After Kaoru left, Kjartan, Kohana's fiance, excused him and exited the dining room too. The silence got stiffer and awkward as time went on although the only person affected was Kohana. Kana's chopsticks were working tirelessly around the food Yuuko had ordered to be brought in for her, they were making small talk and occasionally he would feed her some spoonful. Susumu always wondered how her small body could take in so much food without adding up, some people would get jealous of this "superpower" not him. He had a better body.
Eventually, Yuuko and Kana retired for the night but he didn't join them immediately. He understood Yuuko was showing some interest in her and wanted to give him some time to talk it out with her. With his dear sister gone, Kana could finally get a life outside of the temple.
Kohana began to fidget once only they were left in the dining room, even the servants had retired for the night but she was still sitting there. Ignoring her he looked out the window into the night, Yuuko had only two hours to sort out his business before midnight as they had work to do.
Kohana cleared her throat, successfully getting his attention, 'so tell me… why are you here?' Susumu frowned, how many times has he answered that very question this night? 'Didn't you hear me last time?'
She coloured, 'I thought maybe that wasn't it, that maybe… you came to stop my engagement? I used to like you very much, though you clung to my sister, maybe… you've come to like me too?'
He blanched, this little girl was self-delusional. 'Why would I do that? Like you just said, I clung to your sister and that is because I like her. Save your energy for your marriage, little girl.' He left deciding to start what he came for early. The years that were threatening to spill since Kohana first spoke to Susumu this evening poured out like rain, she was supposed to have everything. She had everything, but the things she wanted. Though Susumu and Koinu had exceptional looks and seemed influential—especially Koinu—she didn't think they really were influential and didn't actively imagine marrying any of them—she was way out of their league, she didn't want Kaoru to have them either. A fit of inexplicable jealousy took root in her heart as she clenched and unclenched her fists in that dining room. It sprouted and a shadowy dirty green thing crackled behind her unseen.
…
Kaoru was hungry again when she got back to her room, she paced the length of her room with a growling stomach wondering what to do to appease it, she decided to sneak into the kitchens to get some food. If lady Kaneko were to be around she wouldn't let the thought cross her mind much less execute it!
However, her feet led her to the first young master Yuuko's room instead of the kitchens. With her hand on the door handle she hesitated, should she go in or not? She was already here! Deciding against it she returned to her rooms and came almost immediately, she had to satisfy her curiosity. The door opened easily as if it was left open on purpose, she tiptoed into the room and slowly pushed the door close careful not to make a sound. Yuuko's bed was directly opposite the door and he lay on it face up and hands on his chest like a dead person ready for a funeral.
A line of white powder demarcated the room, she bent down and touched it and found it was finely ground salt. She never knew Yuuko was into occult stuff, was this why he quit the army? At least the second young master Yuuto found it difficult to give up his position in the army. She lifted her skirt and crossed the line careful not to break it, she sat on the edge of the bed and extended her hand to feel his temperature but his eyes snapped open and he stared at her in shock.
Then she heard an unmistakably familiar voice that startled her greatly. 'How did you get in here?'