Scripture of the Sealed【7】#CreativeAward2025 #EntertainmentOriginalWorkCategory

Summary up to the previous episode (Episode 6)
The war ended, and the return ship arrived at the port. Ritsu asked Orikasa to go see it, but the words Sawada hurled at her after disembarking were unbelievable. Ritsu was shocked, but she realized from the smile on Orikasa's lips that he had known and orchestrated everything. She was helpless against the cold malice of the military.

7 A Kiss for Frozen Fingertips

The next morning, Orikasa-san stood up after his meal and appeared with a newspaper. Even with the fireplace lit, the large dining hall was chilly in the winter.

“It seems he has been imprisoned.”
With a soft thud, the morning paper was placed in front of me. It featured a photo of Sawada-san standing there yesterday.

The subordinates bear no responsibility. The responsibility lies entirely with me.
I wanted to see my lover waiting in Japan as soon as possible.

That was what was written. My heart trembled at the word 'lover.' A tear fell and soaked into the newspaper.

“If it were me, I would think of a better excuse. He is too honest. With this, he won't be defended as a captain.”
“But, there must be people who sympathize with him...”

That man sipped his after-meal coffee and opened his mouth again.

“The execution is the day after tomorrow.”
“What! That’s not written there!”

I instinctively threw the morning paper at Orikasa-san. Orikasa-san caught it quietly in mid-air.

“It is military intelligence.”
His cold voice made my body feel icy.

“No. I don't want that. Why?”
Orikasa-san shifted only his gaze from his cup toward me.

“But you were allies, weren't you? You fought together before, didn't you?”
“He was a good subordinate, but I have no particular deep attachment to him.”

Orikasa-san said that and set down his cup.
I stood up from the table and ran back to my room.

Why. Why. I collapsed onto my bed in tears. It’s my fault. If I hadn't been coaxed by Orikasa-san into recommending surrender. Surely Sawada-san surrendered because he trusted me. He even said he wanted to see me. I want to see him...

I thought about whether there was anything I could do during the day, but by evening I realized I had fallen asleep from crying, and tomorrow had already arrived. Orikasa-san did not wake me and seemed to have eaten dinner alone.

The next day, I timidly tried opening the window. I was able to open it. There was no footing below. But I had seen in some movie that you could climb down using the curtains. I tried to remove the curtains, but they wouldn't come off. As I was looking down from the window, Orikasa-san appeared at the room.

“Tea time... What are you doing? Are you thinking of escaping now?”

I turned back with a tearful face.

“I want to see him. Because it’s tomorrow, isn't it?”

“...Ah. He will be executed, and it seems his death will be displayed on the street.”
“How could you... Hey, is there anything I can do? Tell them I’m the one who actually coaxed him and I’m the sinner.”
“That letter no longer exists.”
“.... At least let me see him. I’ll do anything.”
“A deal?”

Orikasa-san stared at me. With eyes whose emotions I couldn't quite understand.

“Please. Take me. To where Sawada-san is.”
“...Will you do anything? Then, it is not impossible for me.”

I nodded without hesitation at Orikasa-san's words. I felt I no longer needed my life.

“Are you really sure you won't regret it? You can only see him. You cannot save him. On top of that, you will do whatever I say. It’s not exactly a good deal.”

Orikasa-san asked cautiously, which was rare for him.

“I don't care. I don't even value my own life.”
“.... Understood. I will make arrangements tonight. Choose whatever clothes you want to show him.”

I decided to change into the dress that Orikasa-san had predicted Sawada-san would like, and put on a fur coat.


“Hey, let us through.”

At night, I was taken by Orikasa-san to the military detention cell. Orikasa-san being in the military was fine, but the problem was me.

“This is, Lieutenant Colonel. And the lady with you is...”
“Let us through without asking. I will help with your next promotion.”
“Yes, sir.”

It was when we had bypassed several guards and were finally approaching the cell.

“Why is the Lieutenant Colonel here again?”
“I have business with the former captain.”
“And you brought a lady... She looks like a civilian.”
“Let us through.”
“Even if you are the Lieutenant Colonel, I have been ordered by the Colonel, so I cannot let you through.”
“What if that Colonel has dark rumors and is about to fall from power?”
“Oh?”
“It is wiser to side with me. Think about this.”

What he slipped into his hand was a large sum of money.

“I assume there are serious circumstances. However, if it involves that lady, isn't the Lieutenant Colonel's position also in danger?”

Orikasa-san seemed to bring his lips close to the guard's ear and whispered something.

“Haha. I see, I see. If it is the Lieutenant Colonel's judgment, it must be significant. Please, go ahead. I won't open the lock, but well, you can at least talk. He only has until tomorrow anyway. Dead men tell no tales.”

I walked through the cold stone corridor, supported by Orikasa-san.

“Hey, did you buy the last person with money? How did you do it?”
“Hmm. Are you interested? In such things. Well, I just said I would provide him with women who like me. He has a weakness for women, you see.”

I looked at Orikasa-san with eyes of contempt.

“You buy people with rank, money, and women, don't you.”
“...That is the kind of world it is.”

Orikasa-san said only that, and before the next door, he brought his face close to mine.

“Sawada is ahead. We cannot take much time. ...I will say one thing. I don't buy anyone with a young lady. Because you are mine. Once you understand, hurry up and say your final farewells and come back.”

And then, he hugged me tightly. Strangely, it was gentle, and I didn't know what was what anymore.

I opened the door. There, inside the cell, was a soldier wearing a dirty military uniform, breathing quietly as if asleep.

“Sawada-san, Sawada-san!”
I put my hands on the cage.

“...Hmm. ...Ritsu...”
His eyes remained closed. It was a room with almost no light, but when I strained my eyes, I saw bruises on his face. He must have been tortured every day.

“Sawada-san! It’s me. It’s Ritsu.”
Then, his eyes opened slowly.

“Ah, Ritsu. Since it’s the end, I wonder if I’m dreaming.”
“No. I came. It’s really me.”
Sawada-san crawled and slowly approached the cage. I desperately stuck my fingers into the cage. In an instant, I felt a cold, soft sensation on my fingertips.

“It really is Ritsu. What happened? Why are you in a place like this? I’m the only one who should be punished.”
“It’s my fault. Because I wrote that thing. Sawada-san is in this state because of me...”
“Hey, it really is Ritsu, isn't it? Can you touch my fingertips one more time? That is enough for me.”

I shed tears profusely.

“Sawada-san, I will save you. I will try to explain the situation properly.”
“It’s impossible. The military won't listen to such things. It’s enough that Ritsu thinks that way. Just... I’m sorry. Even though we are engaged... I couldn't fulfill it. I will be leaving Ritsu alone. I’m truly sorry for being such a man.”

I instinctively tried to cover Sawada-san's mouth through the cage with my own lips.

“Ritsu...?”

In this era, men and women before marriage do not exchange kisses. While spending time with Orikasa-san, I had completely forgotten about such things.
The door opened smoothly.

“Time is up. That’s enough of a tryst.”

Orikasa-san, wearing a long coat, stood there with his back against the door. He grabbed my arm, which I had clung to so as not to let go of the cage, pulled me away easily, and made me stand up.

Sawada-san stared at Orikasa-san.

“So it is... you. ...You care for Ritsu that much? ...I can no longer do anything, but please take care of Ritsu.”

Sawada-san bowed deeply.

“Stop it! This person is the bad one. Everything, everything! He killed my family and servants, didn't he!?”

When I shouted that, my mouth was covered from behind by a hand, and I choked, unable to breathe.
When I turned around, my mouth was covered by something soft.
I heard the sound of Sawada-san gasping.

“I apologize to you, but I have no intention of treating this woman badly.”
“...Have you developed feelings for her?”

Sawada-san asked.

“No. The day I first showed you to her, I thought she was a lovely, good woman. After that, when I met her at the mansion and had a relationship with her for fun, I found out. She is smart, strong-willed, and adorable. I just want her. That is all.”
“...Is that... so...”
“...Sawada. I pray for your soul.”
“I am grateful.”

To me, who was crying and screaming, Sawada-san had eyes that had let go of everything, and as if being held by Orikasa-san, he left the door.

“I, I, I love Sawada-san. I’ll die with him!”

I hit Orikasa-san's chest.
Orikasa-san laughed through his nose.

“Charlotte said something similar. Are all women like that?”
I didn't expect that name to come up there.

“That’s right. You loved Charlotte, didn't you?”
“That was like a political marriage. It was convenient for gathering information from France. Honey traps are often used by women, but I suppose this is the reverse.”
“How could you...”

“As promised, I will have you do one thing I say...”

My eyes were filled with tears.

“Hmph. Well, fine. I’ll give you tonight to mourn. Tomorrow, once the execution is carried out, I will tell you what you must do. Until then, stay in your room and grieve.”


The morning after next, I went down to the dining hall, stumbling with eyes swollen from crying all night. Orikasa-san was reading the newspaper as usual.

“You have a terrible face. I’ll brew you some coffee.”

When he closed the newspaper and stood up, he poured coffee from the pot into my cup. Then, he casually placed two sheets of paper and a pen in front of me.

“Even if you are crying, I will not wait.
I will have you do one thing I say.
From today, you are my woman. I will marry you.
Live as my woman, not Sawada’s.”

Marriage registration. That is what is written at the top. The fields were filled in with neat, precise handwriting, and one signature line was left blank. A paper with both military and general formats.
At that time, military personnel had to submit a special marriage registration to the military and have it approved. It was necessary to write down status, occupation, whether there was parental approval, etc., and it might not be accepted if it was deemed inappropriate. For example, it might not be recognized unless the daughter was of at least samurai or noble status.
In the parental approval field, 'Yes' was checked.

“I haven't greeted your parents.”
I muttered that problem in front of me.
“It doesn't matter. They are under the earth, above the sky. My relatives were all killed by the German army.”
“How could that be.”

I looked up at the person who said that so casually.

“All sources of risk for me leaking military information were eliminated. My parents, my sister, my grandfather, my relatives, and even Charlotte.”
As I stared in silence, the person showed me two sheets of paper.
Consent form from relatives. The document, written as such at the top, was properly filled out and stamped.

“Living as a military spy means that. Well, I’m also good at these kinds of forged documents.”

This person also has no one else. That was how it was.
But...

“Why me?”
I couldn't help but ask. I didn't intend to resist anymore. I just wanted to know.
“...Because you, young lady, put a blanket on me.”
Orikasa-san answered, looking slightly to the side.
“...Because you looked cold.”
I pouted. Falling asleep defenselessly in the study like that.
“Ah, I was cold. I was always so cold I couldn't stand it.”
His profile became stern, as if looking at something terrifying.

“But you were awake and watching me, weren't you.”
When I said that, he glanced at me.
“That’s not the only reason I’m saying this, but... well, fine. I wake up when I sense someone's presence. It’s ingrained in me from the battlefield. Ah, has someone finally come to cut my throat while I sleep? Now, what will you do? With those slender arms. When I opened my eyes slightly, you had put a blanket on me. Besides, in this mansion, there is probably no one left alive but me and you, young lady.”

A silence fell. Then, the clock on the wall struck eight, bong, bong.

As if guided by the sound, I signed my name quickly while the sound was still ringing.

From today, I have no freedom. But somewhere, I also thought that was fine.

“I can't hold a grand ceremony, but I will buy you a high-quality pure white dress.”
“I don't need such a thing.”
I laughed as if I were dumbfounded. It was a face I shouldn't have known, and if anything, it was a face Orikasa-san sometimes made out of habit.
“...Don't say that, please wear it. Only I will see it. That is enough.”
Strangely, his voice was gentle and lonely, and I neither affirmed nor denied it.


I straightened my military uniform and went to the Colonel.

“Ah, so you are finally taking a wife. It’s a perfect opportunity, isn't it? Hmm? That zaibatsu heiress? You’ve caught a real prize. No, you are on such a roll you might even take control of the country.”
The Colonel saw Ritsu's name and immediately went through the procedures for issuing a permit. Ritsu's surname is naturally well-known in the military as well as in the financial and political worlds. It was a bit too good for me.

“However, it seems the head of the zaibatsu hasn't been seen lately. Did something happen?”
“She has been feeling a bit unwell and wishes to recuperate. I am by her side looking after her.”
“I see, I see. Well, it must be reassuring to have you there. But tell me, this woman, there was a rumor that she was Sawada's fiancée...”
“...Such a rumor?”
I feigned ignorance.

“Ah, no, it’s just a rumor. But honestly, a man like Sawada couldn't protect her. A daughter of a zaibatsu family is in a position to be targeted easily. If things had gone wrong, she might have been caught up in Sawada's disposal. In a sense, she is a lucky woman.”
The Colonel shrugged and continued.
“In the first place, Sawada was executed as a traitor to the nation. ...No, this is just between us, but he disappeared while taking all the responsibility for Japan's inferiority on himself. Thanks to you, things went much faster.”
Saying that, the Colonel put his hand on my shoulder and grinned. That hand stroked my shoulder creepily.

“By the way, since you approved this marriage, here is a souvenir story.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“...The Colonel has been embezzling a lot of military money. The use is said to be for supporting civilians, but there is no reality to it. It seems you are quite addicted to underground gambling, so I have reported it to the superiors.”
“...Wha...”
“In a few days, I will be the Colonel.”
I left the Colonel, who was shouting 'Wait,' and headed to submit the civil marriage registration.


A few days later, there was a discussion among the military top brass.
“No, to think he would apply for retirement as soon as he became Colonel.”
“Sawada was his former comrade. It was convenient for us that he took the public anger over the surrender on himself, but he who drove him to that must have had his own reasons to be sick of it.”
“Do you think he gets sick? That man who is faithful to cruel and ruthless missions. More than that, he suddenly married a zaibatsu heiress, and there is a rumor that he will retire and live quietly in a mountain villa with her.”
“Even though he had no interest in women? Women are just tools to him, aren't they?”
“What is he thinking? And that woman, it seems she was Sawada's fiancée. Having lost Sawada, she has had a mental breakdown and become a madwoman. Is there any point in living with such a woman?”
“Who knows. Maybe he wants to torment her or make her a doll.”
The man rubbed his chin with his beard, saying 'Hmm'.

“On the surface, we will say he withdrew spectacularly after his promotion to Colonel, and well, since he is a contributor, let’s let him spend his remaining years quietly.”
“And behind the scenes?”
“There is actually a rumor that he was communicating with the enemy. It is said that the fact that the German army did not impose unfair terms on Japan even though we surrendered was also due to his adjustments, but it smells fishy. Besides, he has been promoted so early and married into a zaibatsu, so he must have gained considerable wealth, but to throw away his honor and everything for a crazy woman, that is the kind of man he is. It is best to pinch our noses and banish him while we can.”
“Well, he would be a nuisance if we kept him. His eyes are too sharp and he is too clever. He told on the former Colonel's spending and forced him to resign, so we can't have him climbing up to our level and getting us kicked out.”
“He chooses any means to achieve his goals, and he doesn't fawn over or attach himself to anyone. He is a monster who climbed up in the military solely on his own ability as a lone wolf.”

The men held their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

(Continued ↓)

A word

Two weeks abroad felt like my daily life had been completely reset, and when I returned, the days felt brand new. I finally remembered my days in Japan, and since yesterday, my creative motivation has returned, and my pen has been moving smoothly, so I am finishing all my works for the Creative Award. I have to write new things, rewrite, and add to the summaries, going back and forth. Even so, I have been carefully nurturing this for the past few months, so I can get into it immediately even if I go back and forth. I will deliver it with all my heart.