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Review Shoutouts
The Storyteller993 – Well she's her sister, of course she's going to be worried and comment on it. Like any sibling would. I don't think we should blame her for that.
But we all know what's coming up guys, so I hope you're buckled up for all the action that's about to pick up.
Hope you enjoy the "Kung Fu Panda" references. And yes, one of the sub-themes of this story is also "Inner Peace", how exactly it's going to be developed. Well… you'll just have to wait and read when that happens, huh?
The embodiment of weirdness – Well, "Date" is a strong word. But for now things are about to really pick up and I hope you guys enjoyed the "Kung Fu Panda" references in this one.
Majikoi – Love Me Seriously - Kazuko Route
Daughter of Kawakami – Part 7
Having Fun Along the Way…
June 28th, 2009, Sunday
The day started fine as the weather looked like a normal day, but the morning forecast called for some potential scattered showers later on in the afternoon.
Luckily today for me was one of my mental training days, so on top of my meditation practice I'd found myself doing a new exercise of sorts…
Near the backside of the Temple was a small area with a waterfall, with a garden surrounding it. Although the garden was predominantly used by Tesshin, the waterfall was used for monks who wished to enhance their mental training.
Why was I here? Well Assistant Master Lu wanted me to advance to the next step: "Inner peace" as he called it.
(Flashback – 2 days ago)
"Inner peace"? I asked the Chinese master.
"Yes, while martial artists of course are known for their master of the physical, many now forget the spiritual and mental aspects of their training." Lu sensei explained.
"But why me particularly?" I asked him again.
"I've noticed that you have been quite agitated recently. While your physical progress has been increasing; even you must remember that a warrior who is not mentally secure and knows inner peace will never unlock their true potential. That is why I have a special training task for you, behind the Temple is…"
(Back to Present)
"Stand just below the waterfall but enough to where it's waters won't disturb, and from there you will understand the road to inner peace…" I repeated the words Lu-sensei had told me. "Okay…"
[Listen to Kung Fu Panda 2's Inner Peace OST to add ambiance.]
Taking my spot, I closed my eyes and began to breath in and out relaxing myself and my body fully. As I did so, I felt myself tune out the world around me even the rushing waters of the waterfall itself until I could hear the singular drip from a certain portion come from close by.
And once again as if guiding me I could feel my body begin to move as with the smallest drop of water, I could feel it begin to slide, I began to move my body to keep it from falling. I could feel ,my body begin to guide, not wanting to lose it.
During all of this I could feel body relax even further, my mind clearing of any excess thoughts; it was only me and the water.
And just as I finished, I returned the drop to a plant nearby… which dripped the water just right into the pond nearby.
"Haaah…" I exhaled.
"Hmm, I see one has begun his journey towards inner peace I see." I heard a familiar voice as I turned to see Master Tesshin behind me.
"Master…" I replied.
He slowly approached, "The path to inner peace is one usually fraught with scars and darkness, it is why we who study martial arts must not only train our bodies past our physical limits, but you cannot go past them unless you are willing to accept that which is what it is…"
"Sir, what do you mean?" I ask him.
"Well, I'm sure you've heard this proverb before: 'Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift'. That is why we call it the present." He smiled as he turned around softly knocking on a tree nearby, and of all things a small peach falls into my hands.
"Inner peace huh?" I say to myself.
"Also, have fun with Kazuko today… I won't tell Momoyo." Tesshin left saying. Wait, how did he…?
"Y-Yes sir." Never mind, after this I think I have a lot to think about. But like he said I should meet up with Wanko first now since it's almost 9.
Heading for the front of the Temple I saw that Kazuko was already there waiting, "Nagamasa, over here."
"Yeah, let's get going. Want to jog there for a bit of exercise?" I asked her.
"Yeah, we've already done our morning training." Wanko agreed as we both started to lightly jog for the Citta district.
Making our way there we saw that it was busy, but not packed to the brim with people enjoying themselves.
I forgot we're both in our sportswear, well we did just get done training and it would've wasted more time to get changed into something normal so I guess it's okay.
"Well it looks fine out today, but it might not last. What do you want to do today?" I ask her.
"Nope, it's going to rain. I can smell it in the air." She tells me.
"Right, I forgot you can smell the rain, got a real good nose on their don't you?" I reply.
"Let's go see a movie. I just got paid today too." She tells me.
"Oh, for delivering newspapers, right? So, let's go see what's available." Among all the movies being played there was…
T4, seems to be this world's version of Terminator.
Love Typhoon XIX, a romance movie that was rated PG-13
Room 613, a horror movie that seem like your typical slasher flick.
And lastly Dragon Reborn, a martial arts movie with Jackie Chan!? Well at least there's some normal things in this world.
"Alright, let's go with Dragon Reborn. Can't beat a good kung fu movie." As I say that I see Kazuko's eyes light up.
"Aha. Did you pick that for me?" She asked.
"What kind of guy doesn't like action movies? And robots for that matter? But T4 can wait, I still have to see the others." I tell her.
We head inside just as Kazuko starts shadowboxing in the lobby, "Come on, let's go already. I'm getting excited!" I could hear people around us laughing, after getting some snacks we headed over to hand over our tickets.
"Alright it was… theater 5 so we got to head upstairs." And we did so to see that this theater was so much bigger than the ones back home. There wasn't just a bottom section, but two sections that could fit nearly 500 people, with weight exceptions of course.
During the movie…
"Hwahchaa! Ataah!" We could hear the actor Jackie go during one of the fight scenes.
"Yep, Jackie's so cool!" I could feel Kazuko fidget in her seat.
"I know, but you need to calm down before you start getting up and cheering…" I tell her.
"Oo-ee, you thought you could beat me if I was drunk? Alcohol only makes me stronger!" Geez, it's like this guy was Lu-sensei but inly if he used his Drunken Fist technique all the time.
"His attacks are so crisp." Kazuko admired.
"I hope he does one with Tony Jaa some day." I had to say it was an amazing movie.
After the movie we decided to head back for the family restaurant and have something to eat, "*munch, much* Thanks for sharing your meat, Nagamasa."
"Oh, it's fine. Just make you savor your food too." I tell her.
" 'Kay! So about the movie… *munch*…" She began talking again while eating heartily. "Whah ah oh ihs ahherhoon?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full." I warn her.
She swallows, "O-Oh, yeah. Right." She then blushed as she started eating properly. Wanko loved food, but her table manners at times could be… excited and she forgets about them when she's excited.
"Where are we going this afternoon? Karaoke?" Kazuko asks about the other plans we have in store.
"Don't worry, I got the perfect place in mind. I'll take you there instead of just Karaoke." Time to start the plan.
"Huh? Where, where, where?" Kazuko started getting excited again.
"It's uh… kind of like a (mental) training facility." I tell her.
"Training? I love training!" With that admission her eyes lit up again.
"It's a pretty popular spot too where tons of people go." I keep hyping it up, even though all I'm talking about is the library.
"Huh? So what kind of facility is it? I wanna know! I wanna know!" Geez, this girl…
"Alright already! Just stop shaking the table now!" I tell her as she stops at my stern tone.
"Why do you keep yelling at me?" She asks a bit sadly now.
"Because you keep doing things like shaking this table." I remind her.
"But you don't have to be so strict." She says back.
"Well, I'm not your mom, so it's not like I can so something like hide your NES adapter." I told her.
"Ahaha. Is that the sort of thing your Mom and Dad did to you?" Wanko asks.
"Yeah, especially when my grades were getting in the red zone or I did bad on a test. That or I did something bad like lie… Oooh, those were days I don't want to recall." I say with a shudder,
"And I guess you went to bettering yourself after that?" Wanko inquired.
"Yeah, I didn't want to disappoint them and I'm not a sneaking as Yamato. But after a while, I enjoyed celebrating my new success in school. So I made sure to never fall in my grades again. It's not that hard when you put your mind to it." I answered.
"Hmm, I just don't think I could ever do it like you guys can. I mean I like to train. I want to be as strong as I can be." Wanko replied.
"But that shouldn't mean you should forsake your own education. I know you look up to Momoyo, but you have to remember Kazuko, you're not her. You're… you." I tell her.
"Hmmm… not like Onee-sama, huh?" She repeated.
"That's not a bad thing at all. Being you is what makes 'you' unique. I mean you're 'Kazuko' Kawakami, right?" I ask her.
"Yeah…" She seems to get it.
"All I'm saying is, when it comes to progress it's not bad to have a role model. But at the end of the day, you are your own person. Just remember that." I tell her. "Remember who you are, and you'll go far."
"Yeah." She repeated. "So do you keep in contact with your parents back in America?"
"Yeah, my Mom is the one checking on me. She'll either text or email me from time to time. Last night after you left, she actually called for the first time in a while." And to my surprise she still sounded the same as she did in my past life.
Caring, but stern when she needed to be such as when she asked about my grades and standing at Kawakami, but that was about it. I know she cares, so I don't mind.
"Wahaha. You're so close with them even when far away… with… your parents…" I could hear say whimsically. "Oh, so Nagamasa…"
Just then a stern, but familiar voice resonates in the restaurant from a nearby table, "How dare you play on your phone with a customer present! You will feel shame!" Yep, that was Margit and she was with Chris' Father.
"I-I'm sorry." The poor waitress apologized profusely. I feel so bad for her.
"That was Margit… I don't know if that poor waitress is gonna make it.." I said.
But Kazuko was excited when she heard it was Margit, "Oh, she's here? Okay, time for my big match with her."
"No, no! We're just here to hang out, not cause a scene." I warn Kazuko.
"Huh?" Kazuko seems to back down, "Then I can't challenge her?"
"With Chris's dad here too? I'd prefer you not." I tell her.
"So when you think about it, isn't wearing a military uniform to a family restaurant super weird?" Wanko asks.
"I don't even want to think about it. Just seeing them and knowing how dangerous they are makes me want to call the police on them." I told her.
"You will summon your manager. Your ineptitude will not stand." But Lt. Col. Friedrich calmed her down.
"Now there, there's no need to be so harsh. Margit, let's order. I will have a chocolate parfait." He ordered.
"That is Frau Chris's favorite." Margit replied.
"Indeed. Chris loves this dessert. She always has a smile on her face every time she has one." Col. Friedrich says happily.
"You will bring him a large serving. I will only have water." Margit ordered the waitress.
"There's no need to restrain yourself. Order how you please." That seemed to open her up.
"Very well sir. I, Margit Eberbach, will order whatever I please. Does the kids meal come with a flag?" You have got to be kidding me…
And so for the rest of their conversation, the two talk about Margit's "top-secret" mission, which is essentially Col. Friedrich ordering Margit to not only watch over not just Chris, but to monitor any potential males that might have an interest in his daughter.
To use actual military force to do such a thing… it's just… so stupid. I'm fairly sure there's something about this that violates German law and would have him court-martialed. But I feel like he has connections going all the way to the top in German insider circles so… let's just leave it at that.
"What part of any of that was top-secret? We can hear every word." Kazuko pointed out the obvious.
"I'm glad you didn't challenge her…" I say relieved.
"But still, Chris's dad really loves her too." Kazuko says.
"I think every father loves his daughter that way, don't you think?" I ask her.
"Mmm, I don't know… But either way I'm jealous." Kazuko says.
"Hmm?" I hummed inquisitively.
"My adoptive parents… They're both on a training journey. And I don't even know what my birth parents look like…" Kazuko recounts.
"You have your grandfather and sister." I remind her.
"I guess. And Assistant Master Lu is kind to me too. But back on topic, I've never heard Grandpa or any of them even talk about Japan or politics." Kazuko states.
"Well they're warriors, I don't think diehards like them would care for things like that." I answer.
"And they talk ab out anything in the paper except the TV listings." Well ,that's funny a bit I suppose.
"Well, I guess maybe not that diehard." I reply.
But Kazuko gets up and is ready to go, "Okay, let's head over to that training facility!"
"Wow, energetic already huh? Okay, let's go." I get up as well ready to go.
"Huh, you look so much cooler than I thought of you, Nagamasa." Kazuko said in an obvious attempt to butter me up.
"You're not sweet-talking your way out of your half of the bill you know?" She notices I caught on.
"I know…" She wallows we both leave enough money for the check.
And so after a bit of walking, the secret finally get out…
"Wait! The library!?" She realizes too late where we are as we arrive in front of Kawakami Public Library.
"It's too late, Wanko. It's time to study." I tell her.
"But why would I do that?" I pull out a small calendar from my pocket and point to the 13th of July.
"Here, look at the calendar. We have exams in about two weeks from now." I then put in her in a headlock as she tries to escape as I noogie her.
"O-ow! Stop! I don't want a noogie!" She whines. "S-Sorry! But I don't have anything to study with."
Oh you're not getting out of this one that easily, "But I did, and I brought enough for both of us!"
Wanko looked defeated, "H-How could you? You trapped me."
"I'll let you pick the first subject at least." I then saw her try to pull a 'Momoyo' and try to fall asleep.
She yawned, "Mmm… I'm sleepy."
"If you even think of falling asleep, I'll spray pesticides in your eyes." I warn her.
"Eeeek!" She squeals.
"I'll duel wield a Roach-Buster and Bug-Be-Gone spray can. Which one do you think will hurt more?" I then turn to the side as I break the fourth wall, "Also, don't try this at home kids!"
"Ooh, fine… I'll do it." Kazuko relents. "But… I really wanted to play. Now there's no way I'll be motivated enough to get through finals…"
"Motivation, huh? Hey, Wanko!" I called to her.
"Bwuh!?" She squealed again.
"Sit down." I ordered her.
"Huh? But we're on concrete…" Kazuko pointed out.
"That's exactly why." I told her pointedly.
"Ooooh…" She gave in and sat down.
"If you'd have just studied regularly, we wouldn't have to be going through this right now."
"I know…" She continued to sound defeated.
"And now here I am, volunteering my time to help you study. This is your only hope so that you don't fail out the semester and be forced to take remedial courses throughout the summer." I reminded her.
"I know…"
"And now do you realize how much time we've wasted since I've started scolding you?"
"I know… I'm sorry. I'll study…" Wanko relents as she learns her lesson.
"For real?" I clarify.
"Yes, I'll do it. I'll really study." She sounds serious, but seeing her like this still just doesn't feel right…
"Wanko, don't feel down. I was mostly just fooling around was all." But sometimes still I have to put my foot down.
"…" Wanko then trembled like a little puppy.
"Alright, let's get on with this."
"Yeah… okay! I've changed gears! If it's something worth doing, I'll do it right!" Seems she regained some of that confidence of hers again.
"Good. You've always been a master at hard work. So first, we'll start with English." I tell her.
" 'Kay! I'll burn through each subject!"
"If you freeze up, I'll slap you on the butt to get you going again."
Kazuko blushes as she whispers, "The scariest part is, I know you're serious enough to actually do it."
"I hear that Yamato had to be this strict with you to pass the entrance exam. So really this should be like second nature to you, alright?"
"Okay! English will be first!" Seemed she was finally ready to start, but just as she read the first page. "…! Nagamasa… I don't know what the first problem's saying."
"Don't worry. I anticipated that would be this dumb. I'm gonna walk you through it all. Now then to start…"
And so began our hours long study session of the basics of each subject to Kazuko, I could feel several stares as some watched us, but I mostly ignored them. To many it just seemed like two friends studying together before exams.
We eventually found our way to the Tama Riverbank, "Hwah… I'm so tired." Kazuko yawned.
"But you made lots of progress today. You did good." I complimented her which made her happy.
"Eheheh. I worked really hard!" It's always amazed me how she has the incredible ability to focus on any task in front of her. It's allowed us to study efficiently before.
I tell her, "If you can keep this up, then you can have all the fun you want on the 7th when the festival happens."
"Yay, yay! I definitely don't want to miss that!." She replied excitedly.
"Then for these next two weeks, you really have to put in the effort into your studying just as if you were training."
" 'Kay, I will… I know I have to study, but… But I don't want to stop training either." She tells me.
"I had a feeling you'd say that. That's why I'm going to set things up efficiently so we both can study and train together." Her eyes light up at the sound of that. "Since our regimens are somewhat similar still it gives us plenty of time to work out, and you get the bare minimum you need to study."
She then hugged me, "Wow! Thanks, Nagamasa! But are you sure you want to help me this much?"
"Compared to everything I've had to do so far, this is nothing. Besides… I want to help you, be the best… you." I tell her.
"Huh? Why?" She asks.
"You're struggling to make your dream come true, no matter the difficult things that may come to pass. You've stuck with it through thick and thin." I told her.
"Oh, that reminds me. I meant to ask you back at the restaurant… What about your dreams? Do you have anything big you want to do?" Wanko inquires.
"You know, I've been thinking about that recently, I thought before I wanted to change things for people. Maybe help the people back home in my own country. But for now, my dream… is helping you. Seeing you work hard, makes me want to work just as hard. So I'll be here… with you." I answer.
"Nagamasa… Then we can both push forward together!" She cheers.
"Well, I still have to look over and make sure you're not skimming off your studies…"
"Bwuh!?" She squealed again, seeing I hadn't forgotten her school studies.
"For now I've got some thinking to do, a lot of thinking. Right now, you have to worry about what it is you'll be studying about next." I told her.
"Will do, Coach!" She calls me.
"I haven't even told you what it is yet." All the same we had huge dreams in front of us. But the more and more I find myself by Kazuko's side, I want to help her more and more.
Even if it's at the cost of my own dream, she's more than worth it…
" 'Kay! Time to sprint home!" She then takes off just like she always has.
"Wait up!" I take off as well trying to catch up as we both start to sprint home back to the temple.
Yeah, I'll keep trying. I'll be by her side and help her achieve her dream. I can't give up yet.
July 3rd, 2009, Friday
Thinking back on my short time here in Kawakami, I've been thinking about things.
How during my first day here, had it not been for one rambunctious little girl I probably wouldn't be where I am right now.
Had Kazuko not approached me after class the one time, I wouldn't have so many new friends… I probably would be all alone. Sure the old man would've given me room and board, but I wouldn't know the sisters like I do now.
All of that because Wanko was always so curious to challenge me… Because of her I've been getting seriously better in my martial arts training. Running side by side with her, eating with her, and laughing with her…
And my… guh… my first kiss…
Hah, but she seems to have moved on from it except in the moment…
But that was all in the past now, and things couldn't be better…
They'd finally accepted me into their family; a complete stranger who had nothing to do with this place. And despite a bit of heated drama, we've been close ever since…
(Present Time)
Once again, I was in the middle of my tai chi exercises, but this time I had a guest with me again, Mayucchi joined me as she guided me through her family's own sword tai chi regimen.
I had no idea her family's style had such a thing. Unlike typical combat arts, the katas were more… gentle in nature. A soft dance of sorts, simply guiding the blade as if it were an extension of your body.
Eventually we came to an end, and we put away our blades.
"Mayucchi, thank you for this. You didn't have to do this, you know?" I told her.
"No, no when you told me you wanted assistance with your tai chi training I wanted to help in any way that I could. Our family's style and it's fighting techniques are non-teachable to outsiders, but my father regularly teaches tai chi to anybody who wishes to learn." Mayucchi explained.
"Well still, after all of this I can say I truly feel different. I feel more at peace with myself and I'm able to think more clearly as well." I stated.
"A warrior's mind is just as great a weapon as their blade. If your mind is not sharp then your body will be just as dull. That is how my father put it to me." She replied.
"I see… but I believe for now that is enough. Shall we get going that's it for my training. The Friday meeting's soon too, let's get going." I said.
"Of course!" And with that the both of us headed off after joining the Kawakami sisters.
(Secret Base)
I was currently tutoring Wanko, "Um… I don't get this problem either."
"I know you wouldn't so I decided to simplify it like this." I showed Kazuko an easier version of the problem for her build from.
"Wow, thanks!" She said.
"Still, Wanko's relyin' too darn much on Nagamasa." Kazama pointed out.
"I'm used to it now." I replied.
"I've made sure of that!" Wanko said proudly like it was an achievement.
"That's not something to be proud of!" Miyako said as she flicked Wanko's forehead.
"Ow! Ooh…" Wanko whined.
"Oh, are you gonna cry again?" Gakuto teased her.
"Mmph… I'm not crying!" Wanko said defiantly. "I decided I wouldn't cry anymore!"
"I see you whimperin' all the time." Gakuto pointed out.
"Whimpering, not crying." Wanko said as if correcting him.
"I think that counts as crying, right now." Moro said.
"Wanko's a crybaby, after all." Kazama just said the hard truth.
"Why… Why do you all have to be like that?!" Wanko started to whimper… again.
"Look at yourself. You got tears in your eyes again." Kazama replied.
"Don't push yourself, chihuahua." Gakuto said, his teasing of Wanko not abating.
"Oooh… But I'm not crying." Wanko said but her tear stained eyes weren't helping.
"Uh, yes you are!" But one such female in the room was not having it anymore as she laid a hard fish into Gakuto's stomach.
"If you keep bulling my sister, I'm going to uppercut you." Momoyo warned him, after she punched him.
"Say that after you hit me. Gwooooh!" Gakuto groaned as he was laid out on the floor.
"Crying's a sing of weakness! I'm through with tears!" Wanko declared.
"Well, you do get teary-eyed. But it is safe to safe your waterworks haven't been as bad as the stories I've heard in the past." I pointed out.
"Right?! So goodbye, tears! Goodbye!" Wanko said proudly again.
"Alright, then let's move on to the next problem." I started to get her back on track.
"Mnph. You're so cold, Nagamasa." Wanko said.
"Just as cold as me." Miyako agreed.
"But that's a good thing. I need to keep going efficiently!" Wanko replied.
"Hahaha. You're fired up, Wanko. That's awesome, little sis." Momoyo said impressed by her sister's newfound study habits.
"Now if only another certain Kawakami would catch up on her studies, I wouldn't be growing gray hairs. But I like my life, so I'm gonna say anything further on the topic." I say.
"Hmm, good instincts protégé. I wouldn't want to explain to the old man why you couldn't go to school for the rest of the semester." Momoyo said all with a smile on her face.
"Why he puts up with you getting away with it, I will never know…" I say with a tired sigh.
"But he's right, shouldn't you be studying Momo-senpai?" Moro asked her.
"Zzz…" And she began her patented escape plan, pretending to fall asleep!
"That might've been a stupid question." You think Moro?
"I hope Nagamasa will keep bending over backwards for me forever." Kazuko said.
"You've got a lot of nerve to say that!" Miyako said threateningly causing Wanko to whimper. "Would you prefer your body to be cremated, buried or left out for the birds?"
"Wahh! Don't make me disappear! I'm joking! I'm joking!" Wanko cried.
"Miyako, enough!" I chop the archer on the head.
"Ow! How mean, husband!" Miyako softly whimpered.
But all in all my efforts to get Wanko studying more efficiently seemed to be going swimmingly.
July 5th, 2009, Sunday
Wanko and I were sprinting back and forth along the riverside. Coming to halt together we stopped for a moment.
"I won't forget to study, but that doesn't me we can forget our training either!" Wanko said.
"I know. Besides, studying with you also gets me the chance to keep up my own training since we're on the same schedule anyway." I replied. "After this, do you want to study in my room tonight?"
" 'Kay! Thanks for tutoring me!" Wanko accepted. "But I'm not getting in the way of your studying am I?"
"Hehe, you're worried over me? Nah, your fine. Teaching you basics helps me as well, it's no issue." I tell her.
"Mn, then I guess it's all fine. Okay, all right." Wanko seemed placated.
"Then let's the rest of our heart into practice."
"Yeah! Today we got to work on our leg strength! Dash!" And off she went, with me right behind her. But little had she noticed that three guys were watching her from the shadows. Not that I hadn't noticed them earlier.
"Hey, look there. That girl's going for another run." A suspicious guy said.
"Wow, she's really working hard." Another of his buddies said.
"She's always a hard worker. Tee hee." A third guy replied.
"So I was thinking. She's kind of cute isn't she?" The first guy, the leader noted.
"I mean she's kind of crazy to go running like that. But yeah, she's hot." The second guy said.
"Yo, I've been waiting to tap that ass of hers for ages. Tee hee." The third guy said.
"So you know, after they get tired. Well take care of the guy, and after we get him out of the way we'll yank her into our car." The leader told his goons.
"Yo, yo, you tryin' to get us arrested?" The second guy seemed a bit unsure.
"But that guy with her looks pretty strong. Besides… huh? Hey, where'd he go?" The third guy looked as he watched Kazuko run but Nagamasa wasn't behind her.
"Huh, what do you… Yeah, where'd he go." The leader then felt a tap on his shoulder. "Huh, who the fu—Gaaaah!" A single punch and the leader of the three was sent crashing into the Tama River.
"You guys… are getting on my nerves. If you got any sense, you'll leave right now." I warn them.
"W-who do you think you are! Huh!? You can't tell us, what to do! Haaah!" The other guy tried to punch me, but grabbing his fist, I bent it, a deafening crack could be heard. "Aaaaah!"
As he held his arm he struggled in my grasp, "L-Let me go! I w-won't…"
"Denied!" Grabbing his arm, I then threw him as far as I could having him join his friend in the river.
I turned to the third guy, "Alright then buddy. Your turn." I said with a crack of my neck.
"Heh… Ahiiiieeee!" The third guy ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs leaving his boys in the dust.
"Hah, to think a lot like them can be so flagrant. Well, I should rejoin Kazuko. I'm sure she's noticed I'm gone. Let's get back to it!" With that I sprinted off to rejoin Kazuko in our run.
Meanwhile, elsewhere with a maid and her master…
"Hideo-sama, may I have a word?" Azumi told Hideo.
"I am presently scribing a love letter to Kazuko-dono. Pray keep it short." Hideo replied.
"This is about Kazuko-dono… "We've received a report that she is training at her usual spot by the river." Azumi relayed to Hideo.
"Hmph. Then I shall deliver it to her personally upon it's completion. Mwahaha!" Hideo was over the moon.
"There's also something else that caught my attention as well." Azumi had more to add.
"And what is that? Speak of it." Hideo had her continue.
"We'd received a report of three suspicious men watching Kazuko from afar, but…" Azumi started, but this got Hideo's attention.
"What?!" Hideo said shocked. "Then why are we here, Azumi get the rickshaw!"
"I've sent Lee ahead to make sure of her safety. But…" Azumi tried to tell Hideo the rest but he was not listening anymore.
"I already ordered you to obtain the rickshaw Azumi. Now!"
"Y-Yes, Hideo-sama!" With that Azumi raced Hideo the Tama Riverbank in the rickshaw.
"Damn it… I wanted to tell him that Nagamasa kid had handled them, but he's so gaga over her he won't listen! Damn you, Kawakami Kazuko!" Azumi groaned in her head as she ran as fast as she could.
Back at the river…
"Hey, Naga what did you have to do earlier? I didn't see you for a bit earlier." Wanko asked.
"I had something do was all. Don't worry about it." I replied as I rubbed her head.
"Waah, that tickles…" She said with a soft voice.
Just then we head the wheels of a rickshaw grid to a halt as we turned to see Hideo and Azumi arrive suddenly.
"The hell?" I said surprised by their sudden appearance.
"Kazuko-dono, gah… and you Azai Nagamasa. Was there a suspicious group here earlier?" Hideo asked.
"Yeah actually, but there not here anymore. They're sleeping with the fishes, so no need to worry." I told him.
"I see… Azumi, why did you not tell me the ruffians had been dealt with?" Azumi asked his maid.
"I had not gotten to that part of my report yet Hideo-sama, you were in such a hurry I had no opportunity. Lee had told me that shortly after spotting the group, that Azai-san had dealt with the three of them a little while later." Azumi recounted the rest.
"I see… I seemed to have rushed things. But still, it is nice to see that you are in immaculate condition Kazuko-dono. And since I am here, I have this to give you! Please take this letter written passionately by me within it is inscribed a confession of love!" Geez dude… really?
"U-uhh… Ummm…" Wanko immediately became nervous at Hideo's overbearing aura.
"Uhh, Kuki-kun… I think that you've kind of did this at a bad time." I told him.
"Stay out of this plebian." He warned me. Excuse me?
"Kuki-kun… if you have something to give me. I can take it." Kazuko replied, I looked back at her kind of telling her, "Are you sure?"
She quickly noticed and replied with a, "I'm sure."
"I see. Here, I shall hopefully await your reply to my earnest feelings one day! I shall take my leave for now. Azumi, we shall return to Kuki HQ!" Hideo ordered.
"Yes, Hideo-sama!" And just as quickly they arrived, they were gone.
And after a while we saw them race off into the distance. Wow, that girl's got some legs to do that.
"So… what're you gonna do with that love letter now?" I asked Wanko.
"Well… I don't know… but still. Naga did you beat up some guys earlier? Was that why you left?" She asked me.
"Yeah, I noticed some weird guys had been eyeing you for a while since we started running. After making sure they didn't notice moe, I got the drop on them and knocked two of them into the river. The other guy ran off like a baby." I answered.
"You did that… for me?" She asked.
"Yeah, it wasn't much, and I didn't… Huh?" I then felt her hug me as she put her arms around me.
"Thanks, Nagamasa! Thanks for always looking out for me!" She said with a smile.
That smile…
"S-sure…" I replied with a small stutter, but I could swear, I could feel my cheeks getting hotter. But either she didn't notice or she was thinking about to something else as she didn't talk it.
July 7th, 2009, Tuesday
Today was Tanabata. A festival cheer had taken over the city as it was dyed in Tanabata festival colors.
"Thanks to all the time I spent studying and training, today I get to play!" Kazuko cheered.
"So this is a Japanese festival? How gorgeous!" Chris was just as taken in.
Today was Kawakami Temple's annual Tanabata festival.
"If only I could have worn a yukata…" Chris said kind of sadly.
"Damn straight. That's true Japanese beauty." Gakuto, your pervert is showing.
"Well, I like looking as much as the next guy. So I'm with Gakuto on this one." Can you not justify his behavior Momoyo!?
"All right. Let's go hit on some of the out-of-towners." Gakuto offered.
Momoyo joined in, "Yeah, there's so many of them here tonight, which makes for more prey."
"Let's hit up the stalls already, like a hurricane!" Kazama was off looking to have some fun already.
We visited all the bit stalls, until one in particular popped out at us.
Chris noticed it first, "Is that a shooting range, but with bows? Then would this not be a place where Miyako excels? I would love the opportunity to see you shoot."
"This is a toy bow. I won't be as good with it. But if you'd still like me to, your sniper will pick up the bow." Miyako said.
Chris was excited, "Yes, please do. Can you aim for the stuffed dog?"
"And you have a request? Well, I guess…" Miyako aimed the toy bow and fired, "Teh!"
"Oh, an immediate bullseye! Amazing!" Chris cheered.
"I myself think that focus is the most important part of archery." Miyako said.
Mayucchi decided to join in, "Oh, that's interesting. I don't really know much about archery myself."
"I never thought I'd seen them get this excited over something like this." Gakuto said.
"But is it just me, or are there more people than usual this year or somethin'?" Kazama asks wondering out loud.
"No, I've noticed it too. It's so packed you can barely move. This never happens." Moro agrees.
"Welp… seems like Miyako and Yamato's with the newbies." Kazama then headed off again. "Well then, let's split up. I'm going to do cookie-cutting."
"Splitting up? That's interesting. Maybe I'll go win a few hearts." Momoyo said leaving before any could hear her finish the sentence.
Gakuto was off to do the same, dragging Moro along for the ride.
"I've checked out all the food stands." Kazuko came to report. "So now I'm on a gourmet tour! Who want to join in?"
"Alright, looks like everyone else is doing there own thing. Let's go." I agreed.
"Great!" Wanko cheered.
Gakuto and Moro saw us as the former said, "You two have been joined at the hip lately." But he said that warmly.
" 'Kay! Then let's get eating!" With that Wanko and I were off.
"Where do you want to start?" I ask her.
"We'll buy masks first, so we can get into the mood…" This girl.
"Alright, I'll get the masks for us… you're such a child I swear sometimes…" I replied.
"Yay! As for the food… I wanna feast on some ikayaki." Wanko first started off with.
"Well, you can't go wrong with that as a choice." I replied.
"Then we'll chow down on some takoyaki." Was next on her list.
"You do like your takoyaki." I said.
"Then we'll take a yakisoba-filled break…" Really?
"That sounds more like we're on the attack, then taking a break." I said with a chuckle.
"Next, we'll stuff our mouths with some frankfurters." Meat, meat and more meat filled dishes.
"You sure do love meat more than takoyaki and fish." I pointed out.
"Then we'll nitpick some candied apples." Wait a minute…
"I think you meant 'nibble' them, right?" I corrected her.
"And next we'll get some cotton candy to take us to Candyland." Geez, this girl…
"Isn't this a bit much? Nah, I can't let myself get surprised at this point." I said.
"Then we'll have some grilled corn doused in soy sauce." That wasn't that bad actually.
"I do love corn really. Is that all?" I asked her.
"Well, we can't skip the oden!" Her eyes lit up after that.
"Uh, maybe we can?" I offered.
"Then we'll buy roasted chestnuts, say they're Kuri, and gobble them up!" That one sounded personal.
"So that's the dessert right?" I asked her seeing that was it.
"Then, to get that tropical feeling, we'll get some pineapple…" Wanko enough, is enough.
"Wanko, I might feel like I'm in Hell if I eat that much. I've got a stomach, but it has a limit.." But at this point she was in her own little world.
"And then we'll wash it all down with some shaved ice." She finished off.
"Shaved ice isn't something you drink." I told her.
"Then for dessert we'll have skewered chicken." What kind of booty-butt backward…?
"In all my life I have never heard of such an oily dessert…"
But she pushed me along, "That's the plan! Go, go, go!"
"Just hearing all of that made me full…" But still I joined her as we went across the stands picking up food on our little tour.
A little while into our "tour"…
"Ahh, I'm so happy!" She cheered.
"A part of me was worried you wouldn't be able to handle all that, but I was wrong apparently." I replied.
"Back in elementary school, we could only eat so much because we had an allowance. But now that I have a job, I can spend as much as I want! I can buy whatever I want!" Kazuko said excitedly.
"Oh yeah, Yamato told me about how you wanted to buy infinite takoyaki at one point." I recalled.
She took a nibble on her candied apple, "Wahoo! This candied apple's seriously so good! Net up is the ikayaki, and they look good to."
"*Om, nom, nom* Mmm, and it's Toyama squid, I bet." What?!
"There's no way you can tell something like that!" I saw shocked at her declaration.
"I mean it! I can tell just by the smell." She says.
"You really are a dog sometimes." I say with a sigh.
"Now for the chocolate banana."
I snort seeing how much in love with the food she has, "That's definitely a pairing alright."
"Normally, I'm focused on nutritional balance, but here's no way that's happening here. Mmn, maybe I'll lick the chocolate off first. *Lick*" Guh…
"Mm…" God damn it! She looks so lewd doing it like that, but she's way too pure and innocent to do it like that on purpose.
"*Smack, lick…*" Wait is she just…?
"Wait, what? Why are you just licking the tip of the banana?!" I asked her shocked.
"*Lick, lick* Hamph!" She doesn't even seem to notice what I'm saying!
"What're you doing, Wanko!?" She seems to finally notice my surprise.
"Oh, this? I saw Miyako practicing how to eat a banana, and it seemed like fun so I'm giving it a try too."
I'm gonna kill that woman one day!
"Now I know what is like when parents see their daughter start to hang out with the wrong crowd." I say with an annoyed sigh. "Wanko, just eat it normally, like you usually would."
"You're sure?" She asked.
"Positive." I say with finality in my voice.
I'm going to have to give Miyako a stern warning later.
"Oh, Naga, are you done eating already?" Wanko asked.
"Yeah, I think I've had enough already. All that meat and yakisoba is getting to me, but don't let me stop you." I said.
"Then just give me a second. I'm almost done." Wanko seemed to want to hurry and finish because of me.
I tousled her hair, "There's no rush."
"Ooh?" She seemed surprised.
"Just take your time and chew your food. Savor it, like I said back at the restaurant a few days back." I told her.
"Okay… *Om nom nom*" And so she goes right back to enjoying all her morsels.
"Oh, look, you've got cotton candy on your lips." I pointed out.
"Mm, and my hands are full. Nagamasa, scoop it off." She asks me.
"That looks sweet." And so with a little lick, it was gone.
"Wah! That tickles!" And for some reason, it didn't feel awkward really.
"Thanks, Nagamasa. *Om nom nom*"
"don't talk with your mouth full." I tell her again.
She nods, "*Gulp* But you know—"
"You swallowed way too early!" I warn her.
She ignores me, "Everyone's making fun of me for it, but.."
"Yeah?" I ask.
"You've been helping me a lot recently." She points out.
"Like I said, I just want to help you succeed. I don't think it's weird, besides I've been helping you for a while now haven't I?" I reiterate.
"Oh yeah… I guess you have. Thanks! I really do appreciate it!"
"Where'd that come from? Even so don't forget it's back to studying like hell for finals. So enjoy your day of fun while it lasts." Now that got her down in the dumps.
"Oooh… why are you being so mean now?" She said with a frown.
"Y-Yeah… good question…" No, it wasn't really. What was I talking about.
I care about her. I obviously cared about her. Why am I being so awkward about it, by brushing it off.
"What's wrong?" Seems Wanko noticed my hesitation.
"You… made me feel awkward." She seemed confused by my admission.
"I did? Huh? How? What?" Seems she's really confused.
"Heh. I didn't want to feel like I'd lost, so now you're blushing too." I feel so childish right now.
"Why would you be awkward around me?" She asked again. "What does that mean? What could it possibly mean?!"
Damn it Wanko.. stop it! Wanko seemed just as baffled by that feeling as I was.
And that's how our day at the festival ended.
But even still… that feeling nagged at me. I…
I liked Wanko… not just as a friend. But more than that…
I just couldn't say it…
AN#1 – Well here's the seventh part of the Kazuko Route – "The Daughter of Kawakami" to my Majikoi story, I'm NOT a Samurai, Seriously.
Exams are coming up and Nagamasa has Kazuko on a tight ship until then. With exams up next let's see how far she'll go.
But so far it seems like both our young Kawakami warriors are growing closer and closer by the day. Nagamasa just can't seem to say it out loud…
But for now life goes on, but for fans out there… We know what's up next, right guys?
What's up next for our heroes, Nagamasa and Kazuko? Stay tuned for Kazuko Route – Part 8 – A Young Girl's Resolve…
AN#2 – I hope you guys are enjoying this rewrite. So please don't forget to leave reviews and also follow and favorite as well too!
AN#3 – Remember I wouldn't be here without you guys! Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! :) Despite the current issues with the Stats on FF.