Translations by Pearl

Kagetoki: Give me a serious answer. Or are you doing this on purpose because you actually want to be tormented? Because if that's the case, I certainly won't stop.

Yoshino: What exactly are you planning to do......?

Kagetoki: Nothing.

Kagetoki: After all, there are plenty of ways to fan the flames of your desire without even touching you.

(Huh?)

Kagetoki: You already know that, don't you?

Even the low, quiet sound of his laughter being breathed right into my ear turned into pure, intense stimulation.

Kagetoki: Something like this happened before, didn't it?

Kagetoki: I believe that was the time you decided to rifle through my room.

Yoshino: I-I don't remember that.

Kagetoki: Should I make you remember?

Kagetoki: The way you shake from just me whispering in your ear like this is exactly the same as last time, you know.

Kagetoki: The look on your face—like you were completely on the verge of tears the moment I traced my palm down your back—left quite an impression on me.

Yoshino: That's enough......!

Kagetoki: Is that so? You were quite adorable, so I happen to remember every single detail with absolute clarity.

Kagetoki: If you want to stop my chattering, it's a simple matter of telling me what you desire.

Yoshino: Ah...... hih......

His lips brushed against the edge of my ear, making a high-pitched gasp leak right out of me.

Burning with pure humiliation, I finally forced my mouth open.

Yoshino: ......I want you to praise me. But I don't want you to just force yourself to do it.

(I actually said it......)

Kagetoki: ..........

I was so incredibly embarrassed that I couldn't even bring myself to turn around and look at Kagetoki-san.

Kagetoki: —You're really fanning the flames now.

Yoshino: Huh......

Kagetoki: I never expected you to say something so completely adorable.

Yoshino: I-I am not being adorable.

Kagetoki: Turn around and look at me.

Yoshino: Wh-Why should I?

Kagetoki: Because I'm deeply curious to see exactly what kind of face you're making right now.

(There is absolutely no way I am letting him see!)

That's exactly what I thought, but—

Kagetoki: Yoshino, come on.

The moment he called my name in that deeply sweet voice, a thick haze settled over my mind, and I found myself doing exactly what he said.

Kagetoki: Just as I thought, you truly are adorable.

(......I want to run away.)

(And yet, the moment Kagetoki-san looks at me like this, I just can't seem to tear my eyes away from him.)

Before I even realized it, a faint, burning warmth had lit up deep within Kagetoki-san's eyes.

(Why?)

With my thoughts spinning completely out of control, I felt like I was on the absolute verge of tears.

(—Ah, I see.)

Suddenly, the true reason why I had been throwing such a stubborn fit this entire time completely hit me, striking me right in the chest.

(It's because I love Kagetoki-san.)

Once I finally realized it, that feeling completely swallowed me up like a massive storm.

(I didn't want to admit it. Because I already know a love like this will absolutely never be returned.)

Yoshino: Kagetoki, san.

Kagetoki: If you actually want to be praised, keep looking straight into my eyes just like that.

He commanded me as if dealing the final blow, and I gave him a slow, quiet nod.

Kagetoki: As I told you earlier, you were an incredible help with the accounting books. Thank you so much.

Kagetoki: I was actually a little bit surprised that you went so far as to look into the culprit's social circles just to track down that maid.

Yoshino: ......I just figured that's exactly how thoroughly you would have handled it yourself, Kagetoki-san.

Kagetoki: Good girl. You're remarkably quick at learning, aren't you?

(Mmh......)

As he stroked my hair with the absolute highest amount of gentleness, a frustrated, breathless sigh escaped my lips.

Kagetoki: I've been thinking for quite some time now that your hair feels incredibly wonderful to the touch every single time I stroke it.

Yoshino: Is that supposed to be part of the praising too......?

Kagetoki: No. It's just my completely honest impression, zero flattery involved. Your hair makes me want to keep touching it forever.

Yoshino: That's...... the very first time I'm hearing about this.

Kagetoki: Is that so?

Kagetoki: Well, if we are talking about your physical charms, it's certainly not limited to just your hair.

Kagetoki: The eyes that completely reflect your every emotion from one second to the next, the lips that are utterly incapable of lying—those are all part of your charm as well.

Kagetoki: I don't make a habit of ranking people's looks, but the way your face moves is exceptionally lovely. That is truly how I feel.

(I am literally going to die from this praise overload......)

Yoshino: ...Um.

Kagetoki: Hm? What is it?

Yoshino: Could you maybe take this off my wrists now......?

Kagetoki: No.

(Wh-What?!)

Yoshino: Just for reference, what exactly is the reason......?

Kagetoki: Purely personal preference.

Kagetoki: I'm only joking, of course. The real reason is that you'll run away the second I let you go.

(I mean, I can't even deny it, but......!)

Yoshino: I-It was my mistake. I've had more than enough praise......

Yoshino: If you praise me any more than this, Kagetoki-san, my head might actually explode.

Kagetoki: Well, that would certainly be quite a disaster.

Having finally been set free at last, I completely slumped over.

Kagetoki: You really are a fool, though.

Kagetoki: Since I explicitly told you I would grant your desire, wouldn't it have been better to just ask me to release you from being my servant?

Yoshino: Ah.

(He's totally right!)

Kagetoki: Had you accepted being my servant so naturally that you completely forgot all about it?

He let out a quiet chuckle, leaving me with absolutely zero excuses to offer.

(But maybe it's actually for the best that I didn't think of it.)

The moment I stopped being his servant, Kagetoki-san and I would have absolutely nothing connecting us anymore.

(Because Kagetoki-san is the kind of person who never allows himself to actually need anyone.)

Locking my feelings away deep inside my heart, I shook my head.

Yoshino: I'll make sure to remember that for the next opportunity, okay?

Kagetoki: Let's hope there is one.

Yoshino: ...If things like this were to happen frequently, I would honestly hate it.

Yoshino: Everyone was so incredibly worried about you, Kagetoki-san. Morinaga-san, Shigehira-kun...... and all your subordinates too.

Kagetoki: Is that so? I suppose I should thank my subordinates later as well then.

(He doesn't even look surprised.)

Yoshino: I know it might be completely nosy of me to say, but......

Yoshino: Don't you think you could stand to talk to your subordinates just a little bit more, Kagetoki-san?

Kagetoki: I communicate with them perfectly adequately regarding all work-related matters.

(He knows exactly what I mean, but he's just being completely unfair.)

Yoshino: Everyone deeply respects you, Kagetoki-san, and they truly want to believe in you.

Yoshino: Even with what happened this time, instead of me going to ask them for help,

Yoshino: I'm completely certain they would have been so much happier if you had just asked them directly yourself, Kagetoki-san.

Kagetoki: I prefer to leave the business of making people happy entirely to Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: Huh?

Kagetoki: A rare and exceptional vessel built specifically to captivate people, move them, and stand completely above the masses.

Kagetoki: That is exactly what the Seii Taishogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo, is.

Yoshino: Even if that's true, I still think it's perfectly fine for you to make people happy too, Kagetoki-san......

Recalling what Yoritomo-sama had told me about how he first met Kagetoki-san made my feelings turn incredibly complicated.

Yoshino: ......I completely understand that Yoritomo-sama is someone who is absolutely irreplaceable to you, Kagetoki-san.

Kagetoki: So that is exactly how it translates when you interpret it?

Without a single hint of mockery, Kagetoki-san lightly tilted his head to the side.

Yoshino: A little while ago, Yoritomo-sama told me the story of how you two first met.

Yoshino: I'm completely certain that you are a deeply important right-hand man to Yoritomo-sama too.

Yoshino: To have a relationship where you are both absolutely irreplaceable to each other like that...... I honestly found myself envying it. So much.

Kagetoki: ......

Kagetoki: No one else could ever serve as your replacement either, you know.

Yoshino: ......Is that because I possess the power of the fox spirit?

Kagetoki: That is certainly a part of it.

Kagetoki: But even putting your supernatural power aside, you are completely special as an individual.

(Huh?)

Kagetoki: Not only do you act entirely on your own willpower, but that ability to completely sweep everyone else up into your pace belongs to you and you alone.

Yoshino: ...Kagetoki-san.

I used to think that being praised by Kagetoki-san was purely making me happy.

Now that I was fully aware of my feelings for him, it still made me happy, but a painful, bittersweet ache seeped into my heart at the exact same time.

Yoshino: I'm going to keep giving it everything I've got from here on out too.

Kagetoki: ......? Giving what everything you've got?

Yoshino: Well...... just a whole bunch of different things.

(Even if this love is never returned, as long as you continue to acknowledge me, I want to stay right by your side.)

(I'll believe that doing so will completely help me grow as a person too.)

—

A few days later—

Tamamo: Yoshino! It's heading right your way!

Yoshino: Right!

A mass of what looked completely like black mist came charging directly toward me.

(Power of the fox spirit, please!)

I thrust my palm straight out, focusing every single ounce of my willpower.

A burning heat spread all the way to my fingertips, coursing through my entire body.

Seeing the golden mist rise up, I knew that I had successfully managed to activate my supernatural power.

Kagetoki: You seem to have gotten quite used to this.

Yoshino: Yes. After all, this is already the third one.

The black mist gradually began to fade away, until it finally vanished completely into thin air.

(Alright!)

Today, I was practicing using my supernatural powers against lower-class ayakashi that Tamamo had tracked down in the mountains and fields surrounding Kamakura.

Yoritomo-sama, Kagetoki-san, Shigehira-kun, and Morinaga-san had all come along as well to watch the training.

Tamamo: Isn't just watching a bit boring for you too, Kagetoki? You could always show me that famous quick-draw style of yours, you know.

Kagetoki: You'd better look out. I might accidentally slice right through those tails of yours.

After exchanging a bit of playful banter, Kagetoki-san walked over to me.

Kagetoki: Now then. I think you've done more than enough for today.

Yoshino: Huh? But I'd like to practice just a little bit more.

Kagetoki: Why exactly are you in such a rush?

Yoshino: I mean, the major battle is just around the corner, after all......

It was only the day before yesterday that the rebel army had led their troops out and begun heading south from Hiraizumi.

(Very soon, the Shogunate will be marching north to match their move.)

I had heard that a preliminary vanguard skirmish would likely break out first to test the waters.

Kagetoki: You have been completely overworking yourself day after day recently.

Kagetoki: You've been receiving horse-riding lessons from Morinaga, and you've been coordinating the nursing setups with me as well.

Shigehira: You've been making and stocking up a massive amount of medicine too, haven't you?

Yoshino: Well, that's......

Yoritomo: For Kagetoki to actually worry about someone else is a total rarity. Is it going to rain spears today?

Kagetoki: Well, Yoshino can be completely uncontrollable at times, after all.

Morinaga: Honestly though, what's actually going on between you two?

Shigehira: !?

Tamamo: I'm pretty interested in that myself.

(Please don't look at me with such excited eyes, it's completely stressing me out!)

Kagetoki: Well, how are things? Yoshino.

Yoshino: W-We're just normal.

(Though I have absolutely zero clue what "normal" even means.)

Kagetoki: Apparently so.

Yoritomo: Are you disappointed?

Kagetoki: I suppose so.

Kagetoki-san gave a perfectly nonchalant reply, though he didn't look even a single bit disappointed.

(I'm completely the only one getting totally flustered here......)

Tamamo: ......

Without saying a single word, Tamamo reached out and completely stretched both of Kagetoki-san's cheeks with his hands.

Kagetoki: ......!

Yoshino: T-Tamamo?!

Tamamo: Aren't your facial muscles frozen solid or something......?

Tamamo: We have got to change this man's straight-up iron poker face somehow. Come on, Shigehira. While you've got the chance, tickle his sides.

Shigehira: The aftermath would be way too terrifying!

Yoritomo: It's fine, Shigehira. If it's you, you can totally pull it off.

Morinaga: Well, Shigehira is completely adorable, after all.

Kagetoki: That's very true. If it were Shigehira doing it, I suppose I might have zero choice but to forgive him.

Shigehira: That is an absolute lie!

Yoshino: Hehe......

(I really wish days like this could just go on forever.)

But as long as a massive war is completely hanging over us, that wish won't ever come true.

(—I want to protect everyone too. Even if that is a completely outrageous wish for me to have.)

Yoritomo: Shall we start heading back pretty soon?

Tamamo: Sounds good. Yoshino's hair and eyes should be completely back to normal by the time we hit the town anyway.

We all started walking back together toward the palace.

Because I was totally lost deep in my own thoughts, I ended up lagging a little bit behind the rest.

Kagetoki: What's the matter, Yoshino? Let's go.

Yoshino: Oh, right!

As we walked side by side, Kagetoki-san suddenly reached out and touched my silver-dyed hair.

Kagetoki: It suits you perfectly.

Yoshino: ...Thank you so much.

Remembering how he had praised my hair for feeling so wonderful to the touch the other day, the tips of my ears felt completely flushed with heat.

Seeing that, Kagetoki-san let out a soft, gentle smile.

(......He definitely doesn't have an iron poker face all the time, does he?)

(If this is an expression he only shows because he's facing me, I would absolutely die of pure happiness.)

Wanting to keep this a tiny bit of a secret from everyone walking ahead of us, I went out of my way to not speed up my pace.

—

Our peaceful days didn't last for very long, and in what felt like a total blink of an eye, the day of our official departure for battle finally arrived.

(I really hope everyone makes it back completely safe and sound......)

A vanguard unit from the Shogunate, led entirely by Morinaga-san, had already headed out to the front lines a step ahead of us.

To serve as a direct countermeasure against Kurama, Tamamo—being a fellow ayakashi—had accompanied Morinaga-san.

Kagetoki: You are putting a lot of tension into your body.

Yoshino: Huh? No I'm not.

Mingling within the Shogunate's ranks, Kagetoki-san's voice echoed right in my ear as he held me close to him on horseback.

Kagetoki: Pressed together like this, I can tell exactly what's going on with you.

Yoshino: ......I guess courage really isn't something you can just build overnight after all.

Yoshino: I'm just a little bit worried about how the court nobles in Kyoto are going to get involved in this battle.

Kagetoki: Their movements ever since then have indeed been eerily quiet.

Kagetoki: I have already set up measures to ensure we can catch any signs of them intervening in the war immediately.

Kagetoki: Lower the priority of things you have zero control over. Right now, our official mission is to provide rear support for this battlefield.

Yoshino: Ah, yes. I'm sorry.

Kagetoki-san had to coordinate with Yoritomo-sama's main army, keep an eye on the entire flow of the battle, and command the troops.

(I need to get a proper grip on myself too.)

Kagetoki: —You went and tensed your body right up again the very moment I said that.

Yoshino: Hiah!

A strange gasp leaked out of me as he traced his fingertips directly down my spine.

Kagetoki: There, that's better.

Yoshino: ......You can't just catch me off guard like that.

Kagetoki: If that's how you feel, then just be the usual Yoshino.

Kagetoki: You have prepared yourself more than adequately.

Kagetoki: Besides, you aren't fighting this all on your own. I am right here by your side.

(Kagetoki-san......)

Yoshino: ......I never expected to receive this kind of comfort from you, Kagetoki-san.

Kagetoki: While the power of the fox spirit is a massive threat to Yoshitsune-sama and Kurama, you are physically vulnerable to direct attacks.

Kagetoki: You absolutely need a strategy that operates on the premise of protecting and being protected.

Kagetoki: Rest easy, Yoshino. I have zero intention of using you as a disposable pawn.

Yoshino: Yes, thank you so much! Kagetoki-san.

The exact moment I braced my core and straightened my posture......

Kagetoki: —The scout has returned.

(Oh, he really is!)

A single horse came galloping directly toward us.

Spotting Kagetoki-san, the scouting soldier brought his horse right alongside ours.

Kagetoki: Report.

Scout: Yes, sir!

After exchanging a few brief words with the soldier right from atop his horse......

Kagetoki-san fell completely silent, looking uncharacteristically lost in thought as he gathered his ideas.

(I wonder what's wrong? I don't think there was any kind of urgent report just now.)

Yoshino: Is something out of the ordinary?

Kagetoki: There is a strange inconsistency in the movements of Yoichi's unit.

Yoshino: Yoichi-san's unit......?

After mulling it over for just a fraction of a second, Kagetoki-san pulled out a map from his robes, spread it open, and pointed directly to a specific spot for the messenger soldier.

Kagetoki: Take the unit currently stationed at the foot of the mountain to the north-northeast and have them head to this exact point immediately to reinforce them.

Messenger 1: Yes, sir!

(What exactly is Kagetoki-san seeing through his eyes?)

A few hours after Kagetoki-san's order was handed down—

Messenger 2: Kagetoki-sama!

(A completely different messenger this time?)

A soldier from a totally different unit came running up, completely out of breath.

Kagetoki: What happened?

Messenger 2: Our unit is currently taking a pincer attack from the rebel army!

(......!)

The faces of Kagetoki-san's subordinates completely changed color at the pale soldier's words.

Messenger 2: W-We engaged in battle with Nasu no Yoichi's unit, and just when we thought we had them completely cornered, this happened.

Messenger 2: We totally missed the approach of the rebel army's separate detachment, and they completely turned the tables on us—

As the messenger spoke with pure frustration, Kagetoki gave a perfectly calm reply.

Kagetoki: Yoichi's unit was likely acting as a decoy right from the very start.

Kagetoki: They pretended to be cornered just to lure you all directly into a spot where they could launch a pincer attack.

Messenger 2: ......! No way......

Kagetoki: There is zero reason to despair. I already sent reinforcements to that area a short while ago.

Messenger: Huh?!

(The strange inconsistency Kagetoki-san mentioned earlier was exactly about this!)

Messenger 2: Are you saying you saw this entire development playing out ahead of time, Kagetoki-sama......?

Kagetoki: This is exactly what my job entails, after all.

The intense tension on the soldier's face completely crumbled, and he looked on the absolute verge of tears.

Messenger 2: Will everyone...... make it out alive?

Kagetoki: There are zero absolutes on a battlefield. Therefore, I do not possess any words that can guarantee the safety of your comrades.

Kagetoki: However—I simply make the absolute best decisions possible.

(......On a battlefield, there is honestly no word more dependable than that.)

My eyes were naturally drawn straight to Kagetoki-san's figure.

Before I even realized it, every single soldier standing around us was looking at Kagetoki-san with deeply deeply inspired eyes.

Kagetoki: You can still move, can't you? If you are injured, have Yoshino treat you immediately.

Messenger 2: I-I am perfectly fine! Please give me whatever orders you have!

Kagetoki: In that case, deliver this secret message directly to Shigehira's unit next.

Messenger 2: Leave it entirely to me!

The very moment he received his orders from Kagetoki-san, the messenger took off exactly like an arrow.

Kagetoki: We must hurry ahead as well.

Subordinates: Yes, sir!

The horses' hooves accelerated all at once, making the scenery blur past us at a truly staggering speed.

Yoshino: ......You really are incredible, Kagetoki-san.

I softly murmured the feelings that were burning intensely deep within my chest.

Kagetoki tilted his head slightly, looking a bit puzzled.

Kagetoki: What is this all of a sudden?

Yoshino: Your tactical brilliance becomes a beacon of absolute hope for everyone on the battlefield.

Yoshino: Back when I first arrived at the palace, I didn't even know that there was a way to fight using something other than raw military force.

Yoshino: That's exactly why you look...... so incredibly dazzling to me, Kagetoki-san.

(It was completely natural for me to fall in love with this man.)

(Even if we can never be together, I am so glad that I fell for him.)

Kagetoki: ......Yoshino.

Kagetoki-san's voice broke for just a fraction of a second, sounding a tiny bit taken aback......

Before long, the continuation of his thoughts was softly spun out into the wind.

Kagetoki: Your words are the ones that are far too dazzling for me, you know.

(Huh?)

Kagetoki: Whether it's at a political table or on a battlefield, I am an existence that has absolutely zero connection to hope.

Kagetoki: After all, my job is to peer into the darkness and deceive others as a shadow.

(I really wish he wouldn't say things like that with a face that looks completely unfazed.)

Kagetoki: ......However, having you think of me in that way strangely doesn't feel bad at all.

Yoshino: Kagetoki-san......

Kagetoki: Please do not forget.

My chest ached with a bittersweet pang at the eyes he directed straight toward me.

Kagetoki: You—who are both an apothecary and the fox spirit—are the true light for everyone.

Yoshino: —Can I become a light for you too, Kagetoki-san?

Kagetoki: ......

(Ah...... I went and said something completely strange.)

Yoshino: I-I'm sorry. It's nothing at all.

Then, Kagetoki-san brought his lips right up to my ear, as if whispering a deep, dark secret......

Kagetoki: You already are.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 20

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

Arthur: You're obviously gonna choose me, right? Mitsuki.

Dazai: If you choose me, I promise I won't make you regret it.

(If I choose one of them, the other one is going to be hit with a horrible thirst......)

Right when I was forced to make this agonizingly painful decision—a loud cough suddenly rang out, clearing someone's throat.

Sebastian: If I may be so bold...... would it be alright if I made the decision?

Arthur: You?

Sebastian: Yes. Forcing Mitsuki-san to make a choice like this is simply far too cruel.

(Sebastian......)

Sebastian: Furthermore, if we base this decision purely on emotion, things could easily get out of hand.

Dazai: Hmm, that's true too.

After thinking it over for a short moment, Sebastian looked up—

Sebastian: Mitsuki-san, please stay with Arthur-san, as he has clearly consumed a much larger amount of the blanc wine.

Looking at the bottle in Arthur's hand, there was barely any wine left inside.

(That's true...... Drinking that much means his side effects are probably going to be pretty terrible.)

Mitsuki: Okay, I understand. But...... what about Dazai-san?

Sebastian: We will handle it with Rouge. I will be staying by his side, so please have no fear. Dazai-san, do you object?

Dazai: ......I'm not so completely out of it from the drug that I've forgotten how to back down gracefully, you know.

Saying that, Dazai-san backed off without putting up any sort of fuss.

Sebastian: And one more thing...... Mitsuki-san.

Mitsuki: Yes?

Sebastian: Since Arthur-san consumed quite a significant amount, please make sure to keep your guard up, just in case.

Leaving me with that whisper, Sebastian and Dazai-san walked away.

(Giving a love potion to Arthur sounds a lot like giving a club to a demon, honestly......)

The moment I stole a quick glance at Arthur next to me, he grabbed my hand.

Arthur: ......Hey, Mitsuki. Let's hurry up and go somewhere we can be completely alone.

Hearing his low, pressing whisper, I realized he lacked his usual easygoing composure.

Arthur: Because even for me, things are getting pretty out of hand right now, you see.

As his breath brushed against my ear, my heart gave a massive jump.

(I'm terrified of what in the world is about to happen...... but I absolutely do not want to see Arthur in pain.)

...

The exact moment we stepped inside Arthur's room, I was forcefully pulled into a tight, tight embrace.

Arthur: ......!

Mitsuki: Are you okay? Is it really bad?

Arthur: .......Hey, Mitsuki.

The rapid, steady thumping of Arthur's heart vibrated through his chest right into me......

(Arthur......?)

Looking up, I saw a look of anxiety that I had never seen before resting on Arthur's face.

Without even thinking, I reached both of my hands out to cup his cheeks.

Mitsuki: What's wrong?

Arthur: When he was closing in on you earlier...... did your heart race?

(......Wait, is he actually worried about that?)

Staring straight back into Arthur's eyes, I shook my head.

Mitsuki: There's absolutely no way that happened, Arthur.

Arthur: Really? Oh, thank goodness~......

At my answer, Arthur let out a cute, totally floppy smile.

(He feels kind of different from his usual self...... Is this also an effect of the love potion?)

Arthur rested his chin right on top of my head.

Arthur: Hey, Mitsuki. You're not allowed to let your heart race for anyone else but me, okay?

Mitsuki: Yeah...... My heart would never race for anyone but you, Arthur.

Arthur: Hug me back, Mitsuki.

(......This super clingy version of Arthur is actually pretty cute too.)

Mitsuki: Is this okay?

Arthur: Mmm~......

Still holding me tight in his embrace, Arthur collapsed backward onto the bed, pulling me down with him.

(Wah!)

Mitsuki: Wait, Arthur!

The moment I tried to sit up to calm him down, Arthur slowly lifted his head.

(Huh......)

Looking at his face—I instinctively lost my voice.

Arthur: Hey, I really hate being the only one who's completely desperate for you, you know.

With a dangerous, mesmerizing gleam in his feverish eyes......

He reached his hand out toward the bottle of love potion-infused blanc wine that had been left on the side table.

(......No way.)

Staring up at Arthur as he took a mouthful of the blanc, a horrible sense of dread washed over me.

Mitsuki: Wait, what are you planning to do with that?

My hands were pinned down, completely trapping me on the bed.

Arthur: I'm not the one drinking it this time—Mitsuki.

With the blanc still held in his mouth, Arthur flashed a wicked smirk.

Mitsuki: Mmh......?!

His hand wrapped around the back of my head, locking our lips together in an instant and......

Shocked by the sudden impact, I accidentally swallowed the liquid as it poured through the gap between our lips.

(What do I do, I actually drank it......?)

Arthur: I want you to crave me just as much...... completely to the point of madness.

Arthur smirked as his hands slid to my collar, skillfully starting to undo my buttons.

Mitsuki: Ah......

As his fingertips slipped through the openings of my blouse, a voice much sweeter than usual escaped my lips.

(What...... is this......)

At the exact same time, my senses became terrifyingly sharp, and just from Arthur's scent and the sound of his breathing...... my chest throbbed with a sweet ache.

Mitsuki: Arthur......

Arthur: .......What a cute face. Do you have any idea what kind of expression you're making right now?

Arthur: It's a completely scandalous face...... one you must absolutely never show to anyone but me.

Mitsuki: Nnh...... ah......

He relentlessly rained kisses down along my neck, tracing his tongue against my skin, but......

(It's not enough...... why?)

Why won't Arthur sink his fangs into me and give me that sweet pain—

Arthur: What's wrong, Mitsuki? You look like you're right on the verge of tears.

When Arthur looked up, a wave of pure agony squeezed tight at my chest.

(......I want him. I want Arthur.)

Mitsuki: Please...... bite me......

Arthur: ......!

In a desperate rush—exactly like a predator snapping at its prey—Arthur sunk his fangs directly into my neck.

Mitsuki: Ah......!

The sharp sting of my skin being pierced lasted for only a fraction of a second, quickly swallowed up by a pleasure so intense it completely washed over me.

(I can't...... think about anything else anymore......)

As Arthur slowly lifted his face, his lips were stained a deep crimson with my blood.

Arthur: The only one who can ever quench my thirst is you, Mitsuki.

Arthur: And...... the only one who can ever quench your thirst is me.

(I want him too. I only want Arthur.)

Wrapping my arms around Arthur's back, I pulled him down as close as I possibly could.

(I want to satisfy him, I want to be satisfied...... I just want to make love to him.)

Completely forgetting about the love potion and everything else, we let ourselves drown directly into the sweet, burning heat—

.

.

.

.

.

Dazai Ending | IkeVamp Masterlist

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

If there is a God out there, I wonder how I look in His eyes.

Am I just a reckless human being, desperately struggling despite my absolute powerlessness?

A mere pet that He pets whenever the whim strikes Him?

Or perhaps—......

"Hand over the princess who brings good fortune. Fail to do so, and you shall be permanently exiled from this land of Hinomoto."

(The sender is the Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshiteru......)

I gasped at the letter that had been delivered to Nobunaga-sama. And yet—

Mai: Huh? But wait, this Shogun...... wasn't he killed back when you overthrew the Shogunate, Nobunaga-sama?

The moment I muttered the knowledge I had learned a while back, Nobunaga-sama, sitting imposingly at the head of the room, let out a chuckle from the back of his throat.

Nobunaga: Ho, I expected you to be shaken by the name of the former Shogun, but you're staying remarkably calm.

Mai: Oh, really?

Nobunaga: Yeah, if this were before, you probably would've been on the verge of tears by now.

(That's honestly true...... Being thrown into this warring era has definitely toughened me up in all sorts of ways.)

When I first time-slipped here, Nobunaga-sama and the warlords' ways of living and thinking were just one massive shock after another.

But with everyone's help, I got to know this era deeply. So three months later, when the wormhole appeared again, I chose not to go back to the modern era and decided to live here instead.

(But still, to think a letter like this would actually arrive......)

Hideyoshi: Sorry, Mai, for making you listen to such a scary conversation. Especially when you just got back and must be exhausted.

Keiji: If I remember right, you went to one of the neighboring provinces to learn about weaving, didn't you?

Mai: Yeah, I got to learn some really unique weaving techniques.

Nobunaga-sama achieved his goal of Tenka Fubu, unifying the land under absolute military rule, and peace finally visited the world.

In order to make a living with my needlework, I had planned to travel all over the country to keep learning, but......

(It feels like things might not go that smoothly anymore.)

Mitsunari: Are you alright, Mai-sama? Maybe you should get a little bit of rest......

Mai: No, I'm okay. I want to properly hear the rest of the conversation.

Mitsuhide: That's the spirit. In all likelihood, things are going to move very rapidly from here on out.

Mitsuhide: It would be quite a problem if you threw up your hands and gave up too early, after all.

Hideyoshi: Mitsuhide, how about you show Mai a little more consideration?

Mitsuhide: This is how I act when I'm thoroughly concerned, so don't sweat it.

Mitsunari: I have already sent out letters regarding this matter to Ieyasu-sama and Masamune-sama, who have returned to their own territories.

Mitsunari: I am absolutely certain their hearts must be aching with worry right about now.

Keiji: Things are definitely about to get crazy, that's for sure. I mean, Yoshiteru-sama, who was supposed to be dead, has literally come back to life.

Keiji: Rumor has it the Shogunate is completely re-energized, and they've built up massive walls to surround Kyoto in a crazy short amount of time.

Mai: Surround it...... Is that even possible?

(That would require a ridiculous amount of money and labor, wouldn't it?)

Nobunaga: You are entirely correct. A massive, overwhelming power capable of making the impossible possible.

Nobunaga: Even though he lost it once, Yoshiteru has somehow managed to get his hands on it yet again.

(To think that very Shogun is demanding that they hand me over......)

Mai: Officially, everyone treats me like a princess closely connected to the Oda clan, but what exactly is his goal?

Nobunaga: We have yet to grasp his true intentions. But the Shogun's demands are utterly laughable.

Nobunaga: I have absolutely zero intention of ever handing Mai over to him, after all.

His low, iron-willed voice reverberated through the great hall, making the expressions of the warlords tighten even further.

(As expected, Nobunaga-sama isn't shaken in the slightest.)

(That really puts me at ease.)

The tension that had unconsciously built up in my shoulders completely melted away.

Nobunaga: However...... naturally, I have no intention of just letting things slide.

Nobunaga: We have been keeping an eye on the movements in Kyoto all along, but we need to find out exactly what those bastards are plotting immediately.

Nobunaga: Mitsuhide, head to Kyoto. The moment you uncover anything, no matter how trivial, report back to me at once.

Mitsuhide: Yes, my lord.

Nobunaga: Hideyoshi, step up the security around Azuchi Castle.

Nobunaga: If they see some sort of value in Mai, they might try to come and snatch her away in secret.

Hideyoshi: Understood!

In response to Nobunaga-sama's calm, collected orders, Mitsuhide-san and Hideyoshi-san dipped their chins in a firm nod.

Mitsunari: Even so, it really is quite baffling. The Shogunate's military strength should be significantly inferior compared to the Oda army.

Mitsunari: Even if they've always held the support of the common people, I cannot help but wonder why they would use such aggressive words to demand Mai-sama.

Keiji: You think they actually have a plan to beat the Oda? There's definitely gotta be something going on behind the scenes here.

(What could be going on behind the scenes......? I can't even begin to imagine.)

As my brow furrowed in worry, Hideyoshi-san tightly clenched his fist.

Hideyoshi: Damn Shogunate. Every last one of those demons from the Underworld Army, we'll be the ones to strike them down.

Mitsunari: I feel exactly the same way. Mai-sama, please do not worry.

Keiji: Heck yeah, trying to threaten us without giving a single damn about how Mai feels is just completely out of the question.

Mitsuhide: This means you can keep sleeping soundly with your mind at ease from here on out. Good for you, lass.

Mai: Everyone...... thank you.

Up until now, even when people called me the princess who brings good fortune, I never denied it because it made them happy.

It was heartbreaking to think that it might have led to a situation like this, but their words—shielding me instead of placing any blame—made my heart feel so much lighter.

(I want to stay right here. Going to the Shogunate is completely out of the question.)

Casting my gaze down at the letter from the stranger, Yoshiteru-sama, I let that feeling lock even more firmly into my heart.

—

A few days later—

Accompanied by my guards, I had come to the market to buy some fabric.

Mai: I'm really sorry, even though both of you are so busy.

Guard 1: Please don't worry about it, Princess. Hideyoshi-sama himself said that staying cooped up inside would only make you feel completely depressed.

Guard 2: We'll keep watch from a slight distance so you can enjoy yourself without feeling held back.

To avoid losing sight of me in the bustling market, the two of them followed along a few meters behind.

(Thanks to them, I can actually do some shopping. I'm so grateful.)

(But just to make sure I don't cause them any unnecessary trouble, I should probably hold off on going to markets far away for a while.)

Since that day, Nobunaga-sama had immediately sent a formal refusal letter back to the Shogunate.

Yet there hadn't been a single peep of a response from them, which honestly felt even more eerie.

(I can't let them get to me. Right now, I just need to focus on my needlework.)

Taking a deep, heavy breath to calm my shaky feelings—

Traveling Merchant: Hey there, young lady, I've got some unique tie-dye fabrics here. Why don't you take a quick look?

Mai: Huh?

Hearing a voice call out from right beside me, I turned my gaze toward the items lined up at the stall.

(Wow, beautiful...... This tie-dyeing is so incredibly delicate and precise. I wonder how they even do it?)

Traveling Merchant: Caught your eye, did it?

Mai: Yes, every single one of these textiles is absolutely stunning.

Wanting to get a much closer look at the rolls of fabric, I squatted down right in front of the stall.

Traveling Merchant: You've got an excellent eye. Take all the time you need to look around.

(......Wait a second?)

The exact moment I made eye contact with the merchant, who was resting his chin on his hand over his knees, I realized his face looked incredibly familiar.

Mai: I'm really sorry if this sounds rude, but have we met somewhere before? Oh, I don't mean that in a weird way or anything!

Traveling Merchant: A weird way?

Mai: Err, like, I don't mean it as a pick-up line or anything, I just genuinely feel like I remember meeting you before......

Traveling Merchant: Ah, so you're not trying to hit on me after all, then.

(......!)

Narrowing his golden eyes knowingly, the man offered me a soft, gentle chuckle.

(Oh...... Wait, could it be?)

..

Mysterious Man: Pfft...... The fact that we managed to cross paths here today must already mean luck is on our side. Probably, anyway.

Mysterious Man: Let's meet again. When that time comes...... make sure you tell me way more about yourself.

..

(I knew it, he was definitely right there among those incredibly unique people......)

Traveling Merchant: Ah, I see, I remember now. You're the 'princess who brings good fortune' that I met over in the neighboring province, aren't you?

(That name......)

Hearing him call me that so casually made a sharp, tight pain shoot straight through my chest.

Traveling Merchant: Oh? Do you not particularly care for that name?

Mai: Yeah...... Things have just gotten a little complicated recently.

(If my own carelessness is what brought about this whole situation, it's definitely best if I try to keep my name hidden.)

Traveling Merchant: .......My apologies, please forgive my rudeness.

Mai: No...... It's really not something you need to apologize for......

Traveling Merchant: But you have such a painful look on your face. You must have gone through something really difficult recently, right?

(Ugh, how can he even tell?)

(I thought I was being so careful not to make the people around me worry.)

The moment I instinctively cast my eyes downward, the man picked up a roll of embroidered fabric.

Traveling Merchant: This is a very rare piece. Don't look down, take a look at this.

(Huh? Oh, wow......)

My heart bounced with excitement at the sight of the beautiful fabric, which was luxuriously adorned with mother-of-pearl inlay.

Traveling Merchant: It looks like it would suit you perfectly.

(Maybe he's just really used to talking to people because of his business. He's actually surprisingly easy to talk to.)

Mai: The reason I'm looking for fabric is actually so I can have other people wear it.

Traveling Merchant: It's not for yourself?

Mai: Yeah. Seeing someone wear the clothes I made and seeing how happy it makes them is what makes me happy.

Traveling Merchant: I see. I completely understand your perspective now.

Traveling Merchant: In that case, please take this. Consider it an apology for earlier.

(Huh......?!)

With the casual ease of someone handing over a piece of candy, the man placed the mother-of-pearl fabric right into my hands.

Mai: Please wait, there's absolutely no way I can accept something like this.

Traveling Merchant: But you want it, don't you? It's written all over your face.

(It's such a gorgeous piece, so it's definitely true that I thought that, but......)

Mai: Then let me pay you for it. Ah, but I don't actually have enough money on me right now......

Mai: Could you wait here for just a little bit? I'll head back home and bring it right back to you.

I started to stand up to head back to the castle, but the man brought his folding fan shut with a sharp snap.

Traveling Merchant: Regrettably, I'm wrapping things up for the day. I have an appointment to keep, you see.

Mai: Oh, is that so......

(It's such a beautiful piece of fabric, but...... looks like I have no choice but to give up on it.)

Swallowing a sigh, I tried to hand the fabric back to him, but the man held up his palm to stop me.

Traveling Merchant: Three days from now.

Mai: Huh?

Traveling Merchant: I plan on setting up shop right here in this exact spot in three days. You should come back and take another look then.

Traveling Merchant: I'll make sure to stock up on things you'll like.

(Three days from now...... That would definitely work for me, but)

Mai: But do you really know what kind of things I'd like......?

Traveling Merchant: Yeah. Take this one and this one, for instance...... You were completely drawn to this roll with the vibrant flower embroidery too, weren't you?

Without a single moment of hesitation, the man pointed out a few specific rolls of fabric from among the many on display.

Mai: Ugh, you're completely right. How in the world did you......

Traveling Merchant: There isn't a single thing in this world that I don't know.

With a deeply captivating smile playing on his lips, the man wrapped his merchandise up in a cloth bundle and stood up.

Traveling Merchant: Until three days from now, then.

(Oh......)

With his wavy, soft-looking hair swaying gently, the man vanished right into the bustling crowd.

(I guess he figured out my taste based on the fabrics I was staring at?)

Every single roll of fabric that man handled was incredibly sophisticated, and I found myself looking forward to the chance to see him again.

(I have to make sure I don't forget to come back and pay him in three days.)

—

Three days passed after that—

I asked my guards to accompany me once again and headed back out to the market.

(I wonder where that traveling merchant is?)

As I stood there scanning the street, looking all around—

Traveling Merchant: Looks like you were searching for me.

Mai: Wah!

Before I even realized it, the traveling merchant, carrying his pack on his back, was standing right behind me.

For a split second, the guards waiting behind me started to move in.

I quickly sent them a look to signal that everything was fine.

Traveling Merchant: Are you here with someone?

Mai: Oh, no...... I came by myself.

Traveling Merchant: Ah, my mistake then.

(I instinctively lied to him.)

(But I can't exactly tell him that I'm being targeted by the Shogunate and have guards with me, so I'd better just keep quiet.)

Since then, there hasn't been any movement from the Shogunate at all, and no new letters have arrived.

If anything, I really just wanted them to forget all about me entirely.

Mai: Err...... anyway, you're about to set up your shop now, right?

Traveling Merchant: Yeah, that's right. Because I figured a cute girl like you would come out to meet me.

As the man gave me a deeply meaningful smile, a soft heat slowly crept into my cheeks.

(Even if it's just sales talk, it still makes me feel a little bit restless.)

Mai: Um, the reason I came here today is because I wanted to hand over the money for that fabric from the other day......

Traveling Merchant: Never mind all that, I managed to get my hands on some items I really wanted to show you. Look, take a look at these.

Setting his pack down at the side of the path, the man untied his cloth bundle and pulled out a few rolls of fabric.

(Ugh, incredible. There's a ridiculous amount of gold thread used in this bird-and-flower embroidery.)

My eyes were completely stolen away by the breathtakingly beautiful craftsmanship.

Traveling Merchant: Caught your eye, did it?

Mai: Yes. It's incredibly elegant yet absolutely gorgeous, I feel like I could just stare at it forever. The color palette alone teaches me so much.

Traveling Merchant: ......

(Huh?)

Suddenly bending his body down, the man brought his face incredibly close, staring directly into my eyes.

Mai: U-Um......?

Traveling Merchant: Your eyes are absolutely sparkling. Let me get a much better look at them.

The eyes closing in on me just a few centimeters away were the exact same shade as the glittering gold thread—mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful.

(I need to say something......)

(But what...... am I even supposed to...... say......)

My heart was pounding so hard it vibrated loudly in the depths of my ears.

Traveling Merchant: Oh...... Your face is completely bright red. Did you forget to breathe?

(Oh, he's right!)

As I hurriedly breathed in and out, the man let out a soft chuckle.

Traveling Merchant: Pfft...... You really are adorable.

Mai: I-I am not adorable.

Traveling Merchant: I'll be the one to decide that.

Even though I protested out of pure embarrassment, the man didn't lose his calm composure for a single second.

Traveling Merchant: ......By the way, you're wearing quite a unique accessory there. Did you come up with that design yourself?

The tip of the folding fan held in his hand was pointing directly at the brooch pinned to my chest.

(Oh...... I'm so happy someone actually noticed it.)

Mai: Yes, it's handmade. Since my kimono is a solid color, I wanted to create a spot that would catch people's eyes, so I picked some bright colors.

Traveling Merchant: Your artistic sensibility really is quite rare. The combination of colors is very well thought out.

Traveling Merchant: That vibrant red looks quite a bit like a sea bream. And this color here looks just like a freshly toasted rice cracker.

(A sea bream...... and a rice cracker? Out of all things......)

Mai: Pfft...... What in the world is up with those comparisons?

Traveling Merchant: I thought I was simply describing exactly what I saw.

(This guy might actually be a little bit airheaded under all that mystery.)

Even though he carried such a dangerous, captivating aura around him, the total contrast made me burst out laughing.

Mai: Can I take a look at the other fabrics today too?

Traveling Merchant: Yeah, take a look until you've completely satisfied your curiosity.

It happened just as the man started to line up his rolls of fabric.

Mai: ......Wait, what?

(It feels like things are getting kind of rowdy over there......)

Turning toward the direction where shouting voices were echoing from, I saw a few rough-looking men completely tangled up in a massive fistfight.

(No way, they're heading right this way......!)

The men were punching each other while kicking away the goods from the surrounding market stalls, and the people around them were frantically running for cover.

Traveling Merchant: It's dangerous. You should move away too.

Mai: But your fabrics......!

(There's no time to move them. In that case......)

I spread both of my arms wide right in front of the stall, facing the men head-on.

Mai: Please stop causing trouble for everyone around you!

Men: Who the hell do you think you are?!

One of the men, his eyes glaring wildly, roared and swung his arm up toward me.

(Ah......)

I instinctively braced myself for the impact, but the fist slicing through the air stopped right in front of the tip of my nose.

Traveling Merchant: Pfft...... You really seem to act completely without thinking, don't you?

Mai: Huh......

Looking up, I saw the man calmly catching the thug's fist using nothing but his folding fan.

(This guy...... did he just protect me?)

Guard 1: Princess, please step back!

Guard 2: All of you, stay right where you are.

Men: Ugh, who the hell are you guys?!

The guards rushed over and quickly pinned the men down one after another.

Traveling Merchant: Now, let's head over this way where it's safe.

Mai: Y-Yes......

With his arm wrapped around my shoulders, I hurried over to the side of the path together with him.

(Thank goodness...... If he hadn't been there, I would've been punched just now.)

The fear finally catching up to me now, a sudden shiver ran through my entire body.

Mai: I'm so sorry for causing you so much trouble.

Traveling Merchant: More importantly, you lied to me earlier. Didn't you say you came here all by yourself?

Mai: Huh? O-Oh, well......

Narrowing his golden eyes, his smiling lips drew closer to my ear.

Traveling Merchant: You really are adorable, telling such an obvious lie like that.

(Ah......)

As that drippingly sweet voice poured straight into the depths of my ear, my shoulders involuntarily jolted up.

Mai: What are you......

Traveling Merchant: Consider it your punishment for trying to trick me.

Traveling Merchant: But thanks to you, the fabrics are completely unharmed. You really saved them.

(He's right......)

Although the rolls of fabric lined up at our feet were covered in a bit of dust, they weren't damaged at all.

Mai: I'm so glad, especially since every single one of these fabrics is so gorgeous.

As I let out a sigh of pure relief, the guards finished tying up the men and walked over to my side.

Guards: Princess, sorry to keep you waiting. Are you hurt anywhere?

Mai: I'm completely fine. This man protected me......

Mai: Um, thank you so much for earlier.

Traveling Merchant: If anyone should be giving thanks, it's me, since you protected my merchandise.

The man spread his folding fan open, softly concealing a deeply mesmerizing smile.

Traveling Merchant: Come back again in three days.

Traveling Merchant: I'll make sure to stock up on rare fabrics just for you.

(Just for me......)

Mai: I'd feel way too bad accepting that. Every single piece you have here is already more than lovely enough.

Traveling Merchant: I simply want to show my gratitude.

Traveling Merchant: Besides, now that I have such a lovely princess as a customer, it only makes sense that I'd want to go all out, right?

Those glittering amber eyes locked directly onto me—

Traveling Merchant: So make sure you don't forget to come out and see me.

Traveling Merchant: I'll be waiting for you the entire time.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 2

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Masamune: Do you mind taking your hand off her?

Mai: M-Masamune......

Looking over toward the voice, I saw Masamune walking straight toward us beneath an umbrella.

Masamune: ......Sorry, but I have absolutely no intention of ever letting Mai go.

Masamune: No matter what happens.

(Masamune...... You actually came to find me?)

His powerful voice and the unwavering gaze locked onto me made my heart skip a massive beat.

Masamune: We're going home, Mai.

Man: Please, wait a moment.

Mai: !

Suddenly, the customer placed his hand on my shoulder.

Man: If Mai-sama were truly happy being with you, Masamune-sama...... I would have told myself that there was no place for me.

Man: But if you're only going to cause her this much sadness, then I'll be the one to make her happy.

(Ugh, wait, does he mean......?)

Man: Mai-sama, it doesn't have to be right this second. But won't you please consider giving me a chance?

(Masamune did say this guy had a thing for me......)

I had told him he was overthinking it, but now I realized Masamune's intuition had been completely spot-on.

Masamune: Even if I cause her sadness, I still have zero intention of ever letting go of Mai. I'm sure as hell not giving her up to you either.

Masamune: No matter what kind of misunderstanding happens between us, Mai and I...... we will always find a way to understand each other.

Masamune: ......No matter what comes our way in the future.

His quiet voice melting into the sound of the rain sounded like he was enduring pure agony, tightening a painful grip around my chest.

(I've never seen Masamune look so incredibly full of doubt.)

(I don't ever want to make him make a face like that.)

Completely unable to hold myself back any longer, I burst into a run.

Mai: Masamune......!

Dashing straight through the rain toward him, I reached out my hands—

Mai: I believe in us too.

Masamune: ......!

I grabbed his large hand, holding it tight as I looked up into his wavering blue eyes.

(If we just face each other properly, we can absolutely understand each other. So......)

Turning back to face the customer, I offered him a deep bow.

Mai: Thank you so much for worrying about me.

Mai: But it's Masamune that I love. I'm so sorry that I can't return your feelings.

Man: ......I understand.

Man: Your feelings matter most, Mai-sama. I truly wish you all the happiness in the world.

Offering a gentle smile, the man went on his way, completely accepting of my choice.

Only Masamune and I were left standing there, a heavy silence settling between us.

(......Where should I even start?)

Even though I wanted nothing more than to face him, the sheer panic made the words catch in the back of my throat.

Masamune: Mai.

Yanking me forward, Masamune locked me tightly inside his embrace.

Masamune: I'm sorry.

Mai: Ugh, I should be the one to...... Mmh......

Before I could even voice my apology, my lips were completely sealed by his kiss.

Mai: Mmh, ngh...... ah......

As the kiss deepened to the point where I could barely breathe, my rain-drenched body began to flush with an intense heat.

Masamune: I have zero intention of letting you apologize.

Masamune: Either way, staying like this is gonna make you catch a cold. We're going home.

...

The moment I returned to the castle, I was told to go take a bath, so I made sure to thoroughly warm up my body before heading back.

(We won't end up getting into another argument, right?)

Though I kept telling myself everything would be completely fine, I still felt a tiny bit of anxiety lingering in my chest as I slid open the sliding door.

Masamune: You're back.

Mai: Yeah......

I sat down right in front of where Masamune was sitting cross-legged, facing him directly.

Masamune: Are you mentally prepared?

Mai: Huh......?

Masamune: You don't have to look so terrified, it's fine.

An incredibly gentle warmth seeped into me from Masamune's fingertips as he wrapped his hands around mine.

(This is so grounding...... I feel like all my tension is just melting away.)

Mai: My mental preparation...... yeah, I'm ready.

Masamune: Then let me hear how you're feeling. I don't care if it gets awkward, and I don't care if we get into a fight.

Masamune: As long as we talk things through properly, there's never been a single time where you and I couldn't understand each other, right?

Mai: Ngh...... yeah.

(Masamune is completely right. I was so terrified of getting hurt that I kept avoiding putting things into words.)

Taking a deep, heavy breath, I softly squeezed Masamune's hands back.

Mai: About your past, Masamune...... I know perfectly well that there's no point in worrying about it, but,

Mai: I just can't help it. Even though it's about things from way before we ever met.

Masamune: ......

Without cutting in at all, Masamune simply listened to my words with an incredibly serious look on his face.

(I'm going to tell him absolutely everything that's on my mind.)

Mai: When you told me that you wouldn't care about my past, it just kept getting stuck deep down in my chest.

Mai: Even though I kept telling myself that it can't be helped that we have different values,

Mai: It still made me feel so incredibly lonely, like there was this part of us that would just never be able to understand each other.

(I even think that moving forward and living in the present is so like Masamune, and yet it still hurts my heart so much.)

Masamune: We're not different.

Mai: Huh?

The very next moment his powerful gaze pierced straight through me, I was pulled into a fierce, crushing embrace.

Masamune: There isn't a single thing that's different between you and me.

(What...... does he mean by that?)

Lifting my head in pure confusion, my eyes collided directly with his intense, serious gaze.

Masamune: It was a total lie when I said I wouldn't care about your past.

Mai: A lie......?

The arms wrapped around my back tightened even more securely.

Masamune: Before you met me, what kind of romance did you experience? What kind of guy were you attracted to......?

Masamune: Just thinking about it is enough to drive me completely insane.

Masamune: ......Even with that guy from earlier, I internally couldn't keep my composure at all, wondering if he had stolen your lips away from me.

(Ugh, I can't believe he was actually thinking about things like that.)

Come to think of it, when Masamune came to find me, the umbrella might have completely blocked his view of that man and me.

Mai: U-Um, nothing happened between me and that guy at all.

Mai: There's absolutely no way I'd ever go on a date with anyone else when I have you, Masamune.

Masamune: Yeah. I could tell immediately from your attitude that I was completely misunderstanding things.

Masamune: But that's just how much the blood had rushed straight to my head.

A soft, quiet sigh leaked from Masamune's thin, perfectly shaped lips.

Masamune: Basically, no matter what happens, I'm not the type to regret the past or look back.

Masamune: That's exactly how I've lived my life up until now. But...... you are the one and only exception.

An intense heat bled into those blue eyes that had completely lost all of their usual calmness and composure, entirely captivating my heart.

Mai: Then why did you tell me you wouldn't care?

Masamune: You can tell, can't you? I hated the thought of looking pathetic, so I was just acting tough.

Mai: Oh......

Masamune forcefully cupped my jaw, tilting my face up toward him—

Masamune: My feelings for you are way heavier than you think. Do you think you can handle them?

(Ugh...... I can't believe he's saying things like that to me.)

My heart trembled with pure happiness, and I tightly clutched the fabric of Masamune's chest.

Mai: Well, obviously! No matter how heavy they are, it makes me so incredibly happy.

Mai: I can absolutely handle every single bit of them.

Masamune: Mai......

Mai: And besides, I'm pretty sure my feelings are actually the heavier ones.

(Because I love Masamune so much I can barely contain it.)

When I offered Masamune a smile, he returned a brilliant, sharp grin that looked just like a crescent moon.

Masamune: Just how heavy are they?

Mai: ......What do you mean, how?

Masamune: I told you absolutely everything on my end. Now let me hear every single bit of how you feel too.

Mai: You might...... end up totally sick of me, Masamune.

Masamune: There's no hell way that's gonna happen. Come on, be way more greedy with me.

Masamune: I honestly can't help but find you so incredibly adorable when you want everything, including my past.

(Are you really going to love me...... even through all of my pathetic parts too?)

Feeling the sheer weight of the massive love he was showering me with, I felt like I was about to burst into tears as I threw my arms around Masamune.

Mai: ......I wish I could've been the very first person you ever kissed, Masamune.

Masamune: And what else?

Mai: I wish I could've been the very first person you ever truly loved too.

Masamune: I feel the exact same damn way.

Mai: Mmh...... ngh......

A fierce, almost biting kiss dropped down onto my lips.

With every single kiss that he repeated over and over again, an intense heat flared deep inside my chest, throbbing forcefully.

Masamune: Even thinking that your present, your future, and absolutely everything else about you belongs entirely to me still isn't enough.

Masamune: —That's just how much I love you.

My heart trembled violently at his low, whispered voice.

Mai: I love you too. Will you give me absolutely everything that makes up Masamune?

Masamune: Even if it's a past that can never be changed, you're the one and only person I want to surrender absolutely everything to.

(There are no words in the world that could ever top this.)

(I want to give absolutely everything to Masamune too.)

As if driven by pure instinct, I reached out to seek Masamune's lips on my own.

We pressed our completely flushed skin together, continuing to crave each other, body and soul, until there wasn't a single bit of composure left between us—

.

.

.

.

.

IkeSen Masterlist

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

A few weeks had passed since Ieyasu-sama and I held our wedding ceremony and officially became husband and wife.

I spent every single day completely wrapped up in a level of happiness that filled my entire heart.

Tama: Ieyasu-sama, it's Tama. I've brought your breakfast.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Come in.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Good morning, Y/N-dono.

The moment I stepped into the room, Sakai-sama offered me a small bow with a warm smile.

It seemed he had dropped by to give Ieyasu-sama his morning greetings.

You: Good morning, Ieyasu-sama, Sakai-sama.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......

You: Huh? Is there something on my face?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Nothing. I was just thinking about how you can manage to look so completely carefree every single morning, day after day.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Haha, you are newlyweds, after all. It is only natural for her to be all smiles.

You: S-Sakai-sama, you too......?

(Was it really written that clearly all over my face......?)

Sakai Tadatsugu: Since Y/N-dono is here as well, would you mind giving me a moment of your time?

You: What is it?

After setting down the breakfast tray I had brought in, I took a seat right next to Ieyasu-sama.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Just as scheduled, a daimyo and his wife will be visiting us today to celebrate your marriage.

Sakai Tadatsugu: We would like to ask you to attend as well, Y/N-dono, as Ieyasu-sama's wife.

Sakai Tadatsugu: I will have a maid head over to your room later on to help you get ready.

You: All right, I understand.

After checking a few more details, Sakai-sama took his leave, and I immediately got to work setting out the food.

While I did that, several retainers came by to see Ieyasu-sama to have him check official documents and ask for instructions regarding their work.

Even though he looked quite sleepy, Ieyasu-sama handled each and every request with absolute precision, and I finished setting up the meal in the meantime.

You: Ieyasu-sama, it's all ready for you.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Doesn't it feel like the number of dishes is increasing day by day?

You: I accidentally got a little too eager and prepared all sorts of things.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......Huh.

You: Should I cut back a bit?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Not really. Just hurry up and sit down.

We sat across from each other and began to eat.

Before we became husband and wife, we didn't have the habit of eating together.

But since we went through all the trouble of getting married, I wanted to do something that felt like a real couple, so I was the one who asked for this.

(Even though we've done this several times now, it still feels so fresh......)

Right then, my eyes happened to catch Ieyasu-sama's hands, and I found myself completely captivated by how beautifully he handled his chopsticks.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......

(They really look so beautiful...... If I took lessons too, would I be able to use them as beautifully as Ieyasu-sama does?)

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......Hey.

You: Yes!

Whatever it was he was thinking, Ieyasu-sama held out the small side dish of simmered food he was holding.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: If you want it, I'll give it to you, so stop staring at it with those eyes. It makes it hard to eat.

You: Huh......?

It seemed he thought I was staring because I wanted some of his simmered food.

You: N-No, that's not it! I have my own portion too, so I'm completely fine!

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......Then what exactly were you staring so intently at?

Perhaps that little exchange had completely woken him up, because Ieyasu-sama asked his question with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

He probably saw right through me, but it felt a little embarrassing to answer him completely honestly.

You: Well...... it's just that I changed the seasoning for the simmered food a bit today......

You: So I was curious and wondering if it would suit your taste.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Hmm. Well, I suppose I'll let you off the hook with that excuse.

Offering a thoroughly amused smile, Ieyasu-sama went right back to his meal.

Watching him like that, I couldn't help but let a soft smile slip onto my own face too.

(I really am so happy that I got to become Ieyasu-sama's wife.)

As that realization washed over me all over again, I found myself deeply enjoying the comfortable morning time the two of us shared.

After finishing our happy breakfast time, I hurriedly got myself ready.

Just as scheduled, I joined Ieyasu-sama in welcoming the daimyo and his wife.

After receiving their congratulations, the daimyo and Ieyasu-sama had some things to discuss, so I accompanied the wife for a stroll through the garden, with Sakai-sama walking along with us.

Wife: What a beautiful garden this is.

You: Thank you very much. Both Ieyasu-sama and I occasionally enjoy taking walks out here.

Wife: Oh, how lovely. Tell me, how has your life been since becoming husband and wife with Ieyasu-sama?

Though I felt a little embarrassed by her casual question, I gave her my answer.

You: He treats me very well.

You: Since becoming husband and wife, we've been eating our meals together, and I'm just incredibly happy.

Wife: 'Husband and wife'......

Wife: ......Come to think of it, you do not come from a samurai family, do you, Y/N-sama?

You: N-No, I don't...... That's true, but......

Sensing a slight shift in her tone of voice, I brought my feet to a halt and looked over at her.

Wife: Being happy is all well and good, but we are quite different from ordinary couples of the common folk.

Wife: It is the duty of anyone who becomes the wife of a warlord to keep her guard up at all times and support her husband.

Wife: Simply because you are newlyweds, this is hardly the time to be mindlessly floating on air, wouldn't you say?

You: ......!

Sakai Tadatsugu: My lady, with all due respect......

You: Sakai-sama...... It's fine, I'm okay.

I quickly spoke up to stop Sakai-sama, who was trying to step in and defend me.

Then, I turned back to face the wife.

You: Thank you very much for your advice, milady.

You: I will make sure to keep my guard up from now on.

Wife: No, it was I who spoke out of turn. Please forgive me.

Even though I had been feeling nothing but pure happiness every single day just because I became husband and wife with Ieyasu-sama, maybe that wasn't enough.

Ieyasu-sama is a warlord, the leader standing at the very top of the Tokugawa clan, after all.

(I need to be way more aware of what it actually means to be a warlord's wife.)

—

—The next day.

After spending the entire night thinking over the words the wife had said yesterday, I finally came to a decision, despite my lingering doubts.

You: Um, Ieyasu-sama.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: What.

Just as we were finishing up our breakfast, I opened my mouth to let Ieyasu-sama know about the decision I had made.

You: It's about our meals...... Would it be all right if we started eating separately from tomorrow onward?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Huh?

Looking up in complete surprise, Ieyasu-sama questioned my reasons with his gaze alone.

You: I'm really sorry, especially since I was the one who brought it up in the first place.

You: Well, it's just that you're so busy, Ieyasu-sama...... and things have been pretty hectic for me lately too......

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......

You: I just thought that if we want to focus entirely on our own respective duties, it might be better if we went back to eating separately like before.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......Fine. Whatever, do what you want.

Seeing how Ieyasu-sama didn't really seem to mind at all, I felt a wave of relief, but also a tiny bit of loneliness.

(......Feeling lonely when I'm the one who suggested it is way too selfish of me.)

(But if I just kept floating on air forever, I never would've been able to grow into my role as his wife.)

(So...... this was for the best.)

Bracing my heart once again, I left Ieyasu-sama's room to go clean up the meal trays.

...

In the room Y/N had just left behind, Ieyasu stared at a box resting on top of his writing desk.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Sigh......

As he let out a heavy sigh while crossly tapping his fingertips against the desk, Sakai poked his head into the room.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Ieyasu-sama, do you have a quick moment?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ......What is it, baldy.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Oh, it seems you have already finished your breakfast this morning.

Smiling brightly, Sakai took a seat.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Ever since you started having your meals with Y/N-dono, it seems you have been eating properly every single day.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Sakai is truly delighted.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Well, that officially ends today.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Ends...... you say?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: Yeah, she suddenly came out and said she wants to stop, completely on her own.

Hearing Ieyasu's words, Sakai's brows knit together with deep concern.

Sakai Tadatsugu: She might be letting what the daimyo's wife said yesterday get to her.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: What the hell are you talking about.

Sakai Tadatsugu: Well, the truth is—

Sakai went on to explain exactly what had happened yesterday down to the very last detail.

Sakai Tadatsugu: I did tell her that there was absolutely no need to worry about it, but......

Sakai Tadatsugu: Knowing how incredibly serious Y/N-dono is, she must have spent a lot of time thinking about it.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: ..............

After listening to Sakai's explanation, Ieyasu didn't say a single word, simply falling into deep, quiet thought.

—

A few days after we stopped sharing our meals together.

I was called out to the grand hall by Ieyasu-sama.

You: I heard you needed to see me urgently, but what exactly is the matter?

Tokugawa Ieyasu: I'm going on an inspection tour starting tomorrow. You're coming with me.

You: Huh?

As I stood there completely blindsided by his incredibly sudden announcement, Ieyasu-sama continued.

Tokugawa Ieyasu: We'll be hiding our true identities and traveling as a merchant couple, so make sure you keep that in mind.

You: Um...... All right, I understand.

Though I didn't have the slightest clue what was going on, he surely had his reasons.

Swallowing all of my lingering questions, I immediately set to work preparing for our journey.

.

.

.

.

.

Part 2

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

In the middle of the crisp, chilly night air, our overlapping bare skin felt so incredibly hot that I felt as if we might melt together right then and there.

(Even that...... wouldn't be so bad.)

If I could simply melt away with Alfons-san, allowing the two of us to become one, I would never have to lose him.

Alfons: ......What exactly are you smiling at?

Alfons asked as he brushed away the bangs clinging to my forehead, damp with a light sheen of sweat.

Alfons: To be lost in thought right in the middle of this, you must have quite a lot of composure.

Adopting a mildly rebuking tone, Alfons slowly pulled his hips back.

As if punishing me for my lack of focus, he began to tease me, deliberately drawing in and out over and over at the shallowest point.

Kate: Oah...... Nnh......! Haah......!

Writhing against the frustrating, agonizing pleasure that fell just short of letting me climax, I desperately scrambled to think of an excuse.

Kate: ......I was thinking...... about tomorrow......

Alfons: About tomorrow—is that so? I wonder, is it truly something so important that it warrants neglecting the lover right in front of your eyes?

Alfons: ......For now, please think exclusively of me.

The exact fraction of a second he dropped that possessive whisper, he thrust all the way to my absolute depths in a single motion, rocking against me—and we abandoned ourselves to the pleasure together.

...

After guiding me to an intersection of pleasure over and over, Alfons gently caressed my hair while I lay basking in the lingering afterglow, suddenly opening his mouth to speak.

Alfons: ......So? What day did you say tomorrow was, again?

Alfons: What kind of day should we make it? A day for S&M play? A day for bondage play? A day for denial play? Or perhaps—

Kate: Not something like that! Tomorrow is supposed to be the final day of the world, isn't it!?

Alfons: ......Ah, come to think of it, there was a rumor like that, wasn't there? Do you actually believe it?

Kate: No, not at all. It doesn't have a shred of credibility, after all.

Since everyone in Crown didn't seem to believe it either, I figured the rumor was, in the end, nothing more than a rumor.

Alfons: But if tomorrow truly were the final day of the world...... what is it that you would want to do, Kate-san?

Kate: What I would want to do......

(If, hypothetically, an unavoidable final day of the world were actually coming......)

..

Kate: Because I will show you that I can turn your life, my life, and absolutely everything into a comedy.

..

(In order to make the words from that day truly come true......)

(I want to spend a fun, wonderful day together, the kind that will let Alfons-san smile at the very end and think, "What a comedy-like life it was.")

Kate: ......I want to make it a fun day. So that we have absolutely no regrets left behind. What about you, Alfons-san?

Alfons: I was thinking the exact same thing you were just now.

Alfons: Since we have the perfect opportunity, why don't we play along with this whole "final day of the world" thing tomorrow and go search for the moment you find most enjoyable?

Kate: That sounds lovely! But, Alfons-san, let me make one correction.

Kate: It isn't just "me," it's "us," okay?

Ending things with only me having fun is something I absolutely refuse to do.

After all, the ones standing on the stage of this comedy are the two of us, Alfons-san and me.

Alfons: Hehe, of course.

—And then, the following morning.

After urging Alfons-san to get up while he playfully trifled with me in bed, utterly refusing to let me go for the longest time.......

Our search for the most enjoyable moments of the final day of the world officially began.

Under Alfons-san's guidance, the very first place we headed to was a park located quite close to the palace.

The sound of the water from the fountain echoed quietly, and the sweet fragrance drifting from the flower beds slowly put my mind at ease.

Kate: What did we come here to do?

Alfons: The purpose is that classic "thing," you know.

Alfons pointed toward the park fencing. Tied all along it were multicolored strips of cloth, fluttering gently in the breeze.

Kate: This is...... the place where couples tie cloths with their names written on them, right?

I had heard a rumor before that the more tightly the cloth was tied, the more unbreakable the bond between the lovers would be.

Alfons: Come, shall we tie it?

Kate: Eh, by tie it, you don't mean—

What Alfons-san pulled out from his jacket was a pink ribbon.

Written upon it already were the words, "Alfons ♥ Kate."

.

.

.

.

.

Part 2

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Ever since parting ways with Victor, I had thrown myself entirely back into the follow-up investigation of the high school suicide case.

It felt as though as long as I kept myself busy, everything could temporarily be maintained on a track that allowed me to keep moving forward.

And no matter what, Victor was absolutely right.

I always had to take action.

Since there were far too many things around me that I couldn't untangle, I just had to tightly grasp the single loose thread I could actually hold onto right now.

Besides, my intuition kept telling me that by using the suicide case as a starting point, I would eventually be able to peel back the layers and reach a much broader, more distant truth.

The moment I stepped out of the interviewee's apartment building, the scorching afternoon sunlight forced me to narrow my eyes.

Even though it was already autumn, the air was still shimmering with heat, making everything in front of me look bleached out, as if it had been steamed at a high temperature.

Braving the heat, I walked briskly toward the subway station while dialing my home number.

Youran: Dad, I have to work overtime today, so I won't be coming home for dinner. Father: You have that many things to do? Youran: That's just how our industry is. Don't worry, I'll take good care of myself.

I repeatedly promised him that I would make sure to rest. The second I hung up the phone, I immediately opened the company group chat without a moment's pause, replying one by one to each decision that was waiting for my final approval.

Scanning through Anna's message and seeing her say there was an important matter that required a detailed discussion, I simply dialed her number directly while waiting for the subway.

Anna: Youran, is the interview finished on your end?

On the other side of the line, her tone was even higher than usual, sounding incredibly excited.

Youran: I just stepped out. What did you need to see me for? Anna: We just received word over here that Mr. Li has a lawsuit coming up in a few days. Anna: Hurry up and get in touch with him so you can secure an exclusive interview for us.

My mind went completely blank for a split second, and the bustling noise of the subway station around me seemed to fade far into the distance.

Youran: ......A lawsuit?! When?

It was only when a few curious glances were thrown my way from the surrounding crowd that I belatedly realized this was clearly not a suitable topic to discuss out in the open.

I took a deep breath, lowering my voice a fraction.

Youran: Hold on a second, let me find somewhere quieter before I call you back.

Rushing out of the subway station, I immediately flagged down a taxi by the curb. Once I sat down and waited for my breathing to settle slightly, I redialed Anna's number.

Youran: Anna, what was that about a lawsuit just now? Anna: LFG was sued by a company called Light Mirror. The court date is in four days. Anna: I've already sent the detailed breakdown of the case to your email, so you can look over the specifics later. Youran: Okay, got it. Anna: The lawsuit itself isn't that massive of a deal, and the likelihood of LFG winning the case is exceptionally high. Anna: But during our investigation, we discovered that LFG has actually been facing an endless stream of lawsuits, both big and small, for the past three or four months.

My brows knitted together, my fingertips automatically tightening around my phone.

With something this massive going on, how could Victor have kept me completely in the dark?

On the other end of the line, Anna's energized voice continued.

Anna: What's even more fascinating is that LFG has a flawless, undefeated record across all of these cases. In about seventy to eighty percent of them, even I can tell that it's practically impossible for the plaintiffs to win. Anna: Yet up until now, not a single plaintiff has agreed to an out-of-court settlement. Youran: Why? Wouldn't that just be a complete waste of time and legal fees for the plaintiffs? Anna: That's exactly why we feel like it's worth digging into. Anna: Not only that, but every single case requires Victor himself to take the stand as the defendant. Anna: So, what do you think? Shall we run a special feature column on this? Youran: Well....

I fell silent for a moment, swiftly organizing my thoughts.

Based on my brief conversation with Victor earlier, as well as the fragmented words exchanged between him and Mr. Fu, the collaboration between LFG and City Hall should currently be at a critical phase.

And yet, precisely at a time like this, a significant number of people were willing to spare no expense just to keep LFG tied up in constant litigation, even forcing him to personally appear in court. No matter how I looked at it, something was definitely wrong.

The stakes were far too high; it would be much safer to confirm things with Victor first.

With that thought in mind, I took a deep breath and spoke as calmly as possible.

Youran: Let's not rush into it just yet. We have too little information at this stage, so let's find out more about the specific situation first. Youran: It won't be too late to push this forward after I've confirmed a proper approach with Mr. Li.

The moment I hung up, my first instinct was to ask the driver to head to LFG. But when the image of the massive queue I had witnessed earlier flashed through my mind, I ultimately let out a sigh and decided to head back to the company first.

The moment I stepped into my office, I immediately dialed Victor's number.

The mechanical buzzing echoed rhythmically in my ears like a timer, or perhaps some kind of countdown, causing my anxiety to spike even further.

If all of this turned out to be true, then Victor must have already been preparing for this lawsuit when we met up earlier.

Why didn't he tell me? Or did I misread some sort of hint he tried to give me, overlooking the information completely?

Was he simply too busy and forgot? Or was it out of some desire to protect me?

Or maybe... he just felt there was absolutely no reason to tell me at all?

My mind abandoned all reason in that fraction of a second. As the continuous ringing went on and on, it willfully projected that completely emotionless gaze of his when he looked at me earlier.

I forcibly cut off my train of thought, compelling myself to count the rings in the receiver to shift my focus elsewhere.

The mechanical sound suddenly cut short. Just as I was about to speak up in pure excitement, a synthesized female voice drifted through the line.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable..."

Youran: ......

The breath I had just taken caught right in my throat, pressing down with a weight that felt even heavier than before.

Left with no other choice, I took a deep breath and clicked on the link to book a slot on Victor's schedule just to test my luck, but all that met my eyes was a sea of dark, unclickable grey.

The phone screen auto-locked and went dark, and I let out a self-deprecating, bitter smile.

I had almost completely forgotten.

Being able to reach Victor whenever and wherever I wanted used to be such a rare privilege.

...

It wasn't until the sunlight had already slanted far into the west that a video call invite from our office software suddenly popped up on my phone.

Staring at Victor's name on the screen for a good few moments, I scrambled to set my phone up on its stand, quickly hit the answer button, and spoke with clear urgency.

Youran: Victor, I heard you have a lawsuit coming up in four days?

On the other side of the video call, he was still in that same position, looking down at his documents. The setting sun hit his profile at an angle, making it hard for me to truly read his expression.

Victor: Yes.

Youran: Have you been tied up in lawsuits this entire time for the past few months?

Victor: I have.

Youran: Is it serious? Why didn't you tell me?

Victor: Because there was no need to.

Victor: These lawsuits have nothing to do with you, nor will they cause any impact on your company's operations.

Victor: I didn't see any point in making a special effort to inform you.

The bottled-up emotions gradually began to brew and churn, tearing back and forth across a fragile line of balance that was right on the verge of collapsing.

I could barely stop myself from knitting my brows, and my tone couldn't help but rise a fraction.

Youran: This isn't a question of whether it has anything to do with me or not.

Youran: I'm worried about you!

Victor: I will handle my own affairs.

Youran: But ever since we met up, it looks like you've had a mountain of things on your plate and you've been so busy, and now you have to appear in court too....

Youran: Is there really nothing at all that I can do to help?

Victor: Not at the moment.

Victor: Just focus on taking care of your own affairs, whatever those may be.

My words caught in my throat, and it felt like a piece of my heart had been gouged out, leaving my entire chest completely hollow.

From the moment I ran into him up until now, it felt like he was constantly standing behind a transparent barrier, casting a detached look back at me.

Every single piece of everything felt like a misplaced jigsaw puzzle—at first glance, nothing seemed particularly out of place, but every minute detail left a crack that simply wouldn't fuse together no matter what.

On the phone screen, Victor also paused for a brief second.

Those dark eyes of his stared intently at my reflection on the screen, a faint furrow breaking between his brows.

I couldn't discern from those eyes—which I had seen countless times before—whether he was currently feeling irritated or hesitant.

After a brief silence, he let out a sigh, his tone softening just a fraction.

Victor: I have indeed been exceptionally busy lately, and you have plenty of your own matters to attend to as well.

Victor: It would be better to wait until we both have some free time to sit down and discuss these things in detail, since they can't be explained clearly in a single sitting.

I bit my lip, staring at his expressionless face, momentarily unable to even decipher what kind of emotion was swirling in my heart.

For such a long period of time in the past, he had always told me that I needed to seize the initiative, that I needed to step forward and walk a bit further.

But Victor, where exactly have you walked off to on your own?

I took a deep breath, looking at the documents beside his hand on the other side of the screen and at his still razor-sharp features, throwing out my question with near serenity.

Youran: When will you have time next?

Victor: Unsure.

Victor: I'll get in touch with you once I'm free.

Youran: When that time comes, should I wait for Goldman or your assistant to send me your schedule?

Youran: Do I need to line up too?

His eyes widened ever so slightly, and a ripple finally broke through his always unshakeable expression.

Victor didn't say anything for a moment, looking exactly as if he hadn't expected me to ask such a question, or perhaps as if he had never even considered the matter before.

The air plummeted into a complete standstill.

Outside the company window, returning birds chirped softly, and the sound of rush-hour traffic echoed between us through the glass pane, feebly filling the silence.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally let out a sigh.

Victor: I will call you.

His voice was neither heavy nor light, drifting slowly between us through the screen and the signals, sounding like some form of compromise, or perhaps a temporary shelving of the matter.

I remained silent, not knowing what kind of response I should offer, and he didn't speak up again either.

It felt like there had never been this much silence between us before.

It was self-conscious, anxiety-inducing, and completely paralyzing. I didn't know how to pierce through it, or if I even should.

As the minutes and seconds ticked by, I could faintly hear someone calling his name on his end, mentioning that an attorney named Duan was waiting at the door.

Yet he merely gave a flat nod. Exceptionally, he didn't rush me, nor did he hang up the phone.

Those familiar eyes of his were still completely filled with my silhouette, yet for the first time, I didn't know how to look back under such a gaze.

The time displayed on the screen shifted continuously until the person outside the door knocked once more.

I closed my eyes, letting out a small sigh.

Youran: Your appearance in court is bound to generate a significant amount of buzz. Would you prefer my company to cooperate with you to suppress the news, or should we report on it normally?

The voice that hit my own ears was far steadier than I anticipated. I figured that was probably a good thing.

Victor: Just report on it normally.

Victor: I will win regardless.

Victor: However, there's no rush to publicize the financial center matters just yet.

Youran: I understand.

Youran: Then let's talk later when we're both free.

Victor: All right.

The slanting rays of the setting sun spilled onto my desk, dividing the screen into two starkly contrasting halves of light and shadow.

I stole one last glance at his face, and then at the evening glow behind him that looked identical to the one on my end, before reaching out to press the red button to end the call.

He didn't move, nor did he hang up ahead of me.

He simply maintained that posture with his hands interlaced, quietly watching me until the screen faded into absolute blackness.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 3-09

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

A few more days passed while Yoshino was completely pouring herself into the investigation......

Led by Yoritomo, the prominent members of the Shogunate were summoned by the high-ranking vassals who had accused Kagetoki.

Kagetoki: ........

Sitting right in front of everyone, Kagetoki still wore his usual calm and completely unbothered expression.

Yoritomo: —Alright. Let's hear what you've got to say.

Kanazawa: Yes, my lord.

Kanazawa: The reason we have gathered everyone here today is for none other than to completely expose Kagetoki-dono's crimes.

Yoritomo: The suspicion was that he's been secretly communicating with the enemy, right? Since you say you're going to expose him, I take it you've actually managed to find some proof.

Kanazawa: We have an eyewitness! —Step right in.

Maid: Yes......

A single maid who had been waiting outside timidly stepped her foot into the grand hall.

Kanazawa: This is a maid who was working here at the palace until just last month.

Kanazawa: Now then, tell us exactly what you saw, with absolute honesty.

Maid: I...... I saw Kagetoki-sama having a highly suspicious, secret meeting with a strange man in one of the palace rooms.

Kanazawa: And what exactly were they discussing?

Maid: I couldn't hear everything very clearly, but...... they were speaking about something to do with the overthrow of the Shogunate, and something about top-secret information.

Maid: I got so terrified that I asked to be dismissed from my duties. Because I figured if anyone found out what I heard, I would be killed—

As the maid started to tear up slightly, a loud chatter erupted among the vassals in the hall.

Kanazawa's lackeys raised their voices in complete triumph.

Vassal 2: Did you all hear that?! Everyone!

Vassal 3: On top of those sketchy accounting books, this is more than enough proof that a massive betrayal has been committed against us!

Kagetoki: ......Ridiculous.

Vassal 3: What did you say?!

Right at that moment, the sliding door was softly pulled open, and a clear voice echoed through the room.

Yoshino: Excuse me! Please, wait a moment.

Kagetoki: ...Yoshino.

(This is the moment of truth......)

Stepping my foot into the grand hall, I dropped to my knees right in front of Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: ......Would you please grant me permission to speak?

Kanazawa: What do you think you are doing! You are interrupting us, get out!

Yoritomo: Just wait a moment. For her to barge right into a meeting she wasn't even invited to, she must have something pretty damn important to say.

Wearing his public mask and adopting a perfectly professional tone, Yoritomo-sama let out a calm, easy smile.

Yoritomo: Yoshino, explain yourself.

Yoshino: Yes!

I let out a long breath, forcing all the tension right out of my body.

Using both of my hands, I held out the accounting book that I had been clutching tightly to my chest.

Yoshino: This accounting book right here has been completely tampered with. I came here today specifically to tell you that.

Kanazawa: ......!?

Yoshino: If you look closely at the numbers in this specific column, there's a very slight inconsistency in the handwriting.

Yoshino: It's almost as if someone went out of their way to make the account book look sketchy on purpose.

Kanazawa: What exactly are you trying to imply......?

Yoshino: I believe someone who holds a massive grudge against Kagetoki-san tampered with the book just to frame him.

Voices of pure shock erupted all over the room.

Vassal 4: Is that actually true?

Vassal 5: Any difference in the handwriting has got to be completely minuscule.

Vassal 6: But still......

Kanazawa and his men arched their brows, glaring daggers directly at me.

High-Ranking Vassal 3: We actually have an eyewitness on our side, you know. I certainly hope you have some concrete proof to back up these wild accusations.

(I'm terrified...... but there is absolutely no way I'm backing down now.)

Yoshino: ......I went around asking questions and gathered rumors about the people who hold a grudge against Kagetoki-san.

Yoshino: On top of that, I went through the documents to identify every single vassal who has faced some sort of disciplinary action from Kagetoki-san within the past year.

Yoshino: From that list, I was able to narrow down the people who actually have the authority to access the accounting books to just a select few.

Yoshino: Then I compared those specific individuals' handwriting directly with the writing in the book.

Yoritomo: And how exactly did you manage to get your hands on the writing samples needed to match their penmanship?

Yoshino: When I interviewed them in my capacity as an apothecary, I had them fill out a medical questionnaire for me.

Yoritomo: I see. That's remarkably thorough. So, who exactly was the person responsible?

Taking a deep breath, I turned my gaze directly toward a specific person.

Yoshino: ......Kanazawa-san. It was a perfect match for your handwriting.

Kanazawa: Wh-What......

Kanazawa: That's absolute nonsense! There's no way something like that counts as actual proof......

Yoshino: ......As for the maid who is standing here right now as your eyewitness, word around the palace is that she has been meeting with you quite frequently.

Yoshino: I also heard that she suddenly came into quite a bit of money recently.

Maid: ......!? I-I......

Maid: That's a total lie! You're just making things up as you go, aren't you?!

???: Well, that's certainly strange.

Everyone: ......!

A smooth, deeply captivating voice suddenly echoed through the room, making every single person in the grand hall turn their heads toward the entrance all at once.

Tamamo: At Yoshino's request, I ended up helping out with the investigation as well.

(Tamamo! You actually came.)

Tamamo: I went around questioning the maids and thoroughly scrubbed through their social circles. If you'd like, I can bring the witnesses right on in?

Maid: No way......

Shigehira: If you actually know something, you should probably just be completely honest and spill it.

Morinaga: If you only gave a false testimony, your punishment wouldn't be all that severe, but if you actually lent a hand in tampering with the account books......

Even as he kept a perfectly amiable smile on his face, Morinaga-san's eyes were unusually sharp.

Maid: ......!

Maid: I-I was only paid money to give that testimony! I swear I never touched those account books!

Kanazawa: You!

Maid: What?! You're the one who told me everything was going to be absolutely fine......

Having silently watched the whole situation unfold, Kagetoki-san lightly shrugged his shoulders.

Kagetoki: It seems the curtain has officially closed on this little drama.

Yoritomo: So it seems.

Gesturing with his hand toward Kanazawa and the maid, who had both gone completely pale, Yoritomo-sama continued.

Yoritomo: Take these two to a separate room for interrogation. As for who else besides Kanazawa was involved in this...... I'm sure that will become crystal clear from here on out.

Yoritomo-sama stole a brief glance at the vassals who were Kanazawa's lackeys.

Their mouths hung wide open, completely agape, but in the end, they just hung their heads, unable to come up with a single excuse.

Yoritomo: Kagetoki. You've officially been cleared of all suspicion. What a total disaster of a misunderstanding.

Kagetoki: Thanks to that, I thoroughly enjoyed having a vacation for the first time in ages.

Yoritomo: You will officially return to your political duties starting tomorrow.

Kagetoki: Yes, my lord.

Even though they were both acting with absolute professionalism, the way they exchanged glances made me feel like they shared some sort of unspoken understanding.

...

After the meeting officially ended......

Only Kagetoki-san, Yoritomo-sama, Morinaga-san, Shigehira-kun, Tamamo, and I remained in the grand hall.

Kagetoki: It seems I owe you a proper thank you, don't I? Yoshino.

Yoshino: No...... In the end, it was just something I wanted to do myself.

Speaking with Kagetoki-san for the first time in days felt a little bit awkward.

(Since the absolute last thing I did was yell at him and call him a blockhead before walking out......)

Morinaga: Yoshino, you don't need to hold back at all. You did something so incredible that Kagetoki should honestly be thanking you on his hands and knees in tears.

Shigehira: The idea of Kagetoki-san thanking someone in tears feels so completely out of character that it's actually kind of terrifying, though......

Tamamo: I would absolutely love to see that.

Yoritomo: Well, Morinaga is completely right.

Yoritomo: You did a significantly better job than I ever expected, Yoshino.

Yoritomo: Kagetoki. Your official return to work doesn't start until tomorrow.

Yoritomo: Spend the rest of today showing Yoshino the absolute highest amount of appreciation, alright?

Kagetoki: If it is an official order from my lord, I suppose I have zero choice but to comply.

(Wh-What?!)

My eyes went completely wide as he smoothly took my hand in his, acting as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Kagetoki: It seems I put all of you through quite a bit of trouble as well. You have my thanks.

Tamamo: You really did. Spoil me next, right after Yoshino.

Kagetoki: I'll think about it.

Tamamo: That is exactly the tone you use when you have zero intention of actually thinking about it.

Kagetoki: In any case, Yoshino is my absolute priority right now. Shall we get going then?

(Wah!)

Yoshino: Oh, everyone! Thank you so much for all your help.

Morinaga: Don't mention it. See you later, Yoshino.

With everyone sending us off with warm smiles, Kagetoki-san led me right out of the grand hall.

...

And that was how I ended up inviting Kagetoki-san directly into my room, but—

Yoshino: Kagetoki-san, you coming to my room...... feels like the first time since my very first night at the palace.

Kagetoki: That's right. The exact night you officially became my servant.

(......!)

Yoshino: Back then, my heart was completely racing because I was terrified of what kind of horribly cruel orders you were going to give me.

Kagetoki: The way you would desperately try to resist, only to end up sinking even deeper into the mud,

Kagetoki: Has made you incredibly fun to tease ever since that very moment.

Compared to back then, the smile on Kagetoki-san's face felt at least a little bit softer.

Kagetoki: You've certainly grown significantly more resilient compared to how you were at the start.

Yoshino: Well, that's because I was thoroughly trained by a horribly tyrannical master, after all.

Kagetoki: Your heroic display in the grand hall earlier actually made me see you in a whole new light.

(Oh......)

I felt completely restless, as if the inside of my chest had just been sweetly tickled.

Kagetoki: Thanks to you, I managed to gain my freedom much faster than I ever expected.

Kagetoki: I can't quite sit still while carrying a debt. Is there something you desire?

Yoshino: Ah, something I desire......?

(What do I do, I can't think of a single thing.)

(And besides,)

(I feel like if I accept a reward for something I chose to do entirely on my own, it'll make it feel like my own feelings didn't even matter.)

A completely stubborn thought popped into my head, making me knit my brows in frustration.

(......If I absolutely had to pick something, though)

The image of Azukichi being gently comforted and patted on the head by Kagetoki-san earlier flashed through my mind.

There was absolutely no way I could ever bring myself to say that I wanted him to praise me more openly like that.

Kagetoki: What's the matter? You've gone completely still.

Yoshino: ...It's nothing.

(If I asked for that, I'd be exactly like a real dog, and getting praised under total duress wouldn't even make me happy anyway.)

Kagetoki: Well, this is a bit troublesome.

Yoshino: But even if you ask me so suddenly like that......

Yoshino: You're always so incredibly strict with me, Kagetoki-san, that this completely throws me off. Are you really the real thing?

I tried talking back to him a little bit, desperately trying to hide how embarrassed I actually was.

Kagetoki: Oh?

(I can feel the pressure!)

Yoshino: P-Please just act normal. Let's just say that this is exactly what I want.

Kagetoki: Let's do that then. Since you don't seem to care for being treated gently anyway.

Sensing some sort of physical danger from his thin smile, I tried to make a run for it, but......

Kagetoki: Where exactly do you plan on going? This is your room, you know.

Yoshino: I just remembered I have an errand to run...... Ah!

I was lightly pulled back from behind, making my heart give a sudden, violent thud.

Kagetoki: Yoshino.

(......!)

The ribbon tying my hair up was softly unraveled by Kagetoki-san's hand.

Yoshino: Kagetoki-san...?

Kagetoki: Your hands.

Whispering in a deeply enchanting voice, Kagetoki-san bound both of my wrists together with the ribbon.

(Wh-What......)

Kagetoki: Does a bad girl who can't honestly say what she wants need to be properly broken in?

Yoshino: Wait a minute! Why are you doing something like this......

Even as I frantically tried to pull away, I was held down from behind and couldn't manage to break free.

His breath brushed against my ear, sending a sweet, thrilling shiver running down my spine.

Kagetoki: You're the one who told me to act just like normal.

Yoshino: You are being significantly more brutal than usual, though......?!

Kagetoki: Well, yes. I suppose this is a bit of spite for being called a blockhead earlier.

Kagetoki: If you still have the energy to talk back to me, then there shouldn't be any problem.

(He actually cared about that?!)

Kagetoki: Now then, what is it that you want?

Yoshino: ...My freedom?

I used every single ounce of my strength to talk tough, letting my gaze escape into thin air.

Kagetoki: Give me a serious answer. Or are you doing this on purpose because you actually want to be tormented? Because if that's the case, I certainly won't stop.

Yoshino: What exactly are you planning to do......?

Kagetoki: Nothing.

Kagetoki: After all, there are plenty of ways to fan the flames of your desire without even touching you.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 19

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

Mitsuki: Arthur......!

Standing right there was Arthur, wearing a massive—and completely twitching—smile.

(He's smiling, but I can literally feel the murderous intent radiating off him......?!)

Arthur: Just what exactly do you think you're doing to my cute little girlfriend?

(Arthur is so irritated that I can tell just by looking at him......)

But Dazai-san kept his arm wrapped around my waist, keeping a soft smile on his face—

Dazai: Can't you tell just by looking? Arthur-kun.

Dazai: You know what they say about getting in the way of someone else's romance.

Mitsuki: W-Wait, Dazai-san?!

At those words, Arthur's expression contorted even further.

Arthur: In this case, I'm pretty sure you're the one who's gonna end up getting kicked by the horse, though?

(What do I do, I need to fix this right now.)

Arthur: Mitsuki is my girlfriend.

As the air grew terrifyingly tense, I suddenly realized something.

(Wait...... is Arthur actually acting completely normal?)

Arthur: Anyway, do you mind taking that outrageous hand off her?

Dazai: Whoa, there...... How aggressive.

Arthur forcefully yanked Dazai-san's arm away, immediately pulling me tight against his side.

Arthur: Seriously, you've got way too many openings...... Wait, Dazai, you're always weird, but aren't you being especially weird today?

Mitsuki: Hey! Are you feeling okay, Arthur?

Arthur: Okay? Nothing's out of the ordinary for me...... Well, if I absolutely had to say something.

Cutting his words short, Arthur gave Dazai-san a long, hard glare.

Arthur: I'm just incredibly annoyed that Dazai stole the blanc wine you went out of your way to prepare for me.

(I-I knew it...... Dazai-san is definitely the one who drank the love potion!)

Mitsuki: Um, listen, the truth is......

Dazai: The truth is, I've actually taken a liking to her for quite some time now.

Mitsuki: Like I said, that's—

Before I could finish, Arthur clamped his hand over my mouth to silence me.

(I just want to explain everything......!)

Arthur: You like Mitsuki......?

Dazai: Yeah. I was honestly thinking it might be fun to steal her away from you.

Arthur: Oh? Too bad for you, then.

The hand covering my mouth moved to cup my cheek, tilting my face upward.

Mitsuki: Huh?

Arthur: I'm about to prove to you once and for all that Mitsuki belongs entirely to me.

The exact moment his lips drew close—

???: It seems I was a step too late.

Just a fraction of an inch before they touched, Arthur froze completely in his tracks.

(This voice......)

Arthur: ......Now it's Sebastian?

Dazai: What exactly were you too late for?

Clutching the bottle of blanc wine in both of his hands, Sebastian stood there with a deeply troubled look on his face.

Sebastian: It appears that due to a mistake on the supplier's part, a love potion was accidentally mixed into that blanc wine from earlier.

Sebastian: On the Count's orders, I was just about to go and recover that bottle, but......

Arthur: Hold on, Sebastian...... What did you say was mixed into it?

Sebastian: A love potion. Upon drinking it, the individual will harbor an intense affection and a strong desire toward the first person of the opposite sex they see.

Sebastian: Furthermore...... it seems that this desire cannot be satisfied unless they spend time completely alone with that person.

(Spend time completely alone with them......)

Arthur: Right, so that's exactly why Dazai was acting so weird.

Dazai: There's absolutely nothing weird about me, though.

Dazai-san scooped up a strand of my hair, his eyes softening with deep affection.

Arthur: Like I said, that's exactly what makes you weird.

Yanking Dazai's hand away in an instant, Arthur let out a heavy, deep sigh.

Sebastian: It seems the effects will wear off in about an hour.

Sebastian: However, according to the letter...... if their desire is not satisfied, they will experience a terrible thirst as a side effect.

(A terrible thirst......?!)

I had heard before that for a vampire, 'thirst' was something incredibly excruciating to endure.

(In that case, if I'm not with him, Dazai-san is going to end up suffering, right?)

The moment I stole a quick glance at Dazai-san, he grabbed my hand and pulled me close to him.

Dazai: So in short, if I stay with Kazuko-san, my desires will be satisfied?

Mitsuki: Huh......?!

Arthur: Listen, do you really think I'm just gonna stand here quietly and let Mitsuki go with you?

My other hand was pulled back, and sharp gazes sent sparks flying right above my head.

Arthur: Sebastian, is that the blanc wine in question?

Sebastian: Yes, it is...... but what exactly do you think you are doing?!

Arthur quickly snatched the bottle of blanc from Sebastian's hands and......

Ripping the cork out, he began to chug it with intense force.

Mitsuki: Wait, Arthur?!

I stared in absolute shock as Arthur's throat moved up and down.

Before long, the contents of the bottle were down to less than half. Arthur slowly wiped his lips with the back of his hand and......

Arthur: There, now I've drunk it too.

Having downed more than half of the love potion-infused blanc wine, Arthur flashed a completely fearless smirk.

Arthur: ......You only need to satisfy my desires, Mitsuki.

Staring straight into his eyes, I finally snapped out of my daze.

Mitsuki: W-Why would you even do something like that......?!

Sebastian: ......I am starting to get a headache.

(Drinking it even though he knew perfectly well that a love potion was inside!)

Dazai: I'm impressed. You're much more of a sore loser than I thought.

Dazai: Kazuko-san wouldn't dream of leaving me alone if I were suffering...... You drank that just to prevent that from happening, didn't you?

Arthur: Hmm, I wonder? Maybe I just thought it'd be fun to do something nice with Mitsuki for a change, you know?

Arthur: Oh, though of course, there's absolutely no way I could ever get tired of Mitsuki.

Mitsuki: Both of you...... can we please calm down for just a second?!

The moment I raised my voice, all eyes snapped directly onto me.

Arthur: You're obviously gonna choose me, right? Mitsuki.

Dazai: If you choose me, I promise I won't make you regret it.

(If I choose one of them, the other one is going to be hit with a horrible thirst......)

Forced to make an agonizingly painful decision, I—

.

.

.

.

.

Arthur Ending | Dazai Ending

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

After we finished up with the foot bath, all while a certain possibility kept growing in the back of my mind, we were guided to a guest room specifically prepared for overnight visitors.

(Leon even went out of his way to book a room for us.)

Leon: If we're going to do a proper inspection, we have to thoroughly experience every single amenity, right?

Emma: You've been doing nothing but surprising me all day today, Leon.

Leon: Pfft, haha. Well, your surprised face just happens to be one of my absolute favorite things.

Leon: Still...... this room is practically like a miniature greenhouse itself.

Emma: You're right, there are so many herbs in here too......

Emma: Getting to be healed by the herbs during the day and then spending a relaxing night here would probably make anyone feel incredibly pampered.

Leon: Yeah. Now that we've got our impressions of the lodging facilities too, that's officially a wrap on today's inspection.

Leon cupped my chin, tilting my face up to lightly steal a quick kiss from my lips.

Emma: Mmh......

Leon: From here on out, we're off the clock...... Tonight, I'm gonna completely spoil you right here.

The moment he wrapped his arm around my waist and led me over to the bed, my heart instantly began to race like a runaway train.

As I sat down on the edge of the mattress feeling incredibly restless, Leon stepped up in front of me and held out several small bottles that had been set up on the side table.

Emma: What are these?

Leon: Aroma oils. Come on, lie down.

Emma: Wait, don't tell me you're going to give me another massage?

Leon: Ding-dong. Correct. The other afternoon was just your hands, but I told you before, didn't I? There's a proper way to show you love at night.

Emma: .......That sounds a little suggestive, you know.

Leon: Oh yeah? Maybe it's just because you're hoping for something.

Emma: Ugh......

Leon: Right this way, milady.

Watching him take off his jacket and roll up his sleeves, the possibility that had popped into my head earlier instantly turned into absolute certainty.

(He said he got the oil from that hand massage the other day from an acquaintance, but—)

(He must have picked it up when he came here beforehand to scout out the place.)

(To think he's been planning all of this for so long just to pamper me even more than usual.)

(I knew it. Leon definitely brought me here today just so I could unwind.)

There was even a basin of hot water laid out in the room, most likely meant for warming up the linens, which showed just how seriously Leon had planned this out.

Leon: What's wrong?

Emma: Oh, nothing. I'm just trying to decide which oil to go with.

Leon: Why don't you actually smell them first and see?

Emma: Yeah, let's do that...... Wow, they all smell so good...... This one is sweet, and this one is super refreshing......

Emma: It's hard to choose, but I think I'll go with this one.

Leon: Huh. It's not just sweet, it has this crisp, refreshing scent to it. It suits you perfectly.

With Leon supporting my back as I lay down, a warm linen towel was gently placed over my eyes—

And then, large hands coated in the aroma oil began to softly massage and melt away all the tension in my scalp.

Leon: How's the pressure?

Emma: It's perfect, it feels incredibly good......

Wrapped in my favorite scent, completely comforted by the soothing movement of his fingers, I looked back on all the surprises from today.

(No matter the moment...... I was constantly wrapped up in Leon's overwhelming love.)

(And of course, I am right now too...... I'm just so incredibly happy.)

By the time the towel had cooled down, he offered to swap it out for a fresh one, but I asked him to just take it off completely instead.

Leon: Done already?

Emma: Yeah. This time, I figured I'd soothe my eyes by staring at the person I love most.

Just as I declared, I gazed straight into his amber eyes, and Leon happily stared right back at me.

Leon: Is that so? Then I'll take advantage of the perks too and keep my eyes locked on your cute face.

Leon: But if you start getting sleepy, don't hold back, just close your eyes, okay?

(Oh, I'm just so helplessly happy...... Feeling Leon's love like this makes my whole chest feel so warm.)

Leon's fingertips moved down to work out the stiffness along my neck and collarbones.

Even though there wasn't a single hint of ulterior motive in his movements, the intense eye contact we were sharing sent a sudden rush of heat flaring from the very core of my body—

And the moment his fingers brushed over the hollow of my collarbone, I felt a faint, deep ache swell up inside me.

Emma: ......Ah.

Leon: What's wrong?

Emma: N-No, it's nothing.

(Leon really doesn't mean anything suggestive by this...... The massage is genuinely so relaxing. But still......)

(......Maybe I'm secretly hoping for him to show me love in a completely different way.)

Perhaps that exact thought had written itself all over my face, because Leon let out a small, breathless chuckle, as if he couldn't take it anymore.

Leon: When you make a face like that, it makes me want to kiss you so bad.

(......!)

Emma: I want you to......kiss me too.

Leon: Oh yeah? You sure about that? Because I'm definitely not holding back then.

As his lips gently descended upon mine, I passionately kissed him right back. Leon nipped at my lip once, before letting out a helpless, breathless laugh.

Leon: Don't provoke me too much. I'm supposed to be completely pampering you today, you know?

Emma: I knew it...... You brought me here today strictly for my sake from the very beginning, didn't you, Leon?

Leon: Nope, it's entirely for my own sake.

Leon: Wanting to completely dote on my cute girl is just me being incredibly selfish, you know?

Emma: Leon......

(I've been so incredibly tense lately......)

(Leon must have noticed that and decided to soothe me, support me, and cheer me on without ever saying a single word about it.)

(My own feelings for him are overflowing just as much...... no, even more than that, and there's absolutely no way I can stop them.)

Emma: Thank you so much. Thanks to you, Leon, I feel like I've finally been able to get some proper rest for the first time in a while.

Leon: Are you satisfied with this?

While we kept our eyes locked, he gently bumped his forehead against mine, and I felt the feelings I had been holding back slowly begin to seep out.

Emma: ......If I'm being completely honest......

Emma: I think I might want you to......show me more of that proper way to love me at night.

The moment I put the raw feelings from the bottom of my heart into words, Leon leaned in for a deep, passionate kiss—

Entangling his tongue with mine, he let his fingers glide along my skin, occasionally kneading at my arms and thighs as if to work out the tension, slowly beginning to open my body up.

Leon: Are you tight right here too?

Emma: Ah......hng......!

Leon: You're making such a sweet sound, and I haven't even touched the best part yet.

Emma: Mmh, maybe it's because you made me feel so good with that massage earlier...... Everything just feels completely different than usual.

Leon: Looks like it. You're getting way hotter than usual down here too.

Suddenly, his fingers slipped right between my thighs, sliding in and out intensely as if to scoop out the overflowing sweetness—

As I desperately tried to keep my hips from shrinking away, the pad of his finger firmly pressed against my most sensitive spot, making my vision flash and blur.

Even so, wanting to feel him even closer, I reached my hands out to him, and he placed a deeply tender kiss upon each and every one of my fingers.

Leon: Emma...... I love how hard you always work.

Leon: But of course, I love you when you're completely melting like this too.

Emma: Hah, ah......!

Leon slowly lowered his hips down into me, and I clung tightly to his broad back, desperately doing everything I could to take in all of his intense heat.

With every single thrust that rocked my body, tears welled up in my eyes from the sheer amount of pleasure and overwhelming love.

Emma: Ngh...... I love you so much too, Leon......

Emma: Your entire existence, your love...... It gives me more strength than absolutely anything else.

Emma: Ah...... Thanks to you, I feel like I can...... go out and give it my absolute all again.

Leon: Yeah. ......In that case, I plan on becoming way more selfish from now on.

Leon: I'm gonna make sure I thoroughly spoil you. For the rest of our lives.

And just like that, as we kept weaving our truest, most heartfelt feelings together with our lips, the night meant just for the two of us deepened around us—

.

.

.

.

.

IkePri Masterlist

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

BUSINESS DISTRICT

Making a Fortune If you don't cash in and I don't cash in, we'll both be left staring at empty wallets.

Passerby A: Did you hear? A ton of massive corporations have been making some huge business moves lately.

Passerby B: Obviously. The financial winds are shifting every single day lately. If you want to make serious money, you have to seize the initiative.

Passerby A: But haven't you been making a killing recently? Which broker did you hire? Or did you consult some expert?

Passerby B: What do experts know! I still put my faith in LFG. Wherever LFG points, that's where I invest!

Passerby A: Oh...

Passerby B: What? Are you finally looking to get skin in the game too?

Passerby A: I'm still feeling things out. I'm nowhere near as aggressive as you are.

Passerby B: You can't look at it that way. If you don't move your money right now, what's the difference between that and sitting back and watching your assets depreciate?

Passerby B: Tell you what, since you're a close buddy of mine, do you want to go in on this stock...

—

MY COMPANY

The Path to Wealth Choosing ALL between A or B.

Employee A: There have been so many reports related to LFG lately... both smear pieces and glowing praise. What on earth is going on? Is LFG about to make another massive move?

Employee B: Should we ride their coattails on this? Has the boss said anything from her end?

Employee A: Nothing for now. Do you think she might be waiting for us to put together a pitch and submit it ourselves?

Employee A: Hard to say. But if we do run a report, which side are we taking?

Employee B: Listen to yourself. Given our relationship with LFG, we should obviously praise them to high heaven, right?

Employee B: And then we can have our other smaller media outlets leak a bunch of dirt. Ideally, we can stir up some drama and get people arguing.

Employee A: Love it! Once the internet is up in arms, we can bring in an expert to give some objective, neutral analysis to solidify LFG's corporate image.

Employee A: We have to make sure this expert has a burner account that can be easily dug up by the public...

Employee A: An account where they've already posted a bunch of extreme opinions targeting the current market, just to set the stage for the next round of media wars?

Employee B: Flawless. When it comes to making money, you obviously have to milk both sides.

—

SOUVENIR

Patron Feedback Inside a somewhat dusty guestbook, there are various messages left in completely different handwritings.

"When is this place finally going to open? Can the owner at least give us a straight answer?"

"It probably went out of business already, didn't it? The ratings for this place were pretty low to begin with anyway."

"Serves them right for going under. I came by multiple times before and it was always closed. Who do they think they are?"

"This is so annoying. How can a restaurant just close down out of nowhere? I haven't even eaten here yet! Shitty owner!"

"Hahaha, now that the shop is gone, maybe their business rating will actually go up a bit? At least there won't be any more bad reviews!"

—

[Offshore Settlement Business] Financial activities where banking institutions process fund clearances related to overseas accounts, offshore corporations, or cross-border transactions for clients, which accelerates capital velocity and streamlines the settlement process.

It typically occurs in the following scenarios: when funds need to circulate between countries or regions utilizing different clearing systems; when enterprises or individuals need to make or receive payments in a foreign currency; or when corporations, institutions, or individuals require outbound financing.

LFG is currently applying for the relevant licenses from the government to launch these services. Once obtained, LFG will command significantly greater leverage and operational flexibility regarding multinational trade.

[Offshore Financial Center] Specific zones established by certain countries or regions that specialize in cross-border financial services, routinely providing convenient banking operations for non-residents or international corporations, including asset management, corporate registration, financing, and tax planning.

Strictly speaking, whether operations take place domestically or abroad, offshore finance entails capital financing that remains unregulated by local banking legislation.

Due to its characteristic features of being non-resident, lightly regulated, and low tax, it is heavily favored by capital and investors alike. Considering LFG's stable partnerships with numerous corporations and its exceptional credit rating, the Loveland City Government has designated LFG to spearhead the establishment of this project and has entrusted them to negotiate the operational details externally. The project will utilize an island within Loveland City as the central industrial park to gradually establish the Loveland Special Financial Zone. The creation of this financial center will not only benefit the expansion of Loveland City's foreign trade, but will also stimulate neighboring industries, even radiating out to surrounding cities to drive a brand-new wave of economic growth. It is a project to which the municipal government attaches the utmost importance.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 3-08

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

I lowered my camera and noticed that I was still standing by the West Lake, but the surrounding scenery was a bit different from what I had just seen.

The tall buildings in the distance were completely gone, and the modern tourist boats floating on the lake had turned into traditional black-topped rowboats.

I must have successfully made it back to a point in the past related to Bai Yuan, I just didn't know what time period I was in right now.

Where was the Bai Yuan of this era?

It was pouring outside.

A cool, drizzling spring rain began to fall, droplets splattering across my camera screen.

I hurried to tuck the camera safely against my chest, shielding it carefully. My plan was to find some shelter first and figure out where Bai Yuan was once the downpour let up.

Right at that exact second, a bloodcurdling scream pierced through the air.

???: A... A demon!

What? A demon? Where?

My chest tightened. I locked my eyes onto the source of the voice and saw a guy dressed like a fisherman down by the shore, pointing straight at me with a face full of sheer terror.

If I wasn't misinterpreting things, the demon this guy was screaming about... was me?

Was it because he saw me pop out of thin air? Or was it because my clothes didn't look anything like what people wore in ancient times?

Following his terrified shriek, the surrounding pedestrians holding umbrellas all stopped in their tracks to stare at me, their faces twisting into expressions of pure bizarre dread.

Fisherman: I saw it with my own two eyes! She just popped out of nowhere!

Fisherman: She's a demon! Someone... someone go get a master! Don't let her get away!

...Instead of wasting time trying to explain myself, I needed to bolt. I'd be an idiot to stay put.

I shielded my camera, picked a direction, and tried to break through the crowd.

The onlookers seemed way more terrified of me being a "demon" than they were curious.

Seeing me try to charge their way, they instantly scattered like birds and beasts, clearing a path right for me.

That fisherman was still trying to yell at people to block me, but absolutely nobody dared to put a hand on me.

Just as I wanted to speed up my pace and get out of here, in my frantic rush to escape, I stepped on a stone on the ground. A sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I crashed straight into someone's chest.

A patch of a greyish-white hemline popped into my line of sight.

I lifted my head and locked eyes with a pair of amber depths looking down at me, reflecting my slightly disheveled state.

A white oil-paper umbrella blocked out the drifting drizzle, and for a split second, the noisy world filled with the sound of rain felt incredibly quiet.

It was Bai Yuan, holding the umbrella.

Looks like I didn't need to waste any more time searching for him after all.

Right at that second, the fisherman who had been trying to corner me like I was some kind of demon ran over in a hurry, looking like he had just spotted his savior.

Fisherman: Little Master! Little Master, watch out! That woman is a demon!

Fisherman: I saw her pop right out of the lake with my own two eyes! She must be a snake demon!

Me: ......

I tilted my head up to look at Bai Yuan, only to see him looking right back at me with a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Me: I'm not a demon.

Fisherman: Little Master! Hurry up and exorcise this demon!

Bai Yuan reached out a hand, and I heard him whisper a quick "Pardon me" as he wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me tightly into his chest with quite a bit of force.

Bai Yuan: This demon's power is too strong, I must subdue her right this second!

Bai Yuan: Spiritual weapons have no eyes, so everyone please back away for now, watch out for stray attacks!

He started chanting some spells under his breath, and I watched a wild gust of wind kick up all around us, with faint traces of golden light swirling around my body.

Seeing this, the surrounding crowd scattered in an instant.

Right then, I heard him speak softly right by my ear again.

Bai Yuan: Hold on tight.

The very next second, the world spun completely upside down, and I closed my eyes instinctively.

When I opened them again, I saw that we had arrived on top of a bridge. The people who had been crowding around us earlier were completely gone.

Bai Yuan: Are you all right?

He looked down at me, a hint of concern lingering in his eyes.

Me: Aren't you afraid that I really am a demon?

Bai Yuan: It's only normal that they couldn't tell whether you're a demon or not, but I can obviously tell at a single glance.

Bai Yuan let go of me.

Bai Yuan: You didn't get hurt just now, did you?

Me: No, I'm fine.

I shook my head, but just as I tried to stand up straight, a sharp wave of pain shot through my foot, forcing me to instinctively grab a handful of Bai Yuan's clothes.

Me: ....Actually, I do have a problem now. My foot hurts, and I can't walk.

Me: Could you take me somewhere to rest for a bit?

Bai Yuan: Ah, in that case... all right then.

He hesitated for a brief second before reaching his arm out toward me, lifting me right up off my feet with a single arm.

Suddenly losing my footing made me let out a tiny gasp, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, only to hear him let out a soft, gentle laugh.

Bai Yuan: It's raining and the ground is pretty muddy. Be careful not to get your shoes dirty.

He tilted the umbrella in his hand, blocking out the gazes of any passing pedestrians, and then set off, walking toward the nearby city of Lin'an.

As I clung to him, I quietly studied him.

The way he was dressed right now made him look like a traveling scholar, but the spiritual weapons he carried made it seem like he was someone who practiced martial arts at a temple.

His medium-length hair was tied back into a loose ponytail, and when the damp wind brushed past us, I could still catch the faint scent of sandalwood on him.

Maybe he could tell that I was checking him out, because I could feel the arm he had wrapped around me tighten just a little bit.

He tried to say something a few different times, but every single time he looked over at me, he quickly darted his eyes away again.

...Keeping this up was honestly starting to make me feel a bit self-conscious too.

So, I started digging for a conversation starter.

Me: Um, so are you a local around here?

Bai Yuan: No.

Bai Yuan: I came from Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang to deliver a letter to Lin'an on behalf of my master back there. What about you?

Me: I'm from... out of town too. I plan on staying around here for a little while.

Me: So does that mean you're a cultivating monk right now?

His footsteps paused for a tiny fraction of a second before he kept moving forward, deftly weaving through the crowds.

Bai Yuan: I haven't actually taken any monastic vows.

Bai Yuan: It's just that for certain reasons, I need to regularly cultivate at Jinshan Temple, and I learn a bit of magic from the masters there while I'm at it.

Me: Magic?

Bai Yuan: Yeah, just like this.

He let go of the handle of the umbrella, but the oil-paper umbrella didn't fall down at all—it just floated right there, suspended in midair.

Then he opened his palm, and the shimmering phantom of a golden lotus bloomed right in his hand.

Me: You're pretty skilled at these little parlor tricks to impress people.

Bai Yuan: Then did my trick manage to impress you?

He turned his head to look at me.

I was originally just teasing him as a joke, so I really didn't expect him to ask me back so seriously.

I nodded my head.

Me: Mhm, it did.

Whether it was magic tricks, straw-woven rabbits, or good food, drinks, and fun, he could always easily make me happy.

Bai Yuan: That's good then.

Bai Yuan: Just consider it my way of making it up to you.

As we spoke, we had already made our way into the city.

Bai Yuan didn't seem all that familiar with the streets around here either. Every now and then, he would pause at an intersection for a moment to get his bearings before moving along again.

While we were heading toward an inn, a few passersby seemed to recognize Bai Yuan, calling out to greet him warmly as Little Master.

Bai Yuan smiled and responded to every single one of them.

It was just that he kept using his umbrella to block my line of sight the entire time, so I couldn't really see what was going on outside anyway.

Not until he finally folded his umbrella did he step inside.

Bai Yuan: We're here.

He closed the umbrella with a swift movement of his hand, set me down on a chair inside the inn, and then squatted down in front of me.

Bai Yuan: I'm going to check your injury...

Me: Mm, okay.

Only after getting my permission did he take off my shoe to check my ankle.

Once he confirmed that the injury wasn't too serious, he finally looked like he could breathe a sigh of relief.

I saw a flash of golden light slip across his palm, and the pain in my ankle instantly vanished.

Bai Yuan: Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere else?

I shook my head.

Me: No, that's it.

Bai Yuan: That's good then.

He carefully put my shoe and sock back on for me, then stood up and smiled at me.

Bai Yuan: I happen to be staying at this very inn. If you need anything else, you can come find me here.

He turned to leave right after saying that.

Me: Hold on a second, Little Master.

I quickly grabbed the hem of his robe, flashing him a smile when he turned back around to look at me.

Me: I've heard people say that crossing paths here means it's fate.

Me: Since you and I share that fate, would it be okay if I invited you to explore the West Lake together while I'm here in town?

He fell silent for a few seconds, looking a bit self-conscious as he scratched his cheek with his index finger. It seemed like he went through a whole internal battle before finally locking eyes with me.

Bai Yuan: Sure.

Maybe because of the rain, there weren't many customers inside the inn at the moment.

Bai Yuan called the shopkeeper over and had the server bring us a pot of hot tea, then poured a cup himself to hand over to me.

Bai Yuan: The West Lake Longjing tea at this place is pretty good. Have some hot tea first to warm yourself up.

Bai Yuan: Careful, it's hot.

Me: Thanks.

I took the teacup and studied him through the rising steam of the tea.

He didn't look very old at this point in time, but he seemed to be quite well-known around Lin'an, considering how many people recognized him and greeted him along the way.

The modern version of him said he had forgotten a lot of things. Did he end up forgetting everything that happened during this period too?

Or did something happen after this that caused him to end up in that state?

If I wanted to know how things played out from here, I had no choice but to keep following him. After all, he was the whole reason I came here.

Noticing my gaze, he looked back at me.

Bai Yuan: Do you... still have some questions?

Me: No questions. I just genuinely think you're really handsome, Little Master, so I wanted to stare for a bit longer.

I spoke my mind honestly, causing his face to flush a bit, and he could only let out a soft cough to cover it up.

Bai Yuan: Please don't tease me like that...

Me: I'm telling the truth.

Me: And you don't need to keep calling me miss this, miss that either. My name is Y/N. You can just call me Y/N, Little Master.

Me: What about you? What's your name?

Bai Yuan: Me? My name is Bai Yuan.

The second the words left his mouth, a scoff echoed from not too far away.

I followed the sound and noticed there was actually someone else sitting in the corner of the inn.

The man was wearing a set of tattered monk robes, lazily waving a battered old cattail leaf fan in his hand as he sat in the corner, casually studying us.

To be precise, he was studying me.

I couldn't help but feel like this guy's look... felt incredibly familiar for some reason.

Monk: The Little Master from Jinshan Temple? Tell me, does Jinshan Temple actually teach its disciples how to charm innocent young ladies now?

Monk: If this girl turns out to be a demon in disguise, you're going to trip yourself right up, Little Master.

The man spoke up while fanning himself, acting as if he'd just seen something highly amusing.

His words were directed at Bai Yuan, but those bright eyes of his—which didn't match his scruffy appearance at all—seemed like they wanted to look right through me.

I shifted my gaze back to Bai Yuan.

Me: I don't really care. The Little Master is tall and handsome, so even if I were a demon, I'd willingly let him capture me.

Me: Right, Little Master?

Bai Yuan gave me a slightly helpless look.

The rain stopped outside, and the scruffy monk didn't say anything else. He just let out a loud laugh, waved his cattail fan, and stood up to leave the inn.

Right at that second, the server came back over and quickly refilled our tea with practiced movements.

Earlier, my attention was completely locked onto Bai Yuan, so I hadn't paid much attention to my surroundings. Now that the server was back, I suddenly noticed—

The server had four arms.

Was it... a physical disability? It didn't really look like it, though.

In ancient times, wouldn't someone with this kind of physical anomaly face tons of gossip and criticism? Or were people around here just exceptionally kind to individuals like him?

By now, more customers were trickling into the inn, either calling out to their friends as they sat down together or ordering food to eat alone in the corner.

Some of them, just like the server, either had an extra arm or only had one eye.

I even noticed a few children who had patches of animal skin on their bodies.

One or two "abnormalities" could be called a coincidence, but this many...

A mother was even complaining about how her child's newly grown fur was all tangled and hard to manage, not finding it strange at all that her kid was covered in cat fur.

A chill crept up my spine, making my hair stand on end. I hurried to look away, only to find Bai Yuan staring right at me.

Bai Yuan: What's wrong?

There was genuine concern in his voice, but I had no idea how to put it into words.

Did he really not notice the blatant anomalies around here? Or did even he think there wasn't anything wrong with them?

Me: Nothing, I just think... the people in Lin'an have a lot of unique features.

Hearing me say this, he seemed to freeze for a moment.

Then he averted his eyes, swept his gaze across our surroundings, and quietly gave me a hand sign, gesturing for us to go somewhere else to talk.

Does this mean... he noticed it too?

I nodded, following Bai Yuan as we left the lobby and headed up to the second floor of the inn, finding a corner where no one else was around.

He stopped in his tracks, cast a quick glance downstairs, and then looked back at me.

Bai Yuan: You haven't cultivated at all, yet you can actually see it too.

Me: You can see it too, right?

Bai Yuan: Yeah.... This is exactly why I've been lingering around Lin'an.

Bai Yuan: How much can you see? Could you tell me a bit about it?

Now that I knew Bai Yuan wasn't part of those anomalies, the anxiety that had been tightly gripping my chest finally loosened up halfway.

So, I gave Bai Yuan a detailed description of everything I'd seen, and then asked him, feeling a bit nervous.

Me: What are those things?

Bai Yuan: They're ordinary humans who have been corrupted by evil spirits.

Me: Getting corrupted by evil spirits can actually turn them into that? They don't seem to think there's anything wrong with them at all.

From what I could see right now, aside from turning bizarre without realizing it, these people didn't seem any different from regular folks in any other way.

Bai Yuan shook his head.

Bai Yuan: You don't have any spiritual power, so that's just the surface level of what you can see. In my eyes, they've already lost their human essence. They're no different from the evil spirits themselves.

Bai Yuan: The demonic energy is spreading. I'm afraid it won't be long before fields of corpses stretch for a hundred miles, not just inside Lin'an, but all across the outskirts of the city too.

His expression turned pretty grim.

I couldn't help but feel like... this description sounded a lot like some kind of plague.

Except instead of bacteria or viruses, the root cause of this plague was demonic energy?

Me: Since we're inside the city right now, won't we get corrupted too?

Bai Yuan: You'll be fine. Don't be scared. It's just demonic energy, so it's actually pretty easy to guard against.

He unwrapped the prayer beads from his wrist, slid one bead off the strand, and then pulled a piece of red string out of nowhere. After threading the bead onto it, he hung it around my neck.

Bai Yuan: This prayer bead carries a part of my spiritual power. Wearing it will protect you from getting tainted by the demonic energy.

The bead felt like it was made from an incredibly fine material, heavy in my hand, and a faint golden light shimmered across it as it turned.

Me: Okay.

Me: Thanks, Little Master.

Bai Yuan: You don't have to thank me.

Bai Yuan: With demons causing chaos in the city, I still haven't cleared up where the source of the energy is... I originally thought that if you wanted to move around on your own, I could just protect you from the shadows.

He smiled, pointing at the prayer bead against my chest.

Bai Yuan: This is really important, so make sure you don't lose it.

Me: Mm, I won't lose it.

Bai Yuan: Since you said yourself that we share a special fate, I'll have to trouble you to stay with me during this time.

Bai Yuan: I still need to look around various parts of the city next to find where the source of the demonic energy is hidden. So...

Me: I'm obviously going with you.

Bai Yuan: All right then.

It was already afternoon by the time we left the inn.

Not many people from the morning market were left wandering around, and the vendors at the roadside shops were getting ready to pack up their stalls and head home.

Everything looked completely normal, like nothing more than a regular, everyday ancient marketplace.

If only I didn't occasionally see pedestrians with bizarre limbs passing right by me, or lock eyes with a koi fish floating through the air the second I turned around...

A hand reached out from behind me, covering both of my eyes, and the gentle scent of sandalwood instantly wrapped around me.

Bai Yuan: Don't make a sound, and don't look.

I nodded softly and closed my eyes, but I could still feel that koi fish floating through the air, brushing right past me in the alleyway.

Its abnormally massive, freezing-cold caudal fin grazed against the hem of my dress and my fingertips, and the eerie dampness sent a sudden shiver through my body.

After a little while, Bai Yuan finally let go of me.

I glanced back, but the koi fish was already gone.

Me: Was that a demon too?

Bai Yuan: Yeah, it's a type of demon that can create illusions. They trap living people who stare at them inside those illusions, then drain their human essence.

Bai Yuan: What you saw just now was only the form it manifested.

Bai Yuan: I've dealt with this kind of demon before. As long as you don't keep staring right at them, you'll be fine.

Me: Dealt with them? Do you usually travel around exorcising demons, Little Master?

Bai Yuan: Not exactly... it's just that my constitution is a bit unique, so I've been way more sensitive to these things than ordinary people since I was a kid.

Bai Yuan: It was specifically to guard against these things that I started cultivating with my master at Jinshan Temple. As time went on, I ended up learning a few ways to handle them.

He looked up, casting a quick glance at the sky.

Bai Yuan: It's getting late today, so let's head back to the inn for now. We can keep going tomorrow.

Me: Sounds good.

The city of Hangzhou during this era was massive, though back then it wasn't actually called Hangzhou yet—it went by Lin'an.

The streets inside the city were incredibly intricate, so Bai Yuan and I hadn't managed to cover much ground today.

Bai Yuan mentioned that the demonic energy inside the city was messy and chaotic, reminding me to stay on guard at all times.

Because of that, even now in the dead of night, we ended up sharing the exact same room.

Bai Yuan let me have the bed, while he sat off to the side, meditating and cultivating.

Everything that happened during the day kept floating back into my mind as a thick, heavy darkness wrapped around me. Clutches of anxiety hit me, so I gripped the sandalwood prayer bead he had given me and lay in bed, quietly opening my eyes to steal a glance at him.

The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright—so bright that I could clearly make out every single detail inside the room.

I saw him sitting in a spot right by the window, his eyes gently closed, with a soft layer of golden light shimmering across his body.

Under this kind of light, the bright red cinnabar mark right between his eyebrows looked completely sacred, yet a little eerie at the same time.

It had only been a single day since I met the version of him in this world, so the information I could gather was way too sparse, and I had no clue what was going to happen next.

Did the demonic energy in this city have anything to do with the things I saw in the future? And why did the future Bai Yuan say that he was the only one who could deal with it?

Me: Little Master.

I called out to him softly, and I watched his fingers twitch a little, though he didn't open his eyes.

Even though he clearly heard my voice, he didn't budge...

Me: Little Master, I can't sleep. Could you keep me company and talk to me for a bit?

The second the words left my mouth, he opened his eyes, a golden radiance swirling within his pupils.

Bai Yuan: What... do you want to talk about?

Me: Why don't you tell me some of your stories? Since you cultivate and exorcise demons, you must have plenty of interesting experiences, right?

Me: I really want to hear them, if it's okay with you to tell me.

Bai Yuan: Of course...

He smiled, just about to start speaking, when his expression suddenly completely shifted, and his eyes shot a sharp, piercing glare straight out the window.

Me: What's wrong?

Bai Yuan quickly slid off the daybed, gesturing for me to stay quiet, and then gently lowered the bamboo blinds over the window.

The room instantly pitched into darkness, save for the overly bright moonlight squeezing through the narrow gaps.

The next second, a shadow materialized out of nowhere, slowly crawling up the bamboo blinds from bottom to top and completely blotting out the moonlight.

In that exact split second, I suddenly felt like something was squeezing my throat, or like I had plunged deep underwater.

A suffocating pressure rushed over me, leaving me completely paralyzed.

An indescribable, sticky, damp chill slithered up my back like a snake.

There was something right outside the window.

That thing was pressed against the bamboo blinds right now, seemingly trying to figure out how to break in.

It wasn't until Bai Yuan noiselessly made his way over to the bedside and took my hand that I jarred awake to the realization that I was drenched in a cold sweat.

His palm was warm, and his heat traveled through our connected hands, bit by bit chasing away the chill in my body.

I had no idea how long that thing stayed pressed against the window.

Because my nerves had been stretched to their absolute limit the entire time, it wasn't until the shadow finally vanished that I snapped back to reality.

I realized that, without even noticing, I had ended up completely draped over Bai Yuan.

I didn't have the strength to push myself away, so I could only tilt my head up and whisper to him.

Me: Little Master, what was that just now? Was it a demon too?

Bai Yuan: Yeah, they're hunting for living humans to feed on.

Bai Yuan: Keep your voice down, they haven't gone far yet.

He raised his hand and conjured a gust of wind, gently nudging a corner of the blinds aside.

Through the gap, under the brilliant moonlight, I saw two snakes—each far larger than the buildings themselves—slithering down the street.

They didn't have solid bodies and looked more like phantoms, with a massive swarm of twisted shapes trailing closely behind them.

I stared for a long time before realizing those were the oddly shaped koi fish from earlier, floating through the air.

They followed the giant snakes, heading all the way toward the outskirts of the city.

Bai Yuan let the blinds drop back into place and looked down at me.

Bai Yuan: They shouldn't be coming back, so you should try to get some rest.

Bai Yuan: Don't worry, I'm right here.

Bai Yuan: I'll go back to my cultivation, just call me if you need anything.

He seemed incredibly unfazed. Even after something like that just happened, the very first thing on his mind was still cultivation.

I decided I couldn't let him do that.

Me: I can't sleep, I need you to stay with me, Little Master.

I shook my head, tightening my grip around his arm.

Me: Just for tonight, okay? Sleep here with me, I'm really scared.

...In reality, I wasn't actually that terrified, but the more reserved and restrained he acted, the more I wanted to get closer to him.

Besides, it wasn't like he was refusing, right?

I heard him let out a soft cough before whispering a quiet "All right."

So, I scooted over toward the inside of the bed, clearing a spot for him.

The rustle of fabric echoed through the quiet room, and then, that faint scent of sandalwood drew near as his warmth completely enveloped me.

He lay down perfectly proper, leaving a distance of just a single fist between us.

A highly amusing thought suddenly crossed my mind—why did I feel like one of those demons from a novel trying to tempt a holy saint?

I turned my head to look at him, only to see him instantly dart his eyes away.

So he was just looking at me too.

The atmosphere felt a little awkward, so I had no choice but to start digging for another conversation starter.

Me: Little Master, were those demons from earlier really powerful?

Bai Yuan: Well... they're manageable. Even if they come back, I can handle them, so you don't need to be scared.

He paused for a moment before speaking up softly again.

Bai Yuan: The demonic energy in the city doesn't actually come from these lesser demons. I noticed they all headed into the West Lake, so there's probably a major demon resting at the bottom of it.

Bai Yuan: We'll go check out the lakeside tomorrow.

Bai Yuan: For now... you should get some rest.

Me: Okay.

I closed my eyes, listening to the steady sound of his breathing as I gradually drifted off to sleep.

.

.

.

.

.

Part 15

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

There was still one more place I needed to go shoot at—Lingyin Temple.

The mountain air was incredibly fresh, and there was plenty of sunshine today. The temple was absolutely packed with crowds coming and going, smoke rising everywhere as the air filled with the scent of burning incense.

I bought a ticket to enter Lingyin Temple and wandered around the grounds with the crowd, quickly finding the exact shooting location from the photo.

The spot was right near the century-old camphor tree in front of the Hall of Bhaisajyaguru. *Bhaisajyaguru is the formal Sanskrit name for the Medicine Buddha, a major figure in Mahayana Buddhism. He is traditionally revered as the buddha of healing and medicine, associated with curing physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses, as well as clearing away ignorance and negative karma.

There weren't too many tourists around here. I found a decent spot and planned to try snapping a photo with my camera at this specific point.

I raised my camera and was just adjusting the focal length when a slightly familiar figure suddenly popped into the frame.

The guy was dressed in black clothes with a white, Chinese-style jacket thrown over top.

There were a few other tourists walking by wearing similar vintage outfits, but since he was so tall and had such a unique vibe about him, I recognized him instantly.

That guy... was Baiyuan.

...I should still be inside the game instance right now, so this Baiyuan probably wasn't the tennis player Baiyuan I actually knew.

Why was he here?

I lowered my camera and watched him bow from a distance toward the Hall of Bhaisajyaguru.

Then he looked around, almost like he was double-checking something, before heading off toward the side tourist pathway.

The pathway back there led to the Zhizhi Hall and the cultural exhibition halls. Was he going there to do something?

Just like the stuff that happened to me before... running into him here probably wasn't a coincidence.

I put my camera away and decided to follow him to see what was up.

I followed Baiyuan, watching him walk all the way into the cultural exhibition hall.

He wasn't walking super fast, but because there were quite a few crowds stopping here, I got squeezed among the people and lost track of him a couple of times.

By the time I spotted him again, I saw him walking up a flight of stairs in the corner that led upstairs.

Wait, was there a staircase over there just now? Or was it always there and I just hadn't noticed it?

...If I follow him up just a little bit to check it out, it should probably be fine, right?

I carefully dodged the crowd, and while nobody was paying attention to me, I quickly hurried up the stairs after him.

The stairs going up only had two flights, and the upper floor seemed to be a library or a place where books were kept. Baiyuan should be right around here.

The wooden doors were tightly shut, so I had no idea which room he actually went into.

Right at that second, the sound of a conversation came floating down from the very end of the hallway.

Monk A: Master, I just saw someone coming up here.

Monk B: Was it a tourist? Ugh, there are always people who completely ignore the warning signs. We clearly said this area isn't open to the public...

Monk B: Go on and escort them back down quickly.

It sounded like the monks who ran this place.

Even if I got caught, it probably wouldn't amount to anything more than a quick scolding, but I came here to find Baiyuan. If I got dragged away for a lecture... I might end up losing him completely.

Just as I was hesitating over whether I should duck out of the way for a moment, the door right next to my hand suddenly swung open.

A hand reached out, dragging me inside with a lot of force, and then clamped right over my mouth.

I watched the wooden door slam shut right in front of my eyes, and immediately after, a familiar voice echoed right in my ear.

???: Shh, don't make a sound.

It was Baiyuan's voice.

My heart, which had just jumped into my throat, instantly settled back down. I nodded in a hurry and lifted my hand to make a gesture showing I'd be quiet.

But the hand covering my mouth and the one pinning my waist didn't let go right away.

The sound of the conversation outside the door kept getting closer and closer, and I instinctively held my breath.

But because of that, the breath from the person behind me puffing against my neck became even more noticeable.

My back was pressed right against his chest, and it wasn't until the chatter outside gradually faded into the distance that the warmth lingering by my ear suddenly pulled away.

I turned around and saw that he was staring right at me.

Me: You...

Bai Yuan: You can see me?

Before I could even say anything, he blurted out something that totally lacked context.

What did he mean by "You can see me"? Of course I could see him.

Me: Isn't that obvious? There's nothing wrong with my eyes, so why wouldn't I be able to see you?

Bai Yuan: ......

He kept his eyes locked on me with a frown, staying silent for a few seconds as if he were trying to confirm something.

But right after, his expression softened and he let out a little smile, leaning in closer to drop his voice.

Bai Yuan: This area isn't open to tourists. What are you doing up here? Don't tell me you followed me?

He looked like a tourist himself, so why was he turning the questions on me?

Me: I should be asking you that. You don't exactly look like a staff member here either, so what are you doing here?

Bai Yuan: I'm here to find something. I know the... former abbot here.

He was a bit vague when he said that.

After offering up that ambiguous explanation, he turned back around, lifting his head in front of a nearby bookshelf as if he were looking for something.

Even while searching, he didn't forget to give me a heads-up.

Bai Yuan: Though I don't know why you're following me, I don't really have time to question you right now.

Bai Yuan: Don't go out just yet. I'll take you downstairs in a bit. If you're with me, they probably won't cross-examine you.

Me: Oh, okay.

Though even if I did get caught, I had my own ways to slip away using my Silhouette anyway.

He looked incredibly busy. I watched him rummage through the bookshelves, occasionally pulling out a book or two to flip through before quickly putting them right back.

What in the world was he looking for?

Me: What are you looking for? I don't have anything to do while I'm just hanging out here, so why don't I help you look?

He didn't pause his flipping, answering me in a low voice without even turning his head.

Bai Yuan: Just... some historical records.

Bai Yuan: This temple has a two-thousand-year history. I was thinking that whatever they keep stored here might just have what I need.

Bai Yuan: Found it.

He lightly patted the dust off the pages, then walked over to the window where the light was a bit better and cracked the book open.

I walked over to take a look, finding that it used classical Chinese to record events that happened during the Southern Song dynasty.

But most of the handwriting was pretty blurry.

Bai Yuan didn't stop me from reading along with him, but as he was flipping through, he suddenly froze.

Bai Yuan: Strange.

Me: What's wrong?

He closed the book with a frown, then glanced over at me but didn't say a single thing, simply putting the book right back where it belonged before cracking open another one.

...He seemed incredibly busy, like he had no intention of paying attention to me.

For some strange reason... looking at his back, I couldn't help but feel that even though he was right here in front of my eyes, it felt like there was a massive distance between us.

It wasn't until he finally seemed to finish up his business that he came over and stood right in front of me.

His tall figure blocked out the little bit of sunlight streaming through the gaps in the window frame. I tilted my head up to look at him, and saw him flash a little smile my way.

Bai Yuan: Sorry to keep you waiting, let's go.

Me: Mhm, okay.

I followed him, heading right back the way we came to the first-floor exhibition hall.

There weren't too many tourists hanging around the exhibition hall at this hour, so we left the area without catching anyone's attention.

He didn't stick around any longer, walking straight out of the temple.

Across the path from the temple entrance, koi fish were leisurely swimming around in the crystal-clear spring beneath Feilai Peak.

Baiyuan, who was walking ahead of me, stopped in his tracks at that moment and turned around to look at me.

Bai Yuan: All right, can I ask you now? Why exactly were you following me?

I didn't really know how to explain it to him, but I had this absolute gut feeling...

No matter what I said, he wouldn't doubt me.

So, I flashed a smile his way.

Me: I just thought you looked a lot like someone I know.

Those amber eyes of his stared down at me in the sunlight.

Amidst the incense-filled air, that color somehow took on an almost sacred quality in a daze.

I heard him speak, a hint of a smile bleeding into his voice.

Bai Yuan: Oh? And here I thought I was the one you knew.

Bai Yuan: The way you've been following me around definitely doesn't feel like how you'd treat a complete stranger.

...I was just making up an excuse, so why was he taking it so seriously?

It wasn't like I could tell him that I'd actually known him for a long time, and that it was because I knew he was Baiyuan that I wanted to follow him—that I wanted to push through the crowds and see him no matter what.

But at a time like this, I could only switch the subject a bit awkwardly.

Me: Um... right, my name is Y/N. Can I get your name?

He looked at me in silence, as if trying to read something from my expression.

But in the end, he still smiled at me and played along with my forced topic change.

Bai Yuan: Yeah, my name is Baiyuan. You can just call me Baiyuan.

He glanced at our surroundings, then looked back at me with a slightly hesitant expression.

Bai Yuan: So, do you have any other plans next?

I completely forgot to take my photos.

But since we were already out of Lingyin Temple, going back inside would mean making another reservation and buying another ticket, so there was no massive rush to do it right this second.

So, I shook my head.

Me: Nope.

His mood seemed to instantly brighten up. A brilliant smile broke out across his face, and his eyes locked onto mine with a sparkling intensity.

Bai Yuan: Since we crossed paths here, it must be fate.

Bai Yuan: I actually have a favor to ask...

Me: Oh? What is it?

Bai Yuan: I'd love to invite you to head over to the West Lake with me. I... still have a few things I want to double-check.

Crossing paths means it's fate... Out of all the game instances I've encountered him in, it felt way less like a random coincidence and much more like destiny.

I beamed a bright smile right back at him.

Me: Sure, why not.

Bai Yuan: Really? Thank you.

Bai Yuan: Then... shall we go together?

Me: Mhm!

Lingyin Temple and the West Lake weren't far apart at all.

We headed down the mountain along the walking path, and after walking for a little while, we arrived at the edge of the West Lake.

During the walk, I asked him what exactly he was looking for back there, and after a brief hesitation, he ended up telling me anyway.

Bai Yuan: I was checking some records.

Bai Yuan: It's just that the things I saw earlier seemed a bit different from what I remember.

He paused for a moment before speaking up again.

Bai Yuan: When I got here, I noticed that every single piece of scenery around here has a legend or a story attached to it.

Bai Yuan: Y/N, do you think those legends... are real or fake?

He stopped in his tracks, turning his gaze toward me as if he desperately wanted to get an answer from me.

I thought about it for a bit and told him my honest thoughts.

Me: I think that if you're willing to believe in them, then they're real.

The things I experienced weren't the complete truth of the story—it felt much more like a slice of a certain time and space that existed during that era.

But no legend ever comes out of nowhere. Maybe in the worlds inside the instance, the legends actually are the truth?

I gave him my answer, but Baiyuan didn't offer any kind of response to it.

He shifted his gaze away from me, looking like he was deep in thought, as if he were still feeling completely lost inside.

But after a moment, he looked back at me, a smile breaking out across his face.

Bai Yuan: Yeah... maybe I shouldn't be obsessing over this right now. The weather is so nice today, we really should just enjoy the scenery.

As he spoke, the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist let out a soft clinking sound with his movements.

Right at that second, a little tourist sightseeing shuttle drove right past us with its music playing. The path on the bridge was narrow, causing the surrounding pedestrians to duck out of the way one after another.

Bai Yuan was still standing right in the middle of the path.

Me: Watch out, there's a shuttle.

I was just about to grab Bai Yuan to pull him out of the way, but then I saw that the driver of the shuttle looked like he didn't see him at all—the sightseeing shuttle just... passed right through his body.

And it was the exact same story with the pedestrians all around us; nobody seemed to notice this terrifying scene at all.

In that exact instant, it felt like all the air around us fell completely dead silent for a second.

He just stood there, letting people walk right past him and straight through his body, without a single soul noticing him.

I finally realized what he actually meant by that very first thing he said to me: You can see me?

Bai Yuan: Hm? Why are you suddenly looking at me with that kind of expression? Is there something on my face?

Me: Just now... what was that? It looked like they couldn't see you at all.

Bai Yuan: Oh, this...

His gaze drifted away for a split second before locking back onto me.

Bai Yuan: Y/N, do you... believe me?

I nodded without a single shred of hesitation.

Me: Yeah.

Bai Yuan: All right then.

He let out a little smile, then turned his gaze toward the shimmering waters of the West Lake alongside the Su Causeway.

Bai Yuan: I can see that there's something inside the lake.

Bai Yuan: If there absolutely has to be a reason to explain why I appeared here, I think it must be because of that.

I followed his gaze and looked over.

On the surface of the lake, tourist boats of all sizes were gently rocking back and forth, and an occasional seabird would skim across the water before flying off toward the islands in the center of the lake.

Everything looked completely peaceful and beautiful.

Me: But I don't see anything at all.

Bai Yuan: That's because you haven't cultivated, hm, maybe explaining it as having spiritual power makes more sense?

Bai Yuan: You don't have any spiritual power, so you can't see it.

Bai Yuan: Do you want to see? I can show you.

He reached out a hand toward me, but then he seemed to suddenly realize something, and his ears turned a bit red as he tried to pull his hand right back.

Before he could pull it away, I took the initiative to reach out and place my hand flat in his palm.

Me: How do I see it?

He looked down at our clasped hands, and once he seemed to confirm that I wasn't going to pull away, he smiled and tightened his grip around my hand.

Bai Yuan: Come over here.

Along the Su Causeway, near the edge of the lake, there were plenty of benches for strolling tourists to take a break on.

Bai Yuan led me to a spot right near the water's edge, squatted down by the lake, and kept holding my hand as he lowered it right into the water.

The sunshine was plenty bright today, but the lake water was still freezing cold, and... it felt incredibly bizarre to the touch.

It was a bit weird to describe it this way, but I could clearly tell that this didn't feel like flowing water at all—it felt way more like some kind of thick, gelatinous liquid.

Even though it looked like completely normal water, the texture when you actually touched it was totally different.

Bai Yuan signaled for me to look out into the distance.

Bai Yuan: See it now?

I lifted my head and saw a thick layer of black mist floating over the previously shimmering surface of the lake. Beneath the water, there actually seemed to be a massive eye...

Even the rolling mountains in the distance looked like they had come alive, twisting into shapes that resembled giant serpents under the suddenly distorted sunlight.

It gave me a huge fright, and I almost lost my balance completely.

Bai Yuan hurried to support me.

???: Hey, pull your hand out of there!

???: Be careful, young lady! Don't go sticking your hand in the water! Watch out or you'll fall in!

???: In weather like this, that West Lake water is going to freeze you till you're sick!

A passing boatman rowed by, scolding me with a hint of anxiety in his voice.

I let out an embarrassed smile, quickly saying "I know, I know" before pulling some tissues out of my bag to wipe my hands.

Once the boatman shook his head and rowed away, I looked over at Bai Yuan next to me.

Me: What was that?

Bai Yuan: It's something that was supposed to have disappeared long ago. I don't know why it's still here.

Bai Yuan: I feel like I've... forgotten a lot of things.

He took the tissues I handed him to wipe his hands, then led me over to sit down on a bench by the lake.

I watched the cool breeze blow through the willow branches hanging over the lake, while the tourist boats in the distance kept leisurely rowing across the water.

It was a perfect picture of peace and quiet, making it feel as if what I'd just seen was nothing more than an illusion.

Amidst the gentle sounds of the wind and the flowing water, Bai Yuan fiddled with the prayer beads on his wrist and slowly spoke up.

Bai Yuan: I might be a ghost. Are you scared of me?

I shook my head almost without a second thought, thinking to myself that there wasn't a single version of him I hadn't seen yet, so I wouldn't be scared even if he really were a ghost.

Me: If I were actually scared of you, I wouldn't have come over here with you just now.

Me: Plus, it's right in the middle of the day when the yang energy is at its peak. If you really were a ghost, there's no way you'd still be standing out here under the sun.

Seemingly amused by my words, the corners of his mouth turned up as he smiled and shook his head.

Bai Yuan: That's not necessarily true. Some ghosts who have high cultivation levels and have turned into demons aren't afraid of the sun at all.

Me: You've seen them?

I originally thought he was just joking around, but to my surprise, he actually nodded quite seriously.

Bai Yuan: Yeah, I've seen them.

He fiddled with the prayer beads wrapped around his wrist, the sandalwood beads catching a layer of golden light under the sun.

Bai Yuan: Because I've seen way too many of them, I need this.

Bai Yuan: To ward off evil spirits.

Me: So the thing in the lake, is that a demon too?

Bai Yuan: Hm... rather than calling it a demon, it's more like a creature that's way more terrifying than a demon. If it's left completely alone, terrible things will happen.

Me: What kind of terrible things?

He tightened his grip on my hand.

Bai Yuan: The absolute worst things you could possibly imagine—and even things you can't imagine—could all happen.

Bai Yuan: But the current me doesn't have the power to deal with this thing.

Me: Does it absolutely have to be dealt with? And does it have to be you?

Bai Yuan: Yeah.

Bai Yuan: Even if this whole thing didn't start because of me, if it's for the sake of...

He glanced over at me.

Bai Yuan: There is simply too little spiritual energy in this world right now. It's impossible for anyone capable of destroying this kind of thing to exist.

Bai Yuan: So it has to be me.

Me: You said the current you doesn't have the power to deal with this thing.

Me: Then can I take that to mean the past you could?

Bai Yuan: Hm?

He seemed to freeze for a second, almost as if he were weighing the possibility, before nodding once more.

Bai Yuan: Even though my memory is a bit blurry right now... if I weren't in this state, I should be able to handle it.

Me: All right then.

Me: I have a way.

I glanced down at the camera hanging around my neck.

This camera was a time machine, and I already knew exactly how to use it.

I could use it to travel back to a point in the past related to the object being photographed, but the subject of the photo had to be "a certain special existence."

Right now, Bai Yuan should easily count as one of those special existences.

In other words, if I used it to take a photo of Bai Yuan, I should be able to return to a certain point in the past related to him.

I wanted to help him. I wanted to know what exactly happened to him, and I also wanted to find out what that thing in the West Lake really was.

Just like the countless times he had done the exact same for me in the past—simply because it was him, I wanted to help him.

Bai Yuan: Hm? What are you planning to do?

I raised the camera hanging around my neck.

Me: This is a time machine. If I use it to take a photo of you, I can go back to the past related to you.

Me: Do you want to give it a shot? Maybe I can find out what happened to you.

Bai Yuan: Sure.

He agreed incredibly bluntly. I thought he would at least ask how on earth a ridiculous thing like a time machine could even exist.

I raised my camera and aimed the lens straight at him.

Me: All right... here I go.

He suddenly lifted his hand.

Bai Yuan: Hold on, I want to change my pose.

He leaned back against the bench, adjusting himself into a position he seemed happy with before finally letting me continue with the photo.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as I started adjusting the camera settings.

Inside the viewfinder, the young man dressed in his white, Chinese-style jacket sat with his legs crossed.

The fragmented patches of sunlight, filtered through the willow branches, danced across his hair and eyelashes, bleeding straight into his eyes as he looked right into the lens.

I locked eyes with those bright, amber depths and pressed down on the camera shutter.

The very next second, the scenery right in front of my eyes twisted into something completely different.

.

.

.

.

.

Part 14

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!

When I woke up the next morning, my body felt quite heavy, but I quickly realized—

it wasn't that my body had actually gotten heavier, it was that I was finally back inside it.

I walked out of my room and saw Gu Shiye reading a book outside.

I didn't disturb him. After all, now that I had my body back, I had to go take care of my absolute most important task—

Heading to Jinshan Temple to get my camera back!

The people here viewed cameras as demonic objects. Even though there was still some time left before the Dharma assembly, getting it back sooner rather than later would definitely give me more peace of mind.

Seeing me head outside, Gu Shiye only lifted his eyes to glance at me once, not really bothering to stop me.

After all, as my strength had been gradually increasing over the last few days, I often wandered around the area all by myself anyway.

Still, I gave Gu Shiye a quick heads-up.

Me: Gege, now that I'm back in my body, I'm going to wander a bit further out today. I'll probably be back on the later side.

Gu Shiye nodded slightly.

Gu Shiye: Mm.

Jinshan Temple was a famous monastery within a hundred-mile radius.

Since I looked no different from an ordinary person now, it was incredibly easy to ask the townspeople for the exact location of the temple.

I headed straight toward the temple, using my Silhouette to slip inside.

The "Demon Object Destruction Assembly" was a massive event that the temple had been prepping for over the last few days.

As a result, by using my Silhouette, I managed to eavesdrop on the passing young novices without much effort at all to find out exactly where the camera was being kept—

As a demonic object, the camera was currently being "suppressed" on the absolute highest floor of the temple's wooden pagoda, the eighteenth floor.

Supposedly, this action was to drain its demonic energy first before destroying it completely.

Whether it could actually drain any demonic energy was hard to say, but I was definitely worried that its battery power would be completely drained if a few more days passed.

Then again, this camera of mine seemed pretty magical. It hadn't run out of power once over the last few days, and it even seemingly wasn't afraid of water or being dropped.

Going through so many twists and turns yet remaining as resilient as ever—it was honestly just as tough as me, the player.

As the tallest building within Jinshan Temple, the wooden pagoda was also super easy to find.

Once I confirmed my target, I started walking in that exact direction.

As I passed through a zen courtyard, a middle-aged monk suddenly looked straight at me and shouted out loud—

Middle-aged Monk: Stop right there!

I was using my Silhouette, so logically speaking he shouldn't have been able to notice me. Could it be that this master's perception stats were exceptionally high?

I wanted to use my Silhouette to boost my agility so I could slip away quickly, but to my surprise, I found myself completely trapped in place, unable to move even a single step.

By this time, the middle-aged monk had already walked right up to me.

He scrutinized me from head to toe with a harsh, strict gaze.

Middle-aged Monk: Neither living nor dead, existing outside the six realms of reincarnation, yet neither god nor immortal... What kind of demon are you exactly? What is your purpose in coming to my Jinshan Temple?

To actually be able to see through my current state, this master definitely seemed to have some real skill.

Me: I only happened to pass through your sacred grounds by chance. Please show some mercy, Master, and just let me pass.

I never expected Jinshan Temple to be such a hidden den of experts. Since I had been busted, I could only find a way to make a break for it today, and come back for the camera another day once I was fully prepared.

Too bad this master had absolutely no intention of letting me off the hook.

He gave me a cold, scowling look, passing down orders to the several monks who had gathered around after hearing the commotion—

Middle-aged Monk: Lock this evil entity away in the wooden pagoda! We will deal with it together during the Dharma assembly!

Middle-aged Monk: I, Fahai, have never let a single wicked heretic slip by. Don't even dream of escaping from my hands!

This monk's Buddhist name is actually Fahai?

But if I didn't hear wrong, they're planning to lock me up inside the wooden pagoda?

How is this any different from trapping a mouse inside a rice barrel?

No need to rush just yet. Once I get my hands on the camera, I'll figure out a way to break out of there.

It's not like I can make a run for it right now anyway.

The two monks locked the door behind them after throwing me into the wooden pagoda, trapping me inside.

Each floor of the wooden pagoda only had a single, tiny window and a few dim oil lamps burning, leaving the entire place pitch-black.

The spell Fahai placed on me was still active, so I was still completely unable to move for the time being.

Even though I was stuck in a deep mess, I wasn't all that nervous.

I told Gu Shiye that I'd be back. If it gets too late and he still hasn't seen me, he should come looking for me, right?

...

In the dimness of the wooden pagoda, my perception of time began to fade as well.

Who knows how much time passed, but I eventually felt the effects of the spell letting up, and I could gradually move around again.

Even though my body was still weak, I could at least manage a slow walk.

So, I started climbing my way up the wooden stairs—my camera was being "suppressed" all the way up on the eighteenth floor.

I counted the floors as I made my way up step by step. Just as I reached the sixteenth floor, a sudden wave of panicked shouting came echoing in from the outside—

Novice A: Water, the water is flooding over!

Novice B: Hurry, run to higher ground, quick!

Curious, I peered out through the tiny window, only to catch sight of a scene I would never forget for the rest of my life—

Sky-high waves rose all the way into midair, crashing down fiercely against the temple courtyards.

The roaring waves formed a massive torrent, flooding into one zen courtyard after another.

The entire Jinshan Temple looked exactly like a solitary boat, completely precarious and rocking under the envelopment of the surrounding waves.

But how could this be happening? Isn't Jinshan Temple built on a mountain?

There was no time to overthink it. I had to quickly get my hands on my camera before the wooden pagoda got flooded.

I couldn't help but pick up my pace going up.

Accompanying me as I moved forward were the sounds of roaring wind, thunder, and crashing waves raging outside the wooden pagoda.

I finally climbed my way up to the eighteenth floor.

I spotted my camera in a single glance. It was tied down by two red silk sashes, hanging right above an altar table.

I scrambled up onto the altar table in a hurry, untying the red silk and scooping the camera into my arms.

With this, I could finally go home.

Right at that exact second, a crack of thunder boomed right above my head. A flash of lightning zipped past, and the roof of the pagoda was actually split clean off, crashing right down!

I quickly rolled into a corner, clutching the camera tightly to hide myself.

With nothing left covering the space above my head, it felt exactly like standing out on a rooftop terrace, making everything happening outside even clearer to see—

At the very crest of the roaring waves, I saw Gu Shiye standing entirely on his own with a human torso and a serpent tail. His dark eyes were completely calm without a single ripple, his expression showing neither sorrow nor joy.

His long black hair fluttered along with his wide, sweeping sleeves, and his massive black serpent tail coiled over the giant waves enveloping the sky and earth, looking exactly like a creation deity.

I saw Fahai flying in midair, holding his Buddhist staff, trying to confront Gu Shiye from a distance on the opposite side.

Fahai: Lord of the Lake, flooding Jinshan Temple brings such a massive karmic debt! You are defying the heavens!

Gu Shiye didn't even look his way, simply whipping up a wave with a casual flick of his hand to sweep him away, his dark eyes still watching the space ahead with complete composure.

Gu Shiye: It's just the heavens.

As if sensing something at this exact moment, he lifted his head, looking over at me from a distance.

Right after, he swept his wide sleeve and held his hand out toward me.

Gu Shiye: Come here.

I was a complete mess, my hair totally disheveled, standing there staring back at him amidst the waves covering the sky.

Gu Shiye: Forget it.

Gu Shiye: I'll come over.

The giant waves calmed down, yet I rose up, riding right along with the wind.

Lightning flashed, accompanied by the sound of furious, booming thunder, and the wooden pagoda collapsed with a loud crash right behind me.

But I was already wrapped safely in Gu Shiye's arms.

Me: Gu Shiye.

I gave his sleeve a little tug.

Me: Did you just do something crazy huge for me?

Flooding Jinshan Temple—in the legends, that was what Madame White Snake did for Xu Xian.

It sounded like a massive deal.

Gu Shiye: It's just a small thing.

Me: I might not be worth you doing all this, because I have to leave really soon.

Gu Shiye lowered his head, looking down at me.

Gu Shiye: I do what I want to do, I never ask about the karmic debt.

Gu Shiye: I don't ask for a reason, and I don't seek a reward.

I gave a little nod.

Me: I have to leave for a little bit right now, but we should be seeing each other again real soon.

I pressed the shutter button right in midair.

I captured the giant waves that were gradually starting to calm down, the flashes of lightning soaring through the sky like dragons and serpents, the collapsing wooden pagoda, and...

The fluttering black hem of his robes, along with the black serpent tail appearing indistinctly through the layers of clouds.

When I regained consciousness once again, I had already appeared inside the museum for the ruins of the wooden pagoda.

Standing right in front of the transparent glass wall protecting the ruins, I caught sight of that familiar black figure once more—

He was wearing a slightly vintage-style black casual outfit, his posture tall and straight, looking exactly like he did back then when he stood high above the clouds, whipping up sky-high waves with a mere flick of his hand.

I flashed a smile his way—

Me: Gege, are you free today? Come take a walk with me, okay?

Maybe we're going to face another separation real soon.

But as long as it's this person, a single second is worth it, an instant is worth it.

...

Afterward, I headed over to the ancient pagoda once more.

And to test out my theory from earlier, I intentionally stood at the exact same angle as before to snap a photo.

No time-traveling happened this time.

Just as I thought, the time travel didn't happen because I took a picture of the scenery—it happened because I captured the person standing within the scenery.

————

Moment with Gu Shiye

Gu Shiye transferred power to me every single night. No matter where I was at the time, he would show up right by my side at midnight on the dot.

Sometimes it was inside my room, sometimes it was outside—by a pool of water deep in the woods, or right beneath the bright moon in the mountains.

There weren't really any entertainment activities in ancient times, and the place he lived was deep in the mountain forests too. There was absolutely nothing around, making it incredibly lonely and quiet.

Maybe because a festival was coming up recently, the distant city was unusually lively.

When he found me that day, I happened to be sitting on the hilltop watching fireworks.

It wasn't until his icy serpent tail coiled around my lower leg that I realized it was that time of night for him to give me power again.

The night wind blowing across the mountains swept past, messing up his loose, flowing hair.

Me: Gu Shiye, let's head back, okay?

I gave his serpent tail a little nudge, but it stayed wrapped tight around me, showing absolutely no intention of letting go.

Gu Shiye: The hour has come.

Gu Shiye: Right here.

The second his voice fell, that hollow craving went sweeping through my entire body all over again.

I had no choice but to tightly clutch his tail, holding onto him as I closed my eyes, feeling his power flooding into my body once more.

Gu Shiye: What mortal eyes see is nothing more than the surface. Why do you mind other people seeing the true form of your soul like this?

Gu Shiye: A human body or a serpent body is just a flesh wrapper. Whether one is a god or a demon, is there really a difference?

Gu Shiye: Midnight is the exact hour when yin energy is at its absolute peak. It is beneficial for your cultivation.

Gu Shiye: The amount of power your soul can handle is limited. Do not get greedy.

Gu Shiye: Since you pray to a deity, you should know the price you're supposed to pay.

Gu Shiye: If you don't regret it, then just endure it.

Gu Shiye: Whatever mortals spy or witness has absolutely no effect on me.

Gu Shiye: Forget it. Don't run out here again at this time tomorrow.

Gu Shiye: Regardless of the consequences?

Gu Shiye: Do you want to stop?

Gu Shiye: This is just the nature of a snake. Scared?

Gu Shiye: Don't like snake scales?

Gu Shiye: Still want more?

Gu Shiye: Getting greedy won't do you any good.

His icy body gradually grew warmer. Once again, I felt the blood flowing through my veins, and I felt his slightly cool breath falling against the back of my neck.

I struggled to open my eyes. Right there in the middle of the meadow where the green grass was just starting to sprout, I saw our hands tightly clasped together in front of us.

His serpent tail wrapped tightly around me.

I tilted my head up to look at him, catching the clear glow of the mountain moon falling over his eyes and brows, and through his messy hair. The silvery-white moonlight made his handsome face look even more cool and detached.

His black hair fell against my neck, feeling a little ticklish.

I couldn't help but reach out to brush it away, but my hand ended up brushing against his serpent tail wrapped around my body instead.

That pitch-black serpent tail glided slowly across the grass, coiling around my waist once more.

The next second, my body was lifted right off the ground, falling straight into his arms.

I instinctively looped my arms around his neck.

Me: Gu Shiye... is it all done?

Gu Shiye: Mm.

Gu Shiye: Let's go back.

.

.

.

.

.

Part 13

If you'd like to support my translations and read them DAYS before they are published on this Tumblr, consider joining my Patreon!

Alternatively, feel free to leave me a tip here or buy me a coffee through the "Leave a Tip" button on my navigation bar. Thank you for all your support!