Ep. 39: Ryūki Challenges Shūrei to a Marriage Contest Before the Sakura Blooms

39

Shūrei and her companions return from Ran province to the Imperial City. Ryūki informs Shūrei that he cannot wait indefinitely for her, citing his imperial duty to marry. He proposes a contest: if he wins her affection within a set timeframe, she will marry him; otherwise, she wins, he will cease his requests, and he will wed Jyūsan-hime, who has succeeded Shusui as head of the court ladies. Shūrei accepts the challenge and asks for the duration. The narrative concludes with Ryūki whispering the deadline, "Until the Sakura Blooms," into Shūrei's ear.