The series is definitely building on its strength and improving! But anyway, this episode closes yet another story arc, and we finally find out who Ensei is. A little too rushed this episode is, but very enjoyable nonetheless.

Ryukki has finally finished his draft proposal! But more importantly, he gets to go “night crawling”! (I’m not so sure I used the correct term) Basically, he is busy in the day, and can only spare time to visit shuurei at night. But I’m sure he used a phrased all wrong.

Jumping to the next day, Shuurei is visiting her mom’s grave with ensei. Ensei reveals that his own family were all killed when young. Shuurei too starts to recollate about her mom. Her mom was someone with much energy, and was good at plucking fruits. She also took care of Shuurei who was very sickly. Yet on one thunderstorm night, she passed away suddenly, and at the same time, shuurei suddenly recovered. Ensei consoles saying that it must be her mom’s divine blessings. Yet Shuurei believes that it was her fault that sap away her mom’s life. In fact, she hates summer and thunderstorms because of that.

Ensei asks her to remember about the good memories of summer, and that shuurei will soon like summer too. As well as to quickly grow up! Shuurei assures him that she’ll be okay by the next day.

In the palace, ryukki seems exceptionally cheerful. In fact, he informs Shuuhei and Kouyuu that he’s going “night crawling”, stunning the two of them. But upon clarification, and finding out the contents of a letter that ryukki wrote to Shouka, they realise that he’s just talking about a normal home visit.

Meanwhile Kijin is asking his vice-chamberlaine whether he has felt anything suspicious about Shuurei, which he hasn’t. Suddenly, voices of intruders are heard, and two jump through the window. At this time, shuurei and ensei both returned from a task. Seeing Ensei’s cross scar, they quickly attack Ensei. Ensei quickly defeats one of them with a chair, causing the second to run away.

Kijin tells Ensei that it seems that his enemies have found him, and tells him that Ensei can make use of Kijin’s manor. Especially if he does not want to burden the house he is staying in. Ensei agrees, and invites Shuurei along.

But when Ryukki arrives and Shouka’s house, shuurei isn’t there. Both Shuukey and Kouyuu have come along, knowing things should be interesting. Reading a note that Ensei left behind, Seiran says that he’ll pop by Kijin’s manor, but all who wants to go too, should bring their swords along, as bandits seem to be pursuing Ensei.

It is a strange atmosphere in Kijin’s manor. Midway, Ensei excuses himself to take a walk in the garden leaving shuurei and kijin, with Kijin drinking tea through his mask again . Kijin mentions that shuurei’s one month is almost up, and that it’s quite unfortunate. But shuurei does not manage to catch the last part.

Meanwhile, Seiran & friends have arrived at the manor. Ryukki immediately starts scolding ensei. Kouyuu falls over the wall, and Ensei asks if he could go into the manor and explain the whole situation. Ryukki wants to go see shuurei, but is reminded by Serian of their purpose at the manor. Soon enough, the bandits arrive, and are easily defeated.

However, Ensei is missing, but he reappears soon enough. But Clean shaven and totally handsome.

He explains who he is. He’s actually the governor of the Brown province. In fact, he’s the only governor who has not taken the imperial exams before. Previously in the Brown province, the Sa Clan have tried to gain power, with many officials either bribed or killed. As such, nobody dared to be the governor. However, Grand advisor Sa offered the governor post to anybody who could subdue all the assasins, which Ensei did. In fact, Ensei ended up being a very good governor.

However, with Grand Advisor Sa gone, and his backer gone, Ensei is having problems with the Sa clan again. In fact, he is here to ask the emperor to choose another Governor. If the emperor chooses someone who has sat for the imperial examinations, the Sa clan wouldn’t be able to complain so easily. Ensei himself will go back and sit for the basic exams, and support the new governor. The bandits have chased him down as there seems to be a bounty on his head.

Later, Kouyuu tells shuurei that they are going to allow girls to take the imperial exams. However, females will probably still be ostracised, and have little say in court. Would she still be willing to take the imperial exam? But of course!

Thoughts

A little rushed. Some stuff still not answered. Like what kind of relationship seiran and ensei had. I hope it’s not the last we see of ensei though. It’d be such a pity, having built him up so much as a character.

I still have a tough time figuring out Ryukki. A brilliant emperor… yet such a fool at simple things.