Hotaru

In Gion, reputation matters. Mameko’s reputation still recovers from her entanglement and investigation of Mr. Funaki’s murder. Adding to her stress: Mameko’s mother becomes the director of the upcoming Cherry Blossom Dances. In an effort to rebuild the family’s reputation, her mother forces Mameko to dance the event. Mameko, however, cannot dance as a geiko should. She knows she isn’t good enough to be the feature dancer, but her mother refuses to listen.. Suspicious fires break out across the district. In a city made of wood and history, fire needs little incentive to spread. Generations of work—collecting expensive kimono, shamisen, and the other tools of the geiko trade—could disappear in just minutes. These fires are too regular, too targeted. Police discover postcards and photographs of the victims at the scene of each arson. Yet, the stretched police force can’t find the arsonist, so the chief of police, Mr. Amano, seeks Mameko’s help.. When the arsonist targets Mameko’s friend, Mameko promises to bring the arsonist to justice. And a Katagiri keeps her word.. If she fails, all of Gion could burn. If she succeeds, her family’s reputation may be ruined. Either way, fate forces her to gamble with her life, all to keep a promise and protect the profession she loves.