So just a quick one here, though over the enxt week or so hoping to the two other chapters on the neutral faith members, to close them out, as there's some... relevance... to act 2 there sweats

Anyway, do enjoy, and it's always nice to flesh everyone out...

Takakura house

“Good afternoon. I am Kudou Yasuhide, erstwhile head of the Tsukuyomi faction of faith, and master of Ryōan-ji Temple. I’m here today with my young granddaughter, Shiori, who is currently the faith tutor at Hanafubuki Private Academy, famed and exclusive school for noble daughters. Say hello to the readers, Shiori!”

“Hello there. Oh my, this is a lot of pressure. But not compared to my role at Hanafubuki. Those noble daughters can be scary. I’m lucky that the last granddaughters of Takakura house are there with me. Despite being returned to the nobility, they are very easy-going.”

“Of course they would be, Shiori. There’s a story there, and one we are here to tell, as well as document them, as part of the neutral shrines and temples of the faith, which belong to no defined faction. It’s not a terrible standpoint, and as Tsukuyomi is the most balanced faction of the three, we have a closer relationship with old man Bankei, Takakura-sama and the others.”

“But Takakura house isn’t strictly part of the faith, so isn’t neutral faction, but indeed, has no affiliations, grandfather?”

“That’s correct, Shiori. You know it well. Which is why you were chosen for Hanafubuki. Now then… Takakura house is technically the oldest of noble houses still remaining, barring the Imperial Family, of course, which is Imperial rather than noble, in the strictest sense. Even Takatsukasa house, whose golden age was in the Muromachi period, can’t claim such a pedigree, as Takakura house grew from the faith.”

“I always wondered… the nobles treasure history and age, but the shrines and temples have many families with unbroken lines older than any noble houses…”

“A good observation, Shiori, but not strictly true. After all, we all have ancestors. We weren’t born from peaches, you know. But it’s simply easier to tell with us, you see, as like young Hikawa-kun and his kids, bloodline abilities remain, no matter how weak. Though Ren-kun and the twins are amongst the most potent that survived to this day, even if they are rather overshadowed by Chosen now. But I digress…”

“You do indeed, grandfather. You like to talk…”

“How rude of you, my dear Shiori. It’s what we are here for.”

“But when you stroke your long white beard like that, trying to seem like a wise sage, I get all embarrassed…”

“Ahem! No need for that. Anyway… where was I? Yes, Takakura house is considered, despite its age and rather diminished status, as a second tier family, alongside such as Tsumura house. It does not have the wealth and power, having declined in a similar fashion to Takatsukasa house, but influence remains, and they are, as per tradition, the only noble house allowed to… interfere… no, that’s the wrong term, Takakura house, even until this day, has been a mediator, and an ally… so perhaps I should say they are the house which all of the faith trusts to be impartial and to bridge between us and the nobility, as they understand both sides, and are beholden to neither, in effect,”

“I see. But just why were Katsuki-san, Mizuki-chan and Kiaria-chan just a branch family until now? It doesn’t seem fair, grandfather.”

“That’s just the way it is, young Shiori. While as long as our bloodlines remain strong, cousins and so on may take over, if their gifts and faith are stronger than the main line, nobility values direct descent, called dankei, through the patrilineal line. Though of course, if asked politely, Takakura-sama will tell you that even the Three Great Houses have had times in their history where brothers, sisters or cousins have been all that was available. In this current case, it’s rather a sad tale. Don’t ask your three friends about it, okay?”

“I won’t. I have some tact. But should we be telling the readers this?”

“Have no fear, Shiori. The fanbook gives us leeway to use that omniscient view and break the fourth wall. So… Takakura-sama had two sons and a daughter. Sadly his daughter passed young, and this wounded deeply his second son, who adored her. He found solace in a woman from a distant branch of the Takakura house, essentially a commoner, and eventually married her, thus becoming part of that collateral, branch house.”

“But they weren’t entirely absent from Takakura house’s inner workings, were they? They still ran Takakura Antiques, which we discovered was built on an ancient Takakura house shrine, to restrain an evil, corrupted Kami, at least until Akio-san and the others dealt with it.”

“That’s right. Correct as usual, Shiori!”

“Grandfather, I told you to stop stroking your beard like that, it doesn’t make you look wise!”

“Sorry, sorry! Anyway, yes, unfortunately it seemed Takakura house has been dogged with bad luck recently. It may well be superstition, but I do wonder if the corrupted Kami, sensing the stirrings of the returning world of the Gods and Kami, was better able to spread its cruel curse to the family which was responsible for imprisoning it. His first son never had children, being medically infertile. So calling back his rather estranged second son and their family was the only move he could make. Of course, now Akio-kun can surely cure his son of his issues and he could start a family, but… the Takakura sisters are back in favour, and it would be unpleasant and unbecoming to deny them simply because matters returned to the way they were meant to be.”

“That’s right. Besides, Akio-san wouldn’t stand for it. There are… other… important reasons for the sisters to be part of things, grandfather. And it seems they have an excellent bloodline as well.”

“Indeed, Shiori. As are all the nobility, they are extremely attractive. The habit of marrying handsome men to beautiful women over many years has led to good aesthetics. Not that you lose to them, Shiori. Oh, and there’s no need to blush!”

“I’m not blushing. Get your eyes checked, grandfather. Anyway… shall we move on? That’s the backstory on Takakura house and the relevant current circumstances as to why Katsuki-san and the others were recalled, and how they ended up alongside me at Hanafubuki, and ultimately became part of Akio’s training school and more.”

“Yes, a grand idea, Shiori, let’s move on. Our commentators on the neutral faction will be waiting for us to finish… and for what we say here…”

“Don’t laugh like that, grandfather, it’s a bit creepy.”

“Ouch, you wound me, Shiori. You know creepy is the worst thing you can call an older man, relative or no.”

“I’ll bear that in mind. So…”

“Yes. We’ll begin with my old friend Takakura Sasuke, the current head of Takakura house.”

“As you can see, Shiori, despite his advancing age, he’s still a robust man, strong and continuing the duties of Takakura house, though he’s still deeply hurt by the tragedies that have befallen his family over recent times. But we hope those times are over.”

“He always seems to be wearing red and white… is that a tribute to his nature as the noble family that liaises with the shrines?”

“Exactly right, Shiori. Though each of those red suits are custom made, and cost a great deal of money. Yes, Takakura house is hurting, but as the Chinese might say, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse.”

“Grandfather! You heard Daiyu say that, didn’t you?”

“Guilty as charged. It’s a good saying though, and applies to the faith as well. Though we starved as did the Kami, over fifteen hundred years, feeding us will make us quickly resume our power. Akio-kun knows this, fortunately, and though our poor Lady Diviner perished, I trust Akio’s words she shall rise again, and together with him, guide us to a better future. Now then… onto the details of my old friend here…”

Name:  Takakura Sasuke

Affiliation and Entry: Makes a Telephone call in Side Thirteen - Uchida Ren, Master of the Kiyomizu-Dera. Meets Akio in Chapter Two Hundred And Forty, which is his proper introduction.

“Of course, Takakura-sama has been busy talking to me, young Gin, and others before he met Akio-kun, trying to mediate the brewing storm of faction disputes the return of the Gods was brewing.”

Appearance: “As you can see by the image, his black hair is going to grey, and he favours red or purplish-red suits, paired with white shirts. He’s still robust and strong, though aged by stress and grief.”

“I see. A lot of the heads of noble families seem stern and aloof, grandfather.”

“Of course. Responsibility and power both age a man, and harden them, like diamond, Shiori. They are all tough, no-nonsense men.”

Birthday and Age (If revealed): “I know his birthday, of course. I send him a modest gift every year, just as a token of my gratitude. As for his age, he turned seventy-nine this year I believe. But don’t tell him I told you, Shiori. Anyway, his birthday is… June 24th”

“I see. Older than you then, grandfather.”

“I should say so. I’m a young man at heart, Shiori. Now be civil, we men can be as touchy about our age as women can. Now, onto the sad parts…

Family: His Eldest son, Takakura Naoki, Second son, Takakura Shohei, who married a distant relative from the branch family who became Takakura Mika. His dead daughter, Takakura Mihana, and his three granddaughters, eldest Takakura Katsuki, middle Takakura Mkizuki, and youngest, Takakura Kiaria.

Romantic Partners: “Sadly, his wife, Takakura Tomoe, also passed, she was never the same after Mihana-chan died so young. And ill-health and misfortune was not uncommon for them, as we discussed. But now, Shiori, the Takakura house is free of their duty to guard the site of the ruined shrine that became Takakura Antiques.”

“If he has Chirurgery, it might not be too late for him, grandfather. It rejuvenates, apparently, and I know it makes us stronger, sharper and healthier. He might make another twenty to thirty years in good health!”

“That’s true, Shiori, but alas, it hasn’t happened yet. Akio-kun is quite busy, and the nobility wanted to see how it went for their granddaughters before dabbling themselves. Does that seem cold to you, Shiori?”

“A little. But then… having been a lecturer at Hanafubuki, I do understand, even if I’m glad I’m not a daughter of nobility, even though the money and luxury would be nice.”

“Relax, Shiori. It was a calculated gamble, and Hinata-chan, Motoko-chan and Natsumi-chan are happy, yes?”

“I can’t argue with that. I’m a little envious… not… not of Akio-san, of course, just… they’re so in love. We girls dream of that, you know? Them more than most of us, it seems…”

“Well, to spare your blushes, we’re moving on…”

“I told you, grandfather, I’m not blushing.”

“Sure, whatever you say, my dear Shiori…”

Vassals: “Anyway, Vassals means something rather different to nobility, but Takakura house doesn’t have any vassal houses, and never really has. Despite being a second-tier house like Tsumura house, they have been largely separated, a balance between the nobles and the faith.”

Enthroned Chosen Heroes: None of course, as Takakura Sasuke is not a Chosen.

Chakra Network: “As it happens, it seems that Takakura house’s bloodline remains strong, if fragmented. Two different abilities, according to Akio-kun. No doubt developing them later is part of the plan, at least for his granddaughters. Thus, Takakura-san has a partially functional Chakra network even now, a cut above most ordinary people, but not so integrated that it harms his health like poor Shiro. Hmm, thinking of it, I wonder if that’s a reason Takakura house has so much ill-health… maybe some have a more complete and thus atavistic network than others…”

“If that’s the case, it’s too sad, grandfather. If the world changed sooner, his daughter and wife might not have had to die…”

“Alas, even the Kami, and the Gods behind them aren’t omnipotent, dear Shiori. Anyway…”

Notable Elements/Skills/Favours: “It’s rumoured that Takakura house, in the distant past, back long before the Muromachi period, before faith started to dwindle, had an infusion of Yōkai blood via intermarriage. If it’s true, I couldn’t say. No doubt Akio-kun would know…”

“If so, I’ll get to tease Mizuki-chan about it. Oh, but… that reminds me. Do we need to talk about their parents?”

“I think we can give them a miss, as they didn’t appear in Act One, but they’re detailed here now, so if anyone has questions, this should answer them. Anyway, I’ll let you lead from now on, Shiori, as you know the Takakura sisters a lot better than I do.”

“Al right, grandfather. So first up is the eldest, Katsuki-san. Honestly, she’s a bit intimidating. Not because of her personality, she’s wise, mature and nice. But she’s also very elegant, so I struggle to match up.”

“That’ll be the Takakura blood. And despite leaving the family, Shohei-kun was raised by the nobility, so he knows how to raise a daughter properly.”

“Then, we have…”

Name:  Takakura Katsuki.

“The Kanji of her name means ‘mysterious moon’. It’s very apt, she’s quite the quiet, elegant girl who doesn’t talk about herself a lot.”

Affiliation and Entry: “She first appeared in Chapter Seventy-Eight, the first out of any of the Takakura family, and beating us by quite a margin, grandfather.”

“Ah, but you’ve had a Side Chapter from your Point Of View, as have I, Shiori, so we’re still ahead!”

“I… suppose we can look at it that way, yes…”

“Anyway, she’s affiliated with Takakura house, and is a third year in Hanafubuki Private Academy currently. Now then, bring out the photograph when she received her uniform, Shiori.”

Appearance:

“As you can see, Katsuki-san is a very beautiful woman, and she looks so graceful and proper in her Hanafubuki uniform here. More so than me.”

“Don’t be like that, Shiori. It’s just the circle of Karma. As a daughter of Takakura house, if she was in the main branch, she’d have attended Hanafubuki from kindergarten. Now… she finally has that chance, even if only in her last year. Her sisters are luckier, I suppose. But it has secured her future, Hanafubuki educated women are extremely desirable in high society, I’m told…”

“I’d say her future’s more secure because she’s one of Akio-san’s trainees, grandfather. Anyway, while the picture is clear, Katsuki-san is rather tall, with long black hair to her waist, her dark eyes between dark brown and black can seem a bit sharp, but she has a gentle, beautiful face and smile. She’s rather slender, but overall, exudes a soothing presence.”

“Indeed, while she is far from flat, she pales in comparison with her younger sister…”

“Grandfather! I’m scandalised! If Katsuki-san knew you were talking about her chest that way… also, don’t try and stroke your beard and smile like that! I’m angry!”

“Don’t blame me it’s for the fanbook, I don’t want to be crude, but the fans need descriptions…”

“I’m watching you, grandfather! Be nice when it’s Mizuki’s turn…

“Anyway, moving on…”

Birthday and Age (If revealed): Katsuki’s Birthday is August 17th, so she’s eighteen.

“If she’d been in Hanafubuki Private Academy from a young age, which has an extra year of kindergarten, or a rural hodgepodge school like Akio-kun and his sister attended, she’d probably be nineteen already with her final year coming to a close, isn’t that right, Shiori?”

“I suppose so…”

Family: Takakura Shohei, father, Takakura Mika, mother. Takakura Sasuke, grandfather. Takakura Mizuki, younger sister, Takakura Kiaria, youngest sister.

Romantic Partners: “Oho, gossip. So do spill? Does she have any experience, Shiori?”

“Why are you asking me? But as it happens, no, she says she’s still single, she never thought of romance, as she’s not yet left school.”

“Hmm, not everyone is a quick starter like Eri-chan, I see…”

Vassals: She is not a Chosen.

“Though ironically, her and her sisters would perhaps have been ideal candidates for some of the Japanese Gods. Alas, it seems others made the cut, not poor Katsuki-chan.”

“Grandfather… oh, what’s the use…”

Enthroned Chosen Heroes:  Again, not a Chosen.

Chakra Network: She originally had a strange, partial network, from her Takakura lineage, but in chapter Two Hundred And Fifty-Seven she gets Eight Moons Chakra Network (perfected for human use), Rank 1, after Akio’s Chirurgery.

“Though actually, it’s not impossible it went straight to Rank 2, with her original state. I’d have to ask Akio-san though, he didn’t say, grandfather. As for her Skill next, can we spoil a little?”

“I think we can, Shiori. The fanbook is no fun if we don’t give a little fanservice.”

Notable Elements/Skills/Favours: “Fragmentary Bright Moon Pushing Spirit is her partial bloodline Skill. We don’t know much about what it does, but I’m sure it will be interesting, don’t you think, grandfather?”

“Yes, they’ll be important later, the three sisters, I’m sure of it, Shiori.”

Notable Equipment: “Her Hanafubuki school uniform… let me tell you, Hotaru-chan envies it a lot!”

“I bet she does, Shiori. But they don’t let in the children of politicians or entertainers, no matter how powerful, so she’s out of luck…”

“Anyway, that’s the eldest, Katsuki-san. So next up is the middle sister, Mizuki-chan. She’s a funny girl, and I like her, but she can be hard work at times. Fiery and feisty in a way her older sister most definitely isn’t…”

“That’s not all that separates them…”

“Grandfather! I’m going to get mad!”

“Sorry, sorry, anyway… carry on!”

Name:  Takakura Mizuki.

“The kanji for her name reads ‘beautiful moon’. She is indeed very pretty, though some would say more to the cute side, rather than elegant, maybe down to her personality. She’s… intense…”

Affiliation and Entry: “I was actually with her in her first blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in Chapter One Hundred And Seventy-One at the Fujiwara party. Akio sure noticed her, though… her true debut is in Chapter Two Hundred And Fifty-Seven, however.”

“And her affiliation would be Takakura house, and Hanafubuki middle school, second year, yes?”

“That’s right. Anyway, she’s one of the oldest in her year, as it happens, due to when her birthday falls. Maybe… that’s why she’s grown so much. Anyway… I have a picture of her in her old school uniform, so… here.”

“Whoa… “

Appearance:

“As you can see, she hates being photographed from above, she’s got a complex about her height too, as she’s one of the shortest in her year, so always tries to have photos taken to make her seem taller. She hated her uniform too, says white makes her… chest… more noticeable. She’s in love with the Hanafubuki uniform, she says the black is slimming. And the longer skirts make her look taller…”

“I think she’s fine the way she is, Shiori. She’s got a bright future ahead of her.”

“If she hears you saying that she’ll be furious. I’m angry! She doesn’t want to be popular… or so she says, but… I have my doubts. Anyway… as you can see, she’s beautiful like her other sisters, with black eyes and hair though she usually has it in a hime-cut fringe, rather than how Katsuki-san has hers. She is indeed quite short, as I said. As for her birthday…”

“Go on.”

Birthday and Age (If revealed): February 17th. She’s fifteen.

“Her birthday is only two days after Akio-san’s as it happens. I don’t know how that’ll make her feel though. She’s always accusing him of ogling her…”

“Sorry, it’s rude, but men can’t help but notice, Shiori, but we wouldn’t ogle as Mizuki-chan’s a young, innocent girl. But asking us not to notice is a bit much…”

“I’ll take your word for it, grandfather…”

Family: Takakura Shohei, father, Takakura Mika, mother. Takakura Sasuke, grandfather. Takakura Katsuki, older sister, Takakura Kiaria, younger sister.

Romantic Partners: “She has none of course, she’s too young, Though if she went to a school that had boys in it as well, she’d be the dream girl for many. Because she’s funny and nice, even if a bit surly, grandfather. No other reasons!”

Vassals: She is not a Chosen, though again, maybe she could have been, but perhaps she’s too young. I would hope the Gods didn’t choose such young shoulders to place their burdens upon, wouldn’t you agree, Shiori?”

“Yes. Mizuki-chan… isn’t good with pressure, honestly. She panics.”

Enthroned Chosen Heroes: Again, not a Chosen.

Chakra Network: “Like her elder sister, Katsuki-san, she originally had a strange, partial network, from her Takakura lineage, but in chapter Two Hundred And Fifty-Seven she gets Eight Moons Chakra Network (perfected for human use), Rank 1, after Akio’s Chirurgery. Again, maybe it might even be Rank 2, we’d have to check with Akio-san.”

Notable Elements/Skills/Favours: “Dark Moon Drawing Sprit is the partial Skill Mizuki-chan has, yes Shiori?”

“That’s right. The opposite to Katsuki-san, but again, as it’s broken, and at this point we don’t know what it does, it’s not much use.”

“But I do expect later it to be of great value. The Takakura sisters are sure to get more screentime one day! After all, this fanbook page is quite in-depth on them isn’t it?”

“That’s… true for sure. I wonder if ours will be as detailed…”

Notable Equipment:  “Her…”

“Don’t say anything, grandfather, whether it’s a fourth wall breaking joke or not. If you do, I’ll never speak to you again! Her Hanafubuki uniform, which she likes a lot!

“Anyway, moving on, and finally, we have the youngest, cute little Kiaria-chan!”

“Don’t be fooled, grandfather, she’s quiet and contemplative, but is actually very stubborn and has a bit of a temper, in a different way to the bluster of Mizuki-chan. Anyway…”

Name:  Takakura Kiaria

“The kanji in her name is ‘fortunate moon’. I haven’t checked to see if she does actually have a high Fortune Statistic though, grandfather.”

Affiliation and Entry: “She first has a guest appearance, though she isn’t named, in Side Sixty-Two – Fukumoto Hinata. Chapter Two Hundred And Fifty-Seven, alongside her sisters, is her main introduction though.”

“That’s right, grandfather. Anyway, she’s a good student, apparently. Though Mizuki-chan and Katsuki-san are also very clever, Kiaria-chan gets the best relative grades out of the family. Anyway, onto this photograph, which was from just before she transferred to Hanafubuki elementary division, for the class photograph. She’s adorable. And even looks a bit more girly than usual, she’d grown out her hair, as Kiaria-chan can be a bit boyish in hairstyle and presentation normally. She’s cut it short again since, sadly.”

“Ah, a boku girl, as they say?”

“That’s right. I think she gets a bit overawed at how feminine her older sisters are. Well, Mizuki-chan might not be in attitude, but she is in tastes and … style. Anyway, her affiliation would be Takakura house and Hanafubuki Private Academy, final year elementary.”

Appearance:

“I don’t know, her long hair is pretty, but I think short hair would suit her too, don’t you think, Shiori?”

“Well, yes, Kiaria-chan’s cute however she is. Like you said, all the Takakura girls are pretty. Anyway, she has the customary black hair and almost onyx eyes of the Takakura family. Now then…”

Birthday and Age (If revealed): May 15th. She’s twelve.

“And honestly quite mature for her age. You could see her as the same age as Mizuki-chan, and… she’s almost as tall. Don’t tell Mizuki-chan I said that though, grandfather!”

“I won’t. Maybe it’s because Mizuki-chan comes across as a bit more childish than you’d think from her appearance? I don’t know, hmm…”

“Stop stroking your beard again, grandfather! Though I bet you are doing it just to annoy me now!”

Family: Takakura Shohei, father, Takakura Mika, mother. Takakura Sasuke, grandfather. Takakura Katsuki, oldest sister, Takakura Mizuki, older sister.

Romantic Partners: “Be real. If anyone was dating poor Kiaria-chan, they’d be a criminal. I’d ask Akio-kun to bathe them in Foehn!”

“Whoa, harsh words there, my dear Shiori, but quite justified! Yes lolita, no touch, as they say.”

“As who says? Do I need to check your hard drive, grandfather?”

“Hey, I can barely even use a computer, don’t be so forceful, Shiori. Boys won’t like you if you’re too uptight. Just a joke for the readers…”

“… … okay then. I’m watching you, grandfather!”

Vassals: None, as she is not a Chosen.

Enthroned Chosen Heroes:  Likewise none.

“Once more, it would be a travesty if the Gods bullied poor Kiaria-chan into such heavy burdens.”

“But… ah… doesn’t Akio-san, grandfather?”

“It’s… a bit different. They hold her hand through everything, and it’ll make her strong when she’s older. They also don’t push her as hard as the older girls, obviously. But she does want to take part, doesn’t she?”

“That’s true, grandfather. I’ve told you, she may look innocent and boyish, but she’s got a stubborn streak, has Kiaria-chan, and when she digs in she won’t take no for an answer!”

Chakra Network: “Just as her two sisters, she originally had a strange, partial network, from her Takakura lineage, (and it’s actually even more complete, strangely) but in chapter Two Hundred And Fifty-Seven she gets Eight Moons Chakra Network (perfected for human use), Rank 1, after Akio’s Chirurgery. I’m almost certain she’s Rank 2, as unlike her sisters, she actually has…”

Notable Elements/Skills/Favours: “Fragmentary Bright Moon Pushing Spirit and Dark Moon Drawing Sprit are both partially present within her, though both are more incomplete than her sisters’ variants. As to what that means… we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we, Shiori?”

“Oh, the suspense. Anyway, yes, in Act 2 we will learn more, and maybe even have the Skills repaired…”

Notable Equipment: “Her Hanafubuki uniform, and the randoseru backpack given to her by her mother.”

“Compared to some of the others in the fanbook, the poor Takakura sisters don’t have much, do they, Shiori?”

“True, but their future is bright, Akio-san likes them. Anyway, that was Takakura house, those members who appeared within Act 1, anyway. Next up… oh, it’s the neutral faction trainees and their families at Akio-kun’s training school, and it’s narrated by…”

“Of course, it’ll be Katsuki-san, Mizuki-chan and Kiaria-chan! Anyway, I feel bad that we don’t get more to do, grandfather, but… also glad this is over! The pressure is a bit much…”

“I understand, my dear Shiori. This was an important job. Anyway, you did well. So, say farewell!”

“I was Kudou Shiori, hope you enjoyed this…”

“And I’m Kudou Yasuhide. I know you enjoyed this. Until next time…”

“Bye-bye!”