The chauffeur, in full uniform and cap, approached the side door of the black limousine and opened it with a white-gloved hand. Yuriko Morimoto, in her imperial agent role, stepped out of the car first. Ayako was the first of the four girls from the GGA to step out after her, followed by her best friend Chiyo, then Karen and Sarah.

  Yuriko dressed in business attire: a dark blue suit jacket, a light blue shirt, a dark blue skirt, and black flats. The girls were wearing their best dresses for the occasion. At 5 '11", Ayako stood taller than Yuriko and Karen by an inch, while their friend Chiyo was the shortest in the group.

  Yuriko straightened her suit and turned to the girls. “Is everyone ready?”

  “I’m kind of nervous,” Chiyo admitted first.

  “I am too,” Ayako said. She kept a calm appearance, emulating Yuriko, who always exuded confidence.

  “It’s going to be fine,” Yuriko reassured. “I have never met imperial royalty before, either. So just be on your best behaviour, and it is probably a good rule to speak only when spoken to.”

  The limousine stopped in front of the main doors of a large Meiji-era mansion under a car porch. The building was built of red brick in a Western-style for the walls, gables, and windows, while the roof had Japanese-style tiling with crenellated ends. The estate was on the outskirts of Odewara town and isolated from other properties by a high brick wall and an iron grill gate. Odewara was not a huge city, so the girls knew about the mansion, but no one knew who owned it until now.

  The front door opened, and a Japanese butler stepped out in full attire: a black suit, white shirt, tie, waistcoat, and striped grey trousers. He bowed. “Welcome. Thank you for coming.” He gestured into the doorway, “Please accompany me to meet her imperial highness.”

  “Really, posh,” Karen whispered. “This isn’t the Imperial Palace or anything, but I’m impressed.”

  “Shhh,” Sarah said.

  They followed the butler into a grand foyer where polished wood staircases led to the second floor on both sides of the room. They went straight to the back and turned down a side hall that ended in another set of white double doors.

  The butler knocked and opened both of the doors wide. “Announcing former Master Sergeant Yuriko Morimoto and members of the Odewara High School Gun Girls Auxiliary.”

  Yuriko led the girls into a reception hall with a tall white ceiling trimmed in gilded woodwork and tall windows that let in light from both sides of the manor. The hardwood floor had a red carpet that led to an unassuming wooden throne on a low dais with rich gold and red drapes behind it.

  Seated with perfect poise on the throne was a teenage girl who looked to be about the same age as the girls, but she seemed older from the way she calmly observed them. She wore a colourful butterfly-patterned kimono and had a regal bearing about her from her emotionless facial expression. Her face was delicate, and her long hair was done up in a bun with an ornate butterfly hairpin through it.

  Standing to the right of the throne was an older man with grey hair and a well-trimmed short beard. Possibly an advisor, he appeared to be in excellent shape, fitting his tailored three-piece suit well. On the left side, in front of her, was a young woman in a grey suit, with her hair cut short at her nape, who seemed to be a personal assistant. She beckoned them forward. “Please step forward to meet Her Highness, Princess Tomoe.”

  The announcement reminded Yuriko that the imperial family did not have a family name. She led the girls down the carpet to stop, where the personal assistant stood three metres in front of the princess. They formed a line and bowed.

  “Thank you for coming.” The princess’s speech was refined, friendly, and carried well. “You are my welcome guests.”

  “Your Highness,” Yuriko said, “we thank you for the audience, and we are at your service.”

  “You are very gracious, Morimoto-san. I am the one who should thank you for your devotion to Japan and the emperor. Because of you, the Imperial Management Agency is aware of the emerging threats around the Confluence. It is why I have suddenly moved here from Kyoto.”

  Tomoe kept a graceful poise while she spoke. “The Morimotos are purveyors of some of the finest green tea in Kyoto but descend from a samurai family. Your ancestors would be proud of your accomplishments. The emperor cannot be here today, but he thanks you for your service and loyalty. I am personally very impressed with your accomplishments from your military and IMA service.”

  Yuriko bowed again. “Thank you, your highness.”

  The princess looked at the girls from the GGA. “Chiyo Kimura, Ayako Hayami, Karen Wilson, and Sarah Benton. The emperor also wishes to thank you for your bravery in preventing the destruction of the shintai. While you have taken vows of service to the community when you joined the Gun Girls Auxiliary, you have risked your lives beyond what is typically asked. There are, unfortunately, no rewards for working in secret, but you have our gratitude. While this isn’t much, I would personally like to know you all better, though.”

  The girls all looked at each other incredulously when they heard the princess wanted to know them better. They awkwardly bowed and thanked the princess.

  The princess stood up and bowed to them, causing the Yuriko and the girls to bow back. She then gave a great big smile, something unexpected in the formal situation they were in. “Now that the formalities are out of the way, please relax. We needed to follow some protocol for our first meeting, but I really would like us to know each other better in a more casual setting.”

  Her personal assistant and the older man both gave a slight twitch of exasperation about her informality, but it seemed like something they were both used to.

  “I have tea and cake prepared for us in the back garden. It is a lovely day to have a meeting outside.”

  *****

  It was an immaculately manicured lawn with well-trimmed bushes and pretty flower beds. Several traditional Japanese storehouse buildings were on the right, and a large training dojo-type structure on the opposite side was on the opposite side. In the center part of the lawn, a large circular table sat with an umbrella to shade it. On the table was a tiered dessert tray of an assortment of little different coloured cakes along with a silver tea set. Place settings with fine porcelain cups and dishes had been laid out for six.

  “Oh, wow!” Sarah exclaimed. “It’s like high tea, and the cakes look wonderful. This is amazing.”

  “Shhhh,” Karen playfully chastised. “This is very informally posh.”

  Ayako and Chiyo were equally impressed but stayed quieter than their American friends. Chiyo’s family would have had formal Japanese tea but not a more Western tea service. Ayako and her mother lived fairly spartanly to stay within their budget, which was one of the reasons that Ayako had taken the part-time job at Yuriko’s SuperQuickly. Yuriko was pleasantly surprised, with her years of life experience easing her reaction.

  The princess gave a slight laugh. “This is supposed to be casual. I hope the tea and cake prove to be very delicious based on your reactions. Our cook spent the morning baking. Please, take any seat; all are equal here.”

  Everyone waited for the princess to sit first before sitting, with Yuriko next to her on one side and Karen on the other. When they were settled, a maid came to pour the tea. It was a quality Keemun black tea from the sweet floral aroma that lingered in the air.

  “Let me introduce myself personally,” the princess earnestly said. “I am Tomoe, the third daughter and youngest child of the emperor. You have probably heard of me, but there is very little press coverage about me. My older sisters and brother receive all of the attention.”

  “I’ve read rumours about your poor health, which is why you do not make many public appearances.” Yuriko appraised Tomoe’s physical condition. “It would appear the rumours are just tabloid gossip.”

  Tomoe let a slight smile show on her face. “The imperial family and the Imperial Management Agency are quite happy with the rumours. I’m perfectly healthy, but I live a life that borders on being sequestered.”

  “Why?” Chiyo asked, “That doesn’t seem fair at all.”

  Tomoe paused for a moment and seemed a little wistful when she said, “I have come to accept that as part of my duty.”

  “Why would you have to be isolated?” Ayako said. “Chiyo is right. It is not fair.”

  “It is necessary as I am the Sword Princess.”

  “Sword Princess?” Multiple voices asked at the same time.

  “Yes. I am the chosen wielder of the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi to protect Japan. It is part of the imperial treasures presented to every emperor at their coronation, but I use them.”

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “I take it they are not just historical artifacts,” Yuriko dryly commented. Her current job was originally a straightforward surveillance operation, but it had become complicated in the last four months. “Hopefully, this is the last of the secrets being revealed. It’s harder to do your job when you don’t know all the details.”

  “Oh, there are more secrets…” The barest hint of a smile appeared on Tomoe’s face as if there were a private joke. “The situation has changed, so you need to know more about the history of Mount Kumotawa and how it involves me. I will make this quick so we can enjoy our tea while it is hot. I do want this to be a pleasant afternoon, but feel free to ask me questions later. I will try to answer them if I can.”

  Everyone nodded for Tomoe to proceed.

  “Princess Chikako defeated the oni army during the early Sengoku Period. What isn’t written is that she used the three imperial treasures to defeat an avatar of Orochi in personal combat. The treasures consist of the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the famous Grasscutter sword I use; Yata no Kagami, the sacred mirror; and Yasakani no Magatama, the sacred jewel. They were gifts from the gods that only someone from the imperial family could use, as we are descendants of the goddess Amaterasu. The origins of the treasures are legend, but as their wielder, I sense they are not from this world. As you know, it seems that Orochi, the eight-headed serpent god, is trying to invade our world again after being long exiled by the gods. The treasures are our only weapons that can drive Orochi back through the Confluence. I have the greatest affinity for treasures, so I was chosen to wield Grasscutter, which was created from the body of Orochi.”

  “That is one special sword.” Yuriko wondered about other offensive possibilities. “I’m still getting used to magic and now gods. Even if the sword has powerful magic, why don’t we use modern weapons?”

  “The IMA has considered that. Modern weapons would hurt the physical side of Orochi. However, Orochi is a god, an extra-dimensional being, which means physical attacks would not be as effective, or it could even possibly negate physical attacks. The gods appear to be absent now, but it was the gods who exiled Orochi to another universe. After World War II, there were plans to use battleships to bombard the mountain. The emperor and General MacArthur even considered the atomic bomb as an option of last resort if Orochi ever returned.”

  “Hmm, that changes a lot.” Yuriko thought about what she had just heard. “The nuclear option would not be good. Japan was lucky that the only atomic bomb used against us was the demonstration blast over Tokyo Bay during World War II.”

  “Yes. That is why I have been trained to use Grasscutter’s special properties and the other treasures since I was young to protect Japan and the world. I believe the kami blessed us with bad weather when the second bomb was to be dropped on Hiroshima. This allowed the emperor and Admiral Yamamoto to lead the coup that overthrew the military government and surrender to the United States. I hope there will never be a second bomb used in Japan. It isn’t like Japan escaped unscathed, with the Tokyo firebombings destroying half of the city, but I’m glad we are allies now.”

  Yuriko and the girls did not know what to expect when they met the princess, but they were both impressed by her presence and honesty.

  Yuriko said. “A great deal rides on your shoulders, princess. I think you have our full respect. You may be young, but I will support you to the best of my ability.”

  “Your support reassures me. I couldn’t ask for more, but let us hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  The girls had been quietly absorbing all of this. Things felt way too serious for tea and cake.

  Tomoe realized she had let things get too tense. “Sorry,” she said. “I have talked too much about my duty. I felt you were owed an explanation due to your involvement.” She rapidly added, “The IMA is supposed to take care of everything. Please. This is supposed to be a happy moment.” With that, she picked up her teacup, smelled the aroma of the tea, and had a sip. “The tea is very good.”

  “Yes. We should enjoy our time together.” Chiyo broke the ice. “The tea smells exquisite. Ayako, could you pass me a piece of cake with the pink icing?”

  “Oooh. Those do look good.” Sarah had her eyes on the cakes. “I think I might start with a piece of blueberry mousse.” Her sweet tooth and the change in conversation instantly put any seriousness in the past for her.

  Karen laughed. “Maybe you’ll get inspired for your next baking project.”

  “That would be so good,” Chiyo said. “Ayako loves your baking, too, even if she doesn’t say it all the time!”

  “Hey!” Ayako protested. “I compliment her lots. Tomoe, what kind of cake would you like? It seems like I’m serving.”

  “A piece of the chocolate cake with strawberries would be nice.”

  Yuriko had to smile at how resilient the girls were. They had switched gears and were becoming their normal casual selves, even if royalty was present.

  At first, Ayako talked to the princess about little things, like her favourite kind of cake or her impressions of Odewara. She found out that it was Tomoe’s first trip here and that they were the same age. Soon afterwards, their curiosity about each other became more about their lives, families, and what school was like for them.

  The girls wanted to know what a typical day for Tomoe was like, and they ended up feeling a little sorry for her. She did not attend school and was taught by private tutors, some of whom became good friends over the years. It became obvious that the princess actually led an isolated life, with servants, tutors and trainers being her daily personal contacts. Her schedule was filled with a great deal of regular and magical sword training. Since magic only worked best near weaknesses in the fabric of the universe, like the Confluence, she spent a great deal of time away from the imperial family in special training facilities. Magic did not work in a place like Tokyo, which is one reason the imperial family lived there for security. She did manage to see her family, but not as much as she would have liked.

  On the other hand, Tomoe wanted to know everything about how the girls met and what high school was like. She didn’t seem to have many friends her age. Tomoe seemed to be interested in how they all had become closer friends after their first encounter with the mukade on the mountain. Chiyo sympathized with the princess as she had been lonely until she met Ayako in elementary school. She, too, was learning magic now, although it was different from the princess’s magic, which seemed to be linked to the sword and treasures.

  In the middle of all this, Yuriko felt a little out of place, being far older, but the girls from the GGA kept her in the conversation. They all wanted to know more about her experiences in the military, especially Karen, who wanted to eventually join the army. Ayako, on the other hand, being the club captain, emulated Yuriko to an extent, so knowing more about her was a good thing. Yuriko was very well-liked by all of the girls who belonged to the GGA. They completely respected her skills, and it was exciting to know she had been a former drill sergeant. Their preconceptions for a drill instructor had been broken as she never yelled at anyone in anger. Instead, she was patient, firm with discipline, and fairly treated them all.

  “You all get along so well,” Tomoe commented. “I am a little envious.”

  “We’re just good friends,” Ayako said. “Chiyo and I go way back, but we only met Karen and Sarah last school year. Everyone in the GGA gets along pretty well.”

  “From what you said, it doesn’t seem like you have many friends your age,” Chiyo said. “It must be hard to make friends when you have to keep your secret and cannot attend regular school.”

  “Yes, it is. I have had regrets.”

  Sarah eagerly spoke up. “Maybe we could meet again? If that is something that royalty does?”

  “The more the merrier. I say.” Karen chimed in. “Hanging out with us wouldn’t be all that bad, I hope.”

  Tomoe sounded hesitant and a little nervous. “Would you really be my friends? Not just because I’m a princess?”

  “We’ve just met, Tomoe-san.” Ayako said firmly, “It is pretty cool that you are a princess, but it is more important to me that you are a good person. Right, girls?”

  The other girls answered in a chorus of agreement.

  “And it's not just because you have great cake, either,” Karen joked.

  “We can try,” Ayako said. “But friendship is something that has to grow.”

  “Then… I would certainly like to try,” Tomoe seemed happy. She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Please call me Tomoe from now on.”

  They all agreed to call each other by their first names. Yuriko smiled. There was just something special about these girls that she mentored. They were just a good bunch that stuck together. She was reminded of her daughter, whom she had been away from for much of her childhood, and wished she could have been around more.

  Questions about what the Grasscutter could do did come up briefly afterwards, but Tomoe told them it wasn’t information she could share. She warned them that it was actually dangerous for most people to handle or even gaze at it for a long time outside of its sheath. Back in the Edo Period, some priests of the temple where it was kept saw it when the temple was being renovated. Several died or were met with misfortune shortly afterwards. She did say it would be nothing like they expected. She described the sword as a very crude and roughly finished leaf-shaped blade of reddish iron, but the wielder could shape it with their will into a form they wanted. The girls did think that was pretty cool and left it at that.

  The afternoon tea lasted a few hours longer than planned. There was a fair bit of giggling and laughter, and Yuriko excused herself after the first hour. Eventually, Nagisa, Tomoe’s assistant and bodyguard, came to remind her that she had another appointment. They agreed to meet again, exchanged contact information, and the girls left in the limousine.

  *****

  The limousine pulled away from Karen’s house, where she and Sarah had been dropped off. Ayako and Chiyo waved goodbye to them as they left.

  Ayako looked at her phone. “It’s kind of hard to believe I have a princess’s contact information. My mom is going to freak out. And the worst part is that it has to stay a secret between us and our parents.”

  Chiyo nodded. “She seemed really happy to talk to us. I think she’s kind of lonely. She has a big burden.”

  “Yeah, that has to be pretty hard. I wouldn’t want to face up to a god.”

  “It would be hard.” Chiyo nodded. “But I think we should support her if we can. I know it would help her.” She looked into Ayako’s eyes. “I know I’ve told you this before. I’m better and stronger because of your friendship. I would have been lonely without you.”

  Ayako was always taken a little aback by her friend’s gratitude. “Chiyo, you would have been fine without me, but we depend on each other. You’ve been good for me too.” She sighed. “This whole Confluence thing is starting to get serious. So much has happened since that day with the mukade. The best thing would probably be to stay away from it, but you live there!”

  “I can’t help that. Mother and father are worried, too. They try not to show it around me, but you’re right. Sometimes, I wish we could run away from all this.”

  “Would be nice, but we’re kind of stuck in the middle.”

  “Then I guess we had better train harder under Yuriko, and I’ll get better at magic. But I’m glad you’re with me.”

  “We’ll do our best, and we’re friends forever.” Ayako held Chiyo’s hand, a reassuring action for both of them.

  *****

  Nagisa and Tomoe walked down the hallway to the video conference room. “Princess, the meeting went remarkably well. The girls seemed nice.”

  “Yes. They were very nice. We had much in common. I hope we can be friends.”

  “You can never have too many good friends,” Nagisa said. From long service to the princess, she knew Tomoe had few friends her age who could share her secret. Having to face Orochi was an unshareable, heavy burden, one that would crush most people.

  “Do you think Father would let me transfer to their school and train here? It would have to be a secret identity, of course.”

  “I think the request is reasonable. You do have to be near Mount Kumotawa now. We will just need to ask the right way. I can talk to Shusui too. I think he would help. You have sacrificed much to do your duty.”

  “Father really respects Shusui. That would mean a lot.”

  Nagisa knew Shusui would help. He was the older man who stood by her throne in the reception room, and had great influence with the emperor. While he was her sword master for technique and on Grasscutter’s magical properties they both were mentors and friends to Tomoe.

  “Thank you, Nagisa. You have always been a good friend to me, too.”

  “Of course, Princess.”