095　Moonlit party

With the New Year, Hikaru turned 50 and Reizei-san turned 32. Yugiri-kun is now 29, and is nearing his 30s. How are Hikaru and his partner doing? Now that they are getting older, I think it can't be helped if they become unwell. 

I went to bed early, woke up early, prayed every day, and lived a peaceful life. I may have been suited to be a monk. I originally wanted to do it to atone for my mother's sins, but even without that I would have become a monk sooner or later. What do we get at the end of competition? I think so often. What's the point in making someone cry and finding happiness? I don't even know if it's a good thing that my wish comes true. 

Kaoru-kun is now 3 and Nio-no-miya-kun is 4. Nio-no-miya-kun was born in December and Kaoru-kun was born in January, so although they are one year apart in age, they are actually only a month apart. Are they getting along well? Since they are already close in age, it would be better for people around them not to compare them too much in order to avoid arousing Nio-no-miya-kun's competitive spirit.

I hear that Nio-no-miya-kun grows up in Rokujo-in full of ladies, with special love from Lady Murasaki. Kaoru-kun often visits his grandfather, and is probably growing up to be a cheerful and mischievous boy surrounded by his uncles and cousins. 

◇◇◇

"Would you like to come to my house on the fifteenth night, Suzaku-san?" 

At the beginning of autumn, I got a letter from Reizei-san, so I went down the mountain nervously. It's my first time going to Reizei-in. It's strange because I feel like I'm more nervous than going to the Imperial Palace. 

Reizei-san remained popular even after his abdication, with many consorts following him and living in his mansion. He cherishes Empress Umetsubo the most, just as he did during his reign. I hope he's getting some rest.

"Hi, Suza-ni! Come here!" 

When I arrived secretly, Hikaru and Hotaru were already there. Hotaru beckons and calls to me from afar. 

"Have you lost weight, Suza-ni? You look smaller." 

Hikaru asks as soon as he sees me, concerned about me. 

"I'm already short... but have I become even smaller?" 

Even though I was wearing a Buddhist hood, everyone still looked at me from high angles, which made me smile bitterly. I may have lost weight because I have been eating Buddhist cuisine and I don't drink alcohol.

Reizei-san was in the center, Hikaru and Hotaru were sitting on the left, and Yugiri-kun was on the right. I sit next to Yugiri-kun and look at the moon, which has risen to just the right height. 

"Stay well, Suza-ni." 

Hikaru said, looking sadder than usual. I see, I may also die soon. This is probably the last party Reizei-san will throw for me. 

"Thank you very much for everything. It was fun meeting you all." 

I bowed my head politely. 

"Oh, no... don't say that." 

Hikaru stopped me with a sad look on his face, so I smiled bitterly. Even though I'm the villain, he seems reluctant to part with me. 

"I feel like I'll die too." 

"I think you will live a long time." 

"What do you mean?!" 

"I don't think you'll die even if you're killed!" 

Hotaru looks at Hikaru with a wry smile. 

"By the way, do you know what happened to the princess Ni-no-miya?" 

"No, I don't." 

I didn't do anything about her, leaving it up to her mother and herself. 

"There is an aristocrat who goes to her. Of course he's not Yugiri." 

"Oh, really..." 

I felt happy and strange as the person who was not written in that prophecy finally appeared.

"He's quite high status." 

"How is Miss Makibashira?" 

"They're doing well too." 

Hotaru told me with a wink. The relationship between Kashiwagi-kun's brother and her also seems to be going well. 

"That's great." 

I felt like I could die without any regrets because I was able to hear about Ni-no-miya's status too. 

"Why don't you follow that prophecy? You can have funny marital quarrels with your wife." 

Hikaru grinned at Yugiri-kun, but 

"Not funny." 

he frowned disapprovingly. 

"You call Kari-chan like a demon, so she goes back to her parents' house! She tells you, 'Die in obedience.' " 

"Is that true?!" 

It doesn't seem very funny, but Hikaru and Hotaru look at Yugiri-kun with wry smiles. He in those books seems to be having a hard time. 

"If this keeps up, she'll be taken by another guy. Princess Ni-no-miya must be an elegant beauty." 

"I don't care about that." 

"He's a selfish guy who makes Kari-chan have many kids and says things like, 'I don't like noisy home.' Yugiri is much better than him now!" 

Hikaru suggested it to Yugiri-kun, as if saying it was a waste, but he flatly refused. Hotaru praises Yugiri-kun for this. There seems to be no lies or hesitation in his words. 

"I found out that the future will change..." 

I had hoped for it so strongly, but when it finally came true, I felt strange. 

"It's exciting." 

I'm looking forward to the future. I'm glad I can think so. 

"There is also a future that will not change." 

Reizei-san smiled kindly and told me secretly. 

"My daughter was born a little while ago." 

"Oh, that's wonderful... congratulations." 

I was overcome with emotion and said while holding back tears. 

"I'm really happy to hear that." 

I didn't think it was appropriate to apologize to him, so I just bowed deeply. 

"I hope the future is safe for you and Yugiri-kun." 

That's all I was worried about, so I said that. 

"I'm worried that we've changed those prophecies so much that some natural disaster will occur." 

"There's no way. Things will work out." 

Reizei-san said this with a gentle smile, so I thought he was courageous as ever. 

"Let's enjoy the moon tonight." 

While everyone was drinking, I was given tea and looked at the moon on the 15th night. Did this moon shine like this even in the past when those prophecies were written? I felt like she was the only one who knew everything, and I thought about all the years I've lived. I have been able to survive until now because I was not alone. I was able to enjoy it because my family was there. 

"Don't worry about any small matters by yourself, ask Yugiri for help. You're a good boy..." 

Hikaru was drunk and lecturing Reizei-san. He gazes at Reizei-san with drunken eyes and pats his head and cheeks. I was stunned to see Hikaru do this to Reizei-san, who is over 30 and has a daughter, but he smiles and doesn't resist, and seems to be enjoying it somehow. They look like the roles of father and son have been swapped. I can completely understand his parental feelings, as he worries about his children no matter how old they are. 

Just as I think of Lady Aoi when I look at Yugiri-kun, Hikaru probably thinks of Lady Fujitsubo when he looks at Reizei-san. His romance must have been full of hardships, but I feel like Reizei-san's smile on his face is enough to save us. We are grateful for his efforts, but more than that, I think Yugiri-kun and Reizei-san's presence really supported and encouraged us. 

"Thank you very much for inviting me today. I wish you happiness. Let's meet again." 

I said goodbye to Reizei-san with all my gratitude. 

"Thank you very much too. I hope to see you again." 

He smiles and sees me off till the end. Hikaru and Hotaru had fallen asleep, so Yugiri-kun came to see me off at the gate as I headed home. He doesn't look too drunk tonight. 

"Thank you for everything you do." 

Yugiri-kun said so, 

"Thank you very much too. I will never forget the joy of meeting you." 

I politely bowed to him. He looked at me for a while with his sharp eyes. 

"Please give my regards to my mother." 

He said with a little smile; it's like sparks twinkling deep in his eyes and I love it. 

"I will definitely do that." 

I wasn't sure if I'd see her, but I nodded and promised him.