Chapter 76: The Remaining Days, I Humbly Request Your Guidance
When Bai Wei finished recording his statement at the police headquarters, it was already past six o'clock in the evening.
The law enforcement capability in Yingzhou is truly lacking. The investigation, sampling, and interrogation conducted by the police headquarters are full of loopholes. Interning with the Sacred Inquisition would make even the interrogators' brains explode with frustration due to such incompetence.
Bai Wei simply spoke whatever came to his mind, while subtly guiding the authorities with additional clues to steer their conclusions towards terms such as "fleeing out of fear of guilt" and "erroneous intelligence."
Due to his lack of criminal record, being a citizen of the Great Ming, and his poor command of the Yingzhou dialect, once it was confirmed that nothing substantial could be extracted from him, he was released.
After leaving the police headquarters effortlessly, he planned to take the No. 4 tram line back home. It was conveniently a pleasant walk of about ten minutes to Ginza, where he happened to meet up with Yagyū Simozi, who had just finished her shopping spree. This rollback ensured that all issues were nipped in the bud, preventing any escalation or spread of the situation. Therefore, for Yagyū Simozi and Saki Jingūji, it continued to be a tranquil and comfortable day of rest.
Once again, as I approached the familiar entrance of the tram station, he could hear the hoarse, throat-straining roar of rock music from afar.
Bai Wei, as an audience member this time, took the opportunity to carefully listen to the yet-to-be-popular music, without the need to snatch the guitar and perform by himself.
After waiting alone for a moment, I glanced at the time and noticed that the 6:20 train was about to arrive. Yagyū Simozi and Saki Jingūji also appeared among the crowd.
Bai Wei, without waiting for them, took a step ahead of the ticket gate at the tram station and arrived at the platform.
The vehicle approached the platform, came to a halt with the brakes, and the announcement sounded. People formed two lines, waiting for the passengers on the train to disembark first.
The doors of the third carriage opened, and the crowd flowed out.
The emerging crowd was dressed in a colorful array of attire, but from a distance, it appeared as a murky, densely packed mass, shrouded in shades of gray.
Therefore, only the pure and clear colors are even more striking.
At the very end of the dispersing crowd, there happened to be a touch of pure white.
She stood at the far end of the disembarking passengers, wearing a pristine white kimono. In her hands, she held a sword that seemed both out of place and incredibly fitting. With one foot partially placed on the edge of the tram, she raised her gaze and looked around.
For some unknown reason, Bai Wei had a peculiar intuition and resonance.
Just like quietly turning back in the crowd, an unconscious glance, and the collision and convergence with that deliberate search and hopeful longing.
Unfamiliar, yet familiar.
Never seen before, yet seems familiar.
Bai Wei waited for her to disembark from the tram, and she did indeed step off the tram. However, instead of heading towards the path that diverged from the crowd, she walked in his direction.
…is that truly so?
…No, how is that possible?
He had long surpassed the age of openly showing joy, and he would not entertain dreams of encountering a bride in a wedding gown at a tram station.
Regarding that as a mere coincidental exchange of glances, he intended to pass by without a second thought and proceeded to board the tram.
However, this evasive gesture caused the bride-to-be to abruptly purse her lips, slightly furrow her brow, and lock a tense expression in place.
In a short span of time, her thoughts swirled before seemingly arriving at a difficult decision.
She took a step forward, colliding with the young man.
Bai Wei was indeed caught off guard and stumbled backward for a moment, but quickly regained her balance.
However, the other party didn't release their grip, and even exerted an additional brute force.
Instead of embracing him, she pressed her shoulder against his chest, forcefully pushing Bai Wei, who had one foot on the tram, out of the crowd.
Then, the tram departed.
Bai Wei gazed at the closed doors, lost in thought.
"Now that the tram has departed, can we let go?"
"Ah, I apologize."
The youthful bride hastily released her grip, nervously stepping back to apologize.
Just after boarding a crowded tram, the station now appeared quite empty. Even though the two of them stood in a corner, they were easily noticeable to the people around.
The bride's pure white attire was exceedingly conspicuous. This outfit is not cheap, and generally, one would never wear it alone outside.
"I, I…" the young girl deliberated her words, taking a series of deep breaths. She inwardly urged herself to remember the lines she had prepared beforehand.
After mustering up the courage with great difficulty, as soon as she lifted her head and met their gaze, her tongue seemed to knot up, causing her to completely forget the polite, knowledgeable, and elegant greeting.
"Do not be nervous," Bai Wei reassured, "I am not a cannibal, Miss Kichyō."
The young girl lifted her countenance, and her eyes suddenly lit up, as if the night sky had instantly filled with the brilliance of countless stars.
"Have you… have you recognized me?"
"I may not have the acquaintance with you, yet I am acquainted with this exquisite weapon in your possession," Bai Wei observed the Nine-Syllable Blade nestled in her embrace.
"Ah…" The young girl nodded innocently, "So it's the sword that exposed me."
She appeared happy in expression, but her tone seemed rather disappointed.
"However, since I have been recognized, I have nothing to be shy about. Mr. Bai Wei, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time!"
"I am the daughter of Hokusinn Xuanma, Hokusinn Kichyō."
"I have always concealed my true identity in the past, and have been hiding something. I deeply apologize, and have come today specifically to apologize and make amends."
She revealed her true name.
"Hokusinn…" Bai Wei immediately associated it with one of the highly renowned swordsmanship schools in Edo, which is among the few schools qualified to accept disciples and establish dojos.
"Yes, Hokusinn Ittō-ryū. Our family possesses three dojos, which has gained some reputation." Hokusinn Kichyō expressed her embarrassment, "I didn't reveal my identity before because no one would have believed me, and moreover… I still feel unworthy to bear this title."
"I see, no wonder your family has such strict standards. They must belong to a prominent clan." Bai Wei finally grasped the essence of many things.
"We can't really call it a prestigious clan, just… having some heritage." Hokusinn Kichyō shook her head lightly, not wanting to delve into this topic and changed the subject, "When I woke up today, I found myself back in my own body. Immediately, I realized there was something wrong with Nishino Junko, and I started pursuing her. Unfortunately, I lost track of her."
"Chasing after her… You were the one who caused her injuries?"
"Do you also know?"
"Hmm."
"Then what about her…"
"Good child should not ask," Bai Wei said, raising a finger, conveying everything without words.
In an instant, Hokusinn Kichyō understood everything. The suspended heart immediately let go, and with bright eyes and pure smile, she replied, "Thank you."
Bai Wei shook his head to indicate that there was no need to worry, then asked, "How did you end up on the tram?"
"I assumed that you would be taking the tram here," Hokusinn Kichyō said, revealing a smile. She had indeed guessed correctly, or rather, they had a deep understanding of each other. "So I made sure to be on time and waited on this tram."
"If it is a visit, it would be best to go directly to the Yagyū residence,"
"Hmm, although that is also an option, it may be too formal. I… can't possibly go dressed like this, can I?"
"Indeed," Bai Wei understood, "I don't have the surname Yagyū either."
"Yes, it's too cumbersome in terms of etiquette, and besides…" Hokusinn Kichyō blushed as she continued, "and besides, I also wanted to meet you, Mr. Bai, with my true appearance sooner. I couldn't wait any longer."
Bai Wei saw her blushing and paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Your words, for young people, are a bit too impactful. These words should only be spoken to loved ones and betrothed partners. Remember not to casually utter them next time."
"Saying it casually? How could I…?" Hokusinn Kichyō widened her eyes, about to defend herself. However, she found it difficult to speak her mind, after all, it was their first meeting, and she was still a sheltered young girl who had fled from a wedding earlier today.
But she felt the need to explain the matter clearly, "Mr. Bai, I am not engaged! Today, I took the initiative to break off the engagement and escape!"
Bai Wei imagined many stories in his mind, displaying an absent-minded demeanor, "Hmm."
"Indeed!" she exclaimed anxiously.
"I understand," Bai Wei responded calmly.
"Please, Mr. Bai, take responsibility," she said solemnly.
"Uh, uh… Wait, huh??" Bai Wei could no longer use the repetitive 'uh' technique, "Unexpectedly throwing this line at me out of the blue?"
"It was Mr. Bai who said, and you told me… that I cannot rely on others, and no one will help me. I must make my own decisions, so I have made a decision. Although I have no regrets, I still ask you to take responsibility." Hokusinn Kichyō's eyes focused solely on him, speaking with such earnestness and gravity, "I implore you, please ensure you take responsibility."
A current seemed to flow through Bai Wei's spine, his expression a mixture of astonishment and bewilderment, "Are you implicating me falsely? Are you trying to drag me down?"
"Because I have no one else to rely on," Hokusinn Kichyō said earnestly, "Therefore, I will not hesitate to use you as my support."
"Ah, this…" Bai Wei thought, "Could this girl be a little more polite? It's our first meeting, and we're not familiar at all."
"By saying that, it may seem a bit devious, but that's just what you taught me. In the future, I hope to learn even more," the young girl smiled radiantly.
The setting sun is about to sink into the sea, casting its residual glow upon my shoulders. It is a splendid scene of the sunset, as if stars emerge in the twilight. The bride, adorned in her wedding gown, arrives on the tram. The white plum blossoms proudly bloom on the branches, completely unaware of the concept of subtlety.
Through hundreds of cycles, she has learned a simple truth - to reject what she dislikes and hold on tightly to what she loves, never letting go.
Hokusinn Kichyō placed her hands gently intertwined and rested them on her abdomen. As she performed a graceful bow, her pure white attire swayed softly, and the air was filled with the invigorating fragrance of white plum blossoms.
"I am but a humble woman, and in the remaining days of my life, I humbly request your guidance and teachings."
PS: Volume 10 has been published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3QMnBDU).
PS2: Volume 11 will be translated within 10 days.
