Chapter 23 : Unseen threats

The courtyard was wrapped in the fresh stillness of morning. The grass was damp with dew, glistening faintly under the rising sun. A soft breeze swayed the branches of the sakura trees, their petals trembling but not yet falling.

Shin and Sakura sat side by side on a stone bench, neither speaking. The silence was not heavy, only peaceful—the kind of quiet that made the world feel distant.

Sakura tilted her head back, her gaze drifting across the sky. So blue… so endless… The drifting clouds looked like ships sailing lazily across a sea of light. She pulled her knees a little closer, hugging them lightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Shin’s eyes were also on the sky, though his expression was the opposite of hers—cold, unreadable. His presence, as always, was steady, like a wall.

The crunch of footsteps disturbed the quiet. A maid approached, bowing low, her voice soft yet precise.
“Lady Sakura. Lord Shin. Lord Jinnosuke Raijin, Lady Misaki Raijin, and their daughter Lady Ayame Raijin have arrived. Lord Haruki has summoned you, Lord Shin.”

Shin turned his head slightly, acknowledging her with a simple nod. The maid bowed again and retreated silently through the courtyard doors.

Sakura’s eyes followed her until she disappeared. Something in her chest tightened. Her fingers curled against her dress.

Shin noticed. He lowered his gaze to her, and without a word, his hand reached out, ruffling her hair gently.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly.

Sakura blinked, startled by the warmth in his voice. She looked up at him—at his calm, soft eyes, so unlike his usual coldness. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.

Then, slowly, she smiled.

Shin stood, his shadow falling over her. “Stay here. I’ll go.” Then his mouth curved faintly, a rare teasing edge in his tone. “Unless… you’re curious enough to come with me.”

Her cheeks puffed, and she swatted his arm lightly. “No thanks. I’d rather stay here.”

His low chuckle slipped out, almost hidden. “Don’t be angry.” With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps fading into the corridors.

Sakura’s smile lingered for a moment… then vanished. She rose from the bench and tilted her face to the sky again, her expression blank.

At the main gates, Lord Haruki and Lady Reina stood regal, their robes catching the morning light. Opposite them, Lord Jinnosuke Raijin and Lady Misaki Raijin offered graceful bows, their daughter Ayame at their side.

Shin entered, his stride even, his face as expressionless as stone. He bowed. “Lord Jinnosuke. Lady Misaki.”

Jinnosuke’s deep voice carried warmth. “So this is your son, Haruki. Strong and disciplined—I see the rumors did not exaggerate.”

Misaki added with a graceful smile, “And so refined for his age. Truly, a son any house would be proud of.”

Shin merely inclined his head. “You honor me.”

Beside her parents, Ayame’s eyes flicked over Shin. At first, she was indifferent, her lips pressed in a thin line. But the longer she stared, the sharper her expression grew. A cruel smile tugged at her lips, subtle but undeniable.

So this is Shin Fujimoto… The prodigy everyone whispers about.
Her heart beat a little faster—not with affection, but with hunger. I’ll see for myself if the praise is deserved.

Meanwhile, Sakura had slipped quietly to the back of the castle. The river there sparkled in the sun, its soft current carrying away fallen petals. Birds sang from the branches, their chirps weaving with the rustle of leaves.

She sat under a tree, pulling her knees to her chest again, watching the water flow. Here, away from the halls and voices, she could breathe.

Back at the gates, Ayame’s voice broke the flow of adult conversation. She bowed lightly. “If I may, Lord Haruki, I would like to observe your castle.”

Her tone was sweet, polite—perfectly befitting a noble daughter.

“Of course,” Haruki replied, smiling faintly. “Shin, accompany Lady Ayame.”

“Yes.” Shin’s response was curt.

Together they walked the halls. Shin’s silence weighed heavy, but Ayame did not seem troubled. She stole glances at him, measuring the way his steps echoed, the way his face betrayed nothing. He doesn’t talk much. Hmph. Cold type, isn’t he?

But just as she prepared to test him with words, a soldier appeared, bowing hurriedly.
“Lord Shin! We require your presence urgently.”

Shin’s eyes flicked to him. “Is it important?”

“Yes, my lord.”

A pause. Then Shin turned to Ayame. “Forgive me. Duty calls. If you wish, a maid will continue the tour—or you may return.”

Ayame tilted her head, then smiled faintly. “I think I’ll continue.”

Shin nodded, signaling for a maid. “Show Lady Ayame the castle.” Then he left swiftly.

Ayame walked in silence for a while, her eyes scanning, until something outside a window caught her attention. By the river, under a tree, sat a girl with long hair, small and still, staring at the sky.

Ayame’s lips curved again. “Who is that?”

The maid followed her gaze. “That is Lady Sakura, Lord Haruki’s daughter.”

“Mm.” A dangerous light flickered in Ayame’s eyes. “So… Shin’s little sister.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Ayame’s smile deepened, sharp and cruel. “Show me the way to the back garden.”

The maid hesitated but bowed. “At once, Lady Ayame.”

Sakura stirred at the sound of a faint mewl. A kitten padded out from the bushes, its fur messy, its steps clumsy. Her eyes widened, softening instantly.

“Hey… are you lost?” she whispered, reaching out her hand.

The kitten crept forward, then leapt into her lap. She held it close, stroking its fur. The small warmth in her arms made her smile—bright and pure, unlike any she had shown earlier.

But then—

“So… you’re Shin Fujimoto’s little sister?”

The voice was smooth, sharp, and cold.

Sakura froze, clutching the kitten tighter. Slowly, she rose and turned. Standing a short distance away was a girl she had never seen before—Ayame Raijin. Her eyes gleamed, her smile edged with cruelty.

“Yes…” Sakura said softly, uncertain.

The kitten wriggled from her arms, padding toward Ayame.

But halfway there, the kitten stopped, trembling. Ayame’s eyes had hardened, focused on the tiny creature with such intensity that its fur bristled.

Sakura’s breath hitched. She felt it—the danger. In an instant, she lunged forward, scooping the kitten back into her arms, shielding it.

Ayame tilted her head, amused. “Quick reflexes.” Her tone was casual, but her eyes were anything but.
Then, leaning slightly forward, she whispered with a smile too sharp to be kind:
“Tell me, little sister… do you have a death wish?”

... 

_ _ _

Hi everyone,
I’m so sorry for the long pause in updates! The past two months have been a bit hectic with my scholarship exam, but I’m back now and can’t wait to continue Sakura’s journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and support—it truly means the world to me! 💛

—Black Blossom