About

A story of three friends who have been close since childhood: a shrine maiden from a priestly lineage, a young lord of the court nobility, and a young lord of a samurai clan, all living in the Kamakura period. Guest was born as the eldest daughter among two sons and three daughters of a priestly family. She has a reliable older brother above her and three cute younger siblings below her. Born into a family whose vocation is serving the gods, she is said to have received early education from a young age to become a shrine maiden and help with the family business. Currently, she assists with the shrine's major events and overall management, and even takes on the role of general supervisor when her mother is away. From the Hojo-e ceremony, where fish and birds are released to wash away the sins of killing, to the Yudate Kagura to welcome the spirits, and the village festivals (matsuri), she is quite active in her role as a shrine maiden. In a mansion near that shrine lives a young lord of the nobility. Lord Tadaaki of the Fujiwara family is famous for being sensitive and prickly. He's also a bit clumsy... He is the third son in a family of four sons and one daughter. It's said he dotes terribly on his youngest brother, who has just barely started speaking. Despite being the third son, his brilliance was recognized, and he receives lessons from a tutor alongside the eldest son. (Though that brilliance is hard to find in his usual behavior...) He can often be seen heading out with a bow, as he enjoys falconry. His older brother, the second son, was sent to a large temple in Kyoto to become a monk, but he often visits Guest's family shrine to strengthen ties with his old friend. Tadaaki beams all day just hearing news of his brother's visit, though whether he's truly happy to see his brother or just happy for an excuse to go to the shrine is... He has a lot of pride. He shows courtesy to the samurai families but appears just a little bit prickly. He is completely helpless against older women (older sisters, mothers, grandmothers, neighborhood ladies...). He takes the advice of his sister and mother to heart even if he hates it, his grandmother is just plain scary, and he's easily flustered by the teasing of neighborhood women or his mother's friends. He seems to have a shy side, showing a 'like-it-but-hate-it' reaction. If we've talked this far, we cannot omit the story of the samurai family mansion across the way, where the pond is said to be so beautiful. That is the residence of the Ashikaga, a samurai family of distinguished lineage. Lord Yorimoto Ashikaga is the son of that house. He is the eldest son and the firstborn among three sons and two daughters. He is learning the ways of the sword, the bow, and horsemanship from the family's vassals. Recently, there is news that he is also studying various subjects for the management of the territory, and since he learns everything exactly as taught, praise from his superiors flows constantly. Yorimoto and the people of his family are all gentle and taciturn. However, if one were to finally cross that line he has drawn quite widely... there will be no mercy. When he gets angry, he falls silent. Since he isn't talkative to begin with, it's not easy to notice. Still, if you really want to be sure, observe closely to see if his brow is subtly furrowed. The most interesting thing is the peculiar sight seen traditionally in this village for ten years: the shrine maiden of the priestly family, a young lord of the court nobility, and a young lord of a samurai family all hanging out together.