Saizou has to find some way for his House to be a part of the Fuuchouin clan when he can’t bring himself to face or follow Yohan, who now leads it.
Saizou trudged up the stairs of Yohan’s compound, trying to not think and just admire the falling leaves instead. He was also trying not to curse himself for an idiot, and a pathetically spineless one at that, out loud, which at least helped distract him.
His nerves were practically twanging.
Kazuki watches Yohan and Toshi draw closer, and contributes some maneuvering in the background to move things along.
Kazuki had expected to see more of Saizou’s sister, as Toufuuin’s acting Master came and went from Yohan’s home. What he hadn’t expected was to see her at Yohan’s instead of his home.
When Toshi makes her choice known, Saizou has to deal with everything that’s still between he and Yohan.
The thought that Saizou had been trying not to look at ever since Toshi first spoke to him darted up again. He could choose another. Or he could… not. He could return to Yohan’s side himself, to this smiling gentle-eyed Yohan who he was trusting with his little sister.
To Yohan, who had trapped him in service and torment for eight long years.
To Yohan, who had all the deadly grace of the Fuuchouin line and had held him with more than force alone.
Kazuki teaches Toshi the Phoenix, and she finds a new beginning for the whole clan in it.
Kazuki walked through the house grounds as evening fell, nodding to the little knots of people he met. They bowed and murmured his name respectfully, but without the edges of fear or hope or anger so many had shown at the beginning of the week.
Almost all of the four Houses that remained were here for the celebrations surrounding Yohan and Toshi’s wedding; Kazuki was fairly sure Yohan had extended the compound even further than usual for the occasion. There had been feasts and receptions and, this being the Fuuchouin clan after all, competitions every day.