The Afflicted Samurai

*yawn* Now that was a good sleep!

Good morning, sir. This was left for you.

Left for me? That's strange. Thank you.

Let's see, "Letter of Challenge"...

Wait, a letter of challenge?! What did I do to make someone want to duel me?!

This is a bit scary, but I've got to look at the contents. Erm...

Oof, look at the angry brush strokes!

And the tone of it... It couldn't be Cyrus, could it? But it says, "I cannot sleep at night"... Did I say something hurtful?

Eh?! Azami sent it! But if that's the case, I'm even more in the dark than I thought!

(Ahh, he has my love letter!) (But he looks so serious reading it...)

Ah, Azami, it's good that you're here. About this letter of challenge...

I-I-I don't know anything about that! Put it away before anyone notices!

You don't know anything about it?

Is there someone trying to call me out under your name?!

N-No! That is something I wrote...

Huh?! In that case, why did you say you didn't know anything about it?

Y-Yeah...

(Argh...You are as witless and unfeeling as ever!) (But I'm not giving up! I shall make a success of this duel between man and woman!)

So, friend Aldo, I think we're alone now...

So, this letter of challenge... Did I do something?

Yes... You have no idea how much your words have confused me, friend Aldo.

(Argh, I just can't remember... What did I say to her?!)

But I have finally decided. I want to sh-share the Soaring Swallow School b-b-bloodline with you...

(Blood? Did she say shed blood? Azami really does want to cross swords with me here!)

Wait, no! Why would we do that so soon after becoming friends?

Wha, ?! You reject me before even hearing me out?

It is so unseemly, so unbecoming of a man such as yourself.

Okay then, Azami, okay! Can you just tell me what I'm supposed to have said?

Well...

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?

(This is so painfully embarrassing to talk openly about...) Do not make me say you have forgotten. In any case, I have decided that we be joined in familial matrimony!

Familial matrimony?! W-Wait a minute here. This is totally different from what I was expecting! When you say join in matrimony, do you mean...

You want to marry me?!

Ma-Ma-Ma-Marry you?! Why ever would you come to such a conclusion?!

Isn't that the natural conclusion?!

I-I just saw your impressive swordsmanship and thought that, together, we could spread the Soaring Swallow School's teachings. In any case, friend Aldo, give me your response! Will you come with me to my homeland?

W-Well...I think I need to think about that...

But you requested it yourself! What is there to be confused about?!

I asked for this familial matrimony?! But...I don't remember that at all. And, err, what about our duel?!

Duel? We're having it now!

Wait, what? You call this is a duel?! We're just speaking!

Waaaah! Stop it! Stop it!

That voice...

We must set aside our business for now. Let us go!

Waaah! Waaah!

What is the matter? Are you hurt?

*sniffle* *sob* No... I can't eat the sweet dumplings I was looking forward to.

I've got a strange sense of deja vu!

And I actually had Mom buy me some Mitarashi Dango this time...

Again with the Mitarashi Dango!

Oh... That's a pity. I'll buy you some more if you wa...

Friend Aldo! That is not a proper resolution! It is unforgivable! Who stole your Mitarashi Dango?!

Um... A monster...with a big stick.

Not the accursed goblins again! It was not enough just to chastise them, I see!

Azami, I know how you feel, but let's calm dow...

How can I not be angry! Those vile wretches have clearly acquired a taste for Mitarashi Dango. They will be back for more! The grudge born of Mitarashi Dango runs deeper than the deepest sea! I may have used the flat of my blade the first time, but they will not be so lucky now! Friend Aldo, let us pursue these pilfering villains!

Okay. Well, if you're that sure about it, Azami. They can't have gone far...

Do you know which way the goblins went?

Umm, that way!

The Serena Coast again. Just you wait here. I shall retrieve the Mitarashi Dango for you!

There you are, vile wretches! This time I will show you no mercy!

Careful, Azami. They've got something up their sleeves!

There's a look of evil intent if ever I saw one! And taking the Mitarashi Dango as hostage, Aza...

Mi... Mi...

Mitarashi Dangoooooo! Unforgivable! A crime worth a thousand deaths!

A-Azami?! No, don't start playing into their hands!

How dare you use the heart of my Eastern land as a shield. Are you people monsters?!

Uh, Azami, they aren't people! They really are monsters!

I will not give in to your demands!

I shall cut you down faster than you can lay a hand on the Mitarashi Dango! Friend Aldo, to arms!

Sa-haaaaaa!

Oh no, the Mitarashi Dango's been dropped in the dirt!

Ah! I...did it again...

The dango is so covered in grit and sand. It can't possibly be eaten now...

Azami...

These dango... They are the very embodiment of my way of life... When my blood's up, I no longer see things clearly... I give myself up to my rage, swing my sword, and before I know it, a storm leaves devastation in its wake. As I am now, I am not a worthy retainer of my princess. No doubt my father sent me on my journey having seen this fault in me...

Well, there's no denying you have a habit of rushing in before thinking...

Urk... You think so too, friend Aldo?

But I quite like this Azami...

Huh?

It's great that you follow the path that you believe in with such unwavering determination! I doubt your father sent you on a journey to fix that. Maybe he wants you to find a way to use the way you are to your advantage.

Dear friend Aldo...

It might take some time, but let's look for it together. Where you go, I follow.

Wha, ?!

I-Is this the answer to my letter of challenge? Have you pledged to stay by my side forever, friend Aldo? And to go with me wherever I...

No, no, don't go getting ahead of yourself, Azami! I must get a definitive answer from Aldo today.

What's wrong, Azami? You've gone all red again.

I-I am fine. Just a momentary giddiness...

Really? Are you sure, you're okay?

It has passed now. I am fine! Never mind me. What do we do about that poor girl's dango? We can't just turn up empty handed...

Well, we solved the root of the problem. Why don't we just buy her some Mitarashi Dango?

You are right. Let's waste no time and head to Rinde!

Oh, miss! How'd it go with the dango?

I-I am sorry! I told you I would retrieve the dango...

Come on, Azami, we bought a new one, so there's no need to go to those lengths with your apologies...

Here you go. It was the last one.

It'll all be okay now. This brave lady has gotten rid of all the monsters.

Really?! Wow, miss, you must be really strong!

N-No... I was saved by good friend Aldo here again and again...

Eh? Really? I didn't do all that much.

You may feel that way, friend Aldo. But for me you were...

Uh-oh... Here we go again! I shouldn't be here for this lovers quarrel!

Be nice to each other!

Ah, that reminds me, friend Aldo...

I will have you provide your answer now...

Ah, back to this, are we now?

Azami, I've thought about it. Quite seriously...in my own way.

Finally, you have decided! Then let me hear your answ...

Urk... (S-Strange... So very strange. The palpitations are back.) (Uuurgh... It feels as if my chest is on fire.) (They have never been this painful!) (Did I have some sort of sickness of the heart?)

Erm... How should I put this. Azami, to me, you're...

W-Wait!

I-I have decided... I do not want to hear it after all!

Huh?! Why the sudden change of heart? You've been urging me on all this time.

Are you running a fever or something!

Sa-haaaa!

D-Do not come any closer! The sickness will worsen!

Careful with that thing! Honestly, treating me like I'm some kind of angel of death! What's come over you, Azami?

It is you who has come over strange, friend Aldo! I will away to feel the breath of this breezy day...

And now she's gone and left! She was acting even stranger than usual today...