Happy HakuMyu Reimeiroku announcement day! I might have wanted to see Okita hen or Kazama hen a little more, but Reimeiroku was also very high on would-like-to-see-that-again list. Now I get to be insufferable about The Boy again.
so we finally get to learn how/why exactly Souma wound up with that drawing of Serizawa! TL under the cut. The story is first-person, told by Souma.
"Hmm…I am sure that it must be around here…"
Pulling a slip of paper from within my kimono, I cast my eyes upon the address one more time.
It has been quite some time since I last made my way to Edo, and so I am liable to get turned around easily.
And so I have no choice but to rely on these directions to get me where I need to go.
"Ah, my apologies!"
Walking with my eyes glued to the directions caused me to run into someone...
This is terrible. At this rate I will only cause more trouble for the people around here.
For now, I best stop in a nearby shop and ask for directions.
"The shopkeep told me that this was the place but..."
I would never want to assume that the kind stranger would lie to me...
However, the row houses before me look very old in their construction.
Could an Ukiyo-e artist really live in a place such as this?
Standing in front of the building, I call out to the occupants inside.
"Pardon me, I have been sent here from the Kasama Domain. Is there anyone present?"
From beyond the entryway door, I heard a faint reply.
The sliding door opened, and a figure emerged.
"So you're the guy from Kasama Domain?"
"Yes, that is me. Souma Kazue. Are you perchance, Ibuki-dono then?"
With that, the man scratched his face, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
"There's no need to call me '-dono'. I'm not that level of guy."
"Come on inside. I've prepared a few concept drafts for you to look at."
With that curt invitation, I followed him inside.
Inside the main room, I immediately noticed the countless art tools accompanied by a rather distinct smell.
Judging by the state of things, he does not appear to live a very easy life.
I suppose this is what it must be like for those in creative professions.
Ibuki then brought me several drawings from the back of the room.
"The request was for an illustration of kenjutsu practice, right? I drafted up a few different ideas. Go ahead and pick the one you think is best."
I took the several offered drawings into my hands.
All of them depicted a young man doing his sword practice.
"Yes, very good."
I made sure to examine each and every sketch carefully.
Even for simple sketches, I found all of them to be quite captivating.
"I find this one to be the best out of the lot. I'd like you to use it for the final design."
I selected the drawing that I spoke of and returned it to Ibuki.
"...this one? got it. To tell you the truth, I think this one turned out the best."
"You do?"
"Yeah. It's not to say that I slacked off on any of the others...When it comes to art, sometimes you just know when an Idea will turn out well from before you even start."
"I see. That is very fascinating."
I have precious few chances to speak with an artist like this...
And so I had no way of knowing anything about their process until now.
"Alright then. I'll go ahead and carve the print block with this design. When it's done, I'll send word to your domain, so sit tight until then."
"Ah yes. Thank you very much."
The order placed by my employers, was an illustration for a book aimed at the young sons of retainers in our province.
Intended to encourage the development of kenjutsu skills among them.
The decision was that pictures would help get them interested more than just words alone.
And so, an artist was commissioned.
"Above all, I'm a little surprised that your boss chose to take a chance on a no-name artist like me. I guess there must be some eccentrics back in Kasama, huh?"
"Well, uh..."
I was not at all certain how to reply.
My understanding was that an artist of good repute was to be commissioned...
However, the twists and turns that lead to the selection of this young man
are beyond my purview as a mere errand boy.
Perhaps he could tell as much from my expression alone.
"Well, it's not like I'm gonna grill you about it. My life's pretty rough and so I'm grateful for the work."
"I am glad that our patronage can be of help to you."
Once more, I took the selected sketch back into my hands.
"Your work has a certain impressive air to it. In particular, the way that you portray kenjutsu. It really makes one feel as if they are truly there."
"It makes me think that the artist knows a great deal about kenjutsu itself."
"You may not be very well known as of now, but I think that you may very well leave a mark on this world with your art."
My words suddenly made Ibuki's cheeks flush and he averts his eyes.
"Hey now. You're not gonna get anything from flattering me."
"That was not my intention. In truth, I am not at all skilled in flattery."
All I did was say my honest thoughts...
"Now that I think about it, I didn't even offer you any tea, did I? Just wait here a moment."
It looks as though I made him uncomfortable, and he retreats behind the screen door.
...did I perhaps overstep somehow?
While I pondered that and waited for the tea, I cast my gaze around the room once more.
There are abandoned pieces and apparent practice sketches scattered haphazardly around the room.
Being an artist seems to require one to draw far much more than is ever even sold.
"...hm?"
Among the scattered drawings, there is one that clearly sticks out and draws my eye.
A black and white colour scheme with red accents, depicting an oddly dignified white-haired demon.
The image captivated me, and I found my hands reaching out towards it.
Viewing it up close, i feel myself further drawn in by its powerful aura.
"This kimono...It looks like something from the play Kanadehon Chuushingura? But no, this outfit is a distinct light-blue colour."
I feel as though I have heard of a samurai squad being formed in Kyoto that wears this uniform.
Their name was something like...Shinsen...
And just as I was muttering those things to myself...
The screen door opened and Ibuki returned inside.
"Sorry for the wait. On top of that, the tea probably won't even be that good--"
His expression froze in place once he saw what was in my hands.
And then--
"Hey! What are you doing with that!"
"Forgive me for looking without permission...I simply glimpsed it and it caught my attention."
"Okay, just give it back!"
The teapot in Ibuki's hands fell to the floor, spilling it's contents all over his feet.
"Ack--ouch! Shit that's hot--"
"Are you alright!?"
"I'm fine!. More importantly, give that back!"
Seeming to have no time to spare for the spilled tea, Ibuki quickly approached me.
"Just wait a moment. There's something I wish to ask you about this."
"What could you possibly want to know!? It's just a sketch, it's not valuable or anything!"
He was totally calm when showing me his art earlier...
what is it about this one that has him so flummoxed?
"...'just a sketch'? This is far more impressive than the drafts you showed me earlier."
"What're you talking about!? Just give it back already!"
Any other day, I would have already replied with his request, but...
For some reason, I felt compelled to keep pressing him.
"This clearly isn't a drawing of a Chuushingura...But rather, one of those...Shinsengumi members in Kyoto, correct?"
My question caused Ibuki's breathing to stop cold.
"No! Why would you think that!"
"This light blue uniform is definitely the Shinsengumi's, is it not?"
"Are you telling me you know about the Shinsengumi!?"
"I have heard the name, yes. It is said that they are a group who seek to elevate their status by slaying other ronin."
"Uh, yeah. I've heard some of those rumours...and they inspired me to draw that."
That's right, it is not uncommon for artists to depict historical figures as mythical figures such as yokai.
And so this is not a particularly strange leap for an ukiyo-e painter to make.
"I see. And that is why you depicted him as an oni."
"Yeah, that's right! I've answered your question haven't I? Now give it back!"
And then...
While Ibuki tried to take the drawing back, I turned to face him.
"...Ibuki. Would you consider giving this to me?"
"Huh!? Why would you want that--"
"I cannot explain it, but it has captivated me."
"Besides, it is quite evocative of the King of the Dead. And so I feel as though it might serve as protection."
"Of course, I fully intend to pay what it's worth."
Ibuki stood there and stared at me with a look of surprise on his face.
But then...
"You think this drawing will help you ward off evil spirits? Haha...You sure are an eccentric one, huh? It's fine. I told you it was just a sketch, so you can have it for free."
"Really? Are you certain?"
"However. You have to promise not to show it to anyone, okay? You could get yourself in trouble, having that kinda thing around."
"Yes, I understand. I will keep this as my own personal talisman."
With that, I carefully placed the drawing into my kimono.
At that time...
I still had no way of knowing that the drawing in fact depicted the late Executive Chief, Serizawa Kamo.
But, the fact that I was so drawn in by it--
Could very well have been because somewhere deep inside of me, I was pulled along by the fate I was someday bound to meet.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Fandom: Hakuouki
Relationship: Harada Sanosuke/Nagakura Shinpachi
Characters: Harada Sanosuke, Nagakura Shinpachi, Toudou Heisuke, Ibuki Ryuunosuke, Yukimura Chizuru, Shiranui Kyou, Takasugi Shinsaku
Genre: M/M, Gen, Family, Unconventional Family, Queer Relationship, Advent fic, Christmas
Summary: Sano and Shinpachi spontanously decide to celebrate Christmas Eve. The Western way. Considering that neither of them really know how it proves to be easier said than done. But then again, as that old saying goes - nothing that's worth doing is easy.
Notes: I know, I ought to stop starting fics before finishing other ones. I had a stressful past half a year and I do plan on continuing Pride after I'm done with this. I don't know how I'm going to update yet, since there are 4 weeks and this will have 6 chapters total, but we'll see.
Rated T, except it starts with smut. However, I really don't think it's graphic enough to declare it M. Still, be aware of this when clicking on the title. You've been warned.
Betaed by the lovely @galysh, who is a champion!
