Author's Notes: While I use "MC" to substitute the female protagonist's first name, she doesn't follow the same premise as the MC in the game i.e. a modern-day woman who travels back in time. This MC is solely from the Sengoku era, a noblewoman who is employed by Nobunaga Oda as chatelaine. I still use "MC" to allow you to input whichever (ideally Japanese) name you'd prefer.

Likewise, this means that Sasuke too is a Sengoku-era character who is not from the modern present-day time. In-game personality still remains.

Following the English version of the game, I will use the Western naming order.

Lastly, subsequent chapters could have timeskips and are not necessarily in chronological order.

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They weren't able to figure her out.

MC was a person who wore her heart on her sleeve. Her emotions seemed to bubble to the surface and she often didn't bother putting a lid on them. She might not admit to everything with words, but her expressions gave a lot away if she didn't watch herself.

Which was why the six warlords under the Oda banner just couldn't tell which of them was the apple of her eye.

Mitsuhide, ever the most perceptive one, had a theory. But it was practically outrageous to him, so he kept second-guessing said theory and kept it to himself.

It didn't help that MC didn't seem to favour any one over the other, even with most of them making blatant attempts to monopolize her time and attention. Nobunaga might be atop the hierarchal pyramid and wasn't above putting that power to good use to demand for her companionship, but the others relied on sheer craftiness if they wanted to draw her away from the Lord of Azuchi Castle.

There were dishes that required experimenting with and tasting. Or an errant tiger cub that had to be placated.

Medical skills had to be upgraded or medicinal ingredients and tools needed reorganizing.

Something akin to the modern-day book club was formed and time was set aside to read and discuss new novels.

And of course, the day-to-day logistical and domestic affairs of running a castle meant regular consultations between its chatelaine and the lord's right-hand man.

The only exceptional case was mostly held up by his constant trips away from the castle, part of the job when one oversees gathering intelligence. But that didn't stop MC from showing her appreciation with welcome back gifts – snacks and fresh flowers – left in his quarters.

Then the warlords became bolder.

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.:.

It began with Nobunaga summoning her to his tenshu after sunset. MC swore they were only playing Go, but she blushed far too much for their liking. Hideyoshi practically deflated at that, while Ieyasu was scowling even more than usual. Mitsunari's forced smile was painful to look at and Masamune only grunted. Mitsuhide was just unfathomable.

Yet, MC hadn't been officially "claimed", so to speak – nor had she "claimed" a man of her own – so there was really nothing barring them from making any moves. And so it was as though a silent competition of touches was declared.

Handing items over to her meant little brushes against her fingers.

Hair was tucked behind her ear on her behalf.

There were more frequent pats on her head that MC joked she was becoming a puppy chatelaine.

Kisses on the back of her hand had progressed to her forehead, and shamelessly in the case of Masamune, the briefest of pecks on her cheek.

But it was the reciprocation on her part that pleased and befuddled them.

She rotated seating herself next to them, a different warlord each time. She'd gotten used to sitting close to them, practically shoulder to shoulder. If she had more than two cups of sake, she'd even rest her head on their shoulder.

Conversations involved at least an instance when she rested her hand on their arm.

Then she in turn started giving them kisses on the cheek.

And just as it was Nobunaga that started the ball rolling, it was through his next move that sent them all crashing.

.:.

.:.

"MC, be my wife."

Silence stretched between the five other warlords and the chatelaine.

Her eyes darted from Nobunaga – who had the utmost serious expression on that she knew this was no tease – to the other warlords sitting in stunned silence. Could she make a bolt for the doors? No, that seemed too cowardly, and she would only be delaying the inevitable.

MC drew a breath.

"I… I can't."

The man known as the Devil King didn't flinch. "Explain."

"Lord Nobunaga, perhaps–"

"No. I want her to answer."

"Please, my lor–"

"MC."

Another breath drawn. She fisted her hands on her lap.

"I can't choose just you. Over anyone here. I just can't."

"Just me, you say?"

MC didn't know how she could handle six intense gazes boring deep into her soul. But now that she had said aloud what she kept bottled deep inside all this time, she refused to bolt, even when she desperately wanted to. It was now or never… having gone unspoken this long.

Her next words were so soft, it was a wonder anyone heard anything at all.

"Do you think it's possible to be in love with more than one person at the same time?"

For the next few seconds, no one spoke, save for Masamune's "Lass…" MC felt her face grew hot, flushed with nervousness, embarrassment and guilt. Hideyoshi, his protective instinct taking over his shock and confusion, wanted to reach out to comfort her.

But someone else moved first.

Wordlessly, Nobunaga got up and closed the distance between him and MC. She looked up at him, magnificent and imposing, as he knelt before her and gently took her chin between his fingers.

"I see," was his answer, his eyes speaking of tenderness and understanding. Moved, MC blinked back tears. She had expected admonishment, maybe even disgust. But not this. And certainly not what came next.

"Anything is possible when it comes to you."

Nobunaga's lips were surprisingly soft against hers. Even as she had rejected his proposal, the kiss was not undesired – quite the opposite, really. Just as she was going to lean in for more, he pulled away.

"Masamune," the Devil King smirked. "Cease that murderous look in your eyes and come have your turn… if you'll allow him." He directed the last part to her, running his thumb across her lower lip.

"If you'll allow us all."

MC released the breath she didn't realize she was holding.