◆
The commotion in Tomokuni Village is over, and as I head home, I'm riding on Taishakutsukige's horse, carrying a matchlock gun that Toushirou had given me, which he called a "masterpiece."
Bathed in moonlight, yet moving at a very slow pace, Taishakutsukimo and I made our way along the road to Sugawa Castle.
Sugawa Castle was already visible in the distance.
Despite everything that had happened, or perhaps because of everything that had happened, Taishakutsukimo and I remained silent the entire time.
Now that we know that Taishakutsukige is not a horse but actually a fox, and that, unbelievably, the former wife of Asai Nagamasa, we don't know what to say.
Along the way, a humanoid monster-like creature with green skin approached, but a single cry filled with Taishakutsukimo's murderous intent sent it flying away in a panic.
It's a rather sad story, but judging from the fact that Taishakutsukimo chased it away, it was probably a rather "unpleasant" monster—well, I suppose I should be grateful that it gave me something to talk about with Ichihime and the others.
When Taishakutsukimo advanced to the gate, the soldiers on the watchtower gave a signal, and the closed doors swung wide open.
And as we approached the tethering area, she stopped and gestured for me to dismount.
But is it really okay to get off now? That thought suddenly crosses my mind.
When I revealed my true identity, Taishakutsukimo was always there beside me.
She saved me so much... Considering that, maybe I shouldn't leave her.
After all, the fact that Toushirou exposed Taishakutsukige as "Yoriko" means that, ultimately, she herself deliberately presented the information in a way that would expose it.
"Indra Moon Hair..."
And before I knew it, I was—still straddling her back, holding her delicate neck in my arms.
"thank you"
Feeling her body heat, feeling her presence, I leaned my cheek against her neck and said with all my heart.
"I don't know what you're thinking. But let me just say this: Thank you. I think I wouldn't be myself without you..."
Taishakutsukimo accepted my embrace in silence.
Under the moonlight, her beautiful white skin gleamed, and her divinely lustrous white hair swayed in the gentle spring breeze.
"And no matter who you are, I will accept you and hold you close. You are you, always, no matter what happens, you are you. You will always be the irreplaceable person I love."
But I guess my cheesy lines made him embarrassed.
Taishakutsukimo began to shake his body violently, displaying an attitude that seemed to say, "Get down quickly."
"O-okay, I get it! Just don't struggle so much..."
"Kyuoooon"
Then, as I got off, Taishakutsukimo pushed my back with its head and neighed as if to say, "Get home already."
The noise caused the heads of stallions to pop out of every door in the stables in the tethering area.
Indeed, tonight, these lovers will be tragically exploited by Taishakutsukimo.
"Well then, see you tomorrow... okay?"
"Kyuoooon"
Without turning to face me, she responded by wagging her tail.
It seems she's embarrassed. Even though she's much older than me and the leader of a reverse harem—she's surprisingly weak to straightforward affection; she has some rather cute sides to her.
After confirming that Taishakutsukige had entered the stable, I hurried down the road to my own mansion.
That's because neither Ichihime nor Haruhime want to eat dinner until I get back.
Of course, there was a certain standard.
Apparently, they reluctantly start eating around the hour of the boar—approximately 10 PM—but by then the porridge has cooled down, resulting in them being served literally "unappetizing food."
Even in this male-dominated era, it's unbearable, and above all, pathetic, to make the woman you love do something like that.
(Well, even so—it's nice to have a warm meal and your wife waiting for you when you get home...)
I stepped through the entrance of the brightly lit mansion, took off my shoes, and went inside.
And there, sure enough, were two women eagerly awaiting my return.
Ichihime bows deeply, placing her hands on the ground with three fingers, and Osamuhime follows suit, bowing her head in imitation.
"Welcome back, Lord Nagamasa."
"Welcome back, sir."
"I'm home—sorry, I kept you waiting for quite a while."
"No, that's not true at all. Right, Osamu-sama?"
"Yes, my lady. And... I also enjoy waiting for you."
As we continued our conversation, I sat down between them.
Then Ichihime scooped porridge from the earthenware pot and poured in miso soup, while Osamuhime arranged grilled fish skewers and simmered dishes on a plate—their hand movements were incredibly smooth and fluid.
"Oh... so today's dish has mushrooms in it along with the fish."粗汁Arajir
"Yes, that's right."
Saying this, Ichihime smiled brightly and offered me a bowl of porridge.
"You liked Lord Nagamasa, didn't you?"
"Ah, yes, that's right."
That is, of course, also a problem.出汁Dashi
A typical miso soup only tastes of miso, which is rather bland, but when fish or mushrooms are added, umami components burst forth, and the flavor structure becomes two or three times richer.滲rainbow
In the world I came from, all I had to do was sprinkle on some concentrated broth powder, but that's not how it works in this Sengoku period.
There's no other way than to painstakingly simmer the ingredients.
"Okay then... let's eat."
The three of them clasped their hands together and began their meal.
As I sipped the broth, my body, which had been chilled by the night air until just moments before, warmed from within, and I was enveloped in an indescribable feeling of happiness.
The fish appears to have been salted beforehand, so there's no need to add any seasonings.
The simmered dish is seasoned with miso and contains what appears to be taro root (a round potato) and diced yam.
It seemed like ginger had been cooked along with the other ingredients, which added a refreshing flavor to the sticky texture, making it quite delicious.
Once the meal was over, the three of us began chatting, as usual.
Haruhime has recently become very enthusiastic about Hisa's education, saying things like, "That child has potential," and "I've never seen a child as intelligent as her," showing just how much she cares about her.
Apparently, Hisa comes straight here after receiving instruction in swordsmanship and spearmanship from Naotsune in the early morning, spends time with Haruhime until after noon, then returns to Naotsune to have a meal with him, and from there heads off to work at the stables.
It was the kind of thing that would make me a little worried if I heard about it—but apparently Hisashi handles even that with complete composure, as if it's nothing at all.
"If your wife gives birth to a child, and if it is a boy—perhaps we could have him stay by your side."
"Hmm... I'll think about it."
While having that conversation with Haruhime, I glanced at Ichihime.
Indeed, she watched the exchange between me and Haruhime with a smile on her face.
She's not very talkative today—but there's a reason for that.
"...Well then, I'll be taking my leave now."
Haruhime said this and stood up.
That's because today is the day when Ichihime and I are supposed to sleep together.
Specifically, once every three days.
He thoroughly ejaculates into Haruhime for three consecutive days, and then sleeps with Ichihime in a completely empty state.
That way, they won't attack Ichihime, and it won't have any negative effects on the child in her womb.
It was supposed to be a perfect plan—but in reality, no semen was lost from my lower body, so I ended up going to sleep feeling aroused.
"Oh, Osamu. Wait a moment."
"Yes? Uh, ah..."
She looked bewildered when I called out to her, but then she stared intently at my face, and for some reason, her perfectly formed white canvas suddenly turned red.
"Um, well... that's, well... that's a problem..."
"...What?"
"I mean, I think it would be a bit... not to do something naughty... while my wife is watching..."
"That's not true!"
When I playfully poked her forehead, she blushed so much it was as if steam was rising from her body.蹲Crouch
Perhaps it's because I'm living a life filled with love and sex.
Lately, Haruhime has been making these kinds of strange mistakes quite often.
However, that's probably my fault.
Because I can't sleep unless I ejaculate at least six times, I inevitably subjected Haruhime to a variety of desires that were quite perverse for this era.
For example, things like playing the role of a widow or a stepmother and son—and it's the accumulation of these kinds of things that makes her suspicious.
Or perhaps it's simply that Haruhime is inherently erotic.
"Come on, give me your left hand, your left hand."
As I urged Haruhime forward, I took a hemp thread from my chest pocket and wrapped it around the ring finger of her left hand.
"Um... what is this?"
"Hmm? ...I'm taking measurements. The thickness of Osamu's finger."
"Ah... haa..."
She didn't quite understand, but once I finished taking her measurements, she said, "I shouldn't bother you too much today," and left for the annex where she usually lived.
While Haruhime and I were having that trivial yet important exchange, Ichihime spread out her blanket and got ready for bed.褥Shitone
And when that's over, she sits neatly on the futon, looking at me intently—with expectant eyes, and a hint of shyness. So cute.
"city"
"What is it, Lord Nagamasa...?"
"See, you saw it too, didn't you? Now, hold out your left hand."
I gently took her outstretched hand.
Her skin is always beautiful, with a translucent glow.
It's only natural that I'd feel possessive when I realize this is all mine.
Suppressing the urge to lick and suck on it, I wrapped hemp thread around her ring finger, just as I had done with Haruhime, to measure it and make a ring.
As she watched, Ichihime tilted her head.
It seems they really do want to see my "eccentric behavior."訝Ibuka
"Um... Lord Nagamasa? What exactly are you planning to do by doing something like that?"
"It's a secret. But don't worry, I won't do anything bad to you."
"That goes without saying, but..."
Ichihime's cheeks puffed out. It seemed she was unhappy about being kept secret from in public.
However, it's not really sulking; it's just one of those playful attempts by men and women to get each other's attention.
When I gently traced my finger over that firm, white, and glossy swelling, like beeswax, and pressed it—it softly indented.
"match..."
"She's so cute, as expected..."
Then, he put his arm around Ichihime's shoulders and slowly pushed her down.
As I lay down beside her, Ichihime rested her head on my arm and gently rubbed her cheek against my chest.
◆
Oda Ichi is the most important person to me.
It was the very reason I was transported to this world and decided to live here—or perhaps it was because they represented a new family that I, who was completely alone in my original world, was able to have again.
I still can't forget the shock I felt when I first met her.
Even I, who live in a society where information devices such as television and the internet are highly developed and who have grown somewhat tired of the kind of beautiful women seen from the past to the present, was a beauty on a level I had never seen before.
I feel really bad making this comparison, but even if the normally beautiful Chihime were standing next to her, she would pale in comparison.
With her tall stature and great figure, Ichihime is practically flawless.
The legs have a perfectly proportioned, flowing line from the thighs down, with just the right amount of flesh.踝ankle
Her waist is naturally curved, gently and softly cinched.清淑Seishuku
Her modest , gently sloping abdomen was graceful, and her back on the opposite side was equally elegant.臍belly button奥床Okuyuka
Her breasts, which were so prominent they pushed against her kimono, were also well-shaped.繊麗Senrei
And that pristine white neck—honestly, I could lick it forever.寛雅Thinking
"Lord Nagamasa... Lord Nagamasa... Hehehe"
That woman, my wife who is pregnant with my child—she's using her incredibly attractive body to the fullest, coming to me to be pampered with all her might.
When she rubs her body against mine and presses her limbs tightly against mine—even though I know she's a pregnant woman and I shouldn't touch her—I get excited in many ways.
The fire in the hearth flickered softly.
As the dark night is scorched, an orange light undulates, illuminating the silhouette of my beloved wife.
Because of the deep darkness, it is impossible to see her beautiful face or the full extent of her pale skin.
However, even so, to be honest, I didn't feel like I wanted a fluorescent light at all.
The fact that she is there is undeniable—and above all, the only way to directly confirm her presence is to hold her soft, warm body close.
Humans have arms so they can embrace the ones they love.
"...What's wrong? You're being unusually clingy today."
Alone in the bed, Ichihime pressed her beautifully shaped nose against my chest and sniffed.
And after doing that for a while, she then traced her slender fingers along my neck and gave me little kisses.
Her hot, husky breath brushes against the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine uncontrollably.
"This is one of the few opportunities I get to be alone with Lord Nagamasa... Um... Is that not okay?"
"No...it's not bad—I'm happy. After all, it's nice to have Ichihime by my side."
When he traced Ichihime's beautifully shaped earlobe with his middle finger, her body trembled.
"When I feel your warmth, I can strongly feel...that I'm alive. Or rather, that there's a reason for my life here. You're the only one who can make me feel that way."
"...Well"
Ichihime shifted her weight and wrapped her supple legs around mine.
"He really is a terrible person, Lord Nagamasa..."
She gently leaned her lips to my cheek and kissed me, then shyly began to speak.
"What exactly do you intend to do to please your wife... especially a woman who is pregnant?"
I didn't answer her question directly, and instead used my free hand to run my fingers through her beautiful, soft hair.
He ran his fingers through Ichihime's hair from the corner of her eye, tracing her ear and running down to her neck.
Then, she pressed her body even tighter against me, letting out a sigh that sounded very happy.
"It makes me so nervous..."
Ichihime said that to me while leaning her cheek against my chest.
"Every time I think of Lord Nagamasa... and every time you hold me like this... my heart races, it races so hard it hurts, I feel like it's going to burst at any moment..."
"city..."
"Lord Nagamasa..."
As they called each other's names, she gently closed her eyes.
I placed my hand on her cheek, slowly savoring the feeling of her skin, and then lowered my face and our lips met.
A childish kiss, without the use of tongues.
But more than anything, it was a heartfelt—a warm kiss that made me feel incredibly happy.
They separated their lips, gazed into each other's eyes at close range, and pressed their foreheads together—and Ichihime chuckled.
"Lord Nagamasa..."
"...What is it?"
Responding to her request, I held her hand and asked her a question.
Our palms overlapped, and our fingers intertwined.
Then Ichihime let out a deep sigh, a gentle smile on her face, and slowly opened her mouth.
"It seems that Ichi... has fallen in love. Ever since she married Lord Nagamasa... ever since she became Lord Nagamasa's wife, she has been... always with Lord Nagamasa."
"..."
"My heart is beating faster and stronger each day... I have been blessed with a child, and Princess Osamu has become a concubine... I am happy, but there are also many things that make —my heart is always being disturbed by Lord Nagamasa..."稚児Yayako逸already
And then, another kiss.
After their lips met and pressed together, they parted slightly.
However, their tongues don't crawl out from between them and intertwine.
What happens is an exchange of each other's breath and heat.
The breaths imbued with their feelings for each other are drawn into their lungs—mixing into their bloodstream and being absorbed into every cell in their bodies.
"I want things to stay like this forever...even if I know it's impossible. With you, the one I met, the one I know...forever."
They released their kisses and embraced each other—and Ichihime smiled faintly.
Her words likely carry a double meaning.
One reason is that by taking Haruhime as a concubine, Ichihime could no longer have me all to herself.
And the second meaning is—the end that will eventually come for the two of them.
People die. Without exception, no matter what happens.
We will face that at that time.
Those who go first, and those who are left behind. There are no exceptions to this; in the single fact of death, humans are solitary beings who can never continue walking together.
A society exhausted by a long war. That was the Sengoku period. The most conflict-ridden era in Japanese history.
And in this world, which never unfolds according to historical fact, how much time can we buy ourselves—time to survive?
peace.
The future everyone desires, represented by just two characters—we may not even be able to grasp it, or perhaps we will die before we even achieve that dream.
And to desire a future of peace meant to have our own lives constantly being worn down by an endless stream of bloodshed.飛沫Himatsu
An era in which all humans seek peace, yet fight and kill each other. An era in which different images of peace coexist, and people kill each other to win or defend them.
To homogenize the different kinds of peace, it had to be done by violent means: by crushing or burying the numerous statues of peace that stood scattered about.均Then凸凹uneven
Peace. We use this word so casually.
However, as long as we used this word and concept—which inherently contains a coercive force on human society by flattening and unifying the subjective value of "harmony"—we could not escape any conflict.
Or perhaps, humanity itself could only seek a utopia at the end of conflict.
It would be best if it could be resolved through dialogue alone.
If peaceful living could be achieved through discussion alone, then we would achieve it that way.
However, humanity could not resolve a long-running war through dialogue alone.
Peace cannot be established or exist without being stained with the blood of countless people.
Human history is intertwined with war, and humanity will never be able to escape this law of cause and effect, not even in the distant future.
That's precisely why we live.
I decided to live this moment to the fullest—and never regret it.
"Me too... I want to stay like this forever. If I could just hold you in my arms and live like that..."
"...We were born in a terrible era, and we met..."
Ichihime smiled sadly.
But I had to deny those words.
"Not really..."
It is precisely because we live in an era where death is always a constant threat that we can forge bonds that are truly special.
Because we never know when death will come, we sought connection with other people as a fundamental part of our existence, and we longed for the future.
Children are beings full of potential.
At the very least, it would help to bind families together and contain conflicts through the power of blood.
Even if that possibility is rare.
Even with the possibility of blood relatives fighting each other and sacrificing everything up to that point, they still wished for it.
"If there were no conflict, if it wasn't this era... we would never have met. I wouldn't even have been able to touch your skin. I wouldn't have been able to hold you in my arms."
Therefore, we too had to pray.
So that the children we leave behind can reach a utopia.
Even if it was stained with blood, they had to pray.塗Mami
"Our meeting took place amidst conflict. Without that, we could never have met."
"Lord Nagamasa..."
Ichihime gently places her hand, as beautiful as a white fish, on my chest.
"We must curse, yet be grateful for this world—a world where people kill each other in conflict."
I held her tightly, trying to feel the warmth of her body.
To make sure that I don't lose it, to hold onto it.
"And we must strive for it. No matter how much we have to pay, we must build peace, its foundation—believing in our own righteousness, believing that the future we desire is the right one."
There was no other way.
If you lose sight of your own sense of justice, you will be crushed by other people's senses. Ruthlessly and thoroughly.
That's why, even if you know you're on the wrong path, you have no choice but to stick with it—simply to survive.
His grip on Ichihime tightened.
"...Even if we weren't in that peaceful world, in that future?"
"That's probably the only way."
"...Yes, it is sad, but so is it."
Ichihime noticed my stiff hands and, using her slender fingers, slowly released the tension.
Then, intertwining our fingers, she gently guided my hand to her stomach.
—In that part where those who will live in the future reside.
"Let's bear this conflict together. It may be difficult alone, but together we can..."咎Toga
Then Ichihime looked at her mouth for a moment, and after a brief silence, she said in a gentle—and calm voice:噤Tsugu
"If Princess Osamu joins us, that makes three people. Tripods are good at supporting heavy objects—at least better than bipods."
"...Yeah, I guess so."
And then she said with a smile:
—Wouldn't it be better for our future to have many legs to support each other?