Chapter Text
Sleepy e/c orbs lazily sweep over her desk full of crumpled papers and unfinished homework.
Being in your last year of Senior Highschool was nothing short of hell mixed with the tinge of hope for a different life away from high school. From being pushed to make finalized decisions to which university or college you want to go to and having breakdowns every five minutes, and having only a handful of friends left in which you question if they are still alive, or that they've injected themselves with an I.V of pure black coffee, perhaps even highly likely to be having breakdowns as much as oneself was.
Yes, all in all, a most fluctuating time where hopes and anxieties skyrocket to space.
This was but another one of those days where absolutely nothing was coming to mind on what Y/n should write for her essay, and it was simply driving her to a wall of madness. And so here sits, dressed in an old kimono she'd found tucked deep into her closet.
The world can go judge her all they like, but Y/n refuses to suffer on her own without trying to lift her mood-however questionable the method may be.
And the method she thought of that night was to wear the one thing no one wears on a daily basis.
Said one thing happened to be a kimono, how convenient.
It was also the day MItsunari Ishida came to her subconscious world as a blessing and a curse.
For Y/n, she'd like to think that the man renowned for his peerless intelligence and strategic prowess, was nothing short of an angel turned human.
Sometime after her unbelievable encounter with the Daimyo of Owari, she hadn't thought much of the experience other than something she wrote down in her notebook as a fun memory to relive-maybe even share with her friends once they all have the time to relax and catch up..
Her very first encounter with the brilliant military strategist was akin to that eating cotton candy-
-Ahem, the girl meant that it was perhaps the closest she could ever get to interacting with an angel. He was simply that innocently charming.
Y/n had fallen asleep to yet another rainy night, uncomfortably laying her head on the messy desk. The h/c haired girl truly hadn't been expecting to wake up to an ancient Japanese kitchen. Confused e/c orbs blinked rapidly, where on Earth are her dreams taking her? She couldn't even ponder for a minute when she felt her shoulders gripped tightly by two hands and was forced to face a middle-aged woman giving her a staredown.
"You may be a new servant, but we can't afford to inconvenience our lords in any way. Especially with their meals. Especially if it is Mitsunari Ishida's meal!" She was then pushed into a corner where another woman, also dressed in kimono, hands her a tray of what can be considered as a traditional breakfast. "Here, deliver this to Lord Misunari.." The lady then gives her instructions of where to find the lord's chambers.
Mitsunari Ishida? The famous strategist of Azuchi Castle? Wha-
Y/n, confused and not wanting to bother the busy ladies, nods and goes on her way with absolutely no idea where is where. It had been an embarrassing experience even though she was no servant of the....castle? Many of the nearby maids gave her a look of disbelief or understanding before directing her to Mitsunari Ishida's quarters. Finally, finally, she had reached his room, and here she comes to yet another obstacle.
How do servants greet and give breakfasts to their masters? Does she just announce herself and then leave the food? And then the girl blinked.
Wait, why am I even thinking so deeply about this? This is a dream. I can be as gutsy as I want! With this in mind, Y/n breathes in deeply before announcing herself.
"Mitsunari-sama? I've brought you your breakfast." When silence greets her back, and again after a couple of more tries. Y/n had called it quits and slides the door open, wanting to just leave the food in the corner of his room and then looking for it. "Apologies Lord Mitsunari, I'm coming in-"
Y/n had to pause midway when her eyes scan the room.
If her room was a dumpster of papers and homework, this guy's room was nothing short of a flame hazard with the endless piles of books stacked high just about everywhere in the room. And in the midst of it all, is a desk and a man sitting behind it engrossed in the book he was reading.
The h/c haired girl felt the air in her lungs taken away at the sight of said man-that and from the dust in his room.
Smooth silky dark grey hair and amethyst eyes enhanced with a beauty mark under his left eye. A slim face with angelic features and gaze focused intently on the book in his grasp. Nobunaga's charm was his intense handsome features, but Mitsunari Ishida excelled in a charming softness. Comparably smaller compared to the Daimyo of Owari, the renowned tactician of the Oda forces continues to read, not once acknowledging her presence.
A solid few minutes pass by and still not a word from the boy, and Y/n closed her eyes. Inwardly, she places a fist on her other hand.
"Ah, he must be one of those with super-low sensing awareness." Y/n was familiar with such people, herself having said moments every now and then in high times of stress, and her classmates, friends, and family. It's important to remind ourselves to have food and refreshments! The girl thinks harmlessly, she was definitely not having impure thoughts of how it would be a tragedy to lose such an attractive man to starvation or dehydration.
' I'm serious when I say everyone deserves a chance to live.....But Oda Nobunaga and Mitsunari Ishida have got to be one of the most handsome men I've ever seen......They shouldn't die with their faces destroyed-wait, who am I even trying to explain myself to? Good Lord...anyways, Handsome Warlord lives matter too! Gotta keep them healthy and alive to keep their people alive..'
Unsure of where to place his breakfast in a room filled with books, Y/n unhesitatingly stepped outside and closed the door. The girl then takes a deep breath, slides open the tatami door and began to stack the books in an organized pile of mess just enough to make space for a comfortable breakfast experience. It had taken a short while, but a determined h/c haired girl was dedicated to making sure no dust wouldn't get into his food.
Steadily, the room eventually becomes clean and organized.....to an acceptable degree. A satisfied Y/n then turns to the final course.
Getting the warlord's attention.
Y/n was on a time limit, does she dare to be extra impudent and make physical contact with the man, risking severe punishment? Or choose the safer option of leaving now and letting him come to his senses...but if she were to choose the latter, that'll defeat the purpose of her original wish. In the end, her. rather questionable, morals won over and Y/n advances forward to the divine-looking man.
"My apologies, Mitsunari-sama." She starts off,
reaching out to lightly grab unto his shoulders- "I've-"
"Oh, I was wondering what that sound was." A pleasant voice abruptly says, seeming to blink in light surprise, Mitsunari Ishida smiles and Y/n was stunned at how angelic it was. Was she safe? Seems like a peerless tactician is an easy-going type to audacious servants- "-Who's being a bad kitty?"
Somewhere out there in the real world, jazz music is playing and abruptly stops.
Completely taken off guard, Y/n dumbly replied back. "...I am?" All colour drains from her face. Wait, that's not what I meant to say!
"I know what you want." E/c orbs nearly bulged out of their sockets. "Be good for just a little longer, okay?" His touch was soothing, petting her in long strokes. Regardless of how off-putting the current situation was, Y/n felt no ill intentions from the young man. Simply put, he truly believes he's petting a cat as of this moment.
And this was how a girl from the 21st century was treated like a pet by an angelic-looking warlord, who continues to pet her as one would to a beloved cat. At some point, Y/n huffs, finding her efforts in jeopardy. This lord has a serious case of lack of awareness of his surroundings and there is no helping him until he finishes the current task at hand, which was reading.
She instead focuses her energy on reading the titles of the endless piles of books in his room, her eyes dimmed as each and every one of them was related to strategies or war techniques...as well as records of battles? All of his books consisted of war-related content. Y/n's flustered self died down as the grim reality of what her dream presented dawned upon her.
He doesn't even look that much older than me, and all he's studying about is war and all the technicalities of it...That's...That's tragic.
Ever kind one, her heart twisted uncomfortably, feeling pain for the set of circumstances the people in this era had to live in. Perhaps her current world was not ideal, but she was kept away from having to deal with the tragedies of wars. Many people were. Her lips formed into a frown, a glint of sadness flashing in her e/c orbs.
It doesn't take much to realize that, Mitsunari Ishida-The Resourceful Tactician- wasn't all talent and miracles as much as historians praised him to be, he was a young man who pours over plenty of focus on making sure he is well versed in the tactics of war. She doesn't know if he's doing this for himself or for whoever he is loyal to, but if he's this dedicated to victory-Y/n found it safe to assume that with him alive, he can protect plenty of people-both civilians and soldiers alike.
As if in synch with her emotions, the sky began to darken, and the distant sound of thunder rumbling breaks the silence in her head. Soon enough rain began to pour down in heavy drops, and Y/n makes her move.
This man has to feed himself. Not for just himself, but for everyone he wants to protect.
The Angelic-looking lord was surprisingly firm with his hold on her, but Y/n wasn't deterred. Instead, she twists herself just enough to take his glasses. Finally catching his attention, Mitsunari Ishida looks down at her in surprise-
His eyes widened even more.
Her eyes crinkled as she smiled apologetically.
"Good morning, Mitsunari-sama. I have brought you your breakfast." She begins, removing herself from him. Copying straight from the dramas she's watched with her friends, postures herself to a bowing position-forehead touching the floor. The words that flowed from her mouth decently executed an elegant grace similar to that of the dramas. "A thousand apologies for the audacity of this humble servant's impudent actions, it is but a shameless wish of mine that milord eats his meals and remains healthy for himself and his people."
"Please raise your head." Y/n lifts her gaze and was nearly blinded by the kind smile of the warlord. Not a speck of offence was decorating his features, only kindness as he himself lowers to a bowing position. "It seems I have mistaken you for kitty. My apologies for treating you with such unacceptable behaviour." His smile drops and Y/n is reminded of a kicked puppy.
"Will, you ever be able to forgive me, milady?" Y/n nodded, unsure of what to say, and the lovely smile returned to his face.
His eyes crinkled kindly, and Y/n had never felt so accepted by one smile from a stranger. The fact that he addresses her with honorifics despite the clear differences in status.The fact that he apologized to her, even though it was crystal clear that she wasn't supposed to step out of social boundaries.
Mitsunari Ishida may just be, an angel after all.
Mitsunari was nothing short of taken into surprised when he was abruptly pulled from his reading with his glasses suddenly removed. He had expected for Lord Hideyoshi or even Lord Masamune to greet him and once again tell him of the importance of eating full meals, for which he was highly grateful for their concerns and even taking the time out of their busy schedules to visit him-truly an honour, for the dark grey-haired man.
Imagine his surprise when it was a beautiful lady on his lap, holding his glasses with a soft smile that reminded him of pink carnations, it was only within a couple of blinks that she gracefully removes herself from him and positions herself into a dogeza, forehead touching the floor. Her actions were comparable to that of a noble, and Mitsunari was truly wondering what had happened before the girl suddenly began to speak, fluently delivering her message exactly like how a princess would.
"Good morning, Mitsunari-sama. I have brought you your breakfast." Mitsunari felt a crippling sense of panic bubbling in his stomach as he watched the princess-like girl continue on, not once removing herself from the uncomfortable position. "A thousand apologies for the audacity of this humble servant's impudent actions, it is but a shameless wish of mine that milord eats his meals and remains healthy for himself and his people."
Mistunari couldn't find it in himself to be flustered, once he hears the elegance and the full sincerity of the girl's apology. He had briefly entertained the thought of a possible assassin, but after hearing the girl, the tactician was certain without a doubt that this...servant was only acting on good intentions. She might not have noticed it, but his eyes have lost the hidden sharp glint in his gaze.
This only leaves him with one option, he had quite possibly, placed her on his lap mistaking her to be the kitty that visited him frequently. He asked for her forgiveness, which she nods to and even apologizes with a flustered smile, but he only deems it appropriate in light of his inappropriate actions.
As the rain pours heavily, it finally dawns on Mitsunari's mind that his room looked far more organized than it'd ever been in the past months. Amethyst eyes blinked in wonder as he tilted his head. "Were you also the one to have organized my room." Before she can beg for forgiveness once again, he stops her with a grateful smile. "Thank you truly, milady! I haven't seen my room so clean in a long while now."
It is her next words that baffled him yet again, as she smiles at him without reserve. "It is an honour to be of help to you, Mitsunari-sama. To you who works selflessly for a better future."
Her healthy h/c locks framed her face in a lovely way, her e/c orbs holding not a single trace of dishonesty.
Milady is truly lovely, like a flower nymph from the legends.
It only took a short while before he began to eat his meal, under any circumstances, he would have only taken a few spoonfuls. Finding it more efficient to eat on rations instead of full meals. The girl excuses herself after seeing that he was finally consuming the prepared meal.
He felt a strange sense of panic as he realized that he hasn't asked for the girl's name. It is only right that he knows of her name and thank her appropriately for the trouble he had caused her!
"Milady, please wait!" The girl looked up with surprise, her hold on the tatami door remained as he cleared his throat, an eager smile plastered on his lips. "May I please ask for your name? I wish to repay you for the unacceptable inconveniences I've brought upon you."
Despite the heavy droplets of rain and the gloominess of the sky, the girl's loveliness never dimmed-in fact, seeming to shine even brighter in stark of a dark day. Her smile was free of restrictions, a tinge of amusement present in her gaze as she slowly slides the tatami door.
"My name is Y/n L/n, Mitsunari-sama. I have no need for any kind of repayment-" Her eyes crinkled gently as he tilted his head lightly to the side in question. "-After all."
She finally closes the door as lightning flashed.
"I do not exist."
The gears in his mind worked in an instant as he suddenly remembered the orders of his lord.
"Mitsunari." At the call of his name, the soft-looking man with dark grey hair and purple eyes straightened his posture. "I was saved by a woman with peculiar clothing. She has h/c hair and e/c eyes. Find her and bring her to me. She shouldn't have gotten far with this weather."
Springing into action, he nearly knocks over the tray of food as he ran to the door and slides it open with a quick snap.
"Mitsunari?!" The familiar sight of a shocked Hideyoshi Toyotomi greeted him, and his eyes widened, scanning for any traces of the supposed servant. "Mitsunari, what's wrong?"
"Y/n L/n is a funny woman in addition to her foolish bravery" he remembers Lord Nobunaga saying with a smirk, "That woman claims that she doesn't exist."
Mitsunari's mind was on high alert as he sharply turned to his lord. It was simply impossible to flee the scene with such quickness, especially with the movements of the girl while she was able to elegantly apologize, the rest of her movements revealed she wasn't used to a kimono. "Lord Hideyoshi." Noticing the urgency in his voice, the light brown-haired man straightened himself and was no also on alert. "Have you seen a lady with h/c hair and e/c eyes exit this room?"
"No, I didn't. The maids I've passed by came from different rooms, and all far from yours." Hideyoshi immediately replies, shaking his head to a negative. His eyes narrowed dangerously, "Was there a spy?! Tell me, Mitsunari, we must immediately-"
"-No, Lord Hideyoshi." He turns to his lord after scanning the hallways once more and his now organized room. An unreadable look on his face as the flustered boy was no more, instead, replaced by a cold and determined gaze that his comrades on the battlefield are all too familiar with.
Y/n soft and amused voice rang in his head, as if to test him.
'I do not exist.'
"I must seek an audience with Lord Nobunaga at once."
'' May we meet again, milady. You who is as lovely as pink carnations.'