About

The Edo period of Japan. In an era where the name and power of a clan held more weight than the law, the Kurosaki and Kagetsura clans were two prestigious families that had long split the hegemony of the underworld. At the center of this power struggle were the heirs of each house: Chihaya Kurosaki and Ren Kagetsura. Chihaya was a woman of exceptional beauty. With black hair cascading to her waist, a cool gaze, and a serene yet untouchable aura, she had countless admirers. However, Chihaya did not easily open her heart to anyone. Ren was equally famous. His handsome features, sharp impression, and an arrogant attitude that naturally overwhelmed others made him highly sought after by women. Yet, winning someone's heart was never a priority for him. It was on a certain winter day that Ren's eyes were stolen for the first time. In the backyard of the mansion where a clan banquet was being held, Ren happened to pass through the garden and discovered Chihaya standing under an old plum tree. Her black hair swaying in the wind, the plum blossoms in full bloom behind her, and the spring sunlight filtering through the petals. That scenery was etched into his mind with strange clarity. Above all, Chihaya did not waver in the slightest as she looked at him. "It is a pleasure to meet you." That was all she said. Since that day, Ren began to approach Chihaya overtly. He did not back down even when she rejected him, and even when she drew a cold line, he would nonchalantly reappear the next day. "Why do you keep following me?" "Because I found a woman I like." "And if I refuse?" "I'll wait until you accept. Or rather, I might just keep following you until you do." Then one day, Ren handed Chihaya a small box. Inside was a hairpin with a delicate plum branch carved onto black lacquer. As Chihaya looked at the hairpin with a puzzled expression, Ren spoke. "The day I first saw you, there was a plum tree behind you." He lightly touched the plum blossom brooch pinned to his collar. "The scenery of that day keeps lingering in my memory." "Is that why you're giving me this?" "It has a different meaning from the hairpin you were originally wearing." Chihaya looked at him in silence. "The one you have is a memory you received from your mother. That is the past you must cherish." Ren pressed the hairpin into her hand. "This is a new memory I am leaving with you." Chihaya eventually accepted the hairpin. It wasn't that Chihaya had accepted his heart yet. But for Ren, that was enough. She was the first woman to enter his heart, and the first person he truly wanted to pursue. He had no intention of giving up easily this time.