Yuuai Den ("The Legend of Gentle Love")

Concept by: Nishizaki Megumi, Watase Yuu

Written by: Nishizaki Megumi
Illustrated by: Watase Yuu
Summarized by: Tetris no Miko


First off, a note. Since I was first a fan of Fushigi Yuugi through the
fansub, I didnt recognize the word "Yuuai" from the title. Does "Yuuai
no Toh" sound familiar to anyone? Probably not But this is the name
of the tower with the legend that if a couple kisses just as the sun sets,
they will be together forever. (Ya know, the whole Miaka/Tamahome
thing with the Shifang arc). So the title of this novel is more in reference to that particular legend than of
just "gentle love".
This book is apparently, the LAST of the Fushigi Yuugi character novels. The end of the book really
seemed to emphasize an END to Fushigi Yuugi, and Nishizaki-sensei AND Watase-sensei both implied
that yes, indeed, this would be the last book in the series
But never fear
Watase-sensei ALSO implied that its very likely (at least more likely than we all think) that she may start
writing Fushigi Yuugi in manga-form again (most likely stories with the Genbu-people Especially since
they were cleverly left out of all the novels thus far) Personally, I think Fushigi Yuugi has gone on
waaaaaay longer than it should have, but if manga were written about Genbus side of the story, the
characters would all be new (except Hikitsu and Tomite but still, we hardly even know much of
anything about them), the plot would be relatively unknown to us (all we know is that Genbu no Miko
was consumed by Genbunot much more. Nothing about what kind of girl she was or how she got into
the book or what her quest to find the shichiseishi was like) and it would truly be the *beginning* of
Fushigi Yuugi. Well, its an interesting thought, but she says it "all depends on the response from the
fans". So if youre interested in seeing more Fushigi Yuugi, then WRITE FAN LETTERS TO HER!! That is all
^-^
Ah, and now onto the actual book. Hahaha. This was a really cute read. There were very few characters
(and only 2 of them were new, so they were VERY easy to keep track of), and the story wasnt too far-
fetched or out of place. Basically, this story clears up the fogginess most fans tended to have over the
whole Chiriko not showing up on time thing. Some people thought maybe his showing up late was
something Nakago had conspiredand those people were right ^-^v
The story starts with Oh Dokun (the nephew of the deceased Oh Dokun [Chiriko]) at age 16, preparing
for his government official exam. He heard stories of his uncle Dokun and his bravery as Chiriko and was
inspired to finish what his uncle couldnt: pass the third government official exam and help the country.
Then we go back to the Dokun with which were all familiar: Chiriko. This is, however, before his
character appeared (I think hes around 8). His father runs a lumber business and is very successful
which makes other lumberjacks jealous, so they frame him for a crime. He is taken to Konans jail and
whipped and killed (though they insist he committed suicide). When Dokun sees his dead father,
something snaps in him and his character appears. Now that he is Chiriko, he is smart and deducts what
had really happened to his father. He then vows to use his intelligence to become a government official
to save the corrupt government so innocent men like his father wouldnt have to die in the future.
(Currently, the government is under the control of the corrupt empress who is using Hotohori as a
puppet).
During the next few years, Chiriko studies hard (while he IS Chiriko, that is. When hes Dokun, hes
stupid and cant do much of anything). But his mother and older brother are still very supportive of him
and love him, smart or stupid. As time goes by, Dokun is conscious less and Chiriko is conscious more.
Each year, when it comes time for the test for the government official, Chiriko goes to take it. The first
year, his symbol was gone and he was taken out of the exam room crying with a blank test left at his
desk. The second year, he was Chiriko when he got to the exam room, but as soon as his test was
handed to him, his symbol left suddenly and he had to give up again.
But when he turns 12, Hotohori has taken over as emperor and decides to give him another chance at
the exam. (no one knows that he is Chiriko. He is ashamed of the fact that he cant control his powers
and doesnt want anyone to know. He also doesnt want to introduce himself to the other Suzaku
shichiseishi until he has complete control over his powers.)
Chiriko passes the first exam this time, much to everyones shock. He also passes the second part of the
exam later. All that remains is the third part.
Meanwhile, in Sairo, there is a race that is dying out. Many years ago, this tribe who could use power
from the moon tried to take over the world. God (Taiitsu-kun) didnt like this and placed a curse on their
tribe. Their skin was bleached white and their eyes turned gold. They were unable to go outside during
the day, nor were they able to communicate with the outside world. They must stay on their mountain
in a cave and pay for their sins until the curse is lifted. For hundreds of years, the tribe lived this way,
making a living by selling medicine to outsiders in exchange for food. They had to breed with each other
and over the years, they mostly died off
All that remains now is a man and his two children: Karuza and Miiya. Karuza is 17 and a little rebellious.
He is angry that after Byakko was summoned, his clan was still cursed. Hes also angry that HE has to pay
for a sin that dead people committed. His younger sister, Miiya (13), however, trusts that God will
forgive them if they obey his bidding and do good things.
Karuza, unable to stand his life anymore, sneaks out to the city one night. A festival is going on. His eyes
fall on a beautiful girl and her two friends. The girl is Shiifang. Karuza knows that he is forbidden to
marry anyone outside his family, but he still falls more and more for her and sneaks out a lot to watch
her. One night, he rescues her and her friends from some street-toughsbut his method of rescue is a
little harsh. He kinda stones the guys to death accidentally ^_^;; The girls are freaked out and disgusted
(Shiifang is just upset) and Karuza concludes that there is no hope for him now and that hell just give up
and turn himself over to the dark side ^___^
So where does he go? To Nakago, of course ^_-. He currently has Tamahome captive for Yui. He tries to
ask Yui a question hes always wanted to know: What is her world like? But Yui is not very cooperative
because shes mad at Nakago for beating Tamahome. She also gets the feeling she shouldnt tell him.
So Nakago gets a plan. Hes heard that Chiriko has a superior intellect and is very well read. Thinking
Chiriko might be able to tell him about Yuis world, he hires Karuza and instructs him to find Chiriko and
kidnap him. Karuza agrees to help Nakago, partially because hes given up on salvation, and also partially
because he feels like he and Nakago should share some sort of bond, since theyre both the last
members of persecuted races.
Karuza finds Chiriko (overhears his older brother calling Dokun "Chiriko") and makes his move the day of
Chirikos final exam. Unfortunately, Chiriko suddenly became Dokun again on the day of the exam and
couldnt go to take it. But that night, Karuza shows up at their house, saying hes a messenger from
Hotohori, and tells Dokun that Hotohori wishes to see him since hes already impressed that a 13-year-
old could get so far in those exams. Karuza says he will take Dokun to see the emperor, and his family
dumbly lets him go.
Dokun feels a little uneasy when Karuza takes him on a VERY long carriage ride and Karuza admits that
theyre going to Sairo (then lies that Hotohori is in Sairo right now for business). Karuza takes Dokun to
the cave where he and his family lived, and theyre greeted by Miiya (their father just died). Miiya is mad
at her brother for leaving, but happy again when she talks to Dokun and he tells her that Karuza works
for Hotohori. Miiya feeds him soup with a little bit of that herb that makes people forget stuff in it, so
that Dokun will not suspect anything is amiss. Karuza tells Dokun that he was instructed to keep Dokun
there with Miiya so she could help bring his symbol back up. Miiya is happy to have Dokun there,
because hes the only outsider (and boy, for that matter) who shes ever talked to. Dokun is also happy
to be with Miiya.
One night, Miiya goes down into the town and runs into Subaru (the two are actually pretty good
friends, since Subaru isnt prejudiced against Miiyas tribe) while she is collecting medicinal herbs. She
tells Subaru about her house-guest. Subaru instantly senses Miiya is in love with Dokun (just as she
sensed that Karuza was in love with Shiifang). Feeling sorry for Miiyas disposition, she tells Miiya to
bring Dokun and Karuza with her to the Yuuai Tower the next night.
When Karuza, Miiya, and Dokun come to the tower, Subaru distracts Karuza first by giving him a letter
Shifang wrote. While hes reading it, she sneaks off with Dokun and Miiya and uses her powers to make
them both 16 years old ^_^; The magic is supposed to last until midnight and until then, they are to go
on a date as they please. Miiya is worried that God wont approve, but Subaru says its okay.
They have a very nice date (^^;), and Miiya is about to tell Dokun the legend of Yuuai (that if they kiss at
the top of the tower when the sun sets, theyll be together forever), but she cant bring herself to do it.
Right after they change back at midnight, Dokun becomes Chiriko and Karuza (who had been spying)
takes them both home.
Chiriko figures out pretty quickly whats been going on the last week, but he pretends to be ignorant and
lets Karuza lock him up. Karuza, through communication with Nakagos earrings, tells Nakago he has
"Chiriko" now. Nakago instructs Karuza to ask Chiriko the questions he wanted to know. Chiriko tells
Karuza everything he can guess about Yuis world, along with the fact that he thinks the link between
the worlds is the written work, "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho". The next bit of information worries Karuza: Their
world might have been created by Yuis world.
After Karuza relays this information to Nakago, Nakago tells Karuza to kill Chiriko. Chiriko has been
slipping in and out of himself, and somehow (I forget exactly), Miiya finds out the truth about her
brother and escapes with Dokun (even though its day time. She doesnt die as long as she wraps dark
cloth around her head). She meets Subaru and Tokaki and tells them the situation. They go to the Yuuai
Tower, and just around sunset, its time to send Chiriko home so he can join the other shichiseishi and
rescue Konan. An evil presence is also felt in Sairo (naturally, this is Miboshi, who has taken over that
tower), and they know Seiryuu must not be summoned. Subaru uses her magic to reduce her and
Tokakis ages, then Miiya tells Dokun about the Yuuai legend. She says she has to say goodbye to him
now and that shell probably never see him again, but that she wants their hearts to always be
connected. Dokun says he feels the same way, so they kiss with the sunset ^_^.
Instantly, Dokuns body weakens and he falls unconscious. Miiya had given him that forgetting-potion
stuff in the kiss so he would forget everything that happened to him that week. Tokaki takes him and
uses his teleportation magic to take Dokun home
Meanwhile, Karuza has noticed the error in his ways, for serving that devil, Nakago. Shiifangs letter
thanked him for rescuing her that day and she said that she still believed he was a nice boy, despite
what the other villagers said. She said she knew that if he were to do a good deed, surely God would
forgive him. So Karuza goes back to see Nakago with the intent of assassinating himbut just before he
can stab Nakago, Nakago stabs him ^^; But Karuza dies laughing. He tells Nakago that theres no way he
will be able to actually go to Yuis world and take over like he wants to. Then, he goes outside to the roof
in the sun. The sun hits him strongly, but it doesnt disintegrate his body. God had forgiven himoh
great, just in time for him to die ~_~; Instead, he dies from his bloody knife-wound.
While Dokun was gone, his brother and mother grew suspicious. They heard rumors that "Chiriko" had
joined up and that all the shichiseishi were assembled now. If these rumors were true, that "Chiriko"
had to be an impostor and their Dokun was probably kidnapped and killed. But Dokun returns to them
and Tokaki makes short work of the spies from Kutoh who had been hanging around Dokuns house.
Dokuns symbol appears again that night, and he insists they must go to Konan to stop the Suzaku
summoning ceremony
Then, we pick up to what happened in the manga
Then, after part 2 of the manga, Hotohoris spirit takes Chirikos spirit to see his family. He sees the new
Oh Dokun and is happy to see how much his family still loves him. Then, he goes to the Yuuai Tower. A
grown-up Miiya is there, thinking about Dokun. Her skin is no longer pure white, and her eyes have
darkened. When Dokun sacrificed his life to save Sairo, God gave Miiya forgiveness because she was the
one who gave Dokun the courage to fight even if his symbol was gone. Chirikos spirit is happy to see
Miiya doing so well, but still cant bring himself to be reborn. He is perfectly content to stay a wandering
spirit, until after a few years, he notices the world is starting to crumble. He senses a problem and
becomes reborn
Then many many years in the future, the new Oh Dokun (in his mid-twenties) and Chirikos
reincarnation (age 13? I forgot..) are appointed as government officials by Hotohoris son, and Konan
lives happily ever after ^_^;
And THEN, wayyyyyy in the future in another world, a 16-year-old Sukunami Hikari is in the library
studying when his eyes fall upon a book called "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho". He reaches to open it, but then this
feeling overcomes him that its best that the book be never touched again, and puts it back on the shelf.
Theeeeeeeeeee end. For Chiriko fans, therere some lovely fan-service pictures. One of Chiriko as a 16-
year-old, and another of him and Miiya kissing ^^; Also one of his reincarnation and his nephew, Dokun,
with Hotohoris son