Hyuga Bai didn't understand Hyuga Miyu's intentions.
Within the Hyuga clan, the Main Family was expected to pursue diverse developments, needing to learn many elegant arts; tea ceremony, calligraphy, and waka poetry were all subjects they dabbled in.
But Hyuga Bai belonged to the Branch Family. His duty was to protect the Main Family. While he might pick up a superficial understanding of these arts, he wouldn't study them deeply. Their development path focused more on strengthening their own power, honing their taijutsu, and mastering tactics.
Right now, Hyuga Bai's mind was filled with Tsukuyo's every frown and smile.
When Hyuga Miyu asked him to prepare tea, he could only comply.
As for what Miyu was thinking, Bai paid it no mind. He used the tools available to prepare the tea.
With his thoughts entirely consumed by Tsukuyo, the result was that Hyuga Bai subconsciously adopted the method he remembered Tsukuyo using for her tea ceremony.
It wasn't until he pushed the tea towards Hyuga Miyu...
Miyu stated flatly, "......Bai, you've fallen in love with her."
The moment she spoke—
Clatter—
Hyuga Bai's hand loosened, and the tool he used to push the cup dropped onto the low table.
It was only then that Hyuga Bai finally realized the tea set Miyu had brought out wasn't their traditional Hyuga set, but rather one belonging to the Senju clan.
His mind was full of the Senju Princess, and the tea set at hand matched the Senju configuration.
Having met the Senju Princess and witnessed her perform the tea ceremony, Hyuga Bai had instinctively, subconsciously replicated the same steps and movements.
Cold sweat beaded on Hyuga Bai's entire body. He stared blankly at Hyuga Miyu, speechless.
"...There's no shame in it, Bai." Hyuga Miyu lowered her gaze. "Her beauty is almost otherworldly. The first time I saw her, I felt a profound sense of powerlessness."
"Whether man or woman, gazing upon her beauty for too long, one cannot help but become captivated."
Hyuga Bai remained silent.
Hyuga Miyu continued, "I've seen this tea ceremony method from Wakama. Every time we met, he would prepare tea for me, endlessly repeating these motions."
"Even when my cup was still quite full, he would always be preparing more, always refilling it for me."
"If I drank the tea and the level dropped, he would refill it, bringing the water back to its previous height."
"If I didn't drink, and the tea level didn't decrease, he would still refill it, though he would just add a drop or two of fresh tea, making it look unchanged."
Speaking up to this point, Hyuga Miyu seemed lost in memory.
"I once asked him why he was so fond of tea. He replied that it was an exercise his sister required him to practice, to cultivate elegance from the inside out."
"It truly is elegant, so much so that even I find myself unconsciously imitating it."
"Bai, you've met his sister. With such beauty, even though she is still young, you could not possibly escape her allure."
"Just like now... subconsciously, you were thinking of her, which led you to naturally perform the actions she once did..."
Hyuga Bai looked at Hyuga Miyu expressionlessly, still saying nothing.
Hyuga Miyu spoke with a grave expression, "Let's join forces. After meeting her, you must have a way to contact her, right?"
Hyuga Bai slowly rose to his feet, stating calmly, "The Senju Princess is exceedingly beautiful, and I admit I was deeply moved by her. But that's all. I will never betray the Hyuga, nor will I contact the Princess privately. Lady Miyu, please put aside such thoughts. I shall take my leave now."
With that, Hyuga Bai turned and walked away.
Ally with Hyuga Miyu?
What kind of joke was that?
Hyuga Miyu called out desperately from behind him, "Don't you want to win the fair maiden?"
Hyuga Bai's steps faltered. He turned slightly, a faint mockery appearing on his face. "Does 'wanting' something guarantee it can be achieved? I am aware of my humble status. I have the heart to appreciate beauty, but I also know my own limits."
Hyuga Bai bowed once more to Hyuga Miyu. This time, his departure was even quicker.
In Hyuga Bai's heart, the Lady who couldn't save herself was not a suitable ally.
Hyuga Bai didn't understand Hyuga Miyu's schemes or her hidden depths.
She clearly could have fled the Hyuga clan to be with Senju Wakama forever, yet she chose to remain within the Hyuga clan and endure mistreatment.
This indicated that Hyuga Miyu had other reasons for staying in the clan compound.
But none of that concerned Hyuga Bai, nor did he wish to ponder it.
Hyuga Bai hurried back to his own residence.
After closing the door, he leaned against it, his eyes immediately falling upon an incongruous gift box placed in the middle of the simple room.
Hyuga Bai's pupils constricted slightly.
He quickly walked towards the gift box and knelt beside it.
Staring at the box for a long time, Hyuga Bai used the corner of his sleeve to cover his hand as he lifted the lid.
The moment the box opened, his eyes met a somewhat familiar garment, adorned with lifelike, intricate patterns.
Hyuga Bai narrowed his eyes and reached out to pick up the set of clothes.
As the clothes lifted out of the box, a letter, carrying the scent of roses, slipped out with them.
He caught the scent of paint mixed with the metallic tang of blood.
"This........." Hyuga Bai picked up the letter and opened it.
Elegant handwriting filled his vision.
The signature read "Tsukuyo," and the content was an apology for her previous reckless actions that had harmed Hyuga Bai. Furthermore, she felt the garment held commemorative significance, so instead of having it destroyed or cleaned, she had chosen to use paint, creating artwork alongside the bloodstains.
She also added that Hyuga Bai could do whatever he wished with the clothes; if he felt they were unnecessary, he could destroy them himself.
Hyuga Bai gently touched the thin paper of the letter, reading the contents over and over, an involuntary smile touching his lips.
However...
Before long, Hyuga Bai's smile vanished. He murmured softly, "I'm sorry..."
After gently stroking the garment—stained with his own blood and now adorned like blooming flowers—countless times, Hyuga Bai burned it.
The Senju Princess was a sweet poison.
This gift brought Hyuga Bai joy, but his reason remained intact.
It couldn't be kept...
These clothes could not be kept.
This was a standard Senju clan uniform, accidentally stained with his blood.
If his clansmen found out he treasured a piece of Senju attire, no matter how unique or special it looked, there would be dire consequences for him.
He truly did want to be with the Senju Princess; he truly harbored this daydream. But he needed to survive, and he shouldn't bear such inexplicable risks.
The Senju Princess possessed immense strength, wealth, and emotional intelligence. What kind of man couldn't she marry if she wished?
Hyuga Bai knew his place. There were far too many men in the world more outstanding than him. How could the Princess possibly take a liking to him?
This gift – was it a trap, or was it genuine? Only time would tell.
If she was sincere, Hyuga Bai could always ask her for a new piece of artwork to keep as a memento later.
If she did it deliberately, then these clothes were a disaster waiting to happen.
Regardless of the situation, these clothes... should not be kept...