Princess Kaguya's Awakening

In Kinki, south of Heian-kyo, lay Nara.

Nara, once Heijo-kyo, the nation's former capital, retained a significant population and infrastructure even after the imperial family relocated. Having finally shaken off the curse of vengeful spirits, Nara had, over several centuries, redeveloped into a city of considerable influence.

Besides its numerous deer, Nara was a hub for Buddhist monastic powers. It also attracted many merchants who found it difficult to acquire residences from the Kizoku in Heian-kyo, leading them to open numerous shops. Among these, the most renowned recently was a pharmacy named the Eternal Pavilion.

The owner of the Eternal Pavilion, Eirin, was quite a legendary figure in Nara. She had suddenly appeared thirteen years ago, and with her exceptionally skilled medical arts, she cured many high-ranking officials and nobles, amassing a fortune. While earning the title of 'Divine Physician,' Eirin also used her wealth to start a medicinal herbs business. Her excellent quality herbs ensured rapid expansion, and in a short time, she became the largest medicinal herb supplier in Nara and even the entire Kinki region, providing vast quantities of herbs to Heian-kyo in the north.

Today, the Eternal Pavilion stood as an expansive estate within Nara. While Eirin continued to practice medicine and help the world, she also managed her ever-growing business, having long since become a prominent figure in Nara.

For a long time, many believed Eirin, the Divine Physician, to be a solitary individual. However, those who had interacted with her or worked in her pharmacy knew that she was never truly alone. Within the Eternal Pavilion's upper chambers, a mysterious presence was hidden.

With the sun high in the sky, the Eternal Pavilion pharmacy was bustling. Numerous professional staff skillfully sorted various medicinal herbs, packaging them for transport to Heian-kyo and other parts of Japan. Eirin, her hair tied back in an efficient attire, directed the work. Many of the female staff, mostly commoners, were fond of whispering and gossiping amongst themselves. Currently, one group of women was excitedly chattering.

"Hey, have you heard? A Princess Kaguya has appeared in Heian-kyo, said to be as beautiful as the legendary Princess Kaguya!"

"They say this Princess Kaguya is the daughter of a Great Onmyoji, and she's currently holding public marriage selections..."

"Rumor has it this Princess Kaguya was also born from a bamboo stalk! Could it be that Princess Kaguya has returned from the moon again!"

"I heard all the noble young masters in Heian-kyo want to marry this Princess Kaguya. It's just like the legend of Princess Kaguya! I really want to see her beauty... I wonder... who is more beautiful, her or that one..."

Just as the women were chatting happily, a figure slowly appeared behind them, followed by a stern reprimand.

"How many times must I tell you? Focus entirely when sorting herbs, no whispering!"

"Eh! Ma-Master!" The gossiping herb-sorters jumped at the sudden reprimand. When they turned, they saw Eirin's stern face and quickly apologized in unison. "We're, we're so sorry! We won't do it again!"

Facing the trembling women, Eirin sighed helplessly. After issuing some minor punishments, she left, rubbing her forehead in the herb-filled drying courtyard, seemingly pondering something troublesome.

A moment later, Eirin seemed to make a decision, leaving the courtyard and entering the house.

Traversing long corridors, ascending several flights of stairs, and opening countless doors, Eirin finally reached the Eternal Pavilion's upper chambers.

In the quiet, elegant room, a large bedding lay on a tatami mat, beneath which was an indistinct lump. Eirin's mouth twitched as she looked at the mysterious mound, then she grabbed the bedding and yanked it open.

"Ugh... so bright... Eirin... put the covers back on me..."

On the floor bedding, a girl in a thin yukata with flowing black hair looked at Eirin with sleepy eyes, speaking in a hazy voice.

"It's already noon... Your Highness, are you a nocturnal yokai? Still sleeping at this hour?" A vein pulsed on her forehead as Eirin suppressed her emotions, speaking to the girl before her.

"Ugh... just assume I am... there's nothing to do when I'm awake anyway... might as well sleep. Give me back my covers... Eirin..." The girl remained listless, reaching out to tug at the covers in Eirin's hand. This pushed Eirin's patience to its limit, and she couldn't help but shout.

"Get up! You elegant, beautiful Princess Kaguya, Her Highness Kaguya Houraisan, revered by all! Do you have no idea what's happening outside?!"

Roaring, Eirin yanked hard on the covers in her hand, throwing them straight out the window. Kaguya, who had been holding onto them, was pulled forward and tumbled onto the mattress.

"Wh-what are you doing, Eirin? What could be so urgent outside? Have the people from the Lunar Capital come for me? And what's with that 'Princess Kaguya' title? It's an outdated name from centuries ago..."

Scratching her head, Kaguya complained as she sat up on the mattress. That tumble seemed to have woken her up quite a bit.

"Outdated? I don't think so. Princess Kaguya... someone is using that title right now, and their fame seems to be no less than yours, Your Highness..." Eirin said to Kaguya, hands on her hips and a helpless expression on her face. Kaguya, upon hearing this, looked confused.

"Someone else is using it? Who? Is there another Kaguya in this world? Or is someone impersonating me?"

Seeing Kaguya's confusion, Eirin's helplessness deepened. She could only sigh and continue speaking to Kaguya.

"Hmph... The Great Onmyoji of Heian-kyo, Asakura Hao, happened upon a glowing bamboo stalk in a bamboo forest thirteen years ago. From it, a tiny female infant was born. The infant grew rapidly, quickly becoming elegant, beautiful, and well-mannered. Now, countless noble young masters are flocking to her door to propose marriage... Your Highness, doesn't this story sound familiar to you?"

"Familiar?" Kaguya, still clouded with sleep, thought for a moment, turning her not-yet-fully-awake head, then said with understanding, "Eh... isn't that my story? Though the details are a bit different..."

Before Kaguya could finish, Eirin reached out, grabbed Kaguya's collar, and shook her vigorously, saying,

"Do you still not understand the situation, Your Highness?! That meteor that broke the Eternal Pavilion's eternal power thirteen years ago might be this Kaguya in Heian-kyo! The Lunar Capital might have truly created a second princess, but for some unknown reason, this princess also ended up on Earth. Do you understand what all this means!?"

"Eh..."