An Act of Seduction: Suzume's Marriage!

Well, good to see you're working hard as always, Tsubame.

Oh please. This is but a piece of cake.

*grooooowl*

Hold on, was that your stomach? Have you not had breakfast this morning?

We ninjas are used to living without eating for days when on missions.

Days?!

Hey, Tsubame! Do the usual thing, would you!

Can we see the other jutsu today?

The other jutsu, you say...

Huh? What's going on?

Ah, Aldo. You've come at the perfect time. It seems the time has come to show my second finest ninja skill to you.

Second finest...? You mean after the Stealth Jutsu?!

Precisely. Except this one is...ever so slightly embarrassing. But I believe that by overcoming that embarrassment, I might even be able to surpass the Stealth Jutsu.

Surpass the Stealth Jutsu?

Hey Tsubame! C'mon, show us!

Well then, here we go.

Haaaaaah...!

Ninja skill! Sexy Jutsu!

Ah-haaan.

......

Mmm-hmm.

......

Hahahah! Heck, that got me!

Oh, you're awesome Tsubame. I'll make sure to leave a nice tip!

Meow-meooow!

Uh, "Sexy Jutsu"? What was that?

The Sexy Jutsu is an essential skill for a kunoichi, and can be a matter of life or death. It can be particularly effective if the enemy is male.

Uh-huh... I mean, I don't know a lot about ninja skills, but was that how it was supposed to go?

Well... That's because I didn't give it my all.

Oh, okay! Because I was about to say, if you had, then...

If I put everything I have into the Sexy Jutsu, my target will most definitely be mesmerized. Obviously, I couldn't go on to hypnotize all the customers in the tavern.

Yeah... That would probably be a bad idea.

But Aldo, you really did arrive at a perfect time.

I actually had something I wanted to ask you about. May I get your thoughts on it?

My advice? Sure, if that would help.

It definitely would. The thing is, my sister, Suzume, seems to be going out alone at night.

Huh? Oh, well, cats are nocturnal. Isn't that normal?

Meow?

...Don't look at her. She'll know.

R-Right.

Anyway... The fact that she hasn't said anything to me is worrying. I'm concerned she might be turning to delinquency... That is why I'd like to know what she's doing.

Delinquency? I get the feeling you're worrying too much. But if it makes you feel better, I'll help.

Thank you, Aldo. It looks like Suzume heads to Baruoki every night. Isn't that where you're from?

Ah, so that's why you wanted to ask me. Okay then. Let's head over and see.

So, here we are. What should we do first?

Suzume always leaves the tavern at night. Let's hide out and wait until then.

All right. Let's go looking for her then.

Mmmmgh... I-I'm sorry Feinne...

Aldo, wake up!

...Huh?! Shoot, I was falling asleep!

It's fine. But look...! There's Suzume!

Meow!

Hey, Suzume. You came, just as you promised.

Meow!

Suzume... You are such a smart kitty.

Oh, Suzume. If only you could come back with me as a beautiful bride...

A...

A bride?!

D-D-Did you hear that, Aldo?! A-A bride?!

W-Wait, Tsubame, calm down! Be a ninja and hide for once!

F-Forgive me... I was so surprised that I lost control. How unbecoming of a ninja... But I can't believe it. Suzume was going out every night to meet a man...

Well, cats are nocturnal. And apparently they're getting along pretty well... Perhaps you shouldn't worry too much?

No! She's too young to start thinking about marriage!

Really? How old is Suzume?

She's only ten!

What?! But... doesn't that makes her pretty old? If anything, it might be too late for marriage.

R-Really?! Goodness, things in this continent are...rather progressive.

But... I suppose there were those who become fully fledged ninjas at ten years old.

...Okay, Aldo. As her older sister, I will respect her decision. But I would at least like to know the identity of that man...

That's a good idea. Those expensive looking clothes... Maybe he's from Unigan?

Very well. Let's investigate about him in Unigan when the sun rises.

All right. Let's go ask around.

And let's do this quietly, so that Suzume doesn't notice.

Wait, Tsubame! We gotta do this quietly...!

Oh boy... She never listens once she gets an idea in her head.

Um, right... So, what kind of person is he?

I see. Well, that's good, then!

Well, he is from a rich family. Maybe he has more than one cat?

Hmm... Maybe he felt like marrying to help him deal with sadness?

Either way, I think it's a good thing for Suzume. I'm sure he'll take good care of her.

You're right... I guess her not telling you is a bit of a problem. It's probably best to get in touch with that noble. Maybe you could go talk to him?

Okay. We'll go to the Moonlight Forest, then.

There you are...

Hmm? Pardon me, but who are you?

How dare you try to take Suzume away without consulting me! I've come here to discuss your relationship!

Hey Tsubame... You don't need to be so hostile.

*hiss*

Oh? Then you must be Suzume's owner?

What are you talking about?! I'm Suzume's older sister!

Hmm? Hold on. What do you mean by that?

Oh, uh... That's just what Suzume is to Tsubame.

Ah... Well, cats can be one's family. So I can very much relate.

I suppose you have something to say to me!

Yes... You're right.

I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I would like to take Suzume as a bride. Is there any way you could allow that?

So long as Suzume agrees. Ask her.

I don't think there's any need, we're clearly close already. Although, I think she's mostly in it for the donations I've been giving her...

Wh-Wh-What?! You're trying to buy her out?! How dare you do such a thing to her!

Wait, Tsubame, calm down!

How could I possibly calm down?!

Suzume! This man is no good for you! I will not stand for this!

*hiss*

Hmm? Wait, I'm confused...

Are you really her owner? What do you say, Suzume?

Meow-meow!

She's not your owner?! I knew it! Okay, Suzume! I'll chase these ruffians away!

Hmph...! So you've finally shown your true colors!

No, wait a minute! Maybe it's just me, but isn't this all just a big misunderstanding?!

Relying on violence as soon as you realize bribery is futile? So much for decency.

Very well. I accept this fight! Suzume! Over here!

*hiss*

Suzume! I can't believe you've really fallen for him this hard!

...Fine! Then, as your sister, I shall bring you to your senses!

Oh no...! Run, Suzume! I'll hold them back!

Mreow...!

Suzume... I know what I am about to do may seem harsh. But I must uncover this man's true nature. Even if that makes me a terrible sister for breaking your heart...

This is for your own good!

Tsubame, what are you...?!

Don't stop me, Aldo! Now, take this!

Ninja skill! Sexy Jutsu!

Mmm-hmm... Ah-haaan...

......

......

......

How can this be?! He didn't even break a sweat! This scoundrel must be well versed in the art of seduction!

Uh... Tsubame. This is starting to sound like a smear campaign.

There is no other way... Prepare for my very own Sexy Jutsu!

Your very own?!

Your very own...? Hold on, I've heard that one somewhere before...

Behold! Ninja skill!

The Ultimate! Sexy Jutsu!

OW!

Meow?!

There is nothing you can do, Suzume. That man has been seduced by my Ultimate Sexy Jutsu.

No, you definitely just threw a shuriken at him!

Of course I didn't. As proof, those seduced by my Ultimate Sexy Jutsu all become my faithful servants. I'm afraid most men are destined to surrender in the face of my charm...

Uh, I'm pretty sure they were just obeying you because they were scared of you.

Even if you come to hate me, Suzume, as your older sister, I must...

Meow!

Suzume?!

*hiss*

What?!

Suzume... I didn't know your love for him was so strong...

I shall concede... And recognize your love for him.

Oof...!

So... I get that the situation got messed up to no end... But what exactly is going on here?

Meow!

What's the matter, Suzume...?

Wait, there are words on the ground! I guess Suzume was the one who wrote them?

Unbelievable... You are one smart cat, Suzume!

Meow!

Let's see what it says...

"This man's cat lost his partner, so I was hired to help cheer him up..." "The cat who died apparently looked a lot like me..." "His cat had finally started feeling better, so I was just about to get paid..." "And now look what you've done!"

...So that's what was going on!

That means everything was a misunderstanding!

Oh boy. How are we gonna clear things up now?

Hm...? "You should bring everyone back to Unigan"?

Yeah, that makes sense. Let's head back to Unigan, then!

I'm... I'm... I'm so, so sorry!

No, please... I'm just as much at fault for telling my escort monsters to attack.

Please, Miss Tsubame. I must ask you not to worry about it. Thanks to Suzume, my cat is feeling much better. And I intend to properly compensate her, as promised.

Wha, These are Yomogi Dango! My favorite!

Meow!

I must admit, it was a little difficult getting them, seeing as they are an Eastern product.

I see... Suzume, you did this all for me? I mean, I had been rather hungry, to the point where my stomach wouldn't stop growling...

Now, I should take my leave. I do hope that both you and your sister will continue to look out for one another.

What a pleasant guy. Worthy of his reputation, I guess.

Truly... All of the information I gathered was accurate through and through...

But there's one thing I still don't get. Why did you think that guy wanted to marry Suzume? I mean, Suzume's a cat, so I'm guessing he wanted her to become his pet cat's bride.

Wait, Aldo. I'm confused. Why are you calling Suzume a cat?

Because... She is a cat?

This isn't her true form, Aldo. Suzume was originally human, and is, in fact, my younger sister.

Really?! But how...?

Well...

There was a curse cast on Suzume, which turned her into a cat.

Meoooow...

But despite her current form, her mind is still that of a human being.

Wow. No wonder there were moments where she almost seemed like a human...

Ah! So that's why she was able to write those words!

Yes. Resisting the curse requires tremendous mental fortitude, but Suzume is hanging on very well indeed. I came to these lands in search of clues to help dispel her curse.

I didn't know... You could have told me this sooner!

But I've been telling you that Suzume is my sister this entire time!

Oh... I just figured you meant that she was like a sister to you.

...Anyway. I guess the misunderstanding's been resolved, and the case is closed.

Yes, I suppose so. I must continue to work on my skills, so that Suzume doesn't have to worry about me anymore.

And the better my skills get, the more tips I should receive!

But no more Sexy Jutsu, okay?

Ah. I see you're rather shy and innocent, Aldo. Well then! I should get back to my job at the tavern right away!

Meee...ow?