Namida Bridge: Ito Sakon's Proposal (2)

Such is Zushonosuke, yet today, when he finished his work and returned to his hut, he found Riku, the niece of Awa-no-kami, there. It seems she had been repairing his armor, which had frayed slightly in the recent battle, so that he would be ready to fight at any time.
“Welcome back, Isshiki-sama.”
“I am home.”
Zushonosuke nodded lightly. Since they were not married, he sometimes felt her care was a bit intrusive. Perhaps because of that, their relationship was extremely casual.
“I have prepared a meal for you as well.”
Though it was dinner, it consisted only of rice, soup, and boiled potatoes. To be honest, for Zushonosuke, whose palate was accustomed to the Kyoto-style flavors of the Isshiki family, the food Riku made was a bit too plain. However, for a bachelor, being served a meal he didn't have to cook himself was something to be grateful for.
Usually, Riku would wait for Zushonosuke to finish his meal, clean up, and then head back on the road to Kibune. Perhaps it was because she was the niece of Awa-no-kami, but she seemed to be an expert at riding horses and often came by on horseback.
However, today, while serving him, she seemed restless.
“Lady Riku. Is something the matter?”
“No. It’s just that a stranger came by shortly before you returned, Isshiki-sama.”
Zushonosuke frowned. If he needed to see anyone in the household, he could just meet them at the Wada mansion or Mine-ga-jo Castle. It was strange for anyone to visit him, a bachelor, in his own home.
In this land of Sukagawa, there was no reason for him to have any acquaintances other than those who had followed Tameuji.
“Do you have any idea who that man was, Lady Riku?”
Riku shook her head. But at the same time, she let out a small gasp.
“He left a message: ‘If you mention the character for “left,” Zushonosuke will understand.’”
“The character for ‘left’...”
He could feel the blood draining from his face. Was it that man—?
“Lady Riku. Please, keep this a secret.”
It was absolutely critical that this visit not be leaked to the outside. Riku seemed confused by Zushonosuke’s reaction.
“But, my uncle and Mino-no-kami-sama...”
Everyone was on edge right now because of Jibu-no-taifu. Even for a woman or child, it was expected that they report seeing anyone suspicious.
“I will tell them myself. I will not cause you any trouble, Lady Riku.”
As he said it, he thought to himself how dishonest it sounded. But there were circumstances he could not speak of—.

Less than an hour after Riku left, there was a soft knocking at the door of the hut. Zushonosuke checked the surroundings, confirmed no one was watching, and opened the door.
He stopped the man who was about to speak and placed a finger to his lips. He couldn't have anyone hearing their voices.
The other man understood and entered the hut in silence. After closing the shutters to ensure no sound would leak out, Zushonosuke finally let out a breath.
“What did you come here for?”
Zushonosuke glared at his visitor.
“You’re cold, Zushonosuke, even though we haven’t seen each other in so long, old friend.”
The man was grinning.
“Don’t be an idiot. What kind of friend comes over without considering the trouble they’re causing?”
He spoke harshly, but what the man said wasn't entirely wrong.
The man was Ito Sakondayu, a childhood friend from his days in Kamakura. However, this man was currently under the command of Jibu-no-taifu. Originally, he was a relative of the Ito clan of Asaka District, and through that connection, he had approached the Nikaido family earlier than Zushonosuke.
“I didn’t think you’d already found yourself a woman.”
Perhaps trying to ease Zushonosuke’s tension, Sakon made a light remark. He was likely referring to Riku having been there while Zushonosuke was out. But Zushonosuke was in no mood for that.
“Idiot. She’s just someone who looks after me.”
For now, that was the only way to describe it. But how much could he trust her? He was constantly worried that she might tell her father, Shimotsuke-no-kami, and that a punitive force would arrive before he knew it.
“Well, it’s true that I’m happy to see you.”
Changing from his previous flippant attitude, Sakon spoke with genuine feeling. Since they were childhood friends, that sentiment was likely not a lie. He never would have imagined that a year later they would end up on opposing sides.
Moved by Sakon’s words, Zushonosuke brought out some sake he kept for a nightcap. It was cold, but fortunately, Sakon didn’t seem to mind.
As they shared cups and the alcohol took effect, Sakon’s tongue loosened.
It seemed that he, too, was inwardly pained by this futile conflict.
“—That is why Jibu-no-taifu-dono has absolutely no intention of rebellion. That is what I believe.”
Whatever his basis was, Sakon had been repeating that over and over.
“I, however, nearly lost my life.”
While pouring him a drink, Zushonosuke replied coldly. Honestly, he wanted him to understand what it was like to be shot at with arrows as soon as he arrived in Sukagawa.
“That is why, even if Jibu-dono were to offer his head and surrender now, he suspects that—Tameuji-ko aside—the members of the clan and the Four Heavenly Kings would have his head cut off and displayed at the prison gate.”
“Hmph.”
Shouldn't that be the natural resolve of a warrior? He had never met the man called Jibu-no-taifu, but there was no doubt that among the Wada faction, he was thought of as the embodiment of evil.
“What if Jibu-no-taifu-dono were to become a monk?”
When he said this coldly, Sakon shook his head. It was as if he wanted to say that Zushonosuke, having just arrived in this land, understood nothing.
“Even if Jibu-dono were to become a monk, it would be of no benefit to you people of the Wada faction.”
“No, there would be. The legitimate cause to enter Sukagawa Castle.”
That was something the Kamakura government had been saying as well. It had to be made widely known, both inside and outside, that the master of the Sukagawa and Iwase regions was Tameuji.
“The clan members and the Four Heavenly Kings would not be convinced. Even if Jibu-dono were to slip out of the castle under the cover of night and turn his back on the world. Eventually, Jibu-dono’s fate would be sealed, and he would not be able to escape death.”
The image of Mino-no-kami’s stern face flashed through Zushonosuke’s mind. Indeed, that man would not be convinced. And besides—.
“The unity of the soldiers inside the castle is quite something, after all.”
That was something even Zushonosuke, who had fought them only briefly, could feel. If they were just a disorganized mob, it would be impossible for Jibu-no-taifu to command such a battle. He might be a detestable man, but there was no doubt he was a person of some caliber.

©k.maru027.2023

＞Continues to “Ito Sakon's Proposal (3)”

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