Year of the Boar, Sixth Month, Day 30.

Another thought occurred to me as I prepared tea for his lordship this afternoon... that since I am no longer under constant supervision, and since there is no one to forbid me... I could go and visit Tomoe... if she would see me, that is. I waited a while to see whether his lordship would come to take tea, and when he did not, I took great care to make sure that no one marked me and then I went, first to the temple. On the way, I picked a lotus and as I knelt before the goddess, I offered her the flower and chanted some sutras; asking her forgiveness for my neglect and for what had happened to Tomoe. When I felt satisfied that I could do no more to appease her, I left the temple and went about trying to find Tomoe... It took me several hours of searching through the slave quarters, but I found her... she was cleaning a room somewhere in a part of the castle that I did not even recognise... she seemed hale and hearty, singing while she worked, I felt overcome with shame suddenly, for the pain I had caused her and I hesitated to speak, afraid that she would condemn me, that she would look upon me with contempt for my weakness and cowardice and I could not bear the thought so I turned quietly and left... but at least now, I know that she is well...