Malachi's POV

"Mitsuhi-..!" I covered my mouth, realizing I'd almost blown his cover. But after looking around, I spotted the man in question, and he seemed to have noticed me as well. "Is that my sweet wife? You finished shopping, I see." A smile resided on his lips. He signaled to the others to take a break and walked over to me, taking the shopping bag from my hands. It was quite impressive. Mitsuhide had worked his way into co-director of the show despite having only arrived yesterday. But, this was no time for a festival.

I took a deep breath and met Mitsuhide's gaze head on, "Mitsu.. Could I talk to you, in private please?" Mitsuhide feigned surprise, "Private? Shopping appears to have been very stimulating." I clenched my fist and turned away, attempting to hide my blush. But I chose to ignore his attempt in baiting me and led him around to the back of the stage. Once we were alone, I crossed my arms and glared at him.

"Mitsuhide, you realized the man I met the other night was the Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, didn't you?" Mitsuhide didn't answer me. He didn't even give anything away with his placid expression. His poker face felt as if it was more of a mask, but I continued anyway. "You yourself taught me that he was defeated by Nobunaga. And now he's here in this hotbed of rebellion.. It's suspicious, isn't it?" But Mitsuhide simply shrugged his shoulders. He frowned as he spoke, "You ask as if this is of some concern to you. This is not your time. Or are you not returning to your future?"

I stared at him, eyes widened and completely astonished he would even say that. "Of course this is a concern to me! Do you know the severity of affecting the timeline?! I don't even KNOW what future I'm returning to!" "Why?" "Because I care about the people of this time period! I care about the friends I've made, about the Oda warlords, even your sorry ass! I care. A lot more than I'd like to let on! So I'm sorry if it's a fucking inconvience that I want to ensure you're all safe so that the future isn't as fucked as it could be." My voice cracked as I clenched my fists, staring down at the dirt. Yet I could tell by the way Mitsuhide stood, he was surprised.

Silence followed, but it felt suffocating. "..And here I was wondering if it was something important you had to tell me.. If you're done, we should return to the troupe. Right now, it is the festival that is of the utmost importance." He turned around, just like that. But I wasn't done, I grabbed his arm. "Are you seriously going to leave it at that? Can't you at least tell me something?! In case you've forgotten, I'm involved in this too-!"

Mitsuhide frowned, thin browns drawn tightly together. Though, his frown wasn't really where I was looking right now. He.. His face.. It was red. He was.. He was blushing? I had no clue that I'd pulled so hard I had yanked his placid mask right off. But, were my eyes deceiving me? Was Mitsuhide really blushing? "..Let us go." I wanted to stay angry, but I couldn't. Not as I watched the haltingly way Mitsuhide marched off. It wasn't his usual fluid and graceful pace. He looked adorably.. clumsy.

I have no idea what could've even caused that. All I said was that I- "even your sorry ass! I care. A lot more than I'd like to let on! So I'm sorry if it's a fucking inconvience that I want to ensure you're all safe so that the future isn't as fucked as it could be." Whatever it was that struck Mitsuhide struck me as well as I realized the massive weight and implications my words had carried. I felt a hot flush in my face and a sudden inability to walk naturally.

After a dozen deep breaths and a quick check of temperature, I returned to the troupe. "Malachi, I need you to hurry up with those props. Our show is tomorrow, you know." Mitsu told me as soon as I'd returned. Seems like he's back to normal.. "I'll get right to it." Mitsuhide was no longer blushing, but that's no surprise. But he was. I'm positive he was blushing before!

Our discussion had been cut off before I could get any answers. And maybe it'd been for the best. After all.. Who knows what I might've let slip in my anger? But I'd learned something, at the very least. Important to me, at least. And arguably, to him as well. That silver tongue of his gets curt whenever he's bashful. But hmm.. Wasn't he also curt to me this morning? Could that be because of last night, when I thanked him? Ohhh, it might've been!

An amused smile graced my lips. I felt as if I'd uncovered some amazing piece of history, specifically about Mitsuhide Akechi. The more and more I learn about this mortal man.. The more intrigued I become. He's certainly the most interesting mortal I've come across.. But wait- He said to prioritize the festival. There must be a reason for that, right? Let's focus on these costume designs of his. They're just going to have to be modifications- Eh? What the hell?

I stared down at the designs curiously, "Erm.. Mitsu? What kind of show are you even putting on tomorrow?" Mitsuhide smirked, "Why, it's a comedy. I wrote it myself." "..You write comedies now?" Mitsuhide nodded, "You can judge for yourself at the show tomorrow. But what a show it should be." I felt nothing but dread, but Mitsuhide was smiling. And I trusted him. Even my dread trusted him. So I did as he asked.

And at last, the night of the festival arrived.