Chapter 20 : A Tarnished Reputation

[Hmmmmmm... The result is still inconclusive, Midori-san 乁⁠(⁠ ⁠•⁠_⁠•⁠ ⁠)⁠ㄏ]

... And what is that supposed to mean?

[It means that Akiyama Kinoshita-san has not yet made a decision about Midori-san. Approval or disapproval is yet to be determined.]

Midori sighed.

Oh, that fool man.

It was time to find another second husband candidate, she thought to herself.

Akiyama did not leave an all-too-good impression on her, either.

He seemed to be spoiled, and prone to throwing childish tantrums. Midori did not like childish men. She especially did not want to be married to one. Not when she had other options.

Shuugo and Arata returned to the Takigawa family residence much later that day. As soon as they arrived, they went to talk to Grandpa Takigawa to inform him about the incident at the tea house.

They must have been in Grandpa Takigawa's private living space for almost two hours before they called on Midori to join their discussion.

"Hanae Makimura-san is being detained at the police station for her crime," Arata said. "As part of the police force, I cannot submit a report to drag her into court. I need someone from the family to do this."

"I will handle it," Shuugo said. "Midori-chan, I need you to tell us this case in more detail."

Midori dug through the original host's memories.

Maybe it was because more than ten weeks had passed since it happened, but the memories were rather blurry.

"I recall the heavy incense scent. I do not recall being dragged off somewhere."

"Which establishment did you visit to confront Hanae Makimura-san? Was it the okiya?"

"No," Midori answered. "It was not the okiya. It was one of the tea houses. I knew that Hanae-san was going to perform a dance there that night, so I followed her there."

Shuugo and Arata both wrote the details down on their notepads.

Grandpa Takigawa heaved a sigh.

"Midori-san, you have suffered a lot. I do commend your bravery for speaking up, but I do not think that submitting a report is the right thing to do here."

Midori and Arata both raised their heads at the same time and stared at their grandfather, a stupefied look spread across their faces.

"But Grandpa, why?"

Grandpa Takigawa glowered at his grandchildren.

"First of all, Midori-san, you were the one who visited Kagemachi on your own accord.

You do not remember all the details about what happened that night.

It will be difficult to prove that Makimura-san deliberately drugged you and made you sleep with a random man.

She might just flip the table and say that you got drunk on your own and then seduced a man to your bed."

Blood shot up Midori's head, and a mixture of rage and disbelief filled her heart.

"I did not!" She cried out in her defense.

"Of course, you did not," Shuugo quickly said. "Midori-chan, Grandpa was just giving an example of how Makimura-san can spin the story for her convenience."

"Then, Grandpa, what do you think we should do?" Arata asked.

Grandpa Takigawa took a deep breath.

"I believe that we should let the matter go, and focus on Midori-san's future instead."

Midori's eyes grew as round as the moon. After all she had done to unmask the villains!

"I know what you are thinking," Grandpa Takigawa pinned Midori with a look. "You are thinking that it is unfair. You are the victim but you have to swallow your indignation and let go.

Unfortunately, this is how the society works, Midori-san. Pursuing this matter to the end might land the responsible parties behind iron bars, but your reputation will forever be tarnished. Which man would want to marry you then?"

Midori's cheeks grew hot. As if she needed a man to save her from damnation!

"But Grandpa," Arata spoke again, his voice as calm as running water. "If we do not submit a report, we will drag the Takigawa family's name into the mud. A mere geisha from Kagemachi bullied Midori-chan, ruined her reputation, and got away with it."

"That's not all Grandpa," Shuugo also chipped in. "Our willingness to let go might tell the society that Midori-chan was not purely the victim here. People might assume that Midori-chan made a horrible mistake and tried to pin it on a defenseless geisha who happened to be her former husband's secret lover."

Grandpa Takigawa closed his eyes and scoffed.

"Right. I forgot that the Koishikawas were involved in this matter as well."

Grandpa Takigawa rose to his feet and walked toward the window.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky transformed into a canvas of fiery hues. Blazing shades of crimson, orange, and gold danced across the heavens, painting a breathtaking spectacle that mirrored the turmoil within Midori's heart

The three siblings exchanged brief glances. Midori held her breath in anticipation.

After a brief moment of silence, Grandpa Takigawa turned to look at his granddaughter.

"Midori-san, what are you going to do about the Koishikawas?"

"Nothing," Midori decided. "I have shamed them in public, and there is no better punishment than that."

"Very well. Shuugo-san, submit a report to the police station regarding Hanae Makimura-san's crime toward Midori-san. Arata-san, you know what to do."

"Yessir."

Shuugo and Arata left, and Midori was alone with Grandpa Takigawa in the room.

"Midori-san, I have not received any news from the Kinoshitas regarding your betrothal to Akiyama-san. They most likely do not wish to proceed."

Midori nodded.

"I understand."

After an initial meeting concluded, it was important for the prospective groom's party to quickly express their interest in pursuing the betrothal.

As hours passed and news from the Kinoshitas remained absent, so dwindled the hope for a successful match.

"I will continue looking for prospective matches for you," Grandpa Takigawa said. "Midori-san, this unfortunate incident has cast a dark shadow over your prospects for a future marriage. I fear that once the police report becomes public knowledge, no man would dare to approach you, let alone consider you as a potential wife."

Midori nodded again.

"I understand."

Grandpa Takigawa heaved a sigh.

"If you understand, that is good. You may go."

Midori was about to leave when Onizuka-san arrived.

"Master, a young man just came to pay you and Midori Ojou-sama a visit."

Midori and her grandfather exchanged glances, their eyes mirroring a mix of surprise and astonishment.

The very thought of Akiyama Kinoshita, the man she had just met during the arranged marriage meeting, actually appearing in person to discuss their betrothal was beyond their wildest expectations.

It was the most favorable outcome they could have hoped for, following the initial meeting. Grandpa Takigawa's eyes twinkled like stars in the night sky.

The joyful expressions that had adorned their faces just moments ago were swiftly extinguished by what Onizuka said next.

"He identified himself as Ryouichi Koishikawa-san, the third son of Koishikawa family from Tsukigata Town."