Side Story. Aki Matsuri, Apricot Sisters

September 29, 1891

Sachie
Dusk was already falling, and the noise of the festival had begun to flood the streets of Shimizu. Lanterns hung from the lamp posts, displaying the emblems of the town's most influential families. Sachie could clearly recognize that the Kinomoto and even the Kurogane families were decorating the streets with their presence through these simple lanterns.

She had to admit that, in this at least, they had done something right: the festival was an event everyone looked forward to, a time to relax, have fun, and forget about work for a while.

Being near the port, the damp wind was noticeable, bringing a cool chill to the air, and the scent of salt from the sea relaxed her. Although she felt that summer was a distant memory, its warmth and high temperatures were finally saying a proper goodbye.

The stalls were just being set up when she left the apothecary where she worked to head home. Tomorrow would be the day to enjoy this important event—a day meant for fun, enjoyment, and, now that she was free from her former ties, for relaxation.

Himawari
She was at the Yanagi residence, studying. Accompanied by Urara, she sat in the study hall where the distant thrum of festival drums could already be heard. Lights from the lanterns flickered outside—or so she wanted to believe, as the new electric lights made everything confusing. She couldn't tell if the glow came from the streetlights or the festival itself.

"What are you thinking about, Himawari?" Urara asked, looking up from her book to see her gazing out the window with a certain melancholy.

"The Aki Matsuri has arrived," Himawari whispered. She still didn't have the confidence to share her true thoughts with Urara for fear of being reprimanded.

"You are like children," Urara said with a hint of annoyance. Himawari watched how the woman also looked toward the window. "Izumi told me the same thing earlier today. Since I know you won't be able to focus on your studies, I will give you permission to go."

Himawari offered a timid smile. Without her even asking, the woman had granted her leave; she bowed and went to prepare herself. Her excitement dimmed slightly when she realized that her only way of going was surrounded by servants.

Upon leaving the house, she climbed into her palanquin, which was decorated with the Yanagi emblem. Outside, walking beside her, was Izumi in his horse. He told her that if she desired anything to eat or drink, she only had to ask.

She couldn't complain; she couldn't cry. She couldn't even allow herself to think of such things because she had finally been given permission to attend an event and Urara had been praising her lately. Once they arrived at the festival, she occasionally allowed herself the luxury of peeking through the small slit in the curtain.

She smiled seeing the food stalls, the people walking, and even children running with masks and food in their hands. When she saw a takoyaki stall, gathering all the courage she could, she asked her fiancé for a serving.

For a few minutes, everything stopped for Himawari as she ate. She didn't care that she was enclosed, or that her feet couldn't touch the ground. It had been a long time since she had eaten takoyaki, and it made her offer an honest, genuine smile—the kind she hadn't shown since... when was the last time she had smiled?

When he deemed it appropriate, Izumi ordered the servants to take Himawari back to the residence. Although it wasn't quite what she had hoped for, she had enjoyed a moment of freedom. One last time, she peeked through the window of her palanquin. For a brief moment, she thought she saw her sister. She saw her smiling, having fun, surrounded by people walking beside her.

Her sister looked free; she looked happy. Surely Sachie hadn't even thought of her in all the time since she had been disowned by their father. Sachie was living freely, in her own way, while she... was merely a trophy to be paraded in a palanquin, surrounded by servants who likely wouldn't care for her in any other situation.

She didn't know if it was exhaustion, confusion, or the lights of the festival, but she thought she glimpsed Takumi among the crowd. With a bit of fear, she pulled the curtain shut to avoid being seen looking too closely. She knew she could be scolded if she lingered at the window for too long.

Sachie
"Incredible," Sachie thought once she reached the festival. For the first time in her life, she was at a festival by herself, without annoying companions, without being scolded or reprimanded for running or talking too much. With some of her savings, she bought the things she was never allowed to have: sweets, hot drinks...

The loud music was the only thing that bothered her, along with a few unkind people, but otherwise, she enjoyed the atmosphere. While watching a group of children playing at a food stall, she thought of Takumi. He had promised to accompany her for a while.

Continuing her walk, she ran into Chika Yazawa, a friend, who was laughing loudly. They greeted each other.

"What are you laughing so hard at, Chika-san?" Sachie asked curiously.

"Look over there," Chika replied, pointing to a pair of men walking unsteadily.

They were quite drunk, bumping into trees. People looked at them with disgust, but they just kept talking loudly. Chika had laughed when one of them fell. The two women continued their stroll.

"Are you here alone, Sachi-chan?" Chika asked once the laughter subsided.

"I’m waiting for someone, but I don’t know if he’s coming."

"You aren't talking about the heir, are you?" Chika said with a knowing look and a wide grin.

Sachie felt awkward at her neighbour's attitude. From that reaction alone, Chika knew it was true—she was indeed waiting for the heir of the prestigious factory.

"A shame," Chika remarked, trying to keep her friend from running off so she could stay as her companion. "Takahara-san would never mix with the likes of us. If you know what I mean."

"What do you mean, Chika-san?" Sachie asked, not understanding her neighbour.

"Just look at that," Chika pointed.

Sachie turned to look. At that moment, a palanquin was arriving, pushing its way into the festival as best it could. Who could it be? Chika complained about those privileged people and how all they did was flaunt their power. Chika took Sachie by the arm and led her away.

"I don't want those people to ruin our night," said Chika, walking quickly. "How about we go get something to drink?"

During their walk, Takumi finally managed to find Sachie. Chika, knowing it was the ideal moment for the two of them, left them alone. Her suggestive attitude was starting to annoy Sachie.

"Maybe not all nobles are annoying," Chika joked, noticing that Takumi was dressed quite elegantly.

Although his clothes were more casual than usual, his status as an heir was still evident: his clothing was clearly of better quality, and his posture and his way of walking. Those who saw him began to murmur.

When Chika left, the couple began to stroll and relax. Sachie told him about some food stalls he should try and mentioned a place for dancing.

"It’s very noisy; people dance without any specific order," Sachie said, while Takumi watched her, smiling. He liked seeing her express herself that way. "But it’s fun just to see people enjoying themselves."

Sachie laughed as she walked beside Takumi. For the first time, she didn't worry about what others might say. She didn't notice, but people were still pointing at her. They were surprised to see her so relaxed and happy while accompanying Takumi. A few people recognized him as the famous heir of the Shimizu textile factory.

The palanquin she had seen earlier passed right by her. Sachie was recounting the anecdote Chika had told her and laughed about how the drunk men were walking. She imitated their movements and spoke loudly.

Takumi turned his back to the palanquin as soon as he recognized the family emblem. In deep green and enclosed in a rhombus, there was a drawing of a weeping willow. The Yanagi family had visited the festival.

Izumi saw him, though he didn't recognize him; his attire stood out from the others. He thought he saw him very close to a peasant girl who was pointing out various stalls. To his misfortune, he didn't see her face.

"Lieutenant Yanagi, is something wrong?" one of the servants asked. Izumi turned to look at him. His fiancée's palanquin was moving away.

"My apologies." Izumi came back to his senses and continued riding without looking back. Who could have been visiting the festival?

Himawari
Tired from the trip, Izumi decided to return her to her own home that night so she could rest. Her father, received his daughter, and after bidding Izumi goodnight, he also retired to rest.

"Mother, I have returned," Himawari said as she knelt at the entrance to her mother's room.

"Come in," her mother replied.

Himawari slid the door to the right and saw her mother getting up from the desk. It seemed to her that her eyes were red from crying. Akiko’s daughter stood up and entered her mother's bedroom, closed the door, and they spoke.

"How is everything going with the Yanagis?" Akiko asked excitedly. That day her daughter had gone to help with some tasks and to socialize with the Kinomotos.

"Fine, mother," Himawari said calmly. "Today they permitted me to go to the Autumn Festival."

Akiko smiled and asked if anything interesting had happened. With some excitement, her daughter mentioned that she had eaten takoyaki. Both women continued talking for a while longer.

In her own room, Himawari looked at the sky and the stars. She felt alone, abandoned. Despite everything, she missed her sister; she wanted to see her, to talk to her. She searched through her drawers and quickly found what she was looking for. In silence, she began to write.