𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐁𝐈𝐀 | 𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐎 𝐱 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑

⚠️ 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐋

It was midday.

I knew that because the sun was in the centre of the sky, pressing wave after wave of heat onto people as they occasionally drifted past the desolate path leading to the terakoya*. I put a hand to the top of my forehead, shading my eyes from the blazing sun, staring up into the vast blue above, untainted by a single cloud as far as the eye could see.

My hand dropped to my side, and other girls ran around the garden, chasing each other before running off to enjoy the summer warmth. The haze of this heat made me feel sick, the blurring of the groves I would usually see so clearly was caging, if the situation arose, I might be lost in there if I tried to run.

I end up sitting by my shishō*, she peers at me, and I try my hardest to avoid returning her gaze. I didn't want to bother her with my staring problem.

"What's wrong, [L/n], why aren't you playing?" She cooed, pulling me closer to her. I clung onto her pale kimono, the flower-pattered obi tightly securing the garment together covering the bottom corners of my vision.

"I don't want to play, shishō, I want to learn about maps like the boys do," I confessed, my eyes downcast. The boys always got to learn more things. They told us we were lucky to be here, but it doesn't feel like it.

"Oh, sweet child. All girls need to know is what we teach you." The woman smiled, rubbing my cheek with her hand, almost kneading it before pulling it outwards slightly, "We don't need maps or mountains, that's for men to learn."

I remained neutral, despite her fiddling, "But what can I do with flowers and teas?"

"Be a good housewife to your future husband and raise children. That's our job as women, never forget that." She released my cheek and pat my head gently.

I nodded and beamed, "Okay, shishō!" That wasn't a good enough answer.

"Yes, very good. You'll understand more when you're older, you don't have to get it all now." With a last chuckle, she gently nudged me towards the other playing children, "Go on, we have flower arrangements next."

"Yes, shishō." I ran over to the nearest group, continuing the rest of my break playing with them.

By the time we were all called in for another round of learning, I had mulled over her words deeply. I wanted to understand what she meant. Our job as women. Why couldn't we do maps as a job? I want to learn maps, this is so unfair! One day I'll sneak into the boy's class and see just for myself!