Chapter Text
C Rank
---
Ryoma: Ah, there you are, Azama.
Azama: Oh? Greetings, Lord Ryoma!
Ryoma: Are you busy at the moment?
Azama: Not really, I suppose. Just trying to mediate, though a crayfish has interrupted me.
Ryoma: Excuse me!?
Azama: What can I assist you with?
Ryoma: ...
Ryoma: Ugh. Right.
Ryoma: I was wondering if you could assist me with this issue. There's a group of mercenaries who wish to work for us, but they are Nohrian and have a possibility of turning on us.
Ryoma: Should I hire them?
Azama: Why not?
Ryoma: ... What do you mean?
Azama: Go ahead and hire them. In the end, it doesn't matter if they rebel against us. You said they were mercenaries, right?
Ryoma: Yes.
Azama: Such simple minded, greedy people will gladly serve as long as they are paid. While it's futile in the end, they'll do their work and expect their reward. You just need to slightly increase the payment if they start to cause problems.
Ryoma: Hm...
Azama: Don't increase it too much, or they'll expect it of you and will keep trying to drive the price.
Ryoma: Interesting.
Ryoma: Thank you for your assistance, Azama.
Azama: Any time!
B Rank
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Ryoma: Where did he go?
...
Ryoma: This is his normal spot...
...
Ryoma: Oh...?
Azama: ...
Ryoma: Ah. I see.
Azama: ...
Ryoma: ...
Azama: Greetings, Lord Ryoma. You found my favorite spot.
Ryoma: I apologize for intruding. I was seeking your guidance once again, and stumbled upon this.
Azama: As you should be. But I suppose I can assist you in your futile endeavors.
Ryoma: I appreciate it.
Azama: Again, as you should.
Ryoma: It's Takumi. I... We had a fight.
Azama: So I see. He was comparing himself to you, which is expected.
Azama: He will never have the same strengths as you, and he just needs to accept that.
Azama: It's just a matter of his coming to terms with comparing himself is useless and it won't matter anyway.
Ryoma: So I see. Thank you.
A Rank
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Azama: Well, Lord Ryoma, if you keep visiting me for advice, I may need to start charging you.
Ryoma: Perhaps, but I'm not here to ask for your advice today.
Azama: Oh?
Azama: Then what brings you to my meditation spot?
Ryoma: Not to bother you, just to share your meditative silence.
Azama: As you wish.
Ryoma: ...
Azama: ...
Ryoma: (He's quite the company, isn't he?)
Ryoma: (He gives good advice, despite being so blunt.)
Ryoma: (I see what Hinoka finds in him.)
Azama: You are certainly in deep thought.
Ryoma: So I was. I see why you are Hinoka's retainer.
Azama: I'm glad someone does!
Ryoma: If you don't mind, I may join you regularly.
Azama: I don't mind in the slightest.
S Rank
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Ryoma: (Hm? He's late.)
Azama: Ah, Lord Ryoma!
Ryoma: There you are, I was worried you had been kept by pressing matters.
Azama: You concern is admirable, my lord.
Azama: If you keep that kind of worry about me up, people will start talking.
Ryoma: So what if they do?
Ryoma: As you say, it doesn't matter in the end.
Azama: Oho! You sound like you have been spending too much time with me.
Azama: Even Lady Hinoka is worried I'm poisoning your mind!
Ryoma: Nonsense. I enjoy our time together, Azama.
Ryoma: Enough that I... perhaps, have taken some kind of affection for you.
Azama: Oh? Did I manage to capture the heart of Hoshido's next in line?
Ryoma: You did. I can only pray I captured yours.
Azama: Well, I can say I have taken more of a liking to sea food...
Ryoma: ...
Azama: Ha! But yes, Ryoma. I'm thrilled to have found your favor.
Azama: I suppose you wanted to ask for my hand in marriage, too.
Ryoma: ...
Azama: ...
Ryoma: Well?
Azama: Wait, you're serious.
Ryoma: Of course I am.
Ryoma: I wouldn't want anyone else helping me with the fate of Hoshido.
Azama: Oh...
Azama: I...
Ryoma: Something the matter?
Azama: Nothing at all.
Azama: But how dare you beat me to proposing.
Azama: I was about to do the same thing!