kscans

Chapter 5 - The Purpose of the Journey

Shintaro!

Mana waved her hand energetically and ran toward him. Her figure shone in the sunlight. She was so close he could feel the faint warmth of her breath and her scent as she looked up into his eyes. Shintaro leaned his head forward, gazing down at her lovingly.

The two of them, blushing at some trivial conversation, looking so happy.

Shintaro awoke from a dream of this not-so-distant past. His chest ached at the happiness being erased by reality as he stared at the ceiling of the inn. A month had passed since they began their journey. Mana was probably married by now.

Some might ask why he didn't go back to take her. Of course, if it had been against both their wills, he would have. But he was the only one who hadn't consented. As long as the fact remained that this was the future Mana and Saimon had wished for, any such act would be nothing more than a disgrace. He knew this when he left the capital, yet to still see her face in his dreams was a sign of his lingering attachment.

Shintaro wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and sat up. He gazed at the round window, faintly illuminated by the morning sun, and then at the five sleeping figures. It was the time he had habitually practiced, but he reminded himself that his living environment was different now, and slowly folded his futon.

The room they were staying in was ten tatami mats. In the center, five futons were neatly lined up. Shion was in the middle. On either side were Kiku and Nana. And on their outer sides were Sahei and Saneyuki. Shintaro had spread his futon a little distance away, near the sliding door, and had slept there. As a bodyguard, it was his duty to guard the entrance.

There was still time before breakfast. Shintaro took his sword, faced the door, and sat cross-legged.

Nana quietly opened her eyes. She had sensed someone getting up and folding their futon. Beside her, Shion also opened her eyes slightly. The sound must have bothered her. Nana lifted her head a little and looked toward the sliding door.

A lone man sat there, his broad back to them, holding a sword—the loyal figure of their new traveling companion. Nana's eyes softened for a moment. Then, reaching over the futon, she took Shion's hand and wrote characters on her palm to let her know the situation. A faint smile touched Shion's lips.

*

Shion and her companions' journey was unusual. They would relax at an inn during the day and begin preparations to depart around four in the afternoon. Their pace was slow. They would walk until around ten-thirty at night, taking breaks at various points, and would sleep from eleven at night until seven in the morning. When there was no inn, the sleeping time was split in half, with the exception of Shion, and they would take turns on watch.

It wasn't just because Shion stood out. The nature of their journey, which was to feel the winds and hear the sounds of various places, naturally slowed their pace. They were like a group completely detached from the secular world.

However, Shintaro was beginning to get used to this feeling. At first, he found many things strange, but once he realized that it ultimately didn't concern him, he found it too bothersome to think about.

Shion, who employed four companions and even a bodyguard to continue her journey without strain—it was clear that immense wealth lay behind her, but all of that was something happening on a distant shore.

But no matter how much money you have, or how indifferent you are, sometimes things don't go according to plan and cannot be ignored. If they were caught in an unexpected thunderstorm, they would be held up, and on roads that were dangerous at night, they sometimes had to walk during the day. At such times, they had to band together to overcome the difficulties.

Last night, they were hit by a record-breaking downpour. A day had passed, but many of the roads were still muddy. It seemed it would be difficult to proceed while guiding the blind Shion.

"Shall we wait for the ground to dry?" At Sahei's words, Shion looked disappointed.

"I heard that a rare lily blooms on the mountain pass ahead. I hope it doesn't wither while we're waiting."

"It won't wither in a few days, but... getting to the pass will be tough."

As Shion looked crestfallen, Kiku, Nana, and Saneyuki shot sharp glares at Sahei for telling her the truth. Seeing this silent exchange, Shintaro gave a wry smile.

They were a close-knit group. But even among such companions, anyone who saddened Shion would not be forgiven. It was a strictness born from trust and affection. Shintaro found himself envious of what they had, and Shion, at the center of it all, was dazzling.

Well, I suppose it can't be helped.

With that thought, Shintaro casually lifted Shion into his arms.

"Kyaa!" Shion let out a small cry for a moment, and Sahei and the others were dumbfounded.

Shintaro then proceeded to push forward through the muddy path without hesitation. Aware that he was being stared at in disbelief, he glanced back after a few steps.

"What's wrong? Let's get going." Realizing it was Shintaro who had picked her up, Shion's face turned crimson. The four who had been called out to scrambled in a fluster.

"You really gave me a shock! What was that all of a sudden? If you're going to do things like that, you should've said something first!" Kiku said with a cackle. Nana wore a knowing smile, Sahei let out a sigh of relief, and Saneyuki looked as if his thunder had been stolen.

It was true that Saneyuki could also have carried Shion. But on a muddy path, the more stable Shintaro was better suited for the task.

Shintaro walked through the mud with ease, as if he were carrying nothing at all. His briskness was astounding.

"What sturdy legs and hips," Saneyuki muttered in admiration.

"He moves so fluidly," Sahei added with a single word.

*

"I wonder just how skilled Shintaro-dono truly is..."

"Didn't we find that out when we fought him?" Kiku replied to Saneyuki's musing. Saneyuki crossed his arms and furrowed his brow.

They had decided to camp for the night in a field and were gathered around a bonfire. The ones still awake were Saneyuki, Kiku, and Sahei.

"He hasn't fought against everyone in the country."

"Haha. Now that's an impossible request," Sahei laughed, but Saneyuki was serious.

"I can gather the men from the west. He's a renowned swordsman in the Eastern Capital, too. I want to see them fight."

"I get how you feel, but we can't decide that on our own."

"So it's fine if the princess agrees?"

"Are you serious?" Saneyuki, Kiku, and Sahei all looked at Shion at once. Her face was peaceful in sleep. Her complete trust in her companions was healing to see. But the one who would truly heal Shion would likely be her future husband.

Sahei shifted his gaze to Shintaro. He was a man with a strong presence, reminiscent of a young lion. It wasn't just that his features were well-defined; his entire body was well-proportioned. One couldn't help but think that the stability and power of his sword swings came from that physique.

"It seems Shion-sama has taken a liking to him," Sahei said.

"Isn't it too soon?" Kiku shot back. It was Saneyuki who clicked his tongue.

"It's because you goaded her on, calling him a handsome man and all that."

"It's the truth, isn't it?"

"Just because something is true doesn't mean you should report everything so honestly."

"What's this? Are you jealous? How pathetic."

"Guh... I'm just worried about the princess, that's all."

"Oh, is that so? Well, whatever. In any case, just don't forget our original objective, alright?" Saneyuki fell silent and looked down.

They all had high hopes for Shintaro. Realizing this anew, he felt a pang of heartburn at his own inadequacy.