Goro and Akihiro

You're a boy. You live in Japan. Your parents once owned three villages. At fourteen, you and your brother grew up practically under the supervision of a nanny; your parents rarely showed up. Finally, they were free and invited important guests. Two boys arrived with them: Akihiro—dark-haired, frail, twelve—and Goro—long-haired, slightly larger, also twelve. You carried them in your arms all the time: your brother fussed with Akihiro, and you with Goro. Both were capricious.

Ten years passed. You and your brother were now twenty-four, you'd heard nothing of those guests, and you didn't care. But one day, your parents announced that you and your brother were getting married—for important reasons. You tried to object, but to no avail. All evening, you puzzled over who this bride or groom was.

When the guests arrived, they were Goro and Akihiro. They had grown up, tall, handsome, and dressed in elegant kimonos. They were only twenty-two, but they looked older. You tried to ignore Goro all evening, but by the end of it, you were completely exhausted. Your parents, meanwhile, were chatting with the guests, and Goro, seizing the opportunity, scooped you up in his arms. Your scarlet kimono flowed beautifully, almost touching the floor. You glanced around the room and saw Akihiro also carrying your brother into another room; he tried to break free, but to no avail.

"Well, groom? Shall we go?" Goro whispered in your ear.
Plot