[Oneshot] Departure: Samurai
Happy YulSic 800. Author's Note at the very end. Sorry it's like long.
Departure: Samurai
She stood against strange lights that looked like different colored spirits. It had just rained as the ground was damp and people were holding strange umbrellas while wearing unfamiliar clothing.
The signs read strange names she has never heard of before, like “Laundromat” and “Electronics Store” and with that, she was pretty sure that she was not in Kyoto anymore.
Intimidation from the people who carried square boxes in western clothing caused her to move away and grow cautious. These were the people that her sensei warned them about-the ones they had to fight. Although the man looked like a normal Japanese man to her, she felt angered and as well as confused as to why her fellowman would dress in such a way.
She lifted her takuhatsu gasa and got herself to position. Hand on the hilt, the other on the handle of her blade, her feet spread to give her traction.
“Jung!” Someone screamed and distracted from taking her blow. “What the hell? I’ve been waiting for you for the last three hours to show up! If Hwang didn’t recommend you, I would’ve hired the next person that passed by my damned shop so get in here! Aish, I hate working in Tokyo! Goddamned cosplayers!”
She looked back at the voice to see a short girl with eyes on her. The girl was glaring with her hands on each side of her waist.
“Well? Don’t just stand there, come here!”
The voice intimidated her more than how she saw a daimyo beheaded her sensei in one strike during her training days. It caused her to let go of her sword and allowed it to hang on her waist.
She went towards the girl and some sort of magic caused a screen to open, allowing them to pass through.
“Why the heck are you dressed in that? You’re supposed to be working at a convenience store, not cosplaying like some stupid anime character in Shibuya!” The girl then took out a green cloth and handed it to her. “Here. Just take that damned haori off and put this on.”
She absentmindedly looked at the piece of cloth presented to her. The strange green fabric was still dangling in her hands, slightly wet from her kote.
“Ugh fudge! Yuri! Do me a favor and save me a heart attack will you? I’ll be in my office.”
A loud slam was heard and she was left alone with a tall girl with long hair. The girl had the same fabric she was holding on, tied to her chest.
“Hi. I’m Yuri.” A hand was extended to her and she did not know what to do. She instead bowed, similar to how she paid respects to a fellow samurai. “You’re Jessica right?”
Her brows crumpled at the sound of the unfamiliar name. Never had she been called “Jessica” and now would not be the start of it.
“Sooyeon.” She protested. Then she took off her gasa and as well as both of her kotes. She settled them on the side with her already damp haori. Then she fixed her ponytail and diverted her gaze back to the girl talking to her.
“Ohh you’re Korean too? I’m Korean as well and so is Taeyeon but I was born there but raised here, so I don’t really know the language very well. Anyhow, let me help you with that. My name is Yuri by the way.” The girl then took the cloth off of her hands and slid it on her neck. Their closeness threatened her that she held her wakizashi, only to let it go after the girl named Yuri backed away.
“I was raised here as well. My family sold me to a Japanese captain to pay our debts in Korea.”
“Uhh…isn’t human trafficking against the law?”
“The only law that needs to be followed is the Bushido.”
“Ummm…okay then. Say-uh since you look strong and stuff, do you mind getting crates from the back and bringing them here? Someone’s picking those up today.” Yuri sounded intimidated.
The autonomy that Yuri portrayed was something that irritated her a bit. She took out her tanto from its sheath and made her way towards Yuri.
“Who do you fight for?” She said with seriousness as she may be manipulated by the other side of the rebellion they had been fighting against.
“Ww-what are you talking about?” Yuri stuttered with her eyes on the blade that she held. The blade however-kept on getting closer and closer as Sooyeon wanted a better response from her. “A-ahh…I-I’m from the Satsuma cc-clan. My family had trained under-under Minamoto Musashi.”
Hearing that they are fighting for the same cause, she withdrew her sword, leaving Yuri palpitating and scared.
“By the looks of things, it is as if you are a merchant of sorts.”
“Ye-yeah. You can say that.” Yuri nodded and she then remembered what the girl said prior to her questioning. She then found open door that led to a number of boxes. With that, she made her way and lifted up a crate.
The work was slow paced but manageable, and it was fine since if she was at Kyoto at that time anyway, she would be doing nothing but waiting for her next orders.
“Where should I place this?” She asked.
“O-over there.” Yuri stuttered and avoided her gaze. Yuri was looking at some sort of weird lamp with a circular object and a board. “You c-can just leave them th-there s-since it’s getting picked up.”
“Okay.”
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Yuri felt a sense of strangeness from the new girl. All she knew was that her boss’ old roommate named Hwang, had recommended that this Jessica Sooyeon girl was a great and efficient worker. If threatening her with a knife and speaking so formally made an efficient worker, Hwang was totally right.
She looked at her clock and it was almost time to go. Thankfully Sooyeon came in late as it meant that she would be saying goodbye some time soon.
By the looks of things, Sooyeon-or Jessica, as Yuri preferred to call her, was very much into samurai roleplaying. Her actions reminded her of those from old Akira Kurosawa movies and maybe Jessica just liked it so much that she decided to live in it. Yuri herself thought it was a bit cool though it was very much intimidating.
The clock struck 11 and it was time to close up. She was ready to retreat to the comforts of her apartment, away from work, and away from this weird cosplayer.
“Okay, it’s time to go.” Yuri announced while turning off her computer. Jessica had already taken the liberty of wearing her protective gear.
With a flip of a switch, the lights went out which made Jessica a bit paranoid again. She frantically looked around, as if a ninja was on the loose and coming after here. Yuri sighed and put her worrying to rest.
“Uhh…I-I was trained to do magic too. Now let’s go.”
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Yuri made her way to the train which was not that far from her workplace. Jessica had been trailing her for a good five minutes, and she assumed that the girl was taking the train as well. Just when she swiped her card to pass through the machine. When Jessica was unable to pass, she became distressed that she took her sword out-which made a lot of people gasp and made Yuri give out a facepalm.
“You owe me.” Yuri went alongside the machine she was in and swiped her card to let Jessica pass. Jessica gave a honorable bow to her and put her katana back where it belonged.
They waited for the train and the two of them sat on the platform side by side. She looked at Jessica who showed an adorable pout while she spaced out. Jessica was beautiful and she could not deny that, but she sighed as she remembered the strangeness that Jessica possessed.
“Which train are you taking, Sooyeon?”
“Train?” Jessica turned at her with seriousness.
“Yeah. And stop roleplaying already. It’s not funny anymore.”
“I don’t know what a train is, and I am not a No or a Kabuki actor that I go into roleplay.”
Yuri let out a chuckle from the silly joke that Jessica gave out.
“Okay, well where do you live?”
“Kyoto. I am stationed in the Nijo castle.”
Yuri paused and changed positions as her hand were getting numb from cradling her face.
“Uhh…Hey come on, can you stop fooling around with me? It’s 11 at night for crying out loud. Give your cosplay a rest.”
“I am not. All these different infrastructures are confusing me that I have seem to have lost my way back. Please let me know how to get to the castle and I will leave you be.”
“You’re in Tokyo! Kyoto is like, 3 hours by train or I don’t know-two days if you walk. Ugh, why are you so strange!”
“Then I seem to have lost my direction. In which direction is the path leading towards it?” Jessica stood up which caused her to stare back with more disbelief.
“What the-hey! Why the heck are you pissing me off. I told you just-just stop cosplaying. We won and Emperor Meiji took the head of the government, okay? They banned the swords and there are no more samurais, we won. Then we attacked the United States and fought another war and lost. It’s over, we have nothing to fight for anymore. Its peacetime and nobody cares about the clans-samurais, ninjas, and any of that anymore. The castles have all been evacuated so if you go to Kyoto now, you won’t be seeing anything that has your name on it so just-just stop acting because it’s almost 12 at night and you’re driving me insane!” Yuri screamed at the top of her lungs which caused Jessica to get startled from her outburst. She grew silent with her expression dark and gloomy. Yuri’s expression then softend as she felt bad with what she just did. She pulled Jessica back down and patted her back, as if empathizing with what Jessica must have felt if she did believe all of it.
“Look, I know, I’m sorry but this is just the harsh reality of things. All the daimyos and clan leaders are dead. We can’t do anything about it anymore. So tell me, where do you really live so that I can know if we can take the same train together.”
“I am left with nothing now, if all you have told me are true.” Jessica firmly said which made Yuri shudder. So with that, she put Jessica’s knowledge to the test and then maybe, since Jessica won’t tell her, maybe she’ll let her stay for the night as she did not have the heart to leave the girl stranded in the train station with no money.
“Okay, I can let you stay at my house if you can give me the answers to these questions.”
Jessica gave her a nod and she started questioning.
“Who wrote Sonezaki Shinju?”
“Chikamatsu Monzaemon.” Jessica swiftly answered without even taking a pause.
“Waki, tsure, shite are from which art?”
“No theatre.”
“Who built the Kinkakuji?”
“Ashikaga Yoshimasa.”
Yuri’s mouth fell agape with everything that Jessica was able to answer. She did not expect Jessica to know all of them as most of the time, cosplayers would only know as much as how to dress in such traditional clothing.
“Alright. Just for the night you can stay.”
Before Jessica could give a reply, the train had already arrived.
When it came to a complete halt, Yuri saw Jessica’s sword already drawn out with fear written on her face.
“It’s a giant snake with people inside. I must save them.” She approached the train cautionally.
“WAIT!” Yuri screamed out which drew her attention. She started speaking low again as she pulled Jessica’s hand. “No…those are the ‘trains’ I was asking you about. They take you to places like…like horses.”
Jessica nodded though she was still obviously confused. Yuri then took her hand and she felt Jessica’s hold on her become tighter as they approached the open door of the train.
Yuri’s lips curled to a smile as they stepped inside on the train.
A samurai scared of something as harmless as a train, cute.
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They finally arrived with a box of food they had picked up before going home. Yuri slipped on her cozy slippers and left the food on the low table.
“Let me just change and then we can eat. Make yourself at home.” Yuri said before going to her room.
Jessica on the other hand looked around the unfamiliar devices in her surroundings. Not one was anything that she could recognize. Even the food container was different as it was made with something softer than the porcelain trays that she had used in her house. She began to wonder why-why she had arrived at such a strange place.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Yuri sat next to her with clothing that had prints she had never seen before. It had a drawing of a possum of some sort, wearing strange odd sandals. The strangeness made her stare that Yuri caught onto what she was doing.
“Oh this? This is Mickey Mouse.” Yuri said while lifting up her shirt a bit to reveal to her. “He’s been my favorite since I was a kid. Now let’s eat.”
Yuri took out the food from its containers. She gave Jessica a pair of chopsticks and a small plate. They ate fish and rice, along with some miso soup.
“So…when were you born?” She started interrogating with an attempt to break off the silly cosplay act that Jessica was doing.
“The 18th day of the fourth month.” Jessica said after finishing a small portion of her meal.
“The year?”
“1845.”
“How old are you now?”
“Twenty one.”
“Oh…I am too.”
Jessica gave out a nod and concentrated on her food. How Jessica acted, talked-and even sat, was somewhat persuading her to acknowledge that everything Jessica was saying is actually true.
“How did you get here anyway?”
“I was resting at around this time the night before and then I have found myself awoken with all my equipment on. I can remember was that when I woke up, the different magic lights were already in front of me.”
Yuri agreed as if she found Jessica’s story totally coherent. Then in order to piece everything together, she asked one final question to make sure that Jessica was indeed telling the truth.
“Do you have any money with you?”
“How much shall I pay for staying for the night?”
“It depends on how much you have.”
Jessica set down her chopsticks and her bowl of rice. Then she reached for the pocket of her hakama finding nothing. She tried looking at her kosode and with her luck she had found a bag of coins.
The bag was placed on Yuri’s side of the table and Yuri was astonished at the variety. They were antique coins that would probably be worth a lot if sold to a coin collector, and it became more than enough proof that Jessica is really from the past.
“I-I was just kidding. I don’t need money.”
She returned the bag and Jessica nodded back at her. Jessica had resumed eating and Yuri was still not comfortable with reality. She pondered on the fact that Jessica was a cold-blooded killer, ready to strike and kill her at any given time.
“Please do not be afraid. I will not draw my sword in anyone’s house.” Jessica said to her, just like she read her mind.
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They had finished their meals and Yuri was now more than ready to take her rest. She let out a yawn as she saw Jessica sitting and looking out of the window with her hand lazily resting on the sword she had on the tatami mat.
“Here, you can change to this.” She said while tossing her a change of clothes, and then pointed towards the door next to her room. “The shower is over there.”
Jessica spread out the clothing given to her and she looked at them with confusion. Yuri sighed and went in front of her. She extended her hand and started to loosen Jessica’s haori, which caused Jessica to jerk back in reflex with a tight grip on her sword.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” Yuri calmly said despite of the fact that she was deeply scared.
“They say that a way to get a woman samurai to talk, is to threaten to strip off her clothes.”
Yuri froze slightly with Jessica’s claim but she pushed again. Even though Yuri was genuinely tired and she just wanted to sleep, she also had the kindness to let Jessica sleep comfortably.
“I won’t do that and besides, aren’t you a bit hot in your clothes?”
Jessica’s grasp on her sword eventually loosened and she sat down with sitting down in front of her. Jessica started to run her hands down the ties of her jacket and she loosened it. Eventually she was down to her undershirt and her hakama, which she took off as well.
Yuri bit her lip as she saw Jessica undressing. Her complexion was beautiful along with as her body. She could tell that Jessica had toned her body very well and her tiredness was replaced with desire to touch and see how smooth her skin really was. Her mind stopped working when Jessica was down to her sarashi. When she stared at her collarbone up to her lips and to her eyes she had found that Jessica was blushing just as hard as her.
Yuri stood up-as if snapping out of her daze, and went to get the clothes that Jessica tossed on the side a few moments ago. Then with the tangled clothes on the ground, she had tripped her way on top of Jessica, with their bodies close to each other. Her heartbeat pacing, breath shallowing, and she found soft lips colliding with hers.
The kiss was chaste and at the back of her mind, a force was telling her to try more, though but she was unable to do so. Her lips stayed in place while she felt more and more of Jessica’s lips onto hers. Light pulsating responses caused her to get her breathing back to normal, and she stood up while getting off Jessica’s small body.
Acting as if nothing happened, she then took the shirt she had intended to give to Jessica to sleep in, and she slid it on the shorter girl’s neck and shoulders.
“If-if you can to take off the bandage thing, you should. It would be more comfortable. I’ve already set out the futon so just feel free to go to sleep. Goodnight.”
She quickly made her way to her room, her heart pacing from what she just did.
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Jessica laid down on the soft bed but still was unable to sleep. The kiss had bothered her as it was shared between her and a girl, which confused her-as kisses are supposed to be shared by a man and a woman. But it was not like she found it completely wrong, as she knew that people had their own reasons in engaging in such taboos. Her mind then wandered more as she thought of her current situation. She seems to be in a foreign land that has the same language as her, but at the same time, is so different from her country. Although fragments of her homeland exist, similarity in certain clothing, the architecture of the insides of the home, and food, she pondered on the idea that maybe she had overslept and everything she used to know died down to be replaced by different things.
She may have slept all the years away to become a daimyo or a much more accomplished samurai that she already was.
The regret bothered her that she sat up and wrapped the large fabric of the futon around her. She leaned on the wall with her sword on her arm and slept. Although her thoughts screamed out that she should trust Yuri, she did not take any chances. For after all, it may be that Yuri would not even be telling the truth.
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Yuri woke up with her alarm and headed for the bathroom. It was already 7 A.M. and it was time for her to make her ma juice along with doing her daily jog. She looked around for traces of Jessica and saw that she was nowhere in sight. Panic stricken, she washed her face and changed into something decent before going outside. She saw Jessica not too far away from the outside of the apartment, talking to her landlord, who was at least 80.
“Thank you for your help. If I had to do it, it would have at least taken me all day.” The old man said to her and Jessica gave out a bow.
“I have done nothing more than a simple gesture to you sir.”
“Ahh, there you go with your formal talk again.” The man laughed and patted Jessica’s back while the other hand held onto his cane.
The notion that Jessica may really not be in roleplay genuinely hit her in the forehead like a stray bullet from an M24. Last night’s speculation of her was something she did out of her own security and she really half believed it. She felt that Jessica may have just been pretending to fool her and Taeyeon.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw Jessica take notice of her.
“Good morning.” She said giving out a stiff bow. Yuri bowed in return.
“Hey you wanna go jogging?”
“Jogging?”
“Yes. You run around to get exercise.”
“I have already done my daily practice for today but I shall accompany you.”
Jessica wore the clothes she wore last but without the heavy overcoat.
“Run!” Yuri took the lead but Jessica managed to catch up.
They sprinted to the corners of the alleyway and Yuri felt out of breath. Jessica however, looked calmer than she was. Not wanting to lose, she ran faster to try to beat her until she was exhausted. Eventually her body gave up and she ran out of breath that she had to stop.
She propped her upper body up with her hands on each side of her leg while she exhaled. Jessica then took out a tissue from her undershirt and she began to wipe Yuri’s sweat away.
“You should not push yourself. Stamina comes with prolongation.”
Yuri blushed at Jessica’s gesture but yet she ignored her actions and continued to run.
Jessica did not hesitate to run after her.
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Exhaustion had taken the best of her that her body ached so much. Luckily, they were already outside of her apartment that it was okay for her to maybe collapse on the floor when she got there.
“You can go shower first but you have to wear normal clothes.” Yuri said in between her breaths while opening her apartment. “Also, just let me call you Jessica. It’s so much normal than Sooyeon.”
Jessica gave her approval and went straight to the restroom. Yuri just rested on the matted floor. She tried to catch up with her breath while hearing sounds of discarded clothing hit the ground. And eventually heard nothing but silence.
“Hey are you alright?” Yuri felt slightly concerned as she knocked on the door.
“Yes, but I cannot seem to get the water running.” Jessica calmly stated on the other side.
“Oh…uhh can I come in and turn it on for you then?” She swallowed hard with the absurdity of her own proposal.
“Yes, it is unlocked.”
She slowly slid the door open and breathed deep. Jessica with her hair down, clad naked in front of her caused her to feel butterflies in her stomach. She used every ounce of her power to not touch or do anything that her mind wanted her to do while Jessica calmly looked at her with a blank expression.
“Has it broken?” She said, which had caused Yuri to snap back to reality.
Yuri quickly shook her head and turned on the bathtub. Jessica gave her a nod of thanks.
“We can shower together to save time, if you are comfortable with such a thing.”
Yuri gulped at her proposal. The samurai was not necessarily trying to seduce her in any way and she felt guilty of having such crude thinking. Unfortunately, her bathroom was too small to be for two people-which she was somewhat glad of.
“It’s okay, we have time to spare.” Yuri said before she headed for the cabinet. She then placed a towel within Jessica’s grasp and left for the door. “But I am giving you new clothes so just don’t wear your old ones. Just wrap your body around this.” She pointed at the towel dangling next to the tub.
“Thank you.” Jessica acknowledged.
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Jessica had managed to figure out how to turn off the tub, which Yuri heard after she poured the vegetables onto her stock. The door then opened, revealing Jessica in a towel which made Yuri’s mouth fall agape that she had almost let go of her ladle.
“I am finished. Thank you for letting me bathe.” She said. Yuri turned down the heat and proceeded to take the clothes that she had placed on the low table.
“You can change with this.” Yuri handed her the clothes that allowed her to take a questioning look. She held up the weird tube-like contraption, the triangular piece of cloth, a sling of some sort with two circles in them. She also found something identical to what she wore last night that Yuri helped her wear after their kiss.
“Thank you very much.” Not fully understanding what she was supposed to do, Jessica still accepted with courtesy. With a towel barely sliding off her body, she stared at the pieces of cloth that she was given and eventually Yuri had stepped in to give her direction.
“That is underwear, similar to-to a loincloth. Please rest assured that everything is all clean. I bought them for emergencies.”
Yuri then got down on one knee and stretched the fabric. “Step into them.”
Jessica did as she was told and she found Yuri’s hands gliding up until she had reached her torso. She took off the damp towel to look at it. The garment fit her well and she even tried stretching it, only to find it snap back to her waist.
“Next is your pants, it’s kind of like the same thing.” Yuri said while handing her the pair of blue cloth. Jessica then pulled it up, almost losing her balance but Yuri was able to hold her on time. Eventually after a good minute or so, she was able to feel comfortable.
“I cannot place my sword on this.” She protested while looking on her left side.
“You don’t need your sword. Nobody’s going to murder you and we have the police.” Yuri said intently in words that Jessica would understand.
“What is the ‘police’?”
“They are the people that protect citizens from harm.”
“Then I must be one of them.”
“No no no, they are special. Just trust me, you don’t need your sword with where we’re going today.”
“If it is okay, I would like to at least bring my tanto for our own safety.”
Yuri paused and finally agreed to whatever she was proposing.
“Okay but just don’t draw it out randomly.”
“Yes.”
After their whole conversation, Yuri looked through the pieces of garments on the table.
“Uhh you might not like this but you’ll get used to it. I promise.” Yuri replied while showing her the strange contraption with the two circles. Yuri took the strings and placed it on her shoulders then slightly using the circles to cup her breasts. She yelped at the sensation but Yuri was swift enough to take her hands away from them. Then Yuri then reached for her back and secured it. “There. This is called a bra.”
Jessica looked at her breasts that were confided on the strange thing she had never seen before. Usually she would use her sarashi which would take a while to wear, but with this, she found convenience in terms of time.
“And finally, the t-shirt.” She heard Yuri’s voice echo while positioning the cloth to fit on her upper body. Jessica immediately took the shirt away as she felt eager to try to mimic how Yuri dressed it to her last night.
She looked at the holes on the shirt and concluded that her head was supposed to go on the larger hole with the other two for her arms. After a few moments of thinking, she managed to fit inside the shirt and she saw Yuri give out a smile to her. She gave out a smug smile of her own, feeling proud of what she had accomplished.
“Close but…it’s backwards.” Yuri beamed out a grin to her and pulled her shirt up. Then Yuri placed it on the right direction.
“Well, give me a few minutes to shower and then we can eat.”
“Okay.” Jessica said.
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With Yuri gone, Jessica looked at the boiling stew on the counter. She touched it with her hands and she was surprised that there was heat emitting from it even though there was no firewood underneath.
Then she opened the big white noise-making box which was cold on the inside. She saw different kinds of vegetables and containers which had various content. Even the food that they ate last night was there.
Taking out different kinds of vegetables, she took a plate which was close to her and started to slice. Luckily she had found where the salt and vinegar was, and she made her favorite salad, without making a mess.
Finishing up her work, she put the plate on the low table along with the other utensils she had managed to find.
She heard Yuri come out of her room, freshly dressed and she went straight for the kitchen. Yuri then came back with two cups of rice and nabe.
“Thank you for the meal.”
They started to take portions of the nabe when Yuri noticed a plate full of vegetables. She did not recall making such a thing, or even storing it away on her fridge. Then the conclusion that Jessica may have made it crossed her mind.
“Did you make this?” She asked while pointing it with her chopsticks.
“Yes. It is the least I can do with my stay here.”
“Ah, let me try.” She took a portion of it and tried it. “Ahh it’s good.”
“If it is not too much of a bother, I would like to cook for you from now on. At least until I get back to my homeland.”
Yuri’s gaze went back at her with Jessica’s mention of her ‘homeland’. It occurred to her that Jessica’s stay was not permanent, and she felt a bit dismayed. It had been a long time since she had spent time like this with anyone and she knew that after Jessica, she would be lonely again. But nevertheless, she gave her a smile back and she smiled in agreement.
“Maybe when we come back later, I can teach you how to use the stove.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
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They got out of the house with Jessica wearing her geta clogs, as she felt out of balance with the heels that Yuri gave. They went on their way to the movie theatre, riding the train that Jessica feared.
Finally arriving at the movie theatre, Yuri bought tickets to watch a melodrama that just came out.
Upon arriving at the dim room, they had realized that they have had the entire theater for themselves as it was just 1 in the afternoon.
Yuri signaled Jessica to follow her and then they sat down to watch.
The movie finally started playing and Jessica looked scared. Her mouth fell agape with the appearance of a large man talking on the big screen.
“It-it is a giant.” Jessica stuttered as she stood up and reached for her tanto which was tucked neatly on the left side of her pants. Before she could unsheathe it, Yuri’s grip was already on her wrist, stopping her from killing the man who was now smiling at a giant girl.
Yuri’s hold on her had caused her to take her seat and she was rewarded with a more comfortable grip from the taller girl.
“They are not giants, they’re acting but they’re not really there. It’s their shadows.” Yuri whispered as she comforted her, her breath heavy with each word. “Don’t worry, I’m here to protect you so there’s no reason to be on guard all the time.”
She closed her eyes as she took in all her feelings of tenseness and tried to get rid of it as much as she could. It may be from the giants visible on screen or something else entirely, but nevertheless the tension was present.
Yuri’s continuously toyed with her fingers as they watched the shadow play. She became engrossed with it as it was livelier and less repetitive with the Bunraku plays that she had often watched in her free time.
Eventually a scene of the two giants appeared before them heavily kissing and eventually shedding off their clothing. In the plays she had watched, these scenes were often implied to the audience or covered with a statement that is enough for a mature audience to comprehend.
This has caused her to turn red, after hearing the giant’s muffled moans echoing around the entire room. Reason as to how the shogunate could allow such indecency was something she had a hard time understanding.
Yuri on the other hand pulled some sort of lever that allowed her to be confined in the taller girl’s embrace. Yuri’s hands patted her back gently while shielding her ears from the sound. Her feelings of uneasiness dissipated as she stayed in the hug.
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It was around five and Yuri had found it hard to let go of Jessica’s hand. How the girl acted with her in the movie theatre was too adorable than words could ever express. It was the reason as to why she had given Jessica the hug that maybe seemed too out of place if she was with someone else.
“Taeyeon called and said she’s not opening the store today so we’re free for the afternoon. Is there anything in particular that you would like to do today?”
“I would like to cook for you tonight if it is fine. But unfortunately I have left my wallet in my garments.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll pay for it.” She said while looking around for a nearby supermarket. Upon finding one, she pointed at it and directed her steps. “Let’s go grocery shopping.”
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They looked around with Jessica fascinated with all the produce found in the aisles. As she walked around to take the necessary ingredients that she wanted to cook with, she was amazed at the abundance of food. Mentions of a bountiful harvest had caused her to be in a great mood that she had even congratulated the store cashier with a job well done.
Walking past the horizon, they set their way home. Yuri’s hands still intertwined with Jessica’s with her other hand holding onto the groceries. Eventually, Jessica drew attention to it.
“Does my hand put you at ease?”
Yuri then realized her actions and she let go. She felt awkward and ashamed with her deed and she moved slightly away from Jessica’s side. Jessica however, reached for her hand and held onto it just like how Yuri did a few moments ago.
“A samurai is supposed to be ready to strike at any given time. But with your mention of the ‘police’ I believe that my right hand should be enough to strike my enemy. My left can stay in yours.”
Jessica gave a smile to Yuri that made Yuri’s stomach lurch. Jessica was beautiful against the orange tainted sun and she wished to stay in that moment for a bit longer.
They walked in a steady pace, birds chirping and people chattering all over as they talked about the different gossip that revolved around the neighborhood. Yuri and Jessica walked slowly, retreating to their home. Not only hands were intertwined but also their emotions.
------------------------------
Jessica had successfully learned how to work with the stove and she had made her favorite dishes for Yuri. They consisted of raddish and other vegetables along with meat and fish that Yuri had never seen before in her lifetime. Upon settling down her last dish, Jessica sat down and gave her a bowl of rice.
“Thank you for the meal!” Yuri said with a wide smile on her face. She immediately reached the food and placed it on her mouth. “Ahhh it’s so good!”
Jessica on the other hand calmly gave her a nod and continued eating.
“I am glad that you have liked it. Please allow me to cook for you from now on.”
Yuri paused as she felt bad with the choir. She decided to have a bargain with her to at least even out the tasks.
“If you cook, I’ll clean. Deal?”
“The cook often is the one that cleans up his mess as well. I do not think that it is right for you to do such a thing.”
“You and I both know that the most tiresome part in cooking is the cleaning. Just say yes and I’ll take care of it…You can-uhh…practice your calligraphy?”
“I do not have utensils to practice and I do not want to use your tools and be disrespectful of your property.”
Yuri laughed and she resumed eating. Jessica on the other hand was nonchalant about it.
“Thank you for cooking.”
“It is the least I can do for your hospitality.”
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Weeks have passed with both Yuri and Jessica living together. Yuri was getting attached with her, often entertained with her humor and amazed at her discipline. She had learned a lot about the samurai more than her years in studying Japanese history.
“I’ll take this one please.” She said to the store attendant while pointing at a yukata. Today was Tanataba and she had intended to take Jessica out to see the festival.
“Thank you.” She gave her money and headed for the door.
“Please visit us again soon!” The saleslady said as she made her way out the door.
Looking at the bright fresh summer morning, she let out a grin with what was in store for them tonight. She was going to confess and ask Jessica to formally move in with her, and just live with her. Despite of the fact that she was confused if she was in love or not, she knew for certain that she wanted Jessica by her side regardless.
---------------------------------------------
“It is only once a year. Please?” Yuri pleaded with Jessica looking away from her.
“I am a samurai. I cannot do that.”
“But I bought it with my own money. It will become a waste if you don’t use it.”
Yuri grinned at Jessica’s expression as it has started to soften a bit. For the past half hour, she had been pursuing Jessica to agree to her proposal of wearing the yukata to the festival. When Jessica stopped replying, she knew that she had already won. And right there and then, Jessica stood up and unzipped her pants.
“Wa-wait. What are you doing?” She reached up to stop her.
“I am agreeing to what you are asking.” Jessica replied while taking Yuri’s hand off of her wrist. She then unbuttoned her blouse and stood in front of her. Yuri stood in awe of Jessica’s body with her noticeable abs and toned legs. As she looked up, she saw that Jessica was about to take off her bra.
“Ahh-keep that o-on.” Yuri let out while wearing a heavy blush. Jessica nodded and Yuri stood up to place the yukata on her.
It was not hard to put it on as Yuri already had prior experience but it was hard not to look away from what Jessica was showing her. She was not necessarily infatuated with the female body but touching Jessica made her feel like she was on fire.
Yuri held her breath while she was finishing up. Now was not the time to think of such malicious thoughts and she had already knew of these feelings beforehand. The way Jessica talked and did things with her were things that she looked forward to each day, and she would be lying if she said that she wasn’t feeling at least a bit gay for her.
“There.” She calmly said after securing her obi. She took out the knot from Jessica’s hair and let her locks flow down her shoulders.
Jessica then turned around to face her and Yuri felt her heartbeat pace up a little bit more.
“Perfect.” She said in a small audible whisper.
She was drawn with Jessica’s eyes and she slowly leaned in. She wanted to steal a kiss, just to have a taste of Jessica. When their lips barely touched, she heard a dog bark from outside which made her break away from the gesture.
“Oh…uh-it’s 7. We should get going.” Yuri went to the shoe rack and put on her sneakers.
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Yuri and Jessica went around the festival booths and had fun with the games and food. They looked at the colorful kimonos and the games that the other children were busy playing. Jessica felt slightly closer to what was familiar to her and she was glad that she agreed to go. Feeling a bit nostalgic, she looked at the things in the event a bit longer than usual and she continued to hide her feelings to avoid Yuri to feel bad. After all, they were in a festival where they were supposed to have fun.
After hours of walking around, it has finally come to the fireworks display and as they went to the viewing platform, Yuri found Jessica’s hand holding hers tightly.
They looked at the first boom and it looked beautiful with the different shapes that it emitted. Some were fruit shaped and there were even Mickey Mouse shaped fireworks. Gasps, claps, and praises were heard all around but Yuri noticed that Jessica had been looking down and avoiding them.
“Are you okay?” She whispered to her.
“I am…but I have developed a fear for fireworks back in my childhood.” Jessica avoided her gaze. Yuri smiled at her confession and held her hand tightly.
At that moment, Yuri felt somewhat strong though Jessica can probably behead her at a blink of an eye. But fact that Jessica was scared of such harmless things like trains, fireworks, and cucumbers appealed to her. It was cute in a way, a samurai scared of things that normal people looked forward to.
“Look up.” She whispered and Jessica did not move an inch. “Come on, just do it.”
With her whisper, Jessica reluctantly looked up to see a splash of colors filling the sky. It was shaped like a flower and Yuri smiled at her.
“Pretty, right?”
Jessica looked back down, as if denying that what Yuri said. She felt dismayed at herself for facing one of her weaknesses. The boom that the flares produced was something that scared her as it would often sound during the time that she least expected it. It had also been the main reason as to why she always offered to take guard of the palace while the others went to the festivals. And it was also the reason why she never looked forward to going to them.
“Jessica look up?” Yuri gently said but this time she did not obey. She kept her head down until she felt Yuri’s hand cup her cheek, allowing her to look at Yuri’s eyes. They gazed at each other with her heart racing because of either the fireworks or the situation she was in-but she thought that maybe it was the latter.
Yuri then leaned in and kissed her.
The kiss was subtle but it was enough to leave her breathless. She started to wonder as to how something so wrong can feel so right but her thoughts became blocked as Yuri kissed her again. Passionate, gentle, warm, everything that could describe all the things that Yuri had done for her, and with that, she was left with no choice but to kiss back.
They ended the kiss with both parties blushing and looking away at each other. Their hands however, were still linked and tangled in each other’s. Jessica suddenly remembered a haiku that she heard not so long ago. It was from a book reader from a store she visited when she was in a small city accompanying the shogun.
Looking at her hands, she notice Yuri’s gaze on her and she was unconsciously drawn her to look at her. Her lower lip trembled while her breathing shallowed and she could not help but to hold onto Yuri’s shirt, grasping it tightly. Their nosed barely touched and she found herself reciting the haiku.
“It's cold and I wait
for someone to shelter me
and take me from here”[1]
And they shared a kiss that left her breathless.
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They arrived at the apartment with their cheeks blushing from their own actions.
Hands intertwined and eyes avoiding occasional gazes, they felt a bit awkward with each other as the minutes passed. When Yuri let go of her hand, she was quick to withdraw it but also swift enough to take it back as soon as it was available again for her.
They sat down on the low table they usually ate their meals in.
“Why did you kiss me?” She asked gently in an attempt to make clear of her emotions.
Yuri in return met eyes with her and her expression was unreadable which made her uneasy.
She looked at Yuri’s eyes, examining them as she was increasingly drawn closer. If she was not trained to resist and endure any given temptation, she was sure that she would have gone for the kill.
“Because I think I’m in love with you, Sooyeon.” Yuri said it in such a way that made her heart jump.
Similar to how her blood raced when she was caught by the enemy, it was almost the same sensation. Her heart palpitated at such an abnormal way that she could not help grabbing onto Yuri’s collar possessively and kissed her harshly, repeating the same scenario earlier that night.
The kiss turned more passionate than she had ever imagined and she wanted no one else but Yuri.
With a few more kisses she found her desire decrease and she had managed to take it by the throat. The force of their kisses ceased like a flare, leaving them heaving, though they were still wanting of each other.
“Goodnight.” She released her hand from her shirt. Jessica regretted her words right after she uttered them. It was an end to what they have done and it was the beginning of another cold lonely night.
“But…I think I have feelings for you as well, Yuri.” She said blushingly, hoping that she had not hurt her feelings.
With her words, she saw Yuri’s smile and she felt relief surge over her.
“Goodnight, Sooyeon.”
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She laid on her futon that was spread over the tatami mat. Yuri’s sudden confession has definitely made her glad, but the festival made her feel nostalgic of what she had left behind. She did not have family but she had missed everything that Kyoto entailed. Her job, the sights, and everything she used to do as an imperial samurai was something she wanted to experience again.
For the past days, she had been waiting for that opportunity to go back to where she originally belonged. The future was something that was completely unfamiliar to her as she saw that what she did had been abandoned or sometimes practice by so few. The haikus she used to hear often in the streets, gone and replaced with sounds of mind-numbing gossip about the recent giant plays, that she and Yuri had watched a few weeks ago.
Her swordsmanship has been dissipated into a sport practiced by so few and is merely seen as a profession. There were no more practitioners of the Bushido, no more people that honored the warrior’s code, and she was seeing her own way of life diminish.
Jessica closed her eyes to go to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be another day and she was going to try to go back to where she belonged, even if it meant giving up her newly found love for Yuri.
She has had had too much of the future, and she wanted to return to her homeland. And as her eyes went heavy, she remembered another haiku that she had encountered on that fateful day.
Sick and feverish
Glimpse of cherry blossoms
Still shivering [2]
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Morning had come and she pretended to be sick to Yuri to avoid work. Yuri gave her approval and left her with food to eat.
Left with the key, she waited until sunset. She opened the drawer that Yuri had given to her and she took out her clothes along with her sword. Lifting it felt heavier than she remembered and even the clothes she wore had the fabric scent of soap that she had used to wash the clothes she was wearing now.
In the late sunset and early twilight, she went to where she first found herself. Almost the same scene occurred, with the rain glistening on the ground and the cold air blowing as the people passed.
She took the same stance she had a few months earlier and she looked over the signs that flooded the city. It had been to her surprise that she could now recognize most of them.
With her eyes clothes and her clothing wet, silence was followed with her hopefulness to go back to where she belonged. 19th century Kyoto.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
The seconds passed and she patiently waited-only to be met with nothing but rain. She was placed in this completely alien world, having nothing but herself to depend on. A sense of doom started to loom over her thoughts that her mind was consumed with the thought of escape and nothing more-not even Yuri herself.
Her hand met with the hilt of her blade and its sheath. At least a hundred lives had been taken away by her weapon and now it was time for her to meet the same fate. She looked at the sharp object one last time as she was going to perform her honorable death.
I could not return, I presume,
So I will keep my name
Among those who are dead with bows. [3]
“Stop!” Hands tried to stop her. The soft gentle hands that she remember so much over the span of the past days, was once again against her own. “Please don’t do this.”
Jessica kept her mouth shut. Just like those try to take their own lives, she was trapped in a vague sense of anxiety. Her thoughts were clouded that she could never win an argument concerning her suicide in the state she was in now.
“No. Please. Anything but this.” Yuri’s voice trembled with tears now invading her face. “Don’t...” She pleaded louder that Jessica decided to look away from her.
“This is the only way.” She rationalized, more to herself than she did with Yuri. Yuri’s hands were still on her as she held onto her blade. The act made it harder for her to hold back her own tears.
Eventually her tears flowed and she was unsure of the reasons. Was she mourning for the death of her fellow samurai? The death of the people in her old city? The shogun? Or was she crying for her decision to leave Yuri?
Her standpoints left her in a contradiction as she analyzed the choice of staying with Yuri.
Being with her meant death to everything she knew, the fading of her culture and the diminishing of her own identity. The extinction if the samurai code, its morals, its lifestyle, the fatality of everything she lived for.
She clenched her sword tighter as she chose her verdict. Yuri swiftly adapted to her grip and she grew powerless again. Jessica could have pushed Yuri’s hands away to meet her own contrived fate but she allowed the opposite to happen. Just like a warrior going to battle with nothing but a mere katana, she surrendered.
“Those who live by the sword…” Her voice trembled while letting the edge fall on the ground. Then she fell on her knees and freely cried just like how she did when she was first sold to the captain when she was a child. Innocent, free, and sheltered.
“…are meant to die by it.”
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Her hand met with the alarm and she sprinted to the kitchen. 10 A.M. exactly. She felt annoyed with herself as she was unable to take her jog again.
With nothing else but a t-shirt, she opened the refrigerator and took out food to cook. She heated the skillet and she poured the batter onto the heated oil. When she decreased the heat to a lower temperature, a pair of hands snaked around her waist.
“Good morning.” Yuri whispered to her ear, causing her to blush.
“Good morning.” She said while Yuri paused, as if expecting her to say something more “…baby.”
Yuri smiled widely at Jessica’s flustered expression. She gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Last night was…great.” Yuri whispered to her and she lightly slapped her arm and went back to cooking.
“I love you.” Yuri hugged her again and she felt her ears grow hot.
“I love you too.”
--------------------------
Two months had already passed and they were now formally living together.
“Here.” Jessica settled the omelette on the table and took a seat. She was not quite used to cooking western food but day by day, she has been improving.
“This looks…” Yuri said while lifted a piece of it with her chopsticks. Black burnt spots were noticeable and Yuri was certain that those parts were inedible. “…amazing.”
“Thank you.” She proudly replied.
They ate with eyes on each other and with occasional giggles and stolen glances. She was now content with what was in front of her now, and she had successfully moved on to accept what is offered to her.
“Thank you for cooking.”
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Yuri felt joyful of what she shared with Jessica. Their weeks bloomed with gentleness and love for one another, but unfortunately she was also aware of Jessica’s own loneliness. She was saddened by the reality that she cannot bring Jessica back to where she belonged, though Jessica had already repeatedly said that she had moved on with it. One in a while though, Jessica may make mentions of her nostalgia, and Yuri would be lying if she did not feel any pity for her during those times. The people that Jessica left; her acquaintances, family, friends are probably people that Jessica longs to see.
“Did you have any family back in Kyoto?” She looked down with a depressing face. Jessica settled down her chopsticks and gave a gentle smile.
“After the death of my sensei, I had nobody but myself.”
Hearing her response, she felt bad that she suddenly lost the appetite to eat. Jessica’s pain and suffering was something that she felt empathic with, and she often wondered how Jessica could still smile freely despite of all the loss she had been through.
The hand that held her chopsticks were met with Jessica’s and she looked up. Jessica was giving her a sincere smile.
They say that samurais must only follow the seven virtues, and none of them involved love. But when Yuri looked at Jessica, she was unable to see anything but love.
“You’re all I have, Yuri.” She whispered which made Yuri’s heart race. Similar to their first kiss, she remembered the haiku that Jessica recited.
It's cold and I wait
for someone to shelter me
and take me from here [1]
“And I’ll be your everything, Sooyeon.”
And just like that, she fell in love all over again.
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Sensei = teacher
takuhatsu gasa = hat for rain
daimyo = territorial lord
haori = silk jacket
kote = arm guards
wakizashi = short sword
Bushido = way of the warrior
tanto = knife
katana = long sword
Nijo castle = castle in Kyoto, Japan
hakama = samurai pants
kosode = jacket with sleves
nabe = hotpot
geta = wooden clogs
Bunraku = Japanese puppet theatre
yukata = spring kimono
Tanataba = star festival
[1] Unknown author, haiku
[2] Akutagawa Ryunosuke, haiku
[3] Kusunoku Masashige, haiku
(Author's Note here.)