Chapter Three: March - Yayoi (弥生): I won't lose!
The year is 2205 A.D.
To annihilate the History Retrograde Army who schemes to alter history
Them, who were born from swords,
Engage in mortal combat as well!
So, Hasebe, what's today agenda?
Xxxxxxxxxx
Slowly winter was bidding farewell, leaving behind a soil ready to be illuminated by the immense bluish sky and warmed by the radiant sun of spring. Gradually, the flowers were blooming, one by one colouring the ground with various cheerful touches of red, yellow and pink, the fresh smell of grass just watered by the dew overwhelming the nose of anyone who would get close to it. And as the wind was becoming softer and softer, blowing gently between the branches of the greenish trees, birds were warbling about the mild season's coming as the skies, scattered by thousands of white clouds with billions of different shapes, were playing some sort of memory game that no one could ever win…
"I kept you all waiting! Hehehe. Just kidding. I'm the rumoured Sada-chan! " exclaimed a young boy with mid-length blue hair and golden eyes. "Yeah, it's me Taikogane Sadamune! Let's go wild with style! "
"Right, I'm happy we can finally meet, Taikogane-san. I hope you will please yourself here and get along with everyone. "
"Sure! But… There are various swords here, but is Micchan here? "
Tilting his head to one side, the Saniwa offered a sweet smile to his new Toudan, amused by the worried face he was carrying.
"That's a very specific request. Why would you ask so? " he asked, although he was just teasing a bit the Tantou.
"It was so fun when Micchan was around. I wanna hang around with him again! " answered with confidence Sadamune, a large smile stretching the corners of his lips, his pupils glowing with nostalgia and joy.
"Well, consider yourself lucky, because Shokudaikiri isn't the only one from the Date clan to have landed here. "
Seeming even more rejoiced if it was even possible, his Touken Danshi glanced over the open window of the room, almost as if looking for the persons his master has mentioned and enquired with some impatience:
"Really, who else?! "
"It wouldn't be fun if I told you, right? " joked around the Sage, pleased.
"Hehe, can't wait to see them, then! " simply said the sword, crossing his arms behind his head nonchalantly.
"I'm sure they were impatiently expecting you too. " informed the boy whilst looking at papers before him. "Now go, Kiyomitsu will lead you to them. "
"Thanks, Aruji! See ya later! " greeted Taikogane, heading for the exit.
"Count on me. "
Xxxxxxxxxx
e boy, disconcerted. "Do you think I would act so calmly if I wanted to scold you? "
"W-Well... "
"Don't be ridiculous. Among everyone, you're certainly one of the few that I have never been angry at. " revealed the Saniwa, chuckling, although it seems that it was with some despondency.
"Maybe one of my tigers, then? " enquired Gokotai, still worried.
"They're all adorable, don't worry about them. " indicated the Sage, smiling softly. "No, I was just teasing Hasebe. It seems that he has forgotten our bet from last winter. So, I'm going to take delight in reminding him. "
"B-Bet? "
"Hmm-hmm. Yasusada's last mission before his departure was the object of a bet between Hasebe and me. And although I didn't win, I didn't lose either. "
"D-Draw? " questioned the Tantou as he sat down on the sofa facing his master's, his hands clutching his lap.
"You guessed right. " the Saniwa affirmed before explaining: "The content of the bet was this. If Hasebe lost, he had to withdraw from his attendant position for a while. But if I lost, I had to take drastic measures against Yasusada. "
"Measures? " repeated the short sword, curious.
"Well… you don't need to know the details. Just understand it's nothing to be afraid or to worry about." the cherry-haired boy tried to be reassuring.
"If-If you say so... "
"Anyway, as you said, it was a draw, so I made sure that each side was satisfied. I let Yasusada leave the citadel so he could find his own path, and now it's time for Hasebe to respect his part of the deal. "
Nodding slightly, Gokotai assimilated all the information given to him, then, a bit lost, timidly asked again:
"I-I see. W-What about me? "
Taking another sip of his tea, the Sage leaned against the back of the sofa, amused, and declared falsely surprised:
"Are you not the one who said first that you wanted to be my attendant someday? "
"Really?! " exclaimed Tantou, unable to hide his joy.
"Of course. I promised you would do this work at some point. See? I always respect my word. "
"Y-Yes! "
Chuckling again, the Saniwa sighed with satisfaction. Sometimes there was nothing more pleasant than seeing the face of one of his Toudan filled with delight.
"Today might be too late for you to start, but let's try another day, alright? " he said as he slowly finished his tea, then gestured towards the teapot to pour a little more into the now empty cup.
"Okay! " responded the Toushirou, his lips curled in a big smile.
Letting his gaze wander toward the open window, the boy watched as the wind was gently blowing between the leaves of the trees.
"I will make sure that everyone can get used to this job at least once. " he added, though it seemed that it was more for himself than for his sword.
"So, e-everyone will be master's attendant for a whole day? " understood the little Awataguchi, puzzled.
"Some are already familiar with this work, like Kiyomitsu or Imanotsurugi, because they have been here for a long time. " the Sage related, still observing the trees in movement. "But it's still something completely unknown for the others. So I'm going to organise some sort of shift. Every day I will choose a new attendant who will learn what Hasebe already does every day. "
Then, looking at his Touken Danshi, he announced as extra information:
"It's very different from being the secretary and informed people about expeditions or excursions. "
"I-I see. " agreed the latter, nodding hastily.
"But it's necessary to know this too. In fact, it might be more difficult for me than for you since all my routines will have to be redone" clarified the Saniwa, thinking aloud.
"I-In this case, i-is it really good to d-do that? " was concerned Gokotai.
"You're sweet. But don't worry so much. I can perfectly adapt myself. That's also what I'm supposed to do as a Saniwa. " the cherry-haired boy emitted, smiling softly again.
"A-Alright then. "
Xxxxxxxxxx
The morning was calmly ending as a cool breeze was blowing all over the estate. The lunch had just finished and he was sunbathing now, sitting on the edge of the engawa, in front of the cherry tree that had not yet bloomed.
Frowning, the Saniwa turned his head to his left, intrigued, before smiling softly as he closed his eyes, declaring out loud:
"Are you going to stay hidden in here until I completely lose my concentration? Because that's not going to happen that soon! "
Coming out of the nook behind which he was concealed, Tsurumaru Kuninaga pouted and sat next to his master, sighing with disappointment.
"Damn! Aruji, you're getting better at this! "
"It's only because I'm used to your methods now… " pointed out the Sage, leaning back on his hands and raising up his face towards the sun.
"Well, I'm sure you'll never guess what I have prepared to surprise everybody here!" argued his Toudan with a wink, his head tilted to the side, a mischievous smile on his lips.
"Tell me, although, coming from you, I'm expecting everything."
"What would you say if we organised a… Sports Festival!"
"Huh? A sports festival? "
Looking at his sword, the boy frowned again, perplexed, and sat up straight.
"That's it! " confirmed a voice out of nowhere.
"Konnosuke? "
Calling his name with surprise, the Saniwa watched as the little kitsune get closer to him, settling just beside the white-haired Tachi.
"Let me guess, it's your idea? " he asked the fox, annoyed.
"Partly. " indicated the latter with a nod.
Standing up quickly, the Sage waited for his Touken Danshi to do the same and started walking in the direction of the forge, his pace slow as he was still in some sort of negotiation with his sword.
"Say, don't you think you're going a little too far...? " he complained, bothered.
"Not at all! " simply replied the animal, perched on the shoulders of his 'partner in crime'.
"Recently, the citadel has become too much quiet! " added Tsurumaru as if he was lecturing the boy.
"Sincerely, that's not a problem to me… " the Saniwa revealed, rolling his eyes.
"No, Aruji, you don't understand…surprises are absolutely necessary in life! "
Even if you tell me that...
Sighing whilst pouting, the Saniwa stopped abruptly and turned to glance at the Tachi and the kitsune standing in front of him, starry-eyed.
"I guess I have no choice but to access your request..."
"Perfect! We will need to- " Kuninaga began to say before being abruptly interrupted by his master.
"But! I do not want any excess! No way, all of this end up with the citadel being somehow damaged! "
"Roger! " exclaimed both the animal and the sword, delighted.
Biting his lower lip, slightly worried, the boy could not help but smile, the happiness of his two blades being contagious.
"Oh, I almost forgot! " suddenly related his Toudan, crossing his arms over his chest, seeming concerned. "It would probably be better if we could offer a prize to the winner. Something that comes from master would be a good motivation for everyone! "
Hahaha ... as if I could afford to spend money on such an idea! thought the Sage, giving a tense smile to the white-haired Tachi.
"Hmm... Yes, I think so too... Well, you two just have to be inventive! I'm sure you'll find a solution. " he simply decreed as he swept a hand in the air and continued to walk along the engawa. "As long as it's not something of great value, I'd be happy to sign it for you. "
"I was hoping the opposite, however... " indicated sadly his Touken Danshi, a little disappointed.
"Who said the festival should be the only surprise of the day? It's up to you to make it a show that will amaze everyone. " stated quickly the Saniwa like some kind of lame excuse not to spend any money on his sword's project.
Eyes widening, Tsurumaru Kuninaga seemed to think for a moment before shouting with enthusiasm:
"A show? A hidden talents show would be a great surprise too! "
"Stick to the sports festival, would you! " cried out the boy with exasperation as he abruptly speeded his pace.
Xxxxxxxxxx
He was standing a few metres from the terraces, under a multicoloured parasol and comfortably seated on a transat. The sports festival was about to start but he still had mixed emotions about it.
A second shadow came to blend with the one already offered by the parasol and his eyelids, at first closed to enjoy the warmth of the sun, suddenly opened, looking curiously at the person who was now taking place beside him, arranging another transat in his turn and sitting there to watch the competition.
"What are you doing, exactly? " he asked with a thin smile, one eyebrow raised.
"It's not fair that you're the only one who can enjoy the festival without burning under the sun. You know perfectly well that my skin is fragile! " the Uchigatana complained, pouting.
"So? Are we sharing the place? "
"Obviously. Plus, I'm helping as a referee with Mutsunokami, so I won't be idling! "
"I see. Well, make yourself comfortable, then. " the Saniwa stated, shrugging nonchalantly, his attention back on the pitch.
"Well, is there anyone with refreshments here or what? " Kashuu declared, falsely disappointed, as he let himself fall into his seat.
"Kiyomitsu... "
Chuckling slightly, Okita Souji's former sword stuck his tongue out at the Sage, clearly amused, and finally looked towards the tent under which Tsurumaru and Konnosuke were, announcing the beginning of the festival.
"Welcome! This is Tsurumaru Kuninaga. We are about to begin the first sports festival at this citadel. I'll be your announcer for today along with Konnosuke. "
First and last occasion... mentally added the cherry-haired boy as he glanced at the two partners in crime who had, somehow, convinced him to agree to this madness.
"I've been looking forward to this, too. "
"These five teams have gathered here today! "
The excitation was at its climax. Aligned along the pitch, the three members of each team were introduced to the crowd by a name carefully selected beforehand, and which, ingeniously enough, was all related to a specific colour.
Listed first on the scoreboard was the Ultramarine team, composed of Taikogane, Shokudaikiri and Ookurikara. And even though the last member cited did not seem to appreciate the fact of having been forced to participate against his will, he was now resolutely standing with his teammates, ready to be the big winner of the day.
"We'll win with this team and get the prize! "
"Yeah, let's do our best.
A sweet smile blooming on his lips, the Saniwa observed with a certain complicity his new Tantou, the latter particularly enthusiastic about the reward that will be given at the end of the festival.
Looks like a gold medal was a good idea. Someone seems very attracted to this colour.
"I'll definitely get the prize Master donated! "
Although... I wished I could have told, at least to him, that this is not a real one... he sighed, looking at Hasebe, represent of Team Aubergine alongside Yagen and Souza.
"Hahaha! I can't believe he's so naive! " sniggered the sword near him, a hand covering his mouth in a vain attempt to restrain himself.
"You think? " the Sage expressed, puzzled, turning his head to his right.
"As if Master was going to pay for a real gold medal! "
Cut to the quick, the boy frowned whilst looking for a second at the medal hanging in its frame in front of the white-haired Tachi, before turning back to his Toudan, arguing, slightly annoyed:
"What that's even supposed to mean...? "
"Hmm? " Kashuu emitted as he also turned to his master. "Ah! Don't misunderstand me! I'm not saying Master isn't generous, but it's a bit too pricey to be true. "
"As you say. " the Saniwa simply declared with another sigh, his eyes scanning the three remaining teams; Russet, consisting of Nihongou, Tonbokiri and Otegine; Goldenrod, constituted of the Kousetsu brothers, and finally Chartreuse, whose members were Hotarumaru, Kuniyuki and Aizen.
"By the way, who made this arena? " Konnosuke suddenly enquired, and Kiyomitsu, interested, put his garnet-coloured pupils on the hairball.
"Yamabushi Kunihiro, Doudanuki Masakuni, and Tonbokiri! " Kuninaga answered, counting on his fingers before announcing the first event, his voice however muted by the exclamation of the Uchigatana dressed in red.
"I still can't believe that you agreed to let them destroy a part of the estate to build this thing! "
"To be truly honest, I still can't believe it either. " indicated the Sage, bothered. "Anyway, everyone is having fun, so I suppose it wasn't a waste of time. "
"I guess so. "
The false gunshot resonated in the air and the scavenger hunt began with fervour, each team discovering their objectives and struggling more or less to achieve them.
The abrupt change of clothes of his attendant, Heshikiri now wearing an apron and a hat, made him straighten up on his transat, a dozen of questions mixing in his mind.
It was only at the end of the race, as Team Ultramarine was celebrating his landslide victory, that he finally understood what was going on, the light-brown-haired Uchigatana returning with a plate full of inarizushi. Scowling at the orange-furred fox at the other side of the pitch, he exclaimed angrily as his first sword was having a fit of laughter.
"Konnosuke! "
"Ah! Not fair! I want some too! "
Turning suddenly to their left, the boy and his Touken Danshi watched with dismay as the rest of the kitsune of the citadel were sat quietly under the parasol, their pupils caught by the dish on which they were drooling with envy.
"I didn't notice their presence. " Kashuu whispered, his eyes widened with surprise.
"Neither do I. " the Saniwa nodded.
"Aruji-sama! I want some too! " Yūsuke shouted again, plaintively.
"Me too! " agreed on the others in one voice.
Shaking his head from left to right with exasperation, the Sage stood up whilst sighing, crossing the area to pick up the plate from Hasebe's hands as he was about to give it to the wily little animal, saying:
"Nice try, Konnosuke. "
"Does it have to be half? "
"I'm afraid so. "
Sharing the meal in two distinct portions, he retraced his steps slowly, offering the second half to the kitsune before sitting back on his transat, Tsurumaru already announcing the second event of the festival.
"The next event is the three-sword, four-legged obstacle course race! "
"This will test the teamwork between the three swords. "
"Ready, go! "
The go-ahead sounded and the swords rushed forward, each trying to find their own rhythms. And as everyone seemed to have acclimatised to the difficulty of this event, the team Aubergine collapsed on the ground, the light-brown-haired Uchigatana being too much focused on its primary objective, forgetting all at once his teammates tied to him.
"You're too enthusiastic! "
"We have to be in sync! "
Whether Mutsunokami, camera video in hands, the crowd cheering endlessly the participants, or the latter taking obvious pleasure in this nonsensical competition, the citadel was again filled with laughter and joy, in the same way that it had been last year.
Despite the doubts, the dangers or the complications that could arise, everything seemed to fly away the second when they were all gathered around a common activity.
Narrowing his eyes, the Saniwa tilted his head to one side, a thin smile stretching out the corners of his mouth.
There would surely be days when the rain would be pouring down, when the sky would be grey and when his Touken Danshi would be confronted with unthinkable situations for the moment, but he was also certain that the times when the sun would shine like today would be equally enjoyable.
"I'll run it through! "
Team Ultramarine's determination to win this competition was incomparable; each event being mostly won by the latter, their exploits, for that matter, widely applauded by the astonished crowd.
"Next is the cavalry battle! "
The events kept going on, and the hours passed slowly. At his side, Kiyomitsu took perverse pleasure in making fun of the misfortune of his second sword whilst the kitsune, on his left, had got caught up in the game to such an extent, that they could, between the six of them only, cheer up the teams with as much spirit as his Toudan.
"Ball toss! "
Suddenly, the three big spears began to climb on one another, and Kiyomitsu suddenly straightened up on his transat as the cherry-haired boy desperately closed his eyes, the same memory probably coming back to their mind.
"Say, it's exactly like the day when- "
"Don't remind me! "
And like a bad comedy repeating itself indefinitely, and after struggling for more than half a second, the human tower eventually collapsed unceremoniously on the floor, nearly crushing a few participants at the same time.
"And 3-on-3 tug-of-war! "
"Oh, my turn!" Kashuu exclaimed as he stood up, walking towards the centre of the pitch to finally assist as a referee.
Seeing the two teams supposed to face each other, the Sage could not help but burst out with a tinkling laugh as they each grabbed one side of the rope.
"I don't even have to look to see who will win this event. " he said, crossing his arms over his chest, amused.
"It's sure that, with that level of disadvantage, they are clearly beyond the limit. " Keisuke answered with a smile.
"After all, don't forget that Hotarumaru is an Ootachi. " stated Eisuke casually, and the boy nodded accordingly.
"Undoubtedly. "
And without any real surprise, the Chartreuse team was the one who won the event, a landslide victory without having provided any real effort. The sun would soon set on the estate and it was now time to close the festival with a final race, the last chance for each of the five teams.
"We have finally come to the last event... A relay race with everyone! Everyone, to your marks. In addition, this event is worth twice as many points as the others! "
"You can turn the tables in one go, so everyone, do your best! "
Once again on the starting line, each member of the five teams was separated from each other by a certain number of metres, and ready to run the distance that separated them from their teammates to pass him the relay-sash that they had to take each until the finish line handed by Mutsunokami and Kiyomitsu.
"Ready... go! "
"Go! Go! "
"Do your best! "
The crowd's encouragements echoed with passion as the runners gave their best.
"First off, we have Yagen and Hotarumaru rushing out! "
"The other three swords seem to have gotten a late start. "
Very quickly, the first sash passage was made, Souza receiving his the first by Yagen, quickly followed by Hotarumaru to Kuniyuki, Nagasone to Urashima, Otegine to Tonbokiri and finally, strangely very last of the competition for one of the first times, Shokudaikiri, offering his sash to Ookurikara.
"Kara-chan! "
Falling down on the ground, short-winded, Mitsutada watched, exhausted, as Ookurikara was trying to do his best to catch up his gap, this situation seeming to worry Taikogane who looked to reassure himself by focusing on the race.
Souza, ahead thanks to Yagen's head start, made his way to his other teammate, handing him the sash that the latter inadvertently left behind, wasting valuable time whilst Kuniyuki gave his to Aizen, as did Urashima to Hachisuka and Tonbokiri to Nihongou.
"Oh, no! "
Finally reaching out to his partner, Ookurikara held out his sash forcefully, a deep determination reflecting in his eyes.
"Sada! "
"Leave it to me! "
Driven by an intense desire for victory, Sadamune began to run as fast as he could, achieving the feat of surpassing many of his competitors at an unimaginable speed.
"Sad-bou advances steadily after receiving the feeling of Mitsu-bou and Kara-bou! "
Standing up from his seat, the Saniwa widened his eyes in astonishment, imitating the crowd, just as impressed by the feat of the newly arrived Tantou in the citadel.
"He pulls ahead of three swords! Amazing! "
The Sage narrowed his eyelids as he stepped forward, the chances of his sword of winning this race being compromised by the incongruous appearance of his attendant, just as determined to take back the reward he thought was priceless.
"We will win this! "
"Looks like you're underestimating me. " this one said, positioning himself neck and neck with his, apparently, only real opponent.
"What? " exclaimed Taikogane, caught out.
"You can do it, Sada-chan! " shouted Shokudaikiri from the finish line.
"Just a little more, Sada! " added Ookurikara.
"Go! "
"Do your best, both of you! "
The crowd of Touken Danshi do not stop cheering, filled with the excitement of the moment.
"I will not lose! " announced the golden-eyed Tantou, speeding up the pace.
"The winner... will be me! " Hasebe replied, doing the same.
The finish line loomed on the horizon, and everyone held their breath as the two runners passed it, out of breath. The winner was...
"I did it, Aruji! "
Proudly brandishing the prize up, Hasebe barely held to shed tears of joy, his happiness going to his head.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. That's not real gold. "
"What?! "
Jumping suddenly at Tsurumaru's announcement, Hasebe let his arms fall back along his body, shocked, as the Tachi ripped off the golden paper for the others Touken Danshi to admire a huge chocolate cookie.
"Look. Surprises are necessary in life. "
Well, at least... this whole thing is finally over... thought the boy, sighing mentally, advancing towards two of the members of the, now, former Ultramarine team.
"Congratulations. You may not have won the festival, but you've clearly been the champion of almost every event. "
"Thank you, Aruji. " Shokudaikiri emitted with a slight smile followed quickly by a nod from the Tachi with a dragon tattoo.
"I hope Taikogane-san is not too disappointed? " the Saniwa asked, somewhat worried.
"Oh, don't worry. I already thought about that. " indicated Date Masamune's former sword, offering a knowing smile to his master.