Sakuran Page #3

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Please, Oiran.

Kiyoha! I heard you ran off.

Where did they catch you?

They didn't catch me.

I came back myself.

This way.

The samurai's name is

Kuranosuke Matsumoto.

He's a very important gentleman.

He'll be a very good customer.

Don't let him get away!

His power and money mean nothing.

If I like him, he won't get away.

If not, I won't meet him again.

I saw your promenade

the other night.

Very beautiful.

Thank you.

I very much wanted to meet you.

And I must say...

...that paulownia chest-of-drawers

is very nice.

The chest may look very nice,

but there's nothing inside it.

I thought it was a point of pride

with the ladies of the Quarter...

...to hide that from a client.

Pretending there's something there

when there isn't...

It's petty. I don't do that.

Pretending there's nothing there

when there is something...

That's called 'style'.

I see.

Perhaps this money will buy you

kimonos to fill that chest of drawers.

I didn't say I wanted money

to fill that chest.

We were meant to be.

An oiran has expenses.

Please don't be shy.

However great a samurai

you might be...

...you don't please a courtesan

with money.

So you can just bugger off!

What do you think?

Not a bad dancer, eh?

I yield.

I win!

How dare you!

What are you doing?!

I apologize, Milord.

She's still getting ready.

I'll send her straight here.

That's all right.

I'm enjoying the sake.

Should you keep him waiting,

Higurashi-oiran?

Sure! You were here first.

Yeah, but...

...I'm not a regular.

I work for days to afford you!

You should be looking after

clients with money!

Me...

...I'm crazy about you.

I'm in heaven just being here.

You're such an idiot!

That's exactly

what I like about you.

And I know very well

that you don't have any money.

Yeah, I guess so...

Excuse me.

Today I come only to apologize.

My behavior the other day

was unpardonable.

Please find it in your heart

to forgive my poor manners.

Raise your head, please.

It's as you say.

A courtesan does have expenses.

I was lying when I said

your money meant nothing.

I apologize.

Seiji...

Do you have any marriage plans?

Uh, no...

Well...

...would you like

to marry my niece?

I couldn't!

At least hear us out.

We don't have any children.

She's like a daughter to us.

And your mother was

a working girl here.

You're like a son to us already.

If I do say so myself...

...the girl's very pretty.

And not from the Quarter, of course.

In that case,

it is my filial duty to insist...

...such a young lady should marry

a man of greater substance.

I need someone to succeed me

in running this house.

You know very well...

...we can't just close it down.

Tell me, Higurashi...

...would you like to leave here?

If it were on my own two feet...

...I'd leave any time.

I'll take you out of here.

Whatever has come over you,

Milord Kuranosuke?

Do you need someone to warm you?

Don't make jokes. I mean it.

You won't just be a concubine.

I'll look after you, no matter what.

If I ask formally,

will you accept me?

When the cherry tree blooms.

The cherry tree?

When cherry trees bloom

here in Yoshiwara...

...I'll be ready to leave.

Higurashi!

Higurashi!

It's incredible!

Lord Matsumoto's hired

the whole Quarter!

And that's not all!

He says he wants you to see

cherry blossoms!

Come and look! Come on!

Ah, that's good!

Everyone! Listen to me!

I wish to take

Higurashi of the Tamagikuya...

...as my wife.

That is the reason for this banquet.

Drink your fill!

Lord Matsumoto!

Thank you, Milord!

Lord Kuranosuke! Drink with us!

That's wonderful!

Higurashi...

...you're not pregnant, are you?

Why do you ask?

What if I am?

You'll have to get rid of it

with lantern-plant.

It'll be rough.

Take some time off.

The quicker you do it the better.

Who says I'm going to?

I've been blessed.

Whoever's the father,

it's my child.

I'm going to have it.

What are you talking about?!

Even if I didn't love

the father...

...the child will always be mine.

You can't refuse His Lordship now.

That's the rule!

The boss'll force you

to get rid of the baby.

I won't let him!

Tell His Lordship no.

He's a samurai! He can kill you!

If it means killing my own child...

...then he can damn well

kill both of us!

Suit yourself.

Damn right I will!

Higurashi's so lucky!

Bought out of here by a lord!

Really!

But can a whore

really be a samurai's wife?

I'm sure Higurashi

will make him a fine wife.

Anyway, that'll never happen

to any of us.

I don't care who it is,

someone get me out of here!

Me, too!

And me!

What's the matter, Mr Seiji?

Nothing.

Have these.

Three of them? You don't mind?

Shigeji...

...do you miss Takao-oiran?

Higurashi-oiran

looks after me now.

The Missus says

to be grateful for that.

I see...

Who would you miss

if they died, Mr Seiji?

Good question...

I wonder who...

I'm pregnant.

I don't know who the father is,

of course.

But I mean to have the child.

I couldn't possibly go to you...

...pregnant with a child

whose father I don't know.

Even less could I abort

the child...

...to become your wife.

Is this true?

Higurashi...

You are a fool, but so am I.

Would it trouble you if I said...

...I'd still have you?

Milord...

Higurashi...

Higurashi!

What's wrong?

Higurashi!

I won't be needing

the lantern-plant.

I keep telling myself

it can't be helped...

But the poor baby...

My mother...

...was a whore.

The child would be happy

knowing you wanted it.

Get some rest.

Did you think

I was running away again?

You never were

any good at it.

It was here inside me...

My baby!

My Elder Sister is really something!

She's going to be

a samurai's wife!

My name is Ume.

How do you do.

My husband wants one blessing

to go with another.

He'd like Seiji and Ume's wedding

on the day you're redeemed.

Would you mind?

What are you looking at, Mr Seiji?

Oh...

...I was just thinking

it might rain tomorrow.

It's been a long time, Kiyoha...

No, you're 'Higurashi' now.

I really wish people wouldn't

just suddenly...

...keep changing their names.

I never know what to call anyone.

When did this cicada

rise up out of the ground?

What about you?

We never saw you any more...

...after you wore yourself out

chasing your youth with a 'new girl'.

Do you remember...

...that cherry tree

over at Inari Shrine?

Yes.

The only cherry tree in Yoshiwara.

They say that ever since

you were an attendant...

...you've been saying...

...you'd leave here

when flowers grow on that tree.

That was a little girl's dream.

Why do you think that?

I've given up hoping

that tree will ever flower.

And so now it never will.

Was it a good thing

to just abandon hope?

If you don't give up hope...

...call the truth a lie...

...and a lie the truth...

...you won't survive.

Do you really...

...believe that?

Higurashi...

...you don't understand a thing.

There can't be a cherry tree...

...that doesn't flower.

It's like he's going home

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