The city of Onirokami spread before them in a lively bloom of color, music, and scents. Streets paved with smooth stone wound between wooden houses adorned with paper lanterns, their glow shimmering against the afternoon light. Vendors lined the roadsides, their stalls bursting with delicacies—grilled skewers of octopus, steaming bowls of ramen, skewered dango glistening with sweet soy glaze. Cherry blossoms drifted through the air like a never-ending snowfall, coating rooftops and shoulders alike.
Tekia marched proudly at the front, though his nervous glances toward the distant palace gates betrayed his unease. Behind him, Michi, Kael, Lior, Junia, Tieu, and Tiana admired the sights in wide-eyed wonder.
As the group slowed near a row of food stalls, Tekia turned to his spear-bearing companion. "Onoe, you've done more than enough today, gozaru. Take Goldbug to the inn for some rest. He must be exhausted."
Onoe bowed slightly. "Understood, young master." He guided the cheerful but tired Goldbug toward the side streets, leaving the rest of the party to continue on toward the palace.
Near a corner blacksmith stall, Tekia waved to a tall, broad-shouldered figure who stood examining a rack of blades. His orange hair burned like fire in the sun, tied back loosely, and small horns curled faintly from his forehead—a young oni with a quiet but sharp presence.
"Asahi!" Tekia called. "Come here, gozaru!"
The oni turned, his expression softening at the sight of Tekia. He approached with steady steps, bowing slightly. "Prince Tekia. And these must be your guests?"
"Yes, my comrades," Tekia said proudly, gesturing. "This is Michi, Lior, Kael, Junia, Tieu, and Tiana. Everyone—this is Asahi, my childhood friend. He's Onirokami's most skilled katana maker!"
Asahi's amber eyes drifted toward Michi, then down to the various weapons strapped to his body: the sword, the claymore, the dagger, the hatchet, the bow, even the scythe and the grimoire. The oni's brows raised in interest.
"You carry many tools of war," Asahi remarked. "But none of them… carry the heart of Onirokami."
Michi tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?"
Asahi's lips curved faintly. "A katana is not just a weapon. It is a soul forged in steel, carrying the spirit of its wielder. Yours… do not yet reflect you. If you will allow me, Michi, I promise I will forge you the perfect katana—one that will become your true blade."
Michi blinked, surprised by the seriousness in the oni's tone. For a moment he thought back on every weapon he'd used, each only an extension of necessity rather than identity. Slowly, he nodded. "If you think you can… then I'll accept."
Asahi's grin widened. "Then it will be done. I'll be waiting for the day you return to claim it."
Tekia clapped his hands with a loud laugh. "See, Asahi is amazing, gozaru! You'll have the best weapon in the world soon!"
As they walked further, the scent of fresh silk and perfumes drew the girls aside. Junia, Tieu, and Tiana's eyes sparkled as they passed a kimono shop adorned with bright banners.
"We'll catch up in a moment," Junia said softly, tugging Tieu's hand.
"Yes, yes," Tiana added with a grin, already slipping inside. "Don't wait for us!"
The boys laughed as the trio vanished into the shop. Michi could already imagine them reemerging in flowing fabrics and intricate designs, as dazzling as the blossoms around them.
Not long after, a commanding voice cut through the market hum. "Tekia!"
"Kaori!" Tekia exclaimed, beaming. "Everyone, this is Kaori Wistaria—my childhood friend and a general of Onirokami's army, gozaru!"
Kaori inclined her head politely to Michi and the others, then fixed Tekia with a firm stare. "Prince Tekia, don't forget to pick up bandages before going to the palace. You know how it always ends."
Tekia rubbed the back of his head, laughing nervously. "Haha… you really know me too well, Kaori…"
Their small exchange caught the others' attention instantly. Kael leaned toward Michi, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Childhood friend. General. And she nags him? Sounds suspicious."
Lior smirked faintly. "Agreed. That kind of bond runs deeper than it seems."
Michi arched a brow, glancing at Tekia. "So… Kaori's your crush?"
The question landed like a thunderbolt. Tekia's face erupted in red, his arms flailing wildly. "W-What?! N-No, I—Well—Uhhh…"
Kael burst out laughing, Junia, Tieu, and Tiana—now emerging in kimonos of vibrant colors—smiled knowingly.
Tekia finally threw up his hands, shouting in flustered determination. "Fine! Yes, once I become the true shogun, I'll make her my queen! That's the truth, gozaru!"
Kaori, already walking away, pretended not to hear, though the faintest blush colored her ears.
The group erupted in laughter, their teasing echoing through the streets.
The sun had begun to dip lower, painting Onirokami in shades of orange and pink as they reached the palace gates. Towering walls of white stone loomed above them, guards in gleaming armor standing at attention with spears crossed. The cherry blossoms swirled in the wind, scattering petals across the steps.
Tekia's laughter slowly died, his expression stiffening. His eyes locked on the massive doors ahead, carved with dragons and waves, and his throat bobbed as he gulped audibly.
"Haha… well, here we are, gozaru," he muttered, tugging at his collar. "The palace… and my doom…"
His friends smiled behind him, some teasing, some encouraging, as together they climbed the final steps beneath the falling blossoms.