Chapter 6

Below the statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, there is a forest. In O-hara village, it is known as the Hayashi family's residence. In front of the gate of the temple Kannon-ji (which seems to belong to the Soto Zen sect and was founded in the early Edo period), the mansion stands. In spring, the weeping cherry blossoms, which bloom beautifully, are reflected in the small surface of the O-sawa River (a tributary of the O-hara River), making it a very picturesque place.

The Hayashi family of O-hara village, as well as the main family in Kariya, have estates in the village of Kihon and the area around Kariya. The Edo Hayashi family (Echigoro Hayashi family) is a daimyo with 2,000 koku, and the Hayashi family of Samantabhadra is said to be the descendant of the second head of the family, Hayashi Katsumasa (Hayashi Tamba-no-kami).

The current head of the Hayashi family is Hayashi Tarosuke Sadahiro. It seems that he is the grandfather of Kousuke.

It takes about 10 cho (about 1 kilometer) to reach the area where Kannon-ji can be seen, even when being carried on the shoulders of Saburo. This is generally outside the range of a three-year-old's usual activities, but he has already visited Kannon-ji and even paid respects at the grave of his ancestor, Hayashi Tamba-no-kami, which is located on the back mountain of the temple. However, due to his illegitimate status, he has never crossed the threshold of the Hayashi family's residence.

"Master Saburo, you're going out..."

A small boy, who somewhat resembles a raccoon despite not being particularly well-built, runs up with a bamboo broom in hand. His name is Gen, and he occasionally delivers copper coins to our house.

"I changed my mind. Is Father around?"

"Master has returned from inspecting the irrigation channels and is now drinking hot water near the back door."

"I see."

Since it is our house, Saburo crosses the chicken-filled courtyard without hesitation and heads to the back. The Hayashi family's house is the largest in O-hara village, about five times the length of Ibei's house on one side alone.

(Oh, this is a grand mansion.)

As a resident of a shack, I am very interested in its size. Just by having proper tiles, it already stands out from the other villagers' houses.

The main house and annex, both with silver-glazed tiles that seem to have been fired in a reduction atmosphere, are connected by a corridor. From the perspective of my past life, this mansion would certainly be classified as a grand residence. It must have over 100 tatami mats, I think.

"Father!"

Just then, a figure emerged from the back door, and Saburo called out to him.

The face that turned to look at us was somewhat familiar. It was as if Saburo had aged into this face.

His well-tanned skin was due to his own labor in the fields, not out of arrogance. In an era where early marriage is common, he should be in his mid-forties, having just become a grandfather. However, due to poor nutrition or living conditions, he often looks older than his actual age.

The head of the Hayashi family, Hayashi Sadahiro, was a middle-aged man with a distinguished appearance, his hair tied in a topknot with a touch of gray. Dressed in a work kimono like those often seen at shrines, Sadahiro, upon seeing the three-year-old on his son's shoulders, narrowed his eyes in surprise and untied the strings of his sleeves.

"Saburo, is this the child?"

The way he referred to "the child" was somewhat unsettling.

If the child had caused trouble, it would be one thing, but it's difficult for a three-year-old to make a mistake that would make an adult frown. Besides, he had never met this old man before...

"The temple priest called him the village demon child... but looking at his face, I'm starting to think the priest's joke wasn't entirely a joke. ...Saburo, wait in the study."

What!?

Suddenly being called to the principal's office.

Various scenarios of how and why I might be scolded run through my mind.

It's true that I did take some rice cakes from the temple offerings and helped myself to some lotus roots from the pond. Lotus roots are lotus stems. They were cut into thin slices and served, but they were very hard and not very tasty.

Oh, or maybe it was because I had graffiti "O-hara's stallion has arrived" on the Hayashi family's gate in a hidden corner.

As I let my imagination run wild, I start to think of things that might get me in trouble. While I feel a bit uneasy, I also think that most village children would have done similar mischief, and adults should be more lenient with a three-year-old's pranks.

With a serious expression, Saburo put the child down from his shoulders. When entering the house, he wiped the dirty feet of his child with a hand towel, still barefoot himself.

Holding the child's hand (did he think he might run away?), they walked down the corridor and entered the study facing the inner garden. The garden had a small hill and a pond, with a stone lantern and a nandina plant beside it.

While the garden didn't seem particularly elaborate, no other villager had a garden like this.

Feeling the history of the Hayashi family in the many patched shoji screens, I fidgeted in the unfamiliar seiza position and looked around the room.

A small desk glowing amber, a folding screen with a weeping cherry blossom, a candlestick as a symbol of luxury in this era, and a haniwa-like colored brazier. Though not flashy, it was a space of luxury that no other villager could afford.

Most of all, the feeling of the tatami under my knees was nostalgic.

(Tatami is a luxury...)

My own house has always been wooden, so it didn't feel unnatural, but touching the softness of the tatami made me realize it was like a carpet in East Asian culture. Anyone would prefer a softer floor.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

At that moment, Sadahiro entered the room.

He had changed from his work kimono into a neat brown robe. Though it was a robe, it was neatly buttoned, not at all casual. The moment I saw him, I was reminded of Kato Go as Ooka Takanaga from my childhood.

His grandfather's eyes observed him intently.

Feeling uncomfortable, I was about to fidget but decided to look back at him instead. I'm a bastard, but do you have a problem with that!

"Name?"

He asked briefly.

"Kousuke"

This is his name, but