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Volume 1 Chapter 5 Part 8

(Indeed, no matter what you might think about it or how you’d look at it, living in a way that somebody else has dictated for her is definitely not like her.)

Yoshiharu agreed in his mind.

「Okay, I understand. I won’t mention your future ever again, so you can be at ease. 」

「Hou? So you don’t have even the slightest desire to control me? 」

「I am not of this world. The one who can unite Japan in this world is you, Nobuna, Only you. That’s why I felt like throwing my lots with your dream was the right thing to do. With the extent of how far ahead into the futureI can see, if I ever feel like you are losing your way, I will secretly try to somehow steer you back onto the right track, and I won’t let you know about the future that I know. You should be fine with that, right? 」

「Yes, I’m fine with that. Now that we settled that matter, I think we should conduct an official ceremony of making you my retainer. 」

Nobuna said it in a brusque manner.

「After all, I cannot keep you as my pet monkey forever. I say it’s high time to make a real samurai out of you. 」

「Oh yeah, I definitely want that! So, by ceremony, you mean the Sengoku era-style one? So, what exactly do I need to do? 」

「Hmm, let’s see… we have our own Japanese ceremony for such an occasion, but the barbarian way seems more appropriate for you, and we won’t have to waste any sake for it. Here, kiss my hand and swear your eternal loyalty to me. 」

She said as she thrusted out her white hand towards Yoshiharu roughly, upon which he realized what her intentions were.

「This is…. just like a knight swearing loyalty to the princess or queen…right? 」

(I see… since Nobuna is a female daimyo to whom her subjects sometimes refer to as the 「Princess」, this is strangely fitting for her.)

Yoshiharu thought. But even so, he wondered why his heart was pounding so fast the entire time.

「Sagara Yoshiharu. Respect me as your lord, and swear fealty to me. 」

「….Y-Yes. I-I understand. 」

He didn’t oppose her like he usually would. It must’ve been the moonlight’s fault. In the dark of night, the pale light of the moon above his head of the moon was too beautiful, and because of it Nobuna was also looking just like a princess straight out of a fairy tale

He kneeled at Nobuna’s feet, and pressed his lips on her hand. Although she gripped swords with them, her fingers were soft and smooth to the touch.

「Do you swear loyalty to me for all eternity? 」

If he answers 「I do」now, he will become Nobuna’s servant for the rest of his life, so he tried acting tough by speaking prudently.

「Till the time I find a way to go back to my own time, I guess. 」

Even though there’s no way for him to know the way back to his old world, he wanted to try saying that line at least once in his life.

「…..I see. I am fine with that. Until that day comes, you are going to be my loyal servant. 」

He couldn’t muster the courage to confirm with his eyes what sort of face Nobuna was making right now.

「Yeah. I definitely won’t betray you. I will make your dream comes true. 」

「If that’s the case, if my dream isn’t fulfilled no matter how much time passes, you won’t be able to go back to your own time. 」

「Yeah, that’s right. 」

Yoshiharu grabbed Nobuna’s hand while feeling nervous. His throat was also incredibly dry.

「But what about you, Monkey? 」

「Eh? 」

「What about your dream? I have to reward you for your service appropriately, so I can try granting your own dream if you have one. 」

(My dream, huh? Uhm….finding a normal job, having a normal family…..no, that was a modest dream I had back in my own time. In this world….in this world….the thing I am aiming for….my dream is….. )

He was way too nervous. But then, suddenly, the smile of old man Toukichiro came to his mind.

(That’s right. I promised to inherit his dream. I want to get promoted quickly and construct him a proper grave.)

「So, Monkey? Is your dream one which I can fulfill? 」

(If I am not mistaken, the old man’s dream was… )

「T-That’s right! My dream… is to become super, super popular with the ladies! This is the only thing I care about! 」

「H-Huh? 」

「Living as a man in the chaotic world of the Sengoku era, I would feel great with a lot of pretty girls serving me. However, I am a man who may fuss over quantity, but even more on quality! For me, just having big numbers doesn’t mean that everything’s fine, so in the worst-case scenario, I want to make the most beautiful girl in Japan my wife and make out with her every single day! 」

「………… 」

BAM!

Nobuna withdrew her hand hurriedly and clenched it into a fist in the blink of an eye. She then aimed it at one side of Yoshiharu’s face and hit him with all her might.

「Woah? A surprise attack? What the hell do you think you’re doing?! 」

「Y-Y-You, of all things to say, what the hell are you thinking, spouting such nonsense?! M-M-M-Making the most beautiful girl in all of Japan your bride so you could make out with her?! Such shamelessness!!!」

Nobuna’s whole body was uncontrollably trembling with rage, and she had a murderous aura around her.

「Why are you getting mad at me? I just honestly said what my dream is! How about it, can you grant it? 」

「T-There’s no way I can grant that dream! No matter what, yours and my status is way too different, you know? Gross, that’s seriously gross!!! 」

「Eh? W-Wait! I just said the most beautiful girl in Japan, but I didn’t say who I was thinking about, you know? In the first place, why do you assume that I’d want to marry you? 」

「Stop it! If you mention the most beautiful girl in Japan, it’s obvious that it’s me! How else are you asking me to interpret it? 」

「You are too self-obsessed! Not to mention, it’s growing worse, you know? Just a while back you were the self-proclaimed most beautiful girl in Owari province, and now you advanced to the most beautiful in all of Japan?! 」

Yoshiharu shouted.

「Uwaaaaah, I am getting goosebumps on my whole body just thinking about it! Gross. Look at this, because of your weird proposal, my jewel-like bare skin is covered with goosebumps! 」

「You don’t have to show it to me! You now ruined your one and only redeeming feature: your appearance!

「Oi, oi!Just by imagining myself being your wife and bearing your children, I feel an urge to vomit rising from the depth of my stomach! 」

「You don’t have to vomit! My naive ears will be hurt so stop it! 」

Yoshiharu cried.

「At least blush a little! Why are you shaking with such a strong, visceral reaction?! Hey, don’t act like you really are going to puke! Uwaah, I am seriously going to be hurt! 」

While he was crying in an unmanly way, Nobuna’s fist once again came flying at him. He was able to predict it this time, so he swiftly dodged it.

「Hey, don’t run away. Wait and let me hit you! 」

「For the time, reform that self-obsession of yours! Where on earth do you find a beauty calling herself one? That’s narcissistic! 」

「Shut up! What the hell are you on about?! What does that even mean?!」

「Don’t get angry without even knowing what I’m talking about?! You may be a beauty, but only when it comes to your face! Your personality isn’t cute at all! You are brutal, complicated, selfish, and resort to violence all too quickly! That’s why, if you look at it from my aesthetic sense, you are no good at all! 」

「Monkey….I-I-I won’t forgive you…….This time, this time for sure I will kill you! 」

「Don’t unsheathe your sword for every small thing I say! 」

「Hey, wait! 」

「Who the hell would wait in such a situation?! 」

In the end, Nobuna started chasing Yoshiharu. Her pursuit late into the night from the inner citadel to the third citadel.

If he stopped, he would be instantly beheaded. Was Nobuna pursuing him from behind in order to cut him actually smiling because she was enjoying it, or was she actually serious about her intent to kill him?

Unfortunately, he couldn’t confirm it that night, because he had his hands full with just running away from her.