Chapter 27 Summary & Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Shiori flees the temple with Takkan after canceling the betrothal ceremony, cutting through the gardens and disappearing into the orchard to escape her pursuing brothers. When she reaches the peach trees, she feels a yank at her sash and prepares to use her magic—until she realizes it is her brother Hasho.
Hasho lectures her and asks whether Bandur possessed her; Shiori admits that is not far from the truth. His frustration turns to rueful laughter at the scandal she has created. Despite his exasperation, he tells them to find somewhere to hide and promises to smooth things over with their father. Kiki leaves with Hasho, admonishing Shiori to straighten things out with Takkan.
Alone with Takkan, Shiori is nervous about his reaction. He deflects with humor, telling her she did not run out on him—she ran out with him. He reassures her that he does not care what others think, and speaks of their future with quiet confidence, predicting they will quarrel at times but always laugh together in the end.
Their escape is briefly interrupted by Mr. Ji, a gardener who stares at them slack-jawed. Shiori drags Takkan deeper into the gardens, where they find refuge under a forgotten wisteria tree.
There, Shiori picks the beads from her hair, revealing the red thread beneath. She tells Takkan they can still finish the ceremony, and she would prefer this place over the suffocating temple. Takkan asks if she is sure she wants to link her fate to his, reminding her of her own dismissive words about him. But he reassures her that his love is far greater than pride.
Shiori unwinds the red thread and begins the binding ritual, reciting Raikama's words about surrounding oneself with those who will love you always. She mentions the tale of Imurinya, who bound herself to the hunter to journey to the moon. She wraps the thread around Takkan's wrist, binding him to her because she wishes to, not because duty demands it. Takkan ties the other end around her wrist, speaking vows of enduring togetherness through joy and sorrow.
The chapter ends with their first real kiss, followed by more until wisteria petals crown their heads. Shiori whispers that his fate is bound to hers and that whatever they face, they face together. The final image is of her kite metaphor: Takkan is the end of her string, and no matter how far her kite wanders, it will always find its way back to him.
Key Events
-
Shiori flees the temple with Takkan, cutting through gardens and the orchard to escape her brothers.
-
Hasho catches up, questions Shiori, and decides to help them hide, promising to smooth things over with their father.
-
Kiki leaves with Hasho, telling Shiori to make things right with Takkan.
-
Takkan reassures Shiori that he does not care what others think and that she ran out with him, not from him.
-
The couple encounters Mr. Ji the gardener before moving deeper into the gardens.
-
Under a wisteria tree, Shiori removes the beads from her hair and initiates a private binding ceremony.
-
They exchange vows and tie a red thread around each other's wrists.
-
They share a real kiss and commit to facing the future together.
Character Development
Shiori takes a significant step in this chapter. Earlier in the story, she was reluctant about the betrothal and the ceremony. Here, she makes a conscious choice to complete the ritual on her own terms, in a private setting, because she wants to—not because duty or family demands it. Her decision to recite Raikama's words shows how deeply her stepmother's wisdom has shaped her. The kite metaphor at the chapter's end reveals her emotional growth: she has found her anchor in Takkan.
Takkan demonstrates remarkable emotional maturity. He does not react with anger or wounded pride to the public humiliation of the canceled ceremony. Instead, he reframes the situation—she ran out with him, not from him—and expresses unwavering faith in their future. His statement that his love is greater than pride is a defining moment for his character.
Hasho shows his loyalty to Shiori despite the scandal. Though he lectures her and expresses exasperation, he chooses to help her hide and takes on the difficult task of explaining her actions to their father. This reinforces the bond between the siblings.
Kiki continues to serve as Shiori's conscience, bluntly telling her to fix things with Takkan before departing with Hasho.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The red thread of fate is the central symbol of this chapter. The binding ritual connects Shiori and Takkan in a way that echoes the myth of Imurinya and the hunter, linking their personal commitment to a larger cultural tradition. The thread is physical evidence of their vows.
The kite metaphor appears at the chapter's end, with Shiori describing Takkan as the end of her string. This image captures the balance between freedom and connection—she can wander, but she will always return to him.
The wisteria tree serves as a natural sanctuary, a refuge from the suffocating temple and the gossip of the court. It represents the private, authentic space where their love can be expressed freely.
Defiance of court ceremony is a recurring motif. Shiori rejects the public spectacle of the temple in favor of a meaningful, intimate ritual. This choice emphasizes that the substance of the ceremony matters more than its performance.
Love over pride is explicitly articulated by Takkan. His willingness to set aside pride for love contrasts with the court's obsession with reputation and gossip.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Shiori and Takkan's relationship. The private binding ceremony solidifies their commitment in a way that the public ceremony could not have. By choosing to complete the ritual on her own terms, Shiori transforms the betrothal from an obligation into a genuine choice. The chapter also establishes the emotional foundation they will need for the challenges ahead—the impossible that still awaits them. Takkan's unwavering faith and Shiori's growing trust in him set the stage for the trials to come.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Shiori choose to complete the ceremony privately under the wisteria tree rather than at the temple?
Shiori's choice reflects her desire for authenticity over spectacle. She explicitly says she prefers the wisteria tree to the suffocating temple with every gossip in court watching. The private setting allows her to make the vows freely, on her own terms, rather than as a performance for others. Her words during the binding ritual make this clear: she binds herself to Takkan not because her father, stepmother, or country asks, but because she wishes to.
2. How does Takkan's response to the canceled ceremony reveal his character?
Takkan's response reveals his emotional maturity and the depth of his love. Instead of reacting with anger or wounded pride, he reframes the situation—she ran out with him, not from him. He states that he does not care what others think of them, and that his love is far greater than pride. His confidence in their future, even predicting they will laugh about this day years from now, shows his long-term commitment and his faith in their relationship.
3. What is the significance of the red thread and the kite metaphor in this chapter?
The red thread is a physical symbol of their binding vows, connecting them to the myth of Imurinya and the hunter. It represents the permanence of their commitment. The kite metaphor, which appears at the chapter's end, captures the balance between freedom and connection: Shiori can wander like a kite, but Takkan is the end of her string, and she will always find her way back to him. Together, these images convey that their bond is both chosen and enduring.
Navigation
-
Next Chapter