Then
Edie comes and tells Ruriko something. What’s up? She wants to pick up shells together with Agnesan
Shells.
She mentioned that it’s a souvenir for Mao-chan
Edie laughs.
Shells?
Agnes tilts her head.
Edie shows the shells in her hand. There’s a lot of them scattered around, so she asks to look for them together
Ruriko translates.
It’s beautiful desuno
Agnes says as she looks at the sparkling insides of the shells.
Yeah, there’s a lot scattered around so get one for all
I tell Agnes.
Yes, desuno!
Agnes smiles.
Rei-chan too, search with them
I tell Reika who’s monitoring Yukino from behind.
By the way, Yukino’s lying down alone on the beach chair. She’s ordered a tropical drink from the hotel staff. It seems that for Yukino, that’s included in the free lunch I’m paying. Go, I’ll be looking after her
Shou-oneesan tells Reika.
Look after your little sisters like an Onee-chan Yes, Onee-sama
Reika runs towards Agnes.
Agnes, Rei-chan’s going to search with you Yes
Agnes holds Reika’s hand.
Reika happily grips the small hand. The two search for shells while holding hands. Edie found a big piece of wood and digs the sand using that as a scoop. Ho, ho, Ho!
Hmm, sometimes I wonder if Edie’s a dog.
Onii-sama
Ruriko sticks to me.
What’s wrong? Nothing
Ruriko blushed.
I just think that walking on the beach with Onii-sama like this will be a good memory Yeah, you’re right I won’t forget this
Ruriko said.
Back them, I strolled around the city of London with Grandfather
Ruriko says while holding my hand.
I react to the word she said, Grandfather. It was back when I was in kindergarten when Grandfather goes to have his clothes tailored in Saville Row. I accompanied him. On our way back, we took a walk in the city. Oh, of course, our guards, Tanizawa-san, and others were together with us It’s a story from when Ruriko was in kindergarten. The afternoon’s sky was pleasantly sunny. We went to the Thames river, but fancy English gentleman was walking. He’s wearing a black tailcoat, silk hat, and a silver stick. His hand is covered with white gloves. He has a beautiful beard. That man whistled a song! I see I somehow thought that a person popped out of a picture book, so I stared. Then, the gentleman noticed me, winked and went away
Okay.
Then, not liking how I was fascinated by the gentleman. Grandfather was in ill-mood
Hey Jii-chan!
What, there’s no way I would lose to such a whistle, he said, then he began to hum a noh chanting in the middle of London city Noh, what?
I don’t know.
It’s a song performance on the side of a Noh theater, is that clear now? Sorry, I don’t know that I see
Ruriko puts strength on her belly then sings on a low volume.
Takasago Yaa. Kono urafune nii, hoo wo agetee. Kono urafune nii, hoo wo agete. Tsuki morotomouni deshio noo Nami no awaji no shimakage yaa. Tooku naruo no okika giite. Haaya, sumi no enitsukini keri Haaya, sumi no eni tsuki ni keri!
She takes a deep breath after ending the song.
Ufufu, he was singing that song so loudly in London! Silly Grandfather
Ruriko laughs.
Grandfather likes this song. Even now, when he gets drunk, he sings that well. Have you not heard this in a historical drama? It’s often heard in wedding ceremonies Oh, speaking of which, I might’ve This Takasago noh song is commonly used in wedding ceremonies. Then, Grandfather said that he’d sing it at Ruriko’s wedding!
Tears float in Ruriko’s eyes.
Chapter 452
Chapter 452. On the beach
Ruriko, do you want to go back to Jii-chan?
I ask Ruriko.
No, I am Onii-sama’s slave Answer honestly, you’re stubborn, Ruriko
Ruriko looks at me.
I genuinely want to stay by Onii-sama’s side. That’s my real feelings. I want to stay with Onii-sama and the family. Ruriko wishes for it But Yes, but I’m worried about Grandfather
Ruriko
I do not think about Kouzuki house, or the company anymore. Not even about succeeding the Kouzuki house
Ruriko looks at the sea.
Now, I have thrown away all of my obligations from being born as the daughter of a noble house. I am just a slave. My house and blood means nothing
Then, she looks straight at me.
And, I love Onii-sama
Ruriko hugs me.
I dedicate this body and soul to Onii-sama, I don’t speak lies. However! You’re worried about Jii-chan? Yes, Grandfather and Yoshiko-sama I see, they’re family after all Family? Jii-chan and Yoshiko-san are Ruriko’s family, aren’t they? They’re family, so you’re worried about them
Ruriko looks at my face.
Yes, Onii-sama
Yeah.
Ruriko before would only be preoccupied with her words and deeds as a noble daughter instead of focusing on her personal feelings. I’m Kouzuki house’s daughter so I must’ or something like that. Ruriko was too top-heavy before, but now she’s purely worried about Jii-chan and Yoshiko-san as a family. Without thinking politically, she becomes obedient to her heart. Oh. Ruriko’s also changing. It’s going well. Let’s consult about it with Misuzu and others later
Jii-chan’s granddaughters should discuss Kouzuki house.
I want to ask for Nee-san’s opinion too, let’s all think what to do together
Now we have a lot of ladies to depend on.
I’m sure we’ll find a breakthrough. Yes, Onii-sama
Ruriko smiles at me.
I You’ve mentioned about Jii-chan singing in London, was Yoshiko-san with you back then? Yes of course. Yoshiko-sama was always together with me
Ever since childhood, they were together. Ruriko and Yoshiko-san who stayed in the same house before live apart now.
It was somewhat embarrassing that Grandfather sang Takasago in the city of London, then after, we sang with him. It was around the statue of Queen Boadicea at the base of Westminster Bridge I see, what song was it?
Ruriko laughs.
It’s the song of the sea Huh? Thinking about it now, that’s funny. Even though we were on the banks of Thames river in London, Yoshiko-sama and I were singing a sea song in Japanese. Grandfather was listening with a smile The sea spread before our eyes. The sea is vast and spacious. That’s ten years ago, grandfather back then was a good walker than now. Thinking about it again, that was a very distant walk. From the tailor at Saville Row street, past Piccadilly Circus, to the Trafalgar Square. Then from the National Gallery to the Thames river via Charing Cross. Then, we crossed the river via Westminster Bridge. The other side of the street is Big Ben. The statue of Queen Boadicea’s is there Ruriko recalls it nostalgically. Even though there were escorts, we have walked such a long distance. London’s a foreign city. Oh, that was the first and last time walking with Grandfather. It’s possible that Grandfather might’ve canceled the pick-up car to accompany us Ruriko Memories are good Yes As for me, I never talked to my father, and we’ve never gone somewhere to play
I recall my memories.
After Grandma’s burial; We couldn’t afford to give her a proper funeral, so we just stored the bones in the temple. It was only father and me. It was a cold day in winter; nobody else was there. The cloudy sky tells that it was about to snow anytime. I don’t have money to buy gloves or anything so my hands hurt Onii-sama On our way back after depositing the remains, we were on the way to the station. Father suddenly asked me if I want to eat ramen. We ate together. The cheapest ramen costs 390 yen. Haha, I remember even the price.