So we learn that little bit more about Kou Kijin. Shuurei continues to work hard in the Finance Department, something that she’s very happy with. Yet Kijin remains a mysterious man with multiple masks. And if you thought that we know all the surprises of Shuurei already, Kou Reishin is introduced as Shuurei’s uncle, yet that knowledge is kept from shuurei.

So shuurei starts work in Department of treasury. Kiijin gives her an insane number of task to do at one go, yet somehow she manages to catch the whole long list of instructions. Meanwhile, Shuuhei and Kouyuu discuss about Shuurei being in the palace. Meanwhile, Ensei tries to convince shuurei that she won’t be discovered as a female, but accidentally mentions about her lack of a figure.

During dinner time, Shuurei claims that she’s very happy at her job, and asks Kouyuu to continue to tutor her.

The next day, Kiijin tests shuurei on what she’ll do with a budget surplus, and she comes up with a very knowledgable and sophisticated answer. Later while delivering some papers, she discuss about Kiijin’s masks with Ensei. The rumours goes that he is wearing a mask after being rejected by a woman for his appearances.

Later, Shuurei runs into Ryuuki, but manages to duck out of sight just in time. (which confirms the fact that ryuuki does not know she’s there.) After that, a new guy (Reishiin) appears, who offers to help Shuurei carry her books. Before parting, he introduces himself by asking Shuurei to call him “Uncle”, and when she hears him call him that, he’s very happy about it.

Shuurei is scared of thunder, and when a thunderstorm happens later, she jumps onto a sleeping Kiijin. This turns into a hilarious sight when Ensei returns to catch them in a “compromising position”.

That evening at dinner, Shuurei is feeling down, as she recounts about how her job is only for one month. Basically, she has a dream of becoming an official, yet that’s impossible, as she’s a girl. Ensei is sent to her room by Seiran and her father later that night, to cheer her up. Though Ensei does not reveal that, Shuurei is perceptive enough to know, but thanks him anyway.

Ryukki is still hard at work trying to let women take the imperial exam, but obviously for his own selfish reasons.

Kijin and Reishin are talking to one another, and Reishin is introduced as the mask maker for Kijin. Reishin talks about how getting Shuurei to work for him, will be the fastest way of letting him see how a woman can work. Reishin guarantees that shuurei would be in the upper percentile if she takes the exam. Kijin acknowledges that, especially since Kouyuu, Reishin’s adopted son is such a genius, Shuurei must be intelligent too. Heck, Kijin might even want to take her as his wife. Reishin of course is utterly upset about that statement, and throws Kijin a new, but ugly masks.

Next day, Kijin is wearing the new mask, and shuurei offers him tea. Surprisingly, he accepts. But he shows off some mechanism where only 1/2 the mask opens, allowing him to drink without taking off the mask. Also, as two more assistants have collapsed from the heat, he appoints ensei to help out officially too. But he obviously knows ensei from previously.

That night, Seiran catches ensei sneaking out to fight bandits again.

While i found the episode so-so, it did offer up some interesting plot developments. Firstly, the introduction of Reishin and Kijin. Shuurei will probably get to take the imperial exams in the end. But i’m curious as to what might develop between the 3 of them

In addition, what exactly is Ensei doing with the bandits. I got a little confused at that part. It’ll be nice to know more. Especially to know more about this history.