Jane rode her horse alongside Roza Beni.

"What kind of person is Haruto?"

Jane asked, harboring some doubts.

Roza didn't answer immediately, shielding her eyes with her palm and gazing up at the sky.

Jane waited without asking again, wanting to hear the words she would speak.

"He is..."

Roza trailed off again. She seemed to be thinking about something.

"He's like spring. He's warm, kind, compassionate, and... well, he's loving."

"He's loving?" That word dissipated Jane's doubts about wanting to get close to a man, like the wind scattering clouds.

"Do you think he will love me?"

Roza didn't answer Jane's question. She looked at Jane and said,

"It will be easy for you to receive his love. He is loving."

Roza's words were ambiguous. Jane didn't know exactly what she meant, so she felt uneasy.

"Is he ugly?"

Roza burst into hearty laughter.

"Right, that's an important issue for girls. Hahahaha."

Roza was amused by her own thoughts and laughed. Jane only offered a shy smile and lowered her head.

Around eleven in the morning, they arrived at Murakami territory.

When the guard saw Roza, he opened the main gate.

Jane and Roza rode their horses down the central avenue of the town. Some people looked at Jane curiously. Roza, however, was nonchalant. She waved at girls from some of the shops.

When they reached the Murakami estate, Roza stopped in front of the gate. She dismounted her horse, and Jane followed suit.

Roza knocked on the door.

After a moment, the sound of running footsteps could be heard from inside.

The door opened, revealing a young male servant. When he saw Roza, he bowed and said,

"Young Mistress, you have returned?"

Roza nodded and pointed to Jane's belongings.

"Show the guest to her room, and also alert Hana. I'm going to take a nap for a while."

"Yes, Young Mistress."

The servant took the reins of Roza's horse.

Ever since Roza and the servant started talking, Jane had hung the pistol on her waist and slung the rifle over her shoulder. She held her bag in one hand.

"Please feed Kuma well and give him plenty of water."

Jane said, handing Kuma's reins to the servant.

"Yes, Mistress."

Jane also gave Kuma's reins to the servant.

Mistress? These people knew who Jane was.

Jane walked towards the residence the servant was leading her to. On the way to the residence, she could glimpse the upper branches of a large Sakura tree.

That place must be the east wing of the estate.

Jane was led around the estate. It must be the west wing.

When Jane reached her room, she put down her bag. She laid the gun near her pillow. There were no other belongings in the room.

Jane took off her military jacket. Still in her white undershirt, she lay down on the Tatami mat for a while.

Jane was tired from the journey and felt slightly dizzy. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.

Jane didn't know how long she had been asleep. When she woke up and checked her watch, it was already one in the afternoon.

"Young Mistress, have you awakened?"

Hearing a voice from outside, Jane sat up groggily and replied,

"Yes, I'm awake."

"I have brought water for the young mistress to freshen up. This evening, you will meet Lord Murakami during dinner, young mistress."

"And he is...?"

Damn it, Jane, what are you asking? Jane lightly slapped her own mouth.

"The young lord went out to inspect the territory today. He will be late, young mistress."

So that's why he couldn't come and greet me himself?

Jane thought that he must be someone who didn't neglect his work.

When evening arrived, another room in the estate had been prepared for Jane to bathe. The hot and warm water were at just the right temperature.

The aches from riding the horse disappeared the moment she soaked in the water.

"Ah, this feels good,"

Jane groaned softly.

After bathing, she dried herself with a towel from the rack. When she came out of the bathroom, she found a long robe similar to a bathrobe.

When Jane reached her room, she saw a dark blue kimono neatly folded.

She didn't know how to wear a kimono. Therefore, though she felt apologetic, she couldn't help it. She only wore her white shirt and long pants.

Jane let down her long hair and tied a few strands at the back with a blue ribbon, leaving the front strands loose.

When she was ready, she passed through one building and crossed over to the east wing.

Only when she reached the east wing did she get a good view of the large Sakura tree. It was beautiful. Near the base of the tree was a small stream, and there was also a small bridge. Near the edge of the building was a resting pavilion. From that spot, the Sakura tree could be seen up close.

All along the path to the resting pavilion, lilies bloomed in a dazzling white.

Jane liked this place very much. She thought she would come and visit often later.

When she reached the front of a room, a servant bowed.

"Lord Murakami, I have brought the young mistress."

"Come in."

The servant slid open the small door. Jane lowered her head to avoid the doorframe and entered.

It was evening, and though there was still some sunlight outside, it was dark inside, so oil lamps had been lit.

When Jane entered, she saw a handsome man who looked to be around thirty years old sitting at a dining table in the center.

At the second table to his left, Roza Beni was sitting and eating.

The man beckoned Jane with his hand.

"Come, child. Sit down here."

He pointed to the small dining table to his left, the one closest to him.

I suppose only the heir to the lineage has the right to sit on Lord Murakami's right.

"I don't know how to wear a kimono, so I've come dressed normally."

Jane admitted honestly.

"It's alright, child. Roza doesn't know how to wear one either."

When Lord Murakami spoke to Roza, the rosy rose looked at Jane with her mouth full of rice.

Jane felt a fondness for Roza, like for a younger sister. Her behavior was like that of a child.

"Child, will you like the dishes?"

Lord Murakami asked.

Jane had been hungry ever since she smelled the grilled fish and white rice on the table. Jane liked white rice. It also reminded her of her mother.

Jane skillfully held her chopsticks, flaked off a small piece of fish, took some rice with it, and ate.

The sweetness of the rice and the saltiness of the fish blending on her tongue reminded her of her mother, and tears welled up in Jane's eyes.

"Child, what's wrong? Does it not taste good?"

The rosy rose looked at her with furrowed brows.

"Hng... hng..."

Jane cried as she chewed. Only after the rice in her mouth was gone did she say,

"Forgive me, I just remembered my mother."

_____________________

Jane's first dinner with the Murakami lineage was filled with happiness. How wonderful it would be if every day were like this.

After eating, Jane looked for Roza Beni but couldn't find her. Had she already gone back?

Jane returned to the west wing and entered her room, where she saw a mattress and pillows laid out.

Without thinking, Jane lay down on the mattress. What a lovely floral scent.

The fragrant aroma of the flowers lulled Jane to sleep.

Around midnight, Jane woke up from a light sleep. She heard something like the sound of a stringed instrument in her ears.

Jane listened intently to the sound and realized it must be coming from the east wing. She crossed over to the east wing.

This night was a moonlit night, so the entire courtyard was bright.

Jane saw someone playing an instrument in the resting pavilion by the large Sakura tree.

Jane walked across the lily field to go near the large Sakura tree.

The sound grew closer. The moment Jane saw the person playing, her heart pounded in her chest.