“Whose your father?” It did not list her, mostly because it was from two decades ago but would have listed all of the names of those who were married.

“Kobayashi Yuto.”

The brother of the man with a foreign woman as his wife then. The man’s name had been Kobayashi Yuichi. “Have you heard of a man called Kobayashi Yuuichi?”

“He’s my uncle, and he hasn’t been seen in almost two decades. His wife also left the country shortly after, bringing his two year old daughter with him.”

“Can I meet your father? I have some questions for him.” She nodded, even as she was skeptical as to why she was asking about it. Her answer was fairly standard, there was no point in hiding something like that. Even as she had not elaborated more.

“You can find him in the city, he’s here mostly to expand to the city and for my entry into the social scene. He hopes I can land a maidservant, just as it might not seem likely due to the current midaikoro who doesn’t need much of them, due to a few visits. And preferring women of pure Samurai background, not merchants.”

Or any family with enough connections and money to offer them. Which suited him just fine, he didn’t need anything other than a chance. “Although, really why are you looking for him?”

He took out the pendant. And pointed to the small inscription which had the surname on there, including the symbol of the family. A series of forests, because of their name itself. In which she now udnerstood why. “So, you’re asking about this?”

“I’m looking for someone, who had this pendant. Mostly to try to understand where she is from.”

“All right. And as you say, my father would have a better idea on that.” She handed them a small piece of paper, and a location. One which would have been invaluable to him. Rather than heading back to Ayakazu to see what sort of price she would demand from him then. In which she had left the place, and they felt that it was their place to leave. The moment they found Shinrou.

“This place has some amazing flowers, Eisuke.” Passing through the gardens itself, it was a male voice. Not that of a woman. And he turned to see the symbol of a particular clan, the Sasaki. It was one of black paper. Which could suggest their skills in the espionage and being the people the shogun turned to to get rid of his enemies.

“Indeed it does.” In which Kazuho knew that it was better for him first, just as the back showed a girl with the same crest. Perhaps his sister. Masami gave him a look first, knowing that it was simply better for him to make the choice to find Shinrou and leave her here. He nodded, as he stepped away.

While letting Masami give herself away. The Sasaki clan being here was anything but a good sign. He headed back inside, finding Shinrou in the larger crowd at last. “Where were you?”

“We found what we were looking for, Masami managed to find a young woman of the clan. Who had given me the location, and we encountered the Sasaki clan.” And if he was here, suggested that she was there with them. And that they needed to leave as soon as possible. They had left quickly, and ensure they were quiet.

He had walked into the gardens, remembering how they had entered inside. Before hiding behind to take a look. The clan often meant trouble itself. And best for them to not be noticed. Masami had been talking to the girl, one with black hair and light brown eyes. And a tinge of green in them.

“How about you come to our house for a flower gathering? I’m sure you would enjoy it.” Masami didn’t really like it but was not beyond it. It was a place where it could be assured to find many people who might know something. Or make their acquaintance in case nothing else panned out.

“I’m not sure about it. Although I do also have a friend to bring along, she’s a little new to the place and I’m taking her around.” Perhaps in an attempt to—futilely— get away from this. But he could guess that she wasn’t convinced.

“She’s invited as well. So see you there, it takes place a few days from now. I’m sure you would enjoy the garden if you like this. Ours is a lot bigger and we have all sorts of rare flowers, some from abroad itself.”

And of course, he knew what the conversation started on and where it headed. It must have begun from her asking why she was here, and figuring out that she liked the garden. With the other and Eisuke probably having left for the inside. Leaving only them here. “See you there.”

She left before giving a big wave. Just as she nodded, before being aware that she now got herself into quite a bit of trouble. They had came out after that. “What am I supposed to do?” She finally realized that she was no longer able to deny it.

“Go there, there is quite a benefit to being there. You can look for more clues, and perhaps make a few more. And we have to find that, and it seems that it would bring us closer to the harbors. And it’s best if we have another source if this doesn’t go well.”

“True, but with Yuki are you sure it would work?”

“If anything, she can help with this sort of thing. She knows enough to not blow our cover and can provide a great distraction.” Something which Masami was not nearly as good at, the best thing she did was blend into the surroundings. Not asking the right questions, or asking them in a way which did not raise any suspicions.

“All right, this can be a great help.”

“So, it’s settled.” They had things to do, and to look for a few more clues than they could have. They left the place, having achieved their aim while they were here.