Michikatsu had seen what his younger sister truly looked like when she smiled.
That was when Mitsuba was still very young.
Back then, all five members of the Tsugikuni family were still together.
Back then, his younger sister actually loved to smile very much.
She didn't like learning those rigid rules, running around the mansion all day, and always liked to urge him to take her out of the city for a stroll.
She would always mutter some strange words like "life is a precious thing, so we must live happily."
At that time, she was like a sprite living in the Tsugikuni family.
Just looking at her, streams of joy and happiness would flow through Michikatsu's heart.
When he was young, Michikatsu had once been very proud, because other people's sisters were either shy and reserved, or dull and foolish.
Only his younger sister was clever, lively, and full of spirit—better than any other sister.
She was like an immortal spirit that had accidentally fallen from the sky into the Tsugikuni family, filling this cold and gloomy mansion with her unrestrained vitality.
But he didn't know from when, his younger sister stopped smiling like that.
She began to become knowledgeable and courteous, began to understand rules and observe etiquette, began to become just like other people's sisters—rigid and full of lifelessness.
She was no longer like that sprite. The smile on her face lost the spirit of her childhood, replaced by that standard yet false perfect smile.
When exactly did Mitsuba's change begin?
"Older brother, stop thinking about my affairs."
Before him, Mitsuba's voice called back Michikatsu's wandering consciousness.
After completely organizing the armor on Michikatsu's body, Mitsuba stepped back two paces, raised her head and smiled at him, saying:
"Compared to thinking about my affairs, as the head of the Tsugikuni family, you should have other more important things to think about, shouldn't you?"
The head of the Tsugikuni family...
Ah, yes, he was now the head of the Tsugikuni family...
Indeed, as the head of the Tsugikuni family, he did have more important matters to handle—this was his duty.
"What's more, compared to speaking of me, I actually feel that you, older brother, should be the one who has never truly smiled all these years..."
Had he never smiled...
Hearing Mitsuba's words, Michikatsu fell into contemplation again.
It seemed, indeed so...
When was the last time he truly smiled from the bottom of his heart?
Was it when he became the head of the Tsugikuni family?
Was it when his child was born?
Or when he led the army and first achieved victory in battle against a neighboring country?
No, it seemed none of these...
Strange, then when exactly was it?
Since Yoriichi went missing, he had obtained everything he once wanted.
The qualification to be family head, the glory of a samurai... he had obtained everything he dreamed of in his childhood.
But why did Michikatsu feel not the slightest excitement in his heart about this?
Why did he still feel empty in his heart, as if something was missing?
Why did time pass so slowly?
Yoriichi... Tsugikuni Yoriichi...
In his mind, that thin red-haired figure emerged once again at this moment.
Why, whenever this happened, would his heart always recall that disgusting figure?
What exactly did he want?
"Older brother, you should depart."
His younger sister's voice once again called back Michikatsu's consciousness.
"Mm."
The thoughts in his mind quickly receded. Michikatsu nodded lightly and responded.
In recent years, as the shogunate's authority declined daily, the power of various daimyo gradually strengthened, and the world showed signs of approaching chaos.
To deal with this coming chaotic era, nearby daimyo had previously conducted simple correspondence and unanimously decided to find a place to meet and discuss how to form an alliance.
And as the head of the Tsugikuni family, Michikatsu naturally received an invitation.
His fully armed departure with his personal troops was precisely to meet with those daimyo.
"Mitsuba, I'll leave household matters to you for now. Within three days, I should return."
"Mm, I understand. I wish older brother a smooth journey."
After this simple farewell, neither brother nor sister said anything more.
In the garden below the castle tower, a personal troop of nearly a hundred men was already assembled and ready to depart.
Michikatsu walked outward, but after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped and asked with his back turned:
"Mitsuba, you... is there someone you wish to marry?"
Perhaps his question was too sudden, for a trace of puzzlement appeared on Mitsuba's face. She didn't answer immediately, but instead asked back:
"Why does older brother suddenly ask this?"
Yes, why did he suddenly ask this...
Was it because his younger sister had already turned eighteen, and if she didn't marry soon she would become an "old maid"?
Or because the Tsugikuni family had once again reached the time when they needed to form a marriage alliance with another daimyo?
Or perhaps, simply seeing his younger sister always alone and rather lonely at home all these years, so he wanted to find someone who could accompany her?
Michikatsu's mind was once again filled with countless thoughts.
But when the words reached his lips, he only said very calmly:
"I just... suddenly thought of it..."
Mitsuba was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then that exquisite face once again showed that equally exquisite yet false smile.
"Such matters, older brother can decide as you please. As a daughter of the Tsugikuni family, no matter how you arrange it, Mitsuba will accept it. You don't need to ask for my opinion."
A perfect answer without a single flaw.
But for some reason, hearing these words spoken from his younger sister's mouth, Michikatsu felt quite disgusted in his heart.
No, it shouldn't be like this...
These weren't words Mitsuba should say...
She should...
"Is that so..."
However, after countless thoughts, Michikatsu ultimately only responded with this light acknowledgment.
Standing atop the castle tower, Mitsuba watched Michikatsu lead his personal troops gradually into the distance.
This wasn't the first time Michikatsu led troops out of the city, nor was it the first time Mitsuba watched him leave.
Everything was the same as in the past, without the slightest change.
And therefore, when that figure Mitsuba had never expected appeared in the Tsugikuni family again after twelve years, she never thought this would be the last time she watched Michikatsu leave the city.
"Mitsuba, long time no see."
On the night after Michikatsu left, Tsugikuni Yoriichi, draped in his flame-red haori, suddenly appeared in Mitsuba's room.
The moonlight outside the window fell like snow, shining upon his body as if coating him with a layer of silver radiance.