In August 1876, a vibrant new energy crackled through the streets of Ginza. The first Bon Festival since the Meiji Restoration was about to unfold, a testament to the era's progress and a symbol of hope for the future.
The Matsumoto and Yamagata families, two of Ginza's most prominent clans, were at the heart of the festivities. They saw the Bon Festival as more than just a cherished tradition; it was an opportunity to solidify their loyalty to the new Meiji Emperor and further their growing influence in the rapidly modernizing Tokyo.
"An engagement party during the Bon Festival?"
Kiyoshi furrowed his brows. "Why?"
"Why not?" Master Matsumoto asked in return. "You may not remember this, Kiyoshi-san, but you have caused a lot of tension between the two families when you actively pursued Midori Takigawa. Now that the relationship between the both of you ceases to exist, we might as well stop offending the Yamagatas."
