Chapter Text
The city was beautiful, its streets bustling with life and new sights I hadn’t seen since my last escape to Edo’s downtown. But the journey through the town was brief, and soon we were heading uphill, the buildings shrinking below us as we traveled into the mountains and further away from the town.
The sky grew grayer with the passing of time, threatening with more rain—unusual for summer times, but not unwelcome. The air was cool and refreshing, a rare blessing in the humid season.
I could see the condensation on the leaves, hear the hum of cicadas and the croak of frogs. Birds sang wildly in the distance, their melodies blending with the rustle of the forest.
With little to nothing else to do, I decided it was a good time to strike up a conversation with Uraume. If we have a conversation, the journey undeniably would feel shorter.
“Thank you for your help, the palanquin was quite elevated; I hope I won’t be a bother to you in the future” I began, hoping to start a conversation and break the ice.
“It’s nothing,” they replied briefly. Ugh… such a dry response. I wanted to make this less awkward, not even more so, but Uraume wasn’t making it easy. I resisted the urge to sigh, shifting my weight instead. Maybe I should just drop it.
“I thought Lord Sukuna would come today. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
“He had an unexpected matter to attend to. That’s why he couldn’t join us.”
“I see…” Think of something, anything! “I suppose it must have been important.”
Oh no. Now I sound pretentious, like I’m upset he chose something else over me.
Stupid! Stupid!
“No, it was simply something that couldn’t be postponed,” Uraume clarified.
“Oh. I see… Ha..ha..Then… how far—”
Uraume cut me off, stepping out of the palanquin.
“Oh. Well…”
I guess that's where our conversation ends.
I exhaled slowly, pressing my lips together. I’m terrible at small talk…
*
Time became hard to track without the sun, but eventually, we stopped in the middle of the forest. Uraume invited me to stretch my legs, and I gladly stepped out, inhaling the cool, damp air. It felt strange—happy, sad, excited, nostalgic. A peculiar mix of emotions I couldn't quite place.
“I apologize for the delay, my lady," Uraume said, handing me a waterskin. "The rain has made the ground slippery, and the men are tired. Drink. It’s been a long journey from the capital."
"Has it? It doesn’t feel like it." I took a sip, the cold water refreshing against my throat. For a moment, I closed my eyes, savoring the fleeting relief. "Thank you for your kindness."
We didn’t stay long and quickly set off again. Even though the scenery seemed beautiful to me, I could tell that we were heading deep into the mountain. The path looked steeper.
I also heard the men complaining and murmuring, apparently they were tired. Even though I couldn’t feel the passage of time, I was aware that we had traveled a long distance
*
Not much time passed—at least, not for me, since sleep consumed me, and I slept through most of the journey—until we reached a paved road. Though the ground seemed more stable, the palanquin felt more unstable, swaying from side to side.
I began to hear murmurs from the men carrying me. They sounded sick—talking about wanting to vomit, wanting to go back home... What was happening?
I truly didn’t understand. Were they tired? But we had just taken a break not long ago.
I poked my head out to look at Uraume, but he was at the front of the palanquin. So, I discreetly asked one of the men, "Do you feel unwell? Do you want me to ask for another break?"
He lifted his head, shaking it in refusal. So, what was happening?
Perhaps seeing my confusion, he answered just as quietly, "We are in his domain" Whispers returned, saying that the atmosphere felt heavy and ominous, as if the miasma of this place had stuck to them, mentioning several times that they wanted to leave.
In his domain... A realization crept over me. I see! We are near the residence. When they say "domain" it seems as if he really were a Monarch.
Well, when he answered my letter referring to himself as "King of curses" Of course that doesn't sound intimidating at all.
A sudden understanding hit me like a slap. These men were afraid of him.
My heart skipped a beat and ached. They must have heard about the rumors. It must be difficult for Sukuna—to be despised and feared, just because of how he looks…
It wasn’t fair.
He was kind in his own way, thoughtful, and brilliant.
If only they’d give him a chance.
It's not fair that they judge him by how he looks.
It’s one thing to judge someone for their actions, but to condemn them for their appearance? That’s not fairness—it’s cruelty
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the palanquin had stopped until Uraume opened the curtain and offered me a hand.
Which I gladly accepted. Who could possibly dislike receiving courtesies from someone as beautiful? I certainly hadn’t heard of anyone who would, and I certainly wasn’t about to be the exception.
Stepping out, I turned to see the carriage behind me, the men carrying the palanquin seemed agitated as if they were in a hurry. They set down the palanquin near the gate, and by Uraume's approval, they quickly took their leave without turning back. Their reactions were a little over the top, it's not like Sukuna was going to devour them or something like that.
Once they were gone, I looked towards the mansion and gasped in awe. The residence wasn’t what I’d expected.
A stone wall surrounded the residence, stretching as far as my eyes could see. The gate was massive—a towering wooden door, truly imposing, almost like the entrance to a fortress.
To my double surprise, Uraume gently pushed against it, and despite its size, it yielded effortlessly to their touch. The gates swung open without a sound. They gestured for me to enter.
The building was enormous. Perhaps it had been built to match Sukuna’s proportions, but it gave off the air of a pseudo-temple—though maybe that was just my impression. It had been so long since I’d visited a temple, and something about the sheer scale of this place stirred that memory.
As I stepped inside, the first thing I noticed was the sheer width of the doors—far larger than usual. The air carried a faint scent of aged wood and something unfamiliar, something I couldn’t quite place.
I stood frozen at the gates, but Uraume urged me—repeatedly, though never insistently—to step inside.
As I finally crossed the threshold, my eyes swept over the space, noting its stark simplicity. It was immaculate, almost unnervingly so. Not a speck of dust, not a single stray mark disturbed the surfaces. Yet, despite its pristine state, the lack of decoration left it feeling empty, almost hollow.
It felt unusual to see such a simple place. Perhaps I had spent too much of my life surrounded by vibrant colors and rich aromas—so now, the pure mountain air and the stark simplicity of this place felt almost foreign. Not unpleasant, just... unfamiliar.
While walking Uraume took ahead of me, leading the way in silence. The servants in the mansion glanced at me, and I caught whispers here and there, which only made me feel more uneasy. It made me feel out of place, like an unwelcome guest.
"In the meantime," Uraume said, pulling me out of my thoughts, "Lord Sukuna is not here to receive you, so it would be best for you to wait in his quarters. It’s a shame though,—proper etiquette would call for a tour of the residence or at least showing you to your room, but that isn’t possible right now, not at this time. The preparations aren’t ready."
His tone sharpened slightly. "I have other obligations to attend to—ones I’m already late for." He exhaled, clearly irritated. "I have to go. Please, do as you please, Miss."
I could only nod silently. I had already been disappointed that Sukuna wasn’t there to greet me in the morning, and now, his absence upon my arrival only added to that feeling. I had hoped to see him. I didn’t even know when he would return…
Wait. I should ask that!.
"Do you know when he’ll be back?"
Uraume paused, turning slightly as if considering the question.
"No. I’m afraid not."
So, he might not even come back today…
"But I am certain he will return sometime today."
Well, that’s something, at least.
They left me alone, and once I heard their footsteps fade away, I took certain liberties within the room. After all, this room apparently was Sukuna’s quarters…
And yes, this is indeed a man's room.
There was no decoration whatsoever, but that doesn't stop me from snooping around and finally giving in to my curiosity, starting to examine everything in the room.
There was a desk with a calligraphy set, its quality unmistakable, along with ink that looked just as refined. Next to it lay my letter, and beside that, an open book—a collection of poetry?.
Sukuna doesn’t seem like the type to read this kind of literature...
Across the room, a shelf held a mix of books, scrolls, and a pile of correspondence.
What else…?
A brazier.
A wardrobe. When I opened it, I found several kimonos with wide sleeves, all in monochromatic or muted colors.
And his giant futon...
It looked lofty, thick, and very cushioned. When I touched it, the surface was cool to the touch. When I laid down, I couldn’t believe how soft it was, like laying on a feather or a cloud.
This is so... comfy.
I want to sleep... But I can’t! How frustrating.
I shouldn’t have slept during the journey. At least I could stretch out my poor limbs since no one was here.
With my eyes closed, I tried to drift off, but no sleep came.
No Nothing.
But I don’t want to move.
It feels too good.
It’s like the best day of my life!
I want to stay like this forever.
Though, I’m a little hungry... we arrived around noon and i haven't eaten a single thing
I want to eat.
But I don’t want to move.
I’m hungry.
But I’m so comfortable.
Though I don’t even know where to go. Or if they’ll bring me food—or if I should go to the kitchen and make something myself.
I don’t want to touch anything here. I don’t want to be scolded for doing something I shouldn’t.
His bed smells so much like him. It feels so… good but so wrong.
I inhaled deeply, letting the sensation wash over me, melting further into the softness.
It’s a bit weird of me to be in his room, going through his stuff, and smelling his bed...Uhm, yeah. It’s fucking weird.
I’m not any better than men.
“I'm a weirdo.”
“Yes, you definitely are.”
I gasped in surprise and spun around. There he was—Sukuna, wearing nothing but a white hakama, and his hair still damp as he dried it with a bath towel.
“You … scared me!”
“Yeah, yeah. You deserve that.” He smirked, stepping closer. “Besides, who gave you the right to lie on my futon? I don’t remember granting you that privilege.”
He threw his wet towel at my face! Ouch!
“That's nice, thank you very much. I am a clothes hanger now” I rolled my eyes and sighed.
“Stop throwing a tantrum,” He scoffed
Yeah “privilege”
Oh, wait…
He is right.
I'm not privileged, he bought me.
I am his property now
Now he is my lord.
and my master.
I should treat him with respect.
What I had done was purely for my own pleasure, and the worst thing is that he caught me red-handed.
I want to dig a hole and bury myself in it!
Get it together, it shouldn't be a big deal, you’ve been childhood friends! …
Sure but, it’s been years— without any kind of contact or relationship with each other. And now, you just lie down on his bed as if nothing happened between us? What are you even thinking???
“Move aside. I want to sleep.”
And i complied. I move a side.
He was really serious?
Really... he just wants to sleep??
Oh boy. You have a fine girl beside you and this is the only thing you do?
Sleep?
He just got into the futon, turned his back to me, and fell asleep.
Just like that.
Because of this.
He refused to extend the time.
He was in such a hurry to bring me here but now that I’m right next to him, he brushes me aside.
Only to ignore me and sleep.
Who gets him?
You didn’t even come to get me.
Liar.
I sat on the edge, trying not to make any noise. I even held my breath, just to avoid disturbing him.
Nothing. He didn’t move.
I wanted to yawn.
NOW my body decides it’s a good time to sleep.
NOW.
Not when I was alone.
Well... if it really bothered him that I was here, he would’ve told me to leave.
But... he didn’t.
And if he let me stay here...
It means I can sleep too!
So, since we’re here, I’ll sleep for a while. Maybe this way I can sleep off the hunger.
I laid down beside him and closed my eyes. I only got close because he deliberately took my favorite spot on his bed.
Idiot. You don’t deserve me sleeping beside you. You didn’t keep your word.
The sound of his breathing was irritatingly soothing. So much so that I couldn’t fight it anymore and let my consciousness slip away. Raindrops began to hit harmoniously and gently against the wooden ceiling. The rain outside caused the temperature to drop, so naturally, my body sought warmth. And it didn’t take long for me to find it... resting my forehead against it.