It came as no surprise to me that Miyo is concerned for her family and relieved they’re all safe after the fire, even after the way they treated her. She saved herself in that storeroom by refusing to submit to her stepmother and half-sister’s will, but she would never stoop to their level of hating them as they hate her.
Forgiveness comes easily for someone as kind and gentle as she is, a proverbial dayflower transplanted from that bed of nettles. Still, she asks that Kiyoka take her to the ruins of the Saimori home so she can see it one last time, as well as the charred remains of her mother’s tree, which crumbles to dust when she touches it.
In the aftermath of Miyo’s rescue, Minoru had to step down as the head of the Tatsuishi family, with Kazushi taking over. Miyo’s father and stepmother fled to their other home, but are essentially ruined, and Kaya is sent to work for a strict household where she’ll learn some much-needed life experience (and hopefully humility).
Despite the Saimoris being scattered so, Kiyoka intends to proceed with the engagement, bypassing the betrothal ceremony entirely. If his father has a problem with Miyo as his fiancee, that’s too bad, as she is his choice. This makes Miyo laugh with glee for the first time since we met her.
Kouji meets with Miyo one last time, to tell her he’s moving forward to become strong enough to protect what he wants when he wants it. But when he asks if she remembers him talking about the two of them, she tells him she doesn’t recall. Kouji lets it rest, says farewell to Miyo, and takes his leave.
After signing the documents that make them formally engaged, one thing that stands out is that Miyo’s calligraphy isn’t the best. It’s not commented upon by anyone, but it is no doubt part of why she wants to pursue training to become a “proper woman,” an ambition Kiyoka was clearly not going to force upon her, but which he nevertheless supports.
Her teacher will be Kiyoka’s big sister, Hazuki (Hikasa Yoko), who arrives with classy Western clothing and heels and immediately takes a liking to Kiyoka’s sweet and adorable fiancée. The first informal lesson simply has Hazuki showing Miyo the various flowers and saying they’re all beautiful, because when they’re blooming they’re giving their best, just as proper women must.
Miyo is super excited about her future lessons and particularly grateful to be learning from Kiyoka’s family. I’m also glad that there doesn’t even seem to be a glimmer of malice in Hazuki; there’s no reason to doubt she’s just as kind as her brother. But even having just weathered such a horrible storm, Miyo isn’t out of the woods yet.
Unfortunately, her Usuba blood is looking like the source of her nightmares, and may be the product of her undeveloped gift. Minoru desired that gift, but he’s not alone, and his defeat was only a temporary reprieve, for there are more powerful gift-users, including a four-eyed guy I really don’t like who is coming for her. Ick.
At the same time, a site known as a “grave” has been unsealed and opened, and demonic red-eyed monsters emerge from a shattered giant stone. But while they’re certainly spooky, they can’t hold a candle to Kaya, her mom, and Mr. Four-Eyes for pure malice. They’re the real monsters until proven otherwise.
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