It’s all coming to a climax in Torikaebaya, Volume 12  (とりかえ・ばや).

The penny dropped in Volume 11, as the emperor got an inkling of an idea that the person he knows as his consort Suiren is quite likely the young lord he cultivated as Sarasoujuu.

In Volume 12, Umetsubo Naishogami boldly asks the Emperor to remember that the young Sarasoujuu was injured by an arrow and to look at Suiren for that scar, which he finds. He now knows for sure that his Suiren is really Sarasojuu (and thus that Sarasojuu is really Suiren.) But, now he has it the right way ’round. It’s obvious that his lover is a woman and as she was clearly Sarasoujuu, Sarasoujuu was a woman all along.

Evil priest Ginkaku attempts to assasinate the Emperor with a snake hidden in a plant, but Sarasoujuu as Suiren is quick to suck out the poison and save him. So he’s got to be convinced that whatever the story, she is not his enemy.

But Ginkaku is not done interfering. In a last attempt to destroy the Emperor, he brainwashes poor little new heir Yuzuru-shinou. Undoubtedly to do nefarious deeds to the Emperor.

Next volume is the end of this series and I can see a couple of options here, both with and without Sara and Suiren dead. If Sara gets to be with the Emperor and Suiren with Ichinomiya-hime they’d all be happy, but they won’t be themselves. So mostly happily-ever-after. I guess.

Ratings:

Art – 10
Story – 9
Characters – 9 No matter what her gender presentation, Sarasoujuu is a hero
Service – 2

Overall – 10

One day when I grow up and my Japanese is much better than it currently is, I’m going to read this whole thing over again. ^_^