Chapter Text
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After the wedding she had lovingly planned for her brother, the heir, came to an end —the groom and bride already settled in their chamber, empty bottles of sake gathered by the exit for some servant to clear away the following morning, and the warm memory of laughter and dozens of conversations with her favorite people's voices orchesting them, Arinnai curled up against the shoji sliding door that gave access to the living room, now only occupied but near friends and family. The circle was so intimate it no longer included her uncle, already tucked into his futon having surrendered to the sake too early. When her father looked at her and called her name —softly, as if he asked her to listen—, everyone straightened.
Her brother, sat next to him, gave her a reassuring nod.
Himejima Gyomei, at her brother's right, hummed knowingly.
"Dear friends" her father began "I know you love my daughter as deeply as her brothers and I do." Everyone turned their gaze to her, Kanae and Shinobu smiled gently. "I need your help"
After nearly an hour of deliberation, as if he had been meditating on the name since the beginning, Gyomei finally spoke:
"Tomioka Giyuu."
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Sometimes, Arinnai's father wished she was a man —she was clever, charismatic, an ax with deals, she had a perfect taste for shopping, too. She liked to travel also, which in his opinion, was very important to understand clients and adapt to their needs. She didn't travel that much with him though, she had exchanged her learning of the piano, sewing and manners with the duties of maintaining the residence, run by his eldest when he was absent. When preparing family meetings, parties and celebrations, all servants would fly towards her to consult her about any detail or changes needed.
Mr. Hockstter untugged himself from the king-size bed —one that had remained empty for nearly seventeen years. He walked toward the balcony of his room and leaned against the wall, brushing his eyes over their beautiful garden: dew-kissed chrysanthemum, perfectly trimmed jazmin bushes, wisteria hanging from the porch's roof, a silent koi pond and a path paved in aging stone. The garden was the pride of the estate, maintained daily despite the absence of the one who had once chosen the flowers that adorned it. Her last masterpiece comforted him every morning. Had Arinnai been a man, he thought, not for the first time, everything'd be easier.
A son could roam freely, careless about people's opinion. A daughter, specially like Arinnai, was demanded intelligence, beauty, education, marriage; in other words, perfection. And if she had been a man, he needen't find a righteous spouse for her —she'd gone out and done it herself— and he was certain she'd have done a marvelous work.
His eldest son, Haku, had found a good woman —kind, from a respected family. The wedding was just days away. As for the middle child, Ren, he didn't even bother to think about the issue: the kid had disappeared into monastic training under the guidance of the righteous Himejima Gyomei, a man he was deeply grateful to. Whether his son would take the vow of chastity or not, marriage was the furthest thing from his mind. He was expecting him back from his training site in Mount Koya that day. He only wished the mountain had treated him well.
Two figures entered through the main gate. A tall, big man, with spicky black hair in a heavy black koromo (a former monk's attire) adorned with a golden fabric crossing his shoulder diagonally. He recognised his son walking besides him —neatly shaved head glimmering under the early sun, dressed in the practical greyish robes typical of early monastic training. He looked arond nervously as he walked.
Someone knocked on the door of Mr.Hockstter's room —two hurried taps. His conseiller and assistant appeared shortly after.
"Good morning, sir. Ren-sama and Himejima-san are here. Breakfast is ready."
Mr.Hockstter stepped away from the balcony and moved towards his wardrobe. "Thank you, Okaya-san," he replied.
In another part of the Hockstter Residence, a young woman sat at her dressing table brushing her long hazel hair with avidity. She tied it half up, then rubbed her face with moisturizer to wake herself up fully. She sprayed perfume in her simple work kimono, pink flowers and black dots, whose sleeves folded as she dashed down the stairs.
"Arinnai-sama...!" Oba Yuna, her nanny, approached her as she jumped the two last stairs. "Don't run like that in the house. What are this manners? Your brother is here..."
"Good morning! Won't repeat it! I know!" Arinnai kissed her cheeck and finished her dash to the kitchen.
"Everyone, good morning!" The cooks raised their heads from their work and smiled to her. She went back and forth puting the breakfast dishes in the dining room's centric table. She slided open the paper shoji, letting the fresh morning light flood the room in cascade. She saw her brother Ren and his mentor Himejima approaching the entrance, so she rushed back inside to ask the staff if they needed anything else before receiving the guests.
Wearing her sandals, Arinnai opened the front door to find Ren waiting anxiously. His inquietude melted away as soon as he saw her, pulling her into a hug.
"Arinnai!"
"Oh, brother, I missed you!" she run her hand over his bald head and chukled.
Then she bowed to Himejima Gyomei. "Master Himejima, it's a pleasure to see you again. I hope the trip here was smooth and safe. Please, come in." The monk sensed her bow and inclined himself in response, rising with a gentle smile.
"Hockstter-chan, I pray your doing just fine."
Toguether, they walked through the house toward the dining room, where breakfast was set.
The Hockstter Residence was big enough to serve as residence for nearly fifteen people and more if required. Its hallways streched long and wide, with polished floors that reflected the soft glow of the lamps hanging from the ceilings. The walls, covered in detailed and delicate woodwork, held decorative paintings and framed family photos. The scent of the fresh tatami mingled with the sweet scent of bread danced in the atmosphere. On the first floor, the kitchen stood as the heart of the house, were countless parties and family gatherings had been prepared. The clatter of cooking utensils, the laughter of the staff and the soft hum of conversation had always lured the girl to sleep. Nearby, a small library provived a peaceful retreat to however asked for it. The dining room, a fusion of traditional Japanese and Western facilities, the old and the new, with shoji doors that led to the garden on one side, and heavy curtains which could be drawn for privacy in the other, served both as a place of rest and work, were most of the business deals took place. As for the upper floor, where the bedrooms were located, each room was a reflection of its occupant's personality.
Arinnai knocked lightly on the shoji frame before sliding it open for the monks. Already seated, her father and her older brother awaited them to start eating. Both men shook Himejima's hand and clapped their familiar's back with affection. They ate breakfast and conversed cheerfully, the visitors relating anecdotes and stories back from Koya. When the room fell quiet except for the murmur of the utensils clinking against the plates and the silent chewing, Haku spoke:
"I am sorry if we caused you any inconvenience. But something important is happening soon"
Ren furrowed his brows lightly in confussion. He hadn't thought his older brother was the reason of their urgent return to the estate.
"We're wrapping up the preparations. Arinnai-chan and the staff are doing a great work and we'll be finished soon" He paused. Ren's chopsticks hung in mid-air, his mouth slightly open, expectant. If Gyomei was intrigued, he certainly didn't show it. "I am getting married by the end of this week. This living room will be full of white fabric in a few hours."
"To whom?"
"Congratulations, young master" Gyomei interrupted warmly in his low voice, tears streaming down his face. "I wish your marriage is full of bliss. Then, turning toward their father, he added "Congratulations, Mr. Hockstter."
Both thanked him. Haku smiled openly, his cheecks flooded with color.
Ren, a bit pissed, turned to his little sister.
"Ari-chan, who's he marrying?"
Arinnai blinked, surprised, then answered warmly: "He's marrying the lovely heiress of the Miwako family —Miwako Sayaka. They're definetly made for each other."
"Oh. So the Miwako girl, then. That's allright, I guess." Haku looked at Ren dead in the eye "What? You should've called me earlier: there's literally three days left to the wedding —why didn't you tell me? I bet even uncle is here."
"Yes, he is" Haku replied harshly. Ren stared back equally annoyed.
"Ren, we know you are very busy at the moment" his father interjected calmly. "We imagined if we told you as soon as we knew ourselves, you'd have left inmmediately, ignoring your obligations —and dragging the poor Himejima-san with you"
"It's true that Hockstter-kun's training is at its peack right now. It was very thoughtful of you." Gyomei added, easing the tenison. Ren's anger faded, accepting the explanation.
"You are right. I apologize. Haku-san, I wish you all the best.
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Just as expected, the living room sank in fabric not too long after breakfast time.
"Silk -beige, white, grey... Floral patterned, bird patterned..." Arinnai did inventory with the ease of somone who had memorized the entire storage shed by heart. "White velvet, white cotton... Silk embrodered with pearls, with brilliants... Silk embrodered with yarn..."
She tapped every fabric roll twice, naming them out loud and calculating the meters wrapped. She stack the newer additions —those her brother had bought with his bride in mind— to their current collection.
The tailors are about to come, she thought. Uncle is bringing them. Brother has gone to bring Sayaka-san.
A jasmin scent breeze slipped through the open shoji, lifting the edge of a white cotton bolt. She caught it before it fell, smoothing any wrinkle.
Behinf her, her nanny's voice announced the long awaited guests:
"Arinnai-san, Oba Fusa is here! Oh! She also brought Kamado-san!" Arinnai heared the happy greetings and rose to her feet.
The women flooded in like a gentle wave. Oba Yuna alongside her sister, Oba Fusa, whose sun-wrinkled face and sharp eyes hadn't changed a bit since Arinnai was a little girl, back when summers meant family visits to Osaka. Kie Kamado followed, serene and graceful, with Nezuko walking shyly by her side. Their uncle gave her a quick wave from the corridor but did not enter the room —he retraced his steps and disappeared from her view, probably to find Ren or to instruct the tailors to wait until the bride and groom arrived.
Arinnai bowed deeply. "Oba Fusa-san, Kamado-san, Nezuko-chan —welcome. I am so glad you came to help." Then she hugged each of them in turns.
"My lovely Arinnai! How are you doing today?" Oba Fusa muttered, half-buried against her chest.
"Im doing great, Oba. I hope you slept well. Uncle's house here in Kyoto has been closed down so long we actually started fearing ghosts live there."
"If they did, I certainly didn't notice"
Kie Kamado stepped forward and placed a box of honey pastries in Arinnai's hands. She gasped with delight.
"Kie-san, you remembered! Thank you so much!"
Kie laughed softly. "It was actually Nezuko's idea. Eveyone knows how much you adore that bakery down your uncle's street. We thought we'd bring something differents from the usual mochis."
Arinnai turned and hugged Nezuko tightly with her free arm.
"You're such a sweet girl! Here, have one. We'll share them."
Oba Fusa examined the floor, covered in fabric bolts.
"Good Job, Arinnai." she wishpered, her sibling, Oba Yuna, nod in agreement. "Now this is a great inventory. What has the bride picked?"
"Sayaka-san and brother are about to—"
The wooden floor creaked sharply under hurried steps.
Sayaka-san, the bride —tall, pretty, with a face flustered that indicated a quick arrival— burst into the room, sandals in one hand and a cloth bag in the other. She gave a distracted bow and a loud apology.
"Sorry, we're late. I forgot my pins and we had to go back halfway."
"It's okay darling. Brides are never late in their own wedding day." someone called, laughter rippling lightly.
Haku followed moments later, also red-faced from trying to keep up with her pace. He informed the tailors about their arrival and they entered the room with a bow, inmmediately scanning the rolls of genra laid across the tatami.
Sayaka bowed deeply once she caught her breath. "It's a pleasure to meet you all finally. I understand you are here to help me with my dream dress —I am truly grateful."
She turned toward Arinnai, who smiled warmly.
"I hope the silk we've brought is to your liking, Sayaka-san."
"I have no doubt about that, Arinnai-san."
Her brother, Ren, appeared just as the pattern-making began. He stepped in with wide eyes, clearly stupefacted by the color, movement and chatter. The tailors murmured among themselves as they pointed out possible combinations of the fabrics the bride had selected. Kie and Nezuko Kamado sat cross-legged, sorting beads by color tone. Oba Fusa and Oba Yuna, unthreaded and rethreaded spools of yarn, organizing them in a small chest.
Meanwhile, Arinnai and Haku placed the unused silk rolls against the shoji to clear space.
Haku noticed his brother in the entrance and guided him in gently.
"My dear" he said to his wife, "this is our brother, Ren. He just arrived from Koya, where he' s training to become a monk."
Ren and Sayaka bowed to each other.
"My pleasure, Ren-san. It's unbeliavable how similar you look to your brother!"
"Thank you, I guess" he murmured. Arinnai touched her forehead with a small sigh, visibly embarassed by her brother's indifference. Ren cleared his throught akwardly "I hope our people are making you feel welcome. My sister has spoken highly about you, and I've always known the value of your family."
Sayaka smiled warmly, her tone soft. "I always knew the Hockstters for their hospitality. I feel well treated."
The last guests arrived lazaly over the following days. Arinnai's routine repeated itself each morning: she woke before dawn, dressed in a cute but functional kimono and toiled with the staff until midnight. Feeding and tyding up after almost thirty people was certainly no easy work. Fortunately, the arrival of their uncle's and other family member's servants had been crucial relief for the household. The day before the wedding, they garden was transformed as they set the guest's tables outside.
"Tanjiro-kun, go rest. Thank you for your help." Arinnai said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"Are you sure you don't need any other help, Arinnai-sama?" the boy insisted, concerned.
Arinnai smiled at his earnestness and tapped his shoulder. "Nothing more. Go sleep, or you wont grow tall." Tanjiro bowed politely and wished her a good night. Her father's assistant, who had also been arranging chairs, approached when the eldes't Kamado child was gone.
"Arinnai-sama, everything is done here. We'll set the flowers tomorrow morning, so they're fresh for the ceremony."
"Alright, Okaya-san. Go ask the cooks if they're done with the food preparations. Tell them to rest, whe'll wake up early tomorrow."
"Yes, miss."
Arinnai followed the assistant inside, but did not climb the stairs to the sleeping quarter. She walked toward the living room instead, already divided with curtains in anticipation of the ceremony. She gathered the last silk rolls, helding them carefully between her arms, and abandoned the place by the garden's sliding doors, closing them behind her.
The moon hung high above, casting silvery light over the polished furniture disposed outdoors. Her narcissus-patterned kimono fluttered gently with the night breeze. As she made her way to the storage shed, moonlight rays reflecting in the pond waters caught her attention —and then, she saw a silohuette.
A man.
A man in a navy blue haori, still as stone, lost in thought. From where she had stopped to look, Arinnai noticed a faint outline of his jaw, his long, dark hair tied loosely in a low ponytail.
Arinnai opened her mouth to greet him, but before she could articulate a word, a hissing voice made her flinch —her father's assistant.
"Arinnai-sama, your father rquest's you for a family meeting... Huh, should I lock the garden doors already?"
"Oh, in a moment!" Arinnai dashed back to the shed, the silk rolls threatening to slip from her hands.
The man turned around, believing he had heared something. He caught only a glimpse: the end of a narcissus-patterned kimono disappearing around the curve of the garden porch. He blinked, uncertain.
The house's assistant, Okaya, stepped out from one of the shoji and bowed, informing him it was time to lock the garden doors. The man gave a brief nod and cast a final glance to the glowing waters. The koi swam as slow as ever.
Narcissus.