Tokitsugu’s Companion

A solitary figure sat upon the engawa of Daitoku-ji, a sake cup resting lightly in his hand. Silver moonlight spilled across the garden stones, washing the world in pale quietude. He was waiting. Or perhaps, more accurately, he was lingering in anticipation.

The taste of a certain rice ball had remained with him since the night before— so vividly that he had found himself requesting another. Such a thing was unlike him.

Tilting his cup toward the moon, he let his thoughts drift back to yesterday.

Who could have imagined that such a young woman lived in a place where wolves prowled?

When they first met, she had looked at him as though he were some fearsome thing dragged forth from a nightmare. Tears had gathered in her eyes, trembling but unshed.

Perhaps realizing he himself was the cause, he had drawn her gently into his arms in an attempt to soothe her. Ordinarily, women would settle after that. Their tears would cease; their cheeks would bloom with color.

Yet she was different. The moment an opening appeared, she slipped from his embrace like a startled deer and placed distance between them.

Though she claimed she would call for help, no cry ever came. There had been something she wished to protect, perhaps. Or something she could not afford to reveal.

And unlike so many others, she had not allowed herself to be carried away by his pace.

A prudent girl, he thought.

A remarkably prudent girl.

The wolves had come soon after. Yet the matter had ended almost before it had begun.

She had remained obediently behind him, exactly where he had told her to stay, and because of that, nothing untoward occurred. Not that it had been much of a challenge.

When he turned back toward her, however, she immediately retreated several paces, widening the distance between them as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

He could have crossed that distance in a heartbeat. But the alarm that would surely flash across her face was easy enough to imagine.

So he stayed where he was and called out to her instead. She merely narrowed her eyes. Not a single step closer.

Then, from somewhere between them, came a soft, unmistakable sound. Her stomach. The poor thing was hungry.

A faint smile touched his lips. At this rate, neither of them would get anywhere.

Perhaps he should simply return to the temple and spend the evening with his sake.

A pity. She had intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

Still, there was little reason to think their paths would ever cross again. With that thought, he turned his back and began to leave.

" Wait. " The voice came unexpectedly.

He paused. For someone who had looked so frightened of him only moments before, she had found remarkable courage.

Then came an even greater surprise. She wished to prepare a meal for him. His hunger was there, certainly, but it was not hunger that moved him. Rather, it was curiosity. He found himself wondering what sort of dishes those capable hands might create.

After a brief silence, he inclined his head. The moment he agreed, relief blossomed across her features. 

A small smile escaped her. It transformed her face entirely. Ah. She looked far better when she smiled.

As she turned to leave, his arm moved before the thought had fully formed. Steel flashed briefly in the fading light.

The blade halted before her. A warning. Nothing more.

He could not afford to be found just yet. If word of him spread, matters would become troublesome. 

She stared at him for a heartbeat, then simply nodded.

" I understand. "

Without complaint, she returned to her shop. Watching her retreating figure, he lowered his sword.

A curious girl indeed.

While waiting for her return, he instructed those concealed nearby to dispose of the wolves' carcasses.

The sky was already beginning to darken, streaked with the last embers of sunset. As he stood beneath its glow, a scent drifted upon the evening breeze. 

Warm. Savory. Unexpectedly inviting.

His gaze turned toward the little shop.

So that was it. The wolves had not wandered there by chance. They had followed this fragrance. No wonder they had appeared in a place where wolves seldom roamed.

The aroma lingered softly in the air, stubborn enough to make even him aware of his own hunger.

Not long afterward, she returned. Cradled in her arms was a small bundle wrapped neatly in bamboo leaves.

She held it out to him. Rice balls. The words drew a flicker of disappointment from somewhere deep within him.

He thanked her, of course.

Yet if one were to ask what food he expected after such enticing aromas had filled the evening air, rice balls would not have been his answer. Perhaps he would hand them over to that persistent fellow who visited him every day.

Even so, as he accepted the bundle, his attention wandered elsewhere. To her collar. It remained ever so slightly disheveled. Apparently she had forgotten to fix it even after returning home.

He considered mentioning it. Then thought better of it. Surely it would be improper for a man to point out such a thing. Perhaps she had become so absorbed in her cooking that she simply failed to notice.

The image came to him unbidden.

A young woman rushing about her kitchen, wholly focused on her task. The thought drew an amused smile from him. At which point he realized she was glaring at him.

When he finally pointed out the problem, her eyes widened. Color flooded her cheeks at once. She fumbled hurriedly with her collar, correcting it in obvious embarrassment.

For someone so wary, she could be surprisingly defenseless. The realization left him faintly concerned. Yet there was nothing more to be done.

The hour was growing late. And so he left.

On the way back, curiosity got the better of him and he opened the bamboo wrapping. Inside were rice balls: plain brown rice, bamboo shoot, and plum mixed with something else.

One stood out. Unlike normal plum rice balls, the plum had been kneaded into the rice itself.

He took a bite. “v…Delicious. ”

It had been a long time since he had thought anything tasted good. Lately, he had lived on sake alone.

He had never imagined plum and myoga could match so well together. Before he realized it, one was gone.

Then the next. And then—he had finished them all without noticing. Even he was surprised. Somewhere along the way, he had lost the ability to enjoy food… and yet here he was, tasting joy again.

Afterward, he returned to the path and quietly hunted down the remaining wolves. Not a single one would be allowed to return, drawn again by that scent.

It was worth it— for those rice balls.

The next morning, he left the temple and placed rice malt near the well. A small offering… though truthfully, he was curious what she would make of it.

That night, while gazing at the moon, he wondered if she had already used it.

Then, the man arrived.

“ Amakasu Kagemochi, returning as ordered. ”

At last. “ Enter. ”

Inside, Kagemochi placed rice balls and a bamboo flask on the floor.

“ Last night’s requested rice balls… and this is sake known as amazake. ”

Amazake…? It was rare for this man to bring him alcohol.

He untied the bamboo wrapping and reached for the rice balls first. One stood out again. He saved it for last.

First, the plum rice ball he had been unable to forget. Yes… this taste. He bit into it again. 

As he ate, Kagemochi spoke. “ I have never seen Lord Kenshin smile while eating before. ”

Kenshin hadn’t even noticed he was smiling. 

“ And… I brought my own portion as well. If you wish, would you like it? ” He declined. That was likely meant for her to eat.

Instead, he made a suggestion. “ Then you should eat it. She probably made it for you. ”

“ …And will you join me? ”

Tonight, he wanted to eat with someone. Kagemochi looked surprised, then quietly agreed. They ate together in silence.

With each bite, even the rigid Kagemochi’s expression changed.

“…Now I understand why you favor her cooking.”

Kenshin almost laughed. Even this unyielding man could not remain unmoved. Then came the final rice ball.

Miso grilled, with shiso wrapped around it. The flavor was sweet, smoky, addictive. He finished it without realizing.

So did Kagemochi. For once, the quiet man looked genuinely surprised.

Kenshin laughed. When was the last time he had laughed like this?

And then he remembered— “ There’s still sake, isn’t there? ”

Kagemochi nodded. “ It is of excellent quality. I am certain it will please you. ”

Kenshin took it with quiet anticipation.

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