Update! In case you didn't know, this mini-arc is gonna be a crossover with Koi to Uso/Love and Lies. Read it if you want to understand this!
I'm also iffy about continuing this fic after this arc, because I really want to follow the canon and Yandere Dev has given me little to work with, which is pretty much why you've only seen fillers so far. I might go on a hiatus until Yandere Dev fully releases Osana and Amai.
Also, I'm not particularly proud of this chapter, so do understand if it's low quality for you.
Taro stayed on his seat as Yukari then glanced down on him. Taro saw a relative innocence in the young man's eyes, which betrayed the rest of the young man's personality. Taro saw a generally well-meaning person behind those dark brown eyes. He could not stand up at risk of waking up Ayano after all.
"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?" Yukari asked, noticing Ayano sleeping on his lap.
"No, it's fine." Taro said while glancing down at Ayano. "She's a little tired from excitement for the trip."
"Is she your girlfiend?" Yukari asked curiously.
"Though it's flattering of you to think that, Ayano and I are just good friends." Taro smiled.
Taro could have sworn that he felt Ayano jerk, but ignored it as he then listened to Yukari.
"O-Okay, sorry for thinking that."
"Don't worry." Taro replied calmly. "Besides, where are your friends and family?"
"We're waiting by one of the restaurants, my dad sent me to look for you guys."
"That's good." Taro said while putting a hand on Ayano, and shaking her. "Yan-chan and I will be getting there soon."
Ayano immediately woke from the shaking as she frantically sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked in surprise at Yukari, who was flustered, a bit abashed to meet the older girl.
"Yukari, this is my friend, Ayano Aishi." Taro introduced before turning to Ayano. "Yan-chan, this is my second cousin, Yukari Nejima."
"Oh nice to meet you Nejima-san!" Ayano said while bowing.
"It's strange how much warmer Ayano is when she's around me. She'd given him the cold shoulder had I not been here."
"N-Nice to meet you Aishi-san." Yukari replied, bowing.
"Taro, I found the Nejima and the Sanada family, let's move our things so that we can—" Musashi voiced out, before pausing at the sight of Yukari.
Ayano and Taro glanced at Yukari, who suddenly seemed awestruck at Musashi's arrival, as he then ran over and bowed to him.
"Yamada-dono, it's such an honor to meet you!" Yukari said sincerely.
Ayano and Taro observed that Musashi was a bit embarrassed at Yukari, as he then said.
"Don't call me that now Yukari, call me ojii-san like Taro does."
"A-Are you sure?" Yukari asked.
"Of course." Musashi smiled.
Taro and Ayano took this as an opportunity to pack up their belongings as Musashi also took his bag. As they prepared to meet the other families, Yukari then went to Musashi.
"Ojii-san, would you like me to take your belongings?" Yukari asked politely.
"No, no. It's all good." Musashi replied kindly.
Taro was curious why Yukari was treating his grandfather with such respect. While such treatment is customary in samurai society, Yukari seemed almost like a fanatic or an admirer than a model grandson. He approached Yukari and asked.
"Why are you treating my grandfather with such esteem?"
"Don't you know who your grandfather is?" Yukari asked with much surprise.
"Well I've been told that he was a minor celebrity." Taro admitted.
"Well whoever told you that was lying. Musashi Yamada is a very famous figure in the 70s, known under the alias of Sensei Kensei."
That caught Taro's attention, as he looked at Musashi, wondering if he was possibly a Kensei. But he remembered his victory over him and dismissed it. It was probably pure coincidence.
"Sensei Kensei? I don't think I have heard of him." Taro conceded.
"Oh he's a really popular hero in the 70s. He was used as a means of teaching good manners and morals to two generations of children. His show, Hikari no Senshi! Kensei no go An'nai, or Warrior of Light! The Guidance of a Sword Saint is a Japanese classic that's still used to teach children today."
"What exactly is the content of this show that makes it so popular?" Taro wondered.
"Oh it's so cool! With Musashi playing the honorable Kensei who fought the evil Ash Knights and the barbaric Vikings! Whenever he would need a powerup, he would always shout his signature move "Korede shimaida" or This is the end, with his no-dachi lighting up in glorious flame!"
This already felt familiar for Taro. This was a massive romanticization of the samurai, though he wasn't complaining.
"Each episode always taught a certain value that children would always take to heart. The show itself went on for nearly a decade before Musashi resigned in 1975."
"So why does he not get that much attention?"
"He went into hiding and faded into obscurity. He has a huge following, and long-time fans have been searching for him. Though I doubt they'd recognize him now."
Taro mused on the fact that Musashi was a samurai celebrity, though he wondered how the concept of the Kensei arose. Then again, if a Warden, Orochi, and Warlord can be sent to this world, why not a Kensei? It was only a question of who. But Taro immediately stopped his thoughts as he saw the Sanada family and the Nejima family gathered outside the restaurant. They waved as the largest men, the fathers, came to greet Musashi.
"See, told ya the big Sensei Kensei would come himself!" Yuuji said proudly.
"You weren't kidding." The tall blond man said while bowing before Musashi. "It's such an honor to meet you Yamada-dono, I am Jurgen Yoshirou Sanada."
"Don't be so humble. I'm just an old man." Musashi smiled as he bowed in kind.
"On the contrary, you were a great inspiration for me. Especially during my later years, I'd always remember your words in that PSA special. The law is a gift to us, don't break it! You helped me overcome my fear of the Yukari Law, and now I'm happily married."
As if on cue, a female with black eyes and neck-length pink hair styled into a bob haircut came in and held her husband.
"Is this Musashi Yamada? As in the Sensei Kensei?"
"Yes he is dear!" Jurgen said proudly. "What about him?"
"He was my childhood hero! I often fantasized marrying him when I was a little girl." The woman mused before bowing. "It's so great to meet you, my name is Kaede Sanada!"
"Nice to meet you Missus Sanada." Musashi bowed once again.
Taro and Ayano stood back at witnessed all the formalties. It seemed Musashi really was a celebrity, as he saw the glow of admiration and enchantment on the eyes of these elders, meeting their role model for the first time. But he saw Yukari call him from another table together with his friends as he then called for Ayano to accompany him. They sat down with Taro seeing his other friends.
One was a young girl with short straight black hair, dark blue eyes and a fair complexion together with a glamorous and well-endowed figure. The second one was a young man with dark purple hair, dark purple eyes with long eyelashes and a fair complexion. His hair was longer on the front and had a small section of his bangs cover the root of his nose. These two were obviously just along for the ride.
But the last one was a girl with dark purple eyes and waist-length rosy blonde hair styled in a two-sided ponytail. She had a slim figure and was visibly the shortest among her friends. Taro could tell by her resemblance with the mother that she was the assigned wife of Yukari.
"So everyone, this is my second cousin, Taro Yamada and his good friend, Ayano Aishi." Yukari introduced before turning to Taro and Ayano. "Taro, Aishi-san, these are my friends, Lilina Sanada."
"Hi!" Lilina said cheerily.
"Misaki Takasaki." Yukari said while gesturing to the black haired girl.
"Nice to meet you!" Misaki waved kindly.
"And Yūsuke Nisaka."
"Hey." Yūsuke greeted impassively.
"So…" Taro trailed off while grabbing a seat for himself. "You two are coming with us to the camping trip then hot springs vacation."
"Only because this idiot begged me to come." Yūsuke rolled his eyes.
"I thought it would be fun!" Misaki replied sunnily.
Taro felt responsible as the eldest one, being the one in charge as he was a year older than Ayano. He then asked Lilina.
"So you are Yukari's arranged fiancee, am I correct?"
"Y-Yes…" Lilina shyly replied.
"Well Lilina, you look a bit foreign for a person with a Japanese surname." Taro observed.
"I-I'm actually 1/4 German."
"Oh? No wonder you look European!" Taro exclaimed. "Kannst du Deutsch sprechen?"
The others stared in shock at Taro's change in language, but Lilina seemed to understand.
"I-I'm sorry… I don't really speak German." Lilina replied embarrassingly.
"Oh it's fine, I just happened to know someone from Germany, so I'd thought the same would apply to you."
"You can speak German?" Yukari asked with awe, leaning forward with interest. "Where did you learn?"
"I'm self-taught, I am a multilingual speaker, so I can speak German, French, English and even Latin."
"Really? That's amazing!" Yukari exclaimed, with his eyes sparkling. "How much did you self-teach yourself?"
"Mostly western languages, though I do know a bit of Jōmon language from a few kofuns I've visted."
"You've been to kofuns!?" Yukari asked out loud. "How!? Where!?"
"I've been to a few excavations, usually to learn more about history." Taro mused, remembering when he used to visit kofuns back in Myre, dated even longer before the Faction War.
"So then—"
"So before Yukari loses his mind with Taro's knowledge about kofuns." Yūsuke interrupted. "Let's change the subject."
"Actually, I've been meaning to ask." Misaki said while raising a hand. "Aishi-san, Yamada-kun, what's it like in Buraza?"
"Fairly quiet and peaceful. Even with the rise in crime, it's still serene and—"
"I don't think that's what they're asking." Taro clarified.
Both shared a glance, before Ayano's eyes widened as she realized what Taro meant. Ayano then turned back to the younger group of teens, who seemed interested to hear what they had to say.
"I don't… know. School seems to go about normally, though students seem a lot happier with their freedom to choose."
"But how about you Aishi-san?" Lilina asked.
Taro could see that Ayano struggled to find an answer.
"Ayano's had bad experience, so I wouldn't suggest asking her." Taro explained.
"O-Oh… Sorry for asking…" Lilina apologized.
"It's fine." Ayano impassively replied.
"So how about you then, Taro?" Yukari asked with interest.
"Well, I just live life normally. I really don't bother with relationships." Taro shrugged.
"But you've had your first kiss or something like that right?" Lilina asked. "With the freedom to choose, there must have been some girl you liked."
Taro then remembered his moment with Charlotte in the hospital room when her memories were lost. He remembered the voluntary kiss he gave her out of pity. Though it was a pity kiss, it was still a kiss nonetheless. But Taro remembered another incident that could be considered as his first kiss.
"Are you finished packing?" Ayano asked while putting the bag over the shoulder.
"Yes I am!" Taro replied while walking up to Ayano. "I didn't think I'd receive the honor of visiting your home, let alone the home village of the Shinobi clan."
"Well don't get too excited now." Ayano said while approaching Taro. "We'll rendezvous with my family at the gate before we—"
Strangely inattentive of the Shinobi, she tripped over a rock and fell forward and knocked down Taro. Taro could feel her lips fall against his as he didn't know what to do. However, Ayano quickly gets off Taro frantically. Both stared at each other, with both red with embarrassment. Ayano then quickly gathered her things and stood up, turning her back on Taro.
"W-We make no mention of this."
Taro only dumbly nodded, as he had not seen this emotional side of Ayano, especially since she was usually cold and distant with other people. What made him so special?
Taro visibly blushed as his face reddened, catching Ayano's attention. Taro glanced a bit at Ayano before replying.
"No. I didn't have mine yet." Taro said as calmly as he could.
"Lies." Ayano thought as her aura began to darken. "Who could be the bitch tempting him?"
"Are you sure?" Lilina asked disappointedly. "You seem a bit flustered right now."
"R-Really?" Taro asked while looking at his reflection through his cellphone. "It's nothing I guess."
Taro then glanced at Ayano, who tilted her head in curiosity. He immediately turned his head and scooted away.
"So Taro, what's it like living with Mister Musashi." Misaki said while resting her face on her hand. "I heard that he was coming so I was really curious about his personal life, being a celebrity and all."
"He never told it to me. I actually only learned of his celebrity status just today." Taro replied while leaning back. "It seems to me that he isn't so keen on telling me about his celebrity life."
"Really? Not even a piece of Hikari no Senshi memorabilia?"
"His house is absent of such items, though he still enjoys his kendo, like me." Taro added. "But most of the time, we just have civil discussions over some tea."
"Geez, you both sound like old men." Yukari commented.
"Okay, so is everyone ready?" A woman, who Taro recognized as Yukari's mother, Chisato. She was also holding on to Yukari's little sister, Kizuna.
"Yes ma'am." Taro said while showing his bag.
"Oh you! Just call me oba-san." Chisato said while glancing at both Taro and Ayano. "You and your friend will be seating with your grandfather. He seems a bit overwhelmed with the attention he's getting from the other adults."
"Okay." Taro nodded as he stood up and gestured for Ayano to follow.
Taro could see Musashi in the middle of a conversation with Yuuji and Jurgen. Musashi saw Taro waiting as he realized.
"Oh Taro, it's almost time to board the train."
"Yes, let's continue our conversation on the train." Yuuji added in.
"Actually, I'll be seating with my grandson and his friend." Musashi said while bowing. "We will continue this once we disembark."
Taro saw disappointment on the adults' faces, presumably because they wanted to talk more to their childhood hero about his glory days as Sensei Kensei. Musashi, Taro, and Ayano went ahead to the train, seeing thaat it was already there, waiting for them. The foreman directed Musashi into the train and into his seat, together with Taro and Ayano sitting across Musashi. Taro looked to his left to see that Ayano dozed off, but he also saw that Musashi surprisingly looked relieved, even hearing an audible sigh from the old man. Taro couldn't hold his curiosity as he then remarked.
"Well you sound relieved." Taro observed.
Musashi looked surprised for a moment, before relaxing and giving a tired smile.
"You could say that."
"I trust that it has something to do with all this Sensei Kensei nonsense?" Taro inquired further.
"Yes." Musashi admitted.
"Why did you not inform me of your former celebrity status? I understand the need for privacy, but I feel that there is something much deeper to it."
Musashi frowned and sighed, staring out the window as the train began to move.
"I don't usually say this, but I hated playing as Sensei Kensei."
"Well, that's understandable, actors do sometimes hate their roles out of crisis of identit—"
"No, that's not it." Musashi explained, before sighing. "As I expected, no one even remembered my sidekick in the show."
"Sidekick?" Taro questioned.
"Nobushi Neesan, the female lead in the show, wielded the naginata and was played by Uchiyama Mari, debuted in 1971."
Another reference to the Nobushi class. This was getting stranger and stranger. She even had the naginata of the normal Nobushi.
"What is it about this Nobushi Neesan that's so important to you?" Taro asked.
"Her actor was a good friend of mine, we had met in high school and became inseparable since." Musashi explained. "When I had landed a spot as an actor in Hikari no Senshi, I had begged her incessantly to be my costar in the show."
Musashi's eyes had a specific twinkle in his eyes, as he began to look back at the olden days.
"We were a pair unrivaled in television history. No one could stop us. We quickly became the best team in the show, and no episode was complete without us."
Taro could see that Musashi had really valued his good friend and costar, but that did not explain why Musashi hated the show. Taro simply decided to be quiet and continued to listen to Musashi.
"Fast forward five years, and Mari and I were closer than ever. We had already been dating, so I decided that it was time to tie the knot, and of course, she accepted."
Taro nodded at that, he remembered little of his grandmother back in his world, except for the fact that she died early and was a Nobushi, quite the coincidence there.
"Everything went well from there. Our first child was on the way, and the show was giving the both of us the finances we needed. Until…"
Taro saw Musashi's face darken, his expression showing grief and anxiety.
"On the day my wife was to give birth to our second child, she contracted a terminal illness. The doctors tried their best but could only save my son."
Taro could see that Musashi was still coping with his wife's death, but he still could not see what it had to do with hating his acting role.
"But did the studio didn't even care. Within a week, I was scheduled with a new costar. They didn't want to kill off Nobushi Neesan, so they hired a new actor for her. That's when I left. They treated my wife's death like a minor setback for their money-making scheme of a show. The show cheapened my wife's dignity and I hated that. I would always remember the show as something that insulted the memory of my wife. So that's why I despise the show. Even now, my children have yet to know my role."
Taro nodded again, so he left out of anger. His wife was not acknowledged and he felt like she was cheapened by how the show handled her death. That was understandable. It did parallel how his grandfather left the military, despite his legendary status. But his thoughts were interrupted by the door opening, and a stewardess peeking inside.
"Hello?"
"Yes?" Taro asked.
"Er, yes. Mister Taro Yamada, there's been a complication with the seat assignment, so I'm afraid you must transfer to another area."
"Um, okay." Taro said while slowly standing up and bringing his bag.
"Also, you might have to share a seat with a stranger passenger, is that okay?"
"That's fine." Taro said while walking down the aisle, before seeing a familiar sight.
Before him, was a foreign woman, slightly taller than him, with hazel eyes a shapely figure, and a fairly large bust, together with dirty blonde hair tied into a ponytail. Taro paled as he saw the woman, who had also gone white as soon as she saw him. They both stared at each other before both screamed in unison.
"YOU'RE HERE TOO!?"
Taro was seated with Yukari and his other friends, though he did not bother to look at them, sulking and refusing to even look at Charlotte. Charlotte sits quietly and tried to act normal as she also avoided eye contact with Taro. Yukari and his friends felt pressured by the awkward silence, as Yukari took the lead with the conversation.
"So Taro, care to introduce us to your friend here?"
"How do you know Charlotte anyway?" Lilina questioned.
"You know her?" Yūsuke asked with surprise.
"Of course I do! Charlotte's my second cousin. Her father, Heinz Weber is cousins with my dad."
"So this is the family you were talking about." Yukari said while glancing at Charlotte. "So Charlotte, how do you know Taro?"
"You could say that we've met." Charlotte answered curtly.
"Not on the best of terms to be specific." Taro coldly clarified.
"Wait, so you two dated then?" Lilina questioned.
"Nothing like that Lily." Charlotte kindly pointed out. "We've just had some bad history."
"We just tend to get into a lot of fights." Taro added.
"So Charlotte, you're also German I take it?" Misaki asked. "What kind of hobbies do you have?"
"Oh, I just do humanitarian work and martial arts! Taro and I practice swordsmanship in our free time."
"She's a good fighter, good form and footwork. She's beaten me plenty." Taro admitted, before turning to Charlotte. "But Charlotte, why are you here exactly?"
"Well, my father decided to send me on this vacation rather than joining him, as he believed the hot springs would soothe my ease from that incident a few days back."
"Where's Bjorn?"
"He'll catch up sooner or later." Charlotte replied.
Taro and Charlotte seemed to be on the same wavelength, as the group seemed stunned by how Taro and Charlotte referred to each other.
"Are you sure you two aren't dating?" Lilina asked abruptly.
Both immediately glanced at Lilina right after hearing that query.
"I'm quite sure that we're not romantically involved. Why do you ask?" Taro questioned.
"Well, you two seem like a really good couple for some reason, so I'm just wondering why you don't like each other."
Taro and Charlotte faced each other before Taro averted his gaze and said.
"It's complicated."
"Aw, you still haven't gotten over that?" Charlotte asked with a hint of mock disappointment.
"You and I both know we're never getting along." Taro retorted.
"That's up to you." Charlotte said while folding her arms. "You're the one rejecting my offer of kindness."
"Wait, Charlotte." Lilina interrupted. "Have you ever had a boyfriend before?" Lilina asked.
"Knowing her, she probably had plenty!" Yukari whispered to Yūsuke.
"Er, I never had a relationship in my life."
"WHAT!?"
"B-But you're so pretty and sweet and—" Lilina tried to rationalize.
"I don't think I'm ready for a relationship just yet." Charlotte shrugged. "I have plenty of other concerns to deal with."
"But aren't you excited for love?"
"There's more to life than love, and I'll find it when I can." Charlotte finalized. "Now let's talk about you and your husband, Yukari."
"M-Me and m-my husband?" Lilina asked nervously, her face turning red.
"Of course, I can't wait to hear what you have to say~"
Taro rolled his eyes, as he took a back seat with Charlotte having the more active conversation with the group.
Musashi looked around to see that no one was around. He opened a large bag, and searched through, before bringing out a giant curved sword, a no-dachi. He examines it a bit, before hearing a ring as he picked up the phone and answered.
"Hello? Yes. I brought the Orochi as you asked."
"Good. Is the Warden there as well?"
"Yes she is. The Warlord will be a bit late though."
"That's fine. As long as we can gather them all soon. Which begs the question, have you told him yet?"
"No, I still keep it from him, even losing to him on purpose in some occasions." Musashi replied.
"Well don't hide it forever. He needs to know that there are others out there."
"I won't. How's the search for the Aramusha?" Musashi asked out of topic.
"We've received reports of a new boy in the provinces with unnatural sword skill. But don't concern yourself with that, the Orochi and Warden are our prime concerns. Got it?"
"Got it." Musashi replied. "I'll be meeting with Aurelius and Douglas in the Hot Springs Hotel."
"Okay, good luck."
Musashi closed the phone and glanced up and down the no-dachi, before wondering.
"Is he really ready for the truth?" Musashi questioned.
And that's that! The Vacation Arc goes on!