Waking up in the morning, I gaze at my face in the mirror.
As I touch my face and gently tug on it, I feel a bit of pain.
Sakimoto said it was a "world of the past." A world connected to reality. He warned me to be careful because it wasn't a dream.
So who am I?
Connected to reality, but I have no memory of marrying Alex. Then, is there a real woman?
(If there’s a woman named Sarah in this world, does that mean I’m borrowing her body? Since Mr. Sakimoto is also trapped in this world, he can’t tell me everything...)
However, I have a clear purpose.
I want to know what happened to Alex. I came here to learn about him.
Staring at the "Sarah" reflected in the mirror, I close my eyes and exhale.
"I will do my best, Sarah. Please lend me your strength."
Mrs. oIwa was preparing breakfast. I offered to help.
"You’re quite different, Madam. You always help with the cooking."
"Is that so? I actually enjoy cooking, so I wanted to."
I cut pickles and grilled fish.
Just as I finished serving steaming barley rice, Alex arrived.
"Good morning."
"Ah, good morning."
Mrs. oIwa stepped back.
"Aren't you going to eat with us?"
"I won’t interrupt you two. I’ll eat with the children."
As I watched Iwa leave, my gaze shifted to a newspaper that caught my eye.
The date was indeed Meiji 16.
It was July.
"Are you working today as well?"
"Yes. I'm in a hurry to summarize the interpretation, translation, and the manner rules."
"I could help with the translation."
I blurted out.
In Meiji 18, I had helped Alex. It was a very quiet time. Looking back now, it was a very happy time.
"Do you speak Eggeresu? ”
It's the Japanese way of saying 'English' borrowed from the Dutch word for 'England'."
"Ah, yes."
Alex widened his eyes and looked at me.
"I see... I didn’t know that. But it’s my job. You should take it easy."
"Um..."
"Hm?"
"Is it alright if I go out?"
"Of course. But take someone with you."
July.
The sun was burning the earth and grass, and the smell of summer was becoming stronger.
The cicadas were singing, as if to burn their seven-day lives with their courtship calls.
Sara was still not used to wearing a kimono, so she wore a Western-style shirt with hakama when she went out. Her companion was Iwa. Under her guidance, they headed toward a place where Edgar might be.
He was supposed to primarily be a jeweler, so it would likely be a crowded area.
With that thought, they made their way to the market.
The crowd was quite large, and the smells of sweat, dried goods, fresh fish, and natto wafted through the air.
They walked through the noise, and when the streets widened a bit, Iwa offered her parasol.
“What shall we do today?”
Iwa seemed to think they were there for shopping. Sara searched diligently for Edgar among the numerous shops.
(Maybe he’s at a shrine like last time. There’s also a possibility he could be at a temple…)
Edgar was not at the market. Finding a nearby temple, Sara suggested, “Let’s take a break,” and entered.
“Where are you going, madam?” Iwa asked.
“To find something.”
“Oh, how cute”
Iwa suddenly crouched down, having noticed something. Sara turned to see what it was. It was a glass ornament.
The one selling it was a small man with a completely shaved head.
“You have a good eye, ladies. This is a glass piece made in ‘Italy,’” he said in a gravelly voice.
“...Mr. Edgar?”
When she called his name, Edgar looked up, his sky-blue eyes wide as he recognized Sara.
“Wow. You know me?”
“Madam?”
“Mrs. oIwa, I need to talk to this person…” Iwa tilted her head but said she would finish shopping in the market.
“Mr. Edgar, it’s about the mirror.”
Upon hearing that, Edgar’s eyes widened, and his gaze sharpened.
“I was told by Mr. Sakimoto to use the mirror correctly.”
As Sara explained, Edgar nodded earnestly.
“Listen closely. That mirror responds most strongly to pure wishes. Before you came here, what did you wish for?”
“To know.”
“To know?”
“Yes. What happened to Alex. Why was he called a traitor and targeted for assassination…”
“Assassination? Alexander?”
Edgar raised both eyebrows in shock.
“Impossible. Why?”
"I don't know. That's why I want to know."
Edgar crossed his arms and let out a long sigh.
"What a mess. But I think I understand a bit. So she regrets it... that must be it..."
"Mr. Edgar?"
"No, don't worry about it. You should act for your own wish."
Is it really that simple?
Sara was taken aback.
"But..."
"No 'buts.' You want to know, right? What happened to Alexander? The wish may be simple, but fulfilling it is a challenge. But you have to do it."
Sara lifted her head. He was right. Her heart tightened. He was going to be assassinated.
This was no small matter.
"By the way, Mr. Edgar, why is it impossible?"
"Well, young lady... ugh."
Suddenly, Edgar groaned and held his forehead.
"Sorry, young lady. She told me not to say. I'm part of Sakimoto, but I'm trapped in this world and can't move as I please. I’m counting on you; please do your best."
"That’s... Are you okay?"
"I’ll be fine as long as I don’t say unnecessary things."
Edgar took a deep breath.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"For me? Then end this world."
"What?"
Those were unexpected words.
"W-What do you mean?"
"This is a world where wishes and the past overlap. If you’re not careful, it will be a disaster. As time passes, the body over there grows weaker."
"That’s..."
Does that mean she could become a vegetable as a result of escapism? Would she just wait for death without ever waking up?
"That’s counterproductive, isn’t it? So, young lady, fulfill your wish. If your wish is pure, the path should open."
"What if I have an impure wish?"
"For example?"
"Like wanting Alexander to think of me..."
"No, even the mirror can't manipulate someone else's heart. If it could, she would have already fulfilled her wish... oh, she might notice. Hang in there, young lady. You might be the key to unraveling this world."
Edgar couldn't say more and urged Sara to leave.
Although she didn't get any clear hints, she resolved to “know” and headed back to the market.
After reuniting with Iwa and buying what she needed, they returned to the mansion.
Alex returned home in the evening. He wasn't drunk today.
"Welcome back."
As I said this, a tingling sensation spread in my chest, as if flowers were blooming there.
(Sarah, I’m sorry. I’m borrowing your body...)
Guilt surfaced, but I steeled myself, determined to learn about Alex.
"Even though it’s just yesterday, you seem like a completely different person."
"Eh?!"
Could it be that he had already figured it out? I stiffened, but Alex bent down to look at me and smiled.
"The growth of a fawn is rapid."
It seemed he hadn’t caught on after all; I must resemble "Sarah" quite a bit.
"A fawn..."
Come to think of it, I had been called that before.
After dinner, Alex brought up something.
"Sarah, I have big news today."
"What is it?"
"Lord Shibata has ordered that you be taken to the Rokumeikan."
Time seemed to stop for a moment.
"Eh?"
"You can speak English. When your name came up, he mentioned that. He said that since there are few women who can speak English, it would be great to have you observe them closely, to learn from the women of the British Empire."
What a daunting task!
The Rokumeikan was the center of diplomacy. There had been mixed opinions about it, but it was undoubtedly a place where genuine diplomacy took place.
"I'm sorry. I didn't intend to use you..."
"N-no, but..."
"Should I mention that you might be pregnant?"
My face turned bright red.
But on the other hand, I realized this could be an opportunity. Being targeted as a traitor likely meant involvement in politics.
If that was the case, going to the diplomatic arena where he worked could yield significant insights.
"...I'll go."
"Really? You don’t have to force yourself."
"Do you not want me to go, Alex?"
"I do. It's dangerous."
He stated this clearly.
"The Rokumeikan is costly. Even now, there is much criticism over whether we should go to such lengths to entertain foreigners. It may seem like a ridiculous ball every night. Although it’s meant to demonstrate Japan’s national strength and show the British Empire that 'subduing us isn’t easy,' it indeed feels excessive."
"It’s to protect Japan, then."
"There are always pros and cons to everything, and it’s hard to tell what will be beneficial. Depending on how you look at it, it may seem like we’re just wagging our tails at the British Empire. I want to avoid you becoming a target of their criticism."
He truly wasn't a traitor after all. There had been a misunderstanding, and I had come to learn that.
Now wasn’t the time to be scared.
"Alex, I will go."
"Sarah..."
"You will protect me, right?"
"..."
Alex placed both hands on the table, bowed his head, and shook it.
"I may be worrying too much. You're much braver than I thought."
"Then..."
"Alright. Let’s go together."
Entering the bedroom, I find myself gazing at Alex's sleeping face and suddenly wonder,
(By the way, why wasn't Sarah in Okutama?)
If Sarah exists as part of me, then it would be strange for Alex to introduce himself back then. At that time, I should have already been his wife.
But that wasn’t the case. Moreover, he had said he would protect me this time.
(Is Sarah not here? Did she disappear somewhere...?)
What happened during those three years? Alex had said he no longer had a reason to live in the city (what is now Tokyo).
If I find out, I might be able to return to reality.
(But if I do that, won’t I be unable to prevent Alex's assassination...?)
Wishing correctly is far too difficult.
Can I truly fulfill it?
What if I wish for Alex to live, and that turns out to be wrong?
What if it was his "fate" to die there?
(...I shouldn't wish to change that.)
I tightly gripped the blanket in my hands.
Starting the next day, I would accompany Alex to the Rokumeikan.
We rode in a carriage to what is now the site of the Imperial Hotel.
What awaited us was a Western building that particularly evoked England. It was designed by the British architect Josiah Conder, so that made sense.
With a brick roof and white walls, the two-story structure felt like a "smaller" Buckingham Palace.
Even so, it was grand enough for me, and I could easily imagine that it must have cost a fortune.
The front yard was lined with lanterns and gas lamps, with well-tended greenery creating paths.
(It feels like an English garden...)
In an era trying to emulate the West, they built something of this magnitude. It was not a half-hearted effort. From the age of swords and bows to the age of guns, the cannons loaded on ships must have posed a tremendous threat.
And then there was John Manjiro, who drifted and was led to learn language and culture in America. Without him, it’s hard to imagine what might have happened to Japan. One could say it was a truly extraordinary fate, considering that without understanding English, Japan could have easily been taken over.
Thus, even at the Rokumeikan, they are engaged in an invisible defense or seeking collaboration with overseas powers. I had discussed such matters with an Englishman in the real world, and what he said held considerable significance.
—In the past, the Japanese opened doors to the world while looking to the future. It’s wrong to mock that.
While it’s natural to have differing opinions, it shouldn’t just be about criticism. The fact is, Japan has escaped colonial rule by the British Empire.
(That said, I still don’t know what the right answer is…)
The carriage stopped, and I entered with Alex. The polished Western-style staircase railing gleamed. To me, the antique lamps were striking. Walking on the red carpet to the back of the second floor, I found Ambassador Shibata waiting in the room.
He was a broad-shouldered man with graying hair, a gentleman with a straight posture. Dressed in Western-style uniform, his mustache was neatly shaped like that of an Englishman. It was certainly an appearance that could be called “mimicry.”
“Is she your wife?”
“Yes. She is the daughter of the Yuge family and has come from Kyushu.”
“I hear she can speak English. Is that true?”
Shibata’s sharp gaze caught me. For a moment, I stiffened, but his seriousness was different from that of someone looking down on me. Perhaps that’s why I could face him with tension but no fear.
“Yes. In business… I apologize. I can handle everyday conversation.”
Business terminology was unnecessary in this era; likely no one would understand it.
“I see. That’s reassuring. As you might know, both the British Empire and France look down on us. Moreover, we are facing criticism from within Japan as well. We want to show that we can understand the language properly and engage on equal footing. Our goal is to protect Japan and advance without falling behind the West.”
Shibata’s attitude was so commanding that I felt overwhelmed. I could feel sweat trickling down my back.
(Have we gotten ourselves into something serious…?)
I thought about it but glanced at Alex standing next to me and nodded.
“Yes!”
When introducing Sara, Alex mentioned the "Yuge family," indicating she was born in Kyushu.
(I’ve learned a little about Sarah. But what about Alex?)
As they walked through the Rokumeikan, Alex guided her through the details.
The railings visible from the balconies were green, with rounded bars that seemed like something out of an old British movie.
Yet, the Japanese atmosphere lingered everywhere, giving a sense of the earth.
Reaching the center of the second floor, Alex said,
"This is the dance hall."
It was the main venue for diplomacy at the Rokumeikan. The door swung open with a click, revealing a vast interior resembling a hotel ballroom, with several chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.
Decorative frames adorned the windows, draped with ample lace curtains and red velvet drapes.
The floor was covered with patterned red carpet.
"I wonder where they sourced all this…"
She murmured, and Alex glanced at her with a smile.
"It’s all due to diplomatic efforts."
"Diplomacy is often an undervalued job, isn’t it?"
"‘Often’?"
Sara realized her slip, but Alex chuckled, saying, "I’ve let you hear my grumbling. It’s hard to say. The public might think money is flowing to foreign countries."
"There are many benefits to Japan as well."
"That’s true. But it takes time. By the way, since many elderly women come here, be careful."
"Careful about what?"
"Younger women tend to become 'targets for lectures' for the ladies. The conversations can drag on, so try not to get caught."
It seemed to be a joke from Alex, and Sara smiled.
"Speaking of which, how long has it been since I last visited the Yuge family?"
"You haven’t been back to your family for two years. You officially married and came here only two years ago."
Two years. So she married at 22. That might be considered late in this era.
"Alex, how old are you now?"
"Me? I’ll be 30 soon. Not young anymore."
Is that so? Sara looked at Alex again.
In reality, 29 is still quite young.
But perhaps due to his position and circumstances, Alex seemed quite mature.
"What about dancing?"
"Huh?"
It was something she had never done.
But thinking about it, the Rokumeikan was indeed a place for such activities.
"We’re all still quite clumsy. We’re laughed at behind our backs."
Alex took Sara’s hand and stepped lightly, showing her a simple dance move.
"It seems dancing is essential at soirées and social gatherings abroad. Oh, and…"
He drew her closer and whispered in her ear,
"Do you know why only elderly women participate? They don’t want their wives or daughters taken away by foreigners. That’s why I really don’t want you here. If a foreign man approaches you, please don’t go with him."
"Uh…?"
"There are foreign merchants who frequent the red-light districts in Nagasaki. Women are easy targets, no matter the country. Some men want to bask in the superiority of having relations with foreigners."
"That’s… not possible. I’m plain."
Alex stepped back, looked at Sara, and patted her shoulder.
"You are beautiful. So be careful."
He ruffled her hair and continued,
"But I do enjoy this dance. It’s something that is only complete when we synchronize our movements. If either is lacking, it doesn’t work. One mistake can lead to injury, but when it goes well, it’s beautiful. To be honest, I also admire the harmony of English and French gentlemen and ladies dancing together."
That night, they attended the ball, marking Sara’s debut at the Rokumeikan.
The camera clicked loudly as it captured the moment.
Sara returned to the mansion with Alex late at night, as the moon hung low in the sky.
Next→ 【鏡中夢幻ーEphemeral Fantasies Within the Mirror】Episode8 R-18
