Taisho Otome Fairy Tale (大正オトメ御伽話)

Pessimist: One who is distressed about the world,

despondent about their life,

and single-mindedly discouraged about the future.

I have to say, that describes people like me to a T.

Although I was born into a family of considerable means,

I grew up without a single display of affection

from any of them.

The coup de grace? I was in an accident.

That's when I lost everything.

I lost my mother, the use of my right hand,

and then, my father's respect.

I'm not surprised you would lose the use of your dominant hand.

Idiocy has no place in this family.

Get out of my sight, you're done here.

So I was sent to our villa in the mountains of Chiba.

As though my existence were a nuisance.

It was decided I should die alone.

Yes, this is my final dwelling.

After 17 years, my life has come to an end.

I see nothing. No bright light to guide my way forward.

There's nothing. Nothing.

It would be so much easier if I simply never woke up.

Begging your pardon!

Is anyone home?

Who could that be?

Deep in these mountains on a snowy night?

Who are you?

Good evening.

You're Mister Tamahiko, is that right?

Nice to meet you, my name's Yuzuki.

I'm so glad I found you. I'm here to be your bride.

Mrs. Tamahiko!

Come to think of it,

my father did mention something like that.

Well, no one in the Shima family

will be able to care for you after this debacle.

You leave me no choice.

I'm going to have to purchase a bride for you at this point.

Typical of my father.

It's quite likely this girl was being sold to cover a debt.

Here. Don't catch a cold.

But what sense does it make to send a bride

to a dead man walking?

Um.

This room is yours. Stay as long as you'd like.

This is entirely pointless.

And another day begins without a wink of sleep.

Hey! What do you think you're doing?

Good morning, Mister Tamahiko! It's nice to see you up!

Such lovely weather we're having today.

Look at that--last night's snow has already begun to melt.

Huh?

Would you like to wash your face?

Let me help you!

I can do it myself, thanks!

But I know I can be useful if you'll allow me

to take care of you.

I don't know about this.

Okay, you don't have to do that!

Goodness, Mister Tamahiko!

Huh?

You have such dark circles.

Are you having trouble getting a full night's rest?

No!

Not really, and besides,

it's none of your concern anyway.

Please leave me alone.

I made some breakfast for you if you feel like eating.

I'm not hungry.

And every day'll be like this?

Did I scare you? I'm just doing some cleaning.

I had so much fun shopping in town today!

She certainly is strong.

Make sure you eat all of it, 'kay?

No.

Mister Tamahiko!

I noticed these had a hole, so I patched them up for you!

Ah! Those are my long johns!

So you just go around mending men's underwear?

What? Your underwear?

Yeah, and it's a little late to be scandalized.

I was all set to slowly rot away in obscurity,

but I've been completely out of sorts since she arrived.

That girl has made a mess of everything.

How unbelievably irritating.

I don't even have time to get lost in thought or... or...

I'm coming in!

Don't worry, I'll rinse your back for you!

No, please, don't trouble yourself!

Oh, I insist!

It must be hard to do with one hand!

What is going on?

I don't understand how her mind works!

Well, given her speech and mannerisms,

I'd say she was one of those pampered-princess types.

An innocent girl with limited experience.

Well, must be nice to have no real stress in your life.

How dare you, sir!

I have plenty of things to worry about.

Two of them to be specific!

Uh...

Really? Just two?

Um, yes.

But you see, both of them are very real

and important issues to me.

That's right.

I forgot she was sold to pay off a debt.

The unspeakable agony of coming into the world.

One of these worries...

...is the fact that I have too much hair

and it's so thick and wavy.

Huh?

I know it looks wild and crazy,

and it's way too fluffy!

I wish I had straight, shiny hair, but nothing I try works!

All I can do is braid it back!

That's your stress? Your hair?

Ah!

I can't believe I shared my vulnerability with you!

Uh. I'm sorry.

I was wondering what you might look like when you laugh.

Huh?

I am so glad I was able to make you smile tonight.

And if it was because of my hair,

then I can learn to like it!

That's enough. Leave me in peace!

She's seriously on my last nerve.

Yum! This monaka is delicious!

You've got to try these, too.

These are also yummy!

You sure it's okay?

I'm just worried it's annoying

that I'm always eating everyone else's treats.

You're not. It's fine.

After all, whenever you're on meal duty,

we always seem to wind up eating way more than usual somehow!

It's a sin for a maiden to eat even one bite more

than she wants to!

I guess I'll have to atone for my sins, then, won't I?

Atta girl!

Yuzuki! I just fell down!

And look! My sleeve is a torn-up mess now.

That's awful! I'll sew it up for you!

She's just like a mom.

That's what I was thinking.

It's perfect. Thanks, Yuzuki!

Ya know, you're gonna make

a really wonderful bride someday!

A bride, huh?

Actually, that reminds me.

There's something I need to share with you,

and I suppose now's a good time.

Well, soon I won't be attending the girls' school anymore.

Huh?

But why? This is so sudden, Yuzuki!

I've been kind of embarrassed to talk about it,

but my parents have accumulated a lot of debt.

So to help with their situation,

I'm going to be marrying their lender's son.

You can't do that!

Yeah, she's right!

For one thing, women aren't allowed to get married

until they're at least 15 years old!

Yes.

Except, circumstances being what they are,

I'm allowed to leave earlier to take care of him.

But you don't know him.

It doesn't matter.

I don't need to understand him completely.

I'll always do my best to stay by his side.

Because he'll be my dear husband and I his devoted wife.

Ahh.

Huh?

You're gonna be all right.

Plus, if anyone can succeed at this, it's you.

I know you'll make the very best of it.

You always work twice as hard as anyone else no matter what.

Midori.

Just please, promise me, doing this will make you happy.

It will.