Yuka Musubi

Oyuka was the proprietress of a hairpin shop in Enbizaka, Jakoku. Surviving the great fire that struck the town, the woman returned to managing her business alongside her husband.

Early Life
Born in Enbizaka, Jakoku sometime during the 9th century EC, Oyuka eventually married a hairpin craftsman. Helping manage her husband's business, the couple made a living selling hairpins to customers. She later sired a daughter with the man. At some point, she became indebted to her neighbors Nagare and Kagura Sudou, later becoming acquainted with their daughter Kayo.

Neighborhood Tragedy
In EC 838, Oyuka requested a purple kimono from Kayo. When a great fire struck Enbizaka later that year, Oyuka and her husband evacuated her home with the rest of their neighbors, managing to survive the fire. Following the reconstruction of Enbizaka by the Freezis Foundation, Oyuka went back to managing her business.

Return of the Tailor
In EC 842, Oyuka heard rumors of Kayo being mentally ill. Later that year, she saw Kayo approach her shop. Given the kimono she had requested from four years ago, Oyuka remarked that it was lovely and thanked the tailor. Hearing Kayo brush it off, Oyuka confirmed if the kimono she had requested burned in the fire. She then commented that the tailor dared reproduce the kimono. Told by Kayo that the fire was dreadful for them all, Oyuka agreed.

Guessing that Kayo had nothing prepared due to being focused on her work, the woman invited her to dinner. Told it would be a nuisance for her husband and daughter, Oyuka brushed it off, stating that people said having more people made the food taste better. Asking if Kayo was alone at home, Oyuka saw her nod and heard her reply that they weren't back home. Hearing Kayo complain about Gakuga's pleasure seeking and Ren's job at the Freezis trade house, Oyuka became puzzled.

Hearing Kayo refuse her invitation, the woman witnessed her leave. Witnessing her husband exit the shop and remark that Kayo had come by, Oyuka remarked that the rumors seemed to be true. Hearing the craftsman confirmed if Kayo had been mentally unwell since her husband and son had died. In reply, Oyuka recounted her seeing Kayo look at her and their daughter in a terrifying manner, commenting that she was sure she'd get over it given what happened recently.

Asked if Kayo said something, Oyuka replied that she seemed to have forgotten her husband and son were dead, explaining how Kayo was convinced that Gakuga was out pleasure-seeking while Ren was working at the trading house. Oyuka's husband then explained that Gakuga didn't stay at home that much when he was alive, stating Kayo could easily justify it being his playboy habits despite their marriage. He then continued, confirming if Ren was just a baby.

Remarking that she was full of contradictions, Oyuka expressed her pity before being asked if she was going to share her thoughts with the neighborhood. Replying that she wouldn't since she was indebted to the Sudous and that she needed to take care of Kayo since she was mentally unwell, Oyuka saw her husband put on an amused face before hearing him comment that it was unnecessary of her to do so. He then said he'd stop before leaving.

On another day, Oyuka received sweet buns from a home in Momogengou and, the morning after, decided to share them with Kayo. Going to the shop and calling to the tailor, she soon found her asleep and she commented on how unusual it was, before checking on Kayo and realizing that she looked in pain. After frantically shaking the woman, Oyuka watched her awaken and asked Kayo if she was alright, checking her forehead to make sure she wasn't ill. As Kayo insisted it was nothing, Oyuka protested that it had looked serious and listened as Kayo described having a "purple dream".

Frustrated, Oyuka began to lecture Kayo on how hard she was overworking herself and the strain it was taking on her body and mind. Faced with the tailor's confusion, Oyuka brushed past it before remembering to give Kayo the sweet buns, checking that she liked them and hearing the tailor admit she preferred tuna takoyaki. Promising to bring the dish next time for them to eat together, Oyuka bid Kayo farewell and asked her to get proper rest as she left.

Enbizaka Murders
"So frightening. Even though Enbizaka's finally bounced back from that fire, people're now being slain."

- Oyuka

Following the discovery of Mei's naked corpse, Oyuka rushed over to Kayo's shop, exclaiming that it was awful. Asked what had happened and why she was in such a panic, the woman shouted that the lady of the Miroku Shop had been killed. Asked again what happened, Oyuka explained that the story was that a bandit had killed Mei to test his new sword.

Remarking about how frightening it was, and that people were being slain after Enbizaka had bounced back from the fire, Oyuka sat herself down on the tatami. Stating that Mei was famous for being a hard worker and had been killed on the way home from working late, Oyuka commented that she didn't feel safe walking the streets at night.

Confirming if Kayo was acquainted with the woman, Oyuka then asked why she wasn't concerned. Given an astonished look, the craftsman's wife reminded Kayo that Mei always requested her to do work for the shop, putting on a shocked expression. Told that she knew no one from the Miroku shop, Oyuka was taken aback, asking what Kayo was saying.

Told that that was perhaps the case and that her memory before the fire was a bit foggy, Oyuka remembered that Kayo was convinced her husband and son were alive. Deciding not to discuss the topic any further, the woman began putting on her footwear. Telling Kayo to be careful since the killer could still be on the prowl, the tailor replied she would keep it in mind. Saying goodbye, Oyuka then left the tailor shop.

Second Murder
"Kayo-san! It's awful, just awful!" "What happened, Oyuka-san? You're in such a panic." "A corpse came up the river."

- Oyuka and Kayo

Following the discovery of Miku's corpse in the river, Eikichi came by Oyuka shop and told her about the investigation. She then rushed to tell Kayo, once again exclaiming that it was awful. When Kayo asked once again why she seemed so panicked, Oyuka told her that a young girl had been discovered in the river, stabbed in the stomach.

Asked if that meant the girl was killed with a sword, Oyuka replied that Doushin Uibee was investigating as if that is the case, and noted that it was very different from the other murder, clarifying that the killer took everything Mei had on her, but this time the kimono wasn't taken. Seeing the puzzled look on Kayo's face, she explained that she hadn't actually seen the crime scene and Detective Eikichi had come by and told her about it.

Considering how nothing was taken, Kayo suggested that the killer might not be the same person. Oyuka then explained that the sash was missing, and Kayo suggested that the sash was washed away by the river; Oyuka considered this possibility, and told Kayo that since both victims were women, they should probably look out for each other. Kayo agreed, asking who was the corpse. Oyuka answered that it wasn't confirmed when Eikichi told her, remarking how once the body is identified the relatives would have to be informed immediately.

Visit from Eikichi
"You... have no shame at all."

- Oyuka

Several days later, Eikichi went to the hairpin shop while skipping work again. Oyuka lectured him, telling him that he should stop coming here when he skips work. Remarking that she should be more welcoming to a childhood friend, she told him that he was getting in the way of her business, and that he probably just wanted a convenient hiding place.

When he confirmed her suspicion, she told the detective that he had no shame. He then informed her that the people from the Yarera-Zusco firm were snooping around and getting in his way; Oyuka supposed that they wanted revenge for Miku's murder, thinking it was an admirable story. Eikichi pointed out that Kiji was essentially having revenge on all of Jakoku, and that no one was sharing information. Wondering if that meant the killer would be caught regardless, she agreed with the detective that he might not be cut out for the job.

Thinking of moving back to Momogengou, Eikichi remember that some people were coming to Enbizaka. When Oyuka asked who, Eikichi reminded her about the strange boy at Kurookina's place, who she suddenly remembered as the blond born out of a Ebony tree. The detective then told her that Kokutan-douji and Inukichi are traveling together punishing bad people while calling it "exterminating Oni." Not surprised by the news, Oyuka commented that Inukichi was very strong physically. Eikichi then added that it was rumored the head of the Lang family has joined them, Oyuka asking if he meant the curly haired lady with the monkey mask. He confirmed it was so, and that those three's social reformation have made them celebrities, and they are now coming here. Oyuka wondered what for; Eikichi jokingly said it was to visit him, then discarded the notion as they didn't have a good relationship, figuring it might be he heard of the recent murders and is coming to solve them.

Oyuka angrily pointed out that he was wasting his time here, accusing the detective of sitting idly by to let Kokutan-douji do his work. Eikichi then mockingly asked if that was so. She told him that he was too slovenly, and complained she had fallen behind on her work talking to him. Oyuka then called her husband and went to the back of the shop.

Personality and Traits
"Kayo-san, it'll be dinner time soon. Since you're too focused on your work as is, you haven't prepared anything, right? If you'd like, you can eat dinner at our home tonight."

- Oyuka

Oyuka was a cautious and caring woman. Feeling indebted to Nagare and Kagura Sudou, Oyuka felt obligated to take care of Kayo as a way of giving back to the deceased tailor couple. She also pitied the woman, knowing how she lost her family and inviting her over to dinner with her own. She was also very grateful to Kayo for her work, thanking her for reproducing the kimono she ordered right before the great fire.

In spite of this perceived debt to the Sudous, Oyuka was also disturbed by the rumors regarding her mental illness, and was similarly fearful of Kayo's strange behavior. Similarly, she was terrified of the supposed killer going around Enbizaka after the murder of Mei, and was also worried for Kayo's well-being, going out of her way to speak to her about Mei's death. Aside from this, the woman was a caring mother, raising her daughter with care.

Skills and Abilities
As the proprietress of a hairpin shop, Oyuka was adequate at business, helping her husband in his livelihood by selling their products to customers. Oyuka was also a decent homemaker, able to cook for her family and raise her daughter.

Character Connections
Kayo Sudou: Oyuka's neighbor and acquaintance. Oyuka maintained an amicable relationship with the woman, requesting work orders from her and later reaching out to her following the fire. Oyuka felt the need to take care of tailor due to this relationship and how indebted she felt to the Sudou family, despite being disturbed by Kayo's unusual behavior and the rumors of her mental illness.

Appearances

 * Deadly Sins of Evil: The Tailor of Enbizaka (first appearance)