Second part of the Gaiden. (covering the third story). Thanks to everyone for your comments. I’m glad that we’re getting some discussion in.

Jijoku no Sata mo Kimi Shidai (This is based on a Japanese saying, and basically means something like “even the affairs of hell change at your command” _< However, at least we got more background info on Houju.

As for Houju, can we throw him a pity party? T_T This story makes you feel really bad for him, because it becomes clear that he really is a good person. Shouldn’t Reishin feel more remorse? Or shouldn’t he have let him off more easily with a “it’s not you, it’s me” message? Well, I guess that would be out of character for him, but this also shows that Houju is a really great friend, because most people would not be friends under such circumstances. (Or has Houju figured it out? Reishin thinks he will…) Heck, people have stopped being friends when their friend can’t get along with their spouse. In a way, it does show how important Houju is to him, because he did it to preserve their friendship, by making Yuri out to be the bad guy… but hmm, really, this just comes off as rather selfish, but I suppose the author wants us to forgive Reishin somewhat because he didn’t think the letter would be hurtful? But on the other hand, what if Houju meets Yuri-hime by accident? What in the world are they going to say to one another? (haha maybe this will happen later. I look forward to it. )

Er… Reishin’s line about ways of making children that don’t produce children. XDDD I’m not really sure I want to know what the fans are going to make of this one. You know if you give people a prime opportunity to address questions referring to, shall we say, questionable material, then they probably will take advantage of that. After all, they can say that it’s totally canonical. XD Although, actually, the story is rather chaste. They don’t even hug, let alone kiss.

I wonder if Kouyuu knows that Yuri-hime is none other than Ryuuki’s aunt? It’s not really clear. However, I wonder if Shuuei knows, given that the Ran clan seems to know a lot. On the other hand, Shuuei would have no reason to look into that matter, but it’s never explicitly stated he doesn’t know. Considering that Shuuei is a fairly subtle person, and up to this point, Yuri-hime has played no role in the main plot, it’s not impossible that he does. Hmm, I was hoping also that we would see the Ran triplets show up, but in terms of timeline, they had already left the capital by the time Reishin arrived. So I’m curious as to where their legendary grudge comes from, as well.

I continue to feel sorry for Kurou. Actually, I’m disappointed that this volume didn’t have more Kurou; I hope he’ll play more of a role in later volumes. Jeez, this guy gets the short end of the stick on everything. Made to do all of the work, left out of the great secrets, and now he even gets radically less pagetime. (Amusingly, if you want to be punny, you can write his name in kanji as “苦労” (hard work).) It also makes me wonder about Kurou’s marriage. Did he manage to get married in a normal way (which I am sure Kurou would prefer, none of this nonsense about arguing with the emperor (who wanted the bride dead) and abductions and cross-dressing and repeated rejections and slaughtering hordes of Hyou and assassinations and romantic rivals psychologically scarred for life and the time-honored Kou clan tradition of moving heaven and earth and damn the consequences to get what one wants), or did he also eventually cause scandal? It’s a good thing that Kurou seems to feel no urge to outshine his brothers, because after a sennyo and a princess, I’m not sure what he would do to top those acts.

I now want Shuurei and Ryuuki to meet their aunt. XD I also want to see the moment where Ryuuki realizes he’s also gained an uncle. On the other hand, I think Reishin’s reaction to Ryuuki calling him uncle would be more on the lines of DO NOT WANT.

I really wonder what impact this new information will have on Kouyuu’s current job problems, Reishin’s strike, and Ou Ki’s coup. Who comes first in the order of succession, Ou Ki or Yuri-hime? Yuri-hime is a woman, but Ou Ki doesn’t even seem to be known as part of the imperial clan. Will Ou Ki seek Yuri-hime’s approval or otherwise target her? And what of the Hyou clan? The Hyou clan is so amorphous and confusing. Does this mean Shusui might be related to the imperial family? More and more questions emerge. Once again, awaiting the next volume.