Logan, completely unaware of his own circumstances, sported an incredibly arrogant expression as he approached the woman to chat, knowing this would make him appear both dignified and manly.
In the West, he was considered short, but in Japan during this era, 1.6 meters was sufficient!
Usually, he only had to tilt his head up to see people, but now he could look down at some, and that was where his confidence came from.
Japanese women are more coy than Western women; when strangers speak to them, they always turn their heads slightly, avoiding eye contact, exposing the snow-white skin on their neck above the kimono collar.
This woman's neck was beautiful, like lustrous white jade, and as Logan gazed at her, he momentarily lost his composure.
Under his gaze, the neck quickly flushed red; the woman felt both embarrassed and angry at the man blocking her way, but her voice was as weak as a mosquito's as she spoke.
"Sir? You are blocking my way..."
"Oh, well, I wanted to ask for your name."
Logan came back to his senses, speaking directly and straightforwardly, in usual Western style.
Yet the scene was filled with the refinement and grace of Japanese aesthetics.
The snow had just cleared during twilight, and in the distance, there was a herd of deer watching them; the couple met for the first time under the shrine's eaves, the scarlet pillars as red as their faces.
The sunlight reflected off the snow was particularly gentle, and the sunset at this moment cast a golden edge on the two, Logan noticing the little flowers on her kimono, each appearing vividly bright.
At this time, Japanese women were reserved and shy, but they also admired strength.
Although Wolverine was a black-haired wolf, his features clearly showed he was a Westerner, as for which country, does it really matter?
After all, the Allies were all victorious nations; foreign men defeated every Japanese man, quite simply.
"My surname is Yamamoto, and I live at the foot of the hill,"
she said quietly before covering her face and turning to leave, leaving Logan alone to watch her departing figure, feeling a sense of loss.
Suddenly, he remembered Kobayashi Issa's famous haiku: This world is as fleeting as dewdrops.
Their encounter was a mere moment; his heart was captured in an instant, yet silence had made everything pass too quickly, and there wasn't time to speak much more.
However, she had a surname, indicating she was not from a peasant family, as her ancestors at least had Samurai roots.
Land in Japan was privately owned, so her family must certainly have a garden, which could easily be located by the surname.
Logan's mood instantly improved.
The nearby deer came over, shaking their heads and pulling at the dried grass in his hand; they had waited a long time, and this person hadn't given them anything to eat, really bad.
Wolverine finally came back to his senses, smiling as he let go and placed the hay on the ground, patting the deer's head, and quickly walked away.
He wanted to go back, take a bath, change into more respectable attire, and bring some gifts to visit the Yamamoto Family, tonight!
If Su Ming were here, perhaps he might offer some extra intelligence.
In a typical Samurai family, girls wouldn't even have a surname; only households of the grassroots reform faction would, in these times, distinctively bestow a family surname upon their daughters.
Japan's so-called military grassroots reform faction was externally known as the aggressive faction before the war, the very ones who initiated warfare.
Their fathers and brothers at home might even have died at Wolverine's hands; during World War II, Logan estimated that he killed no fewer than a thousand 'Yamamoto's, maybe even eight hundred.
Moreover, what if Yamamoto was a married surname? Wouldn't it be awkward if the husband opened the door?
Though many US Army stationed in Japan liked to play the 'husband present' kind of game, Wolverine was ultimately a future superhero, still holding some form of baseline, albeit not a very high one.
But at this moment, Wolverine's simple mind didn't consider such things; his brain was filled only with the woman's figure, eager to see her soon, ignoring all sorts of issues.
He returned to the mountain, smashed the ice on the lake surface, stripped off his clothes, and jumped in to scrub himself vigorously.
Being Canadian, like the Fur Bear, he was resistant to the cold, his body strong enough, winter swimming was just a minor challenge.
After scrubbing several times, believing there likely was no strange odor, he ran back home naked, changed into the new kimono initially reserved for New Year.
Nothing suitable to gift, only the wild boar leg from last hunt which hadn't been eaten yet.
Japan surrendered nearly ten years ago, yet the bitter aftermath of the defeat remained far from fully resolved, as the Japanese Government decided to dedicate a generation to bridging the gap in population and economy, naturally, this generation lived quite poorly.
Originally a tiny nation wagering its fate by triggering war, naturally they lost everything when defeated.
The impact extends to both society's elite and ordinary folk, daily life is tough with just wild vegetable porridge to eat.
This wild boar leg isn't completely unsuitable as a gift.
However, being a gift, the hair needs shaving, frozen blood requires hammering to look nicer.
It was already dark by the time he finished handling the boar leg, the golden sunset already vanished, light moonshine scattered over the snow-covered mountains.
The trees' shadows stretched long, all pointing towards town.
Logan checked his outfit one last time with satisfaction and descended the mountain, no need to lock his door, confident that no one would steal from him, that's just how confident he is.
Su Ming arrived at the town as if sprinting because he had a guilty conscience and couldn't ask people, so he could only read the surname plates in front of the big houses one by one. After searching for a while and making sure no one noticed, like a thief, Logan knocked on the door.
Creaaaak... The heavy pine door opened, and a young man poked his head out. Before Logan could speak, he smiled brightly and bowed.
"Wolf Warrior, my name is Yamamoto Ichirō, and I've been awaiting you for a long time."
"Um...."
Logan only then thought of the issue; could this be that woman's husband?
It wouldn't be good face-to-face, so forget it.
Although the short young man opposite looked like he wasn't mature enough, with a youthful appearance, he was quite smart. He immediately noticed what Logan was considering and, without waiting for Logan to show his intention to leave, promptly stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture as he spoke.
"Earlier, my elder sister said she met you at the shrine and invited you to our humble abode. I've already made preparations, please move into the inner room for tea."
Oh, turns out it's the elder sister, then there's no problem.
Logan politely handed over the pig leg gift and walked in generously. His face, which usually looked as if everyone owes him money, now had a smile blooming on it.
After all, he's still a Canadian, not very familiar with Eastern traditions, even after living in Japan for ten years.
Many Japanese etiquettes are learned from the Tang Dynasty, so naturally, guests are typically received in the living room. But his first visit was directly invited by the lady to drink tea in the inner room, this so-called step into the house was a one-step fulfillment.
What it meant, he was totally unaware.
He just heard he could meet the lady and was delighted not knowing anything else.
"What's your sister's name?"
Walking in a somewhat charming courtyard, Logan looked around at the meticulously trimmed pine trees and the Lu Ming Bamboo covered with accumulated snow, guessing the family's background.
There were some servants in the courtyard, it looked like a wealthy family.
It seemed there were no elders at home, the only male was Yamamoto Ichirō, so he came to the door to greet him as a sign of respect.
"My elder sister's name is Ah Yi, she is eighteen and unmarried." Ichirō quickly introduced as if promoting a product: "She likes flower arranging and tea ceremony and is also the prettiest lady in town."
Actually, during this time, to quickly restore the population, Japan has lowered the age definition of 'adult' from 20 to 14.
This way, many could marry earlier, thereby quickly restoring the pre-war population and workforce.
But someone like Ah Yi at eighteen is actually considered old, the issue lies with the family background.
Although the Yamamoto Family has declined, they were once the landlord samurai here, how could they marry into those farmers' descendants, tainting the family name?
But wanting to find a family match with outsiders, the sons of Martial Families of similar age almost all died on the battlefield, those alive are either disabled or already married.
So Ah Yi got delayed.
However, now with the appearance of Logan, a foreigner, it provided them another option, which is to marry a strong person.
No matter how good the Japanese men are, they're losers, can't compare with the United States' daddy, can they?
So Ichirō, as the current patriarch, naturally wants to give his sister the best option.
It's not because he's superficial, instead, it's because he has the closest and best relationship with his sister, he must do everything to give her the best.
If their relationship was bad, he would've exchanged her for benefits long ago, that would be the fate of the Martial Family's daughters.
Leading Logan step by step toward the backyard, he gestured and signaled the servants watching the fun to disperse, telling them quickly to prepare for the wedding.
The wedding dress is already prepared, though Ichirō doesn't know about Western weddings, can't find a priest in this Miyajima countryside... then let's conduct a Shinto wedding! Now quickly find a priest, and notify some friends and family to witness!
Ichirō wasn't anxious, but Wolf Warrior was too popular, all the ladies in town were eyeing him. Not to mention the foreigners, he also has superpowers, so powerful and imposing, he's a piece of delicious, juicy meat.
Yamamoto Ichirō must secure the legitimate position for his sister, he has already investigated, Wolf Warrior is alone, this opportunity can't be missed.
"I'm Logan, don't call me lord anymore, Logan Houtley." Logan was still enjoying the Japanese aesthetic courtyard and outdoor corridors, not noticing the servants' movements.
Moreover, he had lost part of his memory, he didn't remember much about wartime, though he still remembered his name, his early life was completely forgotten.
Yamamoto Ichirō smiled more brightly, nodding like a Little Chicken pecking rice: "Yes, Logan Lord."
He thought Americans and Japanese were alike, with the preceding word being the surname, anyway, didn't he just hug the foreigner's thigh?
No matter how I call today, just call him brother tomorrow, although there's an important question to clarify.
"Logan Lord, are you from the United States?"
"Should be Canadian, but where exactly the home is, I can't remember clearly." Logan laughed and pointed to his head.
"Canada.... Oh, that's fine, haha...."
Yamamoto Ichirō was also satisfied with the answer, though not UK or US, Canada seems fine, neighboring the United States, surely it's strong too.