Disclaimer: As everyone knows, all credit goes to Shingo Nanami and フクロウ. I had some free time today, so here's part two. Enjoy.

贈物

A Gift

Part Two

Kasane x Nobunaga

"That was the worst…"

Kasane sent a glowering look at Nobunaga.

"I'm sorry…"

As Inuchiyo dejectedly bowed his head, Kasane hurriedly denied it.

"T-that's not what I meant, it wasn't directed to you Inuchiyo! Um…"

Kasane's gaze turned back at Nobunaga.

After changing into a dry spare change of clothes, Nobunaga went on ahead on his horse as if nothing had happened earlier.

However, as Kasane didn't have any spare change of clothing, walked from behind with her wet sailor uniform.

"It was my fault for pushing him into the river, but he didn't need to take revenge and pull me in…!"

She muttered disagreeably to herself as she sniffled.

Softly she sneezed multiple times in a row.

"It's now summer. You won't suffer from pneumonia."

As if he heard Kasane's dissatisfied tone, Nobunaga stated that without great interest.

"I might catch a cold you know…"

"You reap what you sow."

He snorted and pulled up far ahead of them.

Kasane endured his unabashed behavior and the ill dampness of her clothes clinging to her skin.

Even though it was summer, they were in the middle of the monsoon season, it's going to take a while for these clothes to dry.

She grimaced at the thought of wearing this wet uniform for the entire duration of the trip.

There was certainly an impulse to rip off her clothing, but that certainly wasn't a good idea.

"Kasane-dono shall I lend you my coat?"

Unable to appear indifferent, Nobuyuki approached Kasane and called her from his horse.

It was just too pitiful of a young girl to be left drenched from head to toe with her clothes a little transparent from the water.

"Nobuyuki, don't spoil her."

Nobuyuki shrank away at his brother's scathing voice.

"However, Aniue, to leave a young girl like this is…"

Nobunaga turned to stared hard at Kasane.

"...Do what you want."

With that single statement, he once more, turned his gaze towards the front.

Nobuyuki took off his haori and handed it over to Kasane.

"Thank you so much, Nobuyuki-san…!"

"You needn't thank me."

Kasane said, touched by Nobuyuki's thoughtful actions.

There was too much of a gap between the two brothers' characters.

"Oi, we're here. When are you going to get on moving."

Nobunaga said in a displeased tone as he passed the entrance to the town,

"Someone should stay behind to watch the horses."

"Ah, then I'll do that. I'm all wet anyways so I doubt I'll be able to go into the shop anyways."

Kasane volunteered to Gorouza's suggestion.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, leave it to me!"

Kasane smiled at the anxious Gorouza.

"...Well, if we happen to go sightseeing, we'll get you something so don't be so depressed."

"...Eh? ...What's going on? You're awfully nice today."

As if he took pity of Kasane's dripping wet form, Kuranosuke said this offer to her.

His eyes widened to her response.

"Aw-...!? ...Forget it, I'm never gonna buy you anything!"

"Eh!?"

Offended, he retorted back half-angrily and approached closer to Nobunaga.

"Nobunaga-sama, allow us to accompany you."

As Kuranosuke said that to Nobunaga, the latter bluntly waved it off.

"No need. Follow Nobuyuki instead."

"...B-but."

However, Nobunaga ignored their protests and disappeared into the town.

"Well then, we have business to attend, so let's go early and finish things early, shall we? "

Saying that, Nobuyuki and the others followed Nobunaga's lead.

"Katane~! We'll definitely get you something, so look forward to it~!"

As Inuchiyo waved excitedly, Kasane also returned the gesture.

Watching their retreating backs until they disappeared from her sight, Kasane then took a seat next to the two horses and waited for their return.

"Now then, where would the mercer shop be…"

After separating from Gorouza and the others for a little while, Nobuyuki searched for a fabric shop.

Considering that Kasane would feelin rather unpleasant in those wet clothes, he decided to buy something for her to wear for the time being.

"There it is."

He stepped into the shop.

And when he did, he was bewildered to meet someone rather unexpected.

"...Aniue!?"

"..."

Hearing his voice, Nobunaga sent him an annoyed gaze.

"Aniue… is…. Could it be that you also came here to buy a change of clothes for Kasane-dono?"

It was an unbelievable thought, but it was the only explanation for his brother to come to such a place.

"..."

Nobunaga silently shoved a parcel into Nobuyuki's arms.

Nobuyuki frowned, wondering what was in it.

"It seems you have already bought Kasane-dono's clothes."

"Give it to that to the girl."

"Eh? Why? If Aniue gave this directly to Kasane-dono… she would certainly be happy."

"You just need to obey my orders. Listen up, you better not say anything unnecessary to that girl."

After saying all that, Nobunaga quickly left the shop.

As Nobunaga left, Nobuyuki opened the parcel, curious of what the contents were.

"...Such lovely patterns…"

With delicate embroidery and light hues, it certainly would match well on that girl.

"That warrior was very keen on picking that. When I asked him if he was going to give it to his lover, he sure gave me a hard glare, you know."

The store's shopkeeper wryly smiled as he started a conversation with Nobuyuki.

For his brother to be that serious…*

Looking around the shop. he noted that there wasn't anything else that would have suited her more than this kimono.

"Aniue isn't honest at all…"

Saying that, Nobuyuki faintly smiled.

TBC

*What he meant here is that Nobunaga took a long time to consider what kind of clothes he would give to Kasane…. Knowing him, he'll just throw her whatever and call it a day.

Whew, another semester finished. Oh, now that I think about it, today is May 5! In Japan it's Children's Day, yay~. But I don't have any koi flags so... bummer. Well then, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. There's one more chapter left, but before I get started on that one... so before... May 8, let's take a small vote on which story I shall translate next. Here are the titles: 'Cat and Sake and Jealousy', 'Youth Written as Blue and Spring', or 'Language of the Flowers'. Now, I hope everyone survive their exams and projects and see you all next time!