Seven years ago. It was an early spring morning when the lingering chill still clung to the air.
On the embankment beyond the tenement houses, clusters of pale purple violets swayed in the breeze.
Hina plucked a few, carefully wiping the dew from each petal with her fingertips before arranging them in a bamboo tray.
Drying them this way allowed her to preserve them as medicinal herbs for long-term use.
This task was both proof of the life she had inherited from her late parents and a source of comfort for her heart.
The quiet morning air was suddenly torn apart by a furious shout.
“If you can’t pay the rent any longer, you’re out of here by tomorrow!”
The voice belonged to the landlord’s son.
Startled, Hina looked up and saw him yelling at the tenant next door.
Soon, his cold, piercing gaze turned toward her.
“Hey, you—the medicine girl. You better be ready too. You’re behind on rent, aren’t you?”
Hina couldn’t find her voice, only gripping the cloth bag of herbs tightly in both hands.
Her nails dug into the fabric through the bag, the faint scent of the herbs brushing past her nose.
But even that did nothing to calm her now.
The neighbors all knew she had been struggling, unable to pay rent, pushed to the brink day after day.
But to the landlord’s son, such circumstances likely meant nothing.
“That’s why I’m telling you—if you become my mistress, I’ll take you in… Hm?”
A presumptuous hand reached for Hina’s shoulder. Instantly, a shudder of disgust ran down her spine.
She reflexively shrank back, averting her gaze.
She wanted to retort. To reject him outright.
But if she caused a scene here, it might trouble the neighbors.
That thought clogged her chest, choking her voice in her throat.
Then—
“Don’t be ridiculous! If Hina-chan leaves, we’d be in trouble!”
“That’s right! Thanks to Hina-chan’s medicine, we can stay healthy!”
The housewives drawing water at the well raised their voices as if they couldn’t stand it any longer.
Setting their buckets down, they strode over with purpose. Their eyes were serious.
The landlord’s son faltered, shrugging as he stepped back.
“Guh… Fine! You’ve got one month! If you can’t pay by then, you’re out! …Well, if you change your mind, you know where to knock.”
With that sneer, the man hastily left.
The housewives’ icy stares mercilessly followed his retreating back.
Hina stood frozen for a moment before finally exhaling, the tension draining from her shoulders.
The strained air at last began to ease.
The cloth bag of herbs in her hands was now damp and crumpled.
“…Thank you…”
At her barely audible voice, one of the housewives smiled warmly.
“Don’t mention it. We help each other in times of need.”
“That’s right. Hina-chan is kind to everyone, but you have to take care of yourself too, okay?”
In the cold morning air, their words warmed her, seeping into her heart.
But she still had to find a way to deal with the rent. She was already two months behind.
Hina’s medicine was well-regarded among the neighbors, but it didn’t bring in money.
She couldn’t produce much, and the neighbors themselves had little to spare—most exchanges were bartered for food or other necessities. It was enough to get by, but rent was another matter.
(Maybe… this is the end…)
If she voiced it aloud, she might break down. Instead, Hina looked up at the sky.
The overcast morning sky stretched endlessly far, offering no answers.
Her fingertips were cold. Her heart felt just as frozen.
If only this unease, everything, could just drift away with the clouds—
All she could do was keep staring at the sky.
A few hours later—a woman came to visit Hina.
A poised woman who appeared to be in her fifties.
Her kimono was finely woven and tailored, carrying a faint scent of incense.
“I am Yamane, the head maid of the Saotome household. Forgive my sudden visit.”
It was easy to imagine she was an envoy from a prestigious family.
Though bewildered by what business such a person could have with her, Hina bowed deeply.
“I was told that you prepare medicine using medicinal herbs.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Actually… Master—Saotome Keiichiro-sama’s wound responded remarkably well to your medicine.”
“…That is an honor. If I could be of service, nothing would make me happier.”
Hina had heard the name Saotome Keiichiro before.
The young head of a viscount’s family, a former soldier—now succeeding his predecessor as president of a pharmaceutical company.
“Indeed. And so, by Master’s request, we would like to purchase the formula for that medicine.”
For a moment, Hina fell silent.
This medicine was the result of years of trial and error by her father and mother.
It used rare herbs not found on the market and required painstaking effort.
Above all, it was the embodiment of the precious time she had spent with them.
“My apologies. This… is like an heirloom from my parents. Even if offered a fortune… I cannot easily part with it. Moreover, this medicine requires a special herb and is not suited for mass production.”
Yamane narrowed her eyes slightly but did not press further.
“Then, at the very least, we would like you to visit once. The mistress also wishes to greet you.”
After a moment’s thought, Hina nodded.
But she couldn’t leave immediately.
“I’m sorry. Right now, I’m drying herbs… If I leave them unattended, they’ll be ruined.”
Yamane observed her quietly before giving a small nod.
“Understood. Then we shall arrange another day.”
Yamane purchased the remaining medicine Hina had on hand, bowed politely, then turned gracefully and returned to her carriage.
The creak of the wheels faded into the distance.
“But… isn’t that Saotome Keiichiro known for being ruthless?”
“They say his war wounds haven’t fully healed yet. Is it really safe for Hina-chan to go there alone…?”
The housewives’ words reached Hina’s ears on the wind.
Though uneasy, she couldn’t refuse the request of a viscount’s family head.
A few days later, dressed in the finest kimono she owned and carrying a small gift of medicine, Hina visited the Saotome residence. The grand gate, the vast garden, the dignified Japanese-style house with its beautiful tiled roof—everything exuded an air of quiet tension. She keenly felt this was no place for a mere herbalist to set foot.
In the parlor, she was greeted by the mistress—Saotome Kiyoe, a beautiful woman. Though she appeared to be in her late forties, her hair was already white, the silver strands only enhancing her grace.
In contrast to the tatami-floored mansion, the parlor was Western-style. A crimson carpet covered the floor, and the walls were adorned with Western patterns. A modest yet elegant chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the room.
Kiyoe sat gracefully in an upholstered armchair, smiling as she fanned herself with a folding fan. Her eyes seemed to hold a penetrating clarity.
Hina nearly gasped at her dignified presence but managed a deep bow.
“P-pleased to meet you… My name is Fujita Hina.”
She knew nothing of noble etiquette.
Still, she did her best to be respectful, carefully choosing her words as she introduced herself.
“My… So this is you. Indeed, you seem like a serious young lady.”
Her voice was clear and pleasant, even warm.
Under Kiyoe’s gaze, Hina’s tension mounted, her palms sweating where they rested on her knees.
At the prompting, she took a seat in the armchair across the Western-style table.
It was the first time in her life she had sat on such a plush, luxurious chair.
“You prepared the medicine yourself? Impressive.”
“…You honor me.”
Her voice was thin with nerves, but she bowed politely.
“I’ve heard the details from Yamane. It cannot be mass-produced, correct?”
Hina quickly realized this was a question posed with full knowledge of the situation.
“Yes. It requires a rare herb called Seirenso…”
She answered honestly.
“Could this Seirenso be cultivated?”
“I’ve tried… but it’s difficult unless the conditions—temperature, humidity, soil—are just right. I have a small herb garden, but even there, only a little grows.”
The care required changed daily with the weather, needing constant adjustment.
In her rural setting, lacking proper tools, this was the best she could manage.
“The Saotome family could establish a large herb garden, but…”
“Your offer is most generous. For other herbs, that might be possible. But…”
Hina chose her words carefully as she continued.
“Comparing the maintenance costs to the medicine’s sales… I fear it would not be profitable.”
Even with the Saotome family’s wealth, building a greenhouse would require firewood, water, fertilizer, and labor to tend to the vast garden—no small expense.
And there was no guarantee the finicky herbs would thrive.
It was more practical to continue making limited quantities with care.
“…I see.”
Kiyoe spoke briefly, lowering her eyes just slightly.
Her voice held both understanding and faint resignation.
“Then there’s nothing to be done. At the very least, we should be grateful for what Keiichiro has.”
With a tone of acceptance, Kiyoe let out a small sigh.
“If I may… I’ve brought some of the medicine I have on hand. If you require it…”
Hina carefully presented a lavender-wrapped package, about to unfold it on the table.
“Ah, that would be perfect. Keiichiro should be returning soon, so he can—”
Just then, there was a discreet knock on the parlor door.