Chapter 21: Interception

The day after the merchant incident

Mio woke before dawn with a plan.

Koko had said she would write to Kaito to verify the story about the “two names.” That letter couldn’t be allowed to reach him unprepared—or at all, if possible.

She dressed quickly and quietly, leaving Taichi still sleeping. The household was silent in the pre-dawn darkness as she made her way to Koko’s workroom.

The letter would be there. Koko was methodical—she’d have written it last night and would send it with the morning courier.

Mio’s heart pounded as she approached the workroom. This was dangerous. If she was caught, Koko would have proof of deception on top of everything else.

But if that letter reaches Kaito unprepared, the whole arrangement could collapse.

She slid open the shoji with practiced silence. The room was dark, empty. On Koko’s writing desk sat a sealed letter, addressed in her mother-in-law’s precise hand.

There.

Mio picked it up, her hands trembling slightly. She could:

Destroy it (too obvious—Koko would know)

Read it and reseal it (risky, but informative)

Leave it and warn Kaito first (safer, but slower)

She chose option two.

Using a thin blade heated over a lamp, she carefully loosened the seal. The wax came away cleanly—she could reseal it perfectly, a skill learned from watching her father repair sword fittings.

She unfolded the letter and read by dim lamplight:

“Honored brother-in-law,

I write regarding a matter of some concern. Yesterday, a merchant delivered a package to your adopted daughter, accompanied by a note signed with the initial ‘T’ and referring to her as ‘my daughter.’

When questioned, Mio claimed this was from you, stating that while your formal name is Kaito, you use ‘Takatoshi’ as a personal name with close family. She suggested this gift—a simple knife—was symbolic of discipline and mental sharpness.

I confess this explanation struck me as unusual. In my experience, samurai do not maintain two given names in this manner. I would be grateful for your clarification on this matter, as I wish to ensure there is no ... misunderstanding about your daughter’s background or connections.

I trust you will forgive my inquiry. I am merely concerned with maintaining the integrity of our family’s reputation.

Respectfully,

Koko”

It was poison wrapped in politeness. The implications were clear: I know she’s lying. Confirm my suspicions.

Mio’s mind raced. She couldn’t destroy this letter—Koko would simply write another. She needed to get a warning to Kaito before this arrived.

But how? A letter from her would take just as long to arrive. A messenger would be noticed and questioned.

Unless...

She resealed Koko’s letter carefully, replaced it on the desk exactly as she’d found it, and returned to her chamber.

Taichi was awake now, stretching. “You’re up early.”

“I need your help. Urgently.” She told him about the letter, what it said, the danger it represented.

Taichi’s expression darkened. “My mother is relentless.”

“She’s desperate. I’ve survived every test, gained allies, proven my competence. She’s running out of weapons, so she’s using the most dangerous one—direct investigation of my adoption.” Mio paced. “We need to warn Kaito before that letter arrives. But I can’t send a message without your mother noticing.”

“I can.” Taichi stood and began dressing in travel clothes. “I’ll ride to my uncle’s estate myself. Today. I’ll say I’m delivering a report to my father’s brother on estate business. Perfectly normal.”

“Your mother will be suspicious—”

“Let her be suspicious. By the time her letter arrives tomorrow, I’ll have already spoken to Uncle Kaito and given him the story to confirm.” Taichi pulled Mio close. “Partnership, remember? You handle the defense here. I’ll handle the offensive strike.”