Princess Mikoto seemed to have prepared various gifts for Kanata.
I’m waiting for Princess Mikoto to calm down after learning about the Alliance Army’s inhumane experiments, while drinking tea.
Thinking like this often makes me crave Lilith’s Special Blend Coffee.
Princess Mikoto took a deep breath and spoke as if to herself,
“Kanata-, it’s alright now. Let’s continue our talk. Is there anything else you’d like to ask me?”
… It might be my imagination, but I should confirm it now.
“About my face, I feel like it’s changed a little compared to when I first came here. It might be my imagination…”
“I believe it has changed. You see, there’s an anecdote that people possessed by a Bake neko become cat-like, isn’t there? The Human Body changes according to the State of the Soul; I believe that’s how it works. Therefore, I surmise that Kanata’s body is gradually returning to its original form. It’s said that those possessed through the Mind Possession art take on completely different appearances.”
“So, if more time passes, my face will return to what it was like when I was Namihei!”
“No, I don’t think it will completely return to the face you had on Earth. That body is not Namihei’s body. Based on that body, it will likely settle into a face that bears some resemblance to Namihei’s.”
I’m completely against looking like Agito, so any change in my face is a welcome development.
However, I need to think of an excuse. Especially since Lilith, who is always by my side and has an excellent memory, will undoubtedly notice the change.
“I’m okay with my face changing, but I hope my height doesn’t decrease. This body somehow exceeds 170 cm. In my previous world, I was 169 cm, so I always longed to be over 170 cm.”
Princess Mikoto smiled with a gentle, “Oh my, oh my.”
“Heh heh, gentlemen are concerned about their height even on Earth. But Kanata-, what’s important isn’t your height, but what’s inside.”
“That’s the problem, my inside doesn’t match, so I at least want the height!”
“Tsk! You’re back to your sulky thoughts again.”
Oh no, I got scolded again. She’s rather like an older sister.
There are many older sister types, starting with Marika-, but this is my first time encountering a pure and kind older sister type.
“I’ve found out why I came to this World and who Grandpa is. Princess Mikoto, thank you.”
“Not at all. This is something I should do. Now, allow me to speak. Kanata-, what do you wish to do from now on?”
“What do you mean? You know my situation.”
“Kanata-, you are a soldier of the Alliance Army, but if you wish, you can live a normal life in Terukyo. I will ask Colonel Mikado on your behalf… Yes, I’ll say that your skills are valuable and that I absolutely want you as my bodyguard. No, wanting Kanata- as my bodyguard is my true feeling. It’s only the second time we’ve met, tonight being the second after meeting at the Party, yet I feel like you’re my little brother.”
Those are truly kind words. I’m blessed with too many older sister figures in this World.
“Those are very kind words, but I’ll have to decline.”
“Why is that? My escort is dangerous, but it’s safer than being in the thick of fierce battles. Above all, as long as we are not attacked, there’s no need to kill anyone, right?”
That’s true. If I became Princess Mikoto’s bodyguard, I might not have to kill anyone. …But.
“Joining the war was just how things turned out, but it’s my war now. I have comrades… and family. The family I’ve yearned for. Therefore, I cannot leave the Garden.”
Princess Mikoto looked at me with kind eyes.
“I see. The Rose Garden is Kanata’s place, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s the place I’ve finally found. I have no regrets, even if it becomes my place of death.”
“You mustn’t speak so lightly of a place of death. Kanata-, the idea that your life belongs only to you is too selfish. Just as you think of your comrades and family, they think of you too; don’t forget that.”
She’s such a wonderful person, this Princess. But I’m starting to worry too.
I know about people’s malice. And that their malice has no limits.
And that some people surrender to malice, believing it to be justice.
“Princess Mikoto, please think about yourself rather than me. Even if you live in a world of good intentions, those who live in a world of malice will show no mercy.”
“…You mean my Father, don’t you? Many people resent my Father’s methods. No matter what kind of governance he enacts, there will always be dissenters. However, Father lacks the heart to cherish his subjects and creates unnecessary enemies. Such people might even reach me. It might be better for Kanata- to be in the Rose Garden than to be my bodyguard. It’s not impossible that I could become a target for my Father, who believes me to be a survivor of the Yashi clan.”
“Princess Mikoto, you said that the idea of your life belonging only to you is mistaken. Please practice that yourself. If Princess Mikoto falls into a desperate situation, I will help you no matter what. But I am a soldier fighting on the front lines; I might not make it in time.”
“Thank you, you’ve encouraged me. Kanata-, you are kind.”
“It’s not a noble feeling. It’s me who was encouraged. Princess Mikoto is the only one who knows my secret. You saved me from the pain of carrying a secret I couldn’t tell anyone. Therefore, I cannot afford to lose Princess Mikoto, not for anyone else, but for my own sake.”
My secret might be on a different level of seriousness compared to Hotaru’s secret.
But I think I understand how Hotaru must have felt, needing to confide in someone.
It’s agonizing to live carrying a secret alone.
Just one person. If there’s someone who knows everything and understands… you can live, you can become stronger.
Princess Mikoto took my hand across the table and spoke.
“I’ve made you suffer. It’s alright now. I am an ally who knows all of Kanata’s secrets. For Kanata’s sake, I will survive no matter what happens. No matter what desperate situation I fall into, I have trusted family, including Tsubaki, who is outside. So Kanata-, you must also survive the harsh battlefield. …For my sake, too.”
Tears welled up at those kind words. I really have a weak tear duct.
“Yes, let us both survive, Princess Mikoto. It’s a promise.”
“We’ve made a promise. For Kanata’s sake, in coming to this World, I have prepared a few things.”
Princess Mikoto released my hand and took out a Handycom.
“First, please memorize my Handycom number. It might be difficult from the front lines, but from the Garden, it should be possible to call Terukyo. Of course…”
“You won’t mention anything about teleportation. There’s a risk of interception.”
“Well done. And then, this. It should be of help to Kanata-.”
Princess Mikoto placed a paulownia case that was on the floor onto the table and opened the lid.
Inside was a single sword.
“What is this sword?”
“It is a treasured sword of the Mikado Family, named Zanbu. Please accept it.”
Zanbu… Is that a pun?
“Ah, thank you. A treasured sword called Zanbu?”
“Master Fifth Generation Tessai, the greatest swordsmith of the modern era, generally names his swords in that manner.”
Given the naming convention, isn’t Natsume’s beloved sword, the twin blades, Kiken and Yabai, also made by Fifth Generation Tessai?
I drew the treasured sword Zanbu from its scabbard.
It’s an amazing sword; I can tell the difference just by holding it.
It’s not as good as Shuri’s Gurenzansho, but it’s several levels above my Onikiri.
“Setting aside the name, it’s a fine sword. Am I really allowed to have it?”
“Please do. That’s why I brought it. To make use of that sword…”
Saying that, Princess Mikoto handed me a Memo Chip.
“What is this Memo Chip?”
“Please play it on Kanata’s Handycom. Set it to hologram vision.”
I did as she instructed and played the contents of the Memo Chip in hologram vision.
Two characters, like those from a fighting game in black and white attire, appeared and moved on the table with swords.
The black character’s thrust was dodged by the white one, who then executed a sweeping slash aimed at the shins from a low posture, like a spider.
…This looks like a demonstration of swordsmanship, but what style is it?
The Handycom screen displayed, “First Sword, Hiragumo.”
“Princess Mikoto, what style is this?”
I received Princess Mikoto’s proud, triumphant smile. It was as if she was saying, “Thank you for asking.”
“This is the secret manual of Mugen Ittouryu (Dream-Illusion One-Sword Style).”
“A secret manual of Mugen Ittouryu! Um, aren’t secrets usually written on scrolls?”
“What era do you think this is? This is an age of advanced science. Secret manuals have also evolved. Besides, isn’t it easier to understand by listening to the commentary and watching the actual movements in video, rather than reading the text on a scroll and seeing drawings?”
That’s true.
“Even secret swordsmanship is being modernized. It’s certainly easier this way, though.”
“This was kept in a bank safe deposit box by Reigen-sama in case of unforeseen circumstances. I obtained it after Reigen-sama told me the passcode. Mugen Ittouryu is a secret of the Yashi clan, and this is something that should be passed down to Kanata-.”
“Thank you. I have accepted it indeed. For me, who had been hoping to somehow master Mugen Ittouryu, this is like rain in a drought.”
“I’m glad it’s of use. And… I have a letter from Reigen-sama addressed to Kanata-.”
“Did Princess Mikoto write it for you, based on what you heard through Tenshinto?”
“No, it’s a letter written by Reigen-sama himself.”
Huh? How on earth?
“Grandpa wrote it himself? Ah!”
“You’ve realized, haven’t you? He used mind possession on my body from Earth to write it. …He wanted to see the city of Terukyo, his hometown, one last time. Reigen-sama left you a letter while gazing at Terukyo city at the end of his life, and then he performed the ritual of sealing his heart.”
“…Is that so? Princess Mikoto, thank you. Thank you for granting Grandpa’s last wish.”
“Reigen-sama taught me many important things. It’s only natural that I would do this much.”
…Is it my imagination that anime viewing is included among those “important things”?
I like the gourmet manga Bushimeshi, and the anime adaptation of Bushimeshi was also the best.
