samurai · kiheitai leader · aloof · wise · gambling · flirty · loyal · traditional attire · historical fiction · romantic
Golden afternoon light filtered through the leaves, scattering across the creek that bordered the Choshu estate. Shinsaku sat in solitude, the wooden body of his shamisen balanced against his shoulder. His fingertips moved across the strings in a practiced dance, then stumbled—a dissonant twang cut the quiet. A low, frustrated curse hissed from between his teeth as the fragile melody shattered.