Akane's Heart for a Warrior

Wow. This is one great view!

The other continent has plenty of beautiful scenery too, but it's just as stunning here!

For example, this spot is a popular meeting place for couples!

A meeting place?

They say that lovers are more open with each other thanks to this beautiful view! Although, I wouldn't really know.

And the scenery is great when you look down at it from the sky as well!

From the sky?

Look! Over there, Aldo!

Is that...a kite?

Yes! My brother actually loves kite riding.

Yes! Actually I have an older brother who loves kite riding.

Huh? I wouldn't have expected that from Shion.

Huh? I didn't know that.

As a child, I would ride kites with my brother, but we'd always get scolded for it.

I remember you hopping on one the other day. I didn't know you've been doing it for so long.

I guess it must be as dangerous as it sounds.

There are dangers, yes. But the view from up high makes the risk worth it! I used to love looking down at the castle and the town from the sky! Although, my brother used to tell me to look up at the sky instead. I never really understood why.

"Look up at the sky," huh?

You are Akane, student of the Itto-Ryu, correct?

That's right! I just joined, though, so I'm still a total beginner!

Nope, I'm not Akane of the Itto-Ryu!

What? You're not?

Nope! I'm not actually an official student of the Itto-Ryu, just a wannabe. I merely mimic the skills of the Itto-Ryu by watching what they do!

Such details are inconsequential. If you are indeed Akane, then you must receive this letter.

Now, this letter comes from someone of high stature. Read through it, and do not ignore what it says. Understood?

A person of high stature? Like, someone important in the East?

Perhaps... But I wonder what someone so important would need from me?

Let me see... "Dearest Akane... "Thoughts of you never leave me, whether I'm awake or asleep. When I think of you, I cannot quell my pounding heart"...?

Whoa... This is a letter from a secret admirer!

I... I guess so! Wow, I've never gotten a letter like this before!

I'm happy for you! And to get it from someone high up, too! Congrats, Akane!

Thank you! I...

I'm so happy I could sing!

Aah! Why did you take out your sword?!

I can't hold back my excitement! As shameful as it is to admit as a samurai... I've never received a letter challenging me to a duel before!

A duel? But this is obviously a love letter!

What...? A love letter? But... Isn't that when a person tells someone they want to get all lovey-dovey together?

Uh. Something like that, yeah.

A love letter... So this isn't a challenge?

Even if it isn't a love letter, it's definitely not challenging you to a duel! I mean, look at it. How in the world did you come to that conclusion?

No, I... I'm just very dense when it comes to these kinds of things!

I had a feeling you might be...

So, what are you going to do? I don't think you can ignore this.

The letter says... "Come to Kurosagi Castle's Waiting Room"!

Okay. I'm a little worried about you going out there alone, but...

Promise me one thing. Don't. Swing. Your. Sword. Around.

What? You're not coming?!

Of course not. The other person only wants to see you. I'd just be a third wheel.

But Aldo! All my life, whenever I was about to do something for the first time, my brother was by my side!

But my brother isn't here, so I need you to come with me instead!

......

Okay. I'll go with you.

Oh, thank you, Aldo!

You're welcome. Besides, I have a feeling that you'll do something unbelievable if I don't...

Wow, Aldo! You sound exactly like my brother already!

Yeah, I had a feeling I might...

Then it is time for us to depart! To Kurosagi Castle we go!

Hmm. No one's here yet. Are we in the right place?

No, this is definitely the Waiting Room that was mentioned in the letter...

Ah! I see you've come. I see my letter arrived safely.

It did! Was it you that wrote it?

Indeed. I wish to take you as my wife.

So it really was a love letter, and not a challenge?!

A challenge? I'm not sure I know what you're talking about.

But how about it? Want to get lovey-dovey with me?

Lovey-dovey...?

Although, if you say no... Well, who knows. Something just might happen to your dear brother.

My brother?!

How does my brother come into this?!

Oh, he and I have a relationship of sorts. Enough so that I could cause him great harm with a snap of my fingers.

Muahahahaha!

......

Now, I won't do anything hasty, as long as you do as I say. I may even make arrangements for him to come home.

Don't listen to him, Akane. That's an empty promise. He doesn't mean anything he says.

Amazing insight, Aldo! Just like my brother!

Oh? Wait, I remember you. Are you two lovers, perhaps? Oh, this is perfect! Using political power to tear a couple apart... How entertaining!

Uh, no. We're nothing like that.

Yeah, we're really not.

Oh. How unfortunate.

Anyway... Making you my second wife should be enough to make your brother suffer.

Haha! A morally objectionable act indeed!

Wait a minute, you're... Aren't you...?

Hmph. Finally realized who I am, have you lad?

Muahaha! There's no use it hiding it any longer, then. I am...

You're...!

... No, actually, I have no idea.

What? You don't know who I am?!

Sorry... I wish I did, but you're a total stranger. Although, if I were to make an observation, I would say you look a little run down, so you may want to look after your health.

Aldo, do you know him?

That's Lord Genshin, the lord of the Land of Mi!

You know what an Eastern lord looks like? Amazing, Aldo!

Um, Akane? Don't you serve the Land of Mi? In other words, isn't he your lord?

Well, I suppose... But I'm merely a samurai in training. I haven't gotten to the part about learning who I serve yet!

Ugh. I don't care if you know me or not! Actually, it does hurt a little... But that's besides the point! The question here is whether or not you will become my wife!

So... That means I would be marrying into Lord Genshin's house?

Yes, more or less. I have a wife already, but I'll make sure to keep you company all the same.

So I would have to fight for the position of your first wife? No, regardless of that...

I cannot marry you! I already have someone I've sworn myself to!

Wait, really?

Yes! I cannot disclose that person's name, though. I've been sworn to secrecy!

Uh, I see...

Ho ho! That makes it even better. Listen, now. I may be morally objectionable, but I'm not cruel. In fact, I am veeery agreeable. I will give you time to prepare yourself. And when that is done...

You shall come to my side as quickly as possible, my bride!

Muahahahah!

......

......

That scoundrel! To do something like this...

I can't believe it... I never thought Lord Genshin would be the one who sent the letter.

But it's okay! I have someone that I can talk to about this!

Really? That actually might help!

He should be at the Cat Shrine at this time of day! Let's go, Aldo!

I beseech you, dear Cat Deity...!

... Please improve my luck with the ladies!

Shigure!

Hm? Akane? What's wrong? Something urgent?

There is something I would like to consult you about!

Hahaha! Very well then. Consult away!

I knew I could count on you! So, basically...

...I can't believe it!

That scoundrel! When I get my hands on him...

Whoa! Looks like we can count on this guy.

Yes! We can trust Shigure. We swore an oath together, a long time ago!

I see!

That's why I thought the first person we should ask for advice about Lord Genshin was Shigure here.

A very smart move, Akane. Even for you.

Thank you! My ability to remember things is actually better than people think!

Now, what to do, what to do... I suppose the only thing we can do right now is bide our time.

Akane! Keep avoiding that imbecile's advances. Fake an illness if you must.

While you do that, I shall do whatever I can on my end.

Fake an illness...?

But lying isn't really my strong point... As in, I'm terribly bad at it.

You'll work it out somehow. Besides, if Genshin does take you in as his second wife...

Then war awaits you with Lady Ageha, his first wife.

War? Is Lady Ageha a samurai as well?

No, not that kind of war. More of a contest for who gets the title of first wife.

Oooh. I've heard of this somewhere before! Is this that "rivalry among women" thing?

Exactly! A rivalry, if you will!

I see. Hearing that, I think the woman inside me is finally gearing up for battle!

Oh. Well, try to ignore that, because that would cause more harm than good.

What? But my inner woman...

In any case you must keep up the ruse of your illness for a while! Do you understand? Leave the rest to me!

And he's gone.

Akane! Don't do anything hasty. Fake that illness. Do you hear me?

...So, what now?

Well I was thinking about everything...

And I think I'll head to Lord Genshin's palace!

W-Wait! Akane, no! Isn't that exactly what Shigure just told you not to do?!

But I... I'm not the type of girl that can just ignore this!

Besides! This is the first time my inner woman has been awakened! It would be a waste to just let her sleep!

I mean, I guess your opinion is the most important factor, since you're in the middle of all of this...

Okay. I'll see this through to the end.

Thank you, Aldo!

That's right! My father gave me some clothes to wear for such an occasion.

Like a wedding gown?

Probably! I'm to wear them when I come of age, apparently! Okay. Let's get to Kurosagi Castle!

Sorry to keep you waiting, Aldo!

Akane... Are you sure those are the clothes you were talking about?

They are! These clothes are... They were my father's!

I see... But why were you supposed to wear those when you come of age?

Oh, that. When I was little, I begged my father to give me his clothes.

He told me that he would pass them on to me when I got married.

I don't think your father's clothes are meant to be your wedding gown, though.

Just think of them as a badge of adulthood! They're not that different from a gown.

No, they're definitely different.

Besides. When I put these on, I feel this surge of energy.

It's like I'm fighting alongside my late father. I think I'll need these in the battle to come!

Who goes there, yelling and bellowing in a place like this?!

You... You're Akane. I see you changed your look. Not bad at all!

Um... My lord? Begging your pardon, but who is this girl?

I am Akane! Lord Genshin invited me here to get lovey-dovey with him!

What?! My lord...?

W-Wait, now, there is a reason for this...

......

Oh, be quiet! I know you haven't said anything yet, but that foul look you're giving me speaks volumes! A lord is not a lord without multiple wives! Isn't it enough that you're my treasured first wife, darling?

Excuse me! Can we save this lover's spat for later? There's something much more important to do right now...

Lady Ageha, I challenge you to a duel for the title of first wife! This is a true rivalry, a struggle between women. The one who wins will become Lord Genshin's first wife!

Wait, Akane! That's not what this is about!

Wh-What is this girl talking about?!

Akane has this tendency to tackle problems like an Abbetos in a pottery shop, and... Oh boy. I don't know if I can stop this.

What?!

I hope you are ready, Lady Ageha!

Ahhh! How frightening!

Ha ha! I shall not fall for such acts!

Wait! Akane, stop!

A-Ageha...?!

Such power! As expected from Lord Genshin's first wife!

Akane, calm down! Normal people can't handle fighting like that!

Normal? What are you talking about? Normal people don't move like that!

Huh? Well, now that you mention it...

This sensation... Can't you feel it? She's an opponent like no other!

...You're right. This feels like...

Heh heh heh... I thought I had covered all my tracks. How could you tell?

A-Ageha...?!

What the, ?! It's the thing that took my face!

That was another member of my clan. I simply reused their tactic, since this imbecile has not learned his lesson.

Impressive, Lady Ageha! So this is the true form of a first wife! We shall fight here, with honor!

What just happened to my Ageha?!

Uh... You see, that isn't Lady Ageha, but a monster disguised as her, it seems. This happened before, so I'm pretty sure that's the case.

Happened before?

Ah! Um. Nothing. Nothing at all.

......

Aldo! Let us leave the chit-chat for later!

Now, Lord Genshin! I have won the battle for the place of first wife!

And so, I shall take her place!

......

......

Is this girl always like this...?

More or less, yeah.

Urgh...!

Unbelievable. Are you truly Shion's sister?

Yes! Shion is my older brother!

Perhaps they're not blood related...

Nope! We're as related as can be! Both born from the same father and mother!

......

Such ruckus... What has happened here?

What? Where have you been?

I was resting in the bedroom. I became awfully tired all of a sudden.

Maybe that was the Mask Monster's doing. Just like before, it disguised itself as Lady Ageha.

Not a scratch on her! Wow, just as expected from the original first wife!

Although... This Lady Ageha looks much less robust.

I can take this Lady Ageha on easily. I won't even need my sword!

...... Get out of my sight. I'm no longer interested in you.

Wait! Lord Genshin! The battle for the place of first wife has not yet been won! It is difficult for me to sheath my sword before a battle's true end, !

That is an order! Leave. Now!

Please excuse us.

Aw... Aldo, we failed big time...

Well, I guess you don't have to become his wife any more, so... All's well that ends well?

All is not "well"! Angering my lord is completely unacceptable as a samurai, even if I'm still in training!

Ugh... I guess I'll have to report this to my brother.

...And that's what happened, dear brother.

......

So this is Akane's brother.

Yes. I am Shion. I appreciate you looking out for her.

She looks out for me just the same.

......

I am sorry though, for how this all turned out...

No, I cannot blame you. In fact, I'm thankful that you managed to reign in this wild child as much you did.

Really? I actually feel like I didn't do enough...

I'm sorry, brother! If you tell me to abandon the life of the samurai, I will not protest! Or if you so request it, I will leave the East forever and, !

......

Calm down, Akane. Father may be gone, but you can leave this to me in his stead.

Shion...

I will smooth things over with Lord Genshin. I must ask that you never do anything like this again, though.

O-Of course...

Shion seems like a good brother.

What a good brother.

He is... To the point I almost feel unworthy of being his sister.

But it all worked out in the end, right? I mean, now you can marry Shigure without any issues.

What?! Aldo, why would I marry Shigure?

But... You said it yourself, remember? At the Cat Shrine. You said you swore an oath together, long ago.

Yes, that's right!

Meaning, you swore to marry each other, right?

Nope! I would never talk about stuff like that with Shigure!

Wait, then what did you mean?

Shigure once said to me, "Your head is so empty that I'm worried for your future. If anything ever happens..." "You come to me. This is an oath, sworn between samurai. Understood?"

......

Wasn't that just you swearing an oath to him, rather than an oath you swore together?

Now that you mention it, you're probably right!

Amazing, Aldo! You never miss the little details!

......

Wait, but you said you swore to marry someone. Who in the world could that be?

Well, I was told not to say it, but I guess I can tell you.

So, the person I swore to was...

...... Kites are cool. I wanna get on one.

Huh? Shion? He's not here. Where'd he go?

Hey there, Tama. Want some dried sardines?

Meow♪

Hey, Shion! Who is more important? Me or Tama?

Huh? Why do you ask?

Mother said that to Father once. "What's more important, me or your work?"

Ha ha! You really do remember some strange things, Akane.

So, me or Tama. Who's more important?

You, obviously.

*hiss*

Oh... Sorry, Tama. You're part of the family too, of course.

Meow!

By the way, did you know Father is coming home today?

Really?! Oh! I want him to play with me!

Yeah? I'm sure he's excited to see you too.

Well, it's getting dark. We'd better head home.

Okay!

We're back.

Ah, Shion, Akane. There you are.

Welcome home! It's almost supper time.

Shion. You've gotten taller again, haven't you?

Yes sir. If I want to become a samurai like you, I have to take care of my physique.

Hahaha! That's certainly true.

What about me, Father? Have I gotten taller too?

Oh, yes. You've gotten bigger too.

Hm. Akane, how old are you now?

Hmmm... Four? Maybe three.

Akane, didn't you just turn five?

Oh yeah, that's right! And Shion's ten!

Oh my. You forget your own age, but you get Shion's right. You really love your brother, don't you, Akane?

Yup! I love my big brother!

Heh. Thanks, Akane.

Is that so? Well, Akane, maybe you can marry your brother when you two get older!

Okay! I'll marry Shion, then!

In that case, you'll have to promise to stay faithful to Shion!

Stay faithful...?

Darling, stop that!

Urk!

That's a terrible joke. What are you going to do if Akane remembers things like that?

S-Sorry...

You are such a clown, darling.

Now, you should finish up here and go to bed. We're leaving early tomorrow.

Huh? Is father going back to work again? But he just came home!

That's right. This time, your mother and I have to go on a trip.

Huh? Mother too...?

Don't worry, Akane. Your brother will be here with you. Now, you make sure to listen to your brother while we're gone, and keep Tama company. All right?

......

But I miss you when you're not here... When are you coming home?

Oh, we'll be back before you know it! Here, how about you sleep in our bed tonight, hm?

Yeah! Thanks, Father! I love you!

Haha! I love you too, Akane!

And so, my mother and father left on their journey. However...

They never came home.

What? Why?

I've been told they've lost their lives during their trip. I asked my brother about it, but he wouldn't tell me the details. Although, maybe that's because he doesn't know much about it either.

I see...

That's actually the only memory I have of our parents!

That night I slept with my parents is the happiest memory I have. That was also when I asked Father for these clothes.

That must've been tough.

Not really! Shion was always by my side! Besides...

I'm never lonely when I have my katana with me!

O-Okay, okay! Stop pulling that out in the middle of the street!

So... Swearing to marry my brother was kind of like my father's last wish!

Uh...

And I still cherish those words to this day! Although, I'm sure he just meant that we should stay close as brother and sister. At least, that's what I think!

Yeah... Yeah, I guess so.

Hmm? Aldo, you look like you want to say something but you're holding back. Shion acts exactly the same way whenever we have this conversation!

He always told me not to spread this around, as it might cause unnecessary confusion.

And he's absolutely right.

But when I ask him why, he just says I wouldn't understand, since it has to do with the nuances of love.

I can kind of understand that. If Feinne asked me that sort of question, I think I would say the same thing.

I see! But Aldo, you're the same age as I am, and I'm not your sister!

Please, Aldo! I want you to teach me about the nuances of love!

Wait, I'm not enough of an expert to be able to teach you that! I'm just a normal guy!

Please, I'm sure you know something! Besides, maybe I need to learn about love to awaken my inner woman again!

I think that was your inner samurai, not your inner woman...

Really? See, I knew you'd know something about this!

Then I guess that makes you... My teacher! How exciting!

Oh boy...

...No, no, that's wrong!

What did I do wrong? I thought I had it down pretty well...

You absolutely did not.

Listen, now.

Akane would do it like... This!

Like this?!

There, much better! All right, let's take a short break.

Thank you!

Why would Lord Genshin go after a girl like this...?

Hm? Who are you?

I'm in the middle of training here. Go away! Shoo!

...You fool!

Ow ow ow!