Hideaki simply sighed. " My apologizes Sister. Kaku. I must retreat. If you want you can play with my instruments. Just...don't touch my desk and documents. " With that the young man simply walked off.
Hanami grinned, and looked at her companion. "Well, Kaku-san, did you enjoy my brother's beautiful music?"
Kaku wiped a tear from her face. "Oh, yes! It was wonderful! I had never heard so much beauty in my entire life." she blushed.
The princess smiled wider, thrilled to see her friend so happy. "That's good to hear, Kaku-san! So, what do you want to do?"
"I'm sorry, Hanami-hime, but I must get back to my duties." And, with that, Kaku stood up, bowed politely to the princess, and walked off silently.
Hanami ran after her, handing her some cake. "Just a little gift for you."
Kaku's eyes grew wider, shocked at the offer. "No, I can't. I'm just a lowly servant, Hime."
Hanami chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "Of course you can, Kaku-san! It's a small piece of gratitude for helping me make my brother smile today."
Kaku's face began to glow. "Alright. Thank you so much for the delightful cake!" Then, she turned around, and walked back to the kitchen, absolutely glad for the day's events.
---
Hanami returned to the room, and looked at her brother's instrument with awe. He was talented, and it was just ... heartwarming to hear his music. She wished she could hear him play like that everyday. So free, so lively. No worldly pressures to burden her brother's melody.
She brushed her hands against the instrument, making small sounds come alive. She spent some time thinking about her past, her father, and her mother. Where was that envelope? Had she left it in her room? She started to look around for more documents, exploring his desk. She had completely forgotten her brother's orders. She just wanted to get more answers.
Then, she heard some servants talking outside her brother's chambers.
"Have you seen Daimyo-sama's visitor, Masanori?"
"She's gorgeous, Kagekatsu! What I would give to marry someone as beautiful as her!"
"She's like an angel sent down from the heavens above." The servant's awe-filled voice lowered down to a whisper. "Do you think that she is going to be the next wife of our beloved Daimyo? He's so lucky!"
Hanami loudly opened the door, her face filled with disbelief. The servants, obviously shocked at her sudden appearance, and probably ashamed that the princess, the Daimyo's own sister had heard their 'conversation', quickly bowed at her, looking like idiots at the moment.
She dismissed them with a wave of her hand, and asked them roughly. "Where's my brother? Now."
"In his bedroom, princess. With his visitor."
Her face turned pale, and she held her robes tightly. She ran up the stairs, her steps increasing in volume. She hurriedly looked for her brother's room, silently prayed that they just got there, and slightly opened the door, revealing her brother, and three women. Sake bottles were scattered everywhere, and if she wasn't as nervous as she was, she would have gotten mad right there and then. What was all of this sake doing here? He had a year's supply in his own bedroom, and it's even hidden in a secret compartment!
She fully opened the door, glaring daggers at her brother. Where was her sword when she needed it?
She smiled, hiding her restlessness. "Hideaki-niisan!"