Independence and Difficulties

Sachie was finally free. Her family had repudiated her, and without wanting to know the consequences for her useless sister, she began to look for a place to live and work. The previous night, she had managed to pack some clothes, savings, medicines, and plants that she knew could be useful to her.

She was not going back; she no longer belonged to that family that never treated her as they should. Her goal now was to continue the legacy of her grandfather, who was always firm in his beliefs. She set a goal: by the next spring, she would open her own apothecary that would compete against her father's. She would prove that she could be better.

It took her less than three days to realize it was harder than she thought. No one wanted to take her in; the majority of people still pointed her out and ignored her, even when she wanted to buy something to eat. Still, she kept trying; she didn't want to give up so easily.

It would be more shameful for her to return home as a failure. If she did, she was sure her father would subject her to an exemplary punishment and this time force her to give up her life as someone capable of thinking for herself.

Little by little, she moved away from the neighborhood where she grew up, and to get more money to eat a little, she sold some medicines to businesses that she knew still accepted traditional medicine, but even so, it was little. She tried to sell some of her kimonos, but since they were too old, unfashionable, and noticeably worn, no one accepted them.

The nights were getting cooler. Despite being only September, the cold was beginning to bite. Without a fireplace or a hot meal nearby, she began to think about burning the kimonos. But she didn't. Some were important; they represented that past that was important to her. A past in which Tooru was still alive, and they didn't interfere with her decisions.

On the fourth day, wandering aimlessly, hungry, dirty and demotivated, Sachie thought of a solution. She did not want to leave Shimizu, the only place she knew, the place where she was born, and her grandfather's last legacy.

Hunger was already making her stomach hurt, but in her pride, the only thing she could do was buy one meal a day with her savings. Her clothes already looked dirty; her unwashed face revealed her lack of hygiene and a safe place to spend the night.

It was noon when she decided to sit on a bench in a public park while eating some cheap, tasteless food that did not cover her accumulated hunger. As she pondered what to do, she saw the silhouette of a woman arrive and stand in front of her. It was Urara Yanagi, and she did not look happy to see her in rags, eating garbage, and a dirty appearance.

"Miss... Sachie," Urara said, looking at Sachie with pity. Not even she dared to say her full name. She knew she no longer belonged to that family. "I see you are still stubborn despite being hungry."

"You are no one to tell me nothing" Sachie replied, not knowing what to do.

"I have every right to have an opinion," Urara said, sitting next to Sachie. She noticed a penetrating smell. How long had it been since she last bathed? 

"Your escape and you're quitting of the Apricot family is affecting my family, my son's engagement."

Of course, there was the real problem, the discarded one, the garbage, the black mark that had finally been excised. She was the plague they still couldn't completely erase. She knew it; her sister was always the favorite, the little doll they had to protect.

"Sachie, your father, has done an honorable act by getting rid of you," Urara continued. "But your life as a tramp here in Shimizu is a disgrace. You are embarrassing my family and your father. As you know, people still talk.”

Sachie was fed up. She was hungry, she was tired, and now a strange woman was lecturing her. With what authority she can do that?

"You are humiliating your family and, consequently, mine too," Urara continued her speech. She had an idea of how to permanently eliminate Sachie, and without shame, she shared it with her. "I can give the only wise decision you can have."

Sachie straightened up and, for the first time, looked into the woman's eyes. She had an imposing, authoritative gaze. She knew she had the situation under control. Ignoring the stomach pain she had, she silently invited Urara to comment on the proposal.

"You can return home and humiliate yourself before your father so he can forgive you," Urara commented without changing her serious expression. "You could submit to his authority, but since I know that would be a punishment for you, I propose to leave Shimizu."

Sachie's eyes widened in surprise. Yes, it was true that she had thought of that option, but she had concluded that she did not want to leave. She wanted to stay there regardless of the humiliation, the punishment that she or her family had to endure.

"Leave Shimizu today," Urara insisted, raising her voice as she looked at Sachie. "I don't care where you go, but it must be far from here, where no one knows you."

Urara got up, but not before giving Sachie some charity, which she reluctantly accepted. It was enough to buy a train ticket and go wherever she wanted. Urara walked away proudly, leaving her alone.

That night, Sachie, with her decision to stay in the city where she was born, wandered aimlessly. She had bought a little more food with Urara's money, but apparently, it had made her sick.

She returned to the alley where she was hiding. And she had no water or medicines to calm her pain. Too weak to even seek help, Sachie silently endured the pain. With the money she still had left, she thought she could pay a doctor to help her.

She left the alley where she was hiding and started walking. Because of her weakness and pain, she didn't get far. She felt her legs buckle, and she fell to the ground.