Meeting Hana

"It was an honor to host you, Taro-dono," the daimyo said, as I bowed to him deeply.

As I bid him farewell the following morning, his demeanor shifted back to the pompous officiality and arrogance. But his eyes twinkled a little as I approached him before heading out. 

"I'd like to see you at my castle often, Taro-dono," he said, nodding warmly. "I'm certain of your loyalty and capability. Remember that I'm here for patronage and protection, whenever you need it."

"Your lordship is most gracious," I said, bowing once more. "My life is at your disposal."

"Well, you have other things of value, too," he said in a low voice before adding louder, "Safe journey, Taro-dono!"

And with that, we were soon in our saddles and on the way back home.

I must say I was relieved to leave the castle. Not only was I rattled by the apprentice training exercise, but I was also concerned about the consequences of fucking the daimyo's wife. As the samurai saying goes, "Today's hero may be tomorrow's villain." I really didn't want to become tomorrow's villain, hated for cumming into the daimyo's main wife. People were beheaded or crucified for much less serious transgressions. If her husband, my lord, were to change his perspective on my night with his wife, I could be dead meat. And I couldn't afford to be dead meat. I still had to return to my former life and write that dreaded research report.

In summary, staying away from the daimyo's castle was just what the doctor ordered.

The ever-considerate Takumi didn't pry, his only question the night before being, "Did you find the two appendages useful?" to which I replied in the affirmative.

Accordingly, we traveled for the most part in silence. I couldn't wait to get back to the house and take a good bath.

In fact, when we came across a pretty lake, still about an hour away from our destination, I told Takumi to stop and let the horses get a drink, and I went to the shore, undressed, and jumped into the water.

I don't know about the real Matsuda Taro, but I'm a very good swimmer. I was even on my school's swimming team for two years.

Ah! That was so long ago – or so far away in the future, if you prefer…

Either way, I felt a huge relief immersing my entire body in the water. I felt cleaner, purer, more alive, and happier. Then I dunked my head into the lake and felt positively reborn.

Suddenly, my attention shifted to the shore, where a human figure was rushing down the path towards the shore. The shoreline sloped there slightly, so the person was running down the small hill, jumping and skipping. It was a woman. As I swam closer, I could see her dress flapping as she ran, her long legs moving with urgency, her hair waving in the wind.

She yelled something, but I couldn't hear what it was. I swam faster to get to the shore.

"Are you alright?" the girl hollered.

"I'm fine," I said loudly. "Do you need help?"

She halted as I got close enough to be able to stand on the lake bottom. "I thought you were drowning," she said, flustered.

Her face was pure and beautiful. Her cheeks were rosy from the running, and her hair was all over the place, but I thought she was the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. An angel in human form. really.

"Why would you think that?" I asked.

"You were in the water…" The girl ran her hand through her hair. "I saw a woman drown here last year," she added gloomily.

I didn't know what to reply. I stood waist-deep in the water to keep my private parts hidden, but I really wanted to come closer to the young woman and comfort her.

"I apologize for frightening you," I said.

She shook her head. "It's my fault… I panicked… You're a good swimmer. I've never seen a person swim like this."

"Can't you swim?" I asked. She shook her head again. "Would you like me to teach you?" I asked. "I'm a good teacher."

A small smile appeared on her face, but quickly faded. "Thanks, but I'd better not learn. If I'm going to be as miserable as that woman, at least I'll have an escape…"

My skin crawled. Such young and beautiful creature was thinking of killing herself!

"Why would you even think of that!" I exclaimed.

"It's easy for you to ask," she sighed. "You're a man."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

The young woman sighed again. "Life could be unbearable, when you're a woman. When you marry, the man can do anything he wants to you. If the man is wicked… Some women can't take it…"

"Are you married?" I asked.

She raised her head and chuckled. "No, silly. But I'm engaged."

I shrugged. "And you don't like your future husband?"

"I didn't choose him," she said dully. "That's all I can tell you."

"Then don't marry him," I said with passion.

She smiled ruefully. "Who else is going to pay my father 10 ryo. My betrothed is a tax collector from the nearby town, and my father…" She choked before she could finish the sentence.

I was so moved that I almost got out of the water. Remembering my nakedness, I retreated back, but also made a decision.

I was going to free this girl from her unfortunate engagement. For heaven's sake, my horse cost several times more than she was being sold for. She seemed absolutely perfect to me, and her sad destiny would haunt me forever if I did nothing about it.

"What's your name?" I asked.

She looked at me with surprise. "Why?"

"Don't be uneasy, maiden. My name is Taro," I said. "Please tell me your name. I want to help you."

She hung her head. "My name is Hana, but no one could help me."

I felt like her words pierced my very soul.