"I'm leaving this place, old man."
The young Ichijou Raku spoke those words to his father as they stood in a desolate field. In every direction, there were only crumbled ruins and dust on the ground. Tattered strips of fraying cloth were expelled by the wind, fluttering like leaves underneath the gray, melancholic sky. The stench of aged blood, rotting flesh, and burnt ash dominated the air.
"I see. So you've made your choice then, Raku?"
His father replied calmly after a moment, sitting on a broken-off corner from a stone wall. In his mouth was a long, narrow pipe, a thin wisp of smoke floating lazily from its end. Even while resting in such a casual manner, the back of the Shuei-gumi leader, boldly depicting the group's insignia on his dark half-coat, seemed to radiate an oppressive pressure.
"I can't do this anymore. I won't do this anymore."
Raku's father puffed his pipe a few times, then blew a stream of smoke out, like a visible sigh. He tapped the pipe against the rock and held it loosely between his fingers.
"I understand. I'll inform the others of your decision. I wish you the best of luck, Raku."
His face contorted at his father's colorless remark. Even now, he didn't show a shred of emotion. At any of this. Raku couldn't understand how this man could possibly be his father.
"What are you going to do?"
He asked angrily, almost demanding an answer. His father continued to face the other direction, drawing another breath from his pipe.
"What we've always been doing, Raku," said his father, exhaling smoke. "Living."
"Living...?" said Raku, clenching his teeth. "You call this living...? This miserable life feeding off others...why do you want to continue a life like this?"
"A life like this...huh?" said his father, chuckling a little. "Raku, a person can live a life like this because he is human. Living life as you want is the essence of humanity."
He stood up and turned to Raku, finally looking at him eye-to-eye.
"The life you want, the wrong and right ways to live...that is the essence of society."
"That's just sophistry...a way for you to justify your actions."
"No, Raku. There's no need to justify the way you live, except under the eyes of a god and the law. That's why I'm letting you go. Remember that, Raku. The decision that the two of us made lead down different paths. But in the end, they come from the same choice."
"Don't give me that shit, old man."
"Well, you're free to do as you wish, Raku," said his father, walking towards him. "If it's what you want, then you can throw away everything and start new."
He stopped and tapped the golden pendant dangling over Raku's chest.
"But hold onto that...at least. Even if you've come to hate this life, that pendant there is proof that you had the will to live. Keep that, if nothing else, and I won't say anymore."
Without waiting for an answer, Raku's father continued past him. Raku's hand reached up to his pendant and felt the cold, smooth metal. He turned back, back to his father that was fading into the distance, back to the ravaged wasteland that surrounded him.
Five years ago, in the lands of the fallen Zawsze Kingdom-
Ichijou Raku departed from the place that he had once called home.
The Prisoner from Zawsze
The establishment in question was self-titled as 'the convenience of the common,' just a fancy way of saying that it was a pub that made profit on the side by selling extra inventory. While one would normally sit down and request a drink from the owner, perhaps a warmed cider or a rustic spirit, more unconventional orders were occasionally fulfilled. This could range from unremarkable items such as a crate of apples or a bag of sugar to less innocuous requests such as mind-altering substances and heretic texts. Of course, such requests were to the discretion of the owner, Maiko Shu, an eccentric man who always seemed to have a smile on his face that could only be described as cat-like. Perhaps even stranger still were the lenses that he wore over his eyes; they were a recent invention made by clever glasscrafters and were primarily seen in the possession of wealthy intellectuals. They would certainly seem out-of-place in the atmosphere of a commoner's pub, where most of the patrons likely only used the most basic of letters and numbers.
But perhaps it was because of the pub's clandestine functions that individuals of more impressive stature than the common man also frequented its tables. The Bonyari military, for example, had made the pub something of an unofficial hangout, for both low and high-ranks alike. Although the separate military forces generally had their own barracks and halls for recreation, the pub was covertly encouraged by veterans in order to promote friendly relations between divisions and ranks.
Or so was the formal excuse. It could have merely been the higher ratio of female recruits in certain divisions that led to this sort of arrangement...
In any case, on this particular day, it seemed that Maiko Shu's pub, officially named the Foyer but also referred to by some as the Voyeur, was continuing in its steady recession. Trading season was soon arriving, the busy period when foreign merchants would start making their way into the kingdom to barter and stock up on the local products. It was a crucial time for many families and the return of profit was increased with every extra cent invested into more product. There were still many, namely service workers and laborhands, that came by during the evenings after a hard's day work, but it was certain that the regular population of Maiko Shu's pub would continue its decline for a few weeks at least.
It was in the middle of this day, at a table on the far end of the scantily populated pub, that a young man named Ichijou Raku was currently having a discussion with his latest client.
"It's amazing, really. I'm impressed that you were able to finish the entire piece in just a month. It's just..."
"Just...what?"
Ichijou Raku posed the question in a tentative tone to his client, an older man with thin hair and a faded outfit that spoke of former wealth. Raku licked his lips nervously, unable to resist glancing down at the bag of gold that was resting near his client's hand. The money in that bag was why he had worked tirelessly on this particular piece, even voluntarily shouldering a good amount of debt so that he could focus his efforts on meeting the deadline. A big project like this in such a hurried timeframe wasn't usually something that he accepted, but jobs had been hard to come by lately, and the compensation this time was extremely generous.
But of course, this all depended on whether or not the current manuscript met his client's expectations.
"It's kind of depressing, don't you think? The way the character monologue here sounds...it's very heavy stuff, you know? The whole thing starts to feel needlessly dramatic actually. It's all just doom and gloom in the second half..."
"Well, I did take a few liberties here and there for the sake of a smoother translation. But I did my best to keep the intentions of the original work intact-"
"You say that, but I can't imagine that the original was like this. It's completely different from the plays...a person might even fall into depression after reading something dark like this..."
Raku felt his eyes droop in irritation as his client voiced his thoughts with a big sigh. So that's what he was getting at...
"It's true that this is a more pessimistic work than what's reflected in the stage adaptations. But that's only natural as the stage adaptations altered some details in order to better accommodate the Bonyari audience. However, this is a translation of the original work, so whether or not it matches the atmosphere of the plays is outside of my hands..."
Try as he might to restrain himself, Raku couldn't keep the bite from his tone in the last sentence. He had known about the stage adaptations as they were the ones that had flared up interest in the novel in the first place. But the frantic pace of the project had distracted him from the intentions of his client, which should have been obvious from the start. After all, the novel itself had been in publication for several years now without arousing any interest in a translation.
Meaning the sole intention of this rush job had always been to cash in on the popularity of the plays.
"I understand what you mean, really I do. Since I asked for a translation, it's only natural that you're ensuring the integrity of the original work stays intact during the process. But translation has a lot in common with stage adapting, doesn't it? You're trying to convey things to an audience that's unfamiliar with the language and culture of the original work. Now, I'm not saying that you should bastardize the work just because of popular demand, you know? That's not what I mean at all. All I'm saying is...you know..."
I know exactly what crap you're trying to say, thought Raku, silently grinding his teeth.
"The audience might not be able to relate to this kind of translation. That's why I mean...maybe take the play as a model for interpretation..."
"In short, you mean that I should lighten things up?" Once again, the bitterness was something he couldn't disguise. "I suppose that's the right decision. After all, Zawsze is a destitute country that was stripped of its wealth and power over a hundred years ago. That kind of image might be a bit too extreme for the audience in Bonyari right now."
"Exactly, exactly. So therefore-"
"But isn't that the whole point of bringing in works from foreign lands? To offer new perspectives and glimpses that people can't normally see in their everyday lives? Whether it's a play or a book, that's what the greatest appeal of works like these is, isn't it?"
"Well...that's also true..."
The client took a sip of water to clear his throat. He studied the manuscript in front of him again and flipped through a few pages. Raku squeezed one of his hands closed, trying to rub the dampness away with his fingertips.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. And in any case, I did receive exactly what I asked for, so there can be no complaints."
The client smiled and gave the manuscript a little tap against the table to straighten it out. He placed it back into the leather folder and wrapped the string tightly around the button.
"Thank you for your hard work, Ichijou-san. Here is your payment."
"Thank you very much."
Raku bowed his head a little and accepted the bag of gold. It would've been rude to count it on the spot, but he could feel from the relative weight of the bag that the minimum estimate was enough to put him at ease. The client finished his glass and stood up to depart.
"There are still some minor procedures that I have to attend to before sending it off for printing, but I will certainly send you a copy of the first run in a few weeks' time, at the most."
"I understand. I wish you the best in your publication and will look forward to seeing it in print."
Raku put on a cordial smile and shook his client's hand before watching him leave with the manuscript held snugly under his arm.
When the client had exited through the pub's thick wooden door, Raku let out an audible sigh and flopped back against his chair.
"Wow, that was a bit tense, wasn't it?"
The pub's owner, Maiko Shu, remarked offhandedly as he took a seat across from his friend.
"Yeah, I lost my temper there a little," said Raku, wiping a line of sweat from his forehead. "Well, I'm just happy he decided to take the indirect approach instead."
"I see. So you're satisfied with it then?"
"Hell no! I'm glad I got paid, but there's no way I can be satisfied knowing that guy's going to change things around to whatever he wants. It's all going to be under my name too."
"There aren't many people who know Zawszesian in Bonyari. So, who's going to know?"
"It's about the principle..."
"Well, you did some work and now you can pay off your debts," said Shu with a toothy grin. "I'd call that a successful job, don't you think?"
"Speaking of which, this should cover my tab, right?" Raku pushed over a handful of gold across the table.
"Oh my, you're too kind! You wouldn't mind spending on another drink as well, would you?"
"Damn vulture..."
Although he said that, he still pushed an extra coin towards that cat-faced smile. He had been too anxious during the discussion to order anything to drink and his throat was bone-dry now.
"What can I get you, dear customer?"
"Cider. And a flask for later. I'll take some home..."
"It feels nice to know that there are people who can't live without my one-of-a-kind, homemade cider."
"Don't you get tired of all that hot air?" said Raku with a wry smile. He tied the bag of gold back up and pocketed it inside his shirt.
"One cider, on the house."
"Hey! I'm not taking that much home!"
"Ah, right. Giving a hopeless male that lives alone in a gloomy rental this much alcohol to drink...it's a bad idea, isn't it?"
"You bastard..."
Raku reluctantly took a sip from the heavy wooden mug and exhaled comfortably. It annoyed him a little how good this cider tasted. For a moment, he contemplated ordering extra after all, but it was just too much to bear. He'd just take the change and go buy some cider from a competitor instead.
"By the way, Raku. I've had some new merchandise come in recently."
"Yeah?" Considering the kind of products that passed through Shu's hands, Raku's interest was piqued.
"Yes...they're definitely some unique treasures. Since it's you, I'm sure that you'll be able to appreciate them for their literary value."
"Oh? Books, huh? Let's take a look."
Shu held a finger up for silence and then motioned for Raku to come to the counter. Putting his mug down on his left side so that their actions would be hidden from any onlookers, Raku stood at the counter and waited for his friend to come back up with the goods.
"Big tits from the tropics. Tanned skin."
"Ohh...these artists are getting more and more detailed, aren't they?"
The two of them puffed hot air out through their noses and examined the books in detail.
"Taking a liking to this one, Raku?"
"No, no. I'm just giving it a glance."
"Looks more than a glance to me, brother. On closer inspection, this one looks a lot like Onodera-san, doesn't she?"
"N-No, she doesn't! She doesn't resemble her at all! What the hell are you saying?"
"What resembles me?"
The mug of cider went flying into the air as Raku bolted back in shock. Somehow, thank the gods somehow, Shu's hands were ducked back behind the counter, the book of literary merit having completely vanished from sight. Raku inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and returned his attention to the person he had spilled his drink all over.
"AHH! Onodera-san! I'm so sorry! Shu, a towel-"
"It's fine," said the soaked brown-haired girl, accepting the towel Shu offered her. "I shouldn't have surprised you like that."
A slender girl of average height and a rather timid impression to her. But the deep crimson of her cape, fastened to her collar with the Bonyari royal insignia and covering a uniform of hard, dark leather and light cloth, clearly revealed her rank as the General of the Eighth Bonyari Division.
Onodera Kosaki.
"It's been a while, hasn't it Ichijou-san?"
Kosaki greeted him cheerfully as she patted her hair dry with the towel.
"Yes, it has been," said Raku, looking down remorsefully at his mug. "O-Onodera-san...if you'd like, there's a free table over here that we can sit at..."
"Oh no! It's fine...you don't have to move on my behalf-"
"No, please," said Raku firmly as excess cider dripped down in plips onto the ground. "And allow me to order you a drink as well..."
"It's really fine...you don't need to worry about it," said Kosaki as Raku led her to the table.
"No, I do. I'm really sorry. Please let me make amends by treating you to something," said Raku, sitting down across from her, sporting a depressed look.
"Raku can be so clumsy sometimes, " said Shu, coming around with two new mugs of cider. "On behalf of my poor friend, these will be on the house."
You bastard! It better be on the house!
Ehe~
"Mmm! As expected, Maiko-san's cider is still so tasty," said Kosaki, happily drinking from her mug. Ah, what a calming expression. Even though she was a General in the military, there was no denying that Onodera Kosaki was, foremost and in essence, a cute, pure, kind-hearted girl! It was said that many recruits fiercely competed over free spots in her division and that some veterans even adamantly refused promotion in order to prolong their proximity to their goddess.
Raku couldn't fault them. After all, he was guilty of those same feelings. Or as he liked to think, similar feelings, but on a different scale. It wasn't just a physical attraction, it was the whole of the sums! If he was to describe it in one phrase, it would surely have to be that he was in love. And it had been love at first sight, from their very first meeting five years ago.
"So you've finished your assignment then?"
"Yeah. Thankfully, we were able to settle it peacefully," said Kosaki with a relieved smile. The Onodera family was an old family, meaning that its roots, like those of others in Bonyari, originated from Zawzse. The first few generations had made their living in Bonyari as traditional sweets makers. However, the Zawszesian recipes curried less favor with newer generations as Bonyari cuisine started to flourish and develop its own identity. Still, the Onodera family had managed to sustain their business by carefully incorporating certain Bonyari elements that allowed the traditional Zawsze recipes to match contemporary tastes.
Therefore, from an outsider's point of view, it was strange that the two successors to the Onodera business, both daughters too, would end up attaining high ranks in the Bonyari military. In other nations, female soldiers were still sparse in number, except in times of desperation.
But for the nation of Bonyari, its roots originated from such desperate times. Female soldiers not only became commonplace in Bonyari as a result, but were treated no differently than male soldiers. Consequently, for many in foreign nations, Bonyari women came to be identified with strength and valor, almost mythological in scale. Thus, misguided suitors frequently followed such rumors and came to Bonyari in attempts to "steal" away the "strength of Bonyari women" for their future descendants.
As a result, recruitment and application processes did not exclude female candidates. By mandatory law, Bonyari children were given a basic education and then offered an apprenticeship either from within their family or by interested parties. Whether or not the children succeeded in gaining the skills and craft necessary for their own livelihood was largely decided during this period of time.
"You were evaluated highly in all areas during basic education, weren't you? Why did you decide on going into the military?"
It was a question that Raku had eventually mustered the courage to ask. However, it seemed to be a common question, so Kosaki had merely replied casually at the time with a laugh.
"Mmm...it was kind of sporadic, I guess. You know that saying about how Bonyari women are the strongest in the world, but no one in Bonyari really believes that? I don't know, I guess I kind of got it in my head that it'd be nice if I could do it...and then once I started, I thought maybe I can do it..."
The Onodera family had not been against Kosaki's military service as the mother herself had been a warrior in the past. It was only suggested that once Kosaki reached an age less suitable for military applications that she turn back to inheriting the family business. Kosaki's success in the military had subsequently reflected fervent interest onto her sister, who displayed similar prowess in physical and intellectual capabilities during basic education.
In the month before, this distinguished Onodera Kosaki had led the Eighth Bonyari Division to the southern border, where a dispute had been brewing between the locals and nomadic tribes. Although he had no shortage of confidence in Kosaki's prowess as a soldier and General, Raku had still developed some anxiety as the weeks had gone by. However, as Kosaki recounted her tale with a second mug of cider, it seemed that the time had been well spent in long, tiring negotiations that ended in mutual compromise from both the tribes and the locals.
"That kind of thing is difficult for me, so I wasn't much help though..."
She murmured in a dissatisfied tone while nursing her drink. Over the years, Raku had noticed that Kosaki didn't have a very strong tolerance for alcohol and it was starting to show with her dispirited manner and slightly flushed face.
"It couldn't be helped. You're not a politician. You kept the conflict from escalating any further, which is enough to have saved lives," said Raku with a consoling smile.
"You think so...?"
"Of course. You might not have noticed, Onodera-san, but being a General is more than just having brute strength."
"I know that, jeez!"
Kosaki pawed playfully at Raku for the jab. Even though it was just a small joke, Kosaki seemed to have cheered up a bit. Seeing her cheeks puff up a little in exasperation, it was really too cute. Raku felt truly blessed that Kosaki considered him a close enough acquaintance to share these kinds of expressions with him.
"And for Ichijou-san? Has anything interesting happened to you while I was away?"
"Interesting, huh? Nothing much, just translation work as usual. I just wrapped up my last project today on a novel."
"Ohh, a novel? That's kind of rare, isn't it?"
For Ichijou Raku, who did translations for a language that was decaying into obscurity like Zawsze, coming across a novel was like finding a diamond in the desert. The bulk of his work were for historical records and research, alongside the occasional trade document. It was because work was scarce that Raku couldn't afford to be less careful with his money, even after receiving such a generous payment just a few moments ago.
"Yeah...but it's the original novel for that play that's been popular lately. 'False Love.'"
"Ah! I know that one! It's about two royal heirs that have to pretend to be lovers, right?"
"You've seen it then, Onodera-san? The novel is actually very different from the play and I'm kind of disappointed that they weren't very faithful to it..."
"Eh? Why? The play is really heartwarming and sweet..."
And just like that, the two of them entered a heated debate over which medium had portrayed the superior story. It was light, casual conversation punctuated with teasing pokes and laughter. Even Maiko Shu joined in halfway through, happily flirting with the flustered Onodera Kosaki, much to Raku's irritation.
It was an atmosphere that Raku never got tired of. In the five years he had spent living in Bonyari, it was moments like these that he treasured the most and strove to the best of his abilities to reproduce. A peaceful, cozy, everyday life that passed by lazily like a warm summer day.
"Ahhh...I think I'm getting a little tipsy," said Kosaki, her cheek warm against the palm she was resting on. She gratefully accepted the mug of water that Shu brought to the table.
"When did you get back? You must be tired after traveling back all the way from the border."
"We came back a few days ago, so I've had a chance to rest," said Kosaki, sipping her water. "I'm sorry for not meeting with you earlier..."
"N-No! There's no need to be...I'm just thankful enough that you're able to take the time to meet with someone like me..."
"Someone like you? What do you mean?"
Raku's smile wilted a little at her sudden coldness. What a blunder. It had become something of a habit, so he had just...
"N-Nothing. It wasn't like what you're thinking. I just meant as a commoner and a General..."
"I see..."
The two wordlessly fumbled with their drinks. Raku wished he could kick himself. Ruining the mood like that...it had been completely unnecessary and avoidable. The stretching silence between them was punishment for his stupidity and lack of tact. So he was relieved when Kosaki was the first to break the silence.
"Actually Ichijou-san...as much as I wish it was otherwise...meeting with you today wasn't just to catch up and have a good time."
She admitted with an apologetic smile, her eyes slightly downcast. This kind of situation...it was familiar to Raku. He already had a clue as to what her other objective might have been.
"But...I don't want to trouble you with matters like this...especially since-"
"Onodera-san."
Raku interrupted her with an understanding smile. He knew what was she was getting at and it wasn't necessary. Because he already had his answer prepared.
"As I said before, it isn't what you think. I'm a citizen of Bonyari and this place is my home now. And if I could be of any help to you, Onodera-san, particularly if it's within my job description to do so...then I would gladly endure any hardship."
"That's what I'm worried about-"
"Then you don't need to be. Because it's truly not a hardship for me, but a gracious privilege that I would be delighted to take."
"Jeez..." said Kosaki with a small smile. "Don't you think that was a little overdone?"
"I'm not willing to chance on less," said Raku, grinning.
"I guess I really can't beat a translator when it comes to stuff like that..."
Kosaki chuckled softly, giving up. She leaned forward over the table and motioned for Raku to come closer.
"The actual arrest happened about a week ago. I met with the prisoner right after I returned from my assignment, though."
"How did it go?"
Kosaki shook her head, disappointed.
"I couldn't get anything through. As I thought, I really don't know enough to hold a proper conversation..."
"Don't beat yourself up over it. You've made some amazing progress considering how spotty your lessons have been," said Raku encouragingly. And it was true. For the past couple of years, Raku had been teaching Kosaki the basics of the Zawsze language. However, because there were few extended overlaps in their schedules and little chance for Kosaki to actively use the language, he hadn't been satisfied with the pace at which he had been teaching her. Still, reflecting the talent that had brought her to the attention of the military in the first place, Kosaki was picking up the language at an astonishing speed.
Partially for that reason, many cases involving Zawsze speakers at the Eighth Bonyari Division were first referred to Kosaki for initial inspection. But of course, the main reason for this line of referral was because of one thing-
Her friendship with Ichijou Raku.
"Based off what little she's said, it seems like she's a native," continued Kosaki, sighing a little at her inadequacy. "And she hasn't really responded to Bonyari, so I assume she doesn't know any at all."
"A native?" That was a little unexpected. Most of the cases that Raku had helped in had been with older Bonyari residents that lived in the Zawsze ethnic district. For a native to have come all the way over here...it was already a strange case. "Wait a minute, did you say 'she?' So, it's a woman then?"
"Yes. A young girl, similar to us in age."
"A prisoner too..." mused Raku, swirling his mug mechanically. "What crime was she detained for?"
"About that...I don't know all of the details yet but..."
Kosaki spoke hesitantly, her voice becoming even quieter than before.
"...The case says it's for murder."
"Murder!?"
"Yes. There's a body and eyewitnesses put her as the culprit. But there might be more to the story. Some of the statements say that there were words exchanged, so there might have been some miscommunication."
"So it's possible that it could've been an accident?"
"Several of the statements support it."
"I see..." said Raku, understanding the situation now. If she really had committed the murder, accident or not, there would have to be some sort of sentence as the crime had been committed within Bonyari borders. But if it had been an act of self-defense or some other situation that may have happened due to miscommunication, then there could be avenues the prisoner could take in order to lessen her sentence or have it pardoned under special circumstances. Therefore, it was important to get the Zawszesian's side of the story. She would also have to defend herself with proper evidence when it came to being sentenced a punishment.
"How is it, Ichijou-san? Would you be willing to help me out again?"
"Count me in. Especially since it's a native, I can see how a misunderstanding could happen," said Raku. "Besides, who knows. I might even personally know this person...just kidding."
"That could definitely be true," said Kosaki teasingly. "But really, thank you, Ichijou-san. I'll definitely feel more at ease with you involved in the investigation."
"No, it's the least I could do for you, Onodera-san," said Raku, a little sheepishly. "Ah, and don't worry about compensation. It's as a favor to you, after all."
"Please don't say that! You're taking your own time to do this, so you need to accept proper compensation. Otherwise, I would be needlessly imposing..."
"Well then..." said Raku, looking off casually to the side as he gathered his courage. "In return...would you mind if I asked you to dinner instead?"
"Eh?"
Taken aback, Kosaki's reply came out as a squeak and color rushed to her face. Her expression turned blank with complete bewilderment and she simply gawked at the question for several seconds.
"Ah...d-dinner, you said...? T-That's...um..."
She stammered wildly, her composure thoroughly shaken. Her agitated reaction made Raku regret making such a direct and embarrassing proposition.
"I-I'm sorry, Onodera-san, I didn't mean to...I mean, it was just a jo-"
"Y-Yes!"
For the second time that day, Raku's mug went flying into the air.
"R-Really!?" His voice came out as a squeezed gasp.
"Y-Yes...that would be fine..." said Kosaki, pressing her fingertips together and holding them up delicately to cover her face.
"I-I see..."
"Yes..."
Once again, a barrier of silence formed between them over the table. But this time, it was a sweet silence, one that both were reluctant to end.
Maiko Shu made small whistling sounds at them from the bar and snickered.
Mind your own business!
That was Raku's thought as Kosaki reacted to the sounds like a child that had been caught doing something bad. She stood up from her seat, blushing deeply.
"W-Well then. I-If you're fine with it, then I'll give you more details when we meet later," said Kosaki, trying hard to keep her voice steady.
"S-Sure..." said Raku, feeling like her embarrassment was infectious. "W-When will we be meeting?"
"T-Tonight...at the usual hour, if you can," said Kosaki nervously. She was acting so flustered even after the fact. Perhaps that comment had been too aggressive and she didn't know how to deal with him now? Had he just soured their entire relationship with a single request? How could this be!?
"I'll be there then..." said Raku, unable to think of anything else to say at this point. Kosaki murmured something in acknowledgement and then made to leave. She dropped a handful of coins at the bar counter and then exited out through the heavy wooden door.
It was over. That was what Raku thought as he slammed his head onto the table. She had accepted his proposal because he had pretty much forced her into it! And he was going to pay for it now...perhaps he'd never even talk to her normally again after this...
"I-Ichijou-san...?"
Raku snapped his head up at her voice. Kosaki had come back and was peeking through the door.
"...Thank you for today."
And then without another word, she retreated back outside, letting the door close gently after her.
A lump. There was a massive lump stuck in his throat that he couldn't seem to dislodge.
"Well, Raku? Done for the day?" said Shu with a knowing smile. Raku shot a dirty glare at his friend behind the bar. But nevertheless, he extended his mug out for a refill.
After that parting shot, he definitely needed more alcohol to calm his beating heart down.
"Hey Shu. Do you have any stock left from Onodera-san's store?"
"I should. But why do you need it? Don't you have a mountain full of those at home?"
"I was working on that project all month so I couldn't afford to buy any this time..."
"It was tough for you, huh? Well, I have some left, but I can't say how long I've had them. You're my main customer for these anyways."
Shu came out of from the back of his pub and held out a small, rectangular package of wax paper tied in string.
"Thanks," said Raku, exchanging a gold coin for the item.
"Since you're buying from me right now, is that for your meeting with Onodera-san?"
"Yeah, it is. I guess you could call it neighborly courtesy," said Raku. He gave a short wave and then stepped out of the Foyer into the brisk chill of the evening.
Having stopped by his home to put his money in a secure location and to take care of more negligible projects, Raku had taken the chance to fortify himself with a few more layers of clothing. While winter was still far in the distance, the nights had gotten chilly enough that a good coat was the minimum for those with business after hours. The thin black coat, the leather gloves with warm fur stitched onto the inside, and the navy, patterned scarf that Raku wore at the moment were all handmade. Living alone all this time, Raku had gotten quite good at domestic tasks and made a habit, one that he sometimes chastised himself as excessive, of setting aside some of his earnings for supplies that he could use to practice and experiment with. The newest rendition was what he wore now, which sometimes made him look a little more well-off than he actually was. At home, there were a few small articles that he occasionally toyed with, intending to give as presents to Onodera Kosaki, but his lack of courage meant that they largely sat in a corner, gathering dust.
A puff of white followed Raku's long exhale as he settled himself into the cool air. He tucked his chin in slightly into the scarf and began making his way down the empty streets. It was still early evening, so by the time he was finished with his business with Kosaki, the men and women looking to unwind at the taverns and pubs were likely to make their way over to this part of the town. As he walked, he passed by the street lanterns that had just been lit by workers for the night. They cast a flickering, orange glow in the faint, stagnant fog that had started to form recently. Here and there, people were closing up their businesses and making preparations for the next day's share of work. If he had gone further ahead through the town, Raku might have chanced upon some of the night stalls that would be active now, aiming to lure the hungry workers that were now heading back to their homes. In fact, the thought of it was sorely tempting right now, as Raku hadn't had the foresight to eat anything after heading home earlier. However, he didn't want to keep Kosaki waiting and he could always eat afterwards back at the Foyer, likely with a noisy crowd of regulars to boot.
The headquarters of the Eighth Bonyari Division was a bit of a walk from the Foyer, so by the time he grew close to the building, he started to see more of the aforementioned men and women heading out to their evening activities. Judging from their attire, some of them were likely coming straight from the Eighth Division itself!
So it was no surprise to see that Raku was alone in approaching the entrance gates to the headquarters. As expected, the guards at the gate easily spotted him from afar and were ready for his arrival when he came within speaking distance.
"Ichijou-san. It's been a while since you've come by."
Fortunately, the guard at duty was one that Raku had come to know well during his past visits here.
"Hey. I'm here to meet with General Kosaki for the usual business."
"I understand. I was notified of your arrival earlier, so if you'll come this way-"
The guard called out a few short words to those managing the gate. The massive doors, tall enough to prevent scaling without equipment, opened up slowly in front of Raku. Once enough of a space had been made for entry, the guard motioned for Raku to follow.
From the gates, there were the grounds and a straight path to the main building. If you came through in the morning or afternoons, you might see Division soldiers in the middle of training or sparring on the grounds. However, at this time, Raku was sure that most of them were in the mess hall eating dinner. The whole of the facility was confined to the enormous main building, which spanned several floors and distinct sections. The idea was that should the headquarters ever come under attack, it would be easy to maintain a centralized defensive position, all the while forcing the enemy to traverse unfamiliar routes to reach their objectives. In past meetings with Kosaki, it hadn't been uncommon for Raku to get lost in the almost labyrinthine interior structure of the main building.
From the outside, there were no distinctive features on the building. No spires or towers, just uniform, geometric shapes constructed primarily of stone, with lines of windows hovering above entranceways hidden below arched overhangs. Even though Raku had come through this way many times, he doubted whether or not he could successfully navigate the interior for more than a few rooms.
"I believe the General is currently in a meeting, so please make yourself comfortable here."
Once they were inside, the guard directed Raku over to the usual waiting area. It was a moderately-sized chamber, evenly lit by a diffuse lamp above, with a few paintings on the walls to keep those waiting engaged. Raku took a seat in one of the chairs set against the walls and nodded his thanks to the guard.
It was a little amazing how at-ease he felt sitting inside the headquarters. The first time he had come to this building, it had been on referral from an officer while he had been searching for translation jobs. Back then, he had felt so nervous that he hadn't been able to sit still and had continually paced back and forth across the chamber. The potential job offer had just been the tip of his anxieties. He was in a military facility and he could feel its status oozing from its thick stone walls, heavy and rigid, like a smothering pressure on all sides of him.
The anxiety that Raku had felt then was an anxiety that he still held today. It was a deep-seated worry that he tried to push to the back of his mind, but was acutely aware of, like a throbbing sore in the back of one's mouth. The facility rattled him, the prospect of being rejected shook him, all because of this one fear, this one unease that he shouldered on himself because of his lineage.
The stigma of Zawsze.
Raku was a Zawsze native. Being born in Zawsze and having Zawsze blood in him wasn't much cause for alarm. In the first place, Bonyari had been founded by refugees that had left the Zawsze kingdom over a hundred years ago. As proven by the presence of the Zawszesian ethnic district, the fact that you were Zawszesian or of Zawszesian descent wasn't significant to the people of Bonyari. Many residents were second or third generation from Zawsze anyways.
No, the difference between Raku and the others in Bonyari was that he had come from Zawsze five years ago. The Zawsze of the present.
A ruined country.
One hundred years ago, a kingdom that had been on the verge of rivaling superpowers in sheer influence and strength, despite its relatively small size and population: The Zawsze Kingdom. The foundation of their strength lied in the use of magic weapons, collectively known as "Senki." It was said that a thousand of these magic weapons had initially existed, but at the time of its prime, the Zawsze Kingdom was believed to possess only a few hundred of these Senki. Even so, the power of just a single Senki was enough to turn the tides against an entire army. Under the leadership of a princess newly risen to power in Zawsze, the kingdom had thrived and expanded at an unprecedented rate in its final years.
The exact reasons for Zawsze's fall remained unclear even after decades of research and study. However, historians and first-person accounts all seemed to agree that the princess of Zawsze had been at the center of the kingdom's eventual collapse. Those that were able to escape during the chaos of this period eventually made their way to a new land, where the kingdom of Bonyari was steadily established. In the aftermath of Zawsze's collapse, the remains of the kingdom only worsened, until the country was infested with crime, poverty, and anarchy. Over the course of a century, the abominable state of Zawsze became its most distinctive characteristic, a true living hell whose lingering inhabitants provoked disgust and fear from those of all nations.
Raku had left Zawsze and come to Bonyari without knowledge of its contemporary reputation. Five years later and he had managed to integrate well with the Bonyari population, sometimes even resorting to pretend at being a third-generation Zawszesian in order to avoid needless concern. Still, the weight of his lineage was a heavy burden and one that he had started to grow weary of over the years.
By becoming employed by the military, it was certain that Raku's true identity would be confirmed somewhere in the process. It was entirely possible, perhaps even more likely than not, that Raku would be rejected by the military for work. Whatever one might think of Raku as an individual, it did not change the fact that his lineage had political and social complications that could not be glossed over.
And so, at the time, Raku had continued his pacing in the chamber until he had exhausted himself and drooped into a chair, mind numb with worry. Unable to control the buzzing of his thoughts, Raku had simply laid his hand across his eyes and sighed deeply.
It was then that he had heard a familiar voice, call out to him from the door-
"Ichijou-san! Sorry, did I keep you waiting?"
Just like that first time, Onodera Kosaki appeared at the entrance to the chamber, a half-anxious smile on her face.
"No, I was just taking the time for a little nap."
The same response that he had said back then, his voice a thousand times steadier than it been back then.
"I see. Did you have a good dream?"
Playing along, Kosaki also mirrored her reply from the past.
"No...I'm sure it was a nightmare. But I hope I'll be able to have a good day's sleep after today."
"Ah, you changed your answer! That's not fair, Ichijou-san."
"I guess I've matured a bit," said Raku, getting to his feet. "Did your meeting go well?"
"Ah...I suppose," said Kosaki with dead eyes and a forced smile. "I don't really want to talk about it..."
"I see. Shall we get to business then?"
"Yes. We'll need to head down into the prison below. Please stay close to me, Ichijou-san."
"S-Sure..." said Raku, tentatively taking the arm that Kosaki offered. Although she always did so out of courtesy during these visits, the proximity was still something that made his heart flutter strongly. But of course, the real reason for this sort of intimate contact was because of the blindfold that Raku was now putting on voluntarily. For further security, any non-authorized personnel making their way to the prison cells for any reason was required to have their vision covered in order to obscure its exact location. Even incoming prisoners were blindfolded on the way in, so as to delay any escapes that may be attempted.
The first few times, Raku had stubbornly tried to memorize the path down to the prisons by taking note of all the turns and distances they covered. However, the sheer complexity of the path became too difficult for him to manage and he always lost track before reaching the end. In a way, he was grateful that his attempts had always failed. That meant he was able to quit early and focus his efforts on more valuable memories, like the fact that he was walking arm-in-arm with the love of his life. Yes, it was kind of pitiful to be so affected by such a small gesture, but sometimes, one just had to take what they could get and be grateful for it!
While Raku followed along in a blissful daze, Kosaki spoke to him in the tone of one making small talk.
"Ichijou-san. You've lived in Bonyari for five years now, right?"
"Yes, I have," said Raku, a little surprised by the sudden question. "Well, I suppose it's closer to five-and-a-half years, but..."
"How is to you now? The kingdom of Bonyari."
A strange question to be asking now, right before they were meeting with a prisoner. But no...perhaps it was because of the meeting that she asked such a question. Raku thought for a moment before answering.
"I can't say that I've fully adjusted yet. I still have...problems that I haven't completely overcome. But..."
Unconsciously, Raku held Kosaki's arm a little more firmly in his.
"I've met a lot of good people here. And after living here for five years...I think it's been more fulfilling than all the years before it. If you ask what I think of Bonyari...I'd say that it's a home that I don't want to lose."
"I see," said Kosaki. From the sound of her voice, Raku imagined that she spoke with a soft smile. "I'm glad you feel that way. Ichijou-san, no matter what anyone else says, you're a person of Bonyari now. Every country has its good and bad sides...but even after you meet with this person, please remember the warm memories that you've created till now."
"I will," said Raku. There was the sound of doors opening and then closing behind them. In his mind's eye, he could see this part of the journey very well. The long hallway of prison cells, stretching into endless darkness. Bars of black iron, their surfaces mottled with rust and scratches, separated the prisoners from the rest of the world. Each cell extended perhaps a few strides in all directions. A bucket was provided to each prisoner for their waste and food was provided once a day in the form of small consumables that could be eaten by hand.
The prisoners kept in the Eighth Bonyari Division were not meant for long holding and were usually transferred either to one of the larger prisons or to smaller holding facilities depending on how their case was handled. In general, the prisoners kept here were of minor crimes such as theft, arson, or fraud. A case of murder was generally handled by the municipal or national courts, but it was likely that because of the circumstances of this case, Kosaki had refrained from passing it off to them instead.
After several moments through this hallway, Raku was finally allowed to take the blindfold off. As he untied the strip of cloth and removed it from his eyes, Raku couldn't help but imagine the appearance of the prisoner he was meeting. A girl from Zawsze...it was likely that she was refugee if she had come all the way here to Bonyari. Perhaps she was like him, someone who had left her life behind in order to start anew.
But he also knew that he couldn't hold such biases from the start. Whether or not he could see himself in this girl, it did not change the fact that she might have been responsible for the death of a fellow human being. For now, he needed to see her from a blank slate. Only take in what was true and not be clouded by his own judgment.
"Ichijou-san. This is the prisoner I wanted you to meet."
Kosaki held her hand out to the cell in front of them. Inside, the upper half of her body hidden in shadow, was the prisoner in question. Like all of the other prisoners, her possessions had been confiscated and she was dressed in a standard prisoner uniform, which was little more than ragged cloth sewn up into a long, crude tunic that resembled a sack more than anything else. She was seated inside the cell, one leg bent so that her elbow could perch on her knee.
"Hello again. As I said before, I have brought someone who can speak Zawsze to translate for you. Please tell him your account of the events that happened on the day of your arrest."
There was no response from the prisoner. Kosaki glanced at Raku, her expression dejected. But the Zawsze that she had spoken, while rough and unrefined, had been understandable enough. If this prisoner was really a native, then the meaning had gotten across clearly. The reason for her silence had to be for some other reason then.
"Onodera-san, I'll take over from here," said Raku gently. She nodded and stepped away from the bars to allow him better access. Looking down at her quiet figure, Raku couldn't read a single thing about this person.
There was only one way to go about it. Without hesitation, Raku scraped away some of the dust from the ground with his foot and then lowered himself into a sitting position.
"Ichijou-san! If you want to sit down, let me get you a chair-"
"It's fine, Onodera-san," said Raku in Zawsze. He unlooped the trailing scarf from around his neck, rolling it into a bundle, and then peered into the darkness. "I prefer it this way. It's hard to talk to someone if you can't look them in the eye."
There was a little sound, like an amused scoff, from the darkness. So, she could understand after all. Raku dug into the inner pocket of his coat and took out the package from Shu's store. He cut the string with his teeth and then began unwrapping the wax paper.
"Before we start talking, let's have a snack. I haven't eaten yet, so I'm pretty hungry," said Raku. Inside the package were squares of traditional Zawsze sweets. They were soft, chewy purses filled with sweet bean filling inside. "Here you go."
The prisoner moved in a surprised fashion as Raku threw a couple pieces into the cell. She caught them clumsily in her hands, the rest of her becoming visible as she shifted into the light.
Without any conscious effort, Raku's eyes widened and his jaw dropped slightly. The prisoner in front of him, mottled with streaks of dust and dirt and evidently lacking wash, could still only be described as 'beautiful.' Golden hair that was like the soft edges of wheat against the sun; clear, white skin that had a healthy glow and vitality. Her features were fine and delicate, but not overly so like thin waifs. She seemed to have subtle musculature that was defined enough to give her slender body a sense of firmness.
Suddenly aware of how stunned his reaction had been, Raku looked up to Kosaki to clear the misunderstanding. But she too was looking at the prisoner with a similar expression.
"She looks beautiful, doesn't she? It's careless thinking, but a part of me can't believe someone like her would be able to commit murder."
"Yeah..." said Raku, although he knew the truth. Anyone was capable of murder. The heart was not swayed by such shallow distinctions. And the intent to kill someone, unless by sheer accident or possession, always started from somewhere in one's soul.
The prisoner brought a sweet up to her lips hesitantly, then took a sizable bite. She munched on it idly, like a cow chewing cud.
"Disgusting."
The remainder of the sweets were tossed back at Raku, slipping through the bars and slapping him in the face. Kosaki looked down at Raku apprehensively as the sweets rolled slowly down his face and onto his shoulders.
"What do you think you're doing!?" said Raku as he caught the sweets before they fell onto the ground. "Show some proper respect! These are traditional sweets made from recipes that are over two hundred years old! S-Sure, they're a little stale...but they're still delicious!"
"I hate those kinds of sweets," said the prisoner in Zawsze, wiping her mouth. "Even more so when they're cheap imitations of the real thing."
"This bitch..." said Raku, his eye twitching. Judging from Kosaki's oblivious smile, she had no idea that her family business was being insulted so brazenly. He glared at the prisoner and then defiantly stuffed the handful of sweets into his mouth.
GAH!
He resisted the urge to spit everything out. Damn Shu! He knew perfectly well what kind of sweets these were. Why would he hold onto them for this long!? The moist, tender dough had become leathery and stuck to his teeth like dry glue. There was an off-flavor to them that overwhelmed the sweetness of the beans, as if they had been kept inside a bin of pungent onions. Cursing Shu vigorously in his mind, Raku forced himself to swallow down the sweets and put a satisfied smile onto his face.
"Delicious."
"Liar."
Raku made a discreet "shh!" gesture as Kosaki tilted her head at the comment. The prisoner glanced over at Kosaki and then back to Raku. From the way her expression lit up, it seemed that she had figured something out. She pointed at Raku and then at Kosaki, then made a ring with one hand and began rhythmically shoving the index finger of her other hand through.
"NOO!"
"E-Eh!?"
Kosaki jumped a little at the sudden outburst. Raku was covering the bars up with his hands and laughing casually to play it off.
"S-Sorry. I thought I saw a bug," said Raku. The prisoner's fingers were tapping innocently against her knee. The sense of irritation that had started forming a few moments ago continued to escalate. This prisoner was seriously annoying!
"Did she say something, Ichijou-san?"
"N-No. Nothing at all. She just doesn't seem to like the sweets," said Raku, struggling to keep his expression pleasant. The prisoner held up a pinky at him, the Zawszesian euphemism for "comfort woman."
No!
Two pinkies. "Wife."
N-No! I mean...no!
She wiggled all ten of her fingers at him.
What the hell does that even mean!?
A reluctant smile spread on the prisoner's face. Then she burst into laughter, grinning openly in a way that made her seem like an innocent child. Raku tried to resist, but to no avail. Realizing that it had all been a joke, Raku couldn't help but join in laughing.
"Huh? Huh?" said Kosaki as Raku and the prisoner continued to laugh. "What's going on...?"
"If it's none of those, then I guess that means you're just a coward," said the prisoner, still chuckling.
"S-Shut up," said Raku, his face red from having his feelings read so easily. "I'm taking it slow, alright?"
"Taking what slow?" said Kosaki.
"T-The questions. I'm just kind of warming her up to it," said Raku, hastily cobbling together an excuse.
"Ah, I see. Don't worry, Ichijou-san. We don't want to pressure her into anything, so you can take your time."
"T-Thanks, Onodera-san..."
The prisoner snorted and held her hand up to stifle more laughter. Although it was good that the atmosphere had loosened up, Raku felt like too much had been given up at his expense.
"Well, it looks like we broke the ice," said Raku, deciding to just plow on forward. "My name's Ichijou Raku. I'm a Zawszesian translator living in Bonyari."
"It's about time," said the prisoner. "How can you talk properly with someone if you don't even know their name?"
"Then let's hear your name, so that we can continue our conversation."
"Oh, you must think I'm a cheap woman to ask so callously," said the prisoner, fluttering her eyes. Raku heard his teeth grinding. Seriously, what an irritating girl!
"If she would be so gracious enough, may I have the privilege of knowing the name of this enchanting maiden?"
"Very flowery, beansprout," said the prisoner, chuckling.
"Beansprout?"
"Yes. Your face is really average-looking. Or like, you seem so scrawny and lanky. Like a common beansprout."
The prisoner replied in a sincere voice, her hands gesticulating like she was teaching a child. The steam in Raku's head expanded into a whistling storm.
"Oh really? Well, since you won't give me a name, I suppose I should also return the favor. I'll admit that you're pretty, but it must only be on the outside. Crude and unsophisticated, it's like watching a gorilla girl."
"What did you say?" said the prisoner, the smile on her face cracking.
"You heard me, gorilla," said Raku, refusing to back down. The air between them crackled, like lightning, and the innocent bystander, Onodera Kosaki, remained hopelessly confused.
But at that very moment, as the prisoner had a stand-off with the Zawzsesian translator, she noticed something in the corner of her eye. Her gaze slipped down to collar of his shirt, where a gold pendant had slipped out into view-
"Ichijou-san!"
With a force that seemed to prickle every inch of his skin, the sudden shout of Onodera Kosaki instantly shot through the tension that had been building between them. Raku turned his head immediately in her direction, startled at the intensity of her tone.
"Onodera-san?"
The prisoner also looked up with a questioning glance. Kosaki blinked, seeming to be surprised herself at what she had just done.
"I-I'm sorry. I-I know I said you could take your time earlier, but it is getting late..." said Kosaki, her voice a little unsteady. "If you would like, Ichijou-san, you can continue this tomorrow. It can be dangerous in the evenings..."
"No...I understand," said Raku, still a little rattled by the shout. But from the embarrassed look she had, it appeared that Kosaki hadn't purposefully raised her voice. "Let's continue tomorrow, then. I don't want to take up too much of your time either."
Raku crumpled up the wax paper and shoved it back into his coat. He stood up, his legs a little stiff from having been on the cold stone for so long, and started to wrap his scarf back up.
"Oops...this popped out..." said Raku, stuffing the pendant back into his shirt.
"Kirisaki Chitoge."
The words made Raku pause with his scarf half-looped around his neck.
"Excuse me?" said Raku.
"That's my name," said the prisoner, smiling up at him. "I'm sorry for my conduct today. Let us speak honestly tomorrow so that we can settle this quickly."
"Y-Yeah..." said Raku, thrown off by the change in mood. "Look, this might be presumptuous of me, but I know what you're going through. The Zawsze of today isn't an easy place to live in and it's worse when you leave it. You might feel as if you have no allies in this place, but believe me when I say that General Kosaki here and I will do everything our power to help you if you're innocent."
"Thank you," said Chitoge. For the first time, her smile seemed to reflect what was truly in her heart. A hopeful expression with a shadow of bitterness, almost like regret. Seeing her make such a fragile face, Raku's heart thumped loudly for a moment.
"L-Let's talk again...Kirisaki Chitoge," said Raku, poking his finger through the bars. The soft, warm tips of Chitoge's fingers brushed against it in response. He withdrew his hand and turned away.
There was no more said as Raku fastened the blindfold back over his eyes. Normally, he would've enjoyed the second trip with Kosaki's arm linked with his, but there was an oddly somber atmosphere as they made their way back to the main hallways. The sound of the doors opening and closing again. The twists and turns through those labyrinthine halls. He took them silently, his mind swirling with thoughts about the Zawszesian named Kirisaki Chitoge.
Once they had made it back to the waiting room, Raku was allowed to take the blindfold off again. Despite Raku's fervent assurances, Kosaki insisted on walking him personally back to the gates. He felt guilty for troubling her like this, but she seemed adamant on her decision. Once they reached the gates, they waited for the guards on duty to finish opening the heavy doors.
"Ichijou-san."
Raku felt a rush of warmth through his body. Kosaki had taken hold of his hand and spoken quietly into his ear.
"It can be dangerous in the evenings...please be careful."
Those words again. Raku wanted to turn around to question them, but the doors had finished opening and Kosaki gave him a little push towards them. Once he had passed through, he turned around and saw Kosaki waving kindly at him.
"Good night, Onodera-san!" said Raku, waving back.
"Good night, Ichijou-san."
And then, the doors closed, ending their meeting for that day.
Once the doors had shut with an echoing rumble, Kosaki's smile faltered and faded. Perhaps it had been her imagination...but that time...
Back in the prison...
She was sure that she had felt it. That raw, primal feeling, like when a wolf has finally cornered a dying rabbit.
But it had only been for an instant. And even now, she was unsure if she had really felt it or if it had just been some strange effect of the argument that the two had seemed to be having.
Nevertheless, Onodera Kosaki's heart was filled with worry. Perhaps later, once she was off-duty, she would go down to Foyer and check up on him. Her chest squeezed a little as she thought of it.
Yes...just for a little bit. Sure, it seemed a bit excessive even for a close friend. But Ichijou Raku was more than just a close friend to her now. After being with him and having him by her side for all these years-
Onodera Kosaki was sure that she was in love with Ichijou Raku.
It was that time of the evening when the taverns were full and the alleys were teeming with peddlers trying to veil their less orthodox ventures in the cover of the night. For the most part, the soldiers of the Eighth Bonyari Division were now preparing for bed in the residential section of the main building. The few that were unfortunate enough to have their guard shifts during this time dragged themselves to their posts with lazy yawns.
Down in the dimly-lit prison hall, among the numerous slumbering in the deathly quiet of their cells, the two guards on shift were escorting another blindfolded individual.
"Jeez, I was just about to get off my shift. Why couldn't this wait until morning?"
"Sorry, but we didn't have a choice. It's just a simple robbery incident, but the owner of the place was raising hell and demanded we take him in..."
"Damn civilians...if they can't stand to be patient, why don't they just handle it themselves?"
"Well, at least we can turn in after this. This guy's pretty docile, so we should be able to get this over with quickly."
"Do we have any free cells left?"
"There should be a couple more, down at the end."
Chattering quietly as they moved through the hall, the two guards pushed along the prisoner with the butt of their swords. Because he had been detained so late at night, they hadn't bothered finding a uniform for the thief to change into. A thorough search had been made and all his possessions had been confiscated after all. He could always be put into the uniform tomorrow.
While most of the prisoners merely waited until the guards had passed and tried to go back to sleep, there was one prisoner that sat in her cell, listening carefully to the sounds of the guards. The lamps that lit this prison were dusty and ill-maintained, casting a dirty, shifting glow on the stone walls. Part of the Eighth Bonyari Division's standard uniform were a set of leather boots with hard soles that clacked audibly against the floor.
Clack. Clack. Clack.
Kirisaki Chitoge heard every step distinctly. With her eyes closed and her head resting against the bars, she waited until the sounds were just feet from her cell and the voices of the guards became clear.
The shadows of the passing guards rippled over her, like a reflection on dark water. Her blue eyes, sharp and piercing in the darkness, made out the new prisoner being led to his cell. As the light from the nearby lamp banished the shadows from the thief's face, Kirisaki Chitoge's fingers bundled up into a fist.
A loud clang. She slammed the back of her fist against the bars, the vibrations transferring to the other bars, creating a brief cacophony of rattling metal. The guards spun towards the cell, their hands flicking to their swords.
"What the hell...that scared the shit out of me."
"Hey! What do you think you're doing this late at night?" said one of the guards, walking up to the bars. "Back away from the bars. Now!"
It happened in an instant. The moment the rattle of metal had cut through the silence, the thief's head had turned towards the sound. Based off the sound, he could tell how far the bars were from his current position. Judging that they were somewhat in the center of this hall, he could estimate the distance of the other side as well. In that manner, the thief was able to adjust his movement to fit within this limited boundary of space.
As the guards made their remarks in front of him, the thief could position them within his mental map of the spatial environment. The first guard was his target. The other was facing the cell and distracted. The thief's movements were of such fluidity that it was if gravity did not affect him. He rose into the air, twisting precisely enough to give weight to his heel, and smashed the guard in front of him to the ground.
"-from the bars. Now!"
The guard froze as his sentence finished and the recognizable sound behind him reached his ears. It was a sound that he heard frequently in training, a mixture of physical impact and the cry of pain from the victim. But it was so unexpected that he couldn't react normally. His mind, focused on the prisoner in front of him, could not shift direction to that of the prisoner behind him.
And so, he too was dispatched of quickly, his head knocking against the bars hard enough to cause a concussion.
The nearby prisoners awoke at the unfamiliar sounds. But they kept their silence, completely overwhelmed by the killing intent that burst from the thief in pulsing waves. He jumped lightly on his feet, swinging his bound arms underneath his legs. Now in a more manageable position, the thief grabbed one of the swords and cut the ropes off his wrist.
"Ojou. I have arrived."
The thief announced to the cell in front of him as he tore the blindfold from his eyes. Kirisaki Chitoge smiled and pointed at the ring of keys that had fallen on the ground.
"Well done, Tsugumi," said Chitoge, as the thief unlocked the door to her cell. "Put the guards in here."
"Their uniforms?"
"Leave them. We'll obtain ours on the way," said Chitoge, stretching and rotating her limbs as she stepped out into the hall. The thief named Tsugumi tossed the guards inside after ensuring that they were unconscious and locked the cell.
"Were you successful in meeting our target, Ojou?"
"Yeah. Our information was correct. It's him, alright," said Chitoge. She looked up and down the hall, noting that several of the prisoners had woken up. "I have a plan to get to him, but first, we need to retrieve my key. They were more careful than I expected. What time is it now outside?"
"It is late evening, Ojou. The moon has been out for quite some time. The guards stated that this would be the end of their shift."
"That means we have a small window," said Chitoge. Based off the shift changes that she had seen while imprisoned, they would have perhaps 15 to 20 minutes max before the next shift came looking for these guards. "Let's hurry then."
Chitoge turned to the prisoner closest to them, who was watching with fearful eyes.
"All of you here. If you stay silent, then I promise that you will have an opportunity to escape soon," said Chitoge, making sure that her voice could be heard by everyone listening. "Please wait patiently."
Of course, it was just a bluff. It would only increase her risk of being caught if she released people who may stubbornly cling to her while she made her escape. There was also the fact that very few of these prisoners, based off her observations, had sentences severe enough to warrant meddling with.
No, she would abandon them here. But even if they grew anxious, it would be enough to buy her the time she needed to execute the next part of her plan.
With the prisoners taken care of, Chitoge and Tsugumi hurried back to the doors leading to the main hallways. Tsugumi put her ear against the door, listening for any activity outside. Hearing none, she opened the doors slightly and made visual confirmation.
"We are clear, Ojou."
"Good," said Chitoge as they stepped out into the hallway. "Well then, let's see how long we can elude the soldiers of the great Bonyari Kingdom."
A/N: And so, we finally begin Bonyari Saga. The next chapter will likely not be released for quite a while due to personal complications, but I hope that this chapter will tide you over until then. I don't usually ask for comments on my work, but in this case, as there may be a sizable gap between this chapter and the next, I hope that you can take a few moments to leave your thoughts so that I can look back on what worked and what didn't when returning to this fic in the future. I am also removing the "pilot chapter" for Bonyari Saga as I feel the story has changed enough from back then. If there are some who still want the pilot available, I will add it back in to the chapter list.
In the work before this, 'The Date', I worked on transitioning my "voice" and writing style to something that would be more suitable to the tone of Bonyari Saga. It still needs some refinement, but this is the kind of style that I will probably continue with in future chapters.
One thing that I was worried about while working on Bonyari Saga was how much I would deviate from the Nisekoi cast. Bonyari Saga is set in an alternate universe and is intended to have a more serious focus than that of the original series. It was difficult coming up with an overplot that incorporated elements from the original series into the kind of story I wanted, but I was able to come up with something that I hope will work out. As with 'The Date,' I tried to keep certain attributes of the characters intact, but also adjusted them to fit with their role and backstory in this universe.
And lastly, please excuse any typos/continuity errors made on my part (and feel free to point them out!). For example, Zawsze is such a confusing word for me to write...