Akane: Asking the Master for Lessons

So this is Aldo's home town! It seems peaceful, but there's a liveliness here too!

Really? Maybe it's because the 300th anniversary is almost here.

A festival! You know, I've never been to a festival before! When I was younger, all I did was katana training. I had no interest in festivities.

Are you finally starting to be interested in something other than fighting?

Yes! Just hearing the word "Festival" it gets me...all excited!

But you still drew your sword!

Oh...Apologies. I guess it was a reflex.

Anyway, I'm getting excited for the festival!

Well, I'm still worried... But anyway, let me show you around.

Really?! Thank you!

Okay, move out!

......

Oh, Aldo. You're with a girl... Wait, is this a date?!

No, no. She's just visiting from another country, I thought I'd show her around.

Really?

Really! Anyway, on an unrelated note, what is that in your hand?

Oh, this? It's honey candy! Y'know, the candy man's in town!

A candy man... What luck! I must ask him for a contest.

What kind of contest are you thinking of?

Why...a sword contest of course! To see whose cuts are the smoothest.

Calm down, Akane. A confectioner won't know anything about swords.

Ah, now you mention it...that makes sense! Aldo, you're always so level headed... You remind me of my older brother!

Really? Ahaha...

Anyway, it's certainly rare to see a confectioner in these parts. Where is he?

He's speaking with the tavern barkeep. He said, "I must find the legendary honey and make the ultimate candy!" I hope he's still there in the tavern.

Let us go, Aldo! I have to try this honey candy!

Okay. The tavern's over there. Let's all go together.

Hmm? Do you want something?

Are you the renowned candy man?

Renowned? I don't know about that. But yes, I am a confectioner.

Such humility for someone who makes such candy as this! Of course you're renowned. I've come all this way to see your legendary skill for myself! Please, accept my challenge!

Ch-Challenge?!

Yes, I challenge you...

Stop this, Akane! You're going to draw your sword, aren't you?!

Wha?! O-Oh, right! I came here to see the candy man's candy making skills!

So please, Mr. Candy Man! Please make your legendary honey candy!

Oh, that? No can do.

Is something wrong? Has something happened?

I heard that the honey in the Moonlight Forest is great this time of year so I came out this way, but according the the Barkeep here, the Moonlight Forest is full of powerful monsters. I'm just a simple confectioner, I don't have the skills to fight monsters. Nor the money to hire someone to do it for me.

So, you plan to just give up?

Well even without that legendary honey, I can still make some decent candy.

This will not do!

Hey, Akane?

Hearing this master give up on his dreams, it's too sad! Well where there's a will there's a way. That's what my brother used to say.

Hmm, a good saying. If you keep working for something, you'll get it eventually.

What?! Is that what it means? I always thought it meant that if you're going to give up, you might as well just die now...

......

Anyway! If you keep fighting for your dream, one day it will come true!

Even if that's true, what can I do?

I may be young, but I'm handy with this sword! I don't fear the monsters of the Moonlight Forest! I shall retrieve the honey for you!

Yeah, we'll help you out.

Are you sure?

Don't sweat it. If I let Akane go alone, I'm not sure what would happen.

Aldo! You really do remind me of my brother!

In that case, thank you. The rumors say that the honey can be found in the center of the Moonlight Forest.

...There's a bee hive over there!

Well spotted, Akane. Now to find a way to get at the honey without the bees noticing...

Just leave that to me! I used to collect honey all the time when I was younger!

Really? Well, go for it.

Okay! This time I'll do it, for sure!

Hmm? This time? You mean you never actually succeeded before?

That's right! I'd always attack it head on and get swarmed by the bees! My brother would always come and save me.

If that's the case, then what makes you think you can get the honey this time?

Heheheh! There's only one strategy that will work!

Charge! Behold the Samurai's spirit!

Wait! You said that never worked! Haven't you learned from your mistakes?

Nope! This is just how I am... I never look back, only forwards! Chaaarge!

Wh-What?! Wait!

I did it! I actually got the honey!

Good, now let's get outta here!

Not again... Just like when I was younger!

We did it, Aldo! We beat the bees back! Even though my brother wasn't here to save me this time!

What's more, we got the honey! I know I still have a lot to learn, but I'm only going to get better!

...... Anyway, we need to get the honey back to the confectioner.

Yes! I still need to see the candy man's skills with my own eyes!

...Same as always.

...Same as always.

Mr. Candy Man, we've brought you the honey you requested!

Really?! Wow, that color...this is the real deal! Thank you so much! I don't know how to repay you...

Well, there is one thing you could do! You could show us your candy making skills that are renowned throughout the land!

My skills? Wait, are you saying that you want to be a confectioner one day?

No, no... Erm...

The skills of a true master, whatever the craft, show the flow of reality, and how one thing becomes another... See? You can always learn from a master's craft, whatever his skill may be.

...What?

My brother used to say that.

Actually, now I think about it, I'm not sure I know what it means.

Anyway, I've always wanted to meet a master, and learn from them!

Okay! If it means that much to you, I'll give you a show.

Barkeep! Lend me your kitchen!

You guys really helped me out. I owe you one!

Farewell, Mr. Candy Man!

So how was that for you, Akane? Learn anything interesting?

The way the candy man kneaded, mixed, and cooked that candy... I learned a lot.

But I'm very much an amateur when it comes to the kitchen!

I didn't really understand much of what he said!

Then why ask for the lesson?

Well at least I've learned that candy making really doesn't help with my sword skills! That's a lesson in itself!

......

Ah! That candy was so good! He really was a master candy maker!

...I'm glad.

Yes! I'm very much satisfied!