The Samurai Saved by Sweetness

The sea breeze feels good in this port town.

It does, doesn't it? And look, there's an exhibition of exotic delicacies over there, too.

Exotic delicacies?

Yeah, it's like a market with things that come from all over. It looks like they've got stuff from the East, too.

Yeah, it's like a market with things that come from all over. I've never seen it before, but it looks like they've got stuff from the East, too.

This is most intriguing.

What's that I just saw? Looked like white balls on a skewer with syrup poured over them.

Mitarashi Dango!

Mitarashi... What an odd name! Do they taste good?

They do indeed! They are the sweetest of all sweet things!

The last time I ate one must have been before I left my home town.

I cannot remain here, Friend Aldo! We must go and find them!

Waaah! Waaah!

What is the matter, child? Have you been separated from your mother?

*sniffle* *sob* No... I can't eat the sweet dumplings I was looking forward to. Waaah, Mitarashi Dango... Now I won't get to eat them ever again!

No more Mitarashi Dango?! This is truly regretful! But why can't you eat them? Do you not have enough pocket money?

No, the dango didn't get here. They got stolen.

Wh-What?! How can this be?! My Mitarashi Dango were...

Urrgh... This is unforgivable! Thief! I shall bring you to justice!

Wow, did you really want to eat these Mitarashi Dango dumpling whatevers that much?

Of course I di...

N-No, not for myself, for this girl! A crying child is an affront to a samurai's honor! I cannot ignore it!

But you said earlier that your sword was pledged only to your lord and master...

M-My master would never ignore the, err, weeping of a poor child!

Well, I'm all for helping people, so let's see what we can do.

Hey, kid, who did you hear about these Mitarashi Dango from?

From the guy working over at the warehouse. He told me at the pier.

Hey, do you know who it was who had the Mitarashi Dango brought ashore?

Ah, that would be me... But you'd be better off giving up on them.

We heard they were stolen. Do you know anything about that?

Huh? Are you gonna try and get them back?

Yes. It is for a child who cries for her beloved Mitarashi Dango.

Well, thanks, but it was a horde of goblins who stole the dango. It won't be easy gettin' em back from that lot!

Goblins? Mitarashi Dango are too good for the likes of that rabble! Let us get them back before they gobble them all up! Master merchant, where did the thieves go, do you know?

I do! If you give chase now, you might catch up with them somewhere along the Serena Coast, but...

Very good. I shall not rest until I get my hands on those Mitarashi Dango!

Get your hands on what?

The goblins, of course! I mean get our hands on the dastardly goblins.

Are you okay?

Look, there, goblins!

Gra-wuh?

There you are, you villainous wretches! Give yourselves up quietly! Stealing Mitarashi Dango from a merchant and making a poor child cry are truly evil crimes!

By my topknot! You will pay for your crimes! Now your misdeeds will be pu...

Gra-wuh, gra-wuh! These things are so round, so sweet, so tasty!

Argh, foul villains! Don't you dare eat those! What will I do if there's none left for me?!

Azami, you're letting your mask slip again!

Urk! *cough*

For the smile of a little girl. I shall bring you to justice!

Let this be a lesson for you; Never commit another crime against Mitarashi Dango!

Right, let's just...

Well, at least it seems that the Mitarashi Dango atrocities have been kept to a minimum.

But these brutes ate the dango without syrup. Argh, this is monstrous! A crime against Mitarashi Dango!

Well, we got most of them back. Let's get back and put everyone's mind at rest.

Yes. Incidentally, I am not so sure the dango are okay. I think I should taste them and see. Wouldn't you agree?

No, I wouldn't!

Ahh, that package! You've done it then!

Now I can exhibit this with the other exotic delicacies! Here, take some for yourselves. It's my way of saying thank you.

Master merchant, are you sure?

Well, when you look at them with a face like that...

Wh-Wh, I had no such face!

Ha ha, just paying back what I owe you. Please. Please, take them!

I-If that is the case, it would be impolite to refuse you.

Ha ha ha! Shall we find that little girl? Then we can all eat them together.

Nom nom, these are so sweet and chewy, and super, super tasty!

Yeah, I could eat these forever.

Are they not divine? I have loved this flavor since I was younger than you. All of the food of my hometown is delicious, but these Mitarashi Dango are something special.

Wow, Azami. There's so many amazing things to eat in your hometown.

So, your hometown's full of good food, is it?

You should show me around when I'm traveling to the East next time.

You're making me want to visit!

Ngh?! A-A-A-Are you saying you wish to join me in familial matrimony?

Oh my! So it's like that between you two, is it?

Wh, whatever do you mean?! I-I live by the way of the sword! I would not forsake it for the frivolity of a love affair!

I seeee... I'll get out of your way and let you find a room! Thank you, both. Enjoy your dango date!

D-D-D-Date?! H-How precocious today's children are! But, err, maybe there was something in what she said? Am I right, dear friend Aldo?

*chew chew* These really are tasty! I love these Mitarashi Dango!

*sigh* Oh my, friend Aldo, are you really so witless and unfeeling?