Late at night in Heian-kyo, within the Upper Capital District at the Asakura Residence.
Although it was already the hour for deep slumber, faint, flickering lamplight still glowed within the Asakura Residence. Bathed in the clear radiance of the moonlight, Princess Kaguya sat poised inside the room, a smile gracing her lips as she watched the familiar figure in the courtyard.
"You've finally come... Uncle Aka," Princess Kaguya spoke softly, her tone gentle. Her expression held a touch of anticipation, as if she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
"Yeah... I guess I'm here..." Scratching her head, Mokou avoided the girl's gaze as if she didn't dare look Princess Kaguya in the eye. Her expression carried an unnatural sense of guilt.
"The difficult task Little Kaguya gave me... I've solved it. I've brought the Spiritual Bamboo..." As Mokou spoke, she pulled an exquisite box from her sleeve and handed it to the princess.
Taking the box, Princess Kaguya scrutinized it silently for a moment before slowly opening it. Inside lay a bamboo segment, broken cleanly in half and as translucent as jade. Looking at the half-segment before her, Princess Kaguya's eyes widened slightly.
"This is..."
"This is the bamboo segment you were sleeping in when you were first found all those years ago... After Hao adopted you, this severed bamboo was kept separately by her and me," Mokou explained, watching Kaguya.
"Was I really sleeping inside this back then? It's so small..." Hearing Mokou's words, Princess Kaguya picked up the partial bamboo segment and examined it closely, a strange light shimmering in her eyes.
"Yes... it really was only about the size of a palm. And now, you've grown into such a graceful young lady..." Mokou said, her eyes turning deep as if she were reminiscing about scenes from the past.
"When I first laid eyes on you, Little Kaguya, I immediately thought of that enemy I have always hated. Your birth and your power were so similar that I felt certain—certain that you would one day be as beautiful as that enemy of mine, captivating the hearts of ten thousand people." Mokou recalled aloud. After listening, Princess Kaguya thought for a moment before speaking.
"Uncle Aka is referring to the Princess Kaguya from The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, isn't he?"
"Yes, her. A woman I've never met but hate with every fiber of my being. My hatred for her was so great that when I saw you, Kaguya, I developed thoughts I shouldn't have... I tried to treat you as her substitute, using you to take revenge on her... Looking back now, it was a pathetic motive... and a shameful way to act."
As Mokou spoke, she met Princess Kaguya's gaze directly, her expression becoming firm and solemn. After taking a deep breath, she spoke earnestly.
"I'm sorry, Little Kaguya. You shouldn't be a tool for my revenge. My hatred shouldn't have spilled over onto others, especially someone I treasure. I admit... I let hatred cloud my mind. For the past decade or so, I haven't seen things clearly. You are yourself, Little Kaguya. You should have the life you choose, not be... a substitute for that woman as I hoped."
"Uncle Aka..." Princess Kaguya whispered, moved by Mokou's heartfelt words. Mokou continued, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency.
"I admit all of this was my fault, Little Kaguya. I've given up on the idea of recreating The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter to get revenge on that woman. I won't ask you to marry into the Fujiwara family anymore. Your future belongs to you... So, Little Kaguya, cancel this Marriage Selection! Now is not the time for you to be getting married!"
Having admitted her mistake, Mokou tried to persuade Kaguya. In her view, Kaguya's move to hold a Marriage Selection must have been a fit of pique after learning of Mokou's intentions. Now, she felt it was necessary to stop this unwise action.
Listening to Mokou, Princess Kaguya maintained her smile and spoke in a warm, slow voice.
"You don't need to apologize like this, Uncle Aka. Regardless of the initial motive, I have felt your various kindnesses and care since I was a child. That has always been one of my greatest happinesses."
"Little Kaguya..."
"Actually... the fact that you came to participate in this Marriage Selection yourself instead of sending a younger member of your clan makes me very happy. It proves that I hold a place in your heart, Uncle Aka, and that I'm not just a mere tool.
"To me, you and Mother are the most important people in existence. If you have a request of me, Uncle Aka, I will respond to it. But I hope that request comes from your heart's true desire, not from hatred. Now that you can see your own heart clearly and distinguish between your hatred and what you treasure, I am truly overjoyed..." Princess Kaguya spoke gently, her happiness for Mokou's clarity coming from the bottom of her heart.
"Does that mean... you've forgiven me, Little Kaguya?" Mokou paused, then asked with hope. Kaguya responded with a slight nod.
"That's great! Thank you so much, Little Kaguya!"
Seeing Princess Kaguya's response, Mokou's face lit up with joy. She strode forward, grabbed the small girl by the waist, lifted her up, and spun her around happily, just as she used to do whenever she visited the Asakura Residence.
"Th-that, Uncle Aka... I'm already thirteen... this isn't appropriate anymore..." Princess Kaguya's cheeks flushed slightly as she was spun around. She laughed bashfully. Realizing what she was doing, Mokou stopped awkwardly and set Kaguya back on the ground.
"Cough... sorry. I was just so happy I did it out of habit. Anyway, Little Kaguya, since you're not mad at me anymore, hurry up and cancel this Marriage Selection. Otherwise, if one of those other guys actually finds the treasure you asked for, it'll be a disaster." Mokou said anxiously, her hands on Kaguya's shoulders. She was now genuinely worried that Kaguya might actually end up married off because of this event.
"You don't need to worry about that."
At that moment, a voice familiar to Mokou drifted from inside the house. Startled, Mokou turned her head to see the figure of Miketsu slowly stepping out from behind a folding screen.
"Hao? Since when were you there?!"
"From the very beginning, of course. How long did you think I've been waiting for you here?" Miketsu walked slowly to the doorway. She picked up the half-segment of bamboo from the small box at her feet and looked at Mokou.
"You were waiting for me specifically?"
"Naturally. Did you think I would let Kaguya face all of you 'suitors' and your various hidden agendas alone?" Smiling, Miketsu pulled another half-segment of bamboo from her sleeve and joined them together.
"So... the mastermind behind this Marriage Selection was you?" Mokou said thoughtfully, looking at Miketsu. Miketsu chuckled and answered directly.
"No, I only assisted and provided information..." Miketsu handed the now-complete bamboo segment to Princess Kaguya, who took it with a smile.
"The process and the outcome of this Marriage Selection... are all following Kaguya's will. This is her very own tale, after all."
Rate on N.U.
