Summary
Suzu’s existence began with profound hardship. Her family sold her to pay debts, and she was kidnapped by bandits before ending up adrift in the ocean of the Twelve Kingdoms. Upon waking, she realized she could not understand the local language, confirming she was far from home. A Shusei troupe took her in, but she remained unable to communicate or perform, relegated to menial chores like washing clothes and cleaning. During a performance for Riyou, a Sen-nin in the kingdom of Sai, Suzu was pushed onto the stage to buy the troupe time. She sang a lullaby her father used to sing, and when Riyou interrupted her, Suzu demonstrated she could understand the language. Desperate to stay, she begged to become a servant. Riyou accepted but renamed her Honma, meaning 'pathetic woman.' Once Suzu realized she had been registered as a Sen-nin, her life deteriorated. She served Riyou for a century of misery, terrified that leaving would break her immortal contract. When Taiki returned to Mt. Hou, Suzu sought him out to discuss Japan. However, Sanshi attacked her, resulting in her exile from the mountain. This incident embarrassed Riyou and worsened Suzu’s situation, yet she never ceased striving for freedom. Hearing that the new queen of Kei was a taika, she developed an intense desire to meet Youko, even experiencing terrifying dreams about her. After breaking a valuable vase, Suzu was told the only way to atone was to gather a rare herb from the mountains. She used this as an excuse to escape to the royal palace, where the queen took her in. Believing Suzu was too spoiled and needed to mature, the queen provided her with a traveling pass and funds, sending her toward Kei. On her journey, Suzu encountered Asano, a former member of the same Shusei troupe whose leader she had known as a child. After Asano experienced disturbing visions, he agreed to accompany her to meet Youko. On a boat, they met Seishuu, a sickly boy who claimed to understand the suffering of kaikyaku because his life had been nothing but misfortune. Suzu cared for him, hoping to take him to Youko’s palace for healing, but he was killed. Before dying, he helped Suzu realize that others in the world suffer just as much as she does. Grief-stricken and filled with self-loathing, Suzu joined the rebellion led by Koshou and Sekki. She had previously purchased a touki weapon and used her traveling pass to infiltrate the royal palace. Finding Youko absent, she went to Shoukou’s residence instead. After killing Shoukou, she intended to kill Youko, unaware she had already met her. Shoukei convinced her that such an act was wrong and that Youko would not have ordered the boy’s death. Renewed and in love with Youko once more, Suzu fought in the rebellion and was invited to the royal palace with Shoukei after its conclusion.
