When the Long Rains Abate (霖雨がやむとき, Rin'u ga Yamu toki?) is the first chapter of Volume 8 of the My Happy Marriage novel series.
Summary[]
It has been two days since Kiyoka's wedding. In the midst of his busy schedule, he finds the time to meet with Zen Koumyouin at the Imperial Hotel for his half day off. The two men chat about how much the imperial capital has changed since Koumyouin was away, and then reminisce about Itsuto Godou and how they wish he could have attended Kiyoka's wedding. Kiyoka thinks back to the day when his life changed forever.
In his student days, Kiyoka had no clue about what he wanted to do in the future except for the vague idea that he would be a researcher one day. He fulfilled his duties as a Gift-user on the side by helping the Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit fight grotesqueries. While receiving payment from Itsuto from his help, Itsuto remarked on how he had watched Kiyoka grow into a fine man. Kiyoka asked after his rebellious son, Yoshito, who was studying abroad to learn about Gifts and arts. He thought about his own distant relationship with his parents. Itsuto attempted to invite Kiyoka to join the unit, but Kiyoka turned him down again, stating that he wasn't suited to the military due to his lack of skill in dealing with interpersonal relationships. But when Itsuto asked him what was the difference between fighting grotesqueries as a civilian and as part of the military, and if he had any dreams for the future, Kiyoka was stumped for an answer. Itsuto encouraged him to think about his future before he leaves.
On his way out of the station, Kiyoka is greeted by Koumyouin, who asked if something was troubling him. Kiyoka brushed him off and returned home, where he was greeted by Yurie and the other servants. He asked Yurie to bring dinner up to his room and not to disturb him until then. Once in his room, Kiyoka lies down on his bed, feeling suffocated by the weight of the expectations on him. He fell asleep and dreamed a childhood memory which took place when he was ten years old. He was training his Gift and swordsmanship at the Godou estate and received praise from Itsuto. Yoshito begged Kiyoka to play with him and started to cry when Kiyoka refused him because of his training. Just then, Itsuto's wife called them over for a tea break. Kiyoka cherished the time he spent there, because it was the only place where he was treated as a normal child and not have expectations placed on him.
After class, Kiyoka was stopped by his professor, who complimented his recent paper. The professor recommended Kiyoka attend a history lecture by a foreign researcher. Kiyoka was secretly pleased at having his performance be acknowledged and told the professor that he needed to think about it, as he had to fit the lecture in his schedule. As he left the classroom, he wondered if going to graduate school for history could be his dream. Kiyoka was soon greeted by Chida, an upperclassman who belonged to the same research lab as him. Chida invited Kiyoka out drinking and take part in the nightlife. Though Kiyoka knew that this was inappropriate behavior for a student, he accepted as he wanted to cut down the time he spent at the station and at home as much as possible.
That night, Kiyoka went out drinking in the entertainment district with a group of people, including Chida. A geisha tried to chat with him, but his coldness and obvious lack of interest drove her away. Chida scolded him for his attitude and urged him to be friendlier to women, as he would have to marry one day. Chida's friend had introduced him to a woman, but the relationship had gone nowhere. Kiyoka, however, reflected on his discomfort with women and close relationships and preference for solitude, which drove his aspiration to become a researcher.
After the party winded down and Kiyoka saw Chida off, he began to walk home. He immediately felt the presence of a strong Grotesquerie and drew his magical sword to confront it. He battled the Grotesquerie in the darkness and managed to make out its appearance as a monk with insect limbs. Despite cutting off one of its limbs, Kiyoka was unable to finish it off before it escaped. Just then, an unusually shaken Itsuto arrived and revealed that the Grotesquerie was the ancient and powerful Earth Spider known for consuming humans. It had recently resurfaced and already ate one person. Kiyoka offered to help the unit confront the threat, but Itsuto unexpectedly rejected his offer, telling him to go home and think about his future. Kiyoka was disturbed and hurt by Itsuto's coldness. Feeling isolated and excluded from the unit for the first time, he went home.
Kiyoka went to the station between classes the next day, determined to convince Itsuto to change his mind, but Koumyouin told him that Itsuto wasn't there. Eventually, Koumyouin admitted that Itsuto told him to turn Kiyoka away if he asked to get involved in the Earth Spider case. Koumyouin personally thought that Kiyoka's power would be useful, but also understood Itsuto's point of view that Kiyoka was too young to get involved. Kiyoka, dejected, returned to campus. He thought about quitting his role of hunting Grotesqueries and becoming a normal student.
A week had passed since Kiyoka was removed from his role. He spent his time like a normal university student and found himself quickly accustoming to it. Despite the unit suffering casualties in the fight with the Earth Spider, Itsuto never requested his help. Kiyoka began to wonder if he could permanently distance himself from the supernatural world. He decided to attend the lecture by the foreign researcher, though he felt vague misgivings about it. Returning home, he was surprised when Tadakiyo told him that Itsuto had called. Itsuto's tone was casual as he asked after Kiyoka. He asked if Kiyoka had found something he wanted to do. When Kiyoka remained silent, Itsuto told him to continue thinking about it. He then informed Kiyoka that the unit would be going to attack the Earth Spider's nest tomorrow, and that the mission would take several days. He invited Kiyoka to join, but Kiyoka, driven by resentment, turned him down in what was his first time prioritizing his personal life over his professional obligations.
After attending the lecture the next day, Kiyoka received a familiar from Koumyouin with a message written in blood requesting backup. He rushed home and begged Tadakiyo to tell him the location of Earth Spider's nest. Tadakiyo asked him if he had made up his mind, and Kiyoka lied that he had. He hurried to the mountains with his sword in the rain and followed the Earth Spider's aura just in time to see the Grotesquerie stab Itsuto through the stomach. Most of the other unit members were killed or eaten. Kiyoka found Koumyouin motionless against a tree with his leg nearly cut off. As Kiyoka held Itsuto in his arms, Itsuto apologized to him for placing this burden on him before passing away. After that, Kiyoka managed to drive the weakened Earth Spider below a cliff but was unable to kill it, so he placed a powerful seal on it to contain it.
Kiyoka attended Itsuto's funeral and was angrily confronted by Yoshito, who blamed him for his father's death. Kiyoka didn't defend himself as he also blamed himself and was full of regrets for his choices. Yoshito vowed to kill Kiyoka. Just then, Koumyouin showed up in a wheelchair and told Yoshito to kill him as well, as he was also unable to prevent Itsuto's death. Yoshito backed down, but swore to take revenge on Kiyoka before leaving. Now alone, Kiyoka apologized to Koumyouin for not accompanying the unit. Koumyouin explained that Itsuto pushed him away because he wanted Kiyoka, the most powerful Gift-user of his generation, to choose his own path instead of following the one laid down for him. Kiyoka believed that he had let Itsuto down by not immediately choosing the life of constant battle as a Gift-user and getting carried away by his dreams instead. Kiyoka declared to Koumyouin that he had made up his mind and that he would no longer focus on anything except going into battle.
Back to the present, Koumyouin notes that Kiyoka has changed a lot since he got married, as he no longer looked as tense as he did back at Itsuto's funeral. He regrets telling him about Itsuto's words in such a way back then and they both acknowledge their immaturity at the time. Koumyouin believes that Itsuto was primarily trying to test Kiyoka's resolve, but also wanted to give him a last chance to choose a different life, and believes that Itsuto would have supported Kiyoka no matter what choice he made. Koumyouin then asks Kiyoka why he decided to leave the military now after consumed by his duties for such a long time. Kiyoka responds that he now wanted to devote himself fully to protecting Miyo and that Itsuto, who loved his family, would have punched him if he prioritized his duties as a Gift-user.
Kiyoka returns home by evening after a hectic time at work. He is determined to defeat the Earth Spider for good this time and retire without any regrets. Miyo greets him at the door, and Kiyoka believes that if Itsuto is watching over him, he would be smiling right now.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Zen Koumyouin
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Itsuto Godou
- Yurie
- Itsuto's wife (dream)
- Yoshito's older brother (dream)
- Chida
- Earth Spider
- Tadakiyo Kudou
- Yoshito Godou
- Miyo Kudou
Mentioned characters[]
Chapter Notes[]
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| Volume 1 | |
|---|---|
| Volume 2 | |
| Volume 3 | |
| Volume 4 | |
| Volume 5 | |
| Volume 6 | |
| Volume 7 | |
| Volume 8 | |
| Volume 9 | |