"Ah."
I snapped.
"It's you!"
The only samurai who nearly wanted to kill me and those who threw things at him at that performance days ago is here, facing me.
Why is he here?
"Oh."
I see. Those three bowls must include this young man. I roamed my eyes and stood up. There are no other human settlements for about 1km. Unbelievable, I just ran through the rain, not realizing this.
"Nani?"
That's the most familiar thing I had ever heard after coming to this world.
Let see.
"Konbanha, anata no namae wa nani desu ka?" [Good evening, what is your name?]
I asked, smiling warmly.
Anticipating a connection, I looked forward to a warm reaction from the young samurai. However, to my surprise, the outcome was quite the opposite. Instead of opening up, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, and he took a step back, distancing himself from me.
"And you're injured."
I couldn't help but notice the abnormality in his movements as he stumbled while retreating. It was clear that something was off. As my gaze shifted toward his face and arms, I couldn't ignore the deep bruises that marred his skin, signifying the extent of the injuries he had endured.
"Koko de kekkon shita no desu ka?" [You were married here?]
What? Sorry, I don't understand.
All I can do is smile.
"Anata no namae wa nani desu ka?" [What's your name?]
I repeatedly asked because I didn't understand what you just said, and didn't tell me your name.
"Hiro."
"Hero?"
Soft 'e'?
"Hiirooo. Hiro."
"Oh! My mistake, I see namaiwa Hiro? Soka soka."
I pointed at myself, "Hajimemashite Watashi wa—uh."
Name, let's keep my real name. "Jun Xue desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!" [Nice to meet you. I'm Jun Xue. Please take care of me.]
I bowed.
Did I do it right? I think it was sloppy.
"Junshue?"
Hahaha!
Great great! It worked—good first impression.
"Hai!"
Although it's supposed to be Jun Xue, I don't mind you calling me that. It doesn't stray away from my real name, anyway.
"Watashi wa hotondo umaku hanasu koto ga dekinai koto o shitteimasu." [I know I can hardly speak well.]
Phew. That foreign language subject helped a lot, even though it started this semester.
Gah! Where are my vocabs knowledge-watching animes? Where are you now?! Asdfghjkl.
"Sumimasen, Hiro-kun."
I want to cry; the language barrier is so hard. We can't even speak English. Meeting people from different cultures and traditions across the sea in ancient times is genuinely fascinating and a joyous event, but at the same time, I can now feel the frustration.
I hide what I know and can't express myself well with the people in this novel even though I can't speak their common tongue. Now, there's one that I felt highly comfortable with after the overlord. One that I can be a bit more open about it since he doesn't hold such a high position that I, even as a fool who will later become 'sane' still needs to maintain my dignity if not, his position lest I'll be the one troubled by his fans.
Speaking so, the ML only had Princess Shangnie for now.
"What a regret!"
If only one key person could be our interpreter, then it would make our communication smoother.
When I looked back at him after musing, he was downright staring at me like a piece of specimen.
"Naze koko ni iru no?" [Why are you here?]
I think I understand a bit. Why? Maybe why I'm here? It's not how, so it won't be asking how on earth I know how to speak Nihongo.
Then use charade.
"I ran...kouu [rain] pouring, pouring."
I gestured at myself, put my hands on my head, acted like I was running, and fainted as I pointed at the house where that old man took great care of me.
"Is it still no use?"
"Haizt, that's fine. I'll find a way. We can get through it."
"Jun Shue."
Huh?
I grinned.
"Yes! Yes! Junshue me! Namae Junshue!"
I gave him a thumbs up, nodding my head.
"And I'll remember your name, Hiro-kun."
"Heh."
My lips twitched when he turned back from me and swung his sword on a wooden pole.
He's ignoring me again. Sigh.
"I didn't hurt you. Why are you aiming that look of dislike in front of me?"
We're in the same boat. Well, a bit different kind of boat, but still, it's a boat.
"Atsui." [Hot]
I sat quietly on the tree, eyes wide with awe as I witnessed the scene unfolding before me. Watching a real samurai warrior in action, their movements precise and mighty, was fascinating. The passion and dedication with which they practiced their art were palpable, as if they were channeling centuries of tradition and honor into every strike and parry. It was a sight rarely seen in the modern world, where ancient practices often give way to the rapid pace of change. Yet, here was a reminder of the past, a living testament to a bygone era.
What struck me, even more, was the realization that those who upheld this sacred way of life were the very ones. More was the realization that those who upheld this sacred way of life were the very ones entrusted with its preservation. It was a rarity in our corporate-dominated society, where profit margins and efficiency often overshadowed the value of tradition. At this moment, I couldn't help but appreciate the depth of what I was witnessing—a timeless legacy kept alive by the few who held steadfastly to their heritage.
"O genki desu ka?" [How are you?]
"…"
"Tenki desu neh? [Nice weather.]
"..."
Sigh.
"Dude, why must you be so grumpy?"
It's already hard enough with our language barrier now. Even trying to burn my brows to remember and phrase one to two words together that I could remember.
Although it's understandable from his experiences, it would be hard to get along with him. It's just that if this continues, we will drift away.
"Even your ankle has a bandage. There's a clear bruise too. You don't even treat it? Hiro-kun, you're badly injured and still chinko so diligently." [A/N: Noun= ちんこ Chinko meaning pvnis. It's supposed to be チンコchinko, meaning practice. Hiro misunderstood. Lol.]
Bang.
Huh?
I frowned, "Why are you glaring at me?"
"Watashi wa anata ga yokunakatta koto o shitteita!" [I knew you weren't good!]
Yes? I beamed a smile. It seems he understood me.
I nodded.
"Hai!"
"Anata wa watashi o uriharaitakatta dakedesuyone?!" [You just wanted to sell me off, right?!]
"Gaishou, watashi wa baka janaiwa!" [Whore, I'm not stupid?]
Gaishou? What?
"Tsh, yarou!"
What the? I've been trying to communicate nicely with you. I don't know enough words just to have a good talk with you! Gaishou? I felt its different from Geisha. Is that an insult too?
"Hey, that! I understand that. I'm not the bastard! You you... teme baka! Jebiesz jeze! Kusooo. Siug aan my aambeie en wag vir beter dae!" [You fuck hedgehogs! (Polish) Shit. (Japanese) Suck on my hemorrhoids and wait for better days! (Afrikaans)]
I exhaled, trying to keep calm, "Bakayarou!" [Complete idiot.]
Sorry, I can't keep calm.
I can't keep calm after bursting out. With one last glare, I walked back into my benefactor's house and sat in a chair.
"Hooo."
For a long time, I only stayed silent and drank water.
"Alright, loosen up. You're not different from a stupid jerk back there."
"No need to explode your frustrations. Keep it all bottled up. Is it already so full, huh?"
I exhaled deeply.
There must be some misunderstanding along the way. We are both in a not-so-good state in this place, and I may have said something wrong while trying to get close to him.
"Or he really just doesn't want me to get close to him?"
Ugh.
"But I am not willing."
"Aiya, I can't be this selfish."
Still...
Is it bad wanting to get close? He's the closest person I felt to have the same similarity as me, and this desire to get close to him is strong.
"Maybe I just pushed myself to him so suddenly."
Right.
That must be it.
Things like these should be moved slowly because we can't speak clearly.
Alright. Let's try again.
First things first, "I should apologize."
---
A/N: Sorry, I'm not good with Nihongo, and I don't know if the Romanji is right. It's not my native language ʅ(oФДФo)ʅ do tell me, and I'll correct it. Sankyu!