Chapter Text
The lights were dim and warm when two shadowed figures hurried from the chilly bite of early spring, and pushed open to the mellow inside of a pub in between two big buildings, on the edge. Masachika blinked at the two figures, before quickly welcoming them in, closing the door behind them. He hung their clothes on hooks on the wall, slipping to the back of the counter, and silently pouring them a cup of beer for each of them without being asked to. Sanemi and Obanai settled on the chairs on the opposite side, gratefully taking the beer he handed them.
“I swear, the weather’s getting colder than it was in mid-winter.” Obanai muttered. Masachika nodded his head solemnly.
“At least it gives the trainees a reason to run.” Sanemi replied gruffly.
“From what? The weather? Or you?” Masachika teased.
“Both. But it’s better than when it’s dripping hot and they’re all too lazy to move a finger.”
“Cherish that. It’ll be spring soon, and then all the love will be blooming then.” Masachika hummed amusedly. “Better than having them skip training because they’re courting.”
“They skip anyway.” Obanai grunted.
“But I’m sure you understand, Obanai! Love?” he poked him in the arm, winking. Obanai grumbled and looked away, but didn’t say anything.
“What about you, Sanemi? Love?” Masachika turned to him. Sanemi snapped his head to him.
“Got no time for any.” he rolled his eyes.
“I’m sensing some lies.” Masachika narrowed his eyes playfully. “Love, Sanemi?” he leaned over the counter to poke him now.
“Yeah, Shinazugawa. Love?” Obanai raised an eyebrow at him, clearly not believing him either. Sanemi sighed, and shook his head, looking out the window at the darkening night, ignoring their probes.
Love…
Love? When he thought of love, he thought of a particular girl with a butterfly pin. Purple, he remembered, or at least he thought so. She was also very short, with wide purple eyes that always seemed to be hiding something, something like trouble. She was beautiful; that wasn’t to be argued with, but sometimes when he looked at her, she gave him chills throughout his body. Her name? Shinobu, Shinobu Kochou.
“Because you love her, don’t you?” she had said, looking into his eyes with an expression that seemed amused and playful, but disapproving at the same time. Sanemi had frozen.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You love my sister.” she had said, impatiently. “That’s why you’re going to help me, aren’t you? You’re going to help me kill her fiancé, Lord Douma.”
Now, before anything continued, Sanemi wanted to explain that “kill” was an overstatement. Plotting to assassinate a noble, especially the country’s first princess’s soon-to-be husband, was nothing other than treason, and treason was one thing he couldn’t do. One thing he had sworn not to. “Bring down” or “Prove his wrongdoings” were a better phrase for him to use.
Of course, that didn’t mean he didn’t want to slice off that bastard’s head every time he saw him; it just meant that he couldn’t and wouldn’t.
He could remember the blinding lights and deafening sounds of that day. It had been the kingdom’s second princess, Princess Shinobu’s birthday, and of course, a huge banquet was held. A lot of important people were there, and due to not knowing which of them were planning to kill the royal family, the knights, as in Sanemi (and Obanai) had had to be there. It had really been no problem for him though, for it was always good to experience, and maybe he could steal some food from his table and give it to his siblings.
Rapidly rising the ranks, Sanemi had been just right below the princesses’ personal guards, always having his guard up in case he needed to bolt into danger.
He had been letting himself relax for a bit then though. As he was unusual to all the noise and people, he had briefly told Obanai he was getting some fresh air and had stepped away from his duties.
He’d been watching rhinoceros beetles fight in a shaded area between rocks when she’d approached. He’d flinched, and was concerned for a moment that she’d scold him for not stopping the fight. Honestly, he was so tired of stopping fights or working to stop them between humans that he didn’t give a damn whether some tiny beetles fought. In fact, he found it interesting. But she hadn’t seemed interested in scolding him. Or beetles, though.
“Shinazugawa, right? Sanemi Shinazugawa?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” It is an honour to be remembered by you would’ve been what Masachika would’ve told him to do, but this Kochou really hadn’t seemed like she’d appreciate that.
“I apologize for not checking what your name truly was earlier.”
“...No problem, Your Highness.”
“I’ll get straight to the point.” Shinobu had sighed. “I need you to help me a little.”
He had known what she was talking about the moment the words were out of her mouth. He had had the urge to agree immediately, but this was a war between the higher-ups, and if a lowly knight like him got involved, they wouldn’t resist to kill him off, whether they were on his side, or the opposite. He’d tried not to let his face twitch; after all, it was their duty to follow every order his master gave him, but that didn’t mean they were thoughtless and heartless. Being treated like that always lit a fire deep inside him, willing to burn everything. However, he had to always press it down because the damage wasn’t what he longed for; it was the lesson it would’ve taught to them. How did he know she wasn’t going to throw him away the moment he caused her trouble?
“Why would you need me, out of all people?” he’d narrowed his eyes.
“Great question.” she had laughed. “When it comes to dealing with battles between the higher rankings, people tend to weasel to the other side, or drop out under surprisingly short time periods. You wouldn’t expect the number of betrayals happening on average for every battle.” she had watched him with something like a smile, as if she were testing him with an indirect question. Sanemi had decided not to answer. “But if there’s something keeping them going, giving them a reason to fight till the end, anything, like love, revenge, fury and so many more, it never lets them give up.” she’d looked into his eyes, leaving him sensing something darker was inside.
“And why do you think I will stick by your side ‘till the end?” he’d challenged.
“Because you love her, don’t you?” she had said, with an expression that seemed amused and playful, but disapproving at the same time. Sanemi had stiffened, his hand unconsciously tightening around the hilt of his sword due to habits. One thing he had sworn not to do when he became a knight was commit treason. But there were things like feelings that couldn’t be defined as “commit” and rather “grow” despite his efforts not to let them.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You love my sister.” she had said, impatiently. “That’s why you’re going to help me, aren’t you? You’re going to help me kill her fiancé, Lord Douma, no matter the cost.”
Silence had followed her words. A side of his brain had screamed at him to deny, argue, persuade, that he didn’t have feelings for the country’s princess. But the other part had known there was no persuading Shinobu Kochou without a price. And at that moment, he had decided he’d rather die for loving the so loveable Kanae Kochou than hide it forever.
“You’re right, Your Highness.” he had said, addressing her properly since he realized he had forgotten to before. “I am going to help you.”
A smile had crept up her face. “Thank you. I’m going to appreciate your help.” she’d said, and it seemed like she was telling him that she wouldn’t tell. He wasn’t sure he trusted her, but he didn’t care.
“Her Highness doesn’t know about this plan, does she?”
“Of course not. She’s a natural queen, Shinazugawa-san. She cares a lot about her future kingdom, and knows exactly why this marriage is necessary for it. Do you think someone like her would allow us to do this?”
“I suppose not.” he’d said grimly.
“Please do keep this a secret.”
He’d nodded. “I do have one last question though.”
“Go on.”
“Why would you join this war?” he had tilted his head, watching her. How could he explain that her reputation was someone cold and calculating, always hiding her true intentions under a smile, never making deals if it didn’t profit her without making her want to cut his head off? However, she seemed to understand as she gave him a small laugh, this time real.
“If it helps you understand, my sister’s fiancé has more interest in me than my sister.” she’d started, walking over to the tree next to her, examining the little leaves. “He will no doubt take the very chance he gets to marry me instead.” she’d plucked a leaf out. “Of course, he’s marrying my sister to take over our household, and so taking me as his bride can’t happen with my sister still being the heir. Therefore, if anything happened to her, he’d take me for sure, and you can tell that I do not want to marry him.” she had said “him” as if it gave her a bad taste in her mouth. “If we bring him down and lock him in prison so he can never leave, it’ll do both of us good.” she’d crushed the leaf in her hand, and turned to look at him.
“And if it helps you understand even more…I already have someone I love.” she had said, a whisper so low he might’ve lost it, and so low he wasn’t sure whether he had been supposed to catch it at all. He had pretended not to hear, and cleared his throat.
“I see.” he’d said, not really sure what to say other than that.
“Shinobu-sama!” a voice had called. Shinobu had looked that way, then had dipped her head in farewell.
“I see that I’ve left my place as the birthday girl for too long. You’ll get a letter with a crow with an arrow crossed against its heart.” she’d said briefly, before swishing away.
He had decided to take just a little more time out before he headed to the bustling crowd again. He’d walked around, letting the breeze greet his face and ruffle his hair, before he stopped as he noticed another Kochou crouching down, staring at a pond intensely. What had been his luck that day? Or would he rather call it bad luck?
She’d looked beautiful, of course. The sunlight laid its presence on her, making her hair shine. She’d looked like a garden fairy in the tales they told to teach them about goodness and hope. The one who granted wishes and sat in the back, smiling, as the story ended in a happily ever after. She’d turned around, and surprise had flickered in her eyes as she met his.
She had flinched in surprise, and Sanemi had been there in a second, one of his hands on her waist, catching her before she fell into the pond.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?”
“I-yes, thank you.” she’d smiled as he had set her down to the ground. “You’re not going to tell on me for being out here rather than sitting nicely on my seat, are you, Shinazugawa-san?” her brows had scrunched together in pretend-worry.
“Of course not.” he’d dipped his head. Her smile had grown wider.
“Shinobu had somehow slipped out without us knowing. I’m guessing she was giving me a chance to freshen up again, though I’m pretty sure she had just wanted to escape the people herself too. After all, it wouldn’t be manners if I’m gone while the main character of today isn’t.” Kanae’d hummed as she’d walked over to the other side of the pond, crouching down again to peer at a water lily.
“She actually just went in, Your Highness. Would you like to go back in?” he’d asked, keeping his voice calming and steps following her silent to not disturb her watch.
“Oh.” she’d turned to look at him. “Did you meet her?” Something had flickered in her eyes.
“Yes, Your Highness. I met her just a few moments ago, going back in because her maid called.” he’d quickly said.
“I see…I guess I should go back in again then…” she had trailed off.
Watching her hesitance, Sanemi had added, “I mean, it wouldn’t be that big of a problem if you stayed a little longer. I’m pretty sure your sister wouldn’t let your reputation be ruined so easily.” He hadn’t really wanted her to go either. Though she looked stunning anywhere, he’d rather look at her up close.
She’d beamed at him, causing his heart to flutter.
“Right? I mean, it wouldn’t be much of a problem, right? And yeah, Shinobu would somehow cover it up naturally. She’s a born-to-be actress.” she'd laughed, and it sounded beautiful, far different from her sister’s.
“Would you want me around, Your Highness?”
“Of course!” she’d sprang up, jumping to her feet. “In fact, would you mind going somewhere with me?”