Chapter 52: Kazahana Koyuki
It had been less than a month since Haruko last visited the Land of Hot Springs, and the familiar scent of sulfur stirred his memories.
"Hmm... The beef I had last time was pretty good, I should have it again. And then, maybe bet on another turtle race tonight?"
Haruko stretched. "Alright then, Anko-sensei, why don't you go ask around the red-light district, and I'll handle the hot springs and inns?"
Anko rolled her eyes. "So you just want to go soak in the hot springs and relax, leaving all the dirty, tiring work to me?"
"Oh, we can swap if you like. I'll go to the red-light district..."
"Forget it, you're still too young for that kind of place. I'll go instead."
The two went their separate ways.
Haruko strolled leisurely down the street, asking at every hot spring inn he passed.
Many of the owners had seen a middle-aged man with long white hair and a forehead protector with the character 'Oil' on it, but the timing varied, the most recent sighting being a month ago.
"Seriously... just how many times has Jiraiya been here? Should I just wait here?"
Just as he was about to head to the next inn, a commotion up ahead caught his attention.
In front of a hot spring inn, several carriages piled high with crates were parked, and staff carrying camera equipment were rushing in and out, busy as could be.
"Cut! That take won't work. Fujikaze Yukie, your expression is too stiff!"
"Director, I..."
"Forget it, let's call it a day. We'll shoot again tomorrow. Go home and really think about your character's inner state."
Haruko raised an eyebrow. Walking closer, he realized a film crew had booked the entire hot spring inn to shoot a movie.
As the staff packed up their equipment, a young woman in costume sat in the corner of the stone steps at the inn's entrance.
"Fujikaze Yukie... so it's Kazahana Koyuki."
Haruko recognized her, though she looked quite dispirited right now, lacking the shine that a star should have.
Haruko had no interest in her and walked straight to the hot spring inn owner.
"Excuse me, boss. Have you seen a middle-aged man recently with long white hair, a forehead protector with the character 'Oil' on it, and a lecherous look on his face?"
The owner thought for a moment. "Ah, you mean that guy? He was here about a month ago. Hah, you definitely won't be seeing him anytime soon."
"Huh? Why?"
"That bastard was caught peeping under the guise of 'gathering material, " so all of us owners have banned him." The owner looked disgusted. "I don't know where he went, but he's not in our hot spring town anymore. He's bad for business."
"Well, waiting is out of the question. Better keep looking..."
Haruko nodded, and just as he was about to leave, Kazahana Koyuki suddenly spoke up:
"Um... the white-haired man you mentioned, does he call himself the Toad Sage?"
Haruko stopped and turned to look at her.
"Yes, that's him. Have you seen him?"
She nodded hesitantly, her eyes darting away. "Half a month ago, in the Land of Rice Fields... he tried to hit on me at a bar."
Haruko's eyes lit up. This was a valuable lead.
"Could you tell me more about it? Let me buy you a drink."
...
Night fell, and they were in a private room at a bar.
"Fujikaze Yukie? Little sister, that name sounds very artistic."
Anko had followed the scent of alcohol, and after two or three drinks, she was already calling Kazahana Koyuki'sister'.
"It's just a stage name. Actors need a nice-sounding name, after all."
Two women who had both experienced misfortune and lived in the shadows quickly found a strange resonance under the influence of alcohol.
Haruko didn't drink, instead snacking on side dishes and listening quietly to the two women talk.
From Kazahana Koyuki's disjointed description, he confirmed that Jiraiya had indeed appeared in the Land of Rice Fields and was likely still active in that area.
His goal was achieved; now he just had to finish this drink and take Anko back.
"Hey, Haruko... are you listening? Don't just sit there, say something interesting to liven things up!"
Anko, her face flushed, leaned against Haruko.
— It looked like this wouldn't be ending anytime soon.
"A story... I do know one." A complex emotion flashed in Kazahana Koyuki's eyes. "A story about a princess."
"A princess?" Anko's eyes lit up. "Tell us!"
"Once upon a time, there was a small country, and the ruler was kind and benevolent, deeply loved by his people. He had a daughter and a younger brother."
"The ruler's younger brother was ambitious and coveted the throne. Finally, one day, he hired a group of Ninja to stage a coup, killed the ruler, and usurped the throne. And the ruler's daughter, the little princess, was forced to flee to a foreign land..."
"That's terrible! That uncle is a total beast!" Anko slammed the table. "What happened next? The little princess must have gathered a group of allies and taken back the country, right?"
"After that..." Kazahana Koyuki's tone was mocking, "The little princess realized she couldn't do anything, and in the end... she ran away and never went back."
"What, that's so boring..." Anko was clearly disappointed. "Isn't she a princess? How could she just give up like that... Haruko, don't you think so?"
Haruko, who had been quietly eating snacks on the side, casually replied, "Running away is also a choice."
Both women looked at him.
Anko frowned. "What kind of choice is that? That's too irresponsible!"
Haruko picked up his teacup, his tone as flat as if he were discussing the weather. "Do you think a princess is obligated to return?"
"Of course!" Anko blurted out.
"Why?" Haruko looked at Kazahana Koyuki, his eyes devoid of judgment, filled only with pure curiosity. "Is it because of her bloodline, or because her people need her?"
Kazahana Koyuki gripped her wine glass. "...Both, I suppose."
"Being born into royalty is purely luck, not a skill. As for the people... what the people truly need is someone who can make their lives better, not someone who was born well."
Anko opened her mouth to retort but couldn't find the words for a moment.
"I've wandered before and been to many places. From what I've seen, what the common people talk about most is never 'whether the lord's position is legitimate, " but 'is the tax heavy this year, and can we get enough to eat.""
He looked at Kazahana Koyuki, his gaze calm. "If that uncle rules well and the people are living in peace, then if the princess returns and stirs up a war—is that being responsible to the people?"
Kazahana Koyuki lowered her head, her face turning pale.
"Conversely," Haruko's tone remained even, "if the princess thinks she can do better, she can't get people to follow her just by saying 'I am the princess." She has to bring something to the table that others don't have."
He smiled, without warmth, yet not with sarcasm. "But these are just the idle words of a bystander."
The private room was quiet for a moment, save for Anko muttering softly, "That sounds so complicated..."
Seizing the moment the topic ended, Haruko stood up and helped the now-dizzy Anko to her feet.
"It's getting late. We should head back. Thank you for the lead."
Haruko didn't linger, paid the bill, and dragged Anko into the night.
— He was just a passerby who happened to hear a story and offered a few bystander's thoughts.
As for what the listener thought, that was never his concern.
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