her indoor slippers into her outdoor shoes and stepped out of the school building.

My brother said he has something to talk to me about today.

She let out a long sigh when she remembered that.

When she said she had business at home, she wasn’t lying.

Her father was often away for work, leaving her much-older brother in charge at home. He had instructed her to hurry back for an important discussion, and that was an odd thing for him to do. She wasn’t sure what would happen if she didn’t obey.

She stared off into the distance, at the sun that was beginning to sink.

“Haaah…”

“Big Sister Asana?”

As Asana let out another sigh, someone suddenly called out to her from behind.

“Big Sister! Big Sister Asana, are you going home now?”

The voice grew closer and closer, until it came from right beside her. Asana put a smile on her face again and asked the owner of that voice, “Yes, and you, Tomono?”

“Yes. How about that? What a coincidence.”

The small girl’s sleeves fluttered like a cute little butterfly, and she peeked over at Asana.

She had a youthful complexion and big, round eyes. Her brown hair was tied up in a looping Marguerite braid, which made her look even cuter.

Asana had recently learned that the name of this affable young student was Tomono Yuhata.

Tomono often approached Asana like this. She was pretending it was a coincidence, but she had probably timed her departure to line up with Asana’s.

“Um, Big Sister Asana, would you please read this?”

From her pocket, Tomono pulled out a letter encased in a pretty envelope. As she held out the letter and her cheeks flushed slightly, she looked as sweet and cute as a marshmallow.

Asana took the letter and smiled at the younger girl.

“Thank you.”

“And…um, Big Sister? Did you have a chance to think about what I wrote in my last letter…?” Tomono asked bashfully, peeking up through her eyelashes.

Asana felt another pang in her chest.

In Tomono’s previous letter, the girl had expressed her deep love and respect for Asana, and at the end of it, she had written of her desire to become Asana’s “little sister” and to cultivate a more intimate relationship with her.

“I’m sorry. I don’t intend to form that kind of bond with anyone.”

“Oh, you don’t…? Actually, I kind of got that feeling. I’m happy just to be allowed to call you ‘Big Sister.’ Thank you for giving me an answer.”

Just for a moment, Tomono’s expression looked terribly depressed, but she soon regained her cheerful smile.

“Well then, what are your plans like for the rest of the day? If you don’t mind, maybe we could have tea together. Would it be too much of a nuisance for me to ask to come over to your house, Big Sister?”

“Uh…”

Asana had meant to leave right away, but Tomono was quite persistent.

She shook her head frantically. Going out somewhere together would be one thing, but there was no way Asana could invite Tomono to her home.

“That’s a little… I’m sorry. Today, there’s something I must hurry home for. S-see you another time.”

“Ah…is that so? I’m sorry for keeping you.”

Seeing the younger girl’s shoulders droop dejectedly made Asana feel even guiltier.

If only…it wasn’t me she liked.

It was such a waste that Tomono adored her so. She knew it would be fun to become friends with her, for them to go back and forth to each other’s houses and spend time together.

Asana felt the same way about going out with her classmates. She wished she could go with them to cafés and parlors or go to the theater and share their thoughts.

But there was no way she would be allowed to.

Burdened with these weighty feelings, Asana said goodbye to Tomono. The girl’s lonely figure weighed heavily on Asana’s mind as she left.

Asana walked through the school gates and boarded her family’s automobile, which was waiting there to pick her up.

Once she’d settled in, the model-student guise she kept up all day fell away.

I’m empty inside.

Scenery started to stream past the window of the automobile as it pulled away. The first thing the car passed was a group of Asana’s school friends, who had left ahead of her.

That looks like so much fun.

Her classmates strolled down the street, chatting with each other, all wearing the same color hakama.

Then she saw her own pale, sullen face reflected dimly in the window glass.

Asana hung her head and sighed quietly. A few loose strands of hair gently fell out of her crown of braids.

In the flourishing imperial capital, where Japanese and Western styles mingled, there was a hilly neighborhood where the residences of wealthy and distinguished families of noble lineage were concentrated.

Even among these estates, one stood out—a vast mansion of wooden construction, with a magnificent gate. This was the house to which Asana returned—the Amamizu house.

The Amamizu family had been in the business of medicine for several hundred years and had built up an immense fortune. Their business had begun as a small drugstore and changed with the times. Currently, the family operated a pharmaceutical wholesale business.

Their wholesale warehouse purchased large quantities of all sorts of medications from around the country, and they made their money by reselling these medicines to drugstores and other shops.

The Amamizu family dealt in a truly vast variety of medications, from utterly ordinary household medicine to rare drugs that even doctors almost never used.

Perhaps that was why, although the family had no official rank at court, they had many clients in politics and major industries and deep connections thereto.

Their signature product was a cure-all named “Mermaid’s Tears.”

It was an extraordinary medicine, sold only by the Amamizu family, and the location and method of production were kept strictly secret.

Of course, it was advertised as a cure-all, but it was hardly a panacea.

Mermaid’s Tears, which, at first glance, appeared to be an unremarkable clear liquid, could be taken by mouth when one was feeling unwell or sprinkled over cuts and scrapes. Just ingesting a small amount could heal illness and injury and improve someone’s health overall.

For its professed effects, it had gained a significant reputation.

As a result, although it was expensive, Mermaid’s Tears had long been the Amamizu family’s top-selling product, and it was the foundation of their mountainous fortune.

Most people were unaware of the truth behind it.

“I’m back.”

When Asana arrived home, she saw her mother, Kiriko, walking down the hallway toward her, wearing an unlined kimono with a subdued iris pattern.

“Mother, I’m home.”

But Asana’s greeting was completely ignored, as if she had said nothing at all.

Her mother, who was beautiful and youthful for her age, passed by without so much as a glance, as if no one were there.

Nothing, of course.

Asana used her right hand to cover her left, which was concealed inside its lace glove, as her mother disappeared down the hallway.

Asana sighed deeply.

She pulled herself together, left her bag in her small room—it was only four and a half tatami mats in size—and asked the servant in the kitchen where she could find her brother.

“…He is in the annex.”

“I see. Thank you.”

She amicably thanked the servant, who had not even looked in her direction, and headed toward the annex with heavy, sullen footsteps.

Asana knocked on the old wooden door at the end of the connecting corridor.

It sounded nice to call the room an annex.

However, the Amamizu annex was nothing more than a small shed, no larger than a purification hut. Just a shack where they did things they couldn’t do in the main house, things they wanted to keep hidden.

“Big Brother, it’s Asana.”

“Come in.”

“…Pardon the intrusion.”

The moment she opened the door, the peculiar odor of the room assailed her nostrils, a rank combination of mildew and blood.

The walls on both sides of the small, dim room were completely covered with shelves lined with glass jars.

Her brother, Ukiharu Amamizu, was standing there, dressed in a casual kimono. He was writing something, using an open space on one of the shelves as a table.

“Big Brother, um, you wanted to talk about something?”

“Yeah. Your marriage has been decided.”

Asana was taken aback and stiffened.

“Huh?”

Her brother’s voice didn’t have much emotion in it, and he had said it in an offhand way, so she almost hadn’t heard him.

Marriage…

She’d been prepared for this. Asana’s course in life had already been determined when the mark on her wrist had appeared. But she hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly, and the pounding of her heart was distressingly loud.

“Is that…so? And…will it be to Viscount Katsui, whom you mentioned before?”

Viscount Katsui was a prominent millionaire in the capital, and he was rumored to be a sadist.

He was in his forties and had been married before, but his wife had passed away several years earlier, and now he lived in his huge mansion alone.

As a man of unusual tastes, he had hoped to exchange a large sum of money to get the Amamizu family’s “special daughter” for his second wife. He had offered a sum that amounted to four years of the Amamizu family’s earnings.

Her father, Koutarou, and his successor, Ukiharu, had both approved and agreed that Asana was to be sold to the viscount immediately upon graduating from school.

That said, they had not signed a contract yet.

Her father and brother seemed dissatisfied with the amount of money being offered and wanted to try to negotiate for as much betrothal money as possible. Asana was sure that their bargaining was ongoing.

And here I thought the formal marriage proposal was still a ways off…

In response to Asana’s question, Ukiharu shook his head side to side.

“No. It is not Viscount Katsui.”

“Then…?”

“At the last minute, we got an offer that was double what Viscount Katsui was going to pay. We considered the conditions and decided to accept it. And what’s more, the new man is willing to be adopted into our family.”

“Adopted?”

“If our family adopts your husband, we can keep using you for the business. And apparently, the man is proficient in multiple foreign languages, so we’ll be able to expand to overseas markets. We won’t find more favorable terms anywhere else. And we have many ways of keeping him silent, if the need arises.”

Ukiharu’s explanation raced through her mind. She couldn’t believe he was talking about her.

This must be what they mean by a “bolt from the blue.”

Ukiharu was the heir to the Amamizu family fortune. This was already decided, so, really, the family didn’t need a son-in-law.

And typically, most young men preferred not to be adopted into a family when they got married, so Asana had never imagined that something like this might happen.

But when she gave it some more thought, it did seem like it would work out in the Amamizu family’s favor after all.

From her family’s perspective, not only would this groom pay a large bride-price, but they could also keep Asana, their lucrative “special daughter,” close at hand.

Am I to remain locked up in this house forever?

Asana stared off into space.

Ever since the mark had appeared on her wrist when she was young, Asana had been shunned and exploited by her father and brother.

They said it was because she was special. Because she brought fortune to the Amamizu house.

And now this new arrangement meant that Asana’s life of suffering would continue until she died.

“If you need to blame someone, blame yourself for being born this way. But look, it’s a good thing, isn’t it? Because even a monster like you will be able to make yourself useful by helping your family. —Now, get to work.”

Ukiharu closed his notebook and spoke to her dispassionately.

No matter how she resented him, no matter how she grieved, there was nothing Asana could do. By now, she didn’t need him to tell her. She had already spent countless hours cursing her fate, grieving, tiring herself out, growing weary, and finally giving up.

She didn’t have the slightest bit of hope left.

Ah, if only I could vanish, body and all! She couldn’t help but wish it were so.

Or alternatively, she wished she might become a nobler person, the kind of fool who would weep with happiness at being of use to her family, no matter how badly she was tormented and scorned.

Asana rubbed her trembling hands together. They were still clad in the lace gloves that concealed her birthmark.

You mustn’t cry, Asana Amamizu. It’s enough just to have your memory of that day.

She didn’t wish for that boy to come save her.

Not even if she was married off, no matter how roughly she was handled, and even if she was abused for being a monster or used like an object.

She remembered the young man who had treated her wound that day in early summer. That kind person who had given her the gloves.

More than anything else, it was her memory of him and his sincere concern that brought her comfort and made it possible for Asana to go on living.

“Sit.”

Ukiharu grabbed her arm roughly and forced her to sit in a chair that was dappled with dark stains.

Asana quietly removed her gloves, trying to keep herself from looking at the sharp, glinting tip of the needle her brother was holding.

That weekend, Asana’s father, Koutarou Amamizu, took her to meet her prospective groom. They were meeting at a luxurious traditional restaurant that was famous throughout the imperial capital.

Her fiancé’s family was apparently of such honorable and aristocratic lineage that, compared to the Amamizus, they were like an unreachable flower atop an unscalable cliff.

The matchmaker had evidently been very particular about the location for this meeting with such a prominent noble family.

I haven’t heard anything about him yet, though.

Asana stared vacantly at the tidy entryway into the restaurant.

She hadn’t been given any details about the strange man who was willing to marry into the Amamizu family, aside from his family’s standing. She didn’t know his full name, his age, or his occupation.

She wondered if he had a bad reputation, the kind that would make her want to run if she heard his name. Or maybe Koutarou and Ukiharu just couldn’t be bothered to inform her.

But it was also tiresome for her to pointlessly agonize over the question. At any rate, no matter what kind of villain might appear, she knew she didn’t have the willpower to run away.

As was often the case, Asana was unwell, and whenever she let her mind wander, her steps became unsteady.

Her face was heavily powdered and smeared with rouge to disguise her pallid complexion. She was a little anxious about whether she would be able to endure a very long meeting.

…It feels like this kimono is wearing me instead.

This was their first meeting, so Asana was dressed in a showy, red, long-sleeved kimono with a white camellia pattern. She wore white lace gloves on both hands, and her hair, which was normally in a crown of braids, was done in a loose, flowing style.

Her father was also wearing a top-quality kimono of pure silk, with hakama and a haori jacket.

Asana and Koutarou, who had arrived earlier than even the matchmaker, were shown through to a tatami room that faced a beautifully arranged garden featuring eye-catching, vivid green pine trees.

“Asana.”

“Yes?”

She sat down on the cushion beside her father, and when Koutarou said her name, Asana answered quietly.

“You mustn’t make any mistakes here. Even at your best, you’re no beauty, so think of them as clients and make a good impression. We finally found a good customer after all.”

Koutarou spoke bluntly and authoritatively. He usually had a domineering tone when he was speaking to Asana.

“…I will take that to heart.”

“We’ve put in the effort to raise you so far and even sent you to your girls’ academy, so it would be a shame if we didn’t make a little bit back on our investment.”

“Yes, Father.”

Asana held her left wrist with her right hand, both covered by white lace gloves that were different from the pair she usually wore.

Asana was grateful that, unlike her great-aunt, who had been another “special” girl of the Amamizu family, she had been sent to school.

However, that wasn’t because Koutarou was thinking of Asana’s best interests.

Her father simply didn’t want to be known as the kind of stingy man who refused to send his daughter to school.

In other words, he was only concerned with his own reputation.

It was atrociously patronizing of him to say “sent you to your girls’ academy” and “make a little bit back on our investment.”

But such treatment had been going on for so long that Asana couldn’t bring herself to push back against mild insults like those. No matter what she said, nothing would change. Compared to the many other indignities that had befallen Asana in her life, her father’s words meant little.

Instead of speaking up, Asana frowned, closed her eyes, and opened them again.

Before long, the matchmaker appeared.

“Oh my goodness! I am so sorry. I’m running late.”

The person who had arranged this marriage proposal was a hardy middle-aged man, who sat in front of them as he wiped sweat from his brow, his already thread-thin eyes narrowing even further as he smiled. His name was Hiroto.

He was the younger brother of one Baron Hiroto, an aristocrat who did business with the Amamizu family, and he himself worked in an important position at a pharmaceutical company.

Hiroto plopped himself down heavily onto his cushion and began to explain.

“Actually, I’ve received a message,” he said. “It concerns the other family. It seems the elderly patriarch, with whom I am on familiar terms, has fallen ill and won’t be able to come today.”

“Now that is concerning,” Asana’s father replied. “Then will the current head of the family be joining us?”

“Well, you see, this day didn’t work for him, so…”

“…So the groom will be the only person representing their family?”

“I’m afraid that is the case. Oh, I feel terrible!”

“No, no, it’s fine. As long as the man himself is here, I see no problem.”

In a complete reversal of how he behaved toward Asana, Koutarou beamed and answered Hiroto affably. Her father was a skilled businessman, so he could be remarkably nimble and deft when necessary.

He and her brother were businessmen through and through. They always thought of profits first.

They were hospitable to guests and customers. On the other hand, their treatment of Asana was hardly befitting for a daughter or sibling. It was more like how they’d treat a beast they were raising in the house.

In the end, these negotiations for Asana’s marriage were very much like discussions about breeding livestock.

…Now that I’m thinking it over, there is no one more pitiable than the gentleman who has to marry me.

If he were adopted into the family, unless he were a very strong man indeed, he would surely receive the same awful treatment as Asana.

Moreover, Asana, who would become his wife, seemed normal on the surface but was actually much different from ordinary girls—she was a genuine monster. He had nothing to gain by paying a large sum of money and joining their family—nothing at all.

Suddenly, they heard voices and footsteps in the corridor.

Apparently, Asana’s potential husband had finally arrived.

One of the hostesses escorted him in. The wooden boards in the hallway creaked as he approached. His large figure cast a shadow on the paper of the shoji door.

Asana placed her hands on the tatami and bowed deeply. She stared intently at the mat below her.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting,” said the new arrival.

He had a low, calm, and gentle voice.

Asana had intended to keep her eyes downcast, but now chose to raise her head, enticed by that charming and inviting voice.

Her heart nearly pounded out of her chest.

What a… What a beautiful human being…

The man who had entered the room was indescribably attractive.

He had a sophisticated, elegant demeanor, and the word gorgeous was almost sufficient to describe his looks. He was slender and well proportioned, and he dressed stylishly in a tailored, dark gray three-piece suit, impressing her with charisma that was somehow both modest and showy.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of roughness or boorishness. With his highly polished appearance, he looked every bit like a young prince from a fairy tale, graceful as a white swan.

But more than anything else, Asana couldn’t take her eyes off his features and hairstyle.

He looks just like…

He had bright eyes, long eyelashes, and thin lips. Unlike most men who followed fashion trends, he wore his black hair long, arranged with an ornamental hairpin.

“Smiling is best. They say happiness comes to those who smile.”

That voice and those words were imprinted on Asana’s mind and had never faded since she heard them.

This man was the spitting image of the youth from her past. He looked just like that boy, whose image had been seared into her eyes and could never be forgotten.

Her pulse became unbelievably quick.

She feared that her father and the matchmaker, and even the man himself, would be able to hear her heart pounding. She felt as hot as if all the blood in her body was boiling.

With a composed demeanor, the young man made his way to the cushion across from Asana. As she watched him approach, Asana found it harder and harder to breathe.

The design of the hairpin on the back of his head, which jingled lightly when he bowed, was…

It’s just like his… No way.

A coincidence like this was inconceivable.

The young man from her precious, precious memory—the memory that had supported and encouraged Asana countless times, a memory she had revisited every day of her life—had appeared now in front of her after all this time as her prospective groom… It was unthinkable, like something out of a dream.

Just for a moment, Asana forgot about her cursed fate.

“Well then, seeing as how everyone is here—”

Hiroto started talking, but not a word of it made it through to her.

From the extreme shock of it all, everything he said went in one ear and out the other, and the only thing Asana could do was stare straight ahead.

It couldn’t be. It couldn’t be, and yet…

Incoherent thoughts kept spinning around in her head. When her father, Koutarou, tapped her on the shoulder, Asana finally came back to herself.

“Asana.”

“Y-yes?”

“Mr. Shigure has invited you to take a walk before we eat. Answer him.”

“Ah…y-yes. I apologize. I would be glad to accompany you.”

Koutarou whispered into Asana’s ear after she replied in a panic.

“You know what to do.”

Asana nodded frantically.

She couldn’t let her father suspect anything. She wondered if her face was forming a proper smile. She knew it was probably too late, but she made a conscious effort to regulate her breathing.

“Shall we stroll through the garden for a little while?”

When the man spoke to her, Asana realized she had indeed been staring at him too much. She started to feel embarrassed and averted her gaze.

The young man stood and left the room, and Asana followed him as gracefully as possible.

When it was time to step down into the garden off the engawa porch, she found herself staring intently at the hand he so casually offered her.

He really is the boy from back then.

Asana trailed after him, and they walked off into the garden, which was the deep green color of new leaves.

The pond in the center of the garden housed handsome vermillion carp, and the moss-covered stones and lanterns beside the water created a serene atmosphere.

Though it was well curated, the splendid garden did not spoil the raw beauty of nature.

After they had taken several steps into the garden, the young man, who had been walking ahead of her, suddenly stopped and turned around to face her.

“Once again, my name is Sakuya Shigure.”

Asana looked up at the sound of his gentle voice.

The young man—Sakuya Shigure—stared at her with unwavering black eyes.

The tail end of the hair bound at his nape draped over his shoulder, and on his lips was a friendly smile. He was incredibly good-looking. Anyone who saw him, any man or woman of any age, would have agreed that he was the perfect image of youth.

Asana also smiled, trying to make the best impression she could, and bowed her head very low as she replied with her own name.

“My name is Asana Amamizu. It’s lovely to meet you.”

As soon as she answered, something dawned on her, and she gasped in surprise.

Mr. Sakuya Shigure, is it?

That name was fresh in her mind.

The twenty-three-year-old son of the Shigure family had just returned from overseas. Handsome and pale like a stage actor—this was the newly appointed language arts teacher at Asana’s academy. This was the man her friends had been gossiping about.

The rumors hadn’t been an exaggeration. The man was more beautiful than any other Asana had ever met before. In fact, his beauty would put any actor to shame.

But…could a coincidence like this really be possible?

Here was the kind man from her memories, now her prospective groom and the new teacher at her school.

Naturally, she found it hard to accept that all three people were one and the same, and she wasn’t satisfied calling it an accident or simply a strange twist of fate.

“Um, I’ve heard rumors of you already…Professor Shigure.”

When Asana shyly called him by that title, Sakuya nodded in understanding.

“Ah, so you’re a student at Yotsuru Girls’ Academy, are you?”

“Yes.”

“I see… I suspect this job opportunity was my grandfather’s doing.”

“Uh, I…”

Sakuya smiled bitterly, and Asana simply tilted her head inquisitively.

The breeze that blew gently past her carried with it the scent of green pines and the sound of water rippling in the pond. At the same time, a minty fragrance that Sakuya was probably wearing, as well as the faint smell of tobacco, wafted into her nostrils.

Sakuya let his smile dim for a moment, while Asana was distracted.

“As a matter of fact,” he continued, “my grandfather arranged this round of marriage talks on his own, before I even came back to Japan. My job as a teacher is also something my grandfather encouraged. I’m certain this was not a coincidence, but rather a carefully devised plot.”

“Ah…is that what happened?”

Sakuya was calm and collected, like an instructor should be, and his way of speaking was perfectly polite, but somehow, he seemed distant and cold.

“I had heard about the marriage talks, but when he told me I was to meet someone so soon after returning home, I was surprised.”

Asana looked at Sakuya again.

The expression on his face was not unfriendly. It wasn’t exactly affectionate, but she didn’t pick up on any specific feelings like revulsion. His smile just seemed forced.

From the way he was behaving, she gathered that he didn’t understand the significance of joining the Amamizu family.

If the marriage proposal had been his grandfather’s initiative, and if he had been abroad until just recently, then it was even more possible that he knew nothing about them.

And I don’t suppose he remembers me, either.

Her memory from eight years prior was an important and precious thing to Asana, but Sakuya didn’t seem to recognize her.

Eight years had passed since then. Asana had grown considerably, and her appearance had changed, so that was only natural.

However, in that case—

“Professor, if you knew nothing about this, then you must be quite disappointed. To be suddenly told you are engaged to someone like me.”

Asana hadn’t really meant anything by it, but Sakuya frowned deeply.

“Not at all, and you shouldn’t talk about yourself that way.”

“Oh, no, I am exactly the girl you see before you. Unattractive and dull. For a gentleman as lovely as yourself, surely I, a mere student without the slightest redeeming feature, must seem like a consolation prize.”

She gave him a carefully crafted, reserved smile. Insincere smiles were her specialty. She probably got that from her father.

Will I really be married to my teacher, just like this? Asana wondered to herself, keeping the smile plastered on her face.

Here was her precious benefactor, onto whom they would foist her, a nuisance dressed up in pretty clothes. He would be taken into the house of her devilish father and brother, forcing him to walk a path that would obviously lead to nothing but sorrow.

She wasn’t sure if she could really do that to him.

“Smiling is best. They say happiness comes to those who smile.”

Even now, the words he had spoken were clearly etched into Asana’s mind.

Because she had met him—because he had said those words—she had been able to endure the malice she had faced. Even when she was miserable, she never forgot to smile. She thought it kept her human.

Surely it would be wrong to make him accept a poisoned pill. Surely that would amount to returning his kindness with cruelty.

“Winning or losing a prize has nothing to do with this. I am in my grandfather’s debt. I have decided to accept this marriage proposal to satisfy him because he is in poor health. But if we’re going to go to the trouble of getting married, I’d like to try to make things go well. That’s what I think.”

“…Even with me?”

“Yes. With you.”

Sakuya’s manner was unfailingly earnest, and the look in his eyes was completely serious.

He was the picture of filial piety, wanting to meet his grandfather’s expectations. He was a deeply considerate person, the type who would tend to the injuries of a strange little girl. He was honest and good-natured. He probably did not want to marry Asana.

“How do you feel about it?” he asked directly.

“I…” Asana hesitated.

Marrying Sakuya, her benefactor from long ago, would undoubtedly bring some happiness to her harsh and painful life. In truth, she felt like she was dreaming, so happy she could cry. But—

Happiness for Asana meant unhappiness for Sakuya.

She knew her own fate was set in stone. She could never allow this marriage to go through. However, she did not want him to notice anything was amiss, so she lied.

“Yes… Given the chance, I also think I would like to become a good wife.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”

Her chest ached with pangs of guilt as Sakuya’s eyes narrowed with his grin.

If she turned him down here, face-to-face, it would embarrass the Shigure family, as well as Hiroto, who was acting as matchmaker.

She didn’t want to make unnecessary waves.

Why was I born into a family like this, in a body like this one?

Asana was certain that if Sakuya knew her true nature, he would despise her. No matter how noble and kind a person he was, there was no way he would accept a monster for a wife.

When she had that thought, her chest hurt so much, it was as if she was being torn to shreds.

If only—

If only she had been born into a different family, maybe she could have become Sakuya’s wife. Maybe she could have been a real prize for him.

For a little while longer, they exchanged small talk as they looked around the garden. Then Asana and Sakuya returned to the dining room, where their places at the table had been set for lunch.

The look Koutarou gave Asana when she returned was extremely fierce.

I can’t do anything if he glares at me like that…

Internally, she cursed her father, but of course, she didn’t let it show on her face.

During the meal, Koutarou and Hiroto did most of the talking, chattering away lightheartedly, and though they occasionally brought the conversation around to Sakuya, that never particularly went anywhere.

Asana silently moved her food from her plate to her mouth with her chopsticks.

After everyone had finished their meal and had a cup of tea, the meeting ended.

Following Hiroto, who left first, Sakuya departed, and finally, Asana and Koutarou stepped out of the fancy restaurant’s entryway.

“Father?”

Asana summoned her nerves and spoke to her father as he walked ahead of her over pure white gravel stones.

Ever since the start of the meal, one single matter had occupied Asana’s mind—the thought of telling her father that she wanted to decline the marriage talks.

However, it was inevitable that her request would displease Koutarou. She couldn’t stop her body from trembling in fear of him.

But if I miss this chance, I don’t know when I might be able to discuss it with him.

Koutarou was frequently away from home on business. Even when he was home, Asana was at school during the day, and they ate breakfast and dinner separately. It was common for him not to see Asana for days at a time.

If she didn’t say what she had to say now, by the next time she saw her father, it might be too late.

When Asana called out to him, Koutarou turned around with a puzzled expression. The mask of an affable businessman, which he had been wearing until just a moment earlier, had completely fallen away, and he had an extremely cold air about him.

“What?”

Asana sucked in a deep breath, fortifying herself, and spoke the words.

“I wonder if I might be allowed to decline this marriage proposal?”

“What did you say?”

As expected, Koutarou’s eyes bulged, and he made a big show of sticking his cane into the gravel.

“Did I mishear you? I thought you just said ‘decline.’”

“…Yes. I am not inclined to marry Mr. Shi—”

“Nonsense!”

Before Asana could finish, Koutarou’s cane struck her cheek.

Wham!

With a heavy sound, the force of the blow sent Asana tumbling to the ground.

“Ah, ow…”

Her cheek burned, her head swayed, and the world spun. She was completely disoriented.

The puff of breath she expelled was abnormally hot, but she didn’t have time to care about that. Her father grabbed her by the collar and forced her to stand.

Her face, neck, and body hurt where she had hit the gravel.

“Do you really think I would allow something like that? When I finally found you a good match after all this time?”

“B-but I—”

“Silence. A creature like you is not to meddle in decisions I have made!”

“Ow… I’m v-very sorr—”

“We could have sold you for an even higher price if you were beautiful.”

He released his hold on her collar roughly, and she tumbled to the ground again.

The only thing Asana could hear was Koutarou’s heavy breathing. His anger had been laid bare. Feverish heat filled her body, and she could feel nothing else.

Just then, a piercing voice rang out.

“What’s the meaning of this?!”

It was Sakuya. She’d thought he had left a long time ago, but apparently, he had still been nearby.

A hostess from the restaurant was also watching from the front door, and her concern was apparent. It was not surprising, given how noisy Koutarou had been when he raised his voice in anger.

“Why would you do such a thing?”

Sakuya immediately cradled the fallen Asana. His black eyes were filled with a complicated mix of emotions: a blend of astonishment, panic, and confusion.

Sakuya checked Asana’s cheek, where she had been hit, and muttered, “How awful.”

Asana couldn’t tell, but she suspected it must be a very bad injury. Her cheek was still throbbing with sharp pain.

“Mr. Amamizu, what exactly is going on here? Raising your hand at your daughter like that… Are you insane?”

“Come now, it was just a little discipline. It happens all the time.”

“‘Discipline’? This?”

Sakuya was staring at Koutarou as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Indeed, even Koutarou must have sensed that he had caused a scene, because he clicked his tongue. But even then, he didn’t let it disturb his composure and asserted, “…I’ll ask you not to interfere with the instructional methods of my household.”

“Surely you must be joking. Something like this cannot possibly be ‘instructional’!”

Asana realized that Sakuya, a teacher, was losing his temper, and this time, it was her turn to panic. If this turned into an argument, Sakuya’s social standing could suffer.

That mustn’t happen.

Asana staggered to her unsteady feet and stepped in between her father and Sakuya.

“W-wait… Wait, please.”

She looked up at Sakuya, who had deep furrows etched into his brow, straightened herself up, enduring the pain, and put on the best smile she could muster.

“I’m all right. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

Even if it was just for a second, the fact that Sakuya had gotten angry on her behalf made her unbearably happy, so happy that she could cry.

That was all she needed—she was satisfied.

“No, but…”

“It’s fine. I’m terribly sorry for the disturbance. Father, let’s go home.”

She was used to getting hit.

No matter what, even if she was injured, she would heal right away, which was precisely why her father raised his hand against her so mercilessly. For Asana, such violence was routine.

Actually, Koutarou didn’t seem ashamed of the violence itself. He was merely indignant that he was facing opposition from a young man like Sakuya.

“Asana…,” her prospective husband mumbled.

Asana politely bent at the waist, bowing to the bewildered Sakuya.

“Thank you very much for your company today. I’m very glad I got to meet you. I’ll see you again at school. Of course, I won’t mention the marriage talks. It mustn’t be a hindrance to your work. Goodbye, Professor.”

“We’re going,” her father said, grabbing her hand and dragging her away.

On the way to their family car, before they got in, Koutarou did not shout at Asana, but he glared at her frigidly.

“All right, then, Asana. If you want to stop the marriage talks with that man, tell me, what should I do with your body? If you explain to me how you can make a greater contribution to the family than this, I might reconsider.”

“……”

That was a lie.

She was certain Koutarou would never change his mind.

In the business world, the Amamizu family actually had an extremely poor reputation.

Although many people positioned themselves close to the thriving family, it was a different story when it came to talks of relation by marriage. Asana had received few proposals, even as the daughter of a merchant family that had so many clients in politics and industry.

In that context, the marriage proposal from Sakuya was a very fortunate offer. Neither Kotarou nor Ukiharu was likely to relinquish it.

But perhaps, by some chance, I can manage to send the marriage talks back to square one, and then—

She wanted to do something to keep Sakuya from getting involved with the Amamizu family. With that one thought in mind, Asana nodded in response to her father’s words.

“Okay… That’s no problem. Father, please reconsider your decision.”

If it was to save Sakuya, to save her benefactor, she didn’t mind suffering.

At any rate, she couldn’t die, so in that case, she could at least do something useful for him. She could return the favor, even if only in a minor way.

Koutarou snorted at Asana’s reply.

Sakuya just stood there, watching the girl who would be his fiancée and her father leave. To put it another way, he was completely dumbfounded.

His proposed marriage partner, who he had met for the first time that day, Asana Amamizu, wasn’t an eye-catchingly beautiful or brilliant girl—in fact, there didn’t seem to be anything special about her at all.

But what happened today…

He couldn’t get the image of Asana out of his head, the way she had acted with concern for him, despite facing such wretched treatment from her father right there on the street.

She hadn’t acted like she had taken a beating, and she hadn’t gone crying to Sakuya, either.

She had simply stood back up in a dignified way and had even managed to smile and thank him.

If she was able to smile like that, regardless of the circumstances…then surely that showed she had extraordinary willpower.

At the conclusion of their first meeting, Sakuya had been unable to take his eyes off her slender, forlorn figure.

One night several days earlier—

After wrapping up a staff meeting at Yotsuru Girls’ Academy, Sakuya headed for a certain small bar that had set up shop in a corner of the prosperous downtown area of the imperial capital.

Recently in the capital, several discreet bars and cafés had been flourishing. They had the ambience of secret hideaways, places where men could exchange information and engage in idle chatter.

Sakuya went to a bar in a two-story brick building; the first floor was a space solely for enjoying a drink, and the second floor was set up with games such as billiards and mahjong. The place was crowded with men on their way home from work.

It was the second time Sakuya had met up with Shinsuke Honomi since returning from abroad. The two men sat opposite one another at a mahogany table on the first floor, where the air was filled with the smell of tobacco smoke, and ordered their drinks. Before long, glasses filled with a creamy Western liquor were delivered to each of them.

“Sorry for calling you out to a place like this.”

“I really don’t mind.”

Shinsuke, dressed in a neatly ironed three-piece suit, gave his typical, overly serious apologies, and Sakuya shook his head, barely managing to suppress laughter.

“I guess we have a lot to talk about.”

“If it wasn’t so late, we could have gone to get red bean paste buns at that anpan place with the stern shopkeeper, though.”

“The boss over there closes up shop in the early evening, so we’re out of luck.”

Talking about a shop they both frequented helped break the ice a bit.

However, Shinsuke’s expression stiffened again.

“Sorry to get right into it, but there’s something I want to say to you.”

“What?”

“I’m telling you this for your own good. Put a stop to the marriage talks with the Amamizus.”

Shinsuke was not a particularly soft-spoken fellow, but at that moment, his tone was even firmer than usual and extremely stiff.

“What’s this all of a sudden? Anyway, it’s pretty much a done deal by now.”

“Of course it is. Why, of all families, did it have to be the Amamizus? Marrying into that house—and moreover, agreeing to be adopted into the family—makes me doubt your sanity.”

The way his friend was speaking acutely conveyed his dislike, verging on disgust, of the Amamizu family.

Shinsuke had always been solemn, and he’d never had a particularly tolerant disposition.

On the outside, he looked well put together, but his fastidiousness and inflexibility were often apparent. Nevertheless, Sakuya was comfortable being with Shinsuke, who didn’t bother with rumors or nonsense. The two of them had been friends for ten years, ever since middle school.

Therefore, Sakuya thought that maybe this was his friend’s fussiness showing through yet again.

“There are many unflattering rumors about the Amamizu family. They’ve made a lot of money in the pharmaceutical business, but people say that, behind the scenes, they manufacture poisons, that they’ve wiped out their competition, and that they spread illnesses to sell medication. And because of that, people have died. Even if things look good for them now, suppose that, in the future, something happens and they get arrested—if you get adopted into the family, you’ll get dragged into it, too.”

Poison and death. Faced with these unsettling words, Sakuya closed his eyes.

He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and held it in his mouth, then lit a match, and after one puff, he replied.

“Well…but are you sure? As pharmacists, it wouldn’t be unusual for them to handle substances that can be poisonous. Whether something is medicine or poison all comes down to how it’s used after all. And the other stuff is all just gossip, surely?”

“Wrong. Do you happen to know anything about the poison called ‘Mermaid’s Blood’?” Shinsuke had lowered his voice. Though the word mermaid gave him pause, Sakuya shook his head.

“No.”

“…There is a rumor that travels in small circles, only among those in the know. Apparently, there is a mysterious poison that goes by that name. No one knows what form it takes, but they say it’s a fiendish poison that leaves no trace, and if even a tiny amount gets into the body, it instantly causes the victim’s death.”

“Questionable at best. How could there be a poison so very convenient for murderers?”

“Never mind, just listen. There are many people who link that Mermaid’s Blood poison to the Mermaid’s Tears that the Amamizu family sells. That’s among people who know what’s what, okay? It’s not just because they share the word mermaid, but because it’s something the family could pull off.”

The Amamizu family was the only pharmaceutical company that sold the medication known as Mermaid’s Tears, and no one knew how it was manufactured. According to Shinsuke, that meant it was suspicious. The rumors just wouldn’t die out.

Medication was something that went into the body. If the ingredients and the recipe for a certain medication were a secret, then, naturally, many people would be suspicious of it.

Shinsuke continued, “Apparently, the Amamizu family actually made a backroom deal with some bigwigs somewhere to get them to overlook the fact that they’re selling Mermaid’s Tears without disclosing any information about it. I’m almost certain that isn’t a lie.”

“In which case, wouldn’t that mean they also secretly got permission to sell the Mermaid’s Blood poison in the same way?”

Sakuya let out a big sigh and leaned back in his chair.

If Shinsuke—who came from a good family, had connections to all sorts of people, and had influence with the newspapers and the police—was saying so, then it was highly credible information.

If something should happen to turn the situation on its head and result in the Amamizu family being charged for its crimes, Sakuya could get caught up in it, too, after marrying into the household.

However, this was ground Sakuya couldn’t yield.

“Even if that is the case…it’s my grandfather’s wish. I can’t refuse.”

Sakuya put duty and obligation above everything else.

He couldn’t refuse, and didn’t want to refuse, a request from Hamahiko Shigure. His grandfather had secretly supported Sakuya’s mother, the mistress of the head of the Shigure family, and Sakuya, her son.

Besides, this was his grandfather, who had displayed his shrewd mind as both the head of an aristocratic family and a businessman. There was no way he hadn’t already considered any bad reputation the Amamizu family might have had.

There could be no doubt that he had sent Sakuya forward into these marriage negotiations for some reason—

Sakuya’s thoughts made it that far before he suddenly remembered something.

A girl with mermaid’s blood… Didn’t he say something like that?

Sakuya’s grandfather, who was not in good health, had told him there was a marriage proposal he wanted him to accept, no matter what. Sakuya had learned about it as soon as his return to Japan was finalized.

He had gone to see his grandfather as soon as he got home, and when he brought up his proposed marriage partner, his grandfather had said, his eyes full of tears, “My dearest wish will be realized during my lifetime. Nothing else could make me as happy… Sakuya, the daughter of the Amamizu family, is the girl with mermaid’s blood, the one I’ve been chasing for so long. And it is your destiny to be wedded to her.”

But Sakuya’s grandfather had been talking about his “dearest wish” and “destiny” for the last eight years, and Sakuya had long since grown tired of hearing about them, so he hadn’t particularly paid it any mind.

So there was the girl with mermaid’s blood, the poison called Mermaid’s Blood, and the panacea named Mermaid’s Tears. And the Amamizu family seemed to connect them all.

Shinsuke sighed as Sakuya pressed his shrinking cigarette down into the ashtray, deep in thought.

“Sakuya. It’s fine to have a strong sense of duty, but it’ll come to nothing if you destroy yourself over it. Anyway, rethink your marriage talks with the Amamizus. I’m only saying this much because it’s your life on the line.”

His friend’s bloodcurdling warning made Sakuya waver.

There wasn’t much of the strong Western liquor left in the glass in his hand. However, Sakuya didn’t feel drunk at all.

Actually, he had never been properly drunk before. No matter how strong the liquor he drank was, it was no different from drinking water.

Indeed, it was quite clear to him that this friend of his had been worrying about him for the past eight years, ever since the circumstances surrounding Sakuya had completely changed.

“…I accept your concern with gratitude. And I’ll take care not to get dragged into anything troublesome. But I still can’t refuse the proposal.”

“Why?”

“When I decided to accept this marriage proposal, my grandfather was so happy, his eyes filled with tears. It was the first time I’d ever seen him cry. I just feel certain that betraying the expectations of my benefactor after I’ve seen him like that would be a grave sin.”

“There’s talk that she’s unbelievably ugly, the daughter of the Amamizu house.”

“Oh? Huh.”

For Sakuya, the girl’s outward appearance wasn’t a reason to reverse his decision. He gave an apathetic reply, which made Shinsuke raise his voice.

“Don’t ‘huh’ me. You’re playing dumb. Did you leave your mind in another country? The way you’re acting now, it seems like you can’t be bothered to think for yourself, and you’re just going to do exactly as your grandfather says. You’re the one who’ll suffer for it.”

“Is it really that strange to want to repay at least some of the debt I owe my grandfather?”

“If you want to pay him back, do it some other way. Don’t do something that will forfeit your whole life.”

There was no way the two of them were going to reach an agreement that day. Sakuya did think Shinsuke was raising a valid concern, but on the other hand, he also didn’t think his position was wrong, either.

After that, Sakuya and Shinsuke parted ways awkwardly.

So that girl is the one with mermaid’s blood…?

When he first met Asana Amamizu face-to-face, Sakuya saw that she was not “ugly” as Shinsuke had said, but she wasn’t exactly beautiful, either.

She had such a sickly, pale complexion that even layers of face powder and rouge couldn’t hide it. She had a frail build, and none of the vitality befitting a young woman was evident in the bits of skin that peeked out of her long-sleeved kimono or in her neatly arranged hair.

She looked like a corpse someone had worked very hard to dress up in glamorous attire.

However, while he hadn’t formed a very good impression of her father, Koutarou Amamizu, his impression of Asana, the daughter herself, had been reversed at the very last minute.

Besides—

He’d been thinking the whole time about his grandfather’s words, “…It is your destiny to be wedded to the girl with mermaid’s blood,” and Shinsuke’s mention of the connection between the Amamizus and mermaids.

If by some chance, Asana, the girl with mermaid’s blood, had something to do with the “destiny” that Sakuya shouldered, then he might come to understand something about himself, too.

If that happened, there might also be a way to get back to how he once was…or maybe…

Sakuya closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again and walked out.

CHAPTER 2

The Teacher and the Mermaid’s Flower Garden

Life went on, just as if there had never been any marriage proposal at all.

That was what Asana thought as her eyes vacantly traced over the words printed in her textbook.

A beautiful man stood at the lectern in the front of the room.

From the start of that week, beginning that day, the teacher in charge of Asana’s language arts class was Sakuya.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the reaction when he walked into the classroom had been extraordinary.

Asana felt certain that after the bell to begin classes rang and the sliding door into the classroom quietly opened, every single girl had stopped breathing for a moment.

One could say he had an overwhelming presence.

Immediately, the eyes of all the female students had been locked on Sakuya, who had walked elegantly across the room, as if he were gliding.

Even Asana, who had previously conversed with him face-to-face, was captivated by Sakuya’s lovely appearance when she saw him again in the classroom.

“Nice to meet you, everyone. My name is Sakuya Shigure. I will oversee your language arts lessons from today on in place of Professor Tomita, who has taken a leave of absence. I look forward to working with you.”

Sakuya had given his self-introduction with a grin, and the way the girls’ eyes glistened and their cheeks flushed showed that, just as the rumors had said, they all felt like they were in seats at the theater with their favorite actor on stage.

That was how good-looking he was.

When he turned his friendly smile to Asana, she had to admit she felt lightheaded.

I can’t believe he’s the man I’m going to marry.

As they had agreed, at school, Asana pretended like she had absolutely nothing to do with Sakuya. And so, unlike everyone else, she looked only at the blackboard and her textbook to avoid making too much eye contact.

“As you all know, this next piece is from a travel diary by a female poet in medieval times—”

Ah, but even his voice was charming and beautiful. Against her better judgment, she found herself enraptured by his low, soft timbre.

In all honesty, her heart began to pound whenever she looked directly at Sakuya, and she was so worried about not letting the girls around her find out about their engagement that she couldn’t settle down.

Asana kept desperately averting her eyes and somehow stuck it out until the end of class.

Then the moment the bell rang—

In the time it took Asana to let out a big sigh, the other girls mobbed the lectern, and Sakuya was surrounded in a flash.

“Professor, there’s something I don’t understand here in the textbook.”

“Professor Shigure, what are your plans after school?”

“Are you free on weekends?”

“Professor, aren’t you married?”

It was a barrage of questions. With the girls asking about everything from his lecture material to personal matters, even Sakuya’s cheerful smile stiffened. Without a doubt, it would be difficult for anyone to handle that.

From a distance, Asana and Kyouko watched the situation unfold.

“Poor guy. It’s like he’s a celebrity.”

Asana muttered without thinking, and Kyouko let out a little chuckle.

“It really is. He’s so popular, as always.”

“…‘As always’? Oh, yes, you said you were already acquainted with him, right, Kyouko?” she asked, startled.

Asana intended to keep her marriage talks with Sakuya a secret from everyone.

Given how popular he was, if she wasn’t careful and rumors spread that they were engaged, the other girls might resent her.

But maybe, if Kyouko was an old friend of Sakuya’s, it wouldn’t be out of the question for her to know about the proposal. Kyouko probably wasn’t the type to thoughtlessly spread rumors, but there was always the chance.

Kyouko nodded.

“Our households have had a connection since antiquity. So up until Sakuya left for the West, I saw him occasionally, and we would talk or spend some time together.”

“Oh, really…?”

“The Shigure and Himori families have also frequently intermarried. So—”

Kyouko cut herself off there, but she was staring intently at Sakuya, who was still surrounded by their classmates. Something in Asana’s chest stirred when she saw the look in her friend’s eyes.

While Asana was struggling alone, the day came to an end. The day had felt unusually long.

Today’s the day I have to go over there. Enough is enough. I need to heal.

The minute the bell signaled the end of classes, Asana gathered up her things quickly, before anyone could talk to her, and hurried out of the classroom.

She sped down the hallway while it still had few people in it.

The weather is nice…but…

She pulled a light purple umbrella from the stand by the front door and went outside, then around the back of the school building.

Before Yotsuru Girls’ Academy had been built, the whole area had been nothing but fields and forest.

Then several decades earlier, at the time the school was founded, the land had been leased as one immense plot, and the current school building had been erected.

On the list of title holders to that plot was the Amamizu family.

Ahead of her was a secret place, where only Asana could set foot: the Mermaid’s Garden.

The Mermaid’s Garden was one part of the land the Amamizu family was leasing to Yotsuru Girls’ Academy.

However, there were stories that when the academy was being built, every time the builders attempted construction there, without fail, there would be an accident or equipment failure. There had apparently been a succession of unfortunate disasters.

Asana walked in the desolate shade beside the school building and came to a stop in front of a certain thicket of plants.

Deep green leaves grew thickly on a camellia tree there, as if to conceal what lay beyond. Asana moved the branches apart just a little and slipped through, trampling on the underbrush.

A path revealed itself ahead of her, though it was hardly wide enough to be called so. Asana proceeded through the gap between the trees, just big enough for one person to squeeze through.

Before even twenty seconds had passed, she stepped out into the open again.

The refreshing burbling of a small stream filled her ears.

The round clearing was encircled by short, flowering camellia trees—in full bloom despite being out of season. In the center was a shallow pond, and in the middle of that pond stood a small shrine, as if it were floating there.

“This place is still a flower garden just for me.”

The secret garden, which she visited every few days, was breathtakingly beautiful.

Asana approached the pond, and the first thing she did was leave her bag and umbrella on the grass. Next, she took off her leather shoes and her tabi split-toe socks. Then she pulled the hem of her dark indigo hakama up above her knees and stepped into the pond.

She felt the cool water coming up to her ankles and the soft mud enveloping the soles of her feet.

She walked out to the small shrine in the middle of the pond. Then she climbed up onto the stone wall beneath the pedestal and carefully sat down, making sure the hem of her hakama did not get wet.

So peaceful…

The pleasant chirping of two different types of cuckoo birds coming from somewhere nearby echoed alongside the sound of the water.

She could have sat there forever, watching the way the pond’s surface shimmered and sparkled in the rays of the setting sun, full of the heat of early summer.

“I wish I never had to leave.”

Without having to go home or think about marriage proposals. If only I could just be here, like this.

As long as she was in the Garden, no one ever had to know about the thing that set her apart from her friends, about the secret of the blood that flowed in Asana’s veins.

She didn’t have to act the part of the model student or guard herself so that no one ever learned her secret.

The girl with mermaid’s blood.

An extraordinary girl born into the bloodline of the Amamizu family—for generations, that was what they had called the girls with that special blood. The girls healed instantly from any injury, so long as it was not something that would immediately kill them, and they were immune to illnesses.

She didn’t know how long it had been going on, but at least since before the age of the samurai, when the Amamizu family had started their business dealing in pharmaceuticals, these peculiar baby girls had been born into her family.

All those girls, without exception, had a birthmark that appeared on their left wrist. It was a mark with a scaly pattern, the one Asana had wished to erase.

For the most part, the fate of the girls with mermaid’s blood was nothing good.

They were detested. Some had been locked away their whole lives and lost their minds, while others had been exhibited in freak shows. Some had been played with as toys and had their whole bodies sliced to ribbons, while others had been sold from person to person, only to be cut, stabbed, burned, and finally beheaded wherever they went.

Any girls who had mermaid’s blood and weren’t killed in some horrible way were left to die, aging more slowly than ordinary people. There were never more than two of them alive at the same time. Before Asana, the last girl the curse struck was her father’s aunt, Asana’s great-aunt.

Her great-aunt had been imprisoned once her mark appeared, and her body had been continuously used for the enrichment of the family.

Then when she was in her forties, her blood had lost its potency, so her older brother, Asana’s grandfather, had ended her life by beheading her.

Asana’s mark had appeared when she was eight years old.

Once she became a “monster” that could never die from illness or injury, Asana had tried to somehow keep it a secret and had always covered the mark on her hand with lace gloves.

“I still can’t believe I’m arranged to be married to that man.”

She thought of her mermaid’s blood and her family. Of the marriage proposal and of being with Sakuya. Though she knew she had to liberate him quickly, she wasn’t sure how to do that.

Maybe I could get him to hate me instead… No, that will never work.

No matter how badly she wanted to keep Sakuya from being bound to her, it was hard to bear the thought of displeasing him, even for a moment.

Also, she was sure Koutarou and Ukiharu would not permit that kind of behavior.

If there wasn’t some other way to get her father and brother, and Sakuya as well, to understand, then…

I can’t trust my father’s promise, and I can’t imagine what other way there might be.

Particularly because everyone except Asana was so enthusiastic about the proposal, she was completely boxed in on all sides.

Asana clutched her knees and sighed. Just then, the underbrush suddenly shook.

“Huh?”

The Mermaid’s Garden was supposed to be a place no one else could visit. Until then, she was the only person who had ever been there.

Asana held her breath anxiously until a figure appeared.

“What is this place…?”

“Professor?”

He was slender and tall, with gorgeous black hair. Her first-ever visitor was unmistakably the same man Asana had just been thinking of, Sakuya himself.

“You’re…Asana.”

Sakuya also noticed Asana. Then his gaze shifted to the surface of the pond. The look of amazement in his eyes told her he had apparently stumbled upon the Garden by accident.

But even so, it was strange. The entrance to the Garden was largely hidden by the camellia tree, and it wasn’t even visible without moving the branches aside.

Asana had never even considered someone might wander in by accident.

“What on earth is all this?”

Sakuya was looking intently around at his surroundings, which Asana found a little bit funny. With a smile, she got down off the stone wall and walked across the pond again, then up onto the grass.

“This is the Mermaid’s Garden, Professor.”

“The Mermaid’s…Garden?”

Asana nodded and pointed to the shrine in the center of the pond.

“Yes. This is one part of the land the Amamizu family has leased to the school, but every time they tried to move that shrine, there was an accident, so it was abandoned, hidden, and forgotten completely. This is a place with history. You’re the first person to ever come in here other than me, Professor.”

For Asana, who was never at peace at home or at school, it was the one place she had to herself where she could rest and relax.

She had always thought she would be extremely unhappy if it was ever discovered and trampled upon by other people. She had expected it would feel like other people had run roughshod over her own heart.

However, the moment she had seen Sakuya, the feeling that had come welling up inside her had instead been a faint sense of delight.

Ah, so he’s still someone special to me.

As long as it was the man who had found Asana long ago, she could bear for him to know about her secret place. It was all right if just one other person knew about it.

“Why are you here, Professor?”

“When I was walking past, I somehow just knew there was something out of place with the tree branches… Do you come back here often?”

“Yes. I love this place. No one else comes here, though.”

“Hmm. But it really is a beautiful spot, isn’t it?” His praise made her as happy as if he had complimented her own achievement. “The Amamizu family’s land… The Mermaid’s Garden…”

Sakuya was thinking something over with a serious expression. After a little hesitation, he looked closely at Asana’s face.

“Asana. I’ve been wondering about this ever since we were in class, but is your injury from yesterday healed already?”

“Huh?”

“Well, you were hit hard by your father, right? I thought it was quite a serious wound, but it looks like there’s no trace of it today, so…”

“Uh…”

It was no wonder Sakuya was surprised. A blow like the one inflicted by Koutarou’s cane should’ve left her face swollen and bruised. In the moment, it had also split the edge of her lip.

However, there was no trace of the assault on Asana, the girl with mermaid’s blood. That was because girls with mermaid’s blood healed quickly; even wounds that would normally take several days to heal would repair themselves in a few moments.

Neatly cut incisions could close instantly, while things like gashes that were ripped open, blows to the body, and burns healed more slowly. There were slight differences depending on the type of injury.

But it was all so commonplace to Asana that she had forgotten about it.

“Ah, um, that’s…thanks to your kind concern. It healed surprisingly quickly. I appreciate you worrying about me.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but… I’m sorry. It’s just that it’s healed so completely.”

She thought about telling him. Telling him she was a monster that wouldn’t die unless she sustained some lethal injury, like having her head cut off or her skull caved in.

However, she knew he probably wouldn’t believe her even if she said it, and when she imagined how uncomfortable it would make Sakuya feel, she feared doing so would turn even that precious memory of hers into something painful.

If possible, she wanted to break off their engagement for some other reason, so they could both part with smiles and with him none the wiser.

I’m wishing for something incredibly selfish. I’m ugly, inside and out.

It was also selfish of her to want to hide what she was, and she hated that. She hated her family, and she hated herself. The only emotions that arose inside her were shame and misery.

“Well, I’m glad.” Asana’s eyes were drawn to Sakuya’s smile. “I’m glad there’s no scar left on your face.”

Sakuya’s long, slim, shapely fingers reached out toward Asana’s cheek.

If he touched her cheek, he would find out that she was running extremely hot. So, flustered, Asana turned her face away.

“R-right.”

Asana’s heart was pounding, but she couldn’t help it. The way Sakuya moved… He seemed used to handling women. She wondered if he might be showing her that on purpose.

She looked up at him, and the expression on his face was completely placid.

“By the way…” Sakuya looked around, then murmured, “It seems as if the Amamizu family is quite closely bound to the word mermaid. There’s this Mermaid’s Garden and the Mermaid’s Tears…”

His tone had become somewhat less formal, compared to how he’d spoken at first. Something about his voice brought to mind the impression of the young man who remained in Asana’s memory.

“That’s correct. It is said the Yaobikuni is one of the ancestors of the Amamizu family.”

“Impossible. Are you serious?”

Sakuya looked back at her in surprise, and Asana nodded at him. It was the genuine truth, passed down through her family.

They didn’t make any effort to hide it, and she didn’t think there would be any problem with telling him about it.

“Do you know the story of the Yaobikuni?”

“Yes, of course.”

The Yaobikuni was a woman who had eaten mermaid’s flesh and subsequently lived for eight hundred years.

In ancient times, in a certain fishing village, a fisherman had caught a mermaid. And because the flesh was so rare, it was served up at a great banquet. However, when the people saw that the figure of the mermaid resembled that of a human, they were uncomfortable eating the meat, and no one wanted to eat it.

There was nothing else they could do, so the men who had attended the banquet divided up the flesh of the mermaid and took it home with them.

The head of the village took the flesh home like everyone else. His daughter discovered it and consumed it in secret.

After that, the girl who had eaten the mermaid’s flesh grew up and married. However, although her husband aged, she remained forever young.

The girl returned to her family and was sent to be another man’s bride, but yet again, she never aged.

Many long months and years passed, until finally, she had nowhere to return to any longer. She became a nun and set off on a journey, traveling around the country.

“In the legend, the Yaobikuni was unable to conceive a child with her husbands. But that apparently was not the case.”

“And the descendants of that child are the present-day Amamizu family?”

“Yes.”

The very existence of the girls with mermaid’s blood was proof that the Yaobikuni truly was their ancestor. The mermaid’s flesh granted perpetual youth and longevity. That was why the Yaobikuni who ate it lived for eight hundred long years.

The remarkable constitution of the girls who possessed mermaid’s blood and were born into the Amamizu family, girls who healed instantly from any wound and never suffered from any illness, was obviously inherited from that woman.

Still, because none of the girls had eaten mermaid’s flesh themselves, unlike the Yaobikuni, they were not truly immortal.

“I see, so that is the Amamizu connection to mermaids, huh?”

Sakuya’s words were painful for Asana to hear.

A connection to mermaids. For Asana, that was nothing to be happy about. She wished there was no such thing. She longed to be an ordinary, average girl.

“Asana?”

She didn’t know what kind of face she was making at that moment. She knew she probably wasn’t maintaining her smile very well. When Sakuya called her name, she came back to herself.

“I-I’m terribly sorry, Professor. I—”

“No, the story of the Amamizu family mermaids is of deep interest to me. Thank you, Asana.”

Then Sakuya said he had to be going and acted like he was concerned with the time. He dug around in his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch.

When he did, something else fell out with it.

The thing fell onto the grass and rolled and rolled, several times, until it stopped near Asana’s feet.

“Professor, you dropped…something.”

Asana picked it up to look at it and froze. It was a small, round tin, dark gray in color. Asana knew perfectly well what was inside of it.

“This is…”

“Ah, sorry.”

As Asana stared at the tin in amazement, Sakuya’s cheeks suddenly took on a red tint. In a complete change from the mature, composed countenance he’d had until then, his sudden agitation made him seem a little younger.

“Yesterday, it looked like your injury was very bad, so I thought you might need some ointment, and I just… But once I gave it some more thought, I mean, your family runs a pharmaceutical company, so of course you don’t need any medicine from me, do you?”

Sakuya sighed deeply and put his forehead in his hand in embarrassment.

“I’m such a fool…”

The ointment inside the dark gray tin could be nothing else. It was the same ointment Sakuya had applied to Asana’s injury all those years ago.

She felt delighted and nostalgic—but also a little bit sad.

A complex mix of emotions gradually surged up into her throat.

“You are not a fool by any means… Thank you, Professor. I’m sorry.”

That was all she could say. Any other words got stuck in her chest and wouldn’t come out. Asana didn’t have the slightest idea what she was feeling or what she should do with her emotions.

Attempting to at least do something, she put on the best smile she could muster.

“Asana?”

She took several deep breaths. Asana swallowed whatever felt like it was stuck in her throat, then spoke in a falsely cheerful voice.

“Professor. Now, there’s something I would like to give you.”

“Oh, no, just now, that— Hmm?”

Without reacting to his questioning tone, Asana forced the conversation topic to change and offered him the umbrella she had brought with her.

“An umbrella?”

“Yes. Please use it. I always have an escort from home, so it’s no problem if I don’t have one.”

“But—”

Sakuya looked up at the sky like he had more to say.

Though there were white clouds floating here and there, the sky was bright blue, and there were no signs of rain. Asana was probably the only person carrying an umbrella on such a day.

“I think you may need it on your way home. Please take it.”

After Asana said that, Sakuya frowned as he looked back and forth between the clear sky and Asana’s smile.

Ultimately, although he still looked puzzled, he said, “All right, I’ll borrow this, then,” and took Asana’s umbrella with him when he left.

“Take care.”

Asana saw him off with a little wave and let out a small sigh as he walked away.

The feelings that had been threatening to spill over a moment earlier seemed to dissolve before she knew it, and she felt like she could breathe again.

Eight years earlier…

He would never forget it. He would never forget the day he woke up to find that his life had completely changed.

At the time, the boy who was then Sakuya Tsuno was living with his mother, Uiko Tsuno, in a tidy little semi-European-style house in a residential area on the outskirts of the upscale Yamate neighborhood.

Sakuya’s mother was the mistress of Atsushi Shigure of the aristocratic Shigure family. Despite being related to the head of the household by blood, as the son of a mistress, Sakuya was an illegitimate child.

However, he didn’t feel particularly unhappy about his circumstances.

Because even though Atsushi never showed any interest in him, the previous head of the family, Sakuya’s grandfather, Hamahiko Shigure, was concerned for Sakuya and his mother and discreetly supported them.

Thanks to his grandfather’s care, although Sakuya effectively had only one parent, he lived a more comfortable life than most.

The most obvious proof of that was when his grandfather arranged for them to live in a house that his mother, who made a living as a dressmaker, could have never afforded on her own.

As far as Sakuya was concerned, his family was just his mother and grandfather. He hadn’t cared about his father or the Shigure clan, and Sakuya lived a content life.

All of that changed in one day.

That morning, he rose at the usual time, but while he was changing into his school uniform, he noticed he wasn’t feeling well.

“What…is this?”

His whole body felt sluggish and hot, and his mind was in a daze. The area on his chest, right above his heart, was extremely hot, like it was burning.

When he examined it, he saw that the warm spot on his chest was bright red, like he had been scalded there.

At first, he thought he had developed some kind of rash, and he decided to ignore it, but by breakfast, the heaviness in his body had become undeniable, and he struggled to stand.

“It’s probably a cold,” his mother had said, but Sakuya found it hard to agree.

His symptoms did somewhat resemble those of a cold, but the one thing that was very different from any cold was the burning heat over his heart.

They called a doctor before the day was out, but his diagnosis was vague, and he also concluded that it was probably a cold, so Sakuya took to his bed for a while, but no medication could ease his symptoms.

Then—before he knew it—the red patch on his chest had transformed into a mark that looked like a flower.

“Sakuya, you don’t seem to be feeling too well.”

“I’m not… Some flower mark has appeared on my chest.”

The true nature of the mark soon became clear.

When he explained the situation to his grandfather, who had come to visit him several days later, his the old man’s face lit up with surprise and excitement. It was a bizarre reaction.

“That…that mark… The reincarnation from the legends—”

It was unclear why Sakuya was the one.

Through the months and years, for almost a millennium, countless boys had been born and died as part of the ancient Shigure bloodline. It was not clear at all why Sakuya, or any of the others, had been chosen.

According to Sakuya’s grandfather, a long time ago, the Shigure family had been feudal aristocrats. And in one of those early generations, there had been a chief who had somehow lived for two hundred years, managing their affairs as the head of the family.

“The flower birthmark is the sign that you are his successor. You have been chosen… I certainly never expected I would lay eyes on the mark in my lifetime.”

All Sakuya could do was look on in bewilderment at his grandfather, who was overcome with emotion.

The man had a great respect for history and tradition, even as he simultaneously embraced the new Western culture and the changes that were coming to the country. He was well-versed in the customs and traditions that had been passed down in the Shigure family for generations and cherished them, even when everyone else derided them as old-fashioned and ignored them.

His grandfather’s reaction made it clear to Sakuya that the mark was something very important.

However, Sakuya didn’t really understand.

The only thing he was certain of was that he was somehow even more special to his grandfather than he had ever been before.

After that, things progressed swiftly, against Sakuya’s will. At first slowly, then gradually picking up speed.

Sakuya was apparently the reincarnation of that legendary lord.

He didn’t know how word got out, but in a flash, the rumor had spread to the whole Shigure family. When it did, they all thought along the same lines.

Perhaps the old man is going to endorse Sakuya as the next patriarch.

Of course, the right to make that decision ultimately rested with Atsushi Shigure, the current patriarch. Besides, Atsushi had a legitimate son with his legal wife, and Sakuya, his illegitimate second son, should never have been in consideration as a successor.

And yet the possibility that it might happen was undeniable.

His grandfather’s influence was even stronger now that he had resigned from his position as patriarch, and the possibility looked even more likely once Sakuya had been transferred into the family register according to his grandfather’s wishes.

Not surprisingly, Atsushi was vehemently opposed to the transfer.

In the end, he could not ignore his father’s desires and decided to place the troublemaker Sakuya where he could keep an eye on him and keep him under observation.

Sakuya went to live at the Shigure family’s estate.

His father would not entertain refusal.

Everything about his life had changed. His name, his house, his standing—even his own body.

“I don’t want to be here.”

Sakuya spent only a meager amount of time at the Shigure household. But even though it was short, his time in that house was a nightmare.

There was his father, who only intended to keep him around without giving him anything to do.

Plus, his stepmother and half-brother were hostile toward him.

His relatives and school fellows did an about-face and tried to curry his favor.

Women began to approach him, despite having always looked down on him for being a mistress’s son.

Those vague words, dearest wish and destiny, seemed to follow him around.

Sakuya was completely isolated. Even so, he tried his best to win people over, but he was never rewarded for his efforts.

He was betrayed. Over, and over, and over again. Every time he placed his trust in someone, his heart got trampled.

He couldn’t stand it. That was why he ran away. With his grandfather’s help, he escaped to a foreign country.

It was taxing to have to see everyone around him as an enemy, to not be able to trust anyone. He started to feel like he was losing himself, and that sensation was so dreadful, he couldn’t bear it.

By the time Sakuya finished his paperwork in the staff room, discarded the cigarette he had been smoking in an ashtray, and left the school building, the sky had turned slate gray, and rain was pouring down.

The characteristic smell of the humid air filled his nostrils.

It really did rain…

Almost speechless with surprise, he looked down at the Western-style umbrella in his hand.

The simple, undecorated, light purple umbrella was a bit small for a man, but it did not look that strange for him to be holding it.

“…Thank you, Professor. I’m sorry.”

She had left a strange impression on him, with her lonely-looking smile, her gratitude, and her apology. Sakuya himself didn’t understand why he was so hung up on that girl’s behavior.

However, suddenly, a fragment of a memory that had been submerged in the depths of his mind rose to the surface of his awareness.

“…It’s fine. I’m all right now.”

When had that happened?

He shook away the fleeting, hazy memory that refused to be pinned down.

Instead, the inside of Sakuya’s mind swirled like a cyclone with the story he had heard from Asana in the Mermaid’s Garden.

“Yaobikuni, huh…?”

He was curious. The Yaobikuni meant mermaids and immortality.

A girl who possessed mermaid’s blood and was descended from a Yaobikuni would be Sakuya’s bride. That was what his grandfather had told him, and Sakuya wondered just what the old man’s real intentions might have been.

To start with, he wanted to know the significance of a girl having mermaid’s blood. He supposed it meant there was something special about her.

Just like his own body.

I’ll find out soon at this rate, I guess. Once I get involved with the Amamizu family.

Lost in thought, Sakuya gratefully opened the umbrella he had borrowed from Asana, walked to the bus stop, and took the bus home.

To the house where Sakuya’s mother, Uiko, lived.

Since Sakuya’s return from the West, he had been staying at his mother’s house rather than the Shigure estate. He was worried about his grandfather, but he didn’t want to be in that house for even a second.

His father didn’t seem as wary of Sakuya once the young man had run away to a foreign land and didn’t make much noise about it.

…However, if I want to talk to Grandfather about something now, I have to be careful about how I approach him.

By not living in the Shigure household, Sakuya was also indicating that he held no animosity toward his father.

And so if he thoughtlessly visited the Shigure house, there was a chance he could arouse their unjust suspicions, and if he wasn’t careful, he might be viewed as a rival again.

He didn’t even want to imagine what would happen then.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back. What an incredible downpour that was. Oh, what’s that? An umbrella?”

When he stepped into the house from the entryway, his mother, Uiko, who had come out in her apron to greet him, tilted her head questioningly.

“Ah, I borrowed it. From Asana.”

“What?! When you say ‘Asana,’ do you mean that Asana? Ah, no, I haven’t even met her yet, but you must mean her, the one your grandfather says is your partner, the one who’s going to marry you—that Asana?”

“Who’s going to marry me…? Mother, settle down,” he chided, forcing himself to smile. “That’s the Asana I mean.”

“Well!” His mother was all smiles as she looked at her son. “She’s a student of yours, right? What sort of girl is she?”

“…I’m not sure. She hasn’t really opened up to me yet, but I think she must be a kind girl.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“Sure, I guess.”

“So you’re close enough to be borrowing umbrellas from each other, eh? Terrific—that’s great. How nice to be young. I’m jealous of you. It’s making me blush.”

Uiko returned to the sitting room. She was very excited. Making a big deal over something like borrowing an umbrella was just what he would expect from his always-cheerful mother.

Like he had explained to his mother, Asana hadn’t taken down her walls yet, and neither had Sakuya. He had only accepted the marriage proposal because he owed his grandfather a debt of gratitude he could never fully repay.

I don’t regret it. But…

Try as he might, he couldn’t get the image of Asana’s gloomy, forced smile out of his head.

He had some feelings that were hard to define, a kind of uneasiness or guilt over prioritizing his duty and accepting the proposal.

“Do you think I would allow something like that? When I finally found you a good match after all this time?”

He could guess from the Amamizu family patriarch’s angry tone that perhaps Asana did not want to marry him.

That thought crossed his mind.

“Sakuya, time for dinner!”

Sakuya was brooding there in the front entryway, his thoughts going round and round in his head, when Uiko poked her head out from the living room and called out to him.

“Coming.”

“Oh, right, right. That reminds me, there was something I needed to tell you.”

“Hmm? What?”

“Before you got home, Mr. Honomi was here. He said there was something he wanted to talk to you about, so he was going to invite you out to a beer hall tonight.”

Anywhere was fine, really—a bar, a beer hall, or someplace else.

“He must have a lot of time on his hands.”

Obviously, the conversation would be a continuation from the previous day.

There was no way Shinsuke’s thoughts on the matter had changed, but now that Sakuya had met Asana, he was feeling more convinced that he mustn’t give up on this marriage proposal.

He felt depressed just thinking about having the same pointless argument all over again.

“Good grief… I never expected it would turn out like this.”

He couldn’t imagine Shinsuke sincerely celebrating his marriage, but he’d also never expected his friend to be so strongly opposed.

It was even more troubling because it was obvious that Shinsuke’s insistence stemmed from concern.

“Oh, and—” Sakuya let out a sigh, and Uiko made things even worse. “—a call came in from the Shigure house. Ms. Kyouko, from the Himori family, would like you to accompany her to school tomorrow morning.”

“Kyouko would…?”

He felt like his troubles were popping up in front of him.

That was another name he didn’t particularly want to hear, so Sakuya looked up toward the heavens.

The most relaxing time I’ve had so far was the time I spent in the Mermaid’s Garden.

Though it had only been a short time, he had felt incredibly at ease in that refreshing, tranquil spot away from all the hustle and bustle, conversing with Asana, who didn’t probe into unnecessary topics.

His head hurt whenever he thought about the Amamizu family, but with her, it seemed like he might be surprisingly compatible.

For the moment, that was the one thing that didn’t worry him.

CHAPTER 3

Likes and Dislikes

That day, when Asana woke up on her worn-out, deflated futon, she grimaced again at the heaviness in her head and body.

The sun shining through the latticework window was hidden by a cloud, and the sky had barely brightened. In the dim light, Asana somehow managed to get herself up and begin dressing.

She washed her face in cold water, which she drew in a bucket from the sink behind the house, and applied some light makeup.

She managed to improve the appearance of both her pallid skin, with its wan complexion and visible veins, and her chapped, colorless lips with powder and rouge.

She carefully combed through her long black hair and tied it into two braids. She wound those around her head and secured them there, into the same crown-like hairstyle she usually wore.

She took off her nightclothes and pulled tabi socks onto her bare feet. Her unlined kimono was a pale blue, almost white, with small flower blossoms cascading across it. Then she put on the deep indigo andon-style hakama, the student uniform for Yotsuru Girls’ Academy, and after fitting lace gloves onto both hands, she was finished.

When she peered into her vanity mirror at the end of all her work, the schoolgirl reflected there had a grim expression, like someone who was already dead.

As she stared at that face, Asana smiled, producing a sullen grin. It wasn’t so bad. She was sure that by the time she got to school, she would have worked up to a slightly more natural expression.

A short distance from the Academy, Asana climbed out of her family’s private car and walked the rest of the way under an oppressively cloudy sky.

There were many other students around her, walking to school just like Asana was or arriving on bicycles.

In the crowd, one figure in particular caught her eye.

Ah, she thought, it’s the professor.

Although Sakuya had always worn perfectly stylish Western clothes ever since the day she first met him at the marriage interview, that morning, he was wearing elegant Japanese attire.

Over a white shirt with a tall collar, he wore a long kimono with a crisp pine-needle pattern, as well as a pair of hakama.

Western clothing suited him, but sure enough, with Sakuya’s beautiful straight black hair that spilled over his shoulders, Japanese-style clothing really complemented his handsome features.

He looks amazing just walking to school. Maybe handsome men just look good no matter what they wear.

While Asana was thinking that, she noticed a schoolgirl walking next to Sakuya, and her eyes widened in astonishment.

“Is that Kyouko?”

Sakuya looked like he was nodding in agreement with something, while the girl next to him looked back at him with a smile.

Asana could see her profile, and it was unmistakably Kyouko.

Her friend had said that they were old acquaintances, but arriving at school together in such a familiar way seemed bold, considering the gossip about Sakuya.

“I guess they really do have that kind of relationship…”

“Do you mean Professor Shigure?”

Asana had just been talking to herself, but someone beside her unexpectedly responded with a question, and she spun around in shock.

“To-Tomono!” The younger student who adored Asana looked as cute as a baby bunny, as always. Asana’s expression turned sour as she tried to quiet her racing heart. “You startled me.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you so suddenly.”

“Tomono?”

“I always insist on following you around… I’m sure I annoy you, Big Sister.”

Tomono slumped like a wilted flower, so Asana hurried to explain herself.

“Not at all. I really was just startled. I’m not angry, and I don’t think you’re annoying.”

When she said that, Tomono grinned. “Thank goodness,” she said cheerfully.

She had probably also been deliberately acting upset, in response to Asana pretending to be angry.

I’m afraid to imagine what she’ll be like in the future… Tomono may turn out to be a diabolical woman…

Despite how taken aback Asana was, Tomono tilted her head innocently.

“So tell me, Big Sister,” she asked, “is it possible that you are also interested in Professor Shigure?”

In response to Tomono’s question, Asana gave a vague answer. “No, not necessarily.”

“Well, that is a relief,” Tomono said with an adoring smile. “I would hate to see you deceived by a womanizer like him.”

“‘A womanizer’…?”

“It’s obvious. According to what I’ve heard, that man has quite the reputation as a philanderer. What’s more, for someone who’s supposed to be a teacher to get so friendly with a student… There’s no question he became a teacher so he could chase young girls. I’m sure of it.”

“A bad reputation…”

She had never heard those rumors, and moreover, Tomono’s opinion was definitely biased, but Asana also didn’t know Sakuya well enough to be able to correct her.

“But listen, Big Sister.”

“What is it?”

“If you were to say that you wanted to belong to Professor Shigure, I, Tomono Yuhata, would do everything I could to support you. It goes without saying that your wishes are more important than my fondness for you.”

Asana looked at Tomono, who had puffed her chest out bravely, and smiled bitterly.

The hazy mist that had been hanging over her head since she spotted Sakuya walking alongside Kyouko had dispersed.

Once again, Asana hurried out of the classroom as soon as the day’s lessons were over.

Earlier during class, she had decided that there was something she needed to do in the Mermaid’s Garden that day.

Asana stealthily took a set of pruning shears and a small wooden stepladder out of the storehouse behind the school building and headed for the Garden.

The day was slightly cloudy and not overly hot—the perfect weather for some yard work.

“Here goes!”

Asana promptly set up the stepladder beside the camellia tree that concealed the pond and shrine, climbed up on it, and began trimming branches, the shears clacking.

Really, she should have pruned the tree some time before, but she had completely forgotten to do so.

The Mermaid’s Garden was originally the place where the remains of all the girls with mermaid’s blood were burned and their ashes buried.

As far as the Amamizu family was concerned, it was a detestable spot, a symbol of the many years of sin and corruption hidden behind their prosperity.

Accordingly, it seemed like the only people who regularly set foot in the Garden were the girls with mermaid’s blood.

In recent times, the Amamizu family had abandoned their responsibility for the plot and loaned it to the school, but ultimately, it remained an isolated place.

That’s why I’m the only one who’s going to look after it…

Of course, Asana did not know much about gardening. However, she had read some books on the subject and had been pruning the trees every year since starting school at the Academy, learning by experience.

“I think I can cut some off here. And here, too.”

At first, she had been somewhat hesitant, but she gradually grew bolder as she got used to the chore and trimmed the branches with the shears.

There were many white blossoms on the camellia branches, and its leaves were overgrown, too. The slim extremities of the branches had been growing unchecked, and the tree looked like some kind of leafy woodland spirit.

Asana lopped off those branches without caring whether she cut off leaves or flowers.

That camellia bloomed all year round without withering.

It was said the tree had grown from one of many cuttings taken from a camellia that had been planted in the spot where the Yaobikuni died, so it probably had something to do with the power of the mermaid.

If she didn’t cut off any of the flowers and left them all, then the branches and leaves would begin to sag.

Though her books said that after removing the flowers that bloomed during the winter, spring was the best time for pruning, the seasons didn’t seem to matter to this tree’s growth.

But because she tended to forget about it if she didn’t set a schedule, Asana had decided to prune in the spring, like the books recommended. Although this year, she was a little late.

When Sakuya had wandered into the Garden the day before, it had reminded her that she hadn’t been looking after it, and she’d felt embarrassed by that.

“Aww, I cut too much.”

As she got caught up in her work, Asana carelessly cut off a branch that she hadn’t meant to. But she soon remembered that this was no ordinary camellia and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Yes, well, it’ll be fine… Certainly.”

“What are you doing?”

“Eeek!”

A voice suddenly called out to her from behind, and her heart skipped a beat. Without meaning to, she nearly dropped the shears she was holding, and after quickly fixing her grip on them, she turned to look behind her.

“Professor?” When she turned around, she saw Sakuya standing there, wearing his pine-green kimono, blinking at her. Just like with Tomono, he had easily startled her. “I—I didn’t notice your arrival.”

“Ah, right, could I have a moment?”

He held something up for Asana to see, and it was the light purple umbrella she had lent him the day before. Apparently, he had gone out of his way to come and return it to her.

Asana carefully descended the stepladder and accepted the umbrella from his hands.

“I was surprised yesterday, you know. I didn’t actually expect it to rain.”

Sakuya was talking quickly, making his astonishment apparent. It was quite charming and made Asana smile.

“I’m glad. If my prediction had been off, I might have made you carry around something you didn’t need.”

“No. Thanks to you, I got home without getting rained on. I appreciate it.”

Sakuya’s casual, easy words of gratitude made her incredibly happy. She was glad she could be helpful to him, even in such a trivial way.

As a matter of fact, reading the weather was one of the less significant skills of the girls with mermaid’s blood.

Like the pungent smell of warm rain, the smell of mermaid’s blood was fishy and earthy. Consequently, Asana was extremely sensitive to that smell. That was all there was to it.

There were stories about the Yaobikuni being especially good at predicting the weather, so there was probably some connection to her at play.

“You’re very welcome… Are you going back to work after this?”

“Yeah. I still have a little bit left to do for tomorrow’s lessons. I just stepped out for a break and came to return the umbrella. Are you pruning the camellia tree?”

“Yes.”

Simultaneously, Asana and Sakuya moved over to the raised grassy area around the pond and sat down next to each other, leaving a gap big enough for about two people between them.

Asana hadn’t noticed while she was focused on her work, but once she took a seat and settled down, she felt just a little bit tired.

“Is it all right if I smoke?”

Sakuya made a point of asking, and Asana nodded.

“I don’t mind. Ah, but please don’t toss your cigarette butts aside here.”

“Ha-ha, thanks. I’ll be careful not to.”

With a chuckle, he lit his cigarette, then deeply inhaled and exhaled the smoke. Sakuya’s gestures had something startlingly erotic about them, and Asana felt her cheeks growing hot just watching him.

…He looks good no matter what he does, huh?

Unaware that Asana was desperately trying to keep her composure, Sakuya opened his mouth to speak.

“I thought so yesterday, too, but this camellia is really something. Every branch is still in full bloom, even though the season is over already. I didn’t know you were caring for it.”

“Professor, this camellia blooms all year round.”

“Huh?!”

Sakuya’s eyes opened wide in shock. It was funny how they had been doing nothing but startling each other since he showed up.

As she listened intently to the sound of the water in the pond, Asana gave herself over to the cool, refreshing atmosphere. Whenever she did so, she felt as if her mind and body were dissolving, and it felt nice.

“But I’m not all that happy about it.”

Despite telling herself not to speak her mind, Asana couldn’t help herself.

She suddenly felt like she wanted to tell Sakuya everything. Even though she had no trouble hiding things from her friends and classmates.

“About the camellia flowers blooming all year?”

Sakuya responded with a question, and she nodded.

“Yes. If they’re going to bloom, doing so during the winter would be plenty… Actually, I’m not particularly fond of camellia flowers.”

There was a famous story about the Yaobikuni traveling the countryside, carrying a camellia branch in her hand. The Amamizu family, who counted her among their ancestors, could never detach themselves from the camellia, no matter how many Asana trimmed off.

The family crest of the Amamizus was modeled after the camellia flower, and countless camellias were planted in the gardens of their estate.

Every time she saw a camellia, Asana felt a muddled mess of feelings coalesce in her heart toward the Yaobikuni.

Even so, this place—only this place, though it was surrounded by camellia trees—was a comfort to Asana.

Because it was the final resting place for a great many women, women whom Asana knew had felt the same way she did about camellia flowers.

“Well, that’s just how it goes sometimes, eh? I also…don’t particularly like camellias,” Sakuya mumbled quietly, and Asana looked over at him.

“You too, Professor?”

“You know, I’ve got my reasons— Ah, let’s get off this topic. There’s no point in talking about the things we don’t like.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Sakuya shrugged as he made the suggestion, and Asana agreed with a smile.

Since they were taking the time to have a conversation, it would be better to discuss what they liked, rather than the things they disliked. Sakuya’s attitude was positive and kind, no different than it had been in the past.

“If you don’t mind, why don’t you tell me about a few things you do like?”

Asana wanted to know more about Sakuya. And she wanted him to know about her. Every single word he said filled her heart with warmth.

Asana couldn’t resist his request.

“Yes. Gladly.”

“Thank you. And I’ll tell you mine in return.”

Asana and Sakuya smiled at each other. The edges of his lips curled upward just a little, and she would have been happy to look at his gentle smile forever.

There were many camellia trees growing there. Each day after that, Sakuya helped Asana prune the trees, while they both talked about things they liked.

The content of their conversations was very simple, just trifling small talk.

“Asana, do you have a favorite flower?”

“A favorite flower… I’ve never thought about it. Do you, Professor?”

“Let me see, I think I like flowers that are not too small but not too big. Like bellflowers, pinks, and cosmos.”

“I like the sunny mornings of early summer. Professor, do you have a favorite type of weather?”

“Slightly cloudy autumn days, I think.”

“Cloudy days?”

“Yeah. I like that lonely feeling, like I’m the only person left in the world. I know it’s strange, though.”

“It’s not that strange. Even I have days when I wish I could be alone.”

“I really love the blue color of the sky on sunny days like this. Asana, what’s your favorite color?”

“I also like sky blue. But I think my very favorite is a deeper blue, almost purple.”

“I think that color suits you very well.”

“Professor, you are accomplished in foreign languages, so why did you become our language arts teacher?”

“Because I appreciate the merits of the language, literature, and culture of this country.”

“More so than other countries?”

“Right. Traveling abroad allowed me to see it. Every country has its own good points and beauties. However, that beauty branches out in infinite directions, and this country has a magnificence all its own. I wanted to communicate that to everyone.”

They talked about their favorite foods, about minor, everyday things that left deep impressions on them, and about literature and the books they were reading.

For Asana, those brief moments with her benefactor were like colorful pieces of candy packed into a jar, a sparkling, glistening treasure.

The fact that the treasure grew by one or two pieces, day after day, made her so happy, she could hardly stand it.

At first, Asana had believed Sakuya was keeping her company because he thought it was dangerous for her to be pruning the camellia trees alone.

But Sakuya apparently enjoyed their time together, too, as he turned up day after day in the Mermaid’s Garden, which made it feel even more like a dream.

About a week had passed since Asana’s first meeting with Sakuya in the Mermaid’s Garden after school.

During a break, Asana was sitting in the hallway outside of the classroom, chatting with several of her classmates. Even when they were out in the hallway, the girls couldn’t help but keep an eye on Sakuya.

Some time had passed since Sakuya had taken the job, but he was still a hot topic among all the girls.

“Professor Shigure really does always look so lovely…”

“I know it. Whenever I see him, I feel a little like I’ve spotted a Buddha or something, like I might live longer because of it.”

“For real. He’s a real sight for sore eyes. Oh, if only I could marry someone so beautiful… I just know I would be happy every day.”

Each girl had something to say, and Asana was forcing a smile to match Kyouko, who was sitting beside her. Then one of their friends looked their way.

“I’m seriously jealous of you, Kyouko, getting to walk to school with him!”

She must have been talking about that morning a week earlier.

It didn’t seem that peculiar, given the connection between their families, but, drawn in by what Tomono had said, Asana also suspected there had been something special between the two of them.

She could have cleared things up just by asking Sakuya himself, but she didn’t want to be thought of as a troublesome, prying woman, and she hated the thought of ruining what they had going, so she didn’t ask.

In response to her friend’s words, Kyouko raised her eyebrows and laughed a little.

“I’m aware that I’m indulging myself. But, you know, I couldn’t talk to Sakuya for so long because he went abroad. So won’t you please forgive me?”

“Sure, sure! No one’s complaining when it’s you, Kyouko.”

“That’s right. A gentleman like Professor Shigure is a good match for someone like you anyway, Kyouko.”

When she saw all her friends nodding in agreement, a sudden scarlet tinge appeared on Kyouko’s cheeks.

Asana witnessed it up close and personal, and for some reason, it gave her a bad feeling.

And if that was the case, then what?

Asana hadn’t said anything, and her friends’ attention shifted to her.

“I’m sure you’ll be married to a wonderful gentleman, too, Asana.”

“Huh?”

She blinked repeatedly at the unexpected statement.

Married to a wonderful gentleman.

For the past few years, she had only considered she might marry Viscount Katsui, and such fanciful thoughts had never crossed her mind.

Now she was tentatively engaged to Sakuya, but that itself was a source of worry.

But her friends’ chattering did not stop.

“I mean, you get excellent marks, Asana, and your family’s business is flourishing, too.”

“She’s right. Besides, you’ve got a unique appeal to you, too. Many of the girls in the lower grades have their hearts set on you, Asana.”

“Th-there you go again…”

Asana laughed the comments off. Then, at exactly that moment, she caught sight of Sakuya walking down the hallway a short distance away.

Her friends all reacted to his presence, as if they had just been waiting for him to appear.

“Look, it’s Professor Shigure!”

“He really…looks amazing again today.”

“Even the way he walks is different from other men, see?”

They all let out deep, deep sighs. And not just Asana’s friends. All the classmates around them did, too.

And Kyouko—her eyes were moist for some reason, and she was staring intently at Sakuya.

I…

Asana put on a little smile, keeping her true emotions off her face as best she could, and turned from her friends to look over at Sakuya.

Their eyes met.

She felt it as soon as her and Sakuya’s gazes intersected. But while Asana’s breath caught in her throat, Sakuya smiled, ever so slightly.

It looked less like the smile she saw from the teaching lectern and more like the genuine smile he wore when he let his guard down a little in the Mermaid’s Garden.

Why?

Before she could ponder it too deeply, a high-pitched round of shrieking arose right beside her and interrupted Asana’s train of thought.

“Aaah! Did you see that just now?”

“Yes, Professor Shigure smiled at us!”

“No way, he was smiling at us over here!”

“Uh-uh, he was definitely smiling at us!”

“Come on, there’s no way Professor Shigure was smiling at you. That smile was for his old friend Kyouko.”

The girls’ fight devolved into a shouting match. Apparently, Asana was not the only one who thought Sakuya had smiled at her.

Good grief. But that makes sense.

She felt relieved but also a little bit lonesome.

Surely Sakuya had merely been smiling considerately at his students, who were making a big fuss over him. It was like when a star performer showered adoring fans with smiles.

Asana was just like the rest of them. She had completely misunderstood him and imagined that she was special.

“Kyouko, Professor Shigure sure knows how to please his students, huh…? Kyouko?”

For some reason, there was no reply from her friend. Asana stopped smiling and slowly peeked at the girl beside her.

“Ah, sorry. I spaced out.”

Maybe because she realized Asana was looking at her, Kyouko seemed to come back to her senses and hurried to smooth things over.

But Asana hadn’t failed to notice.

Kyouko had been staring wistfully at the spot where Sakuya had been standing…and kept on staring long after he was gone.

After school, Asana went to the Mermaid’s Garden alone. She sat on the grass and stared at the surface of the pond.

As she watched the water sparkle, reflecting the orange rays of the sun in its ripples, her mind began to clear.

But unlike before, ever since Sakuya had started visiting the Garden, Asana had been watching the glimmer of the water from the ridge of earth around the pond, rather than from the stone wall of the small shrine in the middle of it.

And sitting there, she harbored a small hope that he might appear there once again.

She had gotten accustomed to sitting next to Sakuya, enjoying the natural sounds and radiance of the Mermaid’s Garden as they talked, and even to the smell of the cigarettes he smoked.

I guess he’s not coming after all.

Happily, they had completed pruning the camellia trees the previous day.

The branches and leaves, which had been heavily overgrown, were clean and tidy now and looked somewhat neater.

It meant that Sakuya, who had been coming to help her with the pruning, no longer had a reason to visit.

She held her hand, fitted with its lace glove, out into a sunbeam.

The gloves she wore that day were not the ones she’d received from Sakuya.

If she wore the same gloves too frequently, they got worn out before she knew it. And so, although she always kept those gloves from her past tucked safely into her pocket, she often wore a different pair.

It’s lonely back here…

Thinking about it, she knew it made sense. Unlike Asana, who was only a student, Sakuya was very busy with the work of being a teacher.

Though he had only just taken the post, he was extremely popular. Not only was he good-looking, but he was devoted to his teaching and lesson plans and was an interesting conversation partner who was both knowledgeable and humorous. It was enough to make her worry that the other teachers might be jealous of him.

Even so—no, precisely because of that—getting to spend so much time with the busy Sakuya, as she had over the past week, was surely something of a miracle.

But that time had ended.

The sun gradually set in the sky as Asana mulled things over on her own.

“I guess I should get going soon.”

It was self-indulgent of her to sit there feeling unsatisfied.

If she invited Kyouko, or Tomono, or one of the other girls, they would probably be happy to sit and talk with her in the Garden. And yet she didn’t want company unless it was Sakuya, which she thought was selfish.

“But…I forget about the time when I’m with him.”

There had also been moments when they’d taken a little break from pruning and simply sat in silence together, enjoying the scenery.

But it was strange—even when they weren’t exchanging words, she felt more content with Sakuya than when she was alone and really felt like she was truly present there.

The sun sloped downward, sinking into the western horizon. The colors of night started to spread across the eastern sky.

The days were long in early summer. It would probably still be light out for a little while, but she needed to get home before dark.

Asana gathered up her things, passed through the thicket of camellia trees, and left the Mermaid’s Garden. When she did, she bumped right into someone—it was Sakuya.

“P-Professor…why…?”

“I’m sorry, I’m running late.”

Sakuya was breathing hard. His dark gray kimono was in a bit of disarray.

“Professor, you don’t… You didn’t need to force yourself to come when you’re so busy.”

“I had a feeling you were waiting for me. I couldn’t leave you hanging.”

“…I’m terribly sorry to have caused you so much trouble. I was about to head home.”

She had really hoped Sakuya would show up. She’d felt just a little bit disappointed and lonely to be spending the time alone and then going home alone afterward.

But that didn’t mean she wanted to make him rush.

When Asana bowed and tried to quickly leave, Sakuya followed right along with her.

“I’ll walk you home.”

“Huh…? No, it will only cause trouble for you, Professor.”

“Ah, come to think of it, you said you had an escort from home, didn’t you? In that case, I guess I mustn’t do anything so forward.”

“No, if you were with me, I could tell the car that came to get me to go on ahead, so…so, um…”

She started to say something, then came to a stop.

No matter what happened, as soon as she took a single step off school premises, people working for her father would be watching her. Normally, between being dropped off and picked up in the car, and these chaperones, there were two layers of surveillance restricting Asana’s movements.

All of it was in place so that Asana could not attempt anything rash.

But if she explained the situation to the driver, she didn’t think there would be any problem with sending the car ahead.

—What do I do? It’s hard to part with him.

Just a short while would be sufficient. She just wanted to talk with Sakuya long enough to make up for the time they didn’t spend together that day, just during the walk home.

They were already on close terms after the marriage meeting, and Sakuya had also walked to school with Kyouko, so Asana thought it would be all right for her to walk home with him.

What a self-centered thought that was.

If she wanted to liberate Sakuya from her family’s clutches someday, she knew she shouldn’t get any closer to him than she already had. But she could not help but wish to stay by his side a little while longer.

H-he’s just walking me home. And we won’t make any detours. So then, just for today—

Asana made excuses to herself, then turned to face Sakuya.

“Um, Professor? I wonder if I could ask you to see me as far as my house…?”

Asana timidly made her request, and Sakuya’s eyes widened for a moment. But immediately, his expression softened into a look of joy.

“Of course. Well, shall we go?”

Asana walked out of the school gate, sent the car ahead of her, and walked home with Sakuya. But before they made it very far, she started feeling terribly nervous.

Up until then, she hadn’t done anything with Sakuya at school, except spend time in the secret Mermaid’s Garden.

The sounds of their footsteps reverberated out of sync—clack, clatter, clack, clatter.

There were few people on the road as the light faded. Surrounding the Girls’ Academy were only some small houses and a few venerable shops that seemed to belong to a different time.

Almost all the students had already gone home, and though a few people were out, they didn’t seem to care about what anyone else was doing.

Asana wondered what on earth she would do if the other students learned that she and Sakuya were walking together, if it became a rumor, and if her friends—or Kyouko—caught wind of it.

I’m the only one who keeps everything about me a secret, which must make me a coward.

She wanted to spend time with Sakuya. The time when she was with him was pleasant. It was precious to her, and she wanted more of it, an infinity of time.

However, she knew she was not the only one who wanted that.

The guilt she felt toward Kyouko and her other friends made it hard to breathe.

“Professor.”

“Hmm? What?”

When Asana spoke to him, Sakuya turned to her with a gentle expression.

Sakuya was casually walking on the side closest to the cars on the road, shortening his steps to match Asana’s stride. Just as she’d thought before, he seemed to have some experience dealing with women.

Asana was certain he must have had many affairs before. Though that was based on hearsay from Tomono.

Even though it was too late to do anything about it, it dawned on her that this man, Sakuya Shigure, had probably favored other girls besides her.

“…Nothing. Professor, you’re…very kind.”

“Is that really what you were thinking about? Somehow, I feel like there’s more behind it.”

“I am thinking that, all the time.”

Asana put on a solicitous smile that was meant to look exceptionally beautiful.

“After all, you’re the only one. The only one who cares about me.”

Now and back then, she added mentally. Though her friends praised her, and younger students pined for her, no one was truly concerned for her welfare.

“The girl who marries you is definitely going to be the happiest girl in the world.”

Sakuya burst out laughing when he heard Asana’s comment.

“Professor?”

“I’m happy for the compliment, but you’re talking about yourself.”

“Huh? Ah—”

“I’d like you not to forget that… But listen, I’m not marrying you just because my grandfather said so. It’s because I think that together, you and I could form a nice, peaceful couple. These past few days, spending time with you has made me think so.”

Sakuya looked down at Asana as he adjusted his hold on the leather bag under his arm.

“Do you really believe that, Professor? There are plenty of other girls who would be more suitable for you.”

Kyouko, for example.

Sakuya and Kyouko looked like a good match standing side by side. Everyone around her had said so, and Asana had agreed.

Asana suddenly flinched. What she’d just said might have been a bit troublesome for him. In a panic, she forced a smile to cover it up.

“Asana.”

“Oh, no, um, what I meant was that I hope you can live your whole life with a smile, Professor. I’ve heard that good things come to those who smile, so…oh, I’m sorry. I said something I shouldn’t have.”

In her agitation, she’d accidentally said something careless.

However, it was what she really believed. She wanted her benefactor to have nice things. She wanted Sakuya to be happy. To not be bound to her and the Amamizu family.

Her cheeks gradually grew hot.

“…A guy like me doesn’t deserve such kind wishes,” Sakuya muttered. His tone was self-deprecating, but his ears were tinged slightly red.

It was quite some distance from the school to the Amamizu house in the Yamate neighborhood, but perhaps because she was walking with Sakuya, the trip was over before she knew it.

“Ah…”

Asana stood in front of the gate to the Amamizu estate and let out an involuntary noise.

What awkward timing they had.

At that exact moment, Asana’s older brother, Ukiharu, was apparently getting ready to go somewhere, and he and her mother, who was seeing him off, were at the entrance.

She saw her mother, Kiriko, looking up lovingly at her son as she adjusted the collar on his shirt and her brother talking to their mother with a gentle expression on his face.

Every time she had to see them like that, having a normal, loving parent-child relationship, Asana felt a pressure in her chest.

Never mind. There’s something more important right now.

If she continued walking with Sakuya, they would run right into her mother and brother.

She was certain that Sakuya would think something was strange if he witnessed the cold way Ukiharu treated her and her mother’s behavior.

I don’t want him to know about this.

She didn’t want him to see how she was shunned. She hated the thought of being pitied.

She wanted things to stay as they were—for them to simply maintain their relationship and their pleasant conversations as an engaged couple, to spend a short amount of time each day together, and then go back to being strangers.

“P-Professor. This is far enough. Thank you very much.”

“Uh, well, there’s only a little bit left, and I’ve got to give my regards.”

Frantically, Asana tried to part ways with Sakuya, who frowned.

“You don’t need to worry about my parents or my brother,” Asana said as she came to a halt.

She thought that, instead, maybe she could stretch out their conversation and keep him there until her brother and mother were gone.

This sneaky thought flitted through her mind, but it probably wouldn’t work with the conscientious Sakuya. If he said he was going to give his regards, then he was definitely going to pay a visit to her house and greet her family properly.

If he did that, he would meet not only her departing brother but her mother as well.

Sakuya gently took Asana’s hand as she hesitated.

His unexpected touch made her heart pound so violently, it made her chest hurt, and a tingle ran up her spine.

“P-Professor…”

“It’s all right. Let’s go.”

Nothing was all right. However, when he gently tugged her along by the hand, she had no choice but to go with him.

“Good evening.”

Ignoring Asana’s discomfort, Sakuya called out to her brother and mother.

The fact that he suddenly let go of the hand he had been holding was the only sign of how anxious he was.

“…And you are?”

“Forgive me for not announcing myself earlier. Pleased to meet you. My name is Sakuya Shigure.”

With a radiant smile and a slight bow, Sakuya gave his name to Ukiharu, whose brow was wrinkled with suspicion. When he did, Ukiharu returned the smile, forcing the corners of his mouth to lift.

“Oh, are you? I’m Ukiharu Amamizu. This is my mother.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Kiriko. My, what a lovely man you are. Mr. Shigure, was it? Are you an acquaintance of Ukiharu’s?”

Asana could tell that Sakuya, who was standing a little ahead of her, was confused. Kiriko’s tone was completely natural, and there weren’t any barbs or insinuations in her words.

But her question was strange.

It was unthinkable that a mother wouldn’t even know the name of the man who had proposed to marry her daughter.

Sakuya seemed to falter slightly but hid it immediately.

“No,” he said, “I am the person who has become engaged to Asana.”

As Asana had anticipated, Kiriko looked mystified and simply blinked a few times.

Asana felt as if her heart had been gripped by a freezing cold hand—a feeling she couldn’t describe as either sorrow or fear. It was so intense, she feared she would collapse if she let her focus wander.

“‘Asana’…? Well now, I wonder if that is someone I know? Could she be another acquaintance of Ukiharu’s? I’m sorry. It isn’t coming to mind.”

“Huh…?”

In utter shock, Sakuya turned around, and his astonished gaze pierced Asana.

What’s the meaning of this? What on earth is going on here?

Unable to answer his unvoiced questions, Asana hung her head, and Sakuya turned back to Kiriko.

“Wait, but that’s absurd. Asana is your daughter, isn’t she?”

“‘Daughter’? Oh, no, I don’t have a daughter.”

“What are you talking about? Well then, who is she? She can’t be anyone other than your daughter, Asana Amamizu, now can she?”

Sakuya appealed to her, pointing at Asana. But Kiriko’s frown deepened.

“‘She’? Please stop joking around. There’s no one else here!”

“…I can’t believe this.”

Sakuya groaned, and Asana tugged at his sleeve.

“Professor, please stop. It’s all right.”

Kiriko had once been a good mother.

She was cheerful and kind, and she always patted Asana on the head. She was delighted when her daughter learned to read, write, and do arithmetic, and she praised her highly.

At times, she had scolded Asana, too, but she had always been first in her mother’s mind. Kiriko, who always looked young and graceful, had been so proud of Asana.

However, once her mother saw the mark that had appeared on her daughter’s hand and the unnatural spectacle of her healing from terrible harm in but a moment’s time, she fell ill.

Kiriko wouldn’t accept her daughter, who had turned out to be a girl with mermaid’s blood.

Before anyone knew it, Asana had vanished from Kiriko’s mind and memories, as well as her vision and hearing.

And then, as soon as she forgot Asana, she returned to her original, lovable self but skillfully avoided anything and everything having to do with Asana.

I don’t want to see my mother suffer again.

At first, she had wanted Kiriko to remember her. But she knew that it would be better to leave things as they were and that things would be easier if she could endure it. Otherwise, the past would only repeat itself.

“Ha,” came a low, derisive laugh from Ukiharu, who had been observing the whole exchange. “That’s an admirable attitude, Asana.”

“……”

“Bridegroom, you should hear this, too. There is no one who considers this girl family in this household. We all reject her and keep our distance. We loathe her, and if you knew her true nature, you’d loathe her, too. Although in this case, ignorance is bliss.” Ukiharu’s lips twisted into a sneer, and he shrugged. “Even Mother rejected her again and again until she became the way she is now.”

“…Something is wrong with you people.”

Sakuya spat out the words, contorting his handsome features.

He was wrong.

Asana was not a normal girl, so she could never live as a normal daughter or a normal sister. There was no choice but for all of them to discard their feelings and attachments to her.

Everything was Asana’s fault, because of her deviance.

When she looked at her mother, who was staring blankly at her, she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Something painful was blocking her throat, making her feel sick.

“How dare you look so calm?”

Her brother took big strides toward her.

Ukiharu walked right past Sakuya and stood in front of Asana. He extended one hand and grabbed hold of Asana’s braids. She was forced to look up.

A dull pain ran through her. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out.

“Why do you always, always wear this face like you want to call yourself the victim?” Ukiharu said, baring his teeth, expressing his hatred for her. “We’re the real victims here. I can hardly believe someone like you could be my sister. Yeah, I’ve had that thought many times.”

“Stop!”

Sakuya pushed Ukiharu aside.

“Profe…ssor?”

With blurry vision, Asana sluggishly peered up at Sakuya. For some reason, he was the one grimacing, looking like he was on the verge of tears.

Ah, she thought. He had learned she’d been putting on a brave front this whole time.

She hadn’t wanted his sympathy or to be the kind of girl he pitied, but that had been a pointless struggle in any case.

She had wished to spend just a little more time with him, and this was her punishment.

“Asana, you don’t have to listen to this. That’s enough already. I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Sakuya gently covered both of Asana’s ears, enveloping them with his hands as if he was handling something delicate. Her brother’s disparaging, scoffing voice became muffled and slowly faded away.

This isn’t the professor’s fault, though.

The blame rested with the blood of the Amamizu family and Asana, who had manifested its curse.

Because Asana possessed the blood of the mermaid, she had hurt her family, and she was making Sakuya see her in this miserable state.

With his back still to Ukiharu, Sakuya spoke to him. “Brother-in-Law.”

“What? Are you going to cancel the marriage proposal?”

“No… As I will eventually be adopted into this household, I think it’s best that I become familiar with the Amamizu family sooner rather than later. Therefore, I’d like to ask if you would allow me to move into this house ahead of the wedding.”

Asana’s breath caught in her throat in surprise. Of all the things he could’ve said, he wanted to live in the Amamizu house even before they were married.

What contact he’d had with the Amamizu family so far had to have made it clear just how strange and twisted they were. Taking it upon himself to dive into that situation was not a sane thing to do.

“P-Professor. You mustn’t. Why would you go that far…?”

“It’s all right. I want to do what I can.”

“But—”

Then she remembered. Sakuya was someone who couldn’t turn away from someone who needed help. That was precisely why he had saved Asana in the past.

He had a strong sense of justice. And he felt an obligation to fulfill the marriage proposal his grandfather had arranged.

He was a direct and honest person. But at that moment, she hated that about him.

“That’s fine. You can move in any time you like.”

Of course, Ukiharu answered with a sneer. Her brother’s words from the other day echoed in Asana’s mind.

She had no doubt that, just as Ukiharu had said, her family would take advantage of Sakuya and would silence him if the need arose, doing everything short of taking his life.

“No, he can’t possibly!” Asana interrupted.

She wished Sakuya had waited just a little while longer.

She had her father’s word that he would cancel the marriage talks. Even though the chance he would keep that promise was infinitesimally small, she might have been able to use the promise as a pretext to negotiate and set Sakuya free.

There was no longer anything Asana could do.

“I said…I wanted you to be happy, Professor…”

“If I ran away and abandoned you like this, I would worry about you, and I would regret for the rest of my life that I didn’t do something. If that happened, I would never be able to smile again.”

He turned to her with his beautiful smile, and Asana couldn’t say anything back.

His expression was radiant and warm, but when she thought about what was to come, the world seemed to plunge into darkness.

“Father, I beg of you. Please cancel my engagement to Mr. Sakuya Shigure.”

Asana visited her father’s study late that night and bowed deeply down on the tatami mat floor.

Ever since the day of the marriage interview with Sakuya, she’d made the same request whenever her father was home. But she had never once received a favorable response.

“This is tedious. We’ve already made it to the point of an in-person meeting. The money will be coming in soon. Do you think I can reverse course now?”

“Please, I beseech you. I don’t care what happens to me. You can do anything, so…”

Koutarou, sitting on his cushion with his arms crossed, snorted with displeasure.

“No matter how we use you up, it could never equal the bride-price coming in from the second son of the Shigure family.”

“……”

“With that much capital in hand, we can buy a peerage, invest in new enterprises, and still have some left over. Do you think we can put you to enough use to make up for that kind of money?”

Still keeping her face down, Asana bit her lip.

If they kept Sakuya close at hand, they would be able to establish new business relationships with the bride-price money without dropping sales below where they had always been.

She didn’t know how much the bride-price was.

She could only tell, from the way her father spoke, that it was a sum they couldn’t soon match, no matter how much medicine they sold.

And Asana didn’t have any way to acquire that much money.

“You cannot. But still, please. Didn’t you say you would reconsider if I gave it my all?”

“I said I would think about it, but not that I would reconsider.”

She had known it from the very start—a promise like that was just lip service.

…And if I use any other means, other than arranging it through the families, I’m sure it would cause trouble for the professor.

The only option left was probably to plead her case to Sakuya’s grandfather.

But Sakuya had said that his grandfather was on his deathbed, and she wasn’t sure if she would even be able to see him, so that didn’t seem like a promising plan.

No matter how Asana strove to improve things, all she would do was drag Sakuya down.

Once she had that thought, she wished she could just vanish. She felt so frustrated.

“My god, you’ve been unbearably annoying lately.”

There was a chill in his voice. Her father, who had stood up without Asana noticing, grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet.

“F-Father!”

“Come! I’ll teach you some manners.”

“Ow, oww… Father, n-no…!”

Koutarou dragged Asana along, gripping her upper arms with such force that she feared they would break.

She tried desperately to resist, but her thin body, which had been in poor health for many years, was no match for her father’s strength.

He pulled her out of the study and down the hall. All the servants they encountered along the way pretended not to see anything.

Koutarou violently flung open the door to the annex and threw Asana inside, then slammed the door closed behind his back.

Asana’s body struck the floor hard, and she groaned from the impact.

“No, no… Stop!”

“You’re so loud. Sumako never kicked up a fuss like you do. I knew it was a mistake to send you to that academy. Girls with no learning are quieter, nicer.”

Sumako was the name of Asana’s great-aunt, the girl with mermaid’s blood before her.

For many years, her father had often spoken that name. Ever since the mark had appeared on Asana, he had compared his daughter to her great-aunt, preaching to her about what an obedient, quiet, and refined woman she had been.

He’d spoken of her with a great deal of hatred yet with passion in his eyes.

Koutarou picked up a leather whip that was sitting on a nearby bookshelf and gripped it tightly. His eyes were burning, focused only on Asana.

“Father, I—”

Still sitting on the floor, Asana scooted back away from Koutarou, who was approaching her with his back to the door. However, she was quickly driven to the wall.

He pointed the tip of the whip directly at Asana.

“Silence! All you need to do is shut your mouth and follow orders. And yet you’re always griping about something.”

Koutarou swung the whip down, aiming for his daughter.

Why won’t the world just let me die?

She had experienced pain like this so many times. She wondered why she was the only one to whom the serenity of death would not come.

It wasn’t fair. Outside this household, all the other girls her age were probably smiling and living happy lives.

They were probably working toward becoming wives and mothers, or striving in their studies, or getting caught up in a good book, or having secret love affairs. They were probably slumbering in their warm futons, dreaming of the future, full of hope for tomorrow.

Completely unlike Asana.

Gradually, she stopped having coherent thoughts. All that was left at the end was a vague wish that she might lose consciousness quickly.

CHAPTER 4

Boxed Lunches and Red Bean Paste Buns

The atmosphere in their classroom was practically giddy.

Everyone was pretending to read their textbooks while staring ecstatically at the young man standing behind the lectern. It was, by now, an all-too-familiar scene.

“Open your textbooks to page forty-eight—”

The girls were extremely slow to respond to Sakuya’s instructions. It was obvious they weren’t paying much attention to their teacher’s lessons.

With her textbook open to the correct page, Asana vacantly followed the strings of characters.

It’s no good. I can’t focus.

The injuries her father had inflicted on her the previous night hadn’t healed completely. She still felt dizzy, and she didn’t have any appetite, so she had hardly eaten any breakfast. The memory of the abuse was still fresh, and she still felt pain here and there. The ringing in her ears was dreadful, and it was difficult to breathe, and she felt completely disoriented.

She felt ashamed of herself for getting so worked up over her desire to cancel her engagement to Sakuya. Asana was utterly powerless against her father and brother. She’d come to understand that a long time ago and accepted it.

What if the professor is serious? What then?

Without really knowing why, she raised her head and looked toward the lectern. She did not make eye contact with Sakuya.

She always felt like the version of Sakuya who was her teacher and the version of him who was her fiancé were completely different people.

As her fiancé, he had a straightforward way of looking at Asana. He was kind, and he had even argued head-on with her father and brother.

On the other hand, as her teacher, Sakuya was cheerful yet distant. Asana was just another girl in his crowded class.

Maybe because of that, when she looked at Sakuya standing behind his lectern, he seemed like a stranger. For some reason, that made her both relieved and lonely. It was an odd feeling.

I wish what happened yesterday had just been a dream.

Sakuya’s declaration that he would move into the Amamizu house hadn’t made her feel any better. In fact, she wished none of it had ever happened.

“Professor!”

Suddenly, just before class was over, one of the students raised her hand.

It was Yoshii. She was a lively girl, who had a bit of a flirtatious side to her, but wasn’t really the type to say anything in class. It seemed like the whole classroom was holding its breath, wondering what on earth she was going to say.

Even Asana, whose attention had been wandering, was surprised by this unusual occurrence, and she looked back and forth between Yoshii and Sakuya.

“What is it?”

Yoshii stood up with a twinkle in her eye.

“Professor, to be honest, I’ve been studying on my own, and I just don’t understand this poem…” Sakuya left the lectern and went to stand beside Yoshii’s desk. With her cheeks flushed, Yoshii opened her notebook and showed it to Sakuya. “If you wouldn’t mind, could I ask you to read it for me?”

“Ah, from the Kokin Wakashu anthology, is it?”

Sakuya responded to Yoshii’s request by reading the poem out loud.

“—‘The cuckoo sings, and the blooming ayame—sweet flags of summer—do not keep me on course; I am in love!’”

Asana heard lots of sighs.

Some girls flushed or looked like they might faint on the spot, a few started to cry, and others froze with their hands over their mouths. The temperature in the classroom suddenly rose from the body heat of all the girls.

They were completely intoxicated by the love poem and Sakuya’s extremely charming voice, which was quiet but emotional.

Even Asana found the troubles that had been distressing her up until then vanishing, and she forgot to breathe.

…What a poem.

Of all the things he could have read, it was a highly provocative poem, particularly to be read in front of a group of innocent young ladies. Sakuya had simply recited a single poem, and Asana’s cheeks were completely aflame.

Sakuya himself returned to the lectern, as though he hadn’t interrupted the lesson, to deliver a very earnest explanation of the poem.

“What you just heard was a poem by an unknown author, included in the eleventh volume of the Kokin Wakashu, the Collection of Poems Ancient and Modern, in the first book on the topic of love. The cuckoo is a bird that sings in the early summer and signals the start of the season, but it is often used in poems to represent feelings of love. And sweet flags are, as you all know, flowers that bloom in May, but at the same time, the word also signifies one’s overall sense of reason or a logical path.”

Sakuya paused briefly and put on a smile with a hint of bitterness in it.

“In other words, it’s a passionate love poem that contains a lamentation over how love can make one reckless.”

Just as he finished his brief explanation, the bell rang to signal the end of class.

“We’ll leave it there for today,” he concluded. Then he added quietly, “…It’s really wonderful to study on your own, but next time, please save any questions for after class.”

As soon as Sakuya left the classroom, the class erupted like a taut thread that had been suddenly cut.

“Professor Shigure is such a wicked man…”

“I thought my heart had stopped.”

“Me too. But even worse because my name is Ayame, like the flower in the poem, so I had to hear him say it when he was reading… It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever been happy to have this name.”

“Oh, I’m so jealous! I want to try to get him to say my name, too.”

The classroom was still buzzing with lingering excitement and agitation. Every girl there had words of high praise for Ayame Yoshii, the girl who prompted Sakuya to read the poem.

“Yoshii, that was magnificent.”

“I don’t know how you came up with something like that—what a plan! I’d given up already, since everything in the textbook’s so dull.”

“Heh-heh-heh, you’re too kind, ladies… Ah, but—”

Yoshii had a big grin on her face, but her eyes were directed toward one particular student—Kyouko Himori.

“I’m sorry, Kyouko. I did something selfish without thinking.”

“It’s fine. I don’t care.”

Kyouko accepted Yoshii’s apology. She calmly tilted her head to the side just a bit and smiled. Her expression was as beautiful as an angel’s.

Asana heard someone breathe a quiet sigh of admiration.

But why is Yoshii apologizing to Kyouko?

“What are you talking about?”

Unable to grasp the reason, Asana directly asked Kyouko, whose seat was near hers, but one of their other classmates intervened to answer.

“Oh, Amamizu, didn’t you know? Kyouko is engaged to Professor Shigure.”

“…Huh?”

Asana’s eyes widened in shock.

Kyouko didn’t seem to pay Asana any heed but said to Yoshii bashfully, “If anything, it makes me even prouder, as his future wife, to know that all of you appreciate how cool Sakuya is.”

Asana could not understand the words her smiling, rosy-cheeked classmate was saying.

Did I mishear? Kyouko is going to marry the professor?

She’d never once heard anything about that. She’d vaguely considered that maybe Kyouko had those kinds of feelings for Sakuya. But to hear they were engaged to be married—

No matter how little Asana knew about the rumors going around, still…

It was like a shock of cold water poured over her boiling heart, chilling her to the bone.

“I’m so jealous of you. To think that you and Professor Shigure have vowed your futures to one another! That you get to gaze at his face every day and hear him call your name again and again.”

“It just seems like a dreamy life, doesn’t it? Just imagining it!”

“Oh, stop it, please. I said this earlier, but our families have simply had a relationship for a long time—that’s all. It’s only a verbal agreement.”

At that point, Kyouko must have finally realized that Asana was having a strange reaction. She turned to face her and frowned apologetically.

“Asana, I’m sorry. I wasn’t hiding it on purpose. The other day, when I went out with everyone, the conversation turned that way, and…”

“Oh, no, I’m—I’m not…”

I’m not interested in Professor Shigure.

Previously, she would have been able to say it without hesitation. But now the words wouldn’t come out. It was as if her throat was blocked.

Asana’s artificial smile started to falter.

“Oh, yes, I feel kind of bad that I couldn’t participate in that conversation, but, Kyouko, you and the professor are a great match.”

Asana said that as cheerfully as possible, and Kyouko looked relieved and reassured.

“It makes me happier than anything to hear you say that, Asana.”

Her chest hurt terribly. She suddenly felt a great gulf open up, separating her from the girl who was supposed to be her close friend.

Asana wondered if she was being punished for not taking her friends up on their kindness when they had made every effort to get along with her.

She felt like this was payback for the previous day.

She was getting her just desserts. Because she had kept secrets and acted selfishly.

And so—she had lost her chance to be with him forever. She had lost her opportunity to marry Sakuya. To Kyouko—a friend.

The Shigure family and the Himori family.

Both were old and honorable families that still wielded some influence. Those two families were a much better match for one another than the Amamizus, who were insignificant medicine peddlers. Even more so because the two families shared a long-standing connection.

But that… If that’s a factor, too, then…

She recalled seeing Sakuya walking alongside Kyouko.

She remembered how very natural they looked, as if they belonged together. Asana and Sakuya could never become so familiar.

She stroked her own rough cheek with a gloved hand.

There was no springiness there. Her skin was nothing like Kyouko’s, which was smooth, pink, and soft-looking.

If only he hadn’t offered for my hand, the professor could marry Kyouko, and I’m sure they would be happy. Kyouko’s a lovely girl everyone admires, and as her friend, I know that better than most.

She knew that a person like Kyouko was well-suited for Sakuya.

The noble daughter of an aristocrat, beautiful and intelligent, like a flower blooming in the sun, should be the one standing by the side of the princely young gentleman. Not a monster like herself.

During her lunch break, Asana sat on the ridge of earth around the pond in the Mermaid’s Garden.

It would have been fine for her to have lunch in the classroom, but there was something she couldn’t stand about being in that space, with the lingering suggestiveness in the air.

Moreover, everyone was flattering Kyouko with talk of how she would be Sakuya’s future wife, and that was terribly uncomfortable for Asana, who was the person he was actually engaged to.

Therefore, she had said she was going to the restroom and had covertly carried her lunch box out with her.

At any rate, I don’t suppose Kyouko knows about the professor’s proposal.

Asana racked her brain as she unwrapped her lunch box.

It was a matter of fact that the Shigure family and the Himori family had been friendly with each other for a long time, and ever since she’d first heard Sakuya and Kyouko were close, Asana had been afraid that Kyouko might find out about their marriage arrangement someday. But there had been no sign she’d been told.

Asana had considered that maybe Kyouko knew and was keeping quiet about it, but given what had happened that day, Asana now believed that wasn’t the case.

She was sure her friend would not have acted like that if she knew the truth.

“Which means that Kyouko really doesn’t know anything, does she?”

If Kyouko had obliviously assumed she was the one who was going to marry Sakuya, that would make things even more painful for Asana. It meant she was torn between a marriage proposal and a friendship.

But that’s not all.

The odd feeling in her chest… She didn’t think it was something she wanted to dwell on.

“What doesn’t she know?”

Suddenly, there was a voice from behind Asana. When she turned around, she saw Sakuya emerging from the thicket of camellia trees.

“Professor… Why are you here?”

“Well, I peeked into the classroom earlier, and you weren’t there. I thought you might come here in the afternoons, too. There’s a little something I’d like to talk to you about.”

He was carrying a small bundle in one hand. Brushing aside leaves and twigs, he took a seat beside Asana, leaving a fair amount of distance between them.

This was the first time Sakuya had visited the Garden during lunchtime, rather than waiting until after school.

“Don’t worry. I was meticulously careful to make sure that no one saw me coming here.”

“Th-thank you.”

“It would be awful if word of your secret place got out. So then, what does Kyouko not know?”

Asana wondered how to answer. She hesitated, then gave up.

Worrying over it alone wouldn’t get her anywhere. No matter how much time she spent thinking about something she didn’t know, she wouldn’t come up with any answers, and in this case, it was best to ask properly and make sure of the truth.

“Um, Professor?”

“Yes?”

“…Is it true that you’ve promised to marry Kyouko Himori?”

Asana asked her question timidly, and Sakuya looked shocked.

“Where did you hear that?”

Asana chose her words very carefully, so that Sakuya would not see how gloomy she was feeling.

She told him that Kyouko had said she was promised to Sakuya. And that their classmates had accepted the fact as a matter of course.

As soon as Asana finished talking, Sakuya frowned and let out a little sigh.

“That girl. I can’t believe she’d say something like that…” Sakuya’s demeanor indicated that, rather than being a difficult subject, it was something he was already tired of. “To get straight to the point, that’s a misunderstanding. You are the only girl I’m going to marry. I’m not involved with Kyouko at all.”

“A misunderstanding?”

Asana was rather curious to know what kind of misunderstanding there had been, as she parroted his words back to him.

Sakuya looked flustered and shook his head. “Really, there’s nothing for me to feel guilty about here. She’s just been clinging to me ever since I joined the Shigure household.”

In short, many years earlier, a young Kyouko had appealed to Sakuya, asking him to marry her when she grew up, and he’d brushed her off with some vague answer. But now that promise to marry had become a reality in her mind, or something along those lines.

Also, perhaps her mother and father had also said something to suggest that idea to their daughter.

“So then, what about when you walked to school with Kyouko?”

“You knew about that, huh…? I’m sorry. Look, it was just… I couldn’t refuse, and I thought that if I accompanied her once, she would be satisfied, so I went along with it, but I can see it made you feel bad.”

“No, it wasn’t enough to make me feel bad or anything. I understand now that I’ve heard your side of the story.”

“Hmm…it’s not that marriage never came up, you understand. Apparently, the Shigure and Himori households have had a connection for so long, it would make your head spin, and they have intermarried many times, too. Kyouko must have thought that if she attached herself to me, we might become a couple in the future.”

Sakuya explained and shrugged. “Of course, I’m not interested at all,” he continued, “and I don’t remember treating her especially well, even though she clung to me, but… Anyway, I object to getting married for the convenience of the Shigure family, so…”

Sakuya’s tone was uncharacteristically fierce, and Asana raised her eyes.

She felt like she was only now getting a glimpse of his hatred for the Shigure family, but Sakuya was only wearing a troubled expression.

He was probably having the bitter realization that, upon reflection, even though he himself might not remember being nice to her, from Kyouko’s perspective, he might have been nice enough.

“But, Professor, what about the marriage talks about me?”

You accepted the proposal, right? She almost said it but hesitated.

Somehow, she felt it would sound like she was blaming him or being nasty.

“The marriage talks with you are a different story. Those weren’t arranged by the Shigure family, but by my grandfather alone. That’s why I decided to accept. Though it might not feel very nice for you to hear me put it that way.”

With a smile, Sakuya picked up on Asana’s unspoken words and answered them. Of course, she didn’t feel bad about it at all. Actually, it was the opposite, but—

“…But it would have been better if you had turned it down.”

Asana muttered her real thoughts on the matter and hung her head.

She didn’t even feel like she could look at him.

Anger, sadness, disappointment. Either that or an astonished laugh and bewilderment. Regardless of which expression was on his face, she could easily imagine how much it would hurt to see it.

“Do you really hate the idea of getting married to me? Do you hate marriage, or me, or is it both?”

“……”

Asana was unable to answer. She sensed Sakuya suddenly stretch out his legs beside her.

“Well, it’s fine. For now. It would be a waste not to enjoy our lunch when it’s so nice out here,” Sakuya said nonchalantly. He was already completely used to the place.

“You’re right.” Asana nodded.

The two of them stayed like that, in silence, discussing nothing.

The Mermaid’s Garden felt especially pleasant.

A gentle breeze blew through the Garden, causing the grove of camellia trees to rustle softly, picking up the coolness of the water in the pond, and refreshing them. The sunshine was still pleasantly gentle, a far cry from the intense heat of midsummer.

Surely no one would have imagined that this spot had such a dark history.

Asana opened the lid on her cypress lunch box. White rice with a pickled plum, a rolled omelet, sliced turnip in dressing, stewed butterbur, and other dishes were closely packed inside. Of course, it had been made by one of the servants of the Amamizus.

The servants always acted indifferent to her, but their skills were undeniable.

They prepared lunches like this one for her every day. They didn’t seem to hate looking after Asana. That was why she tried to thank them as often as possible when she had the chance.

She peeked out of the corner of her eye at Sakuya’s meal and saw that he had a round wooden lunch box. Inside, it was packed with slightly misshapen rice balls and daikon radish pickles.

Maybe because he sensed Asana’s gaze, Sakuya smiled wryly. The way he smoothly tucked the hair on the side of his face behind his ear was strangely alluring.

“It’s embarrassing to have you looking so closely.”

“Ah, s-sorry.”

“No, it’s all right… It doesn’t look too nice compared to yours, does it? My mother isn’t that good at cooking, you see. But the flavor’s not bad.”

Asana put her hand over her mouth in surprise.

“My. Your mother makes your lunches?”

“Yes. Right now, I’m not staying at the main residence of the Shigure family. I’m living in my mother’s house instead. There’s a servant girl there during the day as well, but my mother likes to do things herself.”

His tone sounded exasperated, but the look in Sakuya’s eyes was very tender and loving, and Asana could feel the warmth there. No matter what his mouth said, his expression told her that Sakuya treasured his mother.

She had heard Sakuya was an illegitimate child. Between the hatred he had just expressed toward the Shigure family and the fact that he cherished his mother, she could guess he had some complicated feelings toward his father, who had kept his mother as a mistress.

“That’s really nice. A homemade lunch from your mother…”

There wasn’t any other hidden meaning behind her words. Her honest opinion spontaneously fell from her mouth. But Sakuya looked away somewhat uncomfortably.

“…Mm-hmm. I think I’m a very lucky guy. I’ve got my grandfather, my mother, and you.”

“Ah, um, and me?”

“Yes. You’ve been keeping me at a distance because you don’t want me to get involved with your family, right?”

Asana gasped.

She couldn’t believe her intentions had been revealed. Actually, now that he’d seen how Asana behaved and witnessed a scene like the one he had been privy to the previous day at the Amamizu house, it had probably been pretty easy for him to figure it out.

However, she didn’t confirm it. Instead, Asana muttered, “Professor, I think you’re just being stubborn. I don’t need you to pity me. I’m just doing what my father and brother expect of me.”

“That’s fine, even so. You know, I…”

I’ve come to like spending time with you here.

Sakuya looked at Asana, and she was sure she heard him say that. Those words penetrated Asana like no other words he had said to date, and she was happy. Because she felt the same way.

For a little while, the two of them moved their chopsticks around in silence.

However, it was not an awkward, uncomfortable silence.

The sight and smell of the water and vegetation that filled the Mermaid’s Garden, the sound of the birds chirping, and the presence of her fiancé, who was seated beside her, brought Asana peace.

“That was a good lunch.”

Eventually, Sakuya, who had finished eating first, started to clean up his lunch things.

Asana, who lagged behind, placed her palms together and also said, “I’m thankful for this wonderful lunch.”

They hadn’t had a particularly lively conversation or anything. And yet, for some reason, Asana felt very satisfied and let out a sigh.

Sometimes, when she was in the Garden alone, she felt like she was fading away.

I want to become water—

To become clear, beautiful water, and flow into the river, and then far, far away to who knows where, and ultimately merge into the ocean, becoming just one small drop in the vast sea. If that happened, no one would be able to perceive her anymore.

Bound by nothing, no joy or sadness, just drifting through the ocean. Asana was certain she would be happy and content that way.

She had the sensation that she were merging into the nature around her, as if that absurd wish of hers could actually come true, and she forgot all about the time.

But when she was with Sakuya, she didn’t feel that way.

Being with him had the opposite effect. It made her very aware that she had her feet planted firmly on the ground and that she existed in that moment.

“Asana?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Are you free today after school?”

Asana looked up in response to his unexpected question.

“Ah, sure…”

Unfortunately, she didn’t have the freedom to go anywhere other than to and from school. Even if she did go somewhere, she knew she would be watched, and if she did anything unwarranted, she would certainly pay the price.

“Great. In that case, I wonder if you would accompany me for a bit? I was thinking I might put myself in the care of your family starting today, but—”

“Today?!”

“Today. So I’d like to go ahead and buy the things I’ll need, at least. That’s why I want you to come shopping with me.”

The sudden topic had Asana bewildered.

She had not entirely believed that Sakuya was serious about moving in, and now he suddenly wanted to do it that very day.

Even more than that—it was Sakuya’s decisiveness and initiative that surprised her.

“Um, but I…can’t go walking around outside without asking…”

An outing with Sakuya. It was a very appealing suggestion, but it would be terrible if her father found out. More than anything else, he was on high alert in case Asana tried to run away.

Sakuya must have noticed her reluctance.

“Even though you’ve got lookouts following you?” he asked.

“You noticed?”

The way Sakuya smoothly mentioned the guards was enough to startle Asana all over again.

The guards monitoring Asana were masters at their trade. It was basically impossible for a layperson, who knew nothing about them, to detect their presence, and even Asana herself, who knew they were there, often had no idea where exactly they were.

And yet Sakuya had picked up on them.

“You’re really something, aren’t you, Professor?” She glanced upward at him with suspicion in her eyes.

“Not at all,” he answered with a grin that contained something dark. “And even if my father-in-law hears about our outing from his watchmen, there are plenty of ways to explain it away. Particularly because the bride-price hasn’t been paid yet.”

Sakuya chuckled, and Asana pursed her lips.

She’d learned something surprising—that the intense expression a beautiful man made when he was scheming was truly stunning.

Th-the professor has a surprisingly cunning side to him, doesn’t he…?

Apparently, he wasn’t just a gorgeous and kind person. If that was the case, it was very reassuring, but…

“Well, let’s get back. We don’t want the others to come looking for us.”

At Sakuya’s urging, they walked toward the entrance to the Mermaid’s Garden.

She didn’t feel the slightest bit of annoyance and melancholy she usually felt when it was time to go back to the classroom or head home.

“Professor, thank you.”

Sakuya did not turn around in response to Asana’s faint voice.

He must have realized from the fact that she had lookouts following her that Asana had no freedom. That was why he was trying to take her out with him.

Even if it was only temporary, while he didn’t yet know Asana’s true nature, his thoughtfulness made her happier than anything.

She started to like that version of herself, the one who could feel happiness, just a bit.

Their rendezvous point was a spot behind the deserted lecture hall.

Asana headed there, being doubly, extra sure to avoid being seen by anyone, and waited for Sakuya’s arrival.

She was nervous and unsettled, thinking about defying orders from her father and brother, about going out into town with Sakuya.

At the same time, she was also anxious that her classmates might find out about them, and the more time she spent with Sakuya, the less she liked to think about what was to come.

…I don’t suppose the professor will understand.

She wondered what decision he would make once Asana told him she wanted to end the marriage arrangements.

He might take pity on her and continue their relationship. Or he might listen to Asana’s wishes and retreat.

Either way, once he knew about Asana’s physical condition, things would never be the same again.

As she was standing there on her own, giving herself over to her gradually darkening thoughts, Sakuya appeared. It was still fairly early; the sun hadn’t even started to set.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Please, don’t worry. Is everything all right with work?”

Just looking at Sakuya as he approached her brought Asana’s gloomy feelings to the forefront of her mind. She found her own worries naive and irritating.

“Everything’s fine. Surprisingly fine. And I can take my work home with me, too, so… When I was living abroad, things would get troublesome in my research lab sometimes, and that was much more demanding.”

“Research lab? Did you do some sort of research, Professor?”

“Well, a little bit, yeah. Though I was more of an assistant. I looked after the belongings of visiting instructors, assembled documents, accompanied professors on field research, and the like. Teaching here is a completely different story—”

Every word Sakuya said sparkled in her ears like a rare jewel she had never encountered before.

A strange country. A strange culture. A strange lifestyle.

Asana found herself wishing to hear more of his stories. About the past or the present. As long as he was talking, she wanted to hear it.

A genuine smile spontaneously rose to her lips.

“That sounds hard but also somewhat fun.”

“…Mm-hmm, you’re right. It was fun.” Sakuya looked at Asana with a startled expression, then immediately broke into a broad smile and nodded. “Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

The flow of students leaving school had tapered off by the time the two of them surreptitiously left the school grounds.

Though the place was filled with such great hustle and bustle during the day, in the evening, the only sound they could hear was their own footsteps.

However, Asana was a little nervous about the possibility that someone might still be around and that she might be seen with Sakuya.

It occurred to her that it might have been better to meet up outside of school. But if Asana had gone wandering on her own, she probably would have been stopped by one of her watchers.

They made it to the edge of campus without incident and stepped out onto the road.

She had already sent her escort car home before meeting up with Sakuya. The driver had made a sour expression as he commented on Asana’s recent selfish actions but hadn’t really scolded her.

“It’s so lively…”

Together, they went out on the main avenue and boarded a streetcar. Through the window of the car, Asana watched many people coming and going down the street as the townscape slowly flowed past.

It had been a very long time since she’d ridden in a streetcar.

The car was crowded.

There were gentlemen in suits, stylish modern girls wearing skirts and hats decorated with flowers and ribbons, and men and women dressed in summery, single-layer kimonos.

Asana, who had only gone back and forth between her home and school by private car for many years, was excited by the chaotic commotion and all the smells.

She took a seat and intently peered out at the city while Sakuya, who stood holding a strap, observed her quietly.

“You don’t come out to the city much?”

“No… I can’t travel on my own like that. Whenever I leave the house, my father and brother get angry and follow me. It’s a miracle I’m allowed to go to school.”

It wouldn’t have been surprising if they’d told the world she was sickly and kept her locked up at home like her great-aunt.

But Asana was lucky.

Because her father, Koutarou, thought having another sickly woman in the family after her great-aunt would cause a scandal, and he wanted to avoid that.

He could have publicly announced Asana’s death instead, but apparently, Viscount Katsui’s interest in her had prevented that.

As Asana understood it, the viscount loved to torment girls who had acquired some education, knew something of the world, and had minds of their own, to some extent. Her father had told her that proudly.

In other words, regardless of how much education Asana received, it was just preparing her to become a rich man’s plaything.

“—Let’s get off here.”

When the streetcar stopped, Sakuya disembarked first and offered her his hand. Asana hesitantly took it and got off as well.

They were closer to downtown than to the Yamate district, and the city there was much less refined. The streets were extremely messy.

The shops, lined up eave to eave, and the banners standing out in front of them, as well as the clothing of the people around them, were all bright, flashy, and colorful. The designs were also unusual and unfamiliar. Just like when the whole city was filled with street stalls on festival days, everything she saw was vivid.

Asana was overwhelmed by the peculiar liveliness of it all. She had never experienced anything like it at her girls’ school, which could get a little boisterous but was a fundamentally orderly place.

She probably hadn’t been to this part of town since she was little, when she had still been able to go on outings with her family. She felt like this striking scene of the flourishing capital was completely different from how it had been in the past.

“P-Professor, your hand.”

Asana suddenly snapped back to herself and let go of his hand, which she had been holding for a few moments. Sakuya was staring at that hand with a very complex expression.

“Ah…I just… Beg your pardon.”

“Not at all.”

“On that subject, I’ve been curious this whole time, but…your gloves—”

Asana practically jumped out of her skin when the topic of her gloves abruptly came up.

She quickly hid her hands, which were covered in the same lace gloves Sakuya had given her, behind her back.

“Wh-what about my gloves?”

“Ah, a long time ago, my mother had gloves just like those… I suddenly remembered that now.”

“W-wow.”

This was bad. In truth, there was nothing bad about it, but Asana was still breaking out in a cold sweat.

It would be fine even if Sakuya remembered he had met Asana before a long time ago. That wasn’t a discussion that would cause any problems.

But then why did she feel like she didn’t want him to find out?

Is it because I’m embarrassed of myself for crying when I was younger? Or maybe it’s because I don’t know what kind of reaction I ought to have when he figures it out?

She couldn’t sort out her thoughts and feelings, and it was making her panic.

“If I remember correctly, I gave those gloves away.”

Gazing off into empty space, Sakuya searched for the memory. Asana watched him, holding her breath.

“That’s right—the day before that day…I gave them to a little girl. Which, I suppose, isn’t much of a story. Sorry, let’s go.”

Ultimately, Sakuya seemed to give up on remembering, and Asana felt relieved.

That had been a close call. But he had already arrived at the answer. It wouldn’t be strange if, at some point, he connected that “little girl” to Asana.

Though it would at least be good if the marriage talks end before the professor remembers the whole incident.

The two of them walked through town, looking around at the shops.

Sakuya wasn’t buying anything major, just daily necessities like a toothbrush, a razor, and a Western-style hand towel.

When she asked him about his clothes, he said he would bring several sets he already had packed.

“As far as things like bedding and tableware, we have sets for guests to use at our house, so those should be fine, I think. We can also provide you with towels and the like…”

Asana mumbled as she ran her thoughts through what items Sakuya would need to stay at her family’s house.

“Thank you, Asana. Thank you for coming with me on my personal errands.”

“Of course! I’m happy I can be of assistance to you, Professor.”

Sakuya stiffly expressed his gratitude, and Asana shook her head fervently.

She didn’t actually want Sakuya to come to the Amamizu house because she worried for his safety and because his presence would undoubtedly throw her heart into turmoil.

On the other hand, Asana couldn’t suppress the ecstatic, soaring feeling she was having. If she had to compare it to something, it was like seeing a single wildflower blooming along a desolate path. Like a single ray of light in the darkness. That was the sensation.

She very much understood she mustn’t get her hopes up, and yet—

She knew she mustn’t hope for him to rescue her from her current circumstances or wish for him to take care of her.

Because that would only bring him unhappiness.

“I’m grateful to you for saying so.”

“It’s the truth!”

“In that case, I’m even more grateful.”

They said so to one another, looked each other in the face, and simultaneously burst into laughter. Neither of them had said anything particularly funny, but the atmosphere between them was cheerful and friendly.

Talking with Sakuya was the only thing that allowed Asana to forget the worries that burdened her.

“Oh, I have an idea. Asana, do you like sweets? There’s a shop that makes delicious anpan up ahead. If you like, why don’t we stop in?”

“Anpan…!”

Asana’s eyes lit up when Sakuya said that word.

She loved sweets. Candies and jellies alike. Japanese style and Western style.

At home, they said that if she ate too many sweets, impurities would mix into her blood, and she rarely had the chance to enjoy any, so she had become even more obsessed with them.

“I’d like to go. Very much.”

“Great, let’s go, then.”

“Okay. Do you like sweets, too, Professor?” Asana asked him on their way to the shop.

Sakuya answered, “A normal amount. I like sweet things, and I like alcohol, too, though I don’t get drunk. I guess you could say I’m right in the middle, between having a sweet tooth and a taste for alcohol.”

“I see. I can’t handle alcohol myself. A long time ago, I had a little taste, and I felt absolutely awful.”

To make matters worse, she had been scolded and beaten severely.

If she drank alcohol, the spirits would mix with her blood and ruin its purity, so they said she wasn’t taking the family business seriously enough and was making fools of them.

Apparently, alcohol had more of an effect on the constitution of girls with mermaid’s blood than sugary desserts did, and ever since then, she’d been left with a bitter impression of alcohol, in more ways than one.

“Ah, when I was young, I also couldn’t understand it when adults said nasty things like alcohol were good. That takes me back.”

“Heh-heh, I can’t even imagine you when you were young, Professor.”

“I was normal. Just a normal little brat who was as cheeky and cowardly and innocent as other kids.”

Sakuya said this with a bright smile, but his tone was dismissive, and he shrugged. He seemed to feel at least a little bit helpless toward his childhood self.

Asana could tell he had not been the son of a good family or had a happy childhood.

As they proceeded straight down the street, sweet smells gradually began to waft through the air. Next, a number of small shops came into view, flying banners that advertised anpan, manjuu, or monaka.

They arrived at a storefront made of dark brown wood. It looked like a profoundly old and venerable business.

“We’re here. This is the place.”

“I can tell they’re going to be delicious even before we go in.”

Asana replied earnestly, and Sakuya chuckled heartily.

“The boss would be happy to hear that— Good afternoon.”

Sakuya lifted the curtain with one hand, opened the sliding door, and called out into the shop. When he did, an unfriendly-looking middle-aged man wearing a dark gray samue work outfit poked his head out from the back.

“Yeah. What’s the—? Sakuya?”

“Boss, it’s been too long.”

“‘Too long’? Ya can say that again. I haven’t seen you for years!”

The man—the boss—frowned deeply. However, there was nothing disagreeable in his attitude, and he didn’t seem to be upset with Sakuya. Most likely, he was simply trying to convey he had been worried about him.

Sakuya smiled cheerfully, fully acknowledging his absence.

“How long now… I think about three years? I was abroad.”

“Eh, spare me the details. Who’s the girl?”

The boss’s eyes turned toward Asana. The man had an imposing build and a sharp glint in his eye, and if she hadn’t known he was an acquaintance of Sakuya’s, she probably would have retreated from him on instinct.

Asana put all her effort into a polite smile and bow.

“Delighted to meet you, sir. My name is Asana Amamizu. Professor Shigure is my instructor in language arts at my academy.”

“‘Professor Shigure,’ huh?” the man repeated inquiringly.

“I’m currently teaching at Yotsuru Girls’ Academy.”

When Sakuya offered his explanation to the boss, the man frowned even more.

“No kiddin’, you’re a teacher now? Not my delicate little Sakuya!”

“Cut it out. Despite how things may look, I’ve got a very good reputation, you know. Besides, it was my grandfather who arranged the teaching job for me. ‘If I leave you to your own devices, you’re liable to become one of those spoiled layabouts, and we can’t have that,’ he said.”

“For sure, you would have, ha!”

At last, the surly boss’s expression softened, and he cackled with laughter.

Once their conversation reached a stopping place, Sakuya ordered two anpan buns.

The boss grumbled his regrets that he didn’t have a fresh batch baked even though Sakuya had come to buy them after so long, but the round buns wrapped in white paper looked delicious even cold.

“I’ll cut you a deal on the girl’s order. Just pay for yours, Sakuya,” the boss said, reverting to his former formidable expression as Sakuya pulled his wallet out of his pocket.

At that point, Asana naturally interjected.

“Oh, no, I’ll pay for my own.”

“No need. I’ll pay for yours.”

“But—”

No matter how Sakuya tried to stop her, that was one thing she couldn’t stay silent about. It was only a small sum, but it wasn’t as if Asana went out without any money at all.

“It’s my thanks for keeping me company today. And for lending me your umbrella before.”

“My umbrella… But the whole reason for today’s errands is because of my family, right?”

If there hadn’t been anything wrong with the Amamizu family in the first place, they could have gotten married first, and Sakuya would never have had to declare that he was moving in, and consequently, none of this shopping would have been necessary.

If anything, it was only natural that Asana accompanied him on his shopping.

“I told ya, just pay for your own, Sakuya. Don’t be a pain.”

Sakuya did as the boss told him and paid only for his own bun, and then they left the shop.

They had to go because it would have been inconvenient for the shop if they’d stood there quarreling over the bill all day.

Asana had also expressed her gratitude to the boss, but for some reason, he had just given her some extremely exaggerated praise. “What a polite young lady you are, huh?”

“Asana, the boss really took a liking to you, huh?”

As soon as they left the shop, Sakuya nodded at her with a knowing look, and Asana was confused.

“I only said the usual things, though…”

“And I’m saying it’s good that you said them so naturally. Asana, you weren’t cowed by the boss’s rough exterior, and you gave him a proper greeting, right?”

“That’s because he’s someone you trust, Professor.”

There was a bench installed near the shop that was just right for their purposes. Asana and Sakuya sat there side by side.

She bit off a mouthful of the anpan bun in her hands.

“Oh, it’s delicious!”

Inside the fluffy, slightly tangy bread was the smooth, sticky bean paste filling with its delicate sweetness. The two flavors mixed in her mouth to produce the most wonderful combination.

Furthermore, as she continued eating, she encountered salted cherry blossoms that had been stuck right into the center of the bread. Their salty taste led to yet another delicious complement, one she would never tire of.

She felt like she could have eaten a great number of them.

“I’m glad. They are delicious, aren’t they, the boss’s anpan buns?”

“Yes! This is the first time I’ve ever eaten something so tasty…”

She understood why Sakuya had gone frequently enough to become friendly with the shop owner. If Asana had her freedom, she would have liked to go buy bread on her own.

Bite by bite, she slowly savored her bun. Around the time Asana finished eating, she heard a stiff-sounding voice suddenly call out to Sakuya.

“I thought I’d find you here.”

“Shinsuke…”

The young man who appeared looked to be about the same age as Sakuya.

He was dressed in a three-piece suit without a single wrinkle in it, and his hair was combed into perfect order. He was tall and thin, and his features were handsome, but something about him gave off a very cold impression.

From head to toe, he exuded a stubborn stiffness.

The man, whom Sakuya had called Shinsuke, was looking directly at him.

When Asana looked at Sakuya, on the other hand, he was grimacing and seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

“You haven’t sent word once since I last saw you, so I figured something was going on and came to see for myself.”

“Sorry… I was busy. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Looks like you’re pretty devoted to recreation, for someone who’s so busy.”

He appeared to be an extremely disagreeable fellow. Asana almost glared at him.

Wasn’t everyone entitled to go where they liked and do what they pleased? Even if this man was Sakuya’s friend, that didn’t give him the right to tell Sakuya what to do in his private life.

Sakuya didn’t give him any answer, so a heavy silence just fell over them.

However, Shinsuke didn’t seem deterred by the grave atmosphere, and he didn’t hesitate to continue.

“I want to talk to you. It’s got to do with your future. How about after you’re done here?”

Sakuya let out a deep sigh.

“No can do. After this, I’m going with her to her house. I don’t have time to hang out with you. If you’ve got something to say, I’ll listen to it here.”

“…I don’t want anyone else to hear it.”

Shinsuke gave Asana a stern, piercing glance. It was obvious that he meant he didn’t want to talk in front of her.

Asana got the hint and stood up.

“I’ll step away, so please, feel free to talk.”

“Sorry, Asana.”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t want to be a hindrance to a gentleman’s conversation.”

She bowed slightly and went to stand in a spot a short distance away.

Sakuya gestured to Shinsuke, and they stepped into a shadowy alley between two shops.

“So?” Sakuya asked Shinsuke.

He couldn’t help that his tone was a little prickly. Shinsuke may have been a close friend, but the attitude he had taken toward Asana was unacceptable.

Shinsuke laid his displeasure bare.

“I couldn’t get a hold of you at all, so I desperately hunted you down, and you have an attitude? I thought you might be out playing the rake somewhere.”

“What a terrible way to say it.”

Sakuya shrugged dismissively, and the furrow in Shinsuke’s brow grew even deeper.

“…That girl is Asana Amamizu, isn’t she? The Amamizu daughter.”

“She is. And?”

“I told you not to get deeply involved with her!”

Ordinarily, Shinsuke was the very picture of unflappable, straitlaced reserve. But he had become uncharacteristically emotional.

Sakuya quietly exhaled, rattled.

“She’s not a bad girl.”

“Be that as it may, the Amamizu house is as bad as they come. The more I look into this Mermaid’s Blood stuff, the more troubling facts come to light.”

“…Shinsuke. I decided I’m going to stay at the Amamizu house for a while.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

Ridiculous was fine. Sakuya couldn’t abandon Asana.

At first, it had just been because he’d been following his grandfather’s instructions and because he’d been curious about her supposed “destiny” with him, and that was all.

But—

Now that he had seen her smiling in the Mermaid’s Garden, now that he’d seen the girl whose mother had forgotten her existence and who suffered abuse from her father and brother—

Before he knew it, he had found himself wishing she might one day be able to smile genuinely from the bottom of her heart and not force pathetic fake ones.

It might have been because Sakuya’s life could have gone the same way. If he hadn’t had his grandfather and mother on his side, if he had simply been bound to the Shigure family, Sakuya also could have been in a similar position.

Saving Asana would mean, in some sense, saving his past self.

If what Shinsuke was saying was the truth, there was a thorny path ahead for her. It would be difficult for her to even achieve an ordinary sort of happiness. And the same went for Sakuya, who would be bound to her.

Even if that was true, he could no longer simply let her go.

“It’s not just because my grandfather said so. I’m sorry, but I’ve already made up my mind.”

From Shinsuke’s perspective, Sakuya no doubt looked like an unbelievable fool. Anyone could see he was clearly an idiot, leaping directly into the fire.

But since there was someone else who needed help in that fire, he figured it was all right to leap.

“There’s got to be a limit to how credulous you can be.”

“I think you would at least understand I’m not some easy mark.”

“You just stumbled into an engagement with this girl, and now you’re ready to risk everything trying to rescue her. If that doesn’t make you an ‘easy mark,’ then I don’t know what does.”

“…Fair point.”

Sakuya himself didn’t really understand it. Shinsuke probably felt like his friend wasn’t taking it seriously enough.

“You’ll regret this,” Shinsuke said through gritted teeth.

“I think I’ll probably regret it more if I just cancel my marriage talks with her.”

“Once they know your other side, you’ll be easy prey for them. You really intend to knowingly hand your money over to those villains?”

“I’ll be very careful to make sure that doesn’t happen. And, of course, to make sure I don’t get dragged into any sort of wickedness.”

When it came to money, Sakuya had more than he could possibly need already saved up, entirely independent of the Shigure family. He could pay the bride-price out of his own pocket, without needing to trouble his father’s side of the family, but he had no intention of letting it be misused.

When Sakuya gave his flat answer, Shinsuke kept silent and averted his gaze.

“I appreciate the fact that you’re worried about me,” Sakuya continued, “but I’ll take responsibility for the choices I’ve made, so I’m fine.”

“…I didn’t want you to choose such a troublesome, difficult path,” Shinsuke mumbled feebly. Sakuya could see a slight redness in the corners of his friend’s eyes.

He turned his back on Shinsuke and went back to Asana.

Standing there alone, she looked extremely helpless and forlorn, and he regretted leaving her by herself, even for a little while.

Asana was always smiling and acting courageously, so it was easy to forget and think she had it together despite her appearance. But the fact that Asana was always alone didn’t mean she liked it that way.

“Sorry for the wait.”

“Professor, that was quite fast.”

The moment Sakuya called out to her, Asana’s face lit up, and she looked extremely charming, just like a girl her age should.

“Let’s go.”

“Are you sure it’s all right? He’s your friend, isn’t he? You ought to take your time and have more of a conversation… If you’re worried about me, I can make it home on my own.”

“It’s fine. If we stay any longer, it will start getting late. He’s a friend, so he’ll understand, probably.”

Sakuya wanted to change the present situation. So he resolved to do so.

Come mermaids or Yaobikuni, he was going to change the Amamizu family, protect Asana, and prove Shinsuke’s fears were unfounded. All Sakuya had to do was put his mind to it.

CHAPTER 5

The Amamizu Family

“I’m putting myself in your care, starting today.”

Sakuya greeted Asana’s father with his broad, perfect grin, and Koutarou, who was seated at the head of the room, received his greeting with a sour expression.

Asana and Sakuya, as well as the members of the Amamizu family, Koutarou, Ukiharu, and Kiriko, had all gathered in the formal tatami-floored room of the Amamizu house.

Asana’s grandparents also lived in the house, but they had been in poor health for some time, and lately, they spent most of their time in bed, so they were not in attendance. Asana honestly couldn’t help shrinking away from her grandparents anyway, so she was glad they were absent.

After all, Asana’s great-aunt had been murdered by her very own brother, Asana’s grandfather.

“If my son permits it, I have no reservations about you staying in this house.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you.”

Sakuya bowed politely, and Koutarou frowned, looking displeased.

Apparently, her father was not even going to try to put on a good front for Sakuya, who had seen him striking Asana after their very first meeting.

Sakuya was not bothered in the least by Koutarou’s attitude.

“I never thought he would actually come,” grumbled Ukiharu.

Asana couldn’t read how he was feeling from his indifferent tone.

“I’m serious about the things I say. You can be certain of that.”

“You’re a real pain.”

“So I’m told.”

Once again, Sakuya answered with an enchanting smile.

“Mr. Shigure.”

“Please, call me Sakuya, Father-in-Law.”

“…Mr. Shigure. There are conditions for you being here.”

Ignoring Sakuya’s request, Koutarou answered deliberately.

“We will enter you into the family register right away and accept the bride-price. The ceremony can come later. If you can’t agree to that, I will ask you to leave immediately.”

“No!”

Asana, who had been silent until then, raised her voice without thinking.

What a tyrannical move. Koutarou was practically declaring that Sakuya had no value to him except for the money. If Sakuya accepted those conditions, he would be immediately stripped of all he had. There was even a possibility that he would be physically in danger.

“You keep quiet.”

Koutarou barked at her sharply, and Asana flinched. But she couldn’t just sit there silently.

“But you keep repeating bride-price this, bride-price that, as if you’re not even adopting the professor into this family, only his money.”

“It’s the same thing, isn’t it?”

“What…?”

Asana was speechless in the wake of such a vulgar statement. It was an extremely rude thing to say to Sakuya. But Koutarou calmly folded his arms and stared at him.

“It was the Shigure family who offered such a sizable bride-price in the first place. Since they’re the ones who proposed a sum greater than the offer from Viscount Katsui, surely it’s only natural that our house would proceed with the agreement on that basis.”

“…Yes, of course.”

Though Sakuya was on the receiving end of her father’s abusive words, his smile never wavered.

Koutarou casually insulted him, and Sakuya kept smiling peacefully. To an outsider, it might have appeared that the two men were having a lighthearted chat.

“Understood. I have no problem with those conditions. Let’s sign the paperwork right away.”

“Professor…”

“I have no intention of going back on my decision. So it doesn’t make much of a difference whether I’m entered into your register today, tomorrow, or next year.”

Once Sakuya said that, Asana had no choice but to be quiet.

In the end, she had failed. She hadn’t accomplished a single thing. Not one thing that would keep Sakuya from getting involved with the Amamizus.

…The only thing left is to inform him about my body and accept his scorn.

She knew his calm attitude would vanish the moment he learned his fiancée was a monster. No matter how he might try to reason his way through it, there was no doubt he would reject her instinctively.

A girl with mermaid’s blood. This was the first time someone with her constitution had ever had such high hopes.

After that, the introductory meeting ended, and it was time for the welcome banquet, which also served as that evening’s dinner. However, Asana was sent back to her room.

Kiriko, who was still under the impression that Sakuya was an acquaintance of Ukiharu’s, had apparently gone all out in her preparations.

Of course, it was a welcome party in name only. Ukiharu and the others hardly said anything as usual, and Koutarou seemed to be happy as long as the money was coming in.

It was decided that they would fill out and submit the marriage registration the following day. They arranged for the bride-price to be paid in full to the Amamizu family at the same time.

In the distance, Asana occasionally heard Ukiharu’s laughter and Kiriko’s high-pitched voice. They seemed to be offering Sakuya quite a bit of sake. Asana sat in her room, straining her ears intently to listen.

“It doesn’t seem like they’re going to try to kill the professor just yet, but…what should I do?”

If possible, she would have liked to be by Sakuya’s side, but her family hated having Asana around during mealtimes.

She was also prohibited from entering the kitchen because of the mermaid’s blood that flowed through her veins, and they had sworn that if she violated that rule, she would be pulled from school with no room for argument.

…I’m powerless.

Asana’s room had sliding shoji door panels that faced out onto the corridor, and the interior walls were enclosed in latticework made of thick, dull brown timber. A small door and a paper screen window were set into one wall, and that was it.

Inside the room was a desk, futon, vanity, lamp, and dresser. There was absolutely nothing extra. All of it had been provided by her father and brother. Strictly speaking, none of them were hers.

The protection of the family—as long as Asana was under the dominion of that pretense, she couldn’t do a thing.

But even if she got out from under their protection, she still wouldn’t be able to do anything. Because the only thing Asana had that was her own was her abhorrent body.

Even something as simple as keeping her benefactor from getting dragged into the situation had turned out to be so difficult.

She clutched her knees and buried her face in them.

She didn’t know how much time passed while she sat there like that, not moving a muscle. Before she knew it, the sounds of the party in the sitting room had died down.

“—Asana?”

Suddenly, she heard Sakuya’s voice from the other side of the sliding door.

“Yes?” she answered as she hurried to stand up and opened the door. “Professor, what is it?”

“Nothing, I just thought I should talk with you a little…and I heard your room was here, so…”

As Sakuya answered, he looked past Asana and gasped.

“What’s with this room?”

“It’s my room. Please, come inside.”

Sakuya looked around the space in astonishment and scowled.

“This is more of a cell than a bedroom…”

Asana smiled bitterly. He had completely hit the nail on the head.

Her room, located deep within the Amamizu mansion, had also been used by her great-aunt.

In her time, it had apparently been a true jail cell, kept locked at all times, without even any real furniture. She had been imprisoned in the room until the moment of her death.

The room had been furnished after Asana moved in.

However, she didn’t go out of her way to say so.

“Please, have a seat anywhere. I can’t offer you much in the way of hospitality, though.”

“…Sure.”

It felt strange to sit facing each other on the tatami floor.

Asana had felt like she’d already gotten accustomed to the two of them talking together, and yet she was strangely unsettled now that Sakuya was in her own room. It made her feel restless, and she wanted to get up.

“Asana.”

“Yes?”

“I’m very sorry about today.”

Sakuya suddenly bowed his head, which caught Asana off guard.

“What—? Um, why should you be sorry?”

“I selfishly made up my mind about the wedding without listening to your opinion.”

“Ah…”

He wasn’t wrong. She had never expected to get married in a day’s time.

That said, if he had asked for her consent, Asana definitely would have resisted. Her reasons had nothing to do with her own feelings about him. She would have objected to keep Sakuya from becoming a member of the Amamizu family.

“I’m sure you’re aware, then, Professor, my view is that we shouldn’t marry.”

“To keep me from getting too close to the Amamizus?”

Asana nodded sharply. “Yes. So if you want to follow through on your intentions, Professor, don’t ask me what I think.”

Sakuya let out a deep sigh. And then he looked around the room again.

“Have you always lived in this room?” he asked.

“…Yes, I have. For the past eight years, to be precise.”

“Eight years?”

Suddenly, Sakuya’s eyes went wide. Asana was surprised by his unexpected reaction.

Eight years earlier. That was right when Asana’s birthmark first appeared, and it was also the year she met Sakuya. She wondered if he had possibly remembered something.

Feeling a little nervous, Asana asked, “Did something happen eight years ago?”

“…Ah, no. You… Was there a reason you moved into this room?”

At first, she was annoyed that he had changed the subject, but she reconsidered and saw it might be the perfect opportunity.

Their marriage might be formally established the following day. And once the Shigure family paid the Amamizus the bride-price, she couldn’t guarantee he would be safe.

In which case, this was Asana’s only chance to tell Sakuya about her physical condition and get him to hate her.

“Professor, will you listen to me, please…to my secret?”

Asana steadied her breathing and broached the subject.

She saw Sakuya nod with a docile look on his face, and Asana pulled off her lace gloves with trembling fingers.

She revealed her ugly red birthmark.

She wondered what exactly it looked like to his eyes under the light of the lamp. She was sure it was probably very strange and unsettling for him to see the red, scaly pattern that boldly wound its way in a spiral around her wrist and up onto the back of her hand.

“Is that…a scar from an injury?”

“No. It’s a birthmark of sorts. Hideous, isn’t it? Eight years ago, after this mark appeared, I moved into this room.”

She wondered how best to explain it. The matter of the girls with mermaid’s blood.

She couldn’t possibly just tell him the unvarnished truth. It wasn’t the sort of thing anyone would believe. The fastest and easiest way would be to have him watch her injure herself and then heal, but…

However, their conversation headed in a direction Asana had not foreseen.

“…If your mark appeared eight years ago, then that’s the same as mine.”

“Huh?”

Puzzled, Asana cocked her head. With a resolute expression, Sakuya pulled open the collar of his kimono.

“P-Professor!”

Asana let out a little squeak and covered her eyes with both hands.

That made Sakuya suddenly pause. His cheeks turned faintly red.

“Sorry, no, that’s not—! It’s not like that!” he insisted. Then he undid the buttons on the shirt he was wearing underneath the kimono. Starting at the top, he unbuttoned the shirt halfway and bashfully showed Asana his chest.

“I’m sorry for being indecent. But I wonder if you would look at this?”

Through the gaps between her fingers, Asana stared timidly at Sakuya’s chest.

There was nothing indecent about it. If anything, his chest, with just the right amount of supple muscle, was very beautiful.

But there was something that drew her eye even more.

A flower.

It was in a spot a little to the left of center, right above his heart. In that spot was a red flower blossom with large petals.

The hands that had been covering Asana’s face automatically returned to her lap.

“What a pretty…pretty birthmark.”

It was the opposite of Asana’s mark. Something about Sakuya’s birthmark resembled the shape of the familiar camellia flower. The vivid red-flower pattern stood out against his pale skin.

All her feelings of embarrassment vanished as she looked at the beautiful mark in front of her.

“Actually, it was eight years ago when this mark appeared on me.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m serious. After that, my life completely changed. Even though I was just the mistress’s kid, I was entered into the Shigure family register.”

What in the world could this strange coincidence mean? Their marks had appeared in the same year and changed both of their lives.

Surprise was too simple a word to express what Asana was feeling. Somehow, this felt like destiny.

However, it seemed clear that the marks on Asana and Sakuya were very different.

“…This mark I have on me is proof that I’m a girl with mermaid’s blood.”

It was difficult. Every time Asana thought about what had happened back then, her eyes were filled with tears.

“Girl with mermaid’s…blood?”

“For generations, these girls have been born to the Amamizu family. They have certain characteristics.”

Keeping her own emotions hidden as best she could, Asana explained things to Sakuya.

She told him that she healed immediately from any kind of injury. That she never got sick and that she would recover in no time, even if her limbs were torn off or she was stabbed in the heart. And that—

—the blood of the girls with mermaid’s blood is a deadly poison to other humans.

“Deadly…poison?”

“The blood flowing through my veins is toxic. A single drop of it could kill many people. And someone who can survive with poisonous blood flowing through them—they’re not a person…but a monster.”

Her throat felt tight. She had been struggling to keep her composure while she was talking to him, but her voice was shaky.

“It’s awful, isn’t it? Revolting. You must not want to be near me. So you can keep your distance from my family and from me.”

Asana’s blood would not cause any harm unless it got into someone’s mouth, or mucous membranes, or directly into their body through a wound, or something. Her other body fluids, like her tears and sweat, were completely harmless.

But the toxic blood circulated through Asana’s whole body. That meant Asana herself was poisonous, and she was sure no one near her felt comfortable.

Her room became a jail cell when the door in the latticework was locked, and her family kept her imprisoned there.

That was so Asana could not run away or go out walking around on her own.

“A girl with mermaid’s blood is a monster. This mark is proof. It’s evidence that I’m no longer human.”

“Asana.”

“Hearing me confess something so awful like that… I’m sure you can’t believe it, but—”

The hand that bore the dark birthmark trembled with her shame. Even though she was straining to form a smile, Asana could feel her face just spasming, and her vision was blurry with tears.

She would no longer be able to spend time with Sakuya.

How could he possibly pass the hours peacefully with a girl like her, whose whole body was full of poison?

“My mark isn’t pretty like yours, Professor… It’s not pretty at all. It’s disgusting, horrible, and ugly.”

She squeezed the words out and hung her head.

Then she heard Sakuya ask in a gentle voice, “May I touch your hand?”

Asana couldn’t answer.

If she said yes, it might’ve sounded like she was saying it was okay for Sakuya to touch her hand and defile himself, and if she said no, it might’ve seemed like she was rejecting him.

When Asana was silent, Sakuya reached out without hesitation and touched her left hand where the mark was visible.

“No matter what you might say, I think you’re wonderful just as you are now.”

“Why…?”

Asana asked him the question without thinking, and Sakuya responded with a beautiful, charming smile.

“Because of the Mermaid’s Garden and seeing you there. I really love the quiet, soothing time I spent there. If you weren’t around, that never would have happened.”

Sakuya’s words didn’t give Asana any peace of mind. He still didn’t have the slightest clue just how different Asana was from other people.

That was why he could be so careless and say Asana was wonderful.

“You know, I actually really dislike other people,” Sakuya suddenly admitted.

Asana blinked several times in surprise. “Huh…you do? You don’t like other people?”

“Yes. Up until eight years ago, I lived my whole life in obscurity, as the son of my father’s mistress. And how do you think things have gone for me since this mark appeared? They say I’m the reincarnation of my legendary ancestor, who was born ages ago and lived for two hundred years. And so everyone has done a complete and utter about-face, and I might become my family’s heir, disregarding my older brother, my father’s legitimate son. I came to hate them all, from the bottom of my heart.”

Sakuya smiled, but the ends of his eyebrows were drooping. His eyes were cold and not smiling in the least.

“I have always hated my father for selfishly abandoning my mother. And anyone like him, who fails to take responsibility for their own actions. And I felt like I was surrounded by those kinds of people.”

As Sakuya rearranged his clothing and covered his chest, he spat out his explanation.

“If I was so disagreeable to them, they could have kept treating me that way forever. But my relatives sidled up to me like they’d forgotten about their own past words and actions. It made me sick.”

“Professor…”

“All for their own gain, without so much as a word of apology. My family is full of people who treated me like I had been their dear friend for a decade. I got fed up with other people altogether.”

It was understandable. Contrary to Asana, who had had a difficult time because people kept their distance, Sakuya had been hurt by people trying to get too close.

Even though their situations were exactly opposite, Asana felt like there was something similar about them.

“But the time I spend with you feels very comfortable… I wonder why that is? Maybe because you never tried to force your way in. Instead, you always pulled back a little.”

“……”

Asana had been desperately trying to protect herself and keep hold of her emotions. If she had allowed Sakuya to sweep her off her feet, it would have been easy for him to convince her to go through with the engagement. She probably would have been the one who dragged Sakuya into the Amamizu house.

Asana stood up quietly.

She opened a drawer on her vanity and pulled out a book with a blue cover. It was a collection of fairy tales that had originated from other countries and had been translated into Japanese.

“Professor, do you know the story of The Little Mermaid?”

“I do. It’s a famous fairy tale.”

The book was the one and only thing her older brother, Ukiharu, had ever bought for Asana.

There were many stories included in the book, but it had been immediately obvious that her brother had purchased it to get Asana to read the story called The Little Mermaid.

Eight years earlier, late at night, her brother had come home terribly drunk, which was unusual for him, and had handed her the book. Asana had been delighted and read The Little Mermaid at his recommendation.

That night, she hadn’t slept a wink.

“This is a good lesson for you. Someday, this will happen to you, too.”

The following morning, Ukiharu had said that to her without the slightest bit of emotion in his eyes.

It was the tale of a mermaid princess who fell in love with a human prince and pursued him at the expense of losing her voice. But she couldn’t get him to notice her feelings and turned into sea-foam with her last breath.

After she turned into bubbles, the mermaid became a spirit, but to Asana, that didn’t seem like real salvation.

“The first time I read this story, I really believed that this is what my future would look like.”

I want to become water—that was also when she first began to have that desire.

She didn’t want to become sea-foam. She didn’t want to become a spirit, either. She just wanted to become a single drop of ocean water and float around forever.

“But I wouldn’t mind if it meant you could go through life with a smile, Professor. And so—”

“And so you don’t want me to be adopted into the Amamizu family, but to marry some other girl instead?”

“Yes.”

On that note, silence shrouded the room.

There was nothing more Asana could say. All that remained was to see what decision Sakuya would make.

Sakuya couldn’t sleep. He lay there staring at the ceiling, face up on his futon.

Everything around him was already pitch-dark, and when he turned on a nearby lamp, he could see that his watch said it was nearing midnight. At that hour, everyone else was surely already asleep.

It had started to rain right after the banquet’s conclusion.

Now the rain had become a downpour. A torrent of large raindrops furiously pounded the roof and walls, while rainwater gushed incessantly down the gutters.

From time to time, thunder rumbled faintly in the distance.

“You wouldn’t mind if it meant I could go through life with a smile, huh?”

Even once he knew the truth, Sakuya didn’t think Asana was a monster.

Of course, he had been surprised by her confession, but it had also led him to understand a few things.

Now he knew why no signs of being beaten had remained on Asana the day after their first meeting.

And why she always wore gloves.

And the reason Koutarou, Ukiharu, and Kiriko shunned Asana.

The Yaobikuni, mermaids, and mermaid’s blood. And the girls with mermaid’s blood.

It made him feel extremely unwell to imagine how terribly Asana had suffered because of this. The thought of it was sickening.

“But if you’re not smiling, too, then there’s no point…”

Smiling on his own would be meaningless. He couldn’t just cast Asana aside and forget about her while he married some other girl—not after she had endured so much sorrow for his sake.

In a way, that would be just like what Sakuya’s despicable father had done. He would be no better than that man who had used his mother to escape reality and responsibilities as the family head, only to abandon her the moment he’d learned she was with child.

Suddenly, Sakuya bolted upright, pulled abruptly from his deep thoughts.

He thought he heard something, like some noises and people talking outside his room.

Sakuya had been provided with a tatami floor room about six mats in size. For a guest room, it was located fairly deep inside the estate, and he assumed it would probably become his and Asana’s room after they were married.

He strained his ears against the drumming of the rain.

It might have been his imagination. No matter how carefully he listened, he couldn’t hear anything except the sound of rain.

Maybe I’m just a little on edge.

He knew there was something going on in this house. He bore in mind the warning Shinsuke had given him. If it was something that had anything to do with him, he wanted to know about it, and if possible, he wanted to stay one step ahead of things.

For that reason, he figured he was just anxious.

But he soon heard the sound again.

It was like a scream—a high-pitched, feeble-sounding female voice. But it disappeared into the cacophony of the rain, and he couldn’t be sure.

“…Asana? No, her mother maybe?”

Well, whoever it was, if Sakuya wasn’t hallucinating the sounds, something alarming was certainly going on.

Taking care not to make any noise, Sakuya stood and put his ear against the sliding screen door that opened into the hallway.

The sound was extremely distant. The voice didn’t seem to be coming from inside the mansion.

He slid the door open. The hallway was pitch-dark, and he could hardly see anything until his eyes adjusted to the darkness. There was only a thick, inky blackness that concealed the space around him and threatened to absorb him, too.

I’ve got a basic understanding of the layout of the house, but…

Then he heard another faint noise. This time, it was a thud, like a large object had fallen to the floor.

However, he felt like the sounds were getting even farther away from him.

Confused, he went back into the room and approached the sliding door that opened to the outside. When he opened it, he could see a small hut standing a short distance away.

Is that a storeroom? An annex?

It looked like it was connected to the main building with a short, covered walkway. Which meant it was indeed an annex. The sounds were coming from there.

Sakuya quickly dressed.

He had never changed into his nightclothes to begin with, only removed his hakama. Now he fastened the buttons on his loose shirt, straightened the collar on his kimono, and put on his pants. He quickly did up his flowing hair with his favorite ornamental hairpin.

In that state, he was ready to leave his room.

Walking quickly but stealthily, he proceeded down the corridor.

He passed by several other rooms and turned a corner. There were glass panels set into the wooden doors separating the walkway from the outside. They had been battered by the rain and were streaked with water.

He could clearly hear people’s voices coming from the hut. He barely caught a man saying something.

The voices reminded him of the sounds Asana had made the previous day and how Ukiharu had sounded looming over her.

Sakuya felt nervous and impatient. He feared the worst. His heart was pounding so fiercely that it hurt.

He didn’t feel any fear at the thought of starting a fight with everyone in the Amamizu family. But he was afraid of what he might see if he continued forward.

“The blood flowing through my veins is toxic. A single drop of it could kill many people. And someone who can survive with poisonous blood flowing through them—they’re not a person…but a monster. It’s awful, isn’t it? Revolting. You must not want to be near me. So you can keep your distance from my family and from me.”

Asana’s words and the image of her smiling through her tears arose in his mind. He was sure whatever was going on up ahead involved Asana.

“There are many unflattering rumors about the Amamizu family. They’ve made a lot of money in the pharmaceutical business, but people say that, behind the scenes, they manufacture poisons… Even if things look good for them now, suppose that, in the future, something happens and they get arrested—if you get adopted into the family, you’ll get dragged into it, too. Be that as it may, the Amamizu house is as bad as they come. The more I look into this Mermaid’s Blood stuff, the more troubling facts come to light.”

Recalling his friend’s warnings only fueled his anxiety.

The wooden door, dark with the patina of age, was exceptionally heavy. It felt more like a thick wall. However, indecision would get him nowhere.

Sakuya flung the door open in one go.

“Wh-what…is this…?”

The first thing that hit him was an extremely rich, moist, and bloody smell, as thick as the rain. At first, he thought some rain had blown in from outside. But he was wrong.

Drip, drip, went the deep crimson drops.

It’s really blood.

Standing closest to the doorway was Ukiharu, wearing a white robe, a mask, gloves, and protective goggles and holding a lancet. And behind him, Koutarou was kneeling on the floor, holding a small knife, dressed just the same. Both the lancet and the knife were covered in red.

“What are you doing? What are you people—?!”

“I should be asking you—why are you here?”

Ukiharu was the one who answered him. He stared back at Sakuya with wide eyes.

“Who cares why I’m here? What the hell is this?”

After he shouted back, Sakuya gasped.

Against the farthest wall of the annex, strapped to a decrepit chair, slumped over limply was—

“Asana!”

She looked ragged, dressed in a single thin nightgown. Her head hung low, so he couldn’t see her expression, and her limbs dangled loosely, with no strength in them.

Dead—that one word crossed his mind.

“Asana, Asana!”

He shoved Ukiharu away, pushed Koutarou aside, and ran over to her.

“Asana?”

He touched her cheeks and found they were still warm, and she was breathing, although faintly.

Her body was tied to the chair, which stood in the middle of a large, flat tub. She was covered in cuts, all over her whole body, and lengths of rubber tubing had been thrust into the wounds, through which the blood flowed, ultimately collecting in the tub.

It was the very picture of the blood ponds said to exist in Buddhist hell.

The extremely ghastly scene was much worse than anything Sakuya had imagined. He forgot to breathe or even blink.

“Mermaid’s blood…”

“Get back! Keep your hands off the tools of our trade.”

Koutarou stood poised with his little blade pointed at Sakuya, who was so stunned that he couldn’t move.

“The tools of your trade… Why are you doing something like this?!” Sakuya shouted back, undaunted by the knife. “She’s your own daughter. This— This isn’t something people do!”

“The Amamizu house is as bad as they come.”

What Shinsuke had said was right. Sakuya’s imagination had been too naive.

The illicit sale of poison was by all rights a serious crime, but naturally, Sakuya had never imagined something this awful and immoral.

Sakuya untied Asana from the chair, pulled out the rubber tubes, and held her in his arms as he removed her from the tub.

A girl with mermaid’s blood. Her special physical makeup had demonstrated its effects already.

Just in the time it took him to pick her up, most of the wounds on her body vanished completely, and her skin was once again smooth, as if nothing had marred it.

Sakuya laid her distressingly light body down on the floor and called out to her.

“Asana, Asana. Come on, wake up.”

“……Profe…ssor?”

Suddenly, Asana’s eyelids fluttered, and her bluish-black eyes opened.

Sakuya was moved to tears with tremendous relief.

“Professor, why…?”

“Thank goodness I made it in time…”

He knew he never could have forgiven himself if he had let this go on unawares. He couldn’t possibly leave Asana in such a place.

“Let’s get out of here. You can’t be here.”

“But…I…”

She must not have had enough blood left in her. Asana was obviously disoriented, and talking seemed to be painful for her.

“Just take it easy.”

As he was saying that to Asana, someone grabbed Sakuya’s shoulders and slammed him right into the wall. It was Ukiharu. With a stern look on his face, he glared at Sakuya.

“Where do you think you’re taking that? Huh? Answer me.”

“Anywhere but here. Asana is not a tool. You people, this whole family, you’re wrong. You force her to be a sacrifice, and then you reap the benefits, totally calm about the whole thing.”

“After seeing what you just saw, surely you must have realized. Clearly, that thing is not human. It’s a monster that endangers our lives just by existing. So there’s nothing wrong with putting it to good use. It’s no different than livestock. Do you pity every single cow and horse, too?”

Sakuya felt his blood rising. Fierce anger instantly shot up within him, swelling until it felt like it might explode.

Asana had a mind; she had intelligence. She clearly harbored her own thoughts and feelings and sympathized with other people. She was human.

Sakuya couldn’t believe Asana’s family saw her that way. After all, they’d lived with her for sixteen whole years.

He thought of Asana’s smiling face, how she looked when she was enjoying a conversation, how happy she was eating sweets. Sakuya couldn’t comprehend how they had the nerve to declare that such a lively girl was nothing but livestock.

“Something is wrong with you. ‘Tools of our trade,’ ‘livestock’… Do you feel nothing for her? How could you treat Asana, treat your own family member, this way? ‘Not human’…? You’re the ones who aren’t human!”

Ukiharu’s and Koutarou’s faces were devoid of expression. They were just blank, emotionless, empty.

They didn’t look like they had understood a single word Sakuya had said.

With his scalpel still at the ready, Koutarou nonchalantly declared, “It’s for the business. There’s no other way.”

“That’s right. And anyway, that thing would still be an abomination no matter how we treated it. We allow it to live like a human, so we expect some gratitude for that. You’ve got no grounds to complain.”

Ukiharu shrugged, without a hint of shame.

Sakuya recoiled from their incomprehensible attitudes.

It was easy enough to conclude that they had gone mad. However, Asana had told him that girls with mermaid’s blood had been born to the family for generations.

In that case, perhaps those ideas were indelibly ingrained into them, and that was what passed for sanity within the Amamizu family.

It would be futile to try to teach them otherwise.

Sakuya gave up on the conversation.

“That’s enough. I’m taking Asana with me.”

“I told you we can’t let you do that!”

Ukiharu tried to grab him. He brandished the lancet he was holding, but quicker than he could bring it down, Sakuya pulled the hairpin out of his hair and thrust its sharp-pointed tip at Ukiharu’s throat.

“If you move any farther, I will stab you.”

“H-hey now. Are you saying you’ll commit murder over something like her?”

“Oh, don’t worry. With how thin this pin is, if I choose the right place to stab, you won’t die. There will be considerable pain, but…as long as you don’t die, I suppose there won’t be a problem.”

The edges of Sakuya’s mouth curled upward.

He could make them suffer without killing them. Just as they themselves had been doing to Asana. By no means would he allow them to refuse.

Sakuya couldn’t tell whether his intention had made it through to him or not, but Ukiharu dropped his lancet and shut his mouth tight.

Just then, Koutarou thrust his scalpel directly at Sakuya’s side, which had been left open. Without allowing Ukiharu to escape, Sakuya used his other hand to grab hold of Koutarou’s hand, the one with the scalpel. With a crushing grip, he forced Koutarou to drop the blade and then kicked it to the corner of the room.

“…”

Koutarou groaned, but Sakuya continued, delivering a merciless kick to his belly. Koutarou fell to his hands and knees, retching, and couldn’t move.

“…How are you able to move like that?”

Sakuya frowned. He didn’t understand what Ukiharu was saying.

“We mixed sedatives and paralytics into your food. You shouldn’t even be able to open your eyes by now, much less move the way you do.”

“Ah, now I see.”

It was no wonder they had been so surprised when Sakuya had shown up at the annex.

“Unfortunately for you, drugs ceased to have any effect on me eight years ago. Of course, that goes for poisons, too. As well as alcohol, tobacco, any kind of anesthesia… Anything really. They tell me I’m the reincarnation of my ancestor who supposedly lived for two hundred years a long, long time ago, so maybe that’s why.”

“Huh? Nonsense!”

“Just like her. Just as girls like Asana, who are descendants of the Yaobikuni, are born into your family, people like me have been born into the Shigure family. That’s all there is to it.”

Sakuya answered bluntly over his shoulder as he turned away from Ukiharu and kneeled beside Asana, who was lying motionless on the floor.

“Asana. Hold on tight.”

As he had noticed earlier, when he gathered Asana into his arms, her body was strangely light. Light enough to make it seem as if all the liquid had been drained from her body.

He sensed Ukiharu, who was free to move now, approaching.

While he was holding Asana, Sakuya probably couldn’t beat him in a fight. Be that as it may, Ukiharu was a physically weak opponent. Sakuya was confident that even while carrying Asana, he could outrun him.

Sakuya held her tightly and prepared for the moment when Ukiharu would come at him.

But Ukiharu didn’t do anything. Because Koutarou, who had been doubled over on the floor groaning until then, stopped him.

“That’s enough. Ukiharu, you can let him go.”

“Are you sure, Father?”

When Ukiharu questioned him, Koutarou stood up sluggishly and answered laboriously.

“It doesn’t matter. After all, that monster can never survive in the outside world. If anything, you’re going to appreciate the fact that we kept her penned up in this house.”

Asana stirred in Sakuya’s arms.

“Profe…ssor…they’re right… I…,” she murmured.

“It’s fine. I’m certain there’s a place where you can live happily.”

With Asana in his arms, Sakuya walked toward the annex door. Ukiharu looked at him with cold eyes but didn’t say anything.

Sakuya opened the wooden door and took one step out onto the walkway. There, he came to a stop.

There was nothing the Amamizu family wanted more than money. They wouldn’t even balk at torturing their own daughter and sister if it made them wealthy. In which case—

Still supporting Asana’s body, Sakuya took a single small piece of paper out of his pocket and tossed it unceremoniously onto the floor.

“Here. A check. The thing you people wanted most.”

“What?!”

Koutarou leaped forward, pouncing on the slip of paper enthusiastically. It was almost comical how shameless he was about it, and the look in his eyes changed completely.

Sakuya had considered that they might demand his bride-price before things proceeded and had prepared it in advance.

“Of course, I don’t mind if you cash it, but if you do, you should prepare yourselves.”

Ukiharu was the one who asked the question, almost timidly. “Prepare for what?”

Sakuya managed a smile and answered, “If you use the money, that will be it—you people will never see Asana ever again. I will not allow it. Not even if Asana herself wants to see you. If you take that money, you have sold your family member to me.”

He swore it firmly in his heart. Everything he had just said, from beginning to end, was said in earnest.

It was possible that, out of affection for her family, Asana might not be able to cut ties with them completely. However, if Koutarou and Ukiharu decided they didn’t need Asana as long as they had the money, then there would be no way Sakuya could allow her to have anything more to do with them.

With that, Sakuya took Asana with him and left the annex behind.

“…You’ll regret this!” Ukiharu shouted after him, his voice full of hatred. “There’s no way that thing can live in the outside world. It’ll be impossible to ever get along peacefully with other people! It won’t take much time. You’ll both learn. The mermaid and you.”

Sakuya didn’t turn around. He simply jumped off the walkway and ran, carrying Asana away through the pouring rain.

Cold.

Asana’s conscious mind had been drifting around somewhere in the void all night.

She had been cut many times, and her warm blood had drained away, leaving everything indistinct, as if her frigid body and hazy mind were separated by some kind of thin film.

Asana couldn’t tell if it was an especially dark night or if her vision was failing. That was always how it was on the days when she lost a large quantity of blood.

Especially recently. She had said she would allow them to take more of her blood only if they would stop the marriage arrangements. Taking her at her word, her father and brother had apparently accepted more orders than usual.

Because of that, they had been drawing much more blood.

Due to her chronic anemia, Asana had hardly ever been healthy during the past eight years.

“Where am I…?”

When her mind and body finally reconnected, and her awareness became clear again, Asana discovered she was on someone’s back. It took her ten more seconds or so to grasp that she was being carried.

“Professor?”

Chilly raindrops, cold as ice, spattered against her face, hard enough to hurt.

Sakuya was walking through the downpour, carrying Asana on his back.

She felt she mustn’t burden Sakuya. She tried to tell him she could walk on her own, but her body was incredibly heavy, and she couldn’t move even one finger.

Pathetic. How pathetic I am.

She felt unbearable hatred for herself, for not being able to do anything, and began to cry.

“Professor…I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

“S-so-sorr-sorry.”

Even in her hazy state of consciousness, she had been able to hear the exchange between Sakuya, Koutarou, and Ukiharu.

She knew Sakuya had made an enemy of the Amamizu family for her sake. For Asana’s sake. Because she was so worthless, she had worsened Sakuya’s standing in the world.

“About…the blood…”

She knew that, with how clever he was, he must have realized. He must have figured out just what kind of racket the Amamizu family was running.

Though she stumbled over the words, Asana felt like she was finally releasing the awful sludge she had been keeping buried, deep in her heart, for so long.

“From the blood…they take the red…take it out. And they sell it as Mermaid’s Tears… They sell it…to people who don’t know any better…”

“……”

“And behind the scenes, they’re selling…poison. Because my blood…is poison. They sell it illicitly, for a high price…and make lots of money.”

The blood of a mermaid was a potent poison. Just one drop was enough to bring certain death.

On the other hand, when the iron that made it red was removed from the blood, it became a cure-all, in other words, the Mermaid’s Tears.

Because it had to be refined, even if they drew a lot of blood, they could only make a small quantity of medication. That was why they sold it wholesale to drugstores for a high price.

However, the Mermaid’s Tears were, in the end, merely their most successful product available to the public. And to even sell it at all, they had to break several laws and convince certain government officials and other important people to overlook what they were doing.

The true masterpiece of the Amamizu family was the Mermaid’s Blood.

The all-purpose elixir and the all-purpose poison were two sides of the same coin.

Asana’s former prospective fiancé, Viscount Katsui, was one of the central people involved in the illegal trade of Mermaid’s Blood, as well as all sorts of other illegal wares.

“I’m sorry…for dragging you into this.”

Her tears wouldn’t stop.

She felt like her memories of her time with the kind, considerate, pure Sakuya were going to be dyed pitch-black. Her chest felt ready to burst with pain, distress, and regret.

“I’m sorry, Professor. I’m sorry.”

She wished her apology could make things go back to normal, but that wasn’t possible.

She couldn’t turn back the clock, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t change the fact that Sakuya was now involved with the Amamizu family.

The rain was incessant, almost like they were standing under a waterfall. Asana’s kimono was soaking wet with rainwater, and droplets streamed from her hair.

Their two bodies were already as cold as ice. Only in the places where they were touching each other was some faint warmth preserved.

Soaked to the skin, Sakuya kept on walking through the pitch-black darkness and the pouring rain, carrying Asana on his back.

When Sakuya stumbled into his mother’s home late at night, dripping wet, wearing a single layer of nightclothes, and carrying a woman on his back, his mother, Uiko, came out to meet him, her eyes wide with shock.

Uiko didn’t ask a single question. Nevertheless, even though it was the middle of the night, she drew a bath and prepared Western-style towels and clothes for Asana and Sakuya.

“Professor, I’m sorry.”

“That’s enough. No more apologies.”

“…Thank…you.”

The Western-style room, with a long, high-pile carpet runner patterned with vines and grass spread across the wooden floor, was absolutely silent. There was no one else around other than Asana and Sakuya, who were sitting on the sofa, and no noise.

Uiko had made them some warm tea and gone back to her bedroom.

Asana felt terrible for accepting such thorough hospitality after waking her up in the middle of the night.

“Right. That’s better.”

Sakuya smiled awkwardly, then said, “Sorry,” and reached out for Asana.

“P-Professor…!”

Sakuya wrapped his arms around her, and she huddled close against his chest.

After bathing, their bodies were more or less back to normal temperature. Their hair was still wet. Asana could tell Sakuya’s heart was beating loudly, thump, thump.

She knew it was her fault that his heart was beating so quickly, when Sakuya was usually easygoing and calm.

“Professor. I’m terribly sorry… Please, let me say it.”

“I thought you were dead.”

With so many injuries and so much blood removed, a normal person would have died. She thought about how much anxiety it must have caused Sakuya to see a scene like that.

“I’m—I’m all right. Thanks to you, Professor. Thank you.”

“Yeah.”

“Because you saved me.”

“…Sure.”

Her feelings of guilt only grew as Sakuya gave one-word responses like a child.

Professor. I—

She couldn’t burden him forever. If they continued with their engagement and later became a married couple, she would keep imposing on Sakuya until the day he died.

And yet, and yet…

Asana hesitantly put her arms around Sakuya’s back.

“Professor, thank you.”

Again and again, Sakuya had saved Asana. For the very first time, she realized that when she was in his arms, she felt more secure than anywhere else.

When Asana opened the front door, the sky outside was slightly cloudy, and the wind was still blowing, shaking the trees and rattling the window panes on the house.

Asana paused and looked hesitantly behind her.

“Um, are you sure this is all right…?”

Uiko, who had gone to the trouble of coming to see her off, was wearing a soft, gentle smile on her face, which was slender and beautiful like Sakuya’s.

“It’s fine. And I’m sure my boy would be upset if you missed school.”

After everything that had happened, Sakuya had caught a terrible cold and was laid up in bed.

It was no wonder, given he had desperately carried Asana all the way there while being pelted with rain. Moreover, medicine didn’t work on him. Asana was incredibly worried.

She felt even more guilty since she was still healthy and energetic.

“Would he really?”

“Yes, he would. So you go to your classes at school like a good girl and then come back here, okay, Asana?”

“…Yes.”

This pricked Asana’s conscience, but in this situation, both Sakuya and his mother probably wished she would do as they said and go to school.

Happily, she was able to borrow a kimono from Uiko. She didn’t have her school uniform hakama, but Sakuya’s mother lent her a pair in a similar color, which seemed like they would do for the moment. Somehow, they were able to come up with writing implements and notebooks but no textbooks, so Asana would have to get the students sitting next to her to let her look at theirs.

Asana could never fully thank Uiko, who had exhausted herself helping in so many ways.

“Thank you so much for everything.”

Asana offered polite words of gratitude. When she did, Uiko clapped her hands and said, “Oh, that’s right! Here.”

She handed Asana a lunch box, wrapped up in a cloth with a cute goldfish pattern on it.

In spite of herself, Asana’s eyes went wide, and she stammered, “Oh—oh, no, I couldn’t. After how incredibly well you’ve treated me, and now lunch, too?”

“But you must eat a proper lunch. Otherwise, you won’t be able to concentrate on your studies.”

Uiko answered her with words of reason, and Asana’s cheeks grew hot.

Honestly, she hadn’t even considered lunch. Now that she thought about it more, she realized it was necessary, but she was still very embarrassed.

“Well, th-thank you…for the food.”

Uiko saw her off with a friendly smile as she waved goodbye, and Asana left the Tsuno house with a small wave back.

She walked down the unfamiliar road to the bus stop.

She looked around, wondering if perhaps the usual car from the Amamizu house had come to pick her up, but she didn’t see any sign of it. Of course, she was sure the chaperones employed by her family were still watching her, but Asana didn’t expect to be able to spot them.

She didn’t think for a second that Koutarou and Ukiharu had completely given up on her, just like that. Even if they were temporarily turning a blind eye for the moment, she was sure that someday they would take her back.

This is no good. I’m so nervous.

Even if she went to school, she knew she wouldn’t feel like putting any effort into her studies.

Asana boarded the bus at the stop and took an unfamiliar route to school. Thinking back on it, she had never commuted to school, start to finish, without an escort before.

It was a novel experience to go to school on her own two feet, by her own volition. The feeling reminded her of starting primary school—a little uneasy but happy.

“Big Sister?”

As she was walking down the road that led up to the Academy, a voice called out to her from behind.

“Ah, Tomono…”

The girl who trotted up to her was her junior, Tomono. Her expression was charming, as usual, but today, there was a shade of surprise on her face for some reason.

“Big Sister, what happened to you? I thought I just saw you walking here from the bus stop…”

“Yes. I had a bit of a situation today.”

“A situation? So is that why your hakama are different, too?”

Tomono had always had a sharp eye.

Asana tried to somehow avoid her questions.

“Oh, are they? Is there something wrong with them?”

“No, nothing’s wrong, but…”

Tomono trailed off and tilted her head a little.

“I’m sorry if this is too forward, but wouldn’t it be better for you to have your escort from home? You’re so pretty, and you belong to the Amamizu family, after all. It’s not worth the risk of getting kidnapped by some suspicious character. It’s dangerous.”

“…Ah, right. Thank you for your concern. But I’m all right.”

Really?

Asana wasn’t so sure.

Tomono’s praise for Asana was always exaggerated, and she didn’t think that such a thing was likely to happen, but she still wondered if Tomono might be right.

Asana’s mermaid blood wasn’t a complete secret. Their numbers were very few, but a handful of people, like Viscount Katsui, who did business in the shadows, knew about her.

If someone who knew about the mermaid’s blood wanted to get their hands on her…

I wouldn’t be surprised if one day, the Amamizu family was replaced by some other group of people who want to imprison and torture me.

And there was a possibility she would receive even crueler treatment than she had at the Amamizu house.

“Big Sister?”

Asana was dazed, deeply lost in thought, when Tomono’s voice brought her back to herself.

To not cause any further worry for the younger student, who was the one and only person, other than Sakuya, who cared about her, Asana smiled and shook her head.

“I’m sorry, I was just thinking about something for a minute. That’s all.”

“As long as that’s all…”

Now that she had left home, she could see it.

How much of a caged bird she had always been—how she had been protected and spoiled.

Of course, the outrageous ways her father and brother had abused Asana had been very painful and difficult for her, and she didn’t approve of their behavior.

But even so, they had given her so much. Once Asana was on her own, she would have nothing left except her body.

That was the only thing clear to her.

Even though she attended her classes, not one bit of information from her lessons made it through to her.

She kept the corner of her eye on the teacher standing behind the lectern as she gazed at the gray sky outside the classroom windows. The writing on the blackboard and the instruction from the teacher just passed right through her head.

She thought of her family. Sakuya’s condition. And what came next.

She didn’t want to go back to the Amamizu house. But she couldn’t impose on Sakuya and Uiko forever. And marriage was out of the question.

She wondered if there was anywhere at all for her to go.

It was difficult for a woman to live alone. Of course, if Asana could live without bothering anyone else, she would resign herself to her lot in life and accept any hardships that came with it. However, despite her feelings, Asana knew it was not realistic for her to expect to be able to run away from the Amamizu house and make a living all on her own.

Moreover, Asana’s body was always full of poison. In a sense, it was like a bomb. She could cause trouble for other people just by living and bleeding around them.

I’ll at least stay until the professor is well again.

Then once Sakuya recovered—

Asana didn’t understand any of her lessons in the least. She just watched the hours pass until lunch.

As soon as class ended, Asana’s classmates approached her. She didn’t go to the Mermaid’s Garden. Instead, she ended up eating lunch with friends, in a circle of desks.

“They said Professor Shigure is out today, huh?”

Once they had all gathered up with their lunch boxes, one of the girls broached the subject. The ones who already knew nodded, and those who hadn’t known shouted in surprise.

“I thought I hadn’t seen him around…”

“So that’s what’s going on. I wonder what happened?”

“I heard he isn’t feeling well. I hope it’s not too serious, though.”

As she listened to her friends’ conversation, Asana opened the lunch box Uiko had given her.

The contents were largely the same as the lunch Sakuya had brought the other day. Triangular rice balls that were a little more misshapen and irregular than the ones the servants at the Amamizu house made. They had pickles stuck right into the corners.

However, she could tell immediately that Uiko had done her very best to make them for her.

“Oh, Asana. That’s different from your usual lunch, huh?”

Asana felt a little awkward when Kyouko, who was sitting next to her, pointed that out, and she forced herself to smile.

“Yes, a bit… A different person made it today.”

“Ah, is that what happened?”

Each one of the other girls was holding a beautifully packed lunch box. The contents were all different, but compared to the others, Uiko’s lunch didn’t make a very good showing.

And yet, for some reason, Asana felt totally unworthy of enjoying it.

“Let’s eat.”

After pressing her hands together, she removed only the glove on her right hand, picked up a rice ball, and bit into it.

“—But the flavor’s not bad.”

She recalled Sakuya’s words.

Seriously, the seasoning is just right. These are delicious.

Moreover, Uiko had pressed them just hard enough because the rice softly came apart in her mouth. It was probably the first time she had ever eaten such delicious rice balls.

The simple lunch seemed much tastier than her usual, more elaborate fare.

“Kyouko, have you heard anything about Professor Shigure’s condition?”

Her friends had already moved on. They didn’t notice how captivated Asana was by her food. When one of them asked about their teacher, Kyouko nodded.

“Yes,” she said. “Apparently, he caught a cold. Though it doesn’t sound like it’s too bad.”

“Oh my…a cold?”

“As long as it’s not too bad, then that’s fortunate. But it is worrying.”

That reminded Asana that she had heard Uiko describing Sakuya’s condition on the phone that morning.

Uiko said she had been talking to someone from the Shigure household, but maybe that hadn’t been the truth.

“In that case, Kyouko, are you going to pay a visit to Professor Shigure’s home?”

“I wonder if I should? I would hate to trouble him when he’s ill…”

In response to this unpleasant turn in the conversation, Asana unconsciously stopped moving her chopsticks.

She wondered if Kyouko knew Sakuya was not at the Shigure main house, but at the Tsuno house.

If she did know, and if she ended up going to Sakuya’s house, then they might run into each other there. Even if they managed to avoid doing that, Uiko might let on that Asana was there.

However, if Asana interjected at this point, she would be trampling Kyouko’s feelings for her own convenience.

“I’m sure Professor Shigure would be happy to receive a visit from you, Kyouko.”

One of their friends encouraged her, and Asana nervously watched to see what would happen.

“I’d be glad if he was, but…Asana, what do you think?”

“Uh, umm…”

It’s hard to know when you ask so suddenly.

But she couldn’t answer like that, so she racked her brain, desperate to somehow steer the conversation in a different direction.

“I think it might not be good to suddenly visit his house after all. Maybe it would be better to send a sympathy card, to wish him well without imposing on him.”

“You’re right, of course. If that’s what Asana says, that’s what I’ll do.”

Kyouko nodded and smiled, seeming to accept that answer.

As soon as the bell rang, Asana immediately left for home.

She didn’t consider for a second going to the Mermaid’s Garden. She went straight for the entrance and swiftly left the school building.

Quickly— I’ve got to get back quickly.

Her stride naturally lengthened, and her pace picked up.

She had anxiously awaited the end of the school day like never before. Usually, school was much more comfortable than home. It was a place where she was not ignored and could amuse herself by chatting with her friends.

However, Asana had spent the day worrying about all sorts of things, her classes an afterthought.

Fortunately, the escort from the Amamizu house didn’t seem to be there. But she couldn’t afford to take her time. She wanted to get back to the Tsuno house quickly and see how Sakuya was doing.

She waited impatiently for the transit bus to arrive at the stop, but even once she had boarded, her heart was restless, and she spent the whole trip wondering if the bus couldn’t go any faster.

“I’m back.”

“Oh, Asana. Welcome home.”

Feeling somewhat nervous, Asana gingerly opened the front door, and Uiko poked her head out from the living room to greet her.

“Welcome home.”

The words sank deeply into her chest. She felt deeply relieved by those words, which had once been so commonplace. It made her realize she had been starved for such trivial greetings.

“I’m—I’m back, Uiko.”

Though she worried it might be too much, she said it again. When she did, Uiko nodded with a smile.

“Welcome home. You must be thirsty. I’ll make some tea, so rest a little.”

Then she continued.

“And please call me ‘Mom’, okay?”

“O-okay! And, um, how is the professor doing…?”

“Oh, Sakuya? I went and looked in on him just a little while ago, and it seems like he still has a fever. Though I hope it will come down tomorrow.”

It was Asana’s fault that Sakuya was ill. Asana ought to be the one to nurse him. She made up her mind to do so.

Kyouko, I’m sorry.

Internally, she was filled with guilt for what she had done to keep Kyouko away from the house. Asana felt like she had stolen a head start from her friend.

But even so, Asana felt she ought to be the one to take care of Sakuya.

He had nothing to do with whatever was going on between Asana and Kyouko. Because, at the moment, he was ill.

“Um…”

“Yes?”

However, there was one big problem with her plan. Asana bowed her head and asked Uiko, “C-could I ask you to teach me how to take care of a sick person?”

Asana had caught her last cold when she was very young, and her memories of it were already distant. She had completely forgotten how one usually tended to a sick person.

“How to take care of him?”

“I have almost no experience dealing with illness, you see…”

“Oh, really? Asana, you must be very healthy. Of course, I’m happy to show you.”

Asana had expected her to be extremely surprised to hear that. She raised her head at Uiko’s unexpected response.

“Y-you don’t think it’s strange?”

“Why, isn’t it better not to get sick?”

She was right about that, but Uiko answered her so nonchalantly that Asana couldn’t say anything more. It would have been odd for her to keep insisting that she was strange.

“I suppose you’re right. Thank you. Please teach me.”

She was glad for Uiko’s thoughtfulness, and for her kindness, which came without too many questions.

Asana asked her if they could have tea later and requested instruction on some of the basics of nursing. Then she headed for Sakuya’s room, which was deeper inside the house.

When she knocked on the door, she got a groan in response. It was not quite an answer, so Asana slowly and quietly entered the room.

Sakuya’s room was not that large, only five tatami mats in size.

The inside of the room smelled faintly of tobacco. There was a futon and a small desk, and the room was otherwise filled to the brim with countless books. There were books of all sorts, from educational periodicals for children to picture books, dictionaries, as well as more scholarly volumes and collections of research papers. There were even novels for pleasure reading.

She was surprised, and impressed, that Sakuya had read all of those many books.

“Professor, pardon me.”

The futon spread out in the corner of the room bulged with the shape of a person.

Asana carefully proceeded from the door through the gaps between the piled-up towers of books and finally arrived beside the futon.

“Professor, how are you feeling?”

When Asana spoke to him, Sakuya sluggishly sat up. His pajamas were in disarray, and his black hair, which was long enough to reach halfway down his back, spilled over his shoulders.

His languid appearance was even more bewitching than usual, and Asana suddenly felt flustered.

“…Not all that well, really.”

“D-don’t push yourself. Please lie down.”

She set a fresh pitcher of water and a cup she had brought with her down on an open spot.

The bucket of water for wetting his towel had also gone completely warm, so she noted she would need to change that later.

“Same to you. You shouldn’t be worrying yourself over me. You can make yourself at home here.”

“I most certainly cannot. After all, this is my fault.”

All of this was because Asana had been so naive. And because she hadn’t been able to get Sakuya away from the Amamizu family.

“This isn’t something you should feel responsible for. This happened because I stuck my nose where it didn’t belong.”

“…No. It’s because I was careless.”

With a sigh, Sakuya brushed his long hair back. He looked irritated. Asana worried she might have angered him, but Sakuya let out a wry chuckle.

“You’re so stubborn. It’s a good thing, though. I’m sure that’s why you were able to survive everything you’ve gone through, because you have that strength in you.”

She wondered how Sakuya could possibly understand.

How he knew Asana had resisted with all her might.

That even when she had resigned herself to obey Koutarou and Ukiharu, that even when she had grieved for her future, she had tried to keep her deepest heart untouched.

That behind her forced smiles, there was courage.

No, it’s still the professor’s words that are at my core.

She felt like everything she kept hidden inside herself was there thanks to Sakuya. That was how large his presence loomed in her mind and how much he had given her.

When Asana sank into silence, Sakuya must have taken it as a sign that he’d hurt her feelings because he seemed flustered as he asked her, “Sorry, I’m talking like I know everything. Did I upset you?”

Asana couldn’t help but laugh. “No. Thank you, Professor. You always see the real me.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. Don’t worry about it.”

If they continued down that path, Asana feared she might get carried away talking to Sakuya and say more and more things she shouldn’t. She made a show of going to change the water in the bucket and fled the room.

Her heart was still beating so hard, it was almost painful.

Even though Sakuya needed to rest and recuperate, the time she spent with him was pleasant, and it made her want to stay for a long time.

How strange… This isn’t the Mermaid’s Garden, and yet…

Asana had assumed that the only reason she had enjoyed the time she’d spent during lunch and after school with Sakuya, who had given her her most precious memory, was that they had been sitting in her beloved Mermaid’s Garden.

If I was wrong about that—

Standing in front of his room, Asana shook her head vigorously. She couldn’t think like that. She was sure those feelings wouldn’t lead to anyone’s happiness.

Late that night, Sakuya suddenly opened his eyes. There was an uncomfortable weight on top of his futon. Slowly, he looked around.

There he saw Asana, sleeping face down, still gripping the dried-out towel in her hand.

She was sleeping peacefully, letting out soft little sighs, and Sakuya reasoned that she must have fallen asleep while she was tending to him.

She didn’t look well. She had lost an enormous amount of blood at the Amamizu house. Even Asana couldn’t possibly be back to full health yet.

Sakuya sat up carefully, trying not to wake his fiancée, who was sleeping with a cherubic expression.

The characteristic dizziness and mental fog that came on with a fever had mostly cleared up. Apparently, his fever had come down considerably.

…Somehow, I’m almost sorry it’s gone.

Asana had shown incredible concern and constantly devoted herself to him.

She had been subjected to that awful treatment for eight whole years, yet it hadn’t broken her. It was enough to make him wonder how she could be so strong. She didn’t seem very confident, but she certainly wasn’t weak.

However, that also made him worry that one day, she might suddenly snap at an unexpected moment.

Sakuya quietly reached out and brushed aside Asana’s bangs, which had fallen over her eyes.

He was well aware that the feelings he had for the girl could not, by any means, be called love.

The only people Sakuya truly cared about were his grandfather and mother, his best friend Shinsuke, and a few friends he’d made abroad.

Other people were no different than pebbles by the roadside. Even after everything that had happened, if, for example, Asana and his mother were drowning in a river, he would save his mother first, without hesitation.

However, Sakuya had a hunch he would regret that choice after the fact. He felt like he would fret over abandoning Asana for the rest of his life.

And maybe something different was growing there.

“You don’t need to feel responsible for something I did of my own volition.”

Sakuya had carried Asana out of the Amamizu house for his own personal reasons. And catching a cold was a consequence of his choice.

To put it bluntly, he was pleased with himself. He hadn’t been able to bear seeing Asana suffer, so if he had abandoned her, he would have been plagued by a guilty conscience.

That was his only motive, and it was a selfish one.

He knew he treasured the time they shared in the Mermaid’s Garden, but then again, if not for that, he might have forgotten about her before too long and gone on living his normal life.

Sakuya was not as mature as Asana thought.

“You sure are a strange one. There’s no question that you’ve been keeping me at a distance, but then why am I so taken with you? Why do you put so much trust in me?”

Every time he looked at Asana, a feeling akin to nostalgia welled up inside of him. At the same time, he also felt something like joy. To make matters worse, there was the affection in her eyes she couldn’t completely hide.

It’s my destiny to be married to the girl with mermaid’s blood, huh…?

He had always thought it was just an unsubstantial, stale old legend that only his grandfather believed, but maybe that wasn’t the case.

Peeking out of the disarrayed collar of Sakuya’s pajamas was the detestable flower birthmark that had thrown his life into chaos. In the past, Shinsuke had called it creepy, but Asana had said it was beautiful.

Asana had a mark just like Sakuya did, and she had an unusual constitution just like him.

It was possible that the two of them, who had so much in common, were attracted to each other by the power of fate.

It was almost like a curse.

“But I won’t break the engagement.”

Asana was worried about what the Amamizu family might do, but there were many ways of dealing with them. Because of his grandfather’s wishes, he couldn’t just let the Amamizu family be, even if he risked igniting further conflict.

While he was at it, he would save Asana, too.

“This way, it won’t all be a lie.”

Sakuya stroked Asana’s long hair gently, like he was handling something fragile.

The following morning, Sakuya’s fever had completely come down, and he dressed himself for work.

Asana, who had accidentally fallen asleep on Sakuya’s futon the night before, came out of her room a little bit later.

Sakuya had pretended to be asleep when she got up, and she probably didn’t know he had awakened during the night.

“Well, shall we?”

“Yes. Um, but I wonder if it might start rumors at school if we are seen commuting together?”

Asana hesitantly offered this comment, and Sakuya smiled at her.

“If you’re worried about it, just walk a little ways behind me,” he replied. “Besides, you know, if we’re ever discovered, we’ll deal with that when it happens.”

Asana was afraid it would cause trouble if rumors began circulating at his workplace, but they also weren’t necessarily doing anything unacceptable.

If anything, the rumors might cut off his path of retreat and steel his nerve to marry Asana.

They had a warped relationship. Asana wanted to get away from Sakuya, while Sakuya only wanted to marry her to fulfill his grandfather’s wishes.

“Oh, but, Professor. Will that really be all right? Won’t it make it difficult to do your job?”

“It’ll be fine, just fine,” he answered half-heartedly.

Then he picked up his bag and walked down the road toward the bus stop. He tried to match his pace with Asana’s, as she followed behind him.

After all, he hadn’t noticed.

He hadn’t noticed the young woman watching him from around the corner.

“…Why is Asana coming out of Sakuya’s house?”

CHAPTER 6

If I Vanish with the Bubbles…

Several days had passed since Asana had come to stay at the Tsuno house.

They had been eerily peaceful days, like the calm before a storm. Little had happened, too little, and at unexpected moments, there was a vague, fleeting feeling of grief.

But for Asana, those few days were precious, and they felt like a dream or an illusion.

No one was taking her blood, and she could have friendly conversations with Sakuya and Uiko at breakfast and dinner. Just like most of the other students, she commuted to school by bus and on foot, and her body felt healthier than it ever had before.

When she said, “I’m home,” someone answered, “Welcome home.”

She wasn’t alone when she pressed her hands together before a meal.

She never missed a chance to say “Good morning” or “Good night.”

Over those first few days, Asana cried a lot. A simple exchange of greetings was enough to make her tear up.

Hmm…somehow, I feel like my face has gotten rounder?

Asana touched her cheek with one lace-covered hand.

And just then, a shrill shout erupted in the classroom.

“Look, it’s Professor Shigure and Kyouko!”

From the classroom doorway, they could see Sakuya and Kyouko walking down the hall, side by side.

Asana’s lifestyle wasn’t the only thing that had changed recently. Ever since the day Sakuya recovered from his cold and returned to work, Kyouko had stayed close to his side.

Of course, that didn’t happen while they were in class. However, in the mornings and after school, as well as during breaks and free time, Kyouko never failed to approach Sakuya, and she wouldn’t leave him alone.

Even during his commute to school, Kyouko came to pick Sakuya up in her family’s chauffeured private car. Ever since that day, Asana and Sakuya had been leaving the house at different times, and she made the trip to school on her own.

“Sakuya. Today, I made you lunch. Here it is. I wonder, would it be all right for you to spend your lunch break with me?”

Asana could hear Kyouko’s gentle voice. Her speech and manner were both refined. As always, she was a model young lady.

“Ah, well, that would be fine, but…”

In contrast, Sakuya answered her with some bewilderment. He was probably trying to avoid hurting Kyouko’s feelings.

The way things are going, it looks like the professor isn’t going to make it to the Mermaid’s Garden for lunch today, either.

Asana propped her chin up on top of her desk and sighed in disappointment.

It was too bad, but there was no helping it. Even if they couldn’t spend time together in the Mermaid’s Garden, she could still treasure the time they had together at the Tsuno house after all.

“Thank you very much, Sakuya. I’m delighted.”

Just from the sound of her voice, she could picture Kyouko, all smiles.

Asana was sure her friend also looked incredibly adorable when she was excited. She knew she was probably no match for Kyouko, even now that her complexion had improved somewhat.

“Ah, Asana!”

Kyouko called out to her as she returned to the classroom. She was done talking with Sakuya.

Recently, every time Asana saw her flaunting she was with Sakuya, it made her feel guiltier and guiltier.

“Kyouko…”

“There’s a little something I want to talk to you about. Is that all right?”

“Huh? Yes, sure.”

There was something stiff about Kyouko’s expression. It was different from her usual cheerful attitude.

“Come over here for a second.”

She took Asana with her out of the classroom, and they stood in a corner of the hallway, away from the tumult of the other students.

Kyouko had never done anything like that before, and it made Asana nervous.

“Kyouko? What’s the matter, all of a sudden?”

“Listen here, Asana.”

She paused there and looked Asana directly in the eye with a cold, serious expression.

“I wonder if you are aware of my feelings?”

“Huh?”

“My feelings toward Sakuya.”

Asana gasped. It was the one topic she had wanted to avoid if possible. Her heart pounded hard, and a cold sweat ran down her back.

She didn’t want to talk about that. But from Kyouko’s expression, she could tell she wouldn’t be able to deceive her.

“…Kyouko, you have feelings for Professor Shigure?”

With shallow breaths that were getting harder to take, Asana asked the question, and Kyouko nodded sharply.

“Yes. I— I’m in love with Sakuya. So much so that I hope to become his wife in the future.”

Finally, it had been confirmed, and in some way, Asana felt like it was happening to someone else.

Up until that point, she had believed it might be true from the way Kyouko acted and what Sakuya had said, but there had still been a way out. But now it was out in the open.

“Oh, you do?”

“Yes. So listen, Asana—” Kyouko cocked her head, and her smile was frighteningly beautiful. “Can I count on you to support my love?”

Asana was frozen stiff.

“‘Support’…?”

“Right. I don’t exactly need you to do anything in particular. If you could just listen to me talk from time to time, that would be fine. You’re my best friend, so now that I’ve shared my secret with you, I want you to cheer me on.”

“Ah, um, but…”

“I want it to be a secret from everyone else. I don’t want to make too big of a deal out of it. I just wanted a friend whom I could talk to about it in secret, is all. That’s okay, right? I know I can count on you.”

She gave her no opening to answer and then left in a hurry. She was gone before Asana knew it. It was unlike Kyouko to have such an extremely one-sided conversation.

Asana returned to the classroom on her own, in a daze.

“Professor Shigure and Kyouko make a nice pair, huh?”

“Yes, they really do. They seem to get along so well… They’re a model couple.”

“They said they’re eating lunch together. Why don’t we go sneak a look? I’m sure it will be a feast for the eyes.”

She could hear her classmates’ whispered conversation. Just recalling what Kyouko had told her made her head and heart ache.

What should I do?

That had probably been the right time to divulge she was engaged to Sakuya.

However, the conversation had ended before she’d had the chance, and now, no matter how she tried to reveal the truth, Asana would still be a coward who associated with Sakuya in secret, knowing he was the object of her friend’s affection.

No matter how it happened, once Kyouko discovered Asana was already engaged to Sakuya, their relationship would definitely change forever.

“What to do?”

Maybe she was hoping for too much.

Maybe it was too much for Asana to hope for, trying not to lose this person or another, when she was a monster that was supposed to live her life in the shadows, destined to be alone.

Afternoon classes began. For Asana’s class, that meant sewing lessons.

In the sewing classroom, they all sat down at their desks to work on their assignment: making a shirt. Asana removed the glove on her right hand and set about cutting her cloth according to the pattern paper.

She sliced through the practice material, a cheap white cotton, using sewing scissors, following the chalk marks she had made earlier that told her how to cut out the pieces.

The students had all started working on their shirts at the same time in the spring, and although their progress varied somewhat, almost everyone had already finished drafting their paper patterns and was at the cutting stage, like Asana. Once they finished cutting things out, next would come the machines.

Their matronly instructor walked around, keeping an eye on the classroom and offering guidance to the students.

She was a gentle teacher and wasn’t very strict. She didn’t admonish the girls for having private conversations while they worked, so long as they didn’t make a lot of conspicuous noise. Most of the students seemed to be enjoying themselves, chatting quietly.

J-just my luck.

Asana grimaced slightly and stared intently at her piece of cloth. Unfortunately, Kyouko had taken a seat diagonally across from her.

The students did not have assigned seats in the sewing room; they were completely free to pick their own seats.

It was only natural, then, that Asana always sat in a seat close to her good friend Kyouko, as well as their other friends, and that she joined in the conversation as they all worked.

However, at the moment, she didn’t want to be too close to Kyouko.

“So, Kyouko, do tell, how was your lunch break with him?”

One of their friends, her eyes absolutely sparkling, pitched forward as she asked.

“Heh-heh. It was delightful. Sakuya has always been a considerate person, so even though he brought his own lunch, he was kind enough to eat the lunch I made.”

“Wow!”

The young ladies around them got excited all at once. But Asana, on the other hand, felt more and more depressed.

She was perfectly aware. She knew she couldn’t possibly tell Sakuya not to eat lunch with Kyouko.

She was the one who was thinking of trying to dissolve their marriage proposal, and she was Kyouko’s friend, so she felt she had no right to tell them what to do.

More so because, in all likelihood, if Asana and Sakuya went their own ways, he would agree to marry Kyouko instead.

But I hate the idea of Kyouko taking the professor away from me.

That thought flashed through her mind, and she felt ashamed of her sad contrarianism.

“So then, Kyouko, do you know what Professor Shigure’s favorite foods are?”

“Yes! Well, I say that, but he ate everything and said it was all delicious. Out of today’s lunch, he especially complimented the minced myoga ginger salad. It seems he likes fragrant vegetables in particular.”

As Kyouko was talking, looking slightly bashful with her hands on her faintly blushing cheeks, their friends let out enraptured sighs.

Even I knew that.

Sakuya liked flavorful potherbs like ginger, garlic, and myoga-type ginger, but spices weren’t really to his taste. He preferred fish over meat and liked nice, simple recipes. Also, he liked the anpan buns from the boss’s shop.

She had heard from Sakuya himself that while he was abroad, he’d had trouble with the many pungent foreign dishes flavored with spices like black pepper.

He seemed happy whenever there was grilled fish on the table, and his chopsticks moved more slowly when there were meatballs instead.

Asana’s mind was filled with thoughts of Sakuya. It took a moment for her to come back to her senses.

What exactly was she competing for? Even though she didn’t say anything out loud, it was like she was wrestling for supremacy with her own friend.

Am I really such an awful girl?

She knew it was wrong of her to think about such things, especially when she still hadn’t told Kyouko anything.

“Well, I’m certainly jealous. What a lucky girl you are, Kyouko, to be able to marry a kind, beautiful man like Professor Shigure, who comes from a good family.”

“Yes, I think so myself. But I worry that since he’s such a wonderful gentleman, many girls may fall in love with him.”

When Kyouko said that, she sighed with a hopeless look on her face, and their friends made expressions of pity.

“Ah, that would be a concern.”

“We’re just admiring you, though. No one would think of approaching a man who has such a wonderful fiancée as you, Kyouko.”

“Well, not everyone can tell the difference between daydreams and reality.”

Asana didn’t want to hear any more. She stopped cutting her fabric.

As she looked at Kyouko and listened to her talk, she felt steadily more ashamed of herself, and what little self-respect she had seemed to evaporate.

She was ready to try to make up some suitable reason to move to an open seat somewhere else. Asana looked around the room for a spot, but—

“Kyouko, I wonder if you would let us listen in, too?”

“We want to hear about Professor Shigure as well.”

Students sitting farther away spoke to Kyouko. Then they had a bit of a back-and-forth, and before Asana could move anywhere, Kyouko and the other girls decided to change seats.

Thank goodness.

As long as she didn’t go with them, she could get by without having to hear any more of their conversation. Asana sighed with relief and started to work on her assignment again.

Kyouko and the other students quickly gathered up their cloth and sewing implements and stood up.

Completely by accident—Kyouko’s sewing scissors fell on Asana’s hand.

With a loud crash, they fell to the floor. On the way down, the blade grazed Asana’s right hand.

“Oww…”

Asana groaned and covered her right hand with her left.

“Ah! I— I’m so sorry!”

Kyouko fell to her knees in a panic, white as a sheet. However, Asana was the one who felt the blood drain from her face. She immediately covered the cut with her handkerchief as it bled.

“It-it’s not much of a wound at all. I’m fine.”

It was only a small cut. Luckily, it wasn’t too deep. It was nothing serious, just something that would give her a dull ache later. But that in itself was the problem.

For her, such a minor wound would heal in mere seconds. It had probably already completely vanished.

And if the others saw that spectacle—Asana would never be accepted at school again.

As she broke out in a cold sweat, she smiled at Kyouko. She had gone completely pale and was trembling badly.

“Asana…I—I—”

“Truly, don’t worry about it. It will heal right away with proper treatment.”

“R-really? Um, let’s go to the first aid room…”

“I’ll go on my own, so you can stay where you are, Kyouko.”

Kyouko looked a little relieved to hear her say that.

Asana had thought that maybe she had seen her wound heal itself, but apparently, she’d been wrong about that.

Thank goodness.

It would be a problem if she had to stop attending school. She knew she would have to leave at some point, but she wasn’t ready for that just yet.

Besides, Asana didn’t want to make Kyouko anxious, either.

“Ms. Amamizu, is your hand all right?” the teacher asked.

Asana nodded. “Yes, ma’am. May I go to the first aid room now?”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

The student in the seat next to hers gathered Asana’s things for her, so she thanked her and took them with her as she left the sewing room.

There in the empty hallway, with everyone else in the classroom, Asana stealthily lifted the handkerchief away from her hand and took a look. Of course, there was not even a trace of an injury. Her morbidly pale skin was unbroken.

Now what do I do?

There was no way she could go right back into the sewing room, just like that, but at the same time, there was no point in going to the first aid room, since there was no wound.

Asana went back to her regular classroom and put her sewing tools and her half-cut fabric away on her shelf.

In place of a bandage, she took out a white scrap of cloth and tore it into strips. She wound it haphazardly around the spot where the cut had been and put her glove on over it.

Maybe that will do.

All she really had to do was make it look like she had a bandage beneath the lace.

Asana considered waiting there until the class period was over, but she couldn’t sit still, so she left the classroom. She headed directly for the first aid room.

She could approach the room, then just turn around and pretend she had gone there.

As she passed in front of the other classrooms and heard the teachers’ voices, she somehow got the feeling she was doing something very bad.

She wondered how she would explain herself if she happened across someone, like a teacher who didn’t have a class that period. She worried about it as she proceeded down the hallway.

And then the very scenario that was worrying Asana immediately came to pass.

“Is that Ms. Amamizu there?”

The person who walked toward her from the other end of the hallway, waving and calling her name, was the teacher in charge of their mathematics classes. He was an older man, but he wasn’t particularly strict, so for a moment, Asana felt relieved. But she knew he wasn’t lenient enough to let her go without saying anything.

Asana bowed cautiously.

“Don’t you have class?” he asked.

“I was in sewing class, but I cut my hand. The bleeding has stopped for now, but just to be safe, I was heading for the first aid room. But on the way, I got a bit turned around.”

Asana chose her words carefully as she answered the teacher, showing off her hand with the white scraps of cloth peeking through. The math teacher nodded in understanding.

“Hmm. I’m sorry to hear that. But this is actually perfect.”

“What is?”

“A letter was just delivered for you. Would you like to come get it now?”

“A letter…?”

Asana tilted her head.

It wasn’t unusual for letters addressed to the students to be sent to the school. It was a method senders often used when they didn’t know where a particular student lived, for example.

However, this was the first time Asana had ever received a letter sent to the school.

“Um, yes, please. There’s a chance there may be some urgent business…”

“Fine. Come with me, then, please.”

Asana followed the math teacher to the staff room, where she retrieved her letter. She immediately opened it out in the hallway.

Her hand was trembling, holding the plain brown envelope. It didn’t say who had sent it on the envelope, but the handwriting in the address was familiar.

This is my brother’s handwriting.

She had expected something might show up. There was no way her father and brother were going to keep turning a blind eye to Asana’s absence.

The letter itself was extremely straightforward.

Come back now. Don’t think that you can live apart from the Amamizu family.

A haze filled her mind, and through it, she could hear the last words Ukiharu had hurled at her.

“You’ll regret this!”

Honestly, she didn’t regret it. However, there were some things she had learned since leaving home.

Asana did not have the means to live properly apart from her family. No matter what, it would be difficult for her to live among normal people.

In that unexpected moment, she realized something. Asana wasn’t even capable of assisting with kitchen work properly. If she cut her finger and even one drop of blood got into the food, she would kill everyone. She would always have to pay careful attention and be on high alert to make sure she never injured herself in front of anyone else, as she had that day.

It had been right for her to be confined to her room in the Amamizu estate.

But things would be different if she went out into the world. She would have to do everything for herself, and to do so, she would have to live much more carefully than others did.

“I—”

Things couldn’t stay as they were. It was something she had told herself countless times already.

Asana did not have the right to such an easygoing life. Even though she had left the Amamizu house, that didn’t change the fact that she was a monster.

Asana grasped the stationery tightly, and it crumpled in her hands.

After school, Asana went to the Mermaid’s Garden, as she always did, but she couldn’t find tranquility the way she had before.

Not in the perpetually blooming camellia flowers, nor in the pond filled with clear water, nor in the chirps of the songbirds, nor in the rustling sound of the grass.

Before, even on gloomy, overcast days, the Garden had healed Asana’s heart. But now it made her feel profoundly empty.

The way things are going, not only will I have to leave the professor’s side, but I’ll have to go back to the way I was living before.

Asana feared that above all else.

If one thing was plainly obvious, it was that as more time passed, it was getting harder to let go.

I’m scared.

Up until a short time earlier, she had simply enjoyed being in her special place. It was a profoundly beautiful place, where other girls with mermaid’s blood had suffered through life, died, and were laid to rest.

However, now she had started to feel like it was a wretched place just because Sakuya was not there with her.

She couldn’t help but be afraid at the thought that, without Sakuya, the Mermaid’s Garden might offer her no respite.

“I have to go…”

Asana stepped onto the grassy ridge surrounding the pond.

She wanted peace of mind. She had a feeling that if she watched Sakuya from afar and he didn’t look her way, or if she could see him as just a teacher, as a stranger, and then come back to the Garden, maybe she could get some of the former tranquility back.

Her steps felt incredibly heavy.

Step by step, Asana’s feet felt like they had stone weights attached to them as they dragged her away from the Mermaid’s Garden.

At that time of day, Sakuya was probably still in the staff room.

Asana walked into the school looking for him. The wooden floorboards creaked as she walked down the corridor that was lit orange by the setting sun. When she got to the staff room, she quietly stood by the doorway and peered in.

He’s not here…

With a sharp sigh of disappointment, Asana walked off again. If not the staff room, where could he be? She wondered if they might have passed each other on the way and if Sakuya was in the Mermaid’s Garden.

However, at the moment, she wanted to avoid meeting him there. If she did, things might turn out the way she feared.

She hoped he was in a classroom somewhere.

Asana approached the staircase, thinking she might go up to the second floor. When she did, she heard a voice that sounded like Sakuya’s coming from the landing of the stairs.

Asana immediately pushed herself up against the wall and listened carefully.

“Shinsuke. You can’t just come to the school. I don’t care what the circumstances are.”

“The Honomi family holds a seat on the financial board of Yotsuru Girls’ Academy, so you’ve got no right to complain.”

She hadn’t seen the face of the person Sakuya was talking to, but after hearing Sakuya call him Shinsuke, she knew it was his friend, the one they’d run into the other day.

Apparently, Shinsuke’s family was connected to the school.

“So you still have no intention of reconsidering? Even though the Amamizu family is selling deadly poison? Even though their products are being used in countless crimes?”

“I told you, I already know all of that, and my thinking hasn’t changed.” Asana quietly gasped. Shinsuke knew all about her family’s evil deeds. “Shinsuke, give it a rest. You’re annoying me. If you say anything more on the subject, I won’t stand for it.”

“But you’ve got Ms. Kyouko, haven’t you?”

“It’s not like that with her.”

“I’m sure her family intended her to be a match for you. I understand the Shigure family has some reservations about her, but there’s no other match with such favorable terms.”

“In that case, why don’t you go marry her yourself?”

Sakuya sounded like he was truly angry with his friend. But Shinsuke’s next words chilled Asana to the core.

“If that’s how it is…why don’t you go abroad?”

“……”

There was no response from Sakuya. Shinsuke pressed his case further.

“How can you refuse, when you sent me so many letters about how your studies were progressing overseas, how much fun you were having, and how rewarding it was?”

“My grandfather’s not in good health, so I couldn’t possibly leave now.”

“If you do as you’re told by the previous generations and let yourself get adopted out, you might never set foot in another country again, depending on the policies of your in-laws. It’s not as if you’re teaching here because you really want to be.”

Instinctively, Asana clapped a hand over her mouth.

She hadn’t even thought of that. She knew Sakuya had come back to Japan because his grandfather was in poor health. But she’d been sure that, to a certain extent, he had cut his ties with the West and returned to spend the rest of his life in his home country.

She could hear it in the evasive way Sakuya spoke. He still had some lingering attachment to his studies abroad.

Before she knew it, her whole body was trembling.

“Listen to me, Sakuya. If you’re going to take a wife, make it Kyouko. If you’re with her, you can go overseas or wherever you like. Don’t waste your time like this with half measures. Hurry up and make a move.”

“……”

“Asana Amamizu is the only one who’s off-limits. Completely. I won’t stand for it. If necessary, I’ll go with you to persuade your grandfather. Got it?”

Asana held her breath and listened attentively for how Sakuya would answer Shinsuke. And then the answer she heard from her fiancé was absolutely unequivocal.

“—You’re right.”

She couldn’t stand to hear any more. Asana covered her ears and quickly fled from that place.

She felt like something was stuck in her throat, and she had long since lost sensation in her limbs. The only thing she could feel was the pounding of her heart.

She ran frantically, trying to get to someplace where she couldn’t hear their voices at all.

From the start…from the very start, I’ve been nothing but a burden to the professor.

Because she was a monster and because her family was involved in evil deeds. From the beginning, the marriage itself, and everything else concerning Asana, had been a chain to bind Sakuya, who was trying to spread his wings.

Asana was nothing more than a hindrance to him.

She ran, and ran, and ran.

Asana left the school building and finally came to a stop. Then she noticed—

“Ah…”

Her hand was transparent. She looked down at herself and saw that her body was translucent. She could see right through herself to the ground below.

Her whole body had changed. And it looked exactly as if it were made of water.

She thought she was seeing things. But no matter how many times she rubbed her eyes and looked again, the results were the same.

“Ha…ha-ha, ha, heh-heh.”

At the ludicrous, unreal sight, dry laughter forced its way to the surface.

I’m vanishing, aren’t I? I’m finally vanishing!

She had always wished to become water. To turn into water and just drift around in the middle of the ocean, alone.

She didn’t understand why this was happening, but maybe that wish was finally coming true.

Asana would not only finally escape from the Amamizus, but she also still had time to set Sakuya free as well. And she wouldn’t make Kyouko resent her, either.

There could not be a more favorable outcome. The word miracle was made for such occurrences.

She was happy. She should have been happy. After all, she noted, at that very moment, a smile of delight was rising to her face.

“Oh, huh?”

Though she was certainly smiling, for some reason, her eyes felt hot. She could feel the warm trickles as the droplets streamed down her face. She ought to have been happy, so why?

“How strange… Rejoice, rejoice now, Asana,” she muttered to herself, but she couldn’t keep her voice from trembling, and she quietly covered her face.

After a little bit of time had passed, Asana’s body, which had appeared transparent, returned to normal.

She was relieved, but at the same time, she was disappointed with herself for feeling that way.

It was strange that she couldn’t be happy, even though the mysterious phenomenon had come at such a convenient time—just when she wanted to escape from everybody. She couldn’t believe she was dissatisfied.

Asana headed home, without waiting for Sakuya and without going to the Mermaid’s Garden.

Asana had always longed to commute to school on her own two legs.

She didn’t mind walking alone, making the trip in silence. She had simply always wished to make her own way to school, like everyone else did.

But now she wasn’t so sure.

She didn’t feel any kind of deep emotion about walking alone. She was just lonely.

For Asana, being in school was her lifeline. School was the one environment where she felt free. And that was still true now. She had always imagined that being able to walk around on her own would mean she was finally free of her family.

But it hadn’t turned out that way. She did not feel like she could make her own choices.

She proceeded down the paved road. However, when she noticed the people standing in her way, Asana came to a stop.

“Ah…”

She almost leaped in surprise. A cold chill surged up her spine, and Asana couldn’t move a single step from that spot.

There were two people standing before her. One was a young man, and the other was a stout middle-aged man.

Both were well-dressed—the young man in an unlined silk kimono with a checkered pattern, and the middle-aged man in a closely tailored three-piece suit, with a pretentious hat and walking stick.

Even though the dazzlingly bright light of the setting sun was shining in her eyes, Asana recognized them immediately.

It was Asana’s brother, Ukiharu Amamizu, and Asana’s former fiancé, Viscount Katsui.

“Big Brother…Lord Katsui…good afternoon.”

Trembling, Asana finally managed to mutter a shrill greeting.

“Sister, why do you make that face? Surely my letter reached you? We went out of our way to come and meet you like this.”

Why the two of you?

The question surged inside her, but her mind wouldn’t work properly. No words would come out.

Her brother spoke bluntly. His voice was cold and exasperated, and his face loomed over her, looking many times more serious than it ever had before.

“Excellent. You’ve ripened quite nicely, haven’t you?”

Hearing Katsui’s vulgar voice was like having cold water poured over her, and Asana shifted her gaze around awkwardly.

Katsui, whom she had seen only occasionally since meeting him about two years earlier, was as fat as he had always been, and though his attire was extremely respectable, his behavior was shockingly vulgar.

She couldn’t stop shivering as his gaze seemed to caress her all over.

“For a while, I’ve been wondering how things were going to turn out, but apparently, the negotiations have been settled, which is good news for me. It would have been just unbearable if a darling little plaything like you had been snatched out from under my nose.”

“Indeed. On our side as well, we are glad we’ve struck a good deal.”

Ukiharu answered Katsui with an ingratiating smile and walked briskly toward Asana, his shoes clacking on the ground.

Asana immediately tried to avoid him, but she was too slow. Ukiharu grabbed her wrist firmly, and no matter how she pushed or pulled, she couldn’t get away from him.

“Stop… Big Brother, what is this? What’s going on here?”

“This is how things have turned out since you decided to run away with that man.”

“Huh…?”

“The engagement between you and Sakuya Shigure has been canceled. You will marry Lord Katsui, as originally planned. It was a mistake to accept that man as your groom. In the end, he was too greedy, and it seems like it will cause less trouble for us in the future if we marry you off to Lord Katsui instead.”

“What a terrible thing to say,” Katsui said with a shrug and a smirk. “You make it sound like I’m the very embodiment of evil.”

Ukiharu chuckled in response. “Ha-ha-ha! You are, aren’t you? But it’s a necessary evil. Because the business we do with you keeps the gold flowing.”

“And nowadays, we’ve got suspicious strangers and unknown investors trying to throw their weight around, too. But we’re not defeated just yet!”

Asana’s mind couldn’t follow their banter.

Why had Katsui suddenly reappeared? Once they started the marriage talks with the Shigure family, the relationship between Katsui and the Amamizus ought to have deteriorated.

Asana wondered if she was really such a valuable commodity from Katsui’s perspective.

“Wait, wait a minute, please. Big Brother, does that mean…? Is this…what the Shigure family’s wishes are?”

“Of course, we’ve contacted them and let them know we are turning down their proposal. And we’ve decided to hold onto the bride-price money, as consolation for when that man abducted you. They were somewhat reluctant about that part, but the head of their family is a fairly sensible man.”

Her brother’s smiling face looked strange to her. The deep black darkness that filled his eyes started to coil itself around Asana, too.

“Do you think we don’t have the right? That’s what you think, isn’t it? But, you know, the rest of us have been saddled with you, the girl with mermaid’s blood, this whole time. We’ve had to devote our whole lives to you. There’s no reason you should be the only one who gets to live as you like.”

“Big…Brother…”

She felt like all the strength was draining from her body.

Ukiharu’s meaning was clear to Asana.

He, her father, and her grandfather—the men of the Amamizu family—lived to enrich their household by exploiting the girls with mermaid’s blood. They couldn’t accept any other way of living.

And then when the power in the girl’s blood waned, they beheaded her. They killed her with their own hands.

If they didn’t, the next girl with mermaid’s blood couldn’t be born. In order to live like that, they had to kill their own emotions, too.

All because I’m here.

If she went right back to the Amamizu house, then things might peacefully return to the way they always had been. Asana would be married off to Katsui, and her father and brother would profit from their secret business with him.

At any rate, the members of the Amamizu family were the only ones who knew how to handle the mermaid’s blood.

His wife in name only, Asana would be Katsui’s plaything, while at the same time, he would drain the mermaid’s blood from her body and funnel it to the Amamizu family, who would sell it and give him a cut. Also, as compensation, in every deal they made, he would arrange things so that the Amamizu family was at an advantage.

As one of the central figures involved with the black market in the capital, Katsui had the power to do so.

However, if that happened, nothing would ever change. All of them would remain imprisoned in their houses, as restricted as they were then. Even Sakuya, who wouldn’t be able to escape after discovering her secret.

“Let me go!”

Ukiharu had probably believed that Asana would obediently follow orders like always. She waited for a moment when her brother’s grip slackened just a little and shook her hand free.

In this instance, she couldn’t do as her brother said. She couldn’t get married off to Katsui.

Professor!

Nearly falling as she did, Asana managed to make her escape.

“Wait, Asana!”

Ukiharu shouted after her. Even so, she didn’t stop. At that moment, she just wanted to get away from there. She was sure there had to be some good way to do that. If she could follow Sakuya’s example and buy herself some time, then surely—

Thunk!

Something with great force struck Asana on the back.

“Uagh—”

A mass of stinging heat, like a bad sunburn, spread rapidly outward from the center of her back, growing steadily larger.

She knew that sensation. It was the feeling of a blade being stabbed into her body.

“I won’t tolerate an unmanageable shrew. Although it could be entertaining to force a girl like that to submit.”

Katsui cackled mockingly. The man standing directly behind Asana had stabbed her.

Immediately, she heard Ukiharu’s voice admonishing Katsui.

“Lord Katsui. I told you it was dangerous to touch the creature’s blood directly.”

“Ha-ha-ha, don’t you worry. There would be no pleasure in having her if I feared danger. Listen, it’s the same feeling as eating blowfish or eel, knowing they have poison.”

The vulgar sound of Katsui’s voice was distant and muffled.

Pain. Heat. Burning. Agony. Every time she took a breath, an unbearable sharp pain ran through her.

As long as the knife was still stuck in her, the wound wouldn’t close.

Asana pulled out the knife that had pierced her back. A groan escaped from her throat, and shivers ran through her from the pain. It was a miracle she was able to stand.

And yet she didn’t fall. Asana walked forward on her own two feet.

“I thought I told you to wait!”

She sensed Ukiharu behind her, reaching out for her. However, the sensation of being grabbed again never came.

“…You…your body is…”

“It looked like she went transparent for a second. What on earth…?”

She heard their voices, overcome with surprise, but she paid them no mind and continued on. They seemed to have stopped chasing her already.

Her wound closed, and the pain eased bit by bit.

Sweat beaded her forehead. Because she had bled, the cold air felt harsher than it had before.

Professor…

She had an overwhelming desire to see Sakuya’s face. Just being near him gave Asana a sense of calm like nothing else.

“Professor… Professor.”

Ah, she thought, how badly she relied on Sakuya. Not only did she cling to her memory of him, but she was also totally dependent upon the man himself.

A gust of chilly wind blew past her. The knife she had pulled out of her back clattered to the ground with a high-pitched ring, and as if that was their cue, small droplets of water fell from the dark clouds that had suddenly gathered low in the sky and began to strike Asana’s cheeks.

The water droplets multiplied in a flash, and it was suddenly raining.

The pain in her body vanished, and in its place, Asana felt a sudden chill. It was the first time since leaving the Amamizu house that she had experienced such pain, as well as the mental fog that came from losing too much blood.

“So…cold.”

Droplets trickled from her drenched bangs, and beads of rain streamed down her forehead. Her hair was in disarray, and damp strands clung to her cheeks and the nape of her neck.

She carried no umbrella, but she kept trudging forward, even though she was soaking wet. She realized she was getting odd looks from people passing by. However, she didn’t have it in her to care.

Ahead of her, in her hazy field of vision, stood the figure of a man holding an umbrella. Asana came to a halt. Her feet felt as heavy as lead.

Who…?

Perhaps Ukiharu and Katsui had chased her down. Or maybe the person Asana was hoping to see had come to meet her.

“Asana Amamizu.”

When she heard her name, Asana raised her head. It was a familiar voice. Just a short while ago, she had heard it at the school.

“Mr.…Honomi?”

The person was tall and slender, dressed in a suit. The umbrella was in the way, so she couldn’t see his face.

It must have been plainly obvious that there was something wrong with Asana, but the man did not extend a helping hand.

“I know all about your mermaid’s blood.”

“……”

“Perhaps you are aware yourself? You are a monster. A fiend pretending to be human. A foul, repulsive, inhuman thing.”

The truth was mercilessly thrust into her face. They were the same words Asana had repeated to herself countless times over the past eight years. But coming from another person, those words were even more painful to hear.

Before she knew what she was doing, Asana opened her mouth.

“I know that…all of that,” she replied.

“In that case, set Sakuya free.

“……”

“Do you want to make him miserable?” he asked forcefully.

There was an uncomfortable stirring in Asana’s chest. But she could not deny her feelings. Up until that point, and going forward, she felt only one thing.

How could he say that when he doesn’t really know anything? He knew the Amamizu family’s secret, and Asana’s secret, so he thought he understood it all. From the bottom of her heart, she was upset.

“You don’t need to tell me any of that—” A tearful cry surged up out of her throat. “The one thing I want, the thing I want more than anything, is the professor’s happiness! I want it more—much more than someone like you!”

Even if everything Asana had done to try to protect Sakuya had been pointless, even so, the feelings behind it were real. She didn’t need anyone else to tell her that.

Asana kept walking, and her shaky feet carried her right past the man standing in her way. Shinsuke did not try to stop her.

I’ve had enough.

Sakuya, and Kyouko, and…her family, too. Asana hated the thought that she ruined the lives of every person who had anything to do with her.

“…Smiling is best. Happiness comes to those who smile…”

Asana’s mumbling voice reached no one’s ears and was quickly swallowed by the rain.

What can I do to keep everyone from losing their smiles? There was no need for her to think about it. The way was already clear.

CHAPTER 7

Someone to Find Me

That morning, the moment Sakuya opened his eyes, he felt vaguely uneasy. He had never been much of a morning person, but for some reason, on that particular morning, he had woken up early.

Although it had rained heavily the previous night, the downpour had dried up, and the rays of the morning sun shone through the curtain and into his room.

It was ten minutes before his alarm clock usually woke Sakuya up. On the other side of the door, he could hear his mother’s footsteps and her preparing breakfast.

It was morning in the Tsuno house, no different than usual.

Sakuya climbed out of his futon, changed his clothes, and left his room. He washed his face at the sink, where his towel hung, shaved, and then combed his hair and put it up with his hairpin.

He entered the living room just as Uiko was setting out serving trays on the dining table.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Sakuya.”

Sakuya grinned at his sweetly smiling mother. However, he still felt uneasy and tilted his head to the side questioningly.

He didn’t see the girl whose presence had already become normal to him over the past few days.

“Mother, where’s Asana?”

Asana had been getting up earlier than Sakuya every day and helping Uiko with the housework.

Considering her personal constitution, she wasn’t handling any knives in the kitchen, but aside from cooking, she had been doing the laundry, the cleaning, and anything else to help out.

Yet she was nowhere to be seen that morning.

“Oh, yes,” Uiko said in response to Sakuya’s question and made a perplexed expression. “Asana hasn’t gotten up yet this morning. She might not be feeling well since she got caught in a sudden rain shower yesterday and came home all wet. Sakuya, I wonder if you would go to her room and say something to her?”

“Sure thing.”

Asana’s room was right by the front door.

The room had once belonged to the family’s live-in servant. They had furnished it sparsely, with a futon and a small desk.

Asana had been extremely happy anyway. She’d said it had been a long time since she’d slept in a room with large windows.

Sakuya stood in front of the door to the room and knocked softly.

“Asana?”

There was no answer. Thinking that perhaps she was sleeping deeply, Sakuya knocked again, a little harder.

“Asana, are you awake?”

However, there was no response. In fact, he didn’t hear a single sound or get the sense that anyone was in there.

It seemed like Asana might not be in her room.

A bad feeling slowly spread through Sakuya’s chest, and he decisively put his hand on the doorknob.

“I’m sorry, I’m coming in.”

The door creaked as he gently pushed it open.

Sure enough, no one was inside. It also felt awfully chilly. And the room was too clean. The futon was folded up neatly, and the stationery was arranged in tidy order on top of the desk. Not a single speck of dust was on the floor, as if it, too, had been cleaned.

“Asana?!”

Sakuya looked around the room.

But it wasn’t exactly a large space. No matter how wide he opened his eyes or how carefully he looked in every nook and cranny, it was obvious that no one was there.

“Asana, where are you?!”

An uncomfortable chill ran up Sakuya’s spine. His heart hammered in his chest, and an unpleasant sweat oozed from his pores.

Has she been kidnapped? No, if that happened, there’s no way we wouldn’t have noticed.

He was sure the Amamizu family was willing to break into his home if it meant taking Asana back, but the inside of the room was too clean for that to have happened. Furthermore, both Sakuya and Uiko were occupying the same small house. There was no way they wouldn’t have noticed the sounds of several other people.

In which case, Asana must have left the house on her own.

Suddenly, Sakuya spotted something familiar sitting on the desk.

“These are Asana’s.”

It was a pair of black lace gloves. He had seen Asana wearing them many times.

Sakuya returned to the living room, taking the gloves with him.

“Mother?”

“Yes? What’s wrong? You’re making such a grim face.”

“…Asana isn’t here.”

“What?! Oh no, th-that’s terrible! What do we do?! A girl out on her own… It’s too dangerous.” His mother flew into a panic.

Sakuya showed her the gloves.

“These were left behind on the desk,” he said.

Uiko took the gloves from him.

“These gloves…”

“I think these were Asana’s most treasured possession. She wore them often and always seemed to have them with her.”

The gloves concealed the birthmark on Asana’s hand. But she had always treasured these gloves in a way that could not be explained simply by their utility.

He could tell because she had always had them tucked away inside her kimono, carefully folded and deliberately placed in a dedicated drawstring purse.

The fact she had left those gloves behind had to mean she was planning something.

Uiko took a hard look at the gloves and seemed to be pondering something for a little while. Then she finally looked up at Sakuya.

“I thought so,” she said. “These gloves used to be mine, a long time ago.”

“Huh?”

“Now, when was that…? I’d been falling down and hurting myself a lot, and I had torn my gloves, so I believe you brought me a spare pair, along with some bandages and medicine, right?”

Sakuya didn’t need her to describe it to him. He remembered it well.

He recalled the young girl he had encountered along the way, eight years earlier.

Although the incident had been buried in his memory, after recalling it once, he could bring it back to mind easily.

“They’re still a little bit big, but they suit you better than they suit my mother. So I’ll give them to you.”

At that time, he had still been Sakuya Tsuno, not yet Sakuya Shigure, and he had said those words as he’d offered the girl the black lace gloves.

He remembered thinking that the young girl who was mutilating herself as she wept was strange and pitiful, and not very childlike, and he had found it difficult to look her in the eye when she seemed like she had given up on everything.

He had thought the gloves looked similar, however—

“It can’t be.”

It was impossible. If what Uiko said was the truth, it would mean that the girl he met back then was indeed Asana. And that he had encountered her again after traveling the world.

Uiko shook her head side to side in response to Sakuya’s dumbfounded muttering.

“I’m certain of it,” she said. “Even the pattern is the same… Look there, at the edge of the wrist. I fixed it where it frayed a little. But the color and texture of my thread were a little bit different from what was used to make the gloves… You can tell if you look closely.”

Even after she said that, he simply couldn’t believe it.

Sakuya reached back into his memory. He tried to recall the details of the girl’s face, but although he could remember the incident, it was difficult to remember her features.

To say nothing of the fact that after eight years had passed, even if he had been able to remember, it probably would have been impossible to confirm she was the same person.

“At any rate, I’m going to look for Asana.”

“Yes, the sooner the better. It would be awful if something happened.”

“I’ll be back.”

Sakuya took the gloves from Uiko, put them in his pocket, and left the house.

Assuming Asana had left before his mother had gotten up, he deduced that she’d left before the buses had started running.

He wondered if she had walked off on her own.

Sakuya boarded a bus with what little change he had on hand and headed for Yotsuru Girls’ Academy.

It was still early for students to be at school, and he walked through the empty school grounds, heading straight for the Mermaid’s Garden.

“Please, please be there.”

He walked down the familiar path and pushed his way through the thick growth of camellia trees. Sakuya had expected the regular scenery to appear before him, just as it always had, but he found himself at a loss for words.

“The Mermaid’s Garden is…”

The pond must have overflowed with the heavy rain the previous night.

The Garden, which had always been like a sanctuary, filled with a tranquil atmosphere, was a shadow of its former self. The whole area was flooded with mud and filthy water, and even the little shrine in the center of the pond was a mess, with mud, grass, and leaves stuck to it.

And Asana was nowhere to be seen.

“Why?”

Sakuya didn’t know of any other places she was likely to go. The only places he’d seen her were at home or school.

He didn’t think there was any way she had gone back to the Amamizu house.

In which case, could she have gone to some other completely unfamiliar place?

Ignoring the filthy mud, Sakuya paced around the pond, desperately trying to recall how Asana had been acting the previous day.

Sakuya recalled that, after he had finished work and returned home, Asana had been at the house, helping Uiko with the housework. She had been worried when Asana had come back dripping wet, without her umbrella, but when he had seen her, he hadn’t noticed anything particularly unusual about her.

And when they were conversing over their meal, she had acted the same as always and smiled—

Really?

Asana was very good at smiling. She concealed all sorts of things on the inside and didn’t let people worry over her. Even when her smiles were clearly fake, it was impossible to discern her inner thoughts.

Sakuya’s disheveled hair stuck to his cheeks. He pushed it back roughly and groaned.

“Asana is always so particular about smiling, so…”

He gasped. He wondered how he hadn’t made the connection before.

“I hope you can live your whole life with a smile, Professor. I’ve heard that good things come to those who smile.”

“They say happiness comes to those who smile.”

Those were the very words Sakuya had said to a particular young girl in the past. Which meant she had to be—

Through his kimono, he felt around and made sure he still had the lace gloves tucked away.

“I’ve got to find her.”

Sakuya left the Mermaid’s Garden and ran toward the school building. There were already several teachers working in the staff room, but he greeted them simply, then hurriedly searched the building.

She’s not here…not here, either.

He searched every classroom one by one and peeked into Asana’s, too, but he couldn’t find her anywhere.

He realized he probably should have concluded that she wasn’t on school grounds when she wasn’t in the Mermaid’s Garden.

It would be impossible for him to go searching at random all around the capital.

Asana didn’t have any money, so she couldn’t have gone far, but trying to track down just one person in the capital, where countless people were coming and going, would be a fool’s errand.

He had no choice but to turn to someone he knew he could depend on.

Sakuya left campus and ran to the nearest payphone. He told the operator who to call, and the line quickly connected.

“This is Sakuya Shigure… Yes, hello. Could I ask you to get Shinsuke for me, please?”

He was acquainted with many of the Honomi family’s servants. As soon as he gave his name, the person who answered passed the phone to Shinsuke. At that hour, even Shinsuke, who usually spent his days flitting from place to place, was bound to still be at home.

“Sakuya? What are you calling for, so suddenly?”

When Shinsuke answered the phone, Sakuya didn’t even greet him. Instead, he got right down to business.

“It’s urgent. There’s something I need to ask you to do for me right away.”

“I don’t mind, but…what’s going on?”

“I want you to search for Asana Amamizu. You can use the police, or a private detective, anything you like. Ask all your contacts, please.”

There was no answer. Maybe it really was impossible. After a few moments, he heard Shinsuke’s stiff voice come through the receiver.

“Asana Amamizu has gone missing?”

“Yes. That’s why I want you to look for her. Leave the issue of my marriage aside for now. A young woman is out there somewhere alone. There’s a chance she might have gotten dragged into some kind of trouble—”

“I don’t think there’s any real need to look for her.” Sakuya was talking rapidly, arguing his case, but Shinsuke cut him off with that blunt assertion. “Isn’t this convenient? Without Asana Amamizu around, all your problems are over. I don’t see the need to go out of our way to track her down.”

“…Are you seriously saying that?” Sakuya growled.

Shinsuke was saying he should abandon Asana for his own convenience. He couldn’t believe it.

No matter how many crimes the Amamizu family had committed, no matter how fastidious Shinsuke might be, he couldn’t believe his friend would suggest neglecting a girl who was only sixteen years old.

“I didn’t think you were the kind of person who would say something like that. I always thought you were someone with more compassion.”

“Sorry, but I don’t have any compassion to spare for monsters.”

Sakuya suddenly felt something go cold inside him. Monster—he had never expected to hear his friend of all people use that word toward Asana.

He felt a sharp pain, like the back of his brain had frozen solid.

“Say that one more time—”

“Asana Amamizu is a monster. She isn’t human. It’s not like she’s going to die or anything, so you should just leave her be.”

“Shinsuke…!”

“Plus, she was the one who decided to leave, right? That’s great. Even though she’s a monster, she understands her own position. You’re free.”

It couldn’t be…

“You didn’t say that to Asana’s face, did you?”

Sakuya shivered at the repulsive thought.

He wanted Shinsuke to tell him he was wrong. He prayed for it as he asked, but Shinsuke answered him nonchalantly.

“I did. So what?”

Sakuya felt all the strength leave his body, and he very nearly crumpled on the spot.

He wondered how Asana must have felt having someone say something like that directly to her. He was certain it must have hurt her badly.

How, he wondered, could Shinsuke be so calm about it? How could he slander an innocent girl as a monster and show such contempt for her? How?

“…It’s very clear now.”

“Great, if you’re seeing clearly, then forget about that monster and cut your ties with the Amamizu family. And then—”

“No. The person I’m cutting ties with is you, Shinsuke Honomi.”

“Huh?”

“I can no longer call someone like you my friend. I will never turn to you for help again, and I expect you to never again show yourself before me, either.”

“Sakuya, calm down.”

“If this means Asana is never found, I will resent you for the rest of my life.”

“Hey, hey, wait. Sakuya, hear me—”

Sakuya ignored Shinsuke’s pleas and violently hung up the phone. He felt sick from the pit of his stomach. He stood there briefly without taking his hand off the receiver, letting his head hang.

Since Shinsuke was his friend, he had expected him to understand sooner or later.

Regardless of how much wrongdoing the Amamizu family had a hand in, he had expected Shinsuke to eventually understand what it was that Sakuya found so important and fight with him by his side.

Especially since it was Shinsuke, who had always looked out for Sakuya. He had hoped he would one day have sympathy for Asana’s terrible situation.

He had been wrong, terribly wrong.

“Shit.”

Sakuya picked up the telephone receiver again.

Now that he could no longer rely on Shinsuke, he had no choice but to somehow leverage his own influence.

He didn’t have many useful connections since he had just gotten back from overseas, but it was time to ask anyone he could for help, no matter how shallow their relationship.

The first thing to do was to get in contact with the person who was managing the assets Sakuya had brought back with him and get him to look for an intermediary who might be useful.

“—Hello, it’s me. Yeah. This isn’t about the thing I asked you earlier. Right, it’s a different matter…”

Asana was alone in the Mermaid’s Garden.

It was no longer raining. She had left the Tsuno house before sunrise to make her way to Yotsuru Girls’ Academy, where she saw with her own eyes the way the Garden had been completely transformed.

Even so, it was the only place Asana wanted to be and the only place she belonged.

Asana’s body had turned completely transparent, and nobody could see her. The previous day, she had somehow managed to turn herself back, but she didn’t know if that would happen again. Even in the early morning sunlight, her body showed no signs of returning to normal.

“It’s kind of like I’ve turned into a ghost.”

She could still touch things, but for some reason, she didn’t leave behind any footprints, even when she walked over the mud. Mirrors no longer reflected her image, either.

Asana crouched on top of the stone wall surrounding the mud-smeared shrine, hugging her knees.

She didn’t know whether she was alive or dead.

Sakuya had come by earlier. He’d been in a terrible panic, and it had seemed like he was searching for her. She was making him worry. But there was nothing she could do in her current condition.

She had held her breath, and while she was struggling over whether or not to answer him, Sakuya had left.

Asana had always intended to leave the Tsuno house.

That was why she had carefully tidied up her room and organized all the things she had borrowed, except for the clothing, which she had kept.

However, she’d never meant to leave without even saying goodbye.

“I’m so ungrateful…and rude, too…”

Asana was exhausted with everything. At the same time, she thought that maybe this was for the best.

If she could just die in obscurity here in the Garden with no one the wiser, everything would work out okay, and there wouldn’t be any more trouble.

For her friends, for the Amamizus, for Katsui…and for Sakuya, too.

She was sure that, at first, they would worry about and frantically search for her. But it wouldn’t go on forever. When they couldn’t find Asana, they would eventually give up, lose interest, and forget all about her.

Just like how water that flowed into the sea was impossible to separate out again.

“No…”

Asana ought to have been happy with the way things were going. However, the only thing she felt was a mixture of despair, bitterness, and distress.

“…If the professor and everyone else can live happy lives, that should be enough.”

For some reason, her eyes were brimming with tears. One after another, hot droplets collected in the corners of her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. They wouldn’t stop.

Finally, Asana realized something. She recognized the emotion that had been consuming her.

Although it seemed like it was too late, considering her transformation.

“I’m lonely. I’ve always been lonely. I don’t want to be alone anymore…!”

Between endless sobbing, Asana finally spoke the truth out loud.

She didn’t think anyone was listening, but to her surprise, someone answered.

“Asana?! Are you in here?!”

It was Sakuya’s voice. When Asana lifted her head, she saw he had entered the Garden undetected and was standing on the muddy ridge of earth around the pond.

Sakuya looked much worse since his earlier visit to the Garden several hours prior. His neatly bound hair had come undone, his kimono was all out of shape, and the hem of his hakama was filthy.

He must have been out hunting Asana, running all over the place, and yet he had come back, eventually, to the Garden.

“Asana, where are you?! If you’re here, I want you to show yourself to me.”

Sakuya’s expression conveyed his anxiety. It was a look she had never seen on him before. It was the face of someone badly wounded.

When she considered the fact that she was the reason for his hurt expression, she felt so ashamed and miserable that her chest seemed like it was about to burst… However, she was also absolutely overjoyed that he had come back to look for her.

“I’ve been a terrible fool. I can hardly blame you for losing interest in me.” He muttered slowly, as if he was making a confession. “You never let go of the words I spoke to you a long time ago, isn’t that right? Even though I completely forgot about them. And you smiled, no matter how tough things got.”

“……”

“I’m sure you must have realized it immediately, right? And to think you’ve been carrying that burden alone, fighting against your isolation… I’m sorry, I’m really sorry.”

“……”

“—I’m sorry I didn’t realize until now that you are the same girl I encountered eight years ago.”

He remembered now. He remembered his first time meeting Asana.

Remembering must have made it clear. Why Asana was always putting on a smiling face. Why she had said she wanted Sakuya to smile. Why she had tried to get him away from the Amamizu family.

And why Asana had gone to such lengths to try to protect him.

Without thinking, she stood up and started wading through the muddy pond water, drawn toward Sakuya like a moth to a candle.

“Professor.”

Sakuya’s eyes were cast down, but when she called out to him, he looked directly at her. Although Asana didn’t think he could see her, he did seem to be able to hear her voice.

“Asana—are you there?”

“…Yes.”

Asana reached out to him with her ungloved left hand, the one that carried the birthmark.

She knew that if she wanted to make Sakuya happy, she should not reach for him like this.

However—

She had been reunited with Sakuya. They’d spent time together, and she had gotten to know his various expressions. He always had his eye on Asana and understood her well.

And so he had recognized her loneliness and knew that she was suffering from being alone for so long and that she was so lonely she couldn’t stand it.

She could no longer keep herself from reaching out to him with that hand.

Sakuya’s right hand rose from his side. It fumbled around in the air like he was searching for something, then finally, he touched Asana’s left hand. They managed to make contact.

Steadily, the warmth from Sakuya’s hand spread to hers.

At the same time, Asana’s body gradually lost its transparency, and she began to return to normal.

“Professor. I’m the one who should be sorry… I disappeared without saying anything and made you worry.”

“I don’t care about something like that.”

Sakuya gently squeezed Asana’s left hand, then pulled her body closer and hugged her tightly.

It was warm in his arms. Wrapped up in the scents of the flowers and Sakuya’s tobacco, Asana felt her heart start to beat a little bit faster. It was comforting.

Despite her best efforts, the corners of her eyes were hot with tears again.

“I’m just glad that I found you and that you’re safe.”

Asana sobbed out loud. Like a dam bursting, her tears spilled forth in endless streams.

She had never felt so relieved before. She had never felt so secure. She had never been so reassured by someone’s words, ever.

“Professor…Professor…”

“You must be tired from smiling for eight whole years, after I said that to you.”

“No. I—I only lived this long because I heard those words from you. Somehow, they made me stronger, and they gave me the strength to stand before my father and brother.”

The back of her nose stung, and her voice was trembling.

“But really, I was so lonely the whole time. I don’t want to live apart from everyone anymore.”

“Right.”

“But…but I hate the idea of my existence hurting you and my friends even more. I don’t want to become a burden for you, either, Professor.”

“As far as I’m concerned, you are no burden— Let’s find a way. A way that you and everyone else can live with a smile. There’s no need for you alone to take everything upon yourself and vanish.”

What Sakuya was saying sounded a little too convenient to Asana. She couldn’t imagine what this way of his might be.

But still, she found herself wanting to believe him. Just like before.

“From now on, you and I can carry that burden together. We’ll find a new path together. You can’t just vanish without a word.”

“…Okay.”

Asana’s body had regained its color.

The cold, muddy water had seeped into her shoes, which felt terrible. But Asana felt like her heart, which had been under such strain, was finally at ease.

“Asana.”

“Y-yes!”

When she heard him call her name again, Asana pulled away from Sakuya and straightened up just a little. When she did, Sakuya took both of Asana’s hands in his.

“I want you to marry me. I will make you smile for the rest of your days.”

Asana stared directly back into Sakuya’s eyes, as he trembled nervously and smiled. The inside of her heart, which had been so dark and hopeless, was now bright and clear.

“Yes… I also want to smile…with you, Professor.”

The sun was high in the sky. They hadn’t noticed its steady climb. Its brilliant rays shone down into the Mermaid’s Garden.

The Garden’s beauty had been buried beneath a layer of filthy mud. But to Asana’s eyes, it sparkled even more than usual. Looking at it filled her with hope.

The sun was setting, and a brilliant red light streamed in through the windows of the school building at Yotsuru Girls’ Academy. It struck a vivid contrast with the deep black areas where shadows had formed.

Sakuya sat next to Asana on the sofa in the reception office on the first floor. Shinsuke sat across from them, facing them over a low wooden table.

Honestly, Sakuya’s anger toward Shinsuke had not yet cooled. He could tell that he was unconsciously giving off threatening vibes and that the oppressive atmosphere was frightening Asana, who was sitting beside him. However, he felt like he couldn’t restrain himself.

Sakuya really did plan to never see Shinsuke again, just as he’d declared.

But Asana asked me to do this, so…

When Asana had told him she wanted him to set up a meeting with Shinsuke, Sakuya had no choice but to listen.

But be that as it may—

“Could we have a moment before we begin this conversation?”

Sakuya casually raised one hand and broke the ice. After checking that Asana nodded in response, he stood up.

“Shinsuke, over here.”

Sakuya’s emotionless voice surprised him.

He stood facing Shinsuke in a spot a short distance from the table. Shinsuke stared directly back at Sakuya with calm eyes.

He was furious. It was almost like Shinsuke was being defiant, knowing just what his former friend was about to say.

Sakuya clenched his fist.

“Asana, close your eyes,” he instructed her, as she stared at them anxiously.

At the same time, he stepped forward on his left foot and struck Shinsuke in the face with his right fist as hard as he could.

His punch landed with a heavy thud, and Shinsuke’s tall body was sent sprawling by the force of the blow.

“Ah!”

Asana’s brief shriek echoed around the room.

Paying no mind to his aching fist, Sakuya looked down at the cowering Shinsuke and asked, “Shinsuke, do you have an apology for us?”

Even knocking him down had not entirely satisfied Sakuya’s cold fury.

“……”

As he sat up, Shinsuke glanced in Asana’s direction. The look in his eyes was still as sharp as it had ever been, but it had none of its usual power.

Shinsuke roughly wiped his split lip with his right hand, grimaced when he saw the blood on it, and let out a big sigh.

“…I don’t think I did anything wrong.”

“I see. So that wasn’t enough for you?”

Sakuya reached out a hand to grab the collar of Shinsuke’s shirt, but Asana stopped him.

“Professor! Wait, please. That’s enough violence.”

Sakuya made a show of throwing both hands in the air.

“It’s fine. I was just messing around.”

The truth was that he had been completely serious, but at that moment, Asana’s wishes took priority. There was no point to what they were doing if he was going to make her feel uncomfortable, so although he was annoyed by it, Sakuya obediently capitulated.

In the meantime, Shinsuke got to his feet and started indifferently fixing his shirt collar. “I hate the Amamizu family, and I hate you, too,” he muttered, looking at Asana.

She didn’t show a shred of anger, even with someone telling her to her face that he hated her. She probably expected him to hate her, since he knew the true nature of the Amamizu family and Asana.

She had always been realistic about her situation.

“…Sakuya.”

“What?”

“Do you love that…girl? Do you love her enough to throw away your relationship with me and abandon your life just to protect her?”

Sakuya could feel Asana stiffen beside him.

Asana or Shinsuke—who would he choose? That was the question being posed to him.

Previously, he would have chosen Shinsuke without any hesitation. Because he was a dear friend who had always stood beside him, even during tough times.

However, he refused to accept Asana, who had suffered in the past just as Sakuya had. Far from it, in fact. Shinsuke seemed to despise her.

Even without Sakuya around, he had plenty of places where he belonged. On the other hand, if Sakuya were to abandon Asana now, she would be entirely on her own.

He didn’t want this girl, who currently appeared somewhat anxious, to be lonely anymore. He wanted to protect her.

I’ve decided to stand beside Asana and support her. Just like what Shinsuke did for me.

“Yes. I feel like I will come to love her enough to do all that.”

Sakuya put on his most beautiful, charming smile. His attitude made it clear that he would not entertain any argument.

He could tell Shinsuke’s breath had caught in his throat.

“P-Professor…,” Asana mumbled, her face bright red.

“I’m serious,” Sakuya reminded her.

Sakuya was sure Asana had never expected that he would choose her.

Certainly, there were many good women in the world. Looking at things objectively, Sakuya could probably find plenty of outstanding young women who would not be as troublesome as Asana.

However, Sakuya had connected with her. She was the person who made him feel at ease. She was the one he wanted to support and protect.

At his reminder, Asana started trembling even more, and she turned a deeper shade of red, all the way to her ears.

She asked him, “You’re s-s-serious…?”

“Mm-hmm.”

When Sakuya peered over at Asana’s face and smiled, the ornamental hairpin on the back of his head made a little noise.

Shinsuke, who had been silently watching the exchange between Sakuya and Asana, finally let out a defeated sigh.

“…I see.”

Shinsuke walked over to Asana and lowered his head in a very shallow bow.

“I think I went too far when I called you a monster. And I was wrong to assume that you were involved in the villainy of the Amamizu family and Viscount Katsui. I’m sorry.”

Sakuya had thoroughly investigated everything Shinsuke had done and had already told Asana about it, too.

Shinsuke had done his best to break off the marriage between Sakuya and Asana.

He had convinced Katsui to purchase Asana from the Amamizu family for a higher price than before and had even lent him the money to do so.

Then he had convinced the Amamizus to revive Asana’s marriage talks with Katsui, for a larger sum of money than before, and to forget about Sakuya, since they were having a hard time controlling him.

The greed of the Amamizu men knew no bounds.

Sakuya had been astonished to learn that even his friend Shinsuke had gotten involved, and he scorned them all from the bottom of his heart.

A single punch could not possibly be enough to satisfy his anger.

Asana stood facing Shinsuke and asked him, in an emotionless voice, “Were your actions…truly for the professor’s sake?”

Although he hadn’t had the slightest intention of supporting their relationship, it was possible that Shinsuke had still been acting out of concern for Sakuya’s welfare.

But how would it have gone if the roles were reversed? Would Sakuya have been able to go that far for Shinsuke’s sake?

Even if it was for the sake of his close friend, Shinsuke had still paid a large sum of money and hurled an unbelievable amount of hatred at Asana.

Shinsuke did not nod in agreement with Asana, who had questioned him calmly.

“I won’t make any excuses.”

Shinsuke’s expression was still stiff. No matter how Sakuya and Asana tried to explain things, they probably weren’t going to reach him.

Asana pulled her chin in and straightened her back. When she smiled at him again, it was the one she had been perfecting for eight whole years.

“Very well. I accept your apology.”

“…I appreciate that.”

Shinsuke squeezed the words out, raised his head, and turned on his heel. Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Excuse me,” and left the reception office. They could not see the final expression on his face as he left.

“Leaving like that, he’s definitely not sorry… I can’t believe that guy,” Sakuya muttered under his breath as he watched the man who had once been his friend walk away.

He seemed very unlikely to forgive Shinsuke, who had deceived them and showed no signs of remorse.

Asana glanced at Sakuya beside her and noticed he was looking at her anxiously.

Ah…I’m making him worry again.

Without a doubt, it had been Sakuya’s intention to break off his relationship with Shinsuke and choose Asana, but she was certain that it pained Sakuya to lose a close friend on her account.

“You’re brooding again, aren’t you?” Sakuya asked. He was suddenly very close.

“Ah!” Asana jumped. “Please don’t startle me like that…”

“You only got startled because you were lost in your worried thoughts.”

Sakuya sighed. Then he gently stroked Asana’s head.

“Don’t let it bother you. You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t do one single thing wrong.”

“…Okay.”

“Though I do like that about you.”

“What?”

Asana looked up at him inquisitively. But Sakuya purposely feigned total ignorance.

Maybe I teased her a little too much.

Asana looked cute with her lip stuck out in a pout. Sakuya couldn’t help but wish that she could always be like that, with her emotions on such rich display.

The following day, Asana went to school as usual.

Just like before, she and Sakuya left home at different times, and Asana made her own way from the Tsuno house to school. When Asana entered her classroom, her classmates’ eyes all converged on her.

“Good morning.”

In response to Asana’s greeting, a chorus of cheerful “Good mornings” came back at her. This, too, was no different than usual.

However, when she set her bag down at her seat, Asana got an uncomfortable feeling.

Come to think of it, where’s Kyouko…?

Kyouko usually would have been the first person to return her greeting and approach her to chat. But she wasn’t there.

This seemed strange to Asana, and she looked all over the classroom before she finally spotted her friend.

Kyouko was chatting with other classmates, wearing the same beautiful smile as always. She was far away from Asana’s seat and didn’t appear to be paying any attention to her.

I wonder what’s the matter?

Asana considered whether she might have done something to upset her, though she hadn’t even said anything to her yet. Then she changed her mind and figured that Kyouko might still feel bad about causing Asana an injury.

If that was all, then everything was fine.

Asana decided to go talk to Kyouko.

I have to tell Kyouko my own feelings.

Asana headed directly for her.

“Kyouko?”

When Asana called out to her, Kyouko’s shoulders hitched in surprise. Then she turned to Asana with a smile that was just a little bit stiff. However, her eyes were not smiling.

“Asana…”

“Um…?”

As Asana took one or two steps forward, Kyouko retreated a little and shouted, “D-don’t come any closer!”

“Ah…”

At her sudden outburst, not only Asana, but all the classmates around them also turned to look at Kyouko in surprise.

Something like that had never happened before, not even once. Everyone knew Kyouko and Asana were close friends, not to mention that it was unthinkable for a perfect lady like Kyouko to raise her voice like that.

All attention was on Kyouko, whose eyes were open wide like she had surprised even herself. Quickly, she struggled to compose herself.

“Ah, I… I’m sorry. It’s… Never mind.”

“…Kyouko?”

Asana had been prepared for the worst. For some reason or another, Kyouko seemed to be ignoring her. However, that didn’t change the fact that Asana wanted to speak with her.

“I’ve got something to tell you. Today, after school, could the two of us talk?”

Asana asked her the question quietly, and Kyouko cast her eyes down and gave a small nod.

“Fine.”

Over the course of the day, once classes started and even during break times, Asana and Kyouko didn’t speak to each other a single time and didn’t even approach one another.

The friends who usually surrounded Asana and Kyouko let their gazes wander around aimlessly and seemed uncomfortable whenever either of the girls spoke to them. Asana felt terrible about that, but there was nothing she could do.

And then, after school—

Asana politely turned down offers from friends to stay and serve as mediators.

She stood facing Kyouko across the classroom, leaving plenty of space between them.

“Kyouko.”

Asana slowly opened her mouth to speak.

Once she said what she had to say, she would likely lose a cherished friend. Even though she had never been able to share her true feelings and secrets with Kyouko before, Asana still undeniably thought of her as a dear friend.

Nevertheless, it would be cowardly not to say anything. This was something she had to hear from Asana’s own mouth.

“I’m sorry, I—I can’t support your feelings for Professor Shigure, Kyouko.” She couldn’t really see Kyouko’s face since she was hanging her head. “I really ought to have told you about this much earlier. You see, I am engaged to Professor Shigure. He is a very important person to me as well. And so I cannot cheer you on or give you any advice.”

She announced it decisively. Her heart pounded hard with nervousness, and it felt like her whole body was pulsing.

Asana tried desperately to suppress the desire to flee and waited for Kyouko’s reply.

“…Asana, you’re serious, huh?”

After a long, long silence that felt like dozens of minutes, but was probably actually only a few, Kyouko muttered a short response.

She slowly raised her head.

Her expression was furrowed, as if she might cry at any moment, but was also full of hatred.

“You really are dense, aren’t you?” she asked. “…Did you think I was being serious when I asked you to cheer me on and all that?”

“Huh?”

“I already knew. About your engagement to Sakuya. I learned about it recently, when I saw you coming out of Sakuya’s house.”

“Oh…”

Asana just stood there, dumbfounded, unable to even look Kyouko in the eyes.

“Since you’re so earnest, you would have been upset if I’d just come out and said it, right? And I didn’t think you were likely to back down.”

Kyouko’s lips trembled as she spoke, and she scowled at Asana with a desperate, angry expression.

Kyouko had always wholeheartedly adored Sakuya, and now her friend had broken her heart. Asana now realized that.

“I’ve always liked Sakuya, for much longer than you have, you know. I’m in love with him. That’s why I won’t allow you to marry him. You may be earnest, but you don’t really, truly care for Sakuya the way I do.”

“Kyouko…I…”

Asana took a step forward. She wanted to apologize. But just like that morning, Kyouko retreated and kept her distance from Asana.

“Stay away from me.”

“Why?”

“I saw it. I saw the cut on your hand heal instantly.”

Asana froze, body and mind. She felt instantly cold, and she couldn’t move. Kyouko must have been talking about the incident in sewing class.

“I told Mr. Honomi about it, the man who was so interested in you and Sakuya. When I did, he told me that you are a monster.”

Now Asana understood.

Thinking back on it, Mr. Honomi—Shinsuke—had called Asana a “monster” once, with clear conviction. He wouldn’t have called her that unless he knew about the girls with mermaid’s blood and about Asana’s true nature.

She suspected that Shinsuke’s knowledge regarding the girls with mermaid’s blood did not come solely from rumors and hearsay.

In all likelihood, Shinsuke had also encountered Kyouko around the time he had had his meeting with Sakuya at the school, and the testimony she had given had been the conclusive evidence he’d needed.

“What am I supposed to do now? I hate you— I can’t forgive you for stealing Sakuya. And besides, now I’m terribly afraid of you!”

Kyouko’s voice trembled as she covered her face with both hands.

The words of her friend, calling her unforgivable and frightening, gouged deeply into Asana’s heart.

…I see now.

She realized something for the first time. Having a place like school where she could spend time as an ordinary human, and have friends like Kyouko and the other girls, had given her even more peace of mind than she’d thought.

The corners of her eyes burned, and her chest hurt. It felt awful, intolerable, even. It was much worse than just being called a monster.

But I mustn’t cry. I don’t have the right.

Kyouko stood there sobbing. Asana couldn’t think of anything to say. But Kyouko spoke to her in a tearful voice.

“Asana, I…resent you. I always liked how deeply sincere you were and how you were always so mature and calm. I thought you were my best friend, and yet…”

“…Me too.” Asana clenched her fists. Her own eyes were filled with tears of sorrow. Nevertheless, in a last desperate bid, Asana answered her friend, letting her thoughts flow out as they came to her. “Me too. I’ve always considered you a precious friend, Kyouko.”

Kyouko’s face creased and crumpled even more. Then she spun around and ran out of the classroom.

The look she gave Asana at the end was terribly sorrowful, and the emotion in her eyes was tragic and bitter.

Asana fell to her knees.

She could never again go back to being friends with Kyouko.

Of course she couldn’t. She didn’t know how much Shinsuke had told her, but at the very least, Kyouko knew about Asana’s true nature.

There was no way she could ask Kyouko to accept her, even knowing she was a monster.

And yet. And yet she had hoped…

She hoped the day would come when she could once again laugh with Kyouko, who, even after everything, had said, “I thought you were my best friend.”

Can I believe that might happen? Can I be forgiven for having hope, even just a little bit?

She felt like a monster for hurting Kyouko and for deceiving everyone.

Asana spent a long time kneeling there in the classroom, alone.

Sakuya slowly climbed the stairs, headed for Asana’s classroom.

He was worried about Asana, who had said she was going to speak with Kyouko alone after school. He wanted to go to her and see how things were going.

He hadn’t asked Asana what they were going to talk about specifically.

Sakuya suspected it was the kind of thing he shouldn’t probe into too deeply.

He made it to the top of the stairs and proceeded down the empty hallway. He wasn’t far from his destination. However, in the hallway, Sakuya ran unexpectedly into another girl.

“You are…?”

He came to a halt face-to-face with the young girl who was standing right in front of him, as if to block his way.

“My name is Tomono Yuhata, Professor Shigure.”

Tomono bowed elegantly with a prim, composed expression. Though everything else about her told him that she was still young, the way she carried herself was extremely bold.

Sakuya was taken aback and stood motionless in the hall as Tomono stared him down with a stern, sharp look in her eye.

He wondered why she was radiating such hostility.

“It seems you are engaged to be married to my dear big sister Asana.”

“Huh? Ah, yeah… Wait, where did you hear that?”

“That doesn’t matter.”

She ruthlessly disregarded Sakuya’s bewildered question. He wondered what she was going to do. Tomono pointed her finger directly at him and continued.

“Listen up. You should know that if you hurt my big sister in any way, I will not stand for it.”

“……”

“Do you know how much it will hurt her if you don’t give up your womanizing? In fact, even now…” Tomono frowned as if she was in pain, eyes downcast. But she soon raised her gaze again. “At any rate, is it safe to assume you understand me? This is me asking you sincerely not to make my dear big sister cry with half-hearted sentiments.”

Tomono finished her announcement, then briskly walked past Sakuya without waiting to hear his answer and proceeded down the stairs.

What the hell is going on here?

He was almost certain that this girl loved Asana dearly, but he got the feeling she might cause them a bit of trouble.

He felt like he’d been censured, without any room for rebuttal, and it was not a particularly nice feeling.

“Haaahhh.”

After breathing out a single sigh, Sakuya resumed his trek to Asana’s classroom. When he peeked in through the open door, he saw Asana, kneeling there on the floor.

“Asana?”

Her slender shoulders shivered at the sound of Sakuya’s voice calling her name.

Perhaps she was crying.

He approached her quietly, but before Sakuya could say anything, she stood straight up and turned around to face him.

“Professor. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.”

“No, you didn’t make me wait, but…”

Asana’s eyebrows were low, and she was wearing a slightly feeble-looking smile. But there was no trace of tears in her eyes.

Seeing her crumpled on the floor, he had assumed something had happened. However, Asana was especially good at hiding her feelings.

“…Are you all right?” Sakuya asked.

Honestly, he wasn’t sure what he should say, and his mouth had moved on its own before he could give it any deeper thought.

However, although he had expected Asana’s expression to cloud over, she smiled as she always did.

“Professor, please don’t coddle me.”

“I’m not coddling you.”

“You are. Because when you ask after me like that, it makes me want to depend on you even more… Professor, are you going home now?”

“I think I have a little bit of work left to do. What will you do? It’s still early. Are you going to your usual spot after this?”

Asana pondered the question briefly, then answered, “I’ll do that. It got all messed up by the rain, so I’d like to clean and tidy things up.”

Sakuya recalled the atrocious state of the Mermaid’s Garden.

Without a doubt, it would take quite a lot of labor to get it back to its pristine state. He decided he would go visit again and help with the work.

The two of them walked to the staff room together.

Asana didn’t say much along the way. But at one point, she muttered, “I think I’ve come to understand your feelings a little bit, Professor.”

“My feelings?”

“Your desire to trust someone because they’re your friend.”

Sakuya figured she must be talking about what he had said to Shinsuke.

Both Asana and Sakuya had their secrets, and neither of them had many close friends. Their situations were somewhat similar, and so she understood him.

Friends were so precious to them, and they didn’t want to lose any. They hoped their friends would understand and wanted to believe in them until they did.

Sakuya still wanted to be friends with Shinsuke. But his conduct had been utterly unforgivable.

So Asana also split from Kyouko…

Neither Asana nor Sakuya could live normal lives. The ties of obligation to their families and to their own fates constantly followed them around. They had no freedom, and it was difficult for them to trust people. Amid all that, they had each met one special friend, a person they really wanted to trust. It was painful to have to part from those people.

He knew just how wretched Asana must have felt.

“…I’ll come get you after I’m done with work. We can walk home together.”

Asana had suffered through such solitude and now had a new pain to carry. From the bottom of his heart, Sakuya wanted to make her happy.

I’ve got to find something I can do.

And someday, they would both escape from the binding curse of fate that haunted them and walk through life as ordinary people.

The first step was to change the Amamizu family. And preparations for that were already drawing to a close.

Now then, I wonder when I should tell Asana about my other profession…?

He gazed at the girl by his side. Their eyes met as she looked up at him alluringly.

He was startled by the little smile he saw on Asana’s face.

He wasn’t sure why, but he felt himself falling, hard, into a complex web of happy and anxious emotions.

Sakuya smiled back.