Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [224]
“Those hoodlums from Suzuka are a lot tamer than they used to be,” said Sannojō, “but if they’re out to waylay somebody, he’s not likely to get over this road safely. Still, from what I hear about this Musashi you’re so worried about, it sounds to me like he’s too smart to stumble into one of their traps.”
“Are there other roads besides this one to Omi?” asked Otsū.
“There are,” replied Sannojō, raising his eyes toward the mountain peaks sparkling dazzlingly in the midday sun. “If you go to Iga Valley, there’s a road to Ueno, and from Ano Valley there’s one that goes to Yokkaichi and Kuwana. There must be three or four other mountain paths and shortcuts. My guess is, Musashi left the highroad early on.”
“Then you think he’s still safe?”
“Most likely. At least, safer than the two of you. You’ve been rescued once today, but if you stay on this highway, Tsujikaze’s men will catch you again at Yasugawa. If you can stand a rather steep climb, come with me, and I’ll show you a path practically nobody knows.”
They quickly assented. Sannojō guided them up above Kaga Village to Makado Pass, from which a path led down to Seto in Otsu.
After explaining in detail how to proceed, he said, “You’re out of harm’s way now. Just keep your eyes and ears open, and be sure to find a safe place to stay before dark.”
Otsū thanked him for all he had done and started to leave, but Sannojō stared at her and said, “We’re parting now, you know.” The words seemed fraught with meaning, and there was a rather hurt look in his eyes. “All along,” he continued, “I’ve been thinking, ‘Is she going to ask now?’ but you never did ask.”
“Ask what?”
“My name.”
“But I heard your name when we were on Kōji Hill.”
“Do you remember it?”
“Of course. You’re Tsuge Sannojō, and you’re the nephew of Watanabe Hanzō.”
“Thank you. I don’t ask you to be eternally grateful to me or anything like that, but I do hope you’ll always remember me.”
“Why, I’m deeply indebted to you.”
“That’s not what I mean. What I want to say is, well, I’m still not married. If my uncle weren’t so strict, I’d like to take you to my home right now…. But I can see you’re in a hurry. Anyway, you’ll find a small inn a few miles ahead where you can stay overnight. I know the innkeeper very well, so mention my name to him. Farewell!”
After he was gone, a strange feeling came over Otsū. From the outset, she had not been able to figure out what sort of person Sannojō was, and when they had parted, she felt as though she had escaped from the clutches of a dangerous animal. She had gone through the motions of thanking him; she did not really feel grateful in her heart.
Jōtarō, in spite of his tendency to take to strangers, reacted in much the same way. As they started down from the pass, he said, “I don’t like that man.”
Otsū did not want to speak badly of Sannojō behind his back, but she admitted she did not like him either, adding, “What do you suppose he meant by telling me that he was still single.”
“Oh, he’s hinting that one day he’s going to ask you to marry him.” “Why, that’s absurd!”
The two made their way to Kyoto without incident, albeit disappointed at not finding Musashi at any of the places where they had hoped to—neither on the lakeside in Omi nor at the Kara Bridge in Seta nor at the barrier in Osaka. From Keage, they plunged into the year-end crowds near the Sanjō Avenue entrance to the city. In the capital, the house fronts were adorned with the pine-branch decorations traditional during the New Year’s season. The sight of the decorations cheered Otsū, who, instead of lamenting the lost chances of the past, resolved to look forward to the future and the opportunities it held for finding Musashi. The Great Bridge at Gojō Avenue. The first day of the New Year. If he did not show up that morning, then the second, or the third … He had said he would certainly be there, as she had learned from Jōtarō. Even though he wasn’t coming to meet her, just to be able to see him and talk to him again would be enough.
The possibility that she might run