Reimeiroku Kosuzu Route Chapter 4
Kosuzu route is like a branch from Harada route, with additional events in Ch4~5 and different ending in Ch6.
This is an additional event in Ch4. I'm sticking to Ryu's first person perspective here.
Harada Route Chapter 4
That night, I was making preparations for Serizawa-san to go to Shimabara.
Ryu: Did Hishiya's concubine, Oume-san, pay a visit today as usual?
I recalled Yamazaki's words, and asked Serizawa-san.
Ryu: Is that okay? It's becoming a problem, having a woman come and go everyday in Roshigumi's quarters.
Serizawa: I know that. I'll fix this matter with Hishiya when I can.
Ryu: Well, why don't you just pay him like you're supposed to?
Serizawa-san stared at me. ...Uh-oh!
Serizawa: Dog, how I make use of our fund is no business of yours!
Ryu: Ouch!
Serizawa: If you have the time to blabber, keep moving! You are useless as usual.
I was worried about you! You don't have to whack me like this! I frowned and continued packing. I would like to be spared of more whacking.
Serizawa-san gazed at me, and smiled for some reason.
Serizawa: Dog, if you have so many complaints, why not tag along?
Ryu: To Shimabara?
Accompanying Serizawa-san, especially when he's gonna be drunk, means nothing but trouble. I knew full well of this, but it's a chance to meet Kosuzu... I couldn't turn down the offer.
It's been quite a while since I sent the aijou, yet Kosuzu didn't show up. I felt like sitting on hot coals. Now I can't laugh at Serizawa-san for being impatient when the entertainers didn't appear on time.
Kosuzu: Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for appointing me again.
I let out a sigh of relief when Kosuzu came in.
Kosuzu: I was in another banquet because a frequenter appointed me.
Somehow the word "frequenter" made me uneasy. Other than me, there's a man especially interested in her?
Kosuzu: ... Ibuki-han, you sent me an aijou again today!
Kosuzu came to my side, smiling softly.
Kosuzu: I'm so happy! Can I take it as you wanted to see me?
Ryu: No biggie. I want to hear your dialect with funny accent, that's all.
I wanted to see Kosuzu, but when she's here, I'm too embarrassed to say anything not awkward.
Serizawa: Hey, the girl over there!
With his closed fan, Serizawa-san pointed at Kosuzu. Is he going to hurt her again? I felt a chill down my spine.
Serizawa: Quit chatting with Ibuki. Dance! Perform "Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji".
That was unexpected. Serizawa-san looked at Kosuzu like doing an appraisal.
Serizawa: ... Can you do that?
Kosuzu looked back at him, and replied clearly.
Kosuzu: I can. Then, I'll dance right away.
She stood up, turned to me, and nodded lightly like telling me it's alright.
Kosuzu started dancing.
From her every move, I can see she's a professional dancer.
Quietly Serizawa-san watched her dance for a while, and then mumbled.
Serizawa: This girl isn't touched by a man yet.
Ryu: Wha... What are you talking about?!
My heart rate increased thanks to Serizawa-san's comment out of nowhere. He smiled like he's amused, and pointed at Kosuzu.
Serizawa: Can't you see that from her dance?
Of course not! I shook my head. Serizawa-san continued.
Serizawa: Back in the era of Emperor Daigo, there was a handsome monk named Anchin, who was making a pilgrimage from Shirakawa to Kumano. In his journey, he asked to stay for a night in a noble's house. The daughter of the noble, Kiyohime, fell in love with him at first sight.
Ryu: But wasn't Anchin a monk?
Serizawa: Yes. He told her he's ascetic and rejected her love. But Kiyohime wouldn't listen. Then the monk lied to her, telling her he would return after he finished his pilgrimage.
Ryu: So after his pilgrimage, Anchin returned to his homeland without stopping by. Kiyohime must be heartbroken. She saw off the man she loved, believing he would return.
But Serizawa looked at me and laughed.
Serizawa: No. When Kiyohime found out she was deceived, she was furious. She went after Anchin right away. As she finally met him, he added insult to injury, telling her she's mistaken him for someone else. He even went as far as to ask the god of Kumano for help, and escaped while Kiyohime was paralyzed.
Ryu: Kiyohime must be enraged even more, being betrayed again and again by the man she loved.
Afterwards, Kiyohime continued chasing Anchin. Her grudge even turned her into a serpent. Finally, Anchin fled into Dojoji, and begged the monks of that temple to hide him under the bell. Kiyohime wouldn't give up. She coiled around the bell, and burned Anchin with it. Weeping blood, she threw herself into the water and drowned.
Ryu: ......
It's a story of a vindictive woman. Yet it was because of love.
For 400 years, Dojoji didn't have a bell, and forbid women from stepping in the temple. "Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji" is the epilogue of this story, starting with Dojoji's ritual for a new bell.
A beautiful shirabyoshi appeared, offering to dance for the ritual. Legend has it that she's actually the incarnation of Kiyohime.
Serizawa: Kiyohime was a woman who fell desperately in love, was betrayed, and burned the man she loved.
Watching Kosuzu's dance, Serizawa-san commented in a matter-of-fact attitude, unlike criticizing.
Serizawa: This girl's dance lacks Kiyohime's passion. She has not seriously fall in love with a man yet.
Ryu: You sure can tell a lot from just a dance.
I don't think Serizawa-san would tell jokes or lies like this. Assuming what he said was right... I wondered if I should express some admiration. Serizawa-san sure is good at love affairs. When I was in deep thought...
Serizawa: By the way, dog, it seems like you've set your heart on this maiko.
His question hit the nail on the head.
Ryu: .... It's not like what you think. She's... well, like a little sister to me.
Serizawa: I see. Then I suppose you wouldn't mind if I take her.
Ryu: You?!
You can't be serious!
Ryu: Na... Nah. she's only a child! Wouldn't she be incompatible with Serizawa-san?
Serizawa: Even if you want to think of her as a child, her coming-of-age ceremony will come in the blink of an eye. With her looks and her talents, there will be men waiting in line to become her danna.
It's true that I don't understand much about maiko's world, but...
Serizawa: Sooner or later she will have mizuage with some man out there.
Serizawa-san said it lightheartedly, but that's more than enough to stir up my anxiety.
After Serizawa-san had enough sake, he called it a day.
Kosuzu: I had so much fun tonight!
Kosuzu smiled happily when seeing us off.
Kosuzu: I want to meet Ibuki-han again. Please send me an aijou next time you come to Shimabara.
Ryu: Well, if I feel like it.
I replied bluntly and walked out.
Thinking over Serizawa-san's words, I was beside myself with anxiety.
Someday Kosuzu will have mizuage with a man, and become his concubine. Thinking of this made me feel suffocated. What's more, it's going to take place in the near future. I felt a stinging pain in the chest.
The story of Anchin and Kiyohime, with illustrations.
Seri-papa's bedtime story. XD I was so surprised when he spent the time telling the folklore. He's really trying to talk Ryu out of it before Ryu seriously set his heart on her.
Ryu got so nervous when Serizawa said he's gonna take her. Don't worry Ryu, Serizawa-san likes mature type (Oume). Pedophile is Hiji... *silenced*
From her reply, Kosuzu really takes pride in her job. I bet she's happy to have a chance to show her professional side to Ryu.
This is an additional event in Ch4. I'm sticking to Ryu's first person perspective here.
Harada Route Chapter 4
That night, I was making preparations for Serizawa-san to go to Shimabara.
Ryu: Did Hishiya's concubine, Oume-san, pay a visit today as usual?
I recalled Yamazaki's words, and asked Serizawa-san.
Ryu: Is that okay? It's becoming a problem, having a woman come and go everyday in Roshigumi's quarters.
Serizawa: I know that. I'll fix this matter with Hishiya when I can.
Ryu: Well, why don't you just pay him like you're supposed to?
Serizawa-san stared at me. ...Uh-oh!
Serizawa: Dog, how I make use of our fund is no business of yours!
Ryu: Ouch!
Serizawa: If you have the time to blabber, keep moving! You are useless as usual.
I was worried about you! You don't have to whack me like this! I frowned and continued packing. I would like to be spared of more whacking.
Serizawa-san gazed at me, and smiled for some reason.
Serizawa: Dog, if you have so many complaints, why not tag along?
Ryu: To Shimabara?
Accompanying Serizawa-san, especially when he's gonna be drunk, means nothing but trouble. I knew full well of this, but it's a chance to meet Kosuzu... I couldn't turn down the offer.
It's been quite a while since I sent the aijou, yet Kosuzu didn't show up. I felt like sitting on hot coals. Now I can't laugh at Serizawa-san for being impatient when the entertainers didn't appear on time.
Kosuzu: Sorry to keep you waiting. Thank you for appointing me again.
I let out a sigh of relief when Kosuzu came in.
Kosuzu: I was in another banquet because a frequenter appointed me.
Somehow the word "frequenter" made me uneasy. Other than me, there's a man especially interested in her?
Kosuzu: ... Ibuki-han, you sent me an aijou again today!
Kosuzu came to my side, smiling softly.
Kosuzu: I'm so happy! Can I take it as you wanted to see me?
Ryu: No biggie. I want to hear your dialect with funny accent, that's all.
I wanted to see Kosuzu, but when she's here, I'm too embarrassed to say anything not awkward.
Serizawa: Hey, the girl over there!
With his closed fan, Serizawa-san pointed at Kosuzu. Is he going to hurt her again? I felt a chill down my spine.
Serizawa: Quit chatting with Ibuki. Dance! Perform "Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji".
That was unexpected. Serizawa-san looked at Kosuzu like doing an appraisal.
Serizawa: ... Can you do that?
Kosuzu looked back at him, and replied clearly.
Kosuzu: I can. Then, I'll dance right away.
She stood up, turned to me, and nodded lightly like telling me it's alright.
Kosuzu started dancing.
From her every move, I can see she's a professional dancer.
Quietly Serizawa-san watched her dance for a while, and then mumbled.
Serizawa: This girl isn't touched by a man yet.
Ryu: Wha... What are you talking about?!
My heart rate increased thanks to Serizawa-san's comment out of nowhere. He smiled like he's amused, and pointed at Kosuzu.
Serizawa: Can't you see that from her dance?
Of course not! I shook my head. Serizawa-san continued.
Serizawa: Back in the era of Emperor Daigo, there was a handsome monk named Anchin, who was making a pilgrimage from Shirakawa to Kumano. In his journey, he asked to stay for a night in a noble's house. The daughter of the noble, Kiyohime, fell in love with him at first sight.
Ryu: But wasn't Anchin a monk?
Serizawa: Yes. He told her he's ascetic and rejected her love. But Kiyohime wouldn't listen. Then the monk lied to her, telling her he would return after he finished his pilgrimage.
Ryu: So after his pilgrimage, Anchin returned to his homeland without stopping by. Kiyohime must be heartbroken. She saw off the man she loved, believing he would return.
But Serizawa looked at me and laughed.
Serizawa: No. When Kiyohime found out she was deceived, she was furious. She went after Anchin right away. As she finally met him, he added insult to injury, telling her she's mistaken him for someone else. He even went as far as to ask the god of Kumano for help, and escaped while Kiyohime was paralyzed.
Ryu: Kiyohime must be enraged even more, being betrayed again and again by the man she loved.
Afterwards, Kiyohime continued chasing Anchin. Her grudge even turned her into a serpent. Finally, Anchin fled into Dojoji, and begged the monks of that temple to hide him under the bell. Kiyohime wouldn't give up. She coiled around the bell, and burned Anchin with it. Weeping blood, she threw herself into the water and drowned.
Ryu: ......
It's a story of a vindictive woman. Yet it was because of love.
For 400 years, Dojoji didn't have a bell, and forbid women from stepping in the temple. "Kyoganoko Musume Dojoji" is the epilogue of this story, starting with Dojoji's ritual for a new bell.
A beautiful shirabyoshi appeared, offering to dance for the ritual. Legend has it that she's actually the incarnation of Kiyohime.
Serizawa: Kiyohime was a woman who fell desperately in love, was betrayed, and burned the man she loved.
Watching Kosuzu's dance, Serizawa-san commented in a matter-of-fact attitude, unlike criticizing.
Serizawa: This girl's dance lacks Kiyohime's passion. She has not seriously fall in love with a man yet.
Ryu: You sure can tell a lot from just a dance.
I don't think Serizawa-san would tell jokes or lies like this. Assuming what he said was right... I wondered if I should express some admiration. Serizawa-san sure is good at love affairs. When I was in deep thought...
Serizawa: By the way, dog, it seems like you've set your heart on this maiko.
His question hit the nail on the head.
Ryu: .... It's not like what you think. She's... well, like a little sister to me.
Serizawa: I see. Then I suppose you wouldn't mind if I take her.
Ryu: You?!
You can't be serious!
Ryu: Na... Nah. she's only a child! Wouldn't she be incompatible with Serizawa-san?
Serizawa: Even if you want to think of her as a child, her coming-of-age ceremony will come in the blink of an eye. With her looks and her talents, there will be men waiting in line to become her danna.
It's true that I don't understand much about maiko's world, but...
Serizawa: Sooner or later she will have mizuage with some man out there.
Serizawa-san said it lightheartedly, but that's more than enough to stir up my anxiety.
After Serizawa-san had enough sake, he called it a day.
Kosuzu: I had so much fun tonight!
Kosuzu smiled happily when seeing us off.
Kosuzu: I want to meet Ibuki-han again. Please send me an aijou next time you come to Shimabara.
Ryu: Well, if I feel like it.
I replied bluntly and walked out.
Thinking over Serizawa-san's words, I was beside myself with anxiety.
Someday Kosuzu will have mizuage with a man, and become his concubine. Thinking of this made me feel suffocated. What's more, it's going to take place in the near future. I felt a stinging pain in the chest.
The story of Anchin and Kiyohime, with illustrations.
Seri-papa's bedtime story. XD I was so surprised when he spent the time telling the folklore. He's really trying to talk Ryu out of it before Ryu seriously set his heart on her.
Ryu got so nervous when Serizawa said he's gonna take her. Don't worry Ryu, Serizawa-san likes mature type (Oume). Pedophile is Hiji... *silenced*
From her reply, Kosuzu really takes pride in her job. I bet she's happy to have a chance to show her professional side to Ryu.