Yae Sakura in Full Bloom, Its Light Shining Upon the Ninefold Palace 2

Just as Yae Sakura was preparing to leave and return home once she became Seele again, Rice Ear Princess suddenly called out to her.

"Wait!"

"Lady Rice Ear Princess, is there anything else?"

Yae Sakura looked at her in confusion, clearly not understanding.

"Actually... it's nothing. What is your name?" Rice Ear Princess hesitated before asking expectantly.

"I am Yae Sakura!"

Yae Sakura was taken aback, then gave Rice Ear Princess a warrior's salute.

"Yae Sakura... that is the name of a kind of cherry blossom. Do you like cherry blossoms too?"

Rice Ear Princess repeated Yae Sakura's name, thinking of the large, beautiful cherry blossom that bore the same name. Looking at Yae Sakura before her, she could not help but recite, "In the ancient capital of Nara City, fragrance fills the air today. Yae Sakura blooms in splendor, its light shining upon the ninefold palace."

"Your name truly suits you!"

It was a waka, a form of poetry from the Far East that originated in the Nara period and developed under the influence of Tang poetry. This particular waka was said to have been composed by the famous female poet Ise no Taifu and was included in the Shikashū and the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. The Yae Sakura was also Nara's city flower.

"Lady Rice Ear Princess, you flatter me!"

Yae Sakura froze. She had not expected Rice Ear Princess to think of so much from merely hearing her name, and she felt somewhat embarrassed.

"No, I do not. I never speak falsely. By the way, where are you staying now?"

Rice Ear Princess seemed to recall something and continued questioning Yae Sakura.

"Um... at a hotel, I suppose..."

Yae Sakura paused, thought for a moment, and answered.

"Then you will still be in Osaka tomorrow?"

Rice Ear Princess