The Bard’s Blackmail
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The second day of Kazuto's unwanted isekai adventure began with a near-death experience — courtesy of Reina's knee slamming into his side when he accidentally rolled too close to her during the night.
"Stay in your own bedroll," she muttered, eyes half-closed.
"It's not my fault!" Kazuto wheezed, clutching his ribs. "The ground's uneven!"
The Charm of Miscommunication, ever faithful to its purpose, stirred to life.
"Or perhaps my heart simply longs to be near you, my beautiful—"
The flat of Reina's sword pressed to his throat before he could finish. "No. More. Talking."
Kazuto choked out a strangled agreement, and thus, their morning routine was established.
---
The pair followed a winding forest path, guided only by Reina's map and the occasional heart-shaped landmark that dotted the kingdom of Aishihara. Despite her brisk pace and constant scowling, Kazuto was beginning to notice tiny cracks in Reina's armor. When she thought he wasn't looking, her gaze would soften at the sight of sunbeams breaking through the trees, or her lips would twitch upward at the call of a songbird mimicking a romantic tune.
Of course, every time Kazuto tried to say anything about it, the Charm twisted his words into heartfelt poetry, which always resulted in Reina threatening him with bodily harm.
It was somewhere between the sixth and seventh near-death threat that they encountered him.
Leaning casually against a tree, silver hair catching the dappled sunlight, a slender figure plucked the strings of a worn lute. His clothes were a mismatched combination of noble finery and practical leather, as if he couldn't decide whether he was performing at court or running from it. A gleaming silver Heartstone hung from a chain around his neck, glowing faintly with each note.
"Traveling alone with a princess." His voice was rich, smooth, and unreasonably smug. "How scandalous."
Kazuto, still sweating from trying to keep pace with Reina, was too tired to fully process the stranger's presence. "Huh?"
Reina's reaction was immediate. Her sword was halfway out of its scabbard before she realized the man wasn't an immediate threat — just extremely punchable.
"We're not— It's not—" Kazuto's flailing hands barely managed to express the magnitude of misunderstanding.
The silver-haired bard's smile widened. "Lies."
His Heartstone flared, and against his will, the bard blurted, "He thinks about her more than he wants to admit."
Kazuto turned the color of overripe tomatoes. Reina's sword made it the rest of the way out.
"You want to say that again?" she asked, voice deceptively sweet.
The bard raised his hands innocently. "I can't help it. I'm cursed."
"Cursed?" Kazuto asked, seizing on the distraction like a drowning man grabbing a floating door.
"Haruto Kazama," the bard introduced himself with an exaggerated bow. "Wandering truth-speaker, hopeless romantic, and your new traveling companion."
"No," Reina said flatly.
"Yes," Haruto said cheerfully. "See, my curse compels me to speak the truth, especially the parts people would rather keep hidden. Embarrassing feelings, secret crushes, unresolved romantic tension — all of it comes spilling out."
Reina's swordpoint hovered dangerously close to his nose. "And why would we need you?"
Haruto's grin sharpened. "Because if you don't let me come along, I might accidentally mention how your heartbeat spikes every time he catches your hand."
The color drained from Reina's face.
"Die," she muttered, but Haruto was already slinging his lute onto his back and falling into step beside Kazuto.
And just like that, their awkward duo became a chaotic trio.
---
Kazuto couldn't decide if Haruto was helpful or the human equivalent of a wildfire.
The bard had no concept of personal space, draping an arm around Kazuto's shoulders within minutes, asking him pointed questions about Reina's "charming scowl" and whether Kazuto preferred girls who threatened his life or just mildly insulted him.
The Charm of Miscommunication, of course, couldn't resist chiming in.
"Her every glare is a dagger to my heart, yet somehow, I treasure each wound because it was given by her."
Reina threw a rock at his head.
Haruto applauded. "Poetic and painful. You're going to fit right in."
---
By the time they reached the Lover's Fork, a split in the road marked by a pair of entwined marble statues, Kazuto was seriously questioning his life choices. The left path led toward the Whispering Glade, known for its enchanted flowers that bloomed in response to whispered confessions. The right path descended into the Valley of Lost Vows, a place where broken promises left lingering echoes in the air.
"Which way?" Kazuto asked, trying not to sound too hopeful that one path would lead home.
Reina consulted her map, fingers tracing ancient markings. "The Glade," she muttered. "We need the Heartbloom Petals."
Haruto's eyebrows lifted. "Heartbloom? Bold choice. They only bloom when someone confesses a true romantic feeling."
Kazuto paled. "Please tell me there's a loophole."
"Nope," Haruto said cheerfully. "Just stand under the arch, bare your soul, and hope the flowers don't laugh at you."
"They can laugh?" Kazuto's voice cracked.
"Only if your confession's really bad."
Reina rolled up the map. "Let's get this over with."
---
The Whispering Glade was beautiful in the way haunted houses were beautiful — gorgeous, but ominous. Vines twisted into heart-shaped arches, and the air shimmered faintly with pink mist. Flowers rustled with no breeze, and Kazuto could swear he heard faint giggles.
The path ended at a stone platform covered in glowing pink blossoms.
"All you," Haruto said, nudging Kazuto forward.
"Why me?"
"Hero's privilege."
Kazuto shot Reina a pleading look. "You could—"
"No," she said before he even finished. "Get confessing."
Kazuto stepped under the arch. The Charm of Miscommunication began to hum. The flowers turned their heads toward him like expectant matchmakers.
"Uh." Kazuto wiped his palms on his pants. "I… I think you're really—"
The Charm hijacked him entirely.
"From the moment I saw you, my heart knew no peace. Your beauty is a tempest, your glare a siren's call, and I am but a shipwrecked soul upon the shores of your—"
The flowers erupted into bright pink blooms, petals fluttering down like wedding confetti.
Kazuto covered his face. "Please kill me."
Reina picked a single Heartbloom Petal, holding it up to the light. "We got what we came for."
"Touching," Haruto sniffed, wiping an imaginary tear. "A love story for the ages."
"Shut up," Reina and Kazuto said in unison.
---
As they made camp that night, Kazuto sat by the fire, staring into the flames, trying to figure out if he'd somehow triggered a dating sim from hell.
Haruto lounged nearby, playing a soft melody on his lute. "You know," the bard said lazily, "for all your protesting, you two have great chemistry."
Reina, cleaning her sword, didn't even look up. "Say one more word and I'll feed that lute to you."
Haruto grinned, but for once, he fell silent.
Kazuto, rubbing his temples, muttered, "I didn't ask for any of this."
The Charm of Miscommunication glowed faintly, as if it disagreed.
---
Later that night, Kazuto found Reina standing by the edge of camp, gazing at the stars. For a moment, she looked… softer. Not the fierce princess or reluctant guide, but just a girl looking at the sky.
"You okay?" Kazuto asked, keeping his voice low.
Reina's fingers tightened around her sword hilt. "It's none of your business."
The Charm stirred.
"But if my words could comfort you, I would offer them all — a thousand verses, a thousand stars, just to see you smile."
Reina turned, her expression unreadable. "Go to sleep, Kazuto."
But she didn't sound quite as angry.
---
In the shadows, Haruto watched them both, his Heartstone flickering softly.
"Messy," he muttered to himself, "but maybe there's hope."
And with that, their journey — and their chaotic, reluctant romance — continued.
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