The Royal Concubine (王室の側室)

Ch 2: Kyoutaro and Yukino

As the sun set over the lush green forests in the land of Hosokawa, two twins, Yukino and Kyoutaro, sat playing hanetsuki outside quite faraway from their family estate. They were surrounded by several other children from the nearby village, laughing and shouting as they hit the shuttlecock back and forth with their paddles.

As they played, Kyoutaro noticed that one of the younger children, a boy named Takeshi, was struggling to keep up. He kept missing the shuttlecock and his face was beginning to show the frustration he felt.

Kyoutaro paused the game, much to Yukino's annoyance, and called out to him, "Takeshi, why don't you practice with me for a while? I can show you some tricks to help you improve."

Takeshi looked up at Kyoutaro, grateful for the offer. Together, the two boys spent the next hour practicing, with Kyoutaro patiently guiding Takeshi and giving him pointers on his technique.

When they rejoined the others, Takeshi had improved significantly, and even managed to win a few points against Yukino.

"Wow, Takeshi, you've gotten so much better!" one of the other children exclaimed.

"I had a good teacher," Takeshi replied, looking at Kyoutaro with gratitude.

Yukino, who had been watching her younger brother with a newfound admiration, turned to him and said, "You're really good at this, Kyoutaro. I never realized how much I could learn from you."

Kyoutaro shrugged modestly, "It's just a game, sis. But I do enjoy practicing and helping others."

As the sun finally disappeared behind the trees, the group of children said their goodbyes and headed back to their homes. Yukino and Kyoutaro walked back to their estate, deep in thought.

"You know, Kyoutaro," Yukino said after a long silence, "I may be older, but sometimes, I feel like you're the wiser one."

Kyoutaro looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you have this way of looking at things that's...different," Yukino said, struggling to find the words. "You're patient, kind, and always willing to help others. I wish I could be more like you."

Kyoutaro smiled, "We're different, Yukino, but that doesn't mean one of us is better than the other. We each have our own strengths and weaknesses, and together, we make a pretty good team."

Suddenly, a man dressed in samurai armor rode up on horseback. The children stared in awe as he dismounted and approached them.

"Children," the samurai addressed them sternly. "You should not be out here at this time of night. There are dangerous creatures in these woods."

"But we were just playing hanetsuki, sir, and we're about to go back at home anyway" Yukino exclaimed.

"That may be so, but it's still not safe," the samurai retorted. "You two, come with me. Your uncle will be worried if they find you out here."

Kyoutaro and Yukino looked at each other nervously but obediently followed the samurai back to their estate. Once they were inside, their uncle scolded them for being out at night.

"I'm sorry, Uncle," Kyoutaro said, bowing his head. "It will never happen again."

"We won't do it again," Yukino added, also bowing.

Their uncle softened and smiled at them. "I'm not upset with you, my children. But it's important to be aware of your surroundings and the dangers that come with them. That samurai was only trying to keep you safe."