Chapter 4: 第2章
Days went by and nothing changed. Himawari did the same practices which she already treated as her daily routine. She went out of the mansion, hunt all kinds of animals that can be roasted, and went back already dressed in a lady.
With this daily activity, of course there's a consequence. She was punished to stay in their okite-no-heya quarter where laws are carved in a hardwood wall, and face the wall for 2 hours. Since this hyper activity of Himawari-chan occurs daily, the punishment occurs daily as well.
However, Himawari is the type of person who didn't learned to learn from her mistakes and discipline. This continuous until her father couldn't hold of her activities anymore.
Himawari just went home from hunting, holding a bird she just caught back from the mountain and went straight to her room, changed herself back into a girl's wear.
As expected, a a shadow appeared before the shōji. "Himawari-sama, Clan Master is asking to see you," said the maid.
Himawari, "tell him I'll be there soon."
The shadow behind the white papers bowed and walked towards the west side of the mansion. Himawari was left alone again, having a trouble on her hair that she ended up to grab a knot on the side table and tied her hair pony tail; just like her brother.
She went straight to the receiving hall where her father was currently in. She prepared her smile as she slid the door open and saw her father talking to someone else—it was her uncle. The men noticed her presence and they turned their heads towards her. Himawari bowed with greetings to her father and to her uncle before she proceeded next to her uncle.
'It seems like punishment isn't waiting for me today,' Himawari thought and closed her eyes as she let out a smirk of joy. 'Seems like they're already tired of it,' she added.
Clan Master, "Himawari-chan, do you know why I called you?"
Himawari, "because I wondered outside the mansion again without Father Daīmyo's permission."
The old man slightly nodded. It could be a part reason why he called her, but there's something else.
Clan Master, "I'm sending you to your uncle to Shinano."
Himawari was taken aback by her father. Is this the reason why he called him? With a shocked face, Himawari slowly turn her head to her uncle who's beside her and saw him smiling at her faintly. She could say in his face that the uncle knew what she's thinking and felt sorry for it.
"There you might be able to learn how to behave properly, and might become the Finest Flower like what everyone expected," the Clan Master added.
Himawari, "but isn't Shinano too far from Izumo?"
Clan Master, "distance is not an excuse. If you behaved well these past days this might not happen."
Himawari, "but isn't hurtful to watch your child departing away from you?"
The Clan Master became silent. His eyes blew wide as he imagined her daughter riding in a goshoguruma[1] being pulled away as they head their way to Shinano. He suddenly felt some burning sensation in his chest. But he had no choice since this is the only way to change his girl's behavior.
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(Information: Goshoguruma or Ox carriages used by the emperor and empress, or aristocrats. Gosho 御所, meaning the Imperial Palace, is an honorific term extended also to the aristocrats themselves.)
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He concluded, the reason why she acted to unlady-like is because she's surrounded by men. Most of her relatives from her brother, to her close cousins, and other disciples in their mansion were male. No wonder, since she used to hang out with them whenever she can't go out of the mansion and make troubles; and include them with her deeds.
He instructed his disciples to behave like a gentleman in front of her so she could behave like a lady, however, that won't work on Himawari. The father was kind of thankful when her brother used to be polite, kind, and gentle like what other parents wished. Which sometimes changed the girls behavior but still — Himawari is Himawari.
The Clan Master closed his eyes, to focus on persuading himself on what he think it right. "What is right must be done. What the hindrances are should be gone," he said. Himawari couldn't do anything but to stay silent and only to blew her eyes in disbelief. 'Father's really sending me to Shinano,' she thought.
"Pack up your things now, Himawari-chan. We're going to depart to Chubu by the sunset," said Himawari's uncle. Himawari became obedient and silently walked back to her room, starting to pack up her things with the help of her nurse and the maids who's already there.
By the sunset, a troop of samurai-s and a luxurious goshoguruma was waiting for them outside the mansion at the main gate. The eunuch one by one place Himawari's things inside as the girl was being guided to come up after her uncle.
The whole family stood outside as they watch the gisha* departing away while being pulled by an ox. The servants, samurai-s, and the men who's in charge of the gisha followed the vehicle as it moved forward.
Isasu was standing on the staircase behind his family, holding his sword tightly while watching his sister departing away. Although his sister could be a little troublesome, his love for his sibling still overwhelms. Despite Himawari's easy-going attitude, he found her funny and not boring unlike his other relatives who're too formal.
Isasu was a handsome young man who haven't shave the hair on his temple and tie his hair into chonmage[2] yet. His hair was as long as to the length of his butt and bangs hanging down his fine face. He didn't want to shave his hair on the temple since it will only be a troublesome to him. His hair will grow back anyway.
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(Information: The chonmage is a form of Japanese traditional topknot haircut worn by men. It is most commonly associated with the Edo period and samurai, and in recent times with sumo wrestlers. )
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Sad eyes were set on the vehicle as silence remained inside the young man. Not until the window curtains of the cart were lifted and there Himawari's head soon came out. The girl turn her head to the gate they're going and quickly turn her head towards her family.
The Clan Master vigorously gestured Himawari not to let out her head of the window. Himawari didn't listened and left a farewell wave before she went back inside.
Isasu and the other relatives couldn't help but to chuckle at the girl's action. Not long, when Himawari thought she bid her farewell enough, she draw her head back inside and sat down on the wooden floor, as they were heading to exit the gate.
It took several days before they reached the region of Chubu. They did not hesitate to go straight to the nook of Morie where Iku Recesses were located; the Kikue Clan's home.
Himawari moved the curtain open and saw varioud lushful plants, flowers, surrounded by sakura trees, and a stone covered with moss already—yet was still elegant for the eyes of anybody. The young girl couldn't help but to be amazed by the view; her eyes, broad, sparkling while watching every view they're passing by.
The uncle couldn't help but smile knowing his niece loved the place. He only watched Himawari standing, holding the curtains up while watching the view.
By the end, they stopped at the main hall where in front of it would be the receiving hall. The eunuchs waiting, ran towards the gisha and pulled the door open. They helped Himawari and their head master to climb down the carriage while the others went inside to grab their things and gathered them in a wooden cart.
Himawari remained silent, but her eyes were scanning the environment. She first glanced at the mansion and structures around them before glancing at the view that surrounds the Recesses.
"Do you love the place?" Himawari's uncle suddenly spoke, interrupting the girl's amazement. The girl only gave her a silent treatment and a nod as a response. The Head Master smiled faintly at his niece and said, "Kenji will lead you the way to your room. Rest yourself first so you could tour around the recesses with new energy."
The girl nodded and followed the remaining eunuch which was in front of them. The Head Master was left alone, warching Himawari stepping on the staircase as they head to the entrance. His eyes turned unreadable. It turned out like a mixed expression of pity and something dark hidden behind those eyes.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MitsuhitoAkarin
MitsuhitoAkarin I wish this can be enough. Hope you like it and sorry for the late update. I used to update slow since I’m having an internet problem. Please understand?. I’m also not a good writer so please, expect some mistakes and grammatical error