Akechi Mitsuhide, who was appointed as Kyoto's commander in
charge, is at Honnouji temple having an elegant tea ceremony with
the officials, merchants, warriors and the shogun Imagawa
Yoshimoto.
Having a kumquat accessory, a wide forehead and a very cute
face, the blood of the distinguished Tosa Genji clan flows in Akechi
Mitsuhide. She is not only skilled in tea ceremonies, but she also
knows the ways of the officials and is a necessary warrior for
Nobuna. The rural ways of the Oda clan can never mix well with the
elegant nobles' culture. Without Mitsuhide, no matter if it's governing
Kyoto or communicating with the Yamato Gose, it's impossible to just
rely on the Oda clan.
"Today, we have brought along three experts of tea ceremonies in
Sakai. You guys, it's your show from now on." While giving an
elegant smile, Mitsuhide passionately served the guests as she said.
The three experts from Sakai are,
"Not long ago, the takoyaki that Akechi-san used negi to create,
that type where you even used Hatcho Miso. It has been selling now,
right?"
Governing the city of commerce, Sakai, he's Imai Soukyuu.
Wearing a single lens glasses imported from namban, he is a
stubborn geezer with a huge build. No matter when, the conversation
will always be about money and trading. Rather than an expert in tea
ceremonies, he is a merchant totally.
"Being called an expert along with Naya's master and Rikyuusama, I don't deserve those kind words."
Compared to Imai Soukyuu, Tsuda Sougyu has a pale face with a
thin body build. He seems heavy with thoughts as he keeps what he
thinks in his heart, a representative of Sakai along with Imai
Soukyuu. Though he is now following along with Imai Soukyuu
unconditionally, but he is an ambitous man that will never easily give
up on standing at the top of Sakai.
And then, there's the last person.
"..."
A very famous tea ceremony girl among the merchants of Sakai,
Sen no Rikyuu.
Wearing an exotic attire that combines namban culture with the
normal Japanese wafuku, she didn't utter a single noise. But
somehow, what's mysterious is, everyone present seem to have
heard Rikyuu's greetings.
The tea cups that Rikyuu brought over are all rare products.
Compared to Imai Soukyu and Tsuda Sougyu who had brought
luxurious and rare tea cups because they are meeting with the
shogun, the tea sets that Rikyuu brought are common tea cups that
are in strange shapes. Some of their shapes are totally weird, and a
couple of them even have openings.
And, those tea sets are basically all black.
"It's like this. This is Rikyuu's preference, not being bound by the
common rules of this era is the proof of Rikyuu-san being a top
expert of tea ceremony.
"....Ahh! I'm humbled."
Amidst Imai Soukyu and Tsuda Sougyu's consistent compliments,
Rikyuu blushes as she starts to prepare tea for the guests.
With the preparation starting, the things in the teacup starts
swirling around.
"..."
"So fascinating, how should I describe it? Hohoho, what a
mysterious person!"
With his black teeth and white eyebrows (A trend of ancient
Japan....), when the Kampaku Konoe Sakihisa in his noble attire
received the tea that was served, he can't help but be stunned by the
scene unfolding in the tea cup.
Th...This isn't the famous product of Kyo, Macha of Uji Kanbayashi
but grape wine from namban.
That's the so called red wine.
And, floating on top of the grape wine are...
"Aren't those sprinkles of gold!? Ju...Just when did you put them
in?"
Those are extremely small sprinkles of pure gold.
"..."
Using tea for alchemy, Rikyuu explained silently.
"Ho...How is this possible.... How can namban wine cause such a
miracle!? Don't tell me Rikyuu-sama is a Christian?"
"..."
Rikyuu nodded her head lightly.
In replacement of the quiet Rikyuu, Imai Soukyu explained to the
shocked Konoe Sakihisa, "It's the marvelous part of how Rikyuu
adds in the techniques of Christianity into tea ceremonies."
"Rikyuu-sama's shop is called "Sakanaya". Sakana is the
representative of Christianity's God, Jesus. And, in Sen no Rikyuu's
name, there are all crosses on it. It's precisely because Rikyuu is a
genius that she has created a new alchemy technique that fuses
namban culture with tea ceremonies!"
[1]
"I see, though I don't have much of a liking for namban, but to
actually do alchemy during a tea ceremony... One has to respect
such an act!"
"The golden city of commerce Sakai will definitely be more
prosperous with the new tea ceremony that Rikyuu-sama created.
Imai Soukyu nodded his head deeply as he hinted to Konoe
Sakihisa with his eyes.
The two of them aren't bound by their status of being an extremely
important official and merchant and were actually maintaining
contact in secret. The ambitous Konoe Sakihisa who wants to obtain
the world for himself had been secretly fanning the flames of conflict
on those who opposes Nobuna. Towards the behavoiur and tone of
Sakihisa, though Nobuna and the rest did not mind, but he had been
talking to Uesugi Kenshin in secret too. Tsuda Sougyu might be
following Nobuna outwardly but in fact, he is secretly conspiring with
Konoe Sakihisa.
"Oh hohohoho! Let us drink too. These gold pieces are said to be
beneficial to the skin! Oh hohohoho!"
Saying that was the shogun, Imagawa Yoshimoto, she is
energetically wearing a grandiose attire as usual.
Though she is just a puppet shogun to Nobuna, but she who had
believed it for real is drinking tea or playing soccer with the nobles as
she treats socializing to be part of the shogun work, which makes
her very suitable for Nobuna's quest for Tenka Fubu.
"..."
"Ara ara. Please give us Matcha."
"Yeah, things like wine, we should wait till we are older. So,
Rikyuu, can you give us Matcha?"
"..."
"Oh, hohoho, thanks! Uhh, bitter...!"
"Though I really wish to pull this puppet shogun over to the antiNobuna side, but I am not sure if she's crazy or just plain dumb, as
she seems very satisfied with her current situation..." Konoe
Sakihisa used his eyes to communicate with Tsuda Sougyu.
"Takeda Shingen is currently trapped at Kantou, the reliable Osaka
Honbyo temple has also signed a 1 year peace treaty with Nobuna.
Now if we can't even use the shogun, we can only rely on Echigo's
Uesugi Kenshin."
"If that's the case, though we can't eliminate the Oda clan with just
Asai Asakura, but if it's the god of war...Uesugi Kenshin-sama...."
"But, what's depressing is, Echigo is quite far away. Damn it, in the
anti-Nobuna faction near the capital, is there no capable person!?"
"Is there such a person still? The Miyoshi three had fled to
Shikoku, Iga's Rokoku is missing after being defeated at the battle of
Sanzan, Kii's Saika Magoichi had gone missing too, even that
traitorous Matsunaga Danjo is staying silently at Yamato....."
"Even if there's none, we should at least do something."
"Okok, please drink too, warriors of the capital." Akechi Mitsuhide
said happily without any knowledge of Konoe and Tsuda's ambitions.
"Thank you so much! Amen." The Christian Daimyo, Takayama
Ukon kissed the cross hanging on his neck while receiving the cup
from Rikyuu's hands.
Due to the namban culture slowly seeping into the capital from
Sakai, there are more and more Christian Daimyos. Many of them
are Rikyuu's disciples.
The gothic loli that had fused Christian rituals into tea ceremonies
had captured their hearts.
The devout Christian, Takayama Ukon place the bread into the
grape wine while chanting softly, "Lord's blood, Lord's flesh...", he
prayed with teary eyes. What a perfect show of Christianity.
The official Konoe Sakihisa cannot understand completely.
"If we keep letting the culture of these uncouth namban people
seep into the capitial, the future of the Yamato Gose will be in
danger."
And so, his will to oppose the namban loving Nobuna becomes
even stronger.
While sipping the grape wine, Mitsuhide's wide forehead became
red instantly. But, it's not just because of the alcohol. Mitsuhide had
recalled, that conversation she had a few nights ago with Yoshiharu.
...
That happened in the thick forests of Osaka, a night full of the
beauty of the moon.
"The one that Sagara-senpai likes, is she Nobuna-sama?"
"When did it start? Don't tell me...." As she had an uneasy feeling
about it, during the time when she was strolling with Sagara-senpai,
Juubei voiced out her doubts frankly.
Juubei thought, it was at that instant when the Oda clan won
during the namban soccer event of Osaka Honbyo temple.
Looking at the sight where Nobuna-sama was hugged up by
Sagara-senpai amidst all the joy, Juubei's insides seemed to feel
pain as if needles were poking them. Unease that had never been
felt before assaulted Juubei.
If Sagara-senpai really has unethical feelings for Nobuna-sama,
won't it become a huge obstacle for the mission of the Oda clan to
conquer the world!?
A Hime-sama that had control over Kyo and obtained the world
and an insignificant retainer that doesn't even have a proper status.
If the lecherous Senpai pushed Nobuna-sama down... Won't
Senpai totally destroy the proper hierarchy of this country?
Well, though Senpai who had fulfilled his wish will immediately be
executed by Nobuna-sama, but won't that caused even worst
comments compared to the burning of Mount Hiei to Nobuna-sama?
The joining of a daimyo and her retainer is already a nonsensical
problem, it's even more serious that the other party isn't even a
samurai. No, Sagara-senpai isn't a farmer or a merchant.....
Definitely not!
I, Juubei, who has the distinguished blood of the Tsuchizaki clan,
though there's a huge difference of family status with Sagara-senpai,
it's not very suitable too. But because we are both important
retainers of the Oda clan, we still can get married barely. And, if it's
to remove the chains forbidding Nobuna-sama to obtain the world
and to get married to Senpai, I will do it no matter how many times I
have to choose.
But at that time, Senpai had averted the question...
Don't tell me, Senpai really likes Nobuna-sama?
The close relationship between the two of them at the namban
soccer event, it's not strange at all to suspect them.
And so, I have to ask Sagara-senpai.
"What is the relationship between the two of you? Sagara-senpai
should know that this is a romance that won't be forgiven by the
world, do you still like Nobuna-sama? You should know that what
awaits you is just a tragic end, you still..."
When she thinks about the pitiful Nobuna-sama being pushed
down by Saru, Juubei unknowingly shed a tear.
I...It's definitely not because I feel that Sagara-senpai is too pitiful
that I've cried!
Do...Don't tell me, it's because I realized my own pitiful situation
that I'm crying.... Impossible!
"I'm serious, please answer me properly."
Something like I Juubei li....liking Senpai is definitely impossible!
And so, the tears of that time, it...it's definitely not because of the
pain of Senpai's unrequited love... that I cried unknowingly.
I....Is that really so?
And then, on that night, Senpai put on a rarely shown serious look
as he held onto my shoulders gently, looking straight into my tearful
eyes.
Su...Suddenly looking at me with such a serious expression, I will
become em...embarrassed.
Though I'm saying things like hurry and let me go, but why do I
just struggle lightly while not resisting much at all?
The Saru from the future, maybe he knows some hypnosis trick
that controls my heart.
Senpai is really like a child as he used a passionate tone, "Yeah, I
respect Nobuna from my heart. I want to help Nobuna conquer the
world. Though Nobuna who had control over Kyoto can be said to
have conquered the world. But, the "world" I'm talking about is much
bigger! Juubei-chan."
"A queen that has control over the whole of Japan, is that what
you mean?"
"Not just that, though I'm not familiar with history outside of the
sengoku era, but the fact about Oda Nobuna being born in the
sengoku era will become a huge point of change for this country. It's
almost like creating a new country! If it's about creating a whole new
Japan that even I have not seen before, I feel that Nobuna is one of
the few that can do it! Nobuna isn't like the future Sakamoto
Ryouma."
"Who is this Sakamoto Ryouma?"
"Hmmm. Sakamoto Ryouma is from Tosa, he's the descendant of
Juubei!"
"Mine? Descendant? W...Wh...Wh...Who...Who is my husband?
Don't tell me?"
"I don't know about that too."
Instantly, my heart seemed to be jumping out.
"Juubei-chan, not just Japan, Nobuna is someone that can change
all the destinies of the people in this planet! Though you might not
understand what I'm talking about, as even I have no idea what I'm
talking about too, but Nobuna isn't a simple character of just relying
on military strength to unify the warring states! Definitely not! She is
a hero that has the ability, the ambition to change the history of this
planet! Why do you think I have come to this sengoku era from the
future? It must be to help Nobuna change Japan's destiny, no, to
change this world's destiny. This must be the mission that I have!"
When this man is talking about his dream, his expression is just so
bright. The current Sagara-senpai is passionately talking to me about
his own ideas.... Sagara-senpai trusts and relies on me so much.
Her lips were tightly shut, and saliva sprayed onto her face. Even
so, Juubei can't avert her eyes from Yoshiharu's face.
"When I came to the sengoku era, to ease my heart, I kept telling
myself, I'm here in this world to help Nobuna. But, after successfuly
averting the 10 year war with Honbyo temple, I truly believed, I'm
really here in this world for Nobuna! This world's history is changing
violently. The navigation era is about to come. Didn't Europe have
lots of ships out to explore the world? Missionary ships that are
cruising the world, pirate ships that are searching for treasure,
trading ships that are trading all around the world, and military ships
that are using their strength to colonize other countries... Arquebus
and Christianity is changing Japan in a great way. From now on,
Japan will also be wrapped into this "Navigation era". The one that
can face such a huge change, right now, there's only one who can
do such a thing in this country, that is the free-spirited and energetic
Nobuna who isn't bound by the common sense of this world! If this
era's Japan clamped up like a shell to face such a world, some day
in the future, there will be lots of ships from other countries gathered
here that are much stronger than Japan! Once then, Japan can
never hope to catch up with Europe and other countries!"
"Senpai, at that time, will my descendant Sakamoto Ryouma save
this country? As expected from the descendant of the smart and elite
Juubei!"
"Hmm, but after that, Japan goes into circles. But, if we start
changing from the sengoku era that Nobuna is in now, we can still
catch up to Europe! No, we can surpass them! Frois-chan once said,
I will create history! Wasn't I sent to this era's Japan to help Japan
avoid the different disasters prophesized by different people?
Though I don't believe in God, I still have totally no idea, why am I
selected? But if... I have no choice but to believe now, it's because
God wants to change the history of Japan and the world that He sent
me to Nobuna's side."
Senpai is totally treating Nobuna-sama as a god to admire. I'm so
envious of Nobuna-sama.... Juubei's expression turned to that of
envy.
Eh, why am I suddenly envying Nobuna-sama?
".....Yeah. Nobuna who had recruited me who had came out of
nowhere and trained me to become a proper warrior, she's like a god
from a different point of view. If people ask if I idolize her, I think so."
"D...Do you like Nobuna-sama? Answer me properly."
"Uh, uhh. If it's about liking her or not, it's of course.... I like her."
Once the world like came out from Senpai's mouth, Juubei's heart
seemed to have stopped.
"....Then, as expected, Senpai likes....Nobuna-sama."
"Ye....Yeah. But... it will never come true, you should understand,
right?"
Juubei had finally managed to listen to Senpai's real thoughts.
I shouldn't have asked.... While Juubei was regretting that, she felt
an urge to nurse Senpai who had to bear a romance that is destined
to not have any result.
Because of the status difference, something like Nobuna-sama
liking this ugly Saru-senpai, it's definitely impossible even if the world
fell apart!
The unpopular Senpai is so pitiful, Juubei once again shed tears
for him.
"I beg you, Juubei-chan. If Juubei isn't around Nobuna's side, the
dream of Nobuna pacifying the sengoku chaos and stepping into the
wide oceans will never come true. The quest of Tenka Fubu of the
Oda clan is an extremely difficult task. Loving to make enemies and
committing arson, the violent Nobuna can never do it alone. The help
of the well-bred, understanding and decisive Juubei is definitely
necessary."
"....Really?"
"Yeah. This is the history of the country that I know. Because I'm
the one saying it, it can't be wrong."
Once again, Sagara-senpai looks at me.
That sad gaze upon me... as if he's crying, the eyes that is
seemingly hiding some sort of tragic secret is looking right at me,
Juubei Mitsuhide.
I really want to hug him.
Just what secret is Senpai hiding?
In the history that Senpai knows, is what that is awaiting everyone
a tragic end?
Juubei who isn't from the future had no way of knowing it.
But, Juubei understands deeply the words of Senpai.
"And so... I don't care what happens to me, but please don't have
any weird doubts towards Nobuna! Juubei-chan, I'm begging you."
Like he's proposing, Juubei is being asked.
Senpai seems close to kneeling down as he keeps begging
Juubei.
T...To be asked like this, not trusting Nobuna-sama or something,
Juubei can't say them at all.
"Go...Got it. but, to disperse the rumors between the two of you,
it's better for Senpai to marry someone. So, please marry me,
Juubei."
"Eh? Why?"
"Does Senpai really think that you can become husband and wife
with Nobuna-sama?"
"I know... I know that she's a girl that I can never have no matter
what I do, I know that...."
Senpai has a very sad look on his face.
No matter if it's the eyes that were looking at Juubei, or the small
mumblings to himself that he can't get close to Nobuna-sama, all of
them is just so tragic.
"....But, I have decided not to marry before fulfilling Nobuna's
dream. Only by fulfilling her dream can I fulfill mine. Before that, It's
better to maintain status quo."
Senpai, do you really think so?
What's Senpai's dream?
Is it the same as Nobuna-sama?
Though Sagara-senpai is so pure that she can see through him in
an instant, but deep in his heart, he seems to be hiding something.
Never telling anyone, a very very tragic secret.
This, isn't just a feeling held by someone yearning to go back to
his own era....
It's an even deeper and painful feeling.
And so, before Juubei realized what she was doing, she had
already kissed the lips of Sagara-senpai.
Like this, I hope I can heal the heart of Senpai that is full of
sadness.
So, before she could even think, she had kissed him.
".....You? What are you doing? Juubei-chan!? Uwahh! I've kissed
with Juubei-chan!?"
"Senpai, I believe in Senpai. Senpai will no longer have the
impossible dream of being together with Nobuna-sama, right? If so,
before Senpai and I become a daimyo governing our own provinces,
before Senpai and I Juubei get married, I will continue waiting."
"Eh? Why must you say that? Juubei-chan, notice the atmosphere
a little...."
"Senpai....Don't tell me you hate Juubei? Uhh, uhhhhh."
"Uwahhh, don't cry! How can I hate you!"
Just to mention, that's a fake cry.
"If it's kissing, I'm ok whenever you want it. But, Senpai is always
cheerful. A dark expression and a sad look almost close to crying,
those aren't suitable for you, Senpai."
Correct, that's just helping him out.
Senpai yearns to return to his own world and be reunited with his
mother. Crying when no one is looking. Only I Juubei knows of such
a thing.
I'm so unlucky to have chanced upon Senpai's secret, ahh....
Looking at Senpai with that face of his, how can I not care at all?
"Sagara-senpai, see you tomorrow then."
"Wa...Wait a minute? Juubei-chan. Why did you kiss me just
now?"
Senpai who chased after me who had walked off due to being too
embarrassed, a trip from the stone steps makes him give up in the
end.
Geez, the worst kind of guy no matter where he is.
Ahh, why did I say such an embarrassing thing to Senpai? Why
did I even kiss him?
Don't tell me... Don't tell me, not just nursing Senpai's sadness,
don't tell me I Juubei have... towards that fake prince of the monkey
kingdom... Don't tell me I like him.... That shouldn't be...!
...
"Im...Impossible! That's definitely impossible! I Juubei just feels
that that monkey prince is too pitiful... And with a feeling the same as
caring for a lost animal, I'm just being gentle to Senpai! It's definitely
not like that!"
"Crouching over alone and writing a "の" on the tatami... What's
with you, Akechi-san?"
"Mitsuhide-sama, what happened to you? Are you fatigued from
the fighting on the battlefield?"
"Mitsuhide-sama, after this tea ceremony, shouldn't you rest?"
"Ah? I Juubei is mere... merely distracted just now, so sorry!"
Mitsuhide's consciousness returned back to the tea ceremony
finally.
The possibility of Yoshiharu and Nobuna falling into a forbidden
love should be zero now. It's Yoshiharu's unrequited love as
expected. Yoshiharu will give up on this impossible love upon his
own discretion... Mitsuhide believes it firmly.
But, unease just creeps in no matter what.
Other than holding on to Yoshiharu tightly and not letting him get
near to Nobuna, there's no other way.
Because, if Yoshiharu continues to move ahead in this forbidden
love, the ending that awaits can only be the utter destruction of both
Yoshiharu and Nobuna's reputation.
"..."
Rikyuu silently hands Mitsuhide a cup.
Inside the black tea cup, it isn't matcha but grape wine.
"..."
Wanting to understand the thinking of Sagara Yoshiharu, it might
be better to try joining Christinaity, Rikyuu said wordlessly.
"..."
Because the namban culture seems to be closer to the future
culture than the current Japanese culture.
Mitsuhide had heard from Yoshiharu too, there's namban culture
everywhere in the future Japan.
"Y...Yeah. Maybe that can put me closer to understanding Senpai
seemingly pure but hard to understand thoughts. I...I Juubei don't
actually want to understand him, but because he is quite a lewd guy,
the bad rumors from him have never stopped."
"Is...Is it about the bad rumors of Sagara-sama?"
The voice of Tsuda Sougyu interjected suddenly.
"The rumor of a kiss on Christmas night by Oda Nobuna-sama and
Sagara Yoshiharu-sama has spread far and wide, no matter if it's
Kyoto or Sakai. This can never go unanswered!"
"....Uhh. Th...That is merely a rumor."
"Now that you talk about it, I Sakihisa had heard about it too. The
kids in Kyo have been mischievous, a rumor like this spreads
extremely fast. If it's really true, that will be quite the news!"
"Hohoho, comments are to be feared!" Konoe Sakihisa laughed
joyfully without hiding as he revealed his black front teeth.
"Hime-sama and Sagara-sama? Even if Himiko-sama gave him a
high rank like Chikuzen no Kami, a thing like marrying his own
master is impossible still. And besides, the girls that Sagara-sama
can choose, there's so many." Imai Soukyu finished his tea with a
gloomy look.
"Hohoho. That unknown monkey and his own master, and it's her
who has obtained the world, it's impossible even if that monkey
becomes an official. It's impossible even if everything fell apart.
Someone without any status in japan can never be an offical. And
isn't Sakihisa-sama that is holding the Kampaku seat right now!?"
Mitsuhide became extremely uneasy.
In Kyoto.... And Sakai.... Rumors!?
And, it had most likely reached Yamato Gose!
"That's bad, the rumor has spread exceptionally fast! It's almost as
if someone is spreading it on purpose... And, Senpai and Nobuna is
currently at Mount Toragozen! No matter how sharp Shibata Katsuiesama's eyes might be, Shibata-sama isn't too clear with the
relationships between men and women, it's not impossible for that
lewd Saru to push down Nobuna-sama behind Shibata-sama's
back."
That stubborn Yoshiharu had already said that he likes Nobuna.
It's very likely that Yoshiharu will push down Nobuna with force.
And, Yoshiharu has the strange power to make the girls of the
warring states jump, even I Juubei had kissed with him.
"Ahh! That isn't the intentions of I Juubei! Senpai must have a
hypnosis technique that only someone from the future will have,
that's definitely true!"
Nobuna-sama might be charmed by that technique too. And then,
before she realize it, it's already.....
And then, Nobuna-sama who had become back to normal will
definitely cut Yoshiharu's head off. Th...That's already too late. It will
definitely create a rumor more destructive than what's currently
circulating!
"If Senpai who had gone berserk pushed down Nobuna-sama and
everything is being exposed, the Oda clan will definitely be
destroyed right then."
Mitsuhide became restless.
"I'm relying on Tsuda Sougyu-sama for the thing about Waka, I've
suddenly thought of something that I've not done, I must return back
to Mount Toragozen immediately!"
Totally ignoring everyone's call to stay, Mitsuhide rode her horse
out of Honnouji with lightning speed and went straight towards Mount
Toragozen. On the way, she pushed forward with a high speed boat
through Lake Biwa.
"No...No...Nobuna-sama! Saru! As expected, the two of them are
together! Now, the rumors about the two of you are already
spreading like crazy! That's why Shibata Katsuie is a fool! Where is
that fellow!?"
The incident where Juubei rushed into the main camp of Mount
Toragozen without any care at all happened during nightfall on that
day.
I don't really care about the rest, Katsuie isn't in the main camp,
Inuchiyo mumbled while chewing on her Uiroumochi, "Katsuie went
to pee." Then, Nobuna is allowing Yoshiharu to help strip off her
namban armor.
They are going to do something starting from now?!
Mitsuhide is furious.
"W...WH...WH...WHA....WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING!?
MAEDA-SAMA, WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THEMMMMMMMMM!?"
"Ara ara, isn't that Mitsuhide? I want to go to the toilet with Katsuie
too, but I can't seem to strip off Aneue's armor."
"Ara ara, I'm not very sure of the workings of the namban armor
too, I can't strip it off too."
"It's coming out, hurry! Anyway, the namban armor is hard to strip
and it's so stuffy, I must hurry and change to something more
lightweight."
Ahh, what's going on?
Mitsuhide is shocked.
Both Nobuna and Yoshiharu aren't in the main camp of Mount
Toragozen.
The one acting as Nobuna is her brother, Nobusumi.
And then, isn't that Takenaka Hanbei's shikigami Zenki who had
transformed into Yoshiharu?
"Where's Nobuna-sama? Saru? Where the hell did they go to? Did
they abandon this foremost fortress!?"
Don't tell me that Saru went berserk and kidnapped Nobunasama?
Not knowing about Hanbei's plan, Mitsuhide is at a complete loss
of words.
"The reason to not let Mitsuhide know, it should be quite obvious."
The panicking Mitsuhide held a Japanese katana right at
Nobusumi's neck.
"TELL ME NOW, IF NOT, I'M CUTTING OFF YOUR HEAD!"
Killing her own master's brother herself, that is totally an act of
treason.
"Ahh~ If I tell you, please spare me~ To negotiate with Takeda
Shingen, Aneue and Saru had gone out!"
"Only the two of them?"
"The ninja had followed them. Ninjas are always either in the
ground or in the water, so it can be counted as just the two of them."
"Oioi, if you let this missy chase them, things are gonna get bad.
Don't reveal the secret!"
"FOX, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! OI, YOU FAKE, WHERE DID THE
TWO OF THEM GO OFF TOO?"
"O....O...Odawara castle. The base of the Houjou clan.
Cu...Currently, Takeda Shingen is guarding Odawara castle along
with Houjou Ujiyasu.... I heard them saying, "Let's go to Odawara
castle while appreciating Mount Fuji. If we are discovered by the
samurai it will be bad, so let's walk with our legs over slowly.""
"OI~! GOING TO ODAWARA CASTLE IS DEFINITELY AN
EXCUSE SPROUTED BY THAT SARU TO BE TOGETHER WITH
NOBUNA-SAMA! THAT MAN IS JUST A LEWD MONKEY WHO
ONLY KNOWS HOW TO COME UP WITH EVIL PLANS!"
From the instant Nobusumi said the timing that the two of them
moved out at, Mitsuhide had been calculating in her head.
They should be moving towards Kakegawa, Yaizu and Toukaido
while admiring Mount Fuji's view as they move closer towards
Odawara castle.
But if the two of them are just walking there, they shouldn't have
reached Odawara castle.
The reason why is because before they reached Odawara
castle.... Correct, it's Mount Hakone!
Hakone is a place famous for being dangerous.
It's hard to move even with horses, the two of them are walking, it
must be even harder for them.
"If it's Mount Hakone, one will have to think about Lake Ashi. Tired
from the trip, the two of them will definitely rest for a night in an inn
there! It...It...It can't be wrong, the two of them will definitely get it on
there!"
Towards Nobusumi who is saying "Well! What's so bad about it.
Don't seperate that pair of lovers!", Mitsuhide gave a hard punch
right in his chest as she once again speed down from Mount
Toragozen with her horse.
"No matter what, please let nothing happen yet, Nobuna-sama! I
should still be in time if I ride over! I Juubei will definitely protect
you!"
When the waning moon is high up in the sky...
Yoshiharu and Nobuna who had climbed past Mount Hakone
stayed in the inn by Lake Ashi.
This time, Nobuna assumed the identity of "a daughter of a rich
merchant active in Sakai" to book the most luxurious room in the inn.
Opening the rear window, one can see a beautiful Japanese styled
courtyard and opposite of it is the wide Lake Ashi and at it's back,
the famed Mount Fuji.
The bare legged Nobuna sat on the tatami with just her bathrobe,
while eating Hakone's famous black dango, she was seemingly
enjoying the precious time as she said, "Yoshiharu, though tomorrow
is the critical period concerning our victory, but at least tonight, let us
forget all about this chaotic times!"
"Oh, ohh!"
With a "It's finally here! Is this really happening!?", Yoshiharu
seemed to have stoned as he started getting nervous.
The black dango on the plate seemed to keep replenishing itself.
"Anyway, why is the dango from Hakone black? I better bring
some back for Nene since she's still a child."
"Because they used Hakone's onsen, that's why it became black. I
heard eating one of them can extend one's life for 7 years! If that's
the case, since it's "a life of 20 years", eating three of them will be
enough."
"I had always thought about it, but don't you think "a life of 20
years" is too short? I remember in the lyrics of the song...."
"In this chaotic period of the warring states, as a warrior, no one
knows just how these 20 years will be. No matter if it's me or
Yoshiharu, we had faced uncountable times of mortal danger."
Nobuna flipped up her robes, letting Yoshiharu see the gunshot
wound on her abdomen.
To Yoshiharu now, even if it's a wound, as long as it's on Nobuna's
body, it's just so beautiful.
"Well....!"
"Like this, a night of just us alone, it's like a miracle!"
".....May...Maybe. Anyway, I'm not even considered to be from this
era's."
"For me, from a logical point of view, I don't believe in God. But, no
matter if it's God or Buddha, or the will of someone from the future,
it's a fact that Yoshiharu has been sent to my side." Nobuna pulled
Yoshiharu's hand to her abdomen with her eyes shining. "If
Yoshiharu isn't here, I would have definitely killed my brother and
would have burned Mount Hiei and Honbyo temple, I might have
even died on Okehazama or Kanegasaki. All in all, without
Yoshiharu, it's impossible for me to reach this point."
"No, it's not like that. Even if I'm not here, there will be someone
else. That guy called himself Kinoshita Tokichirou. He had lost his life
to protect me on the battlefield. So, I was just replacing that guy..."
"Right now, don't think of others, just think about me!"
"Umm, umm."
While touching Nobuna's smooth abdomen, Yoshiharu is thinking,
"I don't care who sent me, but it's the best that I'm here in this world.
When I become a daimyo, I must build a temple to worship
Tokichirou-jii-san who had helped me.
The Nobuna who is resting on his chest is definitely the most
beautiful person in the world.
Yoshiharu's fingers slides past Nobuna's wound.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Uhh, kinda ticklish."
What a cute smile. Damn, this is against the rules! I can't link the
current her and that always fuming mad Nobuna together! Too cute,
my heat can't take it anymore!
Yoshiharu suddenly thought of Mitsuhide.
"Anyway, at that time, didn't I already make things clear with
Juubei, though I.... I want to express my feelings properly, but the
situation now.... I totally can't imagine spending a night with Nobuna
like this at that time. At that time, the me saying to Juubei "I had
already given Nobuna up.", won't that be a lie.... And, Juubei
suddenly kissing me during that time, just what was she planning? Is
she just teasing me like always? Or, maybe....."
During that time, Mitsuhide was as beautiful as the moon, standing
out in that place full of forest. Even Yoshiharu who is devoted to
Nobuna finds it hard to suppress the howl in his heart.
It should be enough to reject with just "Before Nobuna completes
her Tenka Fubu, I will never marry" an excuse like this, but I have a
bad feeling somehow. If this continues on, can we really get
married.....
No matter how mindful she is about the rumors between Nobuna
and I, she doesn't have to go to such an extent like marrying me.
Juubei is really serious, don't tell me Juubei-chan likes me but she
didn't notice it? If that's the case, it will be bad... Won't I be the
reason for "The Incident at Honnouji"?
Without knowing, Yoshiharu sighed.
"Yoshiharu, you're thinking of other girls?"
He was pinched on the cheek by the sensitive Nobuna.
"Ow, ouch. H...How about Juubei? I'm kinda concerned."
"How about Juubei? Didn't I say to only think about me tonight?"
"Uh, uhh. Sorry about that."
As expected, Nobuna is really scary.... The flesh on my face was
almost torn out... Yoshiharu can't help but mumbled.
The promise of building a harem with Tokichirou-jii-san, let's not
care about that tonight.
But, Yoshiharu doesn't regret it at all. Because the cutest girl in the
world is currently right beside him.
"You remember about our promise, right!? Before fulfilling my
dream, Yoshiharu is to stay by my side. You belong to me, don't go
anywhere."
"Uhh, uhh. I did promise that before."
"But, once my dream is fulfilled, won't the promise disappear? Is
Yoshiharu going to abandon me and return to the future....."
Suddenly, Nobuna's eyes darkened...
Yoshiharu laughed as he poked at Nobuna's forehead with his
fingernail.
"Idiot. Even if I want to go back, I don't even know how to. And
besides, I don't even know how did I come to this world in the first
place."
"Yeah, I became uneasy just now."
"And I don't want to return anyway. Though I'm worried for my
friends and family members back in the future, but I'm more worried
about you. You who will run to some dangerous place once my eyes
are off you, and loves committing arson...."
Actually, ever since Yoshiharu came to Nobuna's side, he had not
considered at all how to go back.
One of the reasons is because of the busy workload. Besides, the
best girl in the world.... Such a perfect girl is right in front of me, why
must I go back?
Though it's true that it will be very lonely not seeing my family
members and friends. But there's a sister like Nene in this world too,
and lots of comrades. Most importantly, Nobuna is right here!
"To me, Nobuna is the first!"
".....I'm so happy!"
Being caressed in the head by Yoshiharu, Nobuna closed her eyes
like a kitty as she snuggled in Yoshiharu's chest.
Ever since the Honbyo temple's namban soccer match, for some
reason, Nobuna took up the cute habit of acting like a cat. She looks
just like a kitten.
"Yoshiharu, say "I like you"."
"Eh, wh.... what? Do...Don't you feel embarrassed?"
"Say it, when we pledge everlasting love, don't be embarrassed,
hurry and say it out!"
"You say it first. Liking Sagara Yoshiharu or something. I love you.
I will only say it after you do."
""I love you".....? What a strange way of saying things. The
Christians are always using this word "love".
"It means liking. In the future Japan, we use "I love you", a
namban styled confession. If we give a ranking to liking someone, "I
love you" is the highest and most official way of saying it. Like me,
I'm a high school student in the future, so I don't have the experience
of saying "I love you" before."
"Uhh, "Love", huh? The namban style way of saying it is so cool...
Hey, Yoshiharu, say to me, "I love you."."
"N....No. This is the highest form of saying. Only when marrying
each other in a church as we pledge "Eternal Love" to each other
can we say it."
"Eternal... Love.... So cool! "Like" is just a temporary feeling,
"Love" is eternal... As expected, Christianity is just so cool, how
touching."
"Whether if it's a marriage ceremony full of rules and procedures
or the part about being unable to divorce, there's quite a mountain of
troublesome things."
"Don't interject! Hurry, kiss me. And then say, "Loving me forever".
Yoshiharu, please...."
The slightly blushing Nobuna shut her eyes, her small lips getting
nearer to Yoshiharu.
I.... love Nobuna. Yoshiharu recited it in his heart.
But, it's not just because of Nobuna bearing the fate of Oda
Nobunaga, or because she's cute.
Having a lonely yet proud ideal, Nobuna who was being
misunderstood yet continues to push on, all of that attracts
Yoshiharu.
Though I might be here from the future conincidentally. But, I'm not
boasting. Only I can understand Nobuna's dream. It's because of
meeting Nobuna here that I became such a sengoku game fanatic
ever since pre-school.
Yoshiharu considers seriously.
".....Uhh, uhh.... But, is this really good? Even if we are together,
we can't get married, right? The one who had obtained the world and
a retainer, the difference is just too big. And I myself am not a
commander of the Oda clan in the first place. In the end, I'm just a
vagrant with no family status whatsoever."
"I don't care about things like statuses, because I've chosen
Yoshiharu myself. So, I won't back down no matter who I'm facing."
"But, if we are found out, we can't complete the quest of unifying
the world. Isn't Mount Fuji still prohibiting women from entering...."
"But Yoshiharu is from the future, right? Things like statuses are of
no consequence, isn't that so?"
"Though that's true, but....."
"Right now, there is no one else but us both. So, hurry and say it.
And then, tonight, love me...properly....."
And so, under Nobuna's verbal assault, Yoshiharu's reason
collapsed.
Feelings greatly surpassing reason and unstoppable lust rushed
up. Once the dam called reason was destroyed, the flood-like lust
can't be stopped.
Yoshiharu shouted in his heart along with immense joy.
Is there an even more lucky guy than me in this world? No, how
could that be possible!?
TOKICHIROU-JII-SAN! BROTHERS FROM THE RETREAT OF
KANEGASAKAI!? DID EVERYONE SEE THAT!? I'M CURRENTLY
HUGGING THE BEST LOVER OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW!
FROM NOW ON, I'M TURNING INTO A WOLF! NOT A MONKEY!
THOUGH I'M STILL LIKE A MONKEY NOW, BUT I WILL NEVER
BACK DOWN FROM HERE, I'M GOING TO BECOME A WOLF!
"No...No...Nobuna! I... I... I.... I...!"
".....Yoshiharu"
Nobuna closed her eyes and stayed in Yoshiharu's arms, not
moving an inch.
The fingers that were sliding around inside Nobuna's bathrobes as
if they were being attracted, naturally moving towards the twin peaks
known as Nobuna's breasts.
To Yoshiharu, Nobuna's breasts are different from the heartpounding and exciting breasts of Katsuie, it has always been a holy
spot that not to mention touch, one can't even look. It can totally be
said to be the same holy place like Mount Fuji. No, surpassing even
Mount Fuji!
After conquering the twin peaks of Nobuna's, it's an entirely new
adventure to venture into that deep deep sea ravine. Towards
Yoshiharu who have never had any relationships with girls, it's an
extremely difficult challenge! But, to the both of them who might die
tomorrow, this is nothing.
With all his courage, he continues on.
It's the first time that Yoshiharu used his hands to hold onto the
twin peaks of Nobuna's. Right now, Nobuna is only wearing a
bathrobe, the usual bra that she normally wore is nowhere to be
found.
Not big or small, it's a size that fits properly onto Yoshiharu's palm.
Nobuna seems to be very nervous as the silky white breasts of
hers was soaked with sweat, the beating of her heart was
transmitting directly onto Yoshiharu palms by the swelling of her
chest.
Grabbing Nobuna's twin peaks mindlessly, Yoshiharu was driven
with a wolf-like impulse.
".....Ahh, .....Ahn, Yoshiharu..."
Nobuna let out a slight moan.
Fear and joy was mixed into Nobuna's moans.
Yoshiharu can no longer endure it.
"Nobuna, I....!"
Just when Yoshiharu is going to shout with all his strength, "I
LOVE YOU!",
"STOP!"
"Eh, Juubei?"
"Uhh! AHHHHHH! Juubei-chan, why did you appear here!?"
At the nick of time,
Like separating Nobuna and Yoshiharu, the dagger that Akechi
Mitsuhide threw fly past Yoshiharu's neck with just a few millimeters
apart.
If it's not Yoshiharu whose nickname is "Dodgeball Yoshiharu", the
veins on his neck would be split in half already.
"H...How dangerous!!! What are you doing, Juubei! Someone will
die from that!"
"What about the job at Kyoto? Why did you come here?"
The proud Mitsuhide showed herself spectacularly.
"Everyone hear me.... During the tea ceremony in Kyoto, I who
had heard of the bad rumors of Nobuna-sama and Yoshiharu-senpai
spreading around Yamato Gose was quite shocked. And so, I had
ridden over here to save Nobuna-sama! Hmph!"
The loyalty of Mitsuhide who had appeared so suddenly did not
show itself to Nobuna and Yoshiharu at all.
"Why are you disturbing us, at such an important time!"
Nobuna frantically tied up the sash of her bathrobe and stood up
facing Mitsuhide with the anger of the demon lord of the sixth realm.
"Juubei-chan, you really planned to kill me? Now...." Yoshiharu's
face was pale.
Yoshiharu planned to use the sincerest way he could think of to
get Mitsuhide's approval in the forest. But from how it looks like now,
it seems to have completely failed.
No matter if it's saying how he likes Nobuna, or hates her! Wanting
to deceive Mitsuhide who doesn't know how to suspect others is
totally do-able.
But, facing the questioning Mitsuhide, Yoshiharu had no way to lie.
And so, he had honestly said, "I like her."
In contrast, Yoshiharu wants to tell Mitsuhide, to the whole of
Japan, no, the entire world, Nobuna is a very important historical
person. He wants to tell Mitsuhide too that though he likes Nobuna,
he understands that she isn't someone he can touch. And to let
Mitsuhide know that she is necessary to Nobuna.... But,
"Sagara-senpai? If it's just a little act of frivolous, this fiancée
Akechi Mitsuhide will still allow it! Because I'm a magnanimous
woman. But if the target is our master, Nobuna-sama, it's a different
case! And, abandoning the frontline, tricking Nobuna-sama with that
mouth of yours and pushing her down in this inn of Hakone.... I can
never forgive such a thing! Just how do you look at the quest of
unifying the world!? Saru, you are just a lecherous idiot!"
"Oi! Yoshiharu. Didn't you convince Juubei already? Are the both
of you still in a fiancée relationship?"
"....Sorry. I seem to have failed... Rather than failing, actually,
Juubei-chan can't seem to understand the fact that we are in love
with each other. Juubei-chan has always thought that I'm pushing
you down one-sidedly...."
"What a slow fellow.... This can still be considered as "saving", I
guess." In front of them who had been secretly conversing,
Mitsuhide pulled out her sword.
"Saru, to kidnap and push down your master in the battlefield is a
crime that even death seems to be too light a punishment! Let this
fiancée be the one to mete out your punishment!"
"Wa....Wait! Tomorrow, we are going to Odawara castle to
negotiate with Takeda Shingen!"
"Ye...Yeah. This is to fight against Asai Asakura, as well as Uesugi
Kenshin. You can't kill Saru!"
"But, Saru was assaulting Nobuna-sama just now!
Ri...Rid...Ridiculous, to... to.... to actually use his hands to grab onto
your breasts.... Th...Tha.... That's too lewd! Has this fellow gotten
ahold of some secret of Nobuna-sama? If that's the case, I Juubei
will be the bad guy! I will use my body to purify this lewd monkey!
This is the duty of being a retainer! So, Senpai, let us marry right
here!"
"Juubei-chan, do you want to kill me or marry me?"
"This... Thi... This Kumquat head.... Though it's messed up, but
her aim is to snatch Saru away from my side!"
Kachak!
Nobuna's tolerance finally reached the limit, she might just spit out
fire!
"Wait, Nobuna! Stop saying anymore, it's gonna be ugly! If this
goes on, it will become "History changed, Oda Nobuna and Akechi
Mitsuhide muddy love triangle"!"
"Ahh! Enough! Shut up! This Saru belongs to me! It's my Saru! To
be able to flirt like this with Saru, there's only me! Definitely...
Definitely... I won't give him to you!"
"Uwahhhhh! What did you say!?"
She said it.
Finally, Nobuna and Yoshiharu's love was known by Akechi
Mitsuhide!
So as to say, Akechi who had always not noticed had finally.....
"....Ahhh, Ahh! So pitiful, Nobuna-sama! To have said such
unwilling words, Saru must have some stuff on you, right!?
Not!
The slowness of Mitsuhide who is still misunderstanding the both
of them isn't comparable to normal people.
In the end, Nobuna who can't bear it anymore decided to finish it
once and for all.
It's to the point of having to say the truth out clearly. Whether
Mitsuhide who had heard all of it was to leave or revolt, Nobuna
won't be able to know.
Nobuna shouted with a volume enough to let the whole inn know,
"IN THE END, I JUST CAN'T EXPRESS IT PROPERLY! FROM
HERE ON, THIS IS MY TRUE FEELINGS! YOSHIHARU, NO
MATTER IF IT'S HIS BODY OR HEART, ALL OF IT BELONGS TO
ME!"
"What?"
"YES! YOSHIHARU IS MY MAN!!!!!! TONIGHT WE WERE
SUPPOSED TO BECOME HUSBAND AND WIFE, DON'T COME
BOTHERING US!"
"Ehhhhh? No..Nobuna-sama?! Is... Is this real?"
"That goes without saying! Will someone like me who has such a
high position lie!? Listen! You give up on Yoshiharu! This is an order!"
"Ahhh! Saru-senpai has totally brainwashed Nobuna-sama.... The
hypnosis techniques from the future are too scary.... Was I too late?"
Mitsuhide who had a great shock said.
In her shock, she has not given up the idea of "Nobuna-sama was
being lied to!"
"No...Nobuna-sama, don't be like this. Calm down. If Nobunasama has a relationship going on with some unknown guy like
Sagara-senpai, this is even more messed up then burning down
Mount Hiei!"
"Even if that's the case, what about it!"
"If this incompatible relationship was to be revealed, the quest of
unifying the world will be gone.... Nobuna-sama will once again be
labelled as Owari's fool. No, it will be even more bad. You will be
labelled as "The idiot who doesn't understand the statuses of this
world...."
"I DON'T CARE! ALL WHO OPPOSES ME ARE MY ENEMIES!
IT'S ALL FINE IF I JUST FINISH OFF ALL WHO SAYS ANYTHING
ABOUT IT!"
"No...Nobuna-sama~ Hurry and wake up! Ever since capturing the
capitial, the Oda clan has been facing challenges from all sides!
Won't this give the anti-Nobuna faction a perfect reason!? The
people won't agree too!"
"At that time, I have the resolve to treat ALLLLLLLL the people as
my enemies!"
"Tha.... That is definitely a NO! Do you plan to destroy the whole of
Japan!?"
"Ok! Stop talking about it! The most important thing is not holding
a marriage ceremony, right!? Why don't you not say anything!?
Juubei, act like you've seen nothing!"
"H...Ho...Ho...How can it be like this!?'
Definitely not! The serious Mitsuhide hugged her head.
"Sagara-senpai is too scary! To think that he can actually do such
a powerful hypnosis on Nobuna-sama, letting Nobuna-sama shout
such a thing so loudly... As expected from someone of the future!"
What's really scary is Mitsuhide who still doesn't believe in
Nobuna.
"Kumquat. Even so, you refuse to accept the truth? Looks like you
just want to be husband and wife with Yoshiharu, right!?"
"Nonono, it's not like that! I Juubei just wants to erase the
spreading rumors, and heal Senpai's injured heart...."
".....THAT'S MY JOB!"
"No, it's only me Juubei who can gently protect Senpai. Nobunasama who likes to do things not compatible to her status and gets
easily angered will definitely not be able to do a thing like taking care
of Senpai's mother."
"Not be able to do.... ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY I'M JUST
CHASING AFTER YOSHIHARU'S LOVE BUT I AM NOT ACTUALLY
IN LOVE WITH YOSHIHARU!?"
"Uhh... Love, "Love" To hear such a Christian word from Nobunasama's lips, just how deep is the brainwash of Saru.... NO! PLEASE
WAKE UP NOW, NOBUNA-SAMA!"
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?"
"I Juubei have already kissed Senpai lots of time! You are behind
me!"
"I...I have kissed with Yoshiharu too! On that night of Christmas!"
"EHHHH? TH... TH... THAT RUMOR IS REAL!? Using the chaos
caused by Dousan-sama passing away, that ero-saru actually....."
"WAIT! WHY DID YOU KISS WITH YOSHIHARU? AND MANY
TIMES!?"
From the moment Mitsuhide trespassed in, it had not even been
one minute actually.
The two princess knights that were known for their beauty, with the
flares that was flying everywhere were having a violent quarrel with a
speed that onlookers can't even hear properly!
If this goes on, they might just start fighting.
Mitsuhide had already pulled out her sword, Nobuna had also
taken up her famed sword, Kunishige Hasabe and had started to pull
it out.
The two of them were looking at each other at an extremely close
distance.
"I finally understand, so Juubei likes Yoshiharu! It's just that this
fellow is too proud and slow that she hasn't noticed it yet. Becoming
like a different person upon meeting with Yoshiharu. Uhh! Just when
did that ero-saru snatch off Juubei's heart! Unforgivable, I must
definitely kill him!"
"When Nobuna-sama lost her god-father Dousan-sama, she must
have been very lonely! To use the emptiness of Nobuna-sama's
heart to brainwash her.... Nobuna-sama must have drank some
strange drug. That ero-saru, you weeped and said that you could
never be together with Nobuna-sama, yet you still hide it from me
Juubei and attacked Nobuna-sama, you disloyal and despicable
bastard! To deceive this pure Juubei is an unforgivable crime. To let
Nobuna-sama return to normal, I can only kill him!"
The two of them nodded wordlessly and slashed their swords
towards Yoshiharu....
"Saru, now is the time for you to make a choice! Are you going to
choose me? Or are you choosing some Kumquat and then getting
killed by me!?"
"Senpai, if you don't choose me, then to protect Nobuna-sama, I
Juubei will have to kill you immediately! Prepare yourself!"
...
...
...
But, Yoshiharu had already disappeared.
As replacement, a roughly made smiling monkey doll was placed
there.
Only now did the both of them noticed that in Yoshiharu's place is
just a monkey doll.
"Oi, wait a minute? Where did the real body of that Saru go to?"
"Senpai is gone! He has escaped!"
".....THAT...THAT IDIOTIC SARU!!!! BECAUSE HE CAN'T
ANSWER, HE CHOSE TO ESCAPE? WHAT ABOUT THE
NEGOTIATION WITH TAKEDA SHINGEN? HOW CAN HE!"
"Kidnapping Nobuna-sama and abandoning his work.... This
makes two counts of his disloyalty and despicable behavior! Senpai
couldn't have run far. Nobuna-sama, let us both find him and cut off
his head!"
"EXACTLY! AT THIS TIME, HE DIDN'T CHOOSE ME, JUST
WWWWWHHHHHHAAAAATTTT IS HE THINKING!? HE HAD
ALREADY TOUCHED M...M.... MY.... MY... BR.... BR...BREASTS
DIRECTLY! THAT IRRESPONSIBLE BASTARD! I MUST
DEFINITELY KILL HIM!"
"Ahhh! Finally Nobuna-sama has returned to normal! The spell
that Senpai had used has finally been broken. Yay! Nobuna-sama!"
Nobuna and Mitsuhide returned to their senses at the same time.
The both of them together, with swords on their hands walked
towards the walkway!
There's only one objective.
That is to finish off the guy who toyed with their maiden's heart,
Sagara Yoshiharu.
...
...
...
"You can come out now, Sagara-shi."
Not long after Nobuna and Mitsuhide rushed out, Goemon in her
ninja attire dropped to the tatami silently from the ceiling.
Goemon use the hilt of her ninja blade to knock onto the sides of
the tatami.
"Hoooo! You've been a great help, Goemon! But, what should I do
from now on?"
The face of the dust ridden Yoshiharu who had hidden himself
under the floor appeared.
"You've been a really great help, Goemon! Though I'm devoted to
Nobuna, but at that situation, no matter who I choose, I will be
immediately executed by the two of them, right!?"
"That's why! Didn't I say before? It's impossible to think of getting
both of them! Toying with a maiden's heart is extremely dangerous,
you with your women's trouble!"
"Ahh! With Katsuchiyo-chan.... no, the negotiation with Takeda
Shingen is tomorrow, to suddenly become like this... Juubei-chan
must have believed firmly that I had used some strange spell to
control Nobuna, that's why she had came all the way here to save
Nobuna.... If Shingen finds out that Nobuna is serious, she might kill
Nobuna too."
"All in all, the both of them are smart people. They had rushed out
with blood rushing through their heads just now, they will definitely
be back in a while." Yoshiharu jumped in fright.
"Yeah! Damn, before appeasing their fury, I must first escape! But
after that, what should I do? I can't just return empty-handed?"
"If you don't want to die, go and negotiate with Takeda Shingen
and achieve success. With such a big achievement, the two of them
won't have much else to say."
"Go to Odawara castle just like this? But the pass is with Nobuna!
I have nothing on me, how can I enter the besieged Odawara
castle?"
"Anyway, if you don't do it, you are dead meat. It's better to clear
things up with Akechi Mitsuhide soon."
"Every time when she mentions about marrying, I had wanted to
clear things off, but all of it is useless. Looking at her being that way,
I think Juubei-chan must be in love with me, but she herself hasn't
noticed it."
If that's true, it will be the worst case scenario, Yoshiharu
lamented.
"Sagara-shi, if your wish is to not hurt any girl, such a bad habit
will ruin you."
Goemon stared blankly at Yoshiharu, but Yoshiharu seemed not to
notice at all as he laughed.
"I can't not accept defeat; there's really nothing between Juubeichan and I. But Nobuna doesn't believe it no matter what.... Though
it is true that I've kissed Juubei-chan before....."
"Enough, get downstairs from the eaves, you can see a small
hole. Escape using that hole like a dog."
Why did it become like this~? Not only Nobuna, but even Juubeichan wants to kill me. There's even Takeda army, Houjou army and
Oshu army waiting for me at Odawara Castle! No matter how I look
at it, I don't have much of a chance to survive!
While shouting "Zenki, hurry and use your power to erase this
"women trouble" attribute from me~" Yoshiharu crawled out from the
small hole.
No matter if it's his body or his mind, all of it had turned to a dog.
Or, he himself had turned to a dog.
At the cost of living in a wet environment and being unable to
bathe in sunlight nor gaze at the moon any longer, he was able to
escape from the biggest tragedy and muddy love quarrel of Nobuna
and Mitsuhide.
Falling into "Crawl into any hole he can find" such a situation,
Yoshiharu had turned back to a human before he knew it.