#Retsuko Sojin

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Whumptober Short: "Familial Curse"

In Retsuko’s opinion, their bloodline may as well be cursed. Perhaps not in the literal sense (though she wouldn’t exactly rule out that possibility, either), but cursed with some inescapable trait innate to their lineage that leads to the same tragic, violent end over and over again. 

Sayuri disagrees any time she voices that sentiment, crimson eyes softening sadly as she tries to insist that whatever’s haunting them is nothing so permanent. Things can still get better, she says. They can still be happy.

Retsuko, twelve years old and facing the terrifying prospect of an arranged marriage within the year, finds that difficult to believe. 

Her sister has always been the optimistic sort. On her worst days, Retsuko thinks, spitefully, that it must be easier to think that way when Sayuri’s own arranged marriage has shown more mercy than their entire clan of blood relatives put together. But Sayuri has always been like that— even when they were growing up together in the same prison of a home, she’d always reach for proof that their existence there wasn’t entirely hopeless. 

In all likelihood, that gentle, persevering nature played a part in why Sayuri was married off to the future king, while their oldest sister’s chosen spouse was merely from a noble house only slightly lower than their own. 

Mystifyingly, Sayuri still visits. Even though she escaped the Sojin family mansion for good, for Retsuko’s sake, she still chooses to look back. The visits aren’t as frequent as Retsuko would like (though in all honesty, she’d rather not have to exist in this house at all), but Sayuri still comes to check on her as often as she can— typically, with her husband in tow. 

While Benedict keeps the rest of the family occupied (dazzled by his status, no doubt), Sayuri and Retsuko have a few precious moments alone.

“He’s trying to get you out too,” Sayuri tells her, as if the very words aren’t a sin. “Benedict has been looking for reasons we can use, or a price our parents would take— anything. You won’t be here forever.”

Despite her sister’s glowing confidence, Retsuko finds it hard to be hopeful. Sayuri will try her best, of course, but escaping the curse of their lineage a second time won’t be so easy. Sayuri got away. She’s still tangled up in their family’s web in places, but the threads are sparse and weak. Sayuri was an exception, and if anyone deserves that mercy, it’s her. 

“Don’t do anything drastic. You don’t need to put yourself in danger over me. ...I’m alright here.” It’s the truth; she always has been. 

Still, her sister smiles. “I know you are. But I’d be happier if we were together again, and I think you would be too,” she says, and Retsuko can’t stop the traitorous pang of longing in her chest at the words. 

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Retsuko Sojin