The Fifth Son

Nijyuroku

~26~

Having a cup of warm matcha green tea at nakaupo sa wooden corridor sa labas ng dojo is the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon after magpractice ng kendo. Yuto was sitting beside me habang ako naman ay inihahanda ang mga Japanese confectioneries. Wala si Kuya Kei kasi may plates na ginagawa sa room niya. Tingin ko nagsha-shopping o kumakain sa kung saang mahal na restaurant si Kuya Jei. Who knows where Kuya Jyu is. Baka namundok or maybe nagsurfing sa LaUnion or somewhere. Hindi naman yun napipirme. Sure naman akong either nasa coffeeshop or sa room niya si Kuya Kyu- reading or something or doing some weird experiment.

"Hai. Dozo," sabi ko nang ma-i-prepare ko na ang Japanese confectioneries na, sa totoo lang, nakalimutan ko ang names.

While I do love sweets, I also do like the taste of many Japanese cakes. Hindi gaanong matamis unlike western sweets but are much appetizing and enjoyable. I think it's the reason why Oto-sama only eat Japanese confectioneries. Ayaw niya sa overly sweet western treats.

"D-domo, Shinra-sama," nagbow siya ng konti as he took the Japanese tea cup na pinaglagyan ko ng tea. Hindi naman ito yung overly- intricate tea ceremony though pero ang galang pa rin ni Yuto. Somehow, I felt like he's too distant. Even his honorific is too formal too! Siguro kaya hindi ko magets ang point-of-view ni Yuto was because sa Pinas ako lumaki.

"Ne, Yuto," I said habang nakatingin sa mga ripples na ginagawa ng mga patak ng ulan sa surface ng pond na nasa labas lang ng corridor ng dojo.

"Yes, Shinra-sama?"

"What is it like living with the Mikado clan? I'm quite curious. I only knew them when we went to Japan."

I wonder, if ganun talaga sila kagarbo on a daily basis? Kasi naman noong nandun kami eh everyday, every meal, parang pyesta eh. Although hindi tulad ng sa Pinoy handaan na kuha lang nang kuha, mas refined ang Japanese at tsaka minsan ang konti lang din ng laman ng plato. Haha. Sineserve kasi ang bawat course. Tulad lang ng sa French cuisine.

Yuto seemed to think for a moment. Hindi kasi sya agad sumagot. "It was actually nice, Shinra-sama. The citizens of Kyoto, especially the old families, tend to respect all members of your clan. It was mainly because of your clan's lineage as one of the nobility and also because your grandparents have been really good to the citizens. They funded a lot of non-government organizations that helped a lot of people. However, your clan never entered politics, but, due to their influence, politicians tend to want them on their side."

"I see. The people love them."

"Indeed, Shinra-sama. They are. However, due to your Grandfather's stand against the Yakuzas, you're clan is in a delicate situation with them. Thus, most of the members of the clan are guarded."

"By your clan?"

"By several retainer clans of the Mikado clan, not just the Saga clan, Shinra-sama. Your clan have several retainer clans. Most of them remain bounded by their duty and loyalty. You see, Shinra-sama, loyalty is one thing that all of the retainer clans of your clans shared pride with for many centuries."

"I never really get why you have to serve my clan after all of these years, Yuto. I mean, like I said before, your clan is already free of its duties toward my clan."

"Shinra-sama, loyalty is the pride of most samurai clans. We will protect our masters even if it costs us our lives. It's not like we are not earning a living for ourselves. To be exact, most of the lands under my clan are actually from your clan, Shinra-sama." Napatingin ako sandali sa kanya. Siya naman ay nakatingin sa pond as he gulped his matcha tea before continuing.

"During the Meiji restoration, the then head of the Mikado clan- Mikado Ryuren-sama; relieved us of our duty to serve your clan and gave us lands in order to be independent. This was reciprocated by the retainer clans with utmost loyalty by vowing that they will serve the Mikado clan forever. It was an unbreakable vow as it rested on our pride, Shinra-sama. If we decided to stop our duties to your clan, what will become of our pride? If we betray our pride, we will betray our ancestors."