Ukikumo Shinrei Kitan Vol 1 Chapter 3

There was a painting on a scroll –

It was a somewhat strange painting.

A man stood by an old well. He wore worn hakama and his hair was not in a topknot, instead dishevelled about his head.

The man’s face was as pale as a corpse. His right hand gripped a b.l.o.o.d.y sword.

That wasn’t all that was strange about the painting.

The man was holding somebody’s hair with his left hand. Hanging from the hair was a human head.

Not just one. There were four.

Though it was certainly a gruesome and frightening painting, for some reason, it had a beauty that fascinated its viewers.

n.o.body knew the goal of the painting.

However, there was a rumour. A rumour that the painting held a samurai’s curse –

And that misfortune befell any house that put the painting on display –

1

It was a sticky, humid night –

Hagiwara s.h.i.+ntarou was lying in his futon, but he couldn’t fall asleep.

Part of it was the sweat clinging to his body, but it might have been because he had been sleeping too much recently.

That said, he hadn’t just been lazing around. s.h.i.+ntarou himself couldn’t remember that well himself, but it seemed he had been asleep for seven whole days because a ghost had possessed him.

s.h.i.+ntarou was dwelling on that when he heard a faint noise.

At first, he thought it was the distant howl of a dog or some other animal. However, it was different. It sounded like a person’s voice.

Furthermore – it seemed to be calling him.

s.h.i.+ntarou slowly sat up, rubbed his eyes and looked around, but n.o.body was in the dark room.

Now that he thought about it, n.o.body would be calling him so late at night. He must have mistook a dream for reality.

If he talked to his sister Iori about it, she would definitely laugh at him for being so nervous.

After smiling self-derisively, s.h.i.+ntarou lay down once more, but then he heard the voice again –

He still couldn’t make out the words, but he wasn’t mistaken. He definitely heard something.

It came from the other side of the sliding door. It seemed to be from the garden.

‘Who is it?’

s.h.i.+ntarou got out of bed and flung the sliding door open.

Then – he saw a man standing under the pale moonlight.

He stood in the corner of the garden, by a well that n.o.body used.

He seemed to be wearing rags, but on closer inspection, it was a hakama. He had a sword at his waist.

– It seems he is a samurai.

Since the man was turned the other way, s.h.i.+ntarou could not see his face. It looked like the man was crying.

Why did he come to someone else’s estate in the middle of the night? That question would be natural, but for some reason, it did not occur to s.h.i.+ntarou.

'Is something the matter?’

After s.h.i.+ntarou called out, the man slowly turned around.

It was dim, and the man was at a distance. s.h.i.+ntarou could not see the man’s face clearly. He felt like he had seen it somewhere before, but he couldn’t remember.

The man said something, still looking s.h.i.+ntarou’s way.

At first, it just sounded like a moan, so s.h.i.+ntarou couldn’t make out what he was saying. However, when he strained his ears, he could tell that the man was murmuring the same words.

– It hurts… Help…

'Do you feel unwell?’ asked s.h.i.+ntarou.

The man leaned over the well, peering in.

The next moment, the man disappeared.

'Ah!’

– Did he fall into the well?

s.h.i.+ntarou rushed over, pulled off the well’s cover and peered in, but no matter how he looked, he didn’t see the man –

He couldn’t have fallen into the well in the first place, since s.h.i.+ntarou had been the one who pulled off the cover.

– Then where did that man go?

'Maybe that was just a trick of the eye…’

Though s.h.i.+ntarou muttered that to convince himself, he just couldn’t accept that.

A man had definitely been there just earlier. He had definitely spoken as well.

– Aaagh!

s.h.i.+ntarou had been pondering when a woman’s deathly shriek reached his years.

It sounded like it had come from the neighbouring Aoyama estate. That definitely wasn’t an illusion.

– Maybe the man from earlier…!

s.h.i.+ntarou started running.

2

Yasohachi visited the Hagiwara estate after noon –

A servant led him to the guestroom, which had a view of the garden.

Yasohachi sat on the tatami, placed his art tools beside him and took deep breaths. He was restless – he just couldn’t relax.

He had come to the Hagiwara estate today to paint.

– Would you allow me to paint a picture of you, Iori-san?

Yasohachi had made that request of Iori, the daughter of the Hagiwara household, five days ago.

Iori had seemed divided, but she had accepted with this reply: 'If you would be fine with me.’ That was what had brought Yasohachi here today.

Did Yasohachi want to paint Iori because he was charmed by her lovely and elegant beauty as an art subject or for another reason –

Yasohachi didn’t know if he was in love, but it was a fact that he simply wanted to meet her again.

While Yasohachi was thinking, the sliding door slid open.

Yasohachi quickly sat up straight and lifted his head, but the person who came in was not Iori.

It was Iori’s brother, s.h.i.+ntarou.

'Eh? Ah, er…’ Yasohachi was fl.u.s.tered by the appearance of somebody he had not expected.

'Please don’t freeze so.’

s.h.i.+ntarou gave him a friendly smile and sat in front of Yasohachi.

Though his expression was gentle, he was still a man from a samurai family – the way he sat was dignified and looked good.

'Er, but… Um…’

'It’s the first time we’ve met like this, isn’t it?’

The last time Yasohachi had come to the Hagiwara household, s.h.i.+ntarou had still been asleep, unable to wake up.

As a result, it was just as s.h.i.+ntarou said. Yasohachi had seen s.h.i.+ntarou asleep, but it was the first time they had met like this.

'Ah, yes.’

'I heard from my sister. I am very much in your debt.’

s.h.i.+ntarou bowed his head deeply.

'No, not at all… Please lift your head.’

s.h.i.+ntarou, the heir to a samurai family, was bowing his head to a mere townsman like Yasohachi. Yasohachi was at a loss in this unthinkable situation.

It would be a serious problem if anybody saw them like this.

'Please don't… Please, just lift your head.’

However, in contrast to Yasohachi’s anxiety, s.h.i.+ntarou was composed. Though he lifted his head, he was still smiling gently.

'But it is true that I am in your debt. It is only natural to express my grat.i.tude.’

'No, I didn’t do anything…’

He wasn’t been humble.

The person who had actually solved the mystery of what was happening to s.h.i.+ntarou was Ukik.u.mo, an exorcist.

Yasohachi had only realised what was happening after everything was solved.

'I heard that you also protected my sister even though it put you in danger.’

s.h.i.+ntarou’s eyes crinkled in a smile.

That was also incorrect. Actually, Yasohachi had been the one who had been saved. Iori had only been in danger because of Yasohachi’s carelessness.

Though Yasohachi wanted to explain, the words wouldn’t come out properly. 'No, er…’

'Because my sister is as strict as she is, she doesn’t have any friends her age. Please continue to be friendly with her.’

'What’s that supposed to mean?’

Iori came into the room suddenly and interrupted.

She was in her usual hakama attire, perhaps because she had been practising with her wooden sword again. However, her lovely beauty was the same as always.

'Exactly what I said. That you’re strait-laced.’

'Brother, I would appreciate it if you would think more like somebody from a samurai family.’

Iori replied to s.h.i.+ntarou’s frivolous response with exasperation.

'If you’re going to say that, why don’t you act a bit more meekly like a girl, Iori?’

'That has nothing to do with anything.’

In contrast to Iori’s displeased expression, s.h.i.+ntarou’s laughter was loud.

No matter what was said, the siblings were on good terms.

'Brother, have you already discussed the matter?’ asked Iori, once the conversation was over. s.h.i.+ntarou’s bright expression turned darker at once.

Yasohachi’s heart beat more loudly in the strained atmosphere.

'What matter do you speak of?’ he asked, leaning forward slightly.

'Actually, I saw a ghost last night.’

s.h.i.+ntarou’s expression as different from how it had been earlier.

'A ghost?’

'Yes. Just by that well.’

s.h.i.+ntarou pointed at the old well in the corner of the garden and started to talk about the ghost of a samurai he had seen last night. His words were clear and detailed, to the point that it gave Yasohachi s.h.i.+vers as the scene drew itself out in his head.

'How frightening,’ said Yasohachi without thinking when s.h.i.+ntarou mentioned the ghost’s disappearance.

'I wouldn’t have been that worried if that had been all – I could have written it off as a trick of the eye. However, there’s more – ’

s.h.i.+ntarou looked straight at Yasohachi.

His eyes were frightening. Yasohachi shuddered.

'There’s more?’

Yasohachi gulped and held his breath.

'Yes. A while after the man disappeared, I heard a scream.’

'A scream…’

'Yes, a woman’s scream. It sounded like she was dying. I immediately knew where the scream was coming from.’

'Was it from the well?’

'No, it was from the neighbouring Aoyama estate.’

'The one next door?’

'Yes. I ran to the Aoyama estate. There was a big commotion. When I asked one of the retainers about the situation, I was told that a female servant had been killed. And that wasn’t all – ’

Here, s.h.i.+ntarou paused and looked at Yasohachi. There was no shadow of his gentle smile left.

'What is it?’ asked Yasohachi, when s.h.i.+ntarou didn’t continue.

s.h.i.+ntarou smiled slightly and said, Apparently, the ghost of a samurai came out of a painted wall scroll and killed the servant.’

'That’s ridiculous!’ said Yasohachi immediately.

It was unbelievable. He thought that perhaps s.h.i.+ntarou was taking him in, but s.h.i.+ntarou’s expression was incredibly serious.

Iori was also listening silently.

'I made a request, so I was allowed into the estate and brought to see the wall scroll in question.’

'You really went?’

'Yes. It was – ’

s.h.i.+ntarou stopped and narrowed his eyes.

There was something unsettling about his gaze.

After a long silence, he said, 'It was a see a blood – ’

'Blood?’

'Yes. The servant was collapsed on the floor. Her neck had been cut, and blood had splattered out from there.’

'What!?’

Gooseflesh rose on Yasohachi’s skin as he imagined the gruesome scene.

'There was a wall scroll in the room, just as I was told.’

'There was?’

'Yes. There was a painting of a samurai – I don’t know how to describe it, but it was a very frightening painting.’

A samurai cutting off the head of a demon – probably a painting like that, of malevolent spirits. However, that wouldn’t make sense as a wall scroll.

'What surprised me most was – ’ here, s.h.i.+ntarou stopped and shut his eyes, as if trying to remember something ’ – that the samurai painted on the scroll looked just like the one I had seen by the old well.’

Though Yasohachi had somewhat expected that, hearing the words from s.h.i.+ntarou’s mouth made him feel dizzy.

3

'You idiot!’

That was what the man sitting against the wall – Ukik.u.mo – yelled out the moment Yasohachi finished speaking.

Yasohachi was inside a lopsided shrine.

Ukik.u.mo was an odd man who made a living as an exorcist and had decided to just take an abandoned shrine and make it his base.

He was an always-drinking thief and philanderer, but he did have skill as an exorcist.

He wore his white kimono sloppily. His skin was just as pale as the kimono, so his thin red lips looked especially bewitching.

His eyes, narrowed under sleepy eyelids, were dyed crimson.

His eyes weren’t just red.

According to the man himself, they could see the spirits of the dead – that is, ghosts.

'What is so idiotic about it?’ objected Yasohachi sulkily.

'It’s idiotic, so I’m saying it’s idiotic,’ retorted Ukik.u.mo. He gulped down some sake from his cup.

'And I’m asking why you’re saying that.’

'You said a samurai came out of a painting and killed a servant.’

Ukik.u.mo’s narrowed eyes seemed to let off a red light.

'Yes.’

'Only an idiot would believe a story like that without suspicion.’

'But s.h.i.+ntarou-san said it, so..’

'That’s why I’m saying you’re an idiot.’

Ukik.u.mo waved his hand as if to chase away a fly.

Hearing idiot, idiot all the time like that really got on Yasohachi’s nerves.

'What do you mean?’

'People don’t always tell the truth.’

Yasohachi knew what Ukik.u.mo was trying to say. Liars and boasters were abound. But –

's.h.i.+ntarou-san wouldn’t lie.’

'Who can say? Not even he could.’

After saying that, Ukik.u.mo sighed.

His eyes made it clear – he didn’t trust anybody. Yasohachi wanted to ask why Ukik.u.mo thought that way, but the man’s dark mood made him hesitate.

'What about your painting then?’ asked Ukik.u.mo after a pause.

'Yes?’

'What a slow guy you are. You went to paint a picture of that la.s.s called Iori, right?’

'It is as you say.’

'Did you?’

'No. You see…’

Because of s.h.i.+ntarou’s ghost story, Yasohachi’s original goal of painting Iori remained undecided.

'Honestly. You came back with a ghost story without even painting a picture of her? You really are an idiot,’ grumbled Ukik.u.mo, pouring sake from his gourd into his cup.

Though it had not been Yasohachi’s original goal, now that he had heard the story, he couldn’t leave it alone.

'Please don’t say that – won’t you lend a hand?

'Don’t want to!’

Ukik.u.mo gulped down his sake cup and then lay down right there.

It would be very troublesome for Yasohachi if Ukik.u.mo fell into a bad temper. He had been unable to just do nothing when he saw how anxious Iori and s.h.i.+ntarou had been, so he had promised to bring Ukik.u.mo.

'Please don’t say that. There should be considerable compensation.’

'Sorry, but it’s not my job.’

'Do you doubt s.h.i.+ntarou’s story?’

'Yeah, I do.’

'But…’

'If that story is true, then it definitely isn’t my job.’

Ukik.u.mo yawned, seeming incredibly bored.

'What do you mean?’

Putting aside if it was a lie, but if it was truth, then it would be Ukik.u.mo’s job, as he was an exorcist.

'You just don’t get it. My speciality is ghosts.’

Ukik.u.mo ran a hand through his hair in irritation and sat up.

'Yes.’

Yasohachi knew that without Ukik.u.mo repeating it.

'Ghosts are the spirits of people after they’ve did. In short, they’re like cl.u.s.ters of emotion.’

'Yes, I remember.’

Yasohachi had heard Ukik.u.mo’s thoughts on ghosts before.

'If a samurai came out of a painting and killed a servant, that wouldn’t be a ghost.’

'It wouldn’t?’

'It wouldn’t. Emotions can’t kill people.’

'Then what can?’

'If it’s true, it’d be something of the monster variety – ’

'Is a monster different from a ghost?’

'Completely different. That’s why I’m saying it’s outside my field.’

After saying that, Ukik.u.mo lay down again and closed his eyes.

Yasohachi understood what Ukik.u.mo was saying, though vaguely. However, he couldn’t back down now.

'Then, could you at least go to confirm whether it’s a ghost or a monster?’

'Not going.’

So this was what being curt was.

However, Yasohachi had a trump card. Though Ukik.u.mo was troublesome, he was extraordinarily greedy.

'For this case, you will receive compensation whether you expel the spirit or not, but will you still not go?’

Yasohachi’s words made Ukik.u.mo’s closed eyelids twitch. However, that was all.

'There’s no way it’d be that good. You’re always all talk, Hachi.’

'It hurts me to hear you say that.’

'How about your promise to let me meet Osayo?’

'Ah…’

Hitting him where it hurt.

The condition Ukik.u.mo had set before solving the mystery of what was happening to s.h.i.+ntarou was that Yasohachi let Ukik.u.mo and Yasohachi’s older sister, Osayo, meet.

However, that promise still hadn’t been fulfilled.

'It’s fine this time. s.h.i.+ntarou is the one making the advance payment. The Aoyama household will pay the rest once the case is solved,’ Yasohachi said to smooth things over.

'Do you think I’ll be convinced by money?’

– I do.

Yasohachi almost let that slip, but everything would come to nothing if Ukik.u.mo’s temper turned foul now.

'You just have to go look – ’

'I don’t mind thinking about – it if you make good on that promise from before.’

Ukik.u.mo grinned, showing his white teeth.

4

Evening approached, and the sky grew vermillion as Yasohachi walked –

Of course, Ukik.u.mo was with him.

It had taken some time to convince Ukik.u.mo. Though Yasohachi had used Osayo as bait, he didn’t intend on actually letting them meet.

Ukik.u.mo had a love for women. Yasohachi had an idea about why Ukik.u.mo wanted to meet Osayo.

'Honestly, what a pain,’ grumbled Ukik.u.mo lazily, walking with his staff in one hand.

He had a red cloth over his two eyes and was pretending to be blind in order to hide his two red eyes.

Though Yasohachi thought them beautiful, Ukik.u.mo said that most people in the world did not.

However, even though Ukik.u.mo was hiding them that way, he had painted eyes in ink on the red cloth. Doing that made him stand out more and look even stranger.

'Don’t say that. Please just go take a look. They are a samurai family, so the compensation should be a considerable amount.’

'That’s the problem,’ said Ukik.u.mo with a click of his tongue.

'What do you mean?’

A miser like Ukik.u.mo should have been happy to receive more money.

'I hate samurai families.’

Now that Ukik.u.mo mentioned it, he had said something similar during the incident with s.h.i.+ntarou. Perhaps he had a special reason.

'Why do you hate samurai families so much?’

'I hate the things I hate.’

'You sound like a child.’

'Shut up! Forget about that – somebody’s waiting.’

Ukik.u.mo sopped and pointed his staff in front of him. Iori stood in front of the Hagiwara estate gates.

It seemed she had been waiting for them.

'I apologise for arriving late.’

Yasohachi rushed over.

Iori smiled at him. 'Not at all.’ Then, she looked at Ukik.u.mo. 'Ukik.u.mo-dono. Thank you very much for coming.’

'I’m getting paid, right?’

Ukik.u.mo’s att.i.tude was rude in contrast to Iori’s polite bow. However, Iori didn’t look annoyed. She just nodded.

'Show me to the well where the ghost was spotted first,’ said Ukik.u.mo, putting his staff on his shoulder.

'Aren’t you going to look at the painting?’ asked Yasohachi.

Ukik.u.mo’s displeasure was evident. 'Idiot. There’s an order to things.’

'Then please say that from the start. I was sure that I would be seeing the painting.’

'Stop whining – you’re so noisy.’

'I’m not noisy. Your explanations are always lacking, Ukik.u.mo-san.’

As Iori watched Yasohachi and Ukik.u.mo argue, she started to giggle.

'IS something amusing?’ asked Yasohachi.

'Your conversation was just so amusing that I – ’

'There isn’t anything amusing about it. I’m irritated.’

'It doesn’t look that way to me,’ Iori said without any delay. That made Yasohachi feel a bit awkward. He couldn’t think of a retort.

Ukik.u.mo yawned like he didn’t care at all.

After things calmed down, Iori said, 'I apologise, but actually, my brother has left with my father because of an urgent errand…’

'I don’t care. That makes things easier,’ replied Ukik.u.mo with a shrug.

Though Iori knew about Ukik.u.mo’s red eyes, s.h.i.+ntarou did not.

Just as Ukik.u.mo aid, having s.h.i.+ntarou absent might make things easier since there would be less need for explanation.

'Then please head this way – ’

Iori invited them in through the Hagiwara estate’s gates and guided them to the old well in the garden where the ghost had appeared.

The rocks surrounding the well had moss all over them, and the plank used as a cover was rotten.

Yasohachi had seen it in the day too, but it left a different impression at night.

Ukik.u.mo took the cloth off his eyes, revealing his eyes, a crimson as vivid as the setting sun. Yasohachi was entranced by their beauty, but he didn’t dare to say it.

'So where did your brother see the ghost?’ asked Ukik.u.mo, going around the well.

'He said that he saw the ghost around there.’

Iori pointed to the right of the well.

Ukik.u.mo nodded and stood where she was pointing. He looked around again.

'Did the ghost say something?’

'Apparently it kept saying “It hurts” and “Help”.’

'And then it disappeared into the well.’

'Yes, that’s what my brother said he saw.’

As Ukik.u.mo listened to Iori’s reply, he pulled off the well’s cover and leant over to peer in.

Yasohachi also peered in, taking care not to get in Ukik.u.mo’s way.

It was complete dark. Yasohachi couldn’t see anything.

However – it was different for Ukik.u.mo.

Ukik.u.mo’s red eye could see the spirits of the dead – that is, ghosts.

'Did you see something?’ asked Yasohachi.

Ukik.u.mo looked up from the well.

'Too dark to see anything.

Because Yasohachi had been expectant, Ukik.u.mo’s curt reply made him disappointed. Ukik.u.mo didn’t seem to care. He just threw a small rock into the well.

After a few moments, there was the sound of a splash.

Ukik.u.mo let out a 'Hm’ and turned to look at Iori.

'How long has this well been out of use?’

'Hm… I think it’s been about a year.’

'There’s still water though – ’

'I don’t know the details either, but apparently it isn’t used any more because it smelled foul and the water was dirty.’

'I see,’ Ukik.u.mo replied. He put a hand to his pointed chin. He appeared to be thinking.

'Does something concern you?’ asked Yasohachi.

Ukik.u.mo smiled wryly. 'There’s no point thinking too much now. Let’s go look at that painting next – ’

– Finally, eh?

Yasohachi could feel his heart thumping loudly.

5

Iori led Yasohachi and Ukik.u.mo through the gates of the Aoyama household –

Though Yasohachi did not know much about the ranks of samurai families, the Aoyama estate was much larger than Iori’s, so the household must have had considerable standing.

After they went in, a female servant named Okiku greeted them.

'Did you see the ghost?’ Ukik.u.mo asked as Okiku guided them in.

Okiku’s shoulders shuddered at the sudden question and she stopped in her tracks. Then, she slowly turned around.

Okiku had a round and cute face, but she was so pale she looked sickly.

'I saw it…’ she replied in a hoa.r.s.e voice.

'Oh? Where?’

'The room with the wall scroll. I heard a noise that night so I went to the room, and then…’

Okiku covered her mouth. She was shaking terribly – she seemed afraid.

'Are you sure it came out of the painting?’ asked Yasohachi. Okiku’s gaze was unfocussed, like she was thinking about something, and then she replied, 'That was how it looked to me…’

A ghost came out of a painting – Ukik.u.mo had said it was a tall tale, but if somebody had actually seen it, it was undoubtedly fact.

Okiku led them to the inner guestroom.

'It is quite a large estate,’ said Yasohachi, looking around the room after Okiku had left.

'Aoyama is a noted family that has served the Tokugawa shogunate for a long time. They should hold an important office in the shogunate even now. Well, this does appear to be a branch family…’

The one who replied was not Iori but Ukik.u.mo.

He had his staff on his lap, looking incredibly displeased as he sat there.

He knew a lot about samurai families for somebody who said he didn’t like them. Yasohachi told Ukik.u.mo that, but Ukik.u.mo immediately retorted, 'Hating something and knowing something are completely different matters.’

Then, the sliding door opened and a man came in.

He was probably about the same age as s.h.i.+ntarou. He had dark, tanned skin with a manly face.

'Iori-san, I’m sorry for the long wait.’

The man had a friendly smile on his face.

'No, not at all. This is the eldest son of the Aoyama household, Aoyama Sousuke-sama.’

Iori’s words seemed lively as she introduced Sousuke.

Her words, different from those she used towards townsmen like Yasohachi and Ukik.u.mo, made Iori feel distant.

'This is Ukik.u.mo-dono and Yasohachi-dono.’

Then, Iori introduced Yasohachi and Ukik.u.mo.

'I hear you are a skilful exorcist that can exorcise any spirit – I am in your care,’ Sousuke said politely.

Though the man gave a good impression, something smouldered within Yasohachi’s heart. He himself didn’t know hat emotion it was.

'Let me say this first – I haven’t agreed to take the case,’ Ukik.u.mo said firmly.

'What do you mean?’

Sousuke looked doubtful.

'I specialise in ghosts. I’ll step out if a monster’s involved or if it’s the work of a person.’

'You’re quite frank, aren’t you? I’ve taken a liking to you.’

Sousuke laughed aloud, but Ukik.u.mo’s expression was impregnable.

'I hate samurai families. All of you just look down on people.’

'I like you even more. I don’t like the current samurai family system either. It has to be more equal.’

'I don’t plan on having a boring debate.’

'Ah, that is right. Then, let us go take a look immediately – ’

Sousuke was their guide to the room with the wall scroll in question.

'About somebody coming out of this wall scroll – when did that start?’ asked Ukik.u.mo as they walked down the corridor.

'I don’t know the details myself either,’ replied Sousuke with a wry smile.

'I’m not asking the exact date. A general guess will be fine.’

'Hm… I think it was recent, but I also feel like there was a rumour of that kind since a while back.’

Sousuke’s words were unclear, having lost their cheer from earlier.

'Then let me change the question. How long’s that scroll been in this family?’

'I sincerely apologise, but I don’t know for certain either. I feel like it’s always been here…’

As they continued this vague exchange, the reached the room in question. Sousuke stopped. 'This is the room.’

Yasohachi’s hands started to sweat when he thought that a cursed painting was just on the other side of the door.

Iori and Sousuke seemed nervous as well. Their lips were thin.

Ukik.u.mo, alone, had the same blank expression as always.

'Then – ’

Sousuke opened the sliding door.

The room was six tatami in size. Yasohachi scrunched up his face at the stench.

Dark red bloodstains were on the tatami, telling a gruesome tale.

Yasohachi just managed to fight the urge to vomit. Iori also seemed unwell, looking away from the sight.

Ukik.u.mo silently looked about the room.

'How is it?’ asked Sousuke, peering at Ukik.u.mo’s face.

'Step back a bit,’ Ukik.u.mo replied brusquely.

'He needs to concentrate to see ghosts,’ said Yasohachi to Sousuke, who seemed confused.

Ukik.u.mo probably wanted to take the red cloth off his eyes to look at the scene, but he couldn’t do that with Sousuke here.

'Let us leave the situation to these two,’ Iori urged Sousuke. Iori also knew about Ukik.u.mo’s red eye.

Sousuke looked like he didn’t want to accept, but he left with Iori.

'How is it?’ asked Yasohachi now that he and Ukik.u.mo were alone.

'I can’t see anything from here.’

It had started to grow dark, so they couldn’t see the wall scroll in the back of the room.

Ukik.u.mo stepped further in.

Yasohachi, though hesitant, followed him.

Ukik.u.mo walked right up to the wall scroll and pulled the red cloth off his eyes.

His crimson eyes looked at the painting on the wall scroll.

Yasohachi stood next to Ukik.u.mo and looked at the painting as well.

'Wha!?’ Yasohachi yelped without thinking when faced with the indescribable strangeness of the painting.

A samurai stood in the centre of the wall scroll. His hakama was worn out – Yasohachi could almost smell its stench.

However, that wasn’t why the painting was strange.

The man in the painting held a sword in his right hand. Four heads hung from his left.

The blood dripping from his sword looked incredibly real.

It was so ominous that Yasohachi felt that the samurai could really have come out of the painting.

The painting, filled with a frightening force, must have been painted by somebody with considerable talent.

– I wonder whose work this is.

There was a seal in the left corner of the painting.

'What a frightening painting,’ said Yasohachi.

Ukik.u.mo made a click with his tongue and murmured, 'So it really was Yuuzan…’

'What did you say?’

'The painting isn’t what’s frightening,’ said Ukik.u.mo. He looked away from the painting. Rather than fright, his words seemed filled with abhorrence.

'What do you mean?’

'You don’t need to know.’

'But..’

The sound of footsteps rus.h.i.+ng towards them interrupted Yasohachi.

An old samurai showed up.

He had a square face and just looked to be hard to please.

'You are the exorcists, aren’t you?’ the man accused.

'Yes,’ replied Yasohachi.

The samurai sighed. 'Please leave. This is not a place for you.’

'But Sousuke-sama…’

'It has nothing to do with Sousuke-sama. As the Aoyama household steward, I cannot allow people like you from who knows where to come in and out. Especially after an incident like that. I don’t even want to think about what sort of rumours might spring up.’

The old samurai said all that at once.

'You make it sound like we’re criminals,’ replied Ukik.u.mo, since Yasohachi had been stunned into silence.

He had put the red cloth back on at some point.

For just a moment, the old samurai seemed to falter under the glare of the inked eyes, but he immediately continued, 'Perhaps you are.’ He looked at them scornfully.

That was an extreme false accusation.

'This is why I hate samurai families – we’re going, Hachi.’

Ukik.u.mo was ready to leave, but Yasohachi called out to him.

'We don’t know anything yet. At this rate…’

'Leave it. They don’t want my help. Right?’

Ukik.u.mo looked towards the old samurai, who nodded, looking satisfied.

'Seems you’re quick on the uptake.’

'So he says.’

Ukik.u.mo walked away briskly.

Yasohachi couldn’t do anything even if he stayed here alone, so he ran after Ukik.u.mo.

'Please wait, Ukik.u.mo-san!’

Yasohachi kept calling out, but Ukik.u.mo kept walking away.

'Please wait!’

Ukik.u.mo finally stopped after going through the Aoyama estate’s gates.

'You’re so noisy.’

Ukik.u.mo ran a hand through his hair in irritation.

'Let’s go back.’

'Don’t want to.’

'But nothing has been solved yet.’

'Like I care. It’s not like I just left – I was chased out.’

Ukik.u.mo snorted.

It was just as he said. It made sense for Ukik.u.mo to be refused like that.

'But if this continues, there may be another victim.’

'Not maybe,’ Ukik.u.mo murmured.

'Eh?’

'I’m saying more people will die.’

Ukik.u.mo put his staff on his shoulder and turned to look at the Aoyama estate’s gates.

The way he spoke – perhaps Ukik.u.mo knew something about this case.

'Then it is even more important that we do something.’

'Give it up.’

'Why? Because we were treated as criminals earlier?’

It was true that the old samurai’s words had been irritating, but that was a different problem.

'They don’t want my help. I don’t care if they get cursed or die,’ Ukik.u.mo spat out.

'I’ve misjudged you.’

No matter what Ukik.u.mo said, Yasohachi had believed him to be a man who wouldn’t leave somebody in trouble alone –

'Did you trust me enough to misjudge me?’

'I…’

Yasohachi couldn’t speak.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t find the words. It was because Ukik.u.mo had covered Yasohachi’s mouth with his hand.

Yasohachi tried to escape Ukik.u.mo’s hand, but he couldn’t. Ukik.u.mo was too strong.

'You’re so annoying with all your whining.’

Ukik.u.mo pulled the red cloth down and looked at Yasohachi with his crimson eyes.

His eyes were cold enough to freeze.

’…’

'Listen up. If you don’t want to die as well, don’t get involved with this case – got it?’

Ukik.u.mo put his face close to Yasohachi’s and whispered in his ear.

Yasohachi didn’t respond. He just glared at Ukik.u.mo.

For a while, they stared at each other silently, but finally, Ukik.u.mo pushed Yasohachi away.

Yasohachi staggered backwards and fell onto his behind.

'Don’t approach that painting on any account. Got it?’ repeated Ukik.u.mo. Then, he walked away. It was as if he had melted into the darkness.

Yasohachi watched him go, half in shock.

Earlier, Ukik.u.mo had seemed to be afraid, rather than angry. What on earth was Ukik.u.mo thinking –

'Yasohachi-san.’

Yasohachi came back to his senses when somebody called out to him.

When he turned around, he saw Iori looking at him, seeming concerned

6

'That is quite a problem,’ said Iori with a shake of her head once Yasohachi finished explaining the situation.

They were in the guestroom of the Hagiwara estate.

It was dark, and the moon was out.

'It really is,’ replied Yasohachi with a sigh.

Even though Ukik.u.mo made a living as an exorcist, he was slow to start work. However, that was only until he stuck his neck in, upon which things changed entirely. He wasn’t the sort of man to abandon something midway. That was what Yasohachi had thought.

And yet –

'The person who chased you out was probably Matsuoka-dono, the steward.’

'He did mention that he was the steward.’

'Matsuoka-dono has never been on good terms with Sousuke-sama. It isn’t just that he dislikes exorcists – so I think, anyway.’

Iori spoke in a clear voice with her bake perfectly straight.

'Why are they on such bad terms?’

'Sousuke-sama is cheerful, just as he looks, and he has soft thoughts. It seems he attends a variety of a.s.semblies.’

'I see.’

Yasohachi understood Iori’s explanation.

However, for some reason, Yasohachi’s heart sank the more Iori praised Sousuke.

'Meanwhile, Matsuoka-dono is serious and strict with rules. It is only natural that they do not get along.’

'He’s a stalwart then.’

'Yes. He chased a retainer out of the household before when one of the family’s vases was broken.’

Though Yasohachi did not know how precious that vase had been, he felt like that was doing a bit too much.

After Yasohachi said that, Iori nodded in agreement.

'However, with that situation, it makes it even harder to go into the Aoyama estate.’

If they couldn’t go in, they couldn’t solve the mystery.

'I will make efforts on my part. I think Sousuke-sama will do something.’

'Sousuke-sama…’ replied Yasohachi flatly.

He felt like Iori was relying on Sousuke too much.

'More importantly, I am concerned about Ukik.u.mo-dono. I don’t think he is the sort of person to run away just because Matsuoka-dono said something…’

Iori looked up at Yasohachi.

The stiff expression naturally left Yasohachi’s cheeks when faced with such a lovely expression, but he immediately noticed and hardened his expression.

'I was bothered by that too. And…’

'What is it?’

'Ukik.u.mo-san said something odd.’

'Something odd?’

'Yes. “Don’t approach that painting on any account.” He told me that.’

If he had been angry with Matsuoka, he would have said not to approach the Aoyama household.

Now that Yasohachi thought about it, Ukik.u.mo had decided to step out before Matsuoka had chased them out.

'That is strange.’

Iori looked suspicious.

'As well, he said one more thing – ’

'What is it?’

’“More people will die.”’

Even as Yasohachi said it himself, a chill ran down his spine. Iori’s expression hardened too.

That was how heavy the meaning of those words were.

'Then we really cannot leave the situation as it is…’

Yasohachi agreed with Iori’s opinion. He wouldn’t be able to sleep at night if he backed out now. However, even if he wanted to do something, there was a problem.

'However, even if I try to do anything, I cannot exorcise spirits – there is nothing I can do…’

Yasohachi, unlike Ukik.u.mo, could not see the spirits of the dead. He was not a monk who could work miracles. In short, he could do nothing.

'It isn’t as if you need to exorcise any spirits, Yasohachi-san,’ Iori said firmly with a smile.

'Eh?’

'You just have to find out why Ukik.u.mo-dono stepped out, don’t you?’

'I see.’

Yasohachi clapped his hands together.

If he understood why Ukik.u.mo had stepped away from the case, he could pull him in again.

Iori wasn’t only beautiful – she was also intelligent, with a strong heart that was not easily shaken.

It was probably natural for somebody like Iori to become the wife of somebody from a high-ranking samurai family like Sousuke.

'Then where should we start?’ asked Iori.

'That’s right – I think Ukik.u.mo-san noticed something about the painting, so I’d like to find out where the painting came from.’

'Do yo uahve any ideas?’

'The name of the painter was on it.’

'Who is the painter?’

'Kanou Yuuzan – ’

'Kanou Yuuzan – do you know him, Yasohachi-san?’

'I don’t recognise the name Yuuzan, but a painter named Kanou – I have a guess.’

'It would be somebody related to the Kanou school, the largest of the painter school serving the shogunate.’

'Yes. Just as I expected, you already know,’ said Yasohachi in admiration.

She was the daughter of a samurai family, so she was naturally well educated. He wouldn’t have to explain further.

'No, not at all. More importantly, I just remembered when you mentioned the painting… I apologise.’

Iori bowed her head.

'What is it?’

'Even though you had said that you would paint a picture of me…’

Now wasn’t the time to lightheartedly paint pictures. Yasohachi was just happy that she had remembered.

'No, please don’t be concerned about that. Anyway, let us search for where that painting came from today.’

'Yes. Then I will visit your residence tomorrow morning, Yasohachi-san.’

Yasohachi wasn’t sure he had heard Iori’s casual words correctly. 'What did you just say?’

'That I would visit tomorrow morning,’ Iori replied calmly.

'You plan on searching with me?’

'Yes. Is there a problem with that?’ Iori c.o.c.ked her head like she was confused.

'Iori-san, you don’t have to search as well,’ Yasohachi said fervently, half getting up.

However, Iori didn’t budge. 'Why not?’

– I’m at a loss.

Yasohachi scratched his head. Then, he felt something strange. He couldn’t describe it.

Iori and he exchanged glances and looked towards the well.

There was a man standing there.

It was a samurai, just as s.h.i.+ntarou had discussed in his story.

He was looking down and muttering something, but Yasohachi couldn’t hear him clearly.

'Excuse me…’ said Iori, going to approach the samurai, but Yasohachi held her back.

It would be a problem if she carelessly approached and was possessed. Iori seemed to sense Yasohachi’s worries, as she did not go any closer.

Soon, the samurai’s ghost disappeared silently.

'I wonder what he is trying to say?’ said Yasohachi to himself.

'I don’t know,’ said Iori with a shake of her head.

Then, there was a clamour from the neighbouring Aoyama household. Ukik.u.mo’s words flashed through Yasohachi’s head.

– More people will die.

Yasohachi had already started running. Iori was right behind him.

When they reached the Aoyama gates, Yasohachi stopped.

Though he had run all the way here, he couldn’t just go in without permission. He was deciding what to do when the gate opened and a retainer rushed out.

'What happened?’ asked Iori, grabbing the man’s arm to sotp him from running.

'My comrade Sadayuki collapsed, coughing out blood. I am going ot call a doctor so – ’

The man shook Iori’s hand away and ran off.

Though Yasohachi did not understand the situation clearly, it appeared another person had fallen victim.

'I will ask for the details. Yasohachi-san, please leave for today.’

Iori said just that and quickly went through the gate.

For a while, Yasohachi was stunned, but just standing here was useless. He walked away with trudging steps.

– What on earth is happening?

Was that creepy painting bringing misfortune to the Aoyama household? Or – Yasohachi was thinking about various things when he suddenly stopped.

He had heard the chime of a bell.

He looked around. He saw a dark figure at a distance.

He wore a straw hat that covered his face[1] with a pale mouse-coloured kimono that had a yellow sash over it.

It seemed he was a begging Komuso monk.

Probably n.o.body would pa.s.s by if he begged on a night like this. Since Yasohachi thought him pitiful, he put the change he had in the pot at the monk’s feet.

Yasohachi was about to leave, but the monk suddenly called out to him.

'You have the shadow of death upon you – take care,’ the monk said in a horase voice.

'What do you mean?’ asked Yasohachi, but the monk silently turned around and left.

He left the pot of change behind in the dark –

7

'Come on, Hachi! Wake up!’

Yasohachi woke up to a loud voice.

He rubbed his eyes sleepily and looked up to see Osayo with her hands at her hips, seeming angry.

'Sis, morning…’

'This isn’t the time for that. A girl named Iori-san is here.’

Osayo’s words woke Yasohachi right up.

He hurriedly jumped up and started to change.

'She’s from a samurai family – is this OK?’

Osayo looked concerned.

'I know. IT’s not like that. She’s just helping Ukik.u.mo-san out with something supernatural.’

'I see. That’s good then.’

Osayo’s expression softened.

Though Ukik.u.mo said that rank didn’t matter, that wasn’t how things were in reality. It would be impossible for somebody from a lowly textile shop to marry the daughter of a samurai family.

'By the way, is he doing well?’ asked Osayo.

'Er, yeah.’

He didn’t dare to mention the quarrel they had had last night. Of course he didn’t mention his promise to introduce Osayo either.

'I see… Why not bring him over next time? I want to thank him…’ Osayo said a bit shyly.

Yasohachi was startled. Though it was faint, Osayo’s cheeks looked a bit red.

– You’re kidding me!

He wouldn’t be able to stand it if Osayo ended up married to somebody like Ukik.u.mo.

'Ukik.u.mo-san is busy with things.’

Yasohachi finished dressing and ran out of the room.

After leaving the house, he found Iori waiting under the roof’s eaves. Rather than her usual hakama, she was in a light pink kimono.

Yasohachi held his breath without thinking, stunned by her appearance.

'Yasohachi-san.’

Iori looked at him with a slight smile.

Yasohachi looked down when he realised in embarra.s.sment that he had been staring. 'I apologise for the wait…’

'No, please don’t worry about that. Is something the matter?’ asked Iori, perhaps feeling that Yasohachi’s behaviour was suspicious.

'No, er… I just thought it unusual that you weren’t in hakama.’

'Since I did not know where we were going, I thought that being in hakama might be inappropriate…’

'I see.’

'It’s a bit difficult to move about in this since I’m not used to wearing this sort of clothing.’ Iori smiled bashfully.

Perhaps it would be appropriate for Yasohachi to say something like 'It looks good on you’ or 'You look beautiful’, but he couldn’t say anything but 'Is that so?’.

'More importantly, about what happened yesterday…’ said Iori, her expression hardening.

Yasohachi was brought back to reality.

'How was it?’

'Unfortunately, somebody named Sadayuki has pa.s.sed away.’

Iori bit her lip, looking pained.

Yasohachi felt the same way. If this had been solved earlier, the person named Sadayuki might not have died.

When Yasohachi thought about that, he felt angry at Ukik.u.mo, who had pulled out without explaining his reason.

'Let us work our hardest so that there are no more victims.’

Yasohachi stiffened as well at Iori’s forceful words.

'Yes. Let’s do whatever we can to avoid any more victims.’

'Then, where shall we go?’

As Iori said that, she seemed a bit happy.

'There is a town painter named Machida Tenmei in Naito-s.h.i.+njuku. I was thinking we could go there first.’

Yasohachi hadn’t looked this person up just for this case.

Yasohachi was looking for somebody to take him as an apprentice so that he could become a painter. One of the people he had found was Machida Tenmei.

The name Machida Tenmei was not very well known, but he mostly painted Buddhist pictures. His brush was rough but also delicate – his painting was unique.

When Yasohachi last went, he’d heard that the painter used to be in the Kanou school.

Though he was a bit of a difficult character, he would be the most suitable person to talk to about this case.

'Let’s go then.’

'Yes, let’s.’

Yasohachi and Iori started to walk.

As they walked, Iori suddenly said, 'She’s very beautiful.’

'Yes. She’s my older sister, Osayo.’

'Your older sister – ’

'Yes. That said, we’re not related by blood…’

In contrast to Yasohachi’s self-deprecating smile, Iori appeared surprised.

Yasohachi couldn’t hold information back now that he’d said this much. Yasohachi explained the strange circ.u.mstances of his birth to Iori as they walked along.

It was the incident that had caused him to meet Ukik.u.mo –

Yasohachi had never been good at explaining, so the story took longer than it needed to. When he finished, they had already reached the long house where Machida Tenmei lived.

'Please excuse the intrusion – ’ called out Yasohachi as he opened the sliding door.

'Oh, the boy from last time?’

A man looked up from his desk in the dark room.

It was Machida Tenmei. He was very slender and his eyes sunken in. It was as if he was a skeleton.

'Thank you for the other day… Er, this is the daughter of the Hagiwara household…’

'I don’t care who she is. Well, there’s not much room, but sit.’

Yasohachi and Iori went into the room at Tenmei’s urging.

'This is wonderful,’ said Iori in admiration, picking up one of the paintings strewn all over the floor.

It was a picture of the Buddha. He looked strong and awe-inspiring, but at the same time, there was a warm kindness to it.

'That work’s rubbish. I don’t need plat.i.tudes.’

'No, it really is…’

'Just stop,’ interrupted Tenmei. Then, he said curtly, 'Are you going to keep stupidly saying that you want to be a painter?’

'Well, yes,’ replied Yasohachi.

Tenmei snorted. 'I said this before, but give it up. The world of painting with its schools and whatnot is completely rotten. There’s nothing good about it. If you’re going to do it at all, Dutch-style painting is the way to go.’

Yasohachi had heard that before.

It seemed that Tenmei hated the different schools of the art world. He had probably felt that way from being in the Kanou school, which was the largest of them all.

'Er… I actually came for a different reason today,’ Yasohachi said stiffly.

If this continued, they would be forced to listen at length to Tenmei’s criticism of the different schools.

'A different reason?’

Tenmei’s sunken eyes narrowed.

'Yes. We are searching for a certain painter.’

'Want to become some painter’s apprentice?’

'No, there’s another reason…’

Yasohachi didn’t mind explaining, but to be honest, he felt it would be rather difficult.

'So who are you searching for?’

Fortunately, Tenmei didn’t ask for details.

'Kanou Yuuzan – ’

The moment Yasohachi said that name, Tenmei’s eyes went wide and he grew pale.

From that reaction, it seemed that he knew him.

Iori seemed to think the same way. She leant forward slightly.

'Where’d you hear that name?’ said Tenmei, with a frightening expression on his face that Yasohachi had never seen before.

'I saw a painting by him – ’

'What will you do if you find him?’

'Actually, I heard that a ghost of a samurai came out of the painting and killed a servant.’

When Yasohachi said that, Tenmei let out a long sigh.

The room was filled with an unpleasant atmosphere.

'If that was really Kanou Yuuzan’s painting, it’s probably true – ’ said Tenmei in a hoa.r.s.e voice.

'What do you mean?’

'Exactly what I said. That’s the sort of painter Kanou Yuuzan is. I won’t say anything else, but don’t be so stupid as to go looking for him.’

Tenmei’s tone brooked no argument.

However, Yasohachi had found a clue. He couldn’t back down.

'Why not? What sort of person is Kanou Yuuzan?’ asked Yasohachi, leaning forward.

Tenmei pushed him back. 'You don’t have to know. You don’t need to know. Sorry, but could you leave?’

Tenmei turned away from Yasohachi. It was a complete refusal.

Nothing Yasohachi said would be of any use now. Yasohachi reluctantly left Tenmei’s home.

'I wonder what sort of person Kanou Yuuzan is,’ murmured Iori after stepping outside.

'I don’t know.’

All Yasohachi could do was c.o.c.k his head.

Ukik.u.mo and Tenmei had both completely changed their att.i.tudes upon hearing the name. It was as if they were afraid.

– What sort of painter is Kanou Yuuzan?

As Yasohachi walked and thought, somebody called out from his side. 'h.e.l.lo – ’

HE turned around to see a man standing there. Though he had a sword at his waist, his kimono was old and his topknot was a mess. He did not seem dignified.

He appeared to be a ronin from somewhere.

'What is it?’ asked Yasohachi.

The man smiled, showing his yellowed teeth.

Yasohachi had a bad feeling.

'I hear you’re looking for Kanou Yuuzan-sensei.’

'How do you know that?’

'I was eavesdropping earlier. I don’t mind telling you where he is.’

Iori grabbed Yasohachi’s sleeve.

She probably wanted to tell him that this man was suspicious. Yasohachi agreed. Though it was not good to judge people based on their appearances, he just couldn’t trust the man in front of him.

'I appreciate the offer, but no thank you.’

Yasohachi made a move to leave, but the man grabbed his arm.

'I said I don’t mind telling you, so shut up and follow me,’ the man said. His breath smelled rotten.

Yasohachi did not know the man’s goal, but there was definitely evil intent in his eyes.

'Please let go of that hand!’

Iori picked up a stick that had been nearby and held it up as a wooden sword.

'Do you think you can beat me in that clothing?’

The man looked at Iori scornfully.

Iori frowned slightly. Iori was currently wearing a kimono instead of her usual hakama. It would be hard for her to move freely. Her stance was narrow as a result.

'Yah!’

However, Iori still slashed forward, fluid like water as she hit the man’s wrist.

The man curled up in pain, but the stick Iori had been holding split in two. Iori was looking for a replacement when the man stood up first.

'You b.i.t.c.h… You’ll pay for that!’

The man’s eyes were red with anger as he hit Iori.

Though Iori probably could have evaded the hit in a hakama, her kimono made her movements slower.

The man’s fist hit Iori straight on and she fell to the floor, face-down. She wasn’t moving –

'Iori-san!’

Yasohachi ran up to Iori and shook her.

It looked like she had just fainted. She was still breathing.

He was only allowed a moment of relief though. Yaoshachi felt killing intent behind him.

Yasohachi had been distressed, but to have left his back so unguarded –

Regret only came when it was too late. Yasohachi felt a shock of pain in the back of his head, and then his consciousness slipped into a deep darkness –

8

There was the chime of a bell.

Yasohachi slowly opened his eyes, as if the gentle tinkling had invited him to.

He was in a dim and damp place with a slight stench. It seemed Yasohachi was lying on a dirt floor.

The back of his head felt heavy.

He tried to touch his head, but he couldn’t. His wrists were bound tightly together with rope.

He slowly sat up. It looked like he was in an old farmer’s house. A man was sitting in front of the hearth. The man wore slightly dirty hakama.

The moment he saw the man’s bearded face, his blurry memories came back to him at once.

The man in front of Yasohachi had called out to him and then attacked him.

– I need to escape!

Though Yasohachi tried to run, his hands were bound so he couldn’t move as he wanted to. He fell to the ground.

'Don’t move,’ the man muttered. He picked up the sword at his side and slowly stood up.

The man let out a strange air.

Yasohachi had thought he was a ronin, but perhaps this man was Kanou Yuuzan.

'You…’

'I said not to move. I’ll kill you if you move – ’

The man took the sword out of its sheath and put its tip at Yasohachi’s chin.

The cold sword made a tremor of terror run through Yasohachi.

However, he couldn’t falter here. Yasohachi had to confirm something.

'What happened to Iori-san?’ he said, glaring at the man.

'Iori?’

'Yes. The girl who was with me.’

'Ah, that girl – ’

The man stopped there. His lips twisted into a dark smile.

Yasohachi’s heart beat loudly.

'Hm, I wonder – want me to tell you?’

The man licked his lips. His shoulders shook as he laughed.

When Yasohachi saw that, the hair stood up on his skin. Even without the man saying anything, Yasohachi could guess what he had down to Iori.

Yasohachi lost himself to the anger welling up within him and charged at the main – but then something lit up the dark room.

Somebody was standing in the doorway. Because of the light behind the person, Yasohachi couldn’t make up their face.

'Who are you!?’

The man readied his sword. It seemed he hadn’t expected a guest either.

'My name isn’t important. I am only a lowly medicine seller,’ said the figure in the doorway.

Yasohachi recognised that voice.

'Medicine seller?’

'Yes. I am from Is.h.i.+da Sanyaku. Would you like a salve?’

As the figure said that, they stepped into the room. Now, Yasohachi could see the person’s face clearly.

'Hijikata-san!’

The person who had come in was Hijikata, a merchant of medicine.

He often came to Yasohachi’s shop and had introduced him to Ukik.u.mo.

He had his medicine box on his back as usual. For some reason, he also had a wooden sword.

'Yasohachi-san, you appear to be fine,’ said Hijikata, his narrow eyes growing narrower.

'I don’t need medicine! Get out of here already!’ yelled the man angrily.

However, Hijikata did not flinch. He just smiled faintly.

'Yes, of course I will. Yasohachi-san, let us leave.’

Hijikata approached Yasohachi, but the man stood between them to stop him.

'Didn’t you hear me? Get out of here! I’ll cut you with my sword otherwise!’

The man pointed the tip of his sword at Hijikata.