On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor Side Sixty-Four – Fukumoto Hinata

Side Sixty-Four – Fukumoto Hinata

“… so not all of the older shrines remain what we would consider true.” Their young lecturer was saying, their usual teacher behind her, nodding along, interested, though she doubtless had little idea of the importance of these lectures, rely taking the special classes as another whim of the powers behind the school, the Three Grandfathers.

Kudou Shiori. Apparently the granddaughter of a major shrine and faction leader in Kyoto. “Many old families were lost during the long centuries. The Warring States Era was particularly bad, and the Great War also claid many shrine families. So not every old shrine is necessarily one that respects the old ways.” She continued. “In addition, so shrines were destroyed in their entirety, so if the family that worshipped the kami survived this, they would move to a newly-built shrine and continue their worship.”

This is quite interesting. I have made sure to speak to Kana, Ren and those twins, as well as Kana’s father, Izumi-san, over the last few days. I think I have a picture of how the Shrines work and the influence they hold. Still, I’m not satisfied… Hinata continued to pay attention, as she was a noble, and all noble girls were taught to be attentive and proper at all tis. It was hard to suppress a grin though. I have a lot on my mind, it can’t be helped! After all, her grandfather was running about with new energy and zest for life, throwing himself into research. He’s really taken a liking to Akio. I’m happy!

Hinata too, had been busy. Her training at the shrine was hard, and she still hadn’t truly grasped the techniques, unlike Kana, who had been walking around with a very smug smile on her face the last few days. But more fulfilling were her ideas on how to earn the things Akio needed most of all right now. Money, influence and connections. He needs them all, and enough that Fujiwara-sama and Ichijou-sama can’t exploit him one-sidedly.

Still, there was one person who wasn’t paying attention to the lecture Kudou-sensei was delivering nervously, which was quite unlike her. Her cousin Sakura had been glancing at her all morning, seemingly desperate to say sothing, and Hinata knew what it would be about. The announcent went out to the Fifty-Eight and the Three-Hundred last night, after the three Grandfathers gave their consent. All marriages of the nobility had to be approved by them. It was largely a formality, especially for the Three-Hundred, but there had been occasions when families had called off proposed pairings at their advice. Though I doubt I would have consented to that, had they stood in my way. No, this is my stand against the nobility, my ti to show them disregarding , my family, is foolish!

As the special class wound its way to the end, Kudou-sensei looked relieved. It must have been tough for her, having to teach a class of noble girls the sa age as her, so Hinata sympathised with her. Still, when their usual teacher asked if there were any questions, Hinata showed no rcy and put her hand up. Sorry, but I need third-party confirmation of the information I‘ve gathered.

“Yes, Hiroto-san?” the teacher asked, and Kudou-sensei looked nervous, awaiting the question.

“I was wondering sothing, if I may ask? You touched briefly on factions within the shrines.” Hinata began. “I was wondering, just as an example, which faction would Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine be in?”

Relieved that the question was easy, Kudou-sensei smiled. “An interesting question. As befits a shrine that worships Susanoo-no-Mikoto and his family, it is Susanoo faction, with quite the significant influence.” She then went on to detail so other Susanoo faction shrines, including the faction-leading shrine of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto.

So, Ren and the twins were right. Their shrine is influential, and worse, Akio is providing them a lot of aid, with only so nebulous promises of the sa in return. I understand they have obligations to their faction, the nobility is no different, but I need to find a way to bind them more strongly to Akio and his cause.

She listened carefully as Kudou-sensei went over the leadership of the three factions. “… and Amaterasu faction has technically the most influential shrine of all, the Grand Shrine at Ise, which is always led by a daughter of the Imperial family, but just like the nobility and the shrines don’t interfere with each other, Ise Grand Shrine also remains separate from factional disputes.”

“Thank you.” Hinata said as the explanation finished. “That was very helpful, Kudou-sensei.”

“No, Thank you.” She said in relief, only to pause as Hinata continued, asking another question.

“Though I don’t quite understand. Everyone here knows why we are taking these special classes, right?” Hinata looked around, and her classmates nodded, even Sakura, though she looked troubled. “In that case, just like the nobility has co together, the shrines should too. Infighting right now makes no sense. After all…” Hinata puffed out her chest proudly. “… if we don’t seize control of the new order, we’ll be left behind.”

“Well, uh… ah…” Kudou-sensei stamred, unsure of how to answer.

“Hinata! Don’t criticise our teacher!” Sakura stood suddenly. “She has kindly co to teach us, and you may not be aware of the circumstances of faith. Even my father and grandfather keep their distance from the shrines and temples, grandfather would speak to Takakura-sama if he needed to intercede in any religious matters.”

“I see. My apologies. I was just a little frustrated.” Hinata shrugged off her cousins’ criticism with a polite laugh. “After all, I am starting to see more of matters of faith, such as Hikawa-Kawagoe, and I must admit to being rather confused at their lack of urgency. After all, matters of divinity should be their purview, no?”

“True, but…” Kudou-sensei began, only for the ringing bell to indicate it was lunchti. Relieved, Kudou-sensei ended the class, practically darting out of the classroom. As that happened, Sakura rose, coming over to her table, expression complicated.

“Hinata, you really shouldn’t upset our volunteer teacher like that.” She chided. “Fujiwara-sama himself requested her to help educate us, so we should be thankful.”

A perfect student as ever I see. “Look, I’m not trying to be an to her.” She struggled to hold in a sigh, as talking to her cousin was always fraught for her. “I have serious questions I want answers to. I’ve been able to get information from various shrines, but getting another perspective is vital. Matters are too important to to make a misstep.”

“I see. Well, just try and be kinder.” Sakura said after mulling that over. “So, I heard. Your engagent, I an. The rumours it was coming, but are you happy? I know you wanted to marry into higher nobility.” She left it unsaid that such was never going to happen.

You can’t help but worry for , even if I disappoint you? Such a complicated feeling. “Don’t worry.” Hinata smiled brightly. “I know that originally the plan was to offer engagent to Akio so that he is tied to the nobility. But after spending so ti with him I decided it was actually what I wanted, for other reasons than noble pride or raising my status. I intend to stand at his side as he reaches the top of this world. And you know what, cousin Sakura?” Hinata couldn’t help but grin, all her earlier feelings of excitent coming back, plans whirling around her head. “I’ve never been happier. Sotis I surprise myself! Everything happened so fast, but as we discussed in our new theology class, the world has changed. I’m staking everything on Akio. And it won’t be just . There’s sothing about him, that attracts people to him, people who want to see the world he sees at the end of this journey.” Her smile turned impish. “Motoko-san too, she’s beco srised by the world he represents. She’s still hesitating, but I imagine now I’ve been announced as his fiancée, she’ll make her move. By the way, Sakura…”

“Yes?” she asked, trying to understand Hinata’s enthusiasm.

“It’s a sha, isn’t it? You would have been the perfect bride to tie him firmly into the nobility, and his growing influence could have shored up Takatsukasa house. I had suspected Fujiwara-sama intended that, but… well, too late.” Sorry Sakura. I have no intention of giving him to you. Besides, the more I learn, the more I realise he has more worth than simply propping up Takatsukasa house.

“I… no. No such plans were ever made, I assure you!” Sakura blushed, and for a mont Hinata felt sorry for her. “I’m a daughter of Takatsukasa, I’ll be marrying into a suitably noble house.” She protested.

“Sure you will.” Hinata agreed. “Just like my mother did, right?” Before Sakura could answer that, Hinata shook her head. “Co on, we should go to lunch. Our bodyguards will be worrying.” And with that, she left the classroom, Sakura following behind, her expression downcast…

*********

“So, how was your theology class?” Kazumi asked her, and Hinata shrugged, taking the plate of food her bodyguard had brought her.

“Interesting, but also disappointing. The shrines seem united at first glance, but they are even more fractured than the nobility. I see we are going to have to take a firm hand with them to get them to fall in line behind Akio.”

Kazumi smiled fondly, and Hinata cocked her head. “Why are you looking at like that?”

“I’m just surprised.” Kazumi replied. “You seem really into this. Into him. I an, I guess I get it. You don’t have much exposure to n, none of you noble girls do, so the first good one you were exposed to was bound to capture your locked-away heart. Even so, you are taking it further than I expected you would.”

“Do you not approve?” Hinata asked, but her bodyguard simply shook her head as they headed for an open table. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her and hear whispers around her. It makes sense. Everyone will know I’m engaged now, marriages are the biggest concern and topic of conversation for all of us noble daughters.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Kazumi disagreed. “I’ve been observing him and those around him, wary. He seems a genuinely good guy, as far as I can tell. I think he’d try to make you happy, definitely. Maybe it’s even a better match than you could have hoped for. I just worry. His world is definitely a dangerous… huh.” Kazumi stopped suddenly, and Hinata nearly ran into her.

“My apologies for such an impertinent intrusion.” The girl who had appeared in front of them suddenly said, her deep red scarf sohow blowing behind her, despite there being no breeze indoors. She was wearing the school uniform, but the lower part of her face was covered with a mask, and her dark eyes were observant, taking in everything around her. “But I must pass on an invitation from my great mistress. Here.” She bowed gracefully, though her footwork was exquisite, always ready to move at any point. Her hands held a delicate white envelope, with fine handwriting, close to calligraphy, reading “Fukumoto Hinata and Oshiro Moonstone Akio.”.