As a government official, Michikatsu's daily life was quite busy, rarely affording him time to leisurely stroll around.
Moreover, Michikatsu himself had no worldly desires. Every day, he left home for work, and after work, he went straight home—a strictly two-point, one-line routine to the extreme.
But today was an exception.
This evening, having just attended an officials' gathering with Amei, Michikatsu happened to see a promotional poster for Douma's new movie on his way home.
Michikatsu had always known that Douma had been working as a director making films all these years.
However, due to work reasons, combined with his own lack of interest, he had never gone to watch any.
But this time, Douma's new movie seemed somewhat different.
Although all the character names had been changed, just from the movie's promotional synopsis, Michikatsu felt a very strong sense of déjà vu. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed.
Could it be that what that guy filmed this time was the past of their Tsugikuni family?
How did Douma know about these things? Could it be that Mitsuba told him?
A trace of doubt arose in his heart. Additionally, Amei beside him was also very interested in these past events of the Tsugikuni family and really wanted to see this movie.
Thus, after brief consideration, Michikatsu—who had originally planned to return to the estate—ultimately came to the nearby cinema with Amei.
Then, he very coincidentally ran into Mitsuba and the others who had also come to this cinema.
And so, two people plus the original six people—a total of eight people gathered—entered the screening hall together in a grand procession, sitting in a row in the middle-front seats.
In the nearly full theater, there were still one or two minutes before the movie officially began.
Michikatsu sat in the centermost position among the eight people. To his left was Amei, to his right were Akaza and Koyuki.
As for Mitsuba, Inosuke, and the others, they sat at the outer ends on both sides.
"Who is that girl beside Inosuke?"
The surroundings were pitch black, with faint sounds of low conversations from people around them. Michikatsu took this opportunity to quietly ask Akaza beside him.
Hashibira Inosuke—Douma's beloved son—Michikatsu had seen him once many years ago.
At first sight back then, Michikatsu felt this child was extraordinary and very suitable to be captured for martial arts and sword training.
It's just that the young Inosuke was already seriously studying with Akaza at that time. Although quite regretful, Michikatsu could only choose to give up.
He hadn't expected at the time that later on, Inosuke would not even continue his studies, instead going abroad to establish an arms company, selling arms all over the world, transforming into an international capitalist magnate.
Sigh, truly unpredictable are the affairs of the world…
Many years later, seeing Inosuke again today, yet finding a young lady with whom he had quite a good relationship suddenly beside him, Michikatsu couldn't help but be somewhat curious.
"She's a classmate from his school. They have a good relationship. The two of them skipped classes together to come out and play today."
Akaza explained in a low voice.
As he spoke, his gaze also glanced at Inosuke—who was similarly conversing in low tones with Kanao—and an expression of heart-wrenching pain appeared on his face.
As a renowned doctor, his "closed-door disciple" whom he had educated since childhood had not inherited his mantle and walked the same path as him.
Instead, he switched directions and sprinted toward a completely opposite life path, ultimately becoming this foppish young master who had to make a high-profile display wherever he went.
Akaza was quite pained by this, and also quite self-blaming.
He didn't know where he had taught wrong back then, to cause this child to "degenerate" into his current state…
"Is she his wife?"
Michikatsu asked again.
"Probably not yet…"
Akaza seriously thought for a moment and replied.
"I see, then she's his fiancée."
Nodding lightly, Michikatsu suddenly realized.
"Uh, that's not entirely wrong to understand it that way…"
"Hakuji, that girl beside you should be your wife, right?"
Just as Akaza finished his internal complaint, he saw Michikatsu speak again, asking curiously.
His gaze fell upon Koyuki beside Akaza, who hadn't noticed the two's low conversation.
[This girl looks so familiar, almost no different from that girl in the small town over three hundred years ago. Even her name is the same… Is it a coincidence?]
"No no no!"
His tone suddenly becoming more agitated, his cheeks instantly flushing with a hint of shy crimson, Akaza hurriedly explained:
"I-I and Koyuki are just ordinary teacher-student relationship! We just happened to meet today and temporarily decided to come out and play together! There's absolutely no improper relationship between us!"
"Oh, I see…"
Taking in Akaza's eager expression completely, Michikatsu suddenly realized once more, lightly nodding again.
Having thoroughly understood everything, he hit the nail on the head:
"Then she's your fiancée."
[What an incredible fate…]
"…Huh?"
Akaza was directly stunned upon hearing this, his face growing even redder.
No, old man, I just explained so much just now. How did you arrive at this conclusion?
What do you mean by "then she's your fiancée"?
Do Koyuki and I really look like we're in that kind of relationship?
Well, looking closely, there does seem to be a tiny bit… But, but isn't what you said a bit too direct? Can't we be more tactful about it?
"Pfft! Cough cough…"
At the same time, Mitsuba—sitting at the outer end—also couldn't help but laugh out.
"What is it, Mitsuba?"
Beside her, Shinobu asked in confusion.
"Nothing."
Raising her hand to cover her mouth, her gaze glancing at Akaza—who was still trying hard to explain something to her brother—Mitsuba only softly smiled:
"I just suddenly remembered something happy…"
Are they husband and wife?
No? Then they're fiancées.
Just ordinary friends?
Hmph, in this world, where have you seen ordinary friends who keep blushing non-stop the moment they're "misunderstood"?
Alright, I understand. No need to explain.
Mitsuba could only say that her brother was truly worthy of being someone who had weathered many years in officialdom—seeing through the truth at a glance, completely unaffected by any fancy embellishments.
"Alright, the movie is about to start. Let's watch the movie first."
"…"
Mitsuba didn't know what kind of feeling others in this world had when seeing their own experiences made into a movie for people to watch.
In any case, she herself felt quite awkward.
Especially when seeing the herself played by Ume in the movie, from time to time using that righteous expression to deliver shameful righteous speeches, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into on the spot.
Incidentally, due to narrative needs, her two beloved brothers in the movie were also portrayed as "evil villains" constantly opposing the female protagonist.
Mitsuba also didn't know why her two brothers in the movie were so idle, seeming to do nothing all day, just staring at her and targeting her endlessly.
And at the end of the story, her two evil brothers also lived up to expectations, utterly defeated under the counterattack of their clever, righteous, and kind younger sister—one exiled thousands of miles away, the other beheaded and displayed to the public.
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This story has ended in chapter 315, you can read on patreon.com/dzeref887 for faster access or wait until August to read on WebNovel until the story ends.