Book 2: Chapter 76: Flower Umbrella In The Rain

Lil Lily! Are you alright?

s.h.i.+mizu rushed over to see Lily who was lying in her own room.

Instructor Sakiko just checked me up. Im fine, just sprained my wrist a little. Thats good. s.h.i.+mizu let out a sigh of relief. But Sister s.h.i.+mizu, you should be careful, Lily warned her with a grim expression. Why? Sister s.h.i.+mizu, that exceptionally strong female ninja seemed to be nosing around your residence before I discovered her.

No wonder. I also felt like I was being peeped on by a pair of cold eyes earlier, but didnt realize that it was really a female ninja. Since she could hide her presence from me, Im afraid that shes stronger than me.

Then Sister s.h.i.+mizu needs to be even more careful. Furthermore, she kept mentioning something about the hundred demons and the Land of Hundred Demons. Where exactly is that? Lily was really bothered about the Land of Hundred Demons.

s.h.i.+mizu s.h.i.+fted her gaze to the oiled-paper window. I, and even the Genji clan, know very little about the Land of Hundred Demons. It isnt specifically part of any provinces, but any land that is occupied by those intellectual great demons are referred to as part of the Land of Hundred Demons. However, it is unknown if the Land of a Hundred Demons is unified as a single ent.i.ty or if there is a sole ruler. Of course, we all hope that this isnt the case. An independent great demon doesnt pose too much threat because powerful demons are greater in number than humans in the first place. Although the population of ordinary humans is high, samurai are rare. But the strength of those that can be called as demons are at least of an Early-Stage Samurai. If these demons were to unite, then the reign of humans would have been ended long ago.

Lily was reminded of the earth-shattering battle between Shuten Doji and Sugawara no Michizane. It would seem like there was hatred and struggles among demons too. Putting aside the forces of a hundred demons, if only these two demon lords were to be united, a destructive calamity would surely befall the Land of East.

The Land of Hundred Demons s.h.i.+mizus voice turned grave. If that female ninja is on the hundred demons side, then they have most likely discovered my ident.i.ty as the mirror girl.

Then arent you in grave danger, Sister s.h.i.+mizu?

When we finished off Onigumo, a few of his spiders escaped. At that time, I expected that this would happen sooner or later. Theres no need to be afraid of them. It has been my plan all along to fight against the demon that persecuted the mirror girls. As for the female ninja that bullied Lil Lily, hmph, I shall take revenge for you soon! s.h.i.+mizu held Lilys hand.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu

It was then Sakiko who went off to strengthen the defense of the dojo came back again. Sorry for interrupting you sisters.

Instructor Sakiko.

I have something important to tell both of you. Lord Kamakura has decided to summon all of you for an audience in three days. Of course, that includes Uesugi Rei and the other samurai who had contributed in the war at Odawara and the Fuma Clan! Sakiko announced solemnly.

Really? Lily got up, looking quite excited. She didnt even know what the most powerful man in the Land of East, Lord Kamakura, Minamoto no Yoritomo, looked like.

Oh s.h.i.+mizu looked gloomy instead. Although she had considerable merit in this battle, she still disgraced the Genji main family by losing to Uesugi Rei. She might be too ashamed to show her face in front of Lord Kamakura at this time, but it wasnt like she could refuse to attend the audience.

By the way, this is probably the most important audience that you will be attending in your life thus far. You will have to prepare a formal long-sleeved kimono of the highest quality, Sakiko advised.

Understood! Lily replied with even more enthusiasm. After all, how could she not be happy about being able to buy new clothes for such a n.o.ble reason? Lilys unhappiness from being bullied by Yuki Mayumi instantly dissipated too.

s.h.i.+u couldnt help but feel envious to see how Lily managed to fully recover from just hearing about buying new clothes. Maybe this was why the girl could always be so happy?

However, there was no way she would know the hards.h.i.+p and burden Lily had in her heart.

Well then, rest well, Lil Lily. Lets. .h.i.t the street tomorrow morning and visit the best fabric shop in Kamakura City, alright? Yeah, sure!

Unfortunately, it was raining the next morning. The entire Kamakura was shrouded in gray fog.

Even so, they were still going to meet Lord Kamakura, rain or s.h.i.+ne. Hence, Lily and s.h.i.+mizu went out early in the morning with their umbrella.

s.h.i.+mizu was dressed in a black yukata that was adorned with golden flowers and carried a pure white paper umbrella. Lily wore her favorite white yukata with red maple leaves and carried her red Sakura Parasol.

It was cold in the late autumn. The streets were nearly deserted thanks to the rain that was. .h.i.tting on the roofs noisily and on the ancient stony road.

Lily and s.h.i.+mizu walked around the ancient city with their red and white umbrellas under the rain, looking like two fairies that had descended to the mortal world.

The two walked side by side in a deep and quiet alley. There was only an Akita doghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_(dog)>1, whose fur had clumped together from being drenched in the rain. It was laying under an old roof as it watched the two fairies pa.s.sing by.

Lily would occasionally turn her head and look at s.h.i.+mizu. The world around her was bustling, but her heart was as calm as water.

s.h.i.+mizu was the kind of girl who could cleanse someones soul when they were in her presence.

Lil Lily, I feel lucky to have met you. Huh? Sister Although we havent known each other for a long time, Im having the best time of my life. Your company made me realize that even losing to Uesugi Rei, not being the best in the Land of East and not being valued by the higher-ups in the Genji clan no longer mattered. Even knowing that the forces of the Land of Hundred Demons probably have their eyes on me while I have hit a wall in my training, I can face my failures with a smile and summon endless courage as long as I think of protecting my little sister. Even if my body is withering away, my heart burns for you.2

s.h.i.+mizu spoke from the bottom of her heart while walking as the rain continued cras.h.i.+ng down.

Do you know which part of you attracted me the most? Eh? W-Which part? Not beauty, not s.e.xiness and not your kind personality.

s.h.i.+mizu gazed at Lily. Its your sincerity.

You would never flatter me. Instead, you would really put yourself in my shoes and think for me. You sincerely worry about me from the bottom of your heart.

You never go against your own feelings. You have directly rejected me more than once, yet care about me like a family.

You knew of my secret, but didnt pry. On top of that, you wouldnt hesitate to stay by my side and fight fearlessly alongside me.

You wouldnt conceal yourself due to desire and ambition, nor force yourself for the sake of being kind on the surface. You care about the people around you. You come forward to help them not for rewards, but because you are that kind of woman. You are merely doing what you want to do Within your sincerity and charm, there is also courage and perseverance.

Most importantly, you never deceive me, unlike everyone else.3 Likewise, I have never deceived you too. Lil Lily, you are so sincere and honest with me.

I am different from those who are obsessed with your beauty and figure. I love you for your sincere heart.

Shhhhhhhh! The rain continued to fall even heavily.

Lil Lily, am I right? s.h.i.+mizu looked at Lily with her gentleness and infatuation in her eyes.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, I

She would have truly sinned if she couldnt get s.h.i.+mizu to pull herself together, or make her overthink and cause her condition to worsen due to worry. Lily was willing to do anything for s.h.i.+mizu as long as it didnt cross the line of deviant love between women.

Yes. A sincere and dazzling smile appeared on Lilys face. Mhm. s.h.i.+mizu nodded as her lips curled into a contented smile that was rarely seen. As long as you are happy, Sister s.h.i.+mizu. Lily thought to herself.

The two picked their materials from the best fabric shop in Kamakura, then had their luxurious dresses made.

s.h.i.+mizu picked a solemnly gorgeous black fabric with blue b.u.t.terflies, as well as golden, white and brilliant red flowers on it.

On the other hand, Lily picked an enchantingly red and wide fabric. When the whole piece was spread out, a large painting of snow, moon and flowers was revealed. In its beauty, there was also a trace of sadness.

After that, the two returned hand-in-hand.

However, on their way back, the wind suddenly got stronger and rain started pouring harder. s.h.i.+mizus clothes were too thin to withstand the cold and as a result, she was. .h.i.t with a coughing fit. Her white umbrella was blown away by the wind and unfortunately got crushed under a bullock cart that was pa.s.sing by in the rain. It was too damaged and muddy to even be used.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, umm Why dont you share the umbrella with me? Lily held her Sakura Parasol up.

Eh? Can I?

s.h.i.+mizu leaned her cold body against Lilys chest. Even in the cold autumn rain, Lilys body was emitting heat. s.h.i.+mizu stopped coughing and felt exceptionally warm.

If I can keep walking with her like this and continue training while caring for each other, it doesnt matter if our relations.h.i.+p doesnt progress a step further. I am already very satisfied. s.h.i.+mizu thought in her heart.

Just like this, both of them shared Sakura Parasol and each others warmth while making their way back to the dojo

Three days later, the best bullock carts in Kamakura City were already waiting at the main dojo of the East. It was a warm and sunny day. Lily wore an furisode that was so red that even the maple leaves paled in comparison. When she spread her sleeves, there was a moon, flowers and snow that resembled dancing b.u.t.terflies in the background. The custom-made outfit looked like it was a scroll painting made for the fairy who had fallen into this world.

s.h.i.+mizu wore a black-themed furisode that brought out her elegance. Although it wasnt as gorgeous as Lilys, it was still a very tasteful outfit.

It looked most beautiful when the sleeves were spread open, turning into a stunning swallowtail b.u.t.terfly.

One was an ethereal flower, while the other was the most elegant flower in the secular world.

Presumably even the eyes of Lord Kamakura, the greatest existence in the Land of East, would lit up at the sight of them.

And on this day, Uesugi Rei also set off from a military camp in the outskirts. Unexpectedly, she didnt ride a horse. She sat in a light brown palanquin instead, wearing a white formal long-sleeved kimono that had purple-blue landscapes and flying swallows. Her silky hair was neatly put in a beautiful updo. Her silver hairpin was studded with an intoxicatingly blue cla.s.sic fan ornament on it. A dot of red was painted on her soft pink lips.4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_(dog)

Silva: I feel kinda guilty for her knowing Lily is still keeping many secrets from her.

Silva: well True, she never deceived you, but she didnt tell you her secrets either.

Robinxen: I thought there was a link to go here but apparently not.