Beach. Everyone has been working so hard lately so why not take a break and enjoy the beach? You can make sand castles, play in the water, and there are even umbrellas for those who'd rather just relax in the shade. There's a nice row of water melons ready to be smashed later in the day and when the sun goes down, that's when the sparklers come out.
Suffering. It's the hottest time of the year and the citadel doesn't have central air conditioning. The few air conditions that were installed have given up on life after being used so much and now, we really have to make do with what we can while the Konnosuke try to fix it. There's a limited number of fans, plenty of ice cream to go around, and the citadel should be built to circulate air, right? ... Right?!
Spooks. In Japan, summer is a time for horror. Gather around the camp fire and hear some spooky ghost stories or maybe head out into the woods just outside the citadel for a good ol' fashioned test of courage. It's all good, harmless fun! Of course, with so many spirits gathered in one place, what's to say a stray or curious outsider spirit won't join the mix...
Rain. Summer is also known for sudden and torrential downpours of rain. The clouds always seem to grown and darken suddenly and the next thing you know, it's raining sheets and the ground is shaking from thunder. Once it starts, it never seems to stop. Maybe you were caught out in the rain or maybe this is day 7 stuck inside.
Other! It's summer and there are tons of things to do. Go to the general store and stock up on ice cream, wake up in the middle of the night uncomfortable with heat, or run around screaming because cicadas are dying and flying at your face.
That wasn't the answer he was expecting to get out of Tonbokiri. His light teasing stopped momentarily, but his leaning did not. Blinking a few times, he actually leans against him a little more, head tilted and hair falling along with his movements.
"Wife...?"
Of course Izumi knew that a lot of their past masters were married to their way of life and their swords in a sense. Like one would be married to their jobs, but the way Tonbokiri looked so flustered, it must not have anything to do with that...
Izuminokami so comfortably leaning against him does not help him relax, but at least the touching pauses. And it is somewhat reassuring that Izuminokami seems willing to listen to his story.
But Tonbokiri doesn't change his posture, or hiding behind his hands.
"It is a somewhat long story, for it was a long mission. But the short of it is that the forefathers of Ieyasu Tokugawa's heavenly generals were killed before their time. We agreed to the plan of taking on the roles of those generals, in order to protect Lord Ieyasu and restore the course of history."
He looks downcast for a moment, and his hands lower a little further.
"Although I was full of misgivings about it, I took on the role of Honda Tadakatsu. I did not realize it immediately, however we also had to live out the personal lives of those men. ... Including having a wife. It-- it was Tadakatsu, but it was me."
He fell silent as he listened to Tonbokiri's words. After his time here in the citadel, he never gave any thought to if something like that were to happen. Surely as there swords there would be no better at knowing their histories and everything but... did he really live the life of a human man?
He had to have, because Tonbokiri wasn't the type of man to lie or play pranks on someone. The way his face was so red like this? He was definitely telling the truth. And with all that time spent with her... this wife of his, he must have grown quite close to her in all that time.
The pressure of him leaning over Tonbokiri was finally lessened, but only because Izuminokami sat on his knees so he could just lie his head on his shoulder now. All the thoughts really washing over him.
"That feeling... it must give you good memories then, huh.... perhaps I was unintentionally being cruel toward you..?"
Tonbokiri doesn't understand why Izuminokami is still resting his head on his shoulder... is he still teasing him? However, what he says sounds sincere.
"They are... complicated memories. There were good - enjoyable - times, but I was also anxious about living out that great man's life. Particularly the parts I'd not been there for as a spear."
He takes a deep breath and lowers his hands again. The redness is receding from his neck, but his cheeks are still flush. It was pretty intense for teasing, but he wouldn't call it cruel. Izuminokami was just intending to let him enjoy the feeling of having his hair combed, and unintentionally went too far.
"You did not know, so there is nothing to apologize for, Izuminokami-dono. You could not have possibly known I would react in such a way. ... Indeed, I did not think I would react this far, either. My apologies for startling you."
"You needn't apologize for anything. It is true I wasn't expecting you to be quite so affected by my touches, but I am just happy that I didn't actually harm you."
That's what his main concern was when he had first yelped so loudly. Now that he's heard the reason though, he couldn't help but think Tonbokiri to be even more mature of a man. Aruji would have mentioned if something went wrong, which means the role Tonbokiri took on for the sake of history was successful.
"If anyone should apologize it should be me. I had no real reasoning for the intimate way I touched your hair. In truth, I just felt compelled to. You seemed like you were enjoying the combing so much, I wanted to see if I could take it further. Even though I was able to see something enjoyable, I apologize for my actions..."
Hah, not that a touch would harm him, but he appreciates Izuminokami's concern.
Tonbokiri looks down at his hands as Izuminokami continues his apology. As he thought, he saw that Tonbokiri was enjoying it and just wanted him to be happier... Seeing him like this was 'enjoyable', though? Tonbokiri makes a strained face at his hands, not looking up yet.
"Thank you, Izuminokami-dono. I would rather that you forgot seeing me like this, though. It is embarrassing, to have acted like this before you."
He laughed softly, but not in a mocking sort of way. His laughter was warm and kind as he turned to half hide his face in Tonbokiri's shoulder. He still didn't feel like sitting up quite yet, so the poor sword had to deal with Izuminokami's warmth and his hair flopped over his shoulder like so.
"I don't know if I'll be able to forget that sight. You showed me something I never would have expected and it was charming, especially now since I know the reasoning behind it... say. Does this mean I can't continue combing your hair...?"
He thought it was a fair question. Tonbokiri might not want him that close to his hair anymore.
"I don't understand how it's charming..." But Tadakatsu's wife - his wife - had said the same thing.
Finally he looks up, just to find Izuminokami's face buried in his shoulder. So he puts the smile into his voice as he answers, "You may continue. It does feel good, in the way of being nostalgic for when Tadakatsu did maintenance on me. The other kinds of touch surprised me..." and made him nostalgic for other things. "But combing is fine."
He definitely perked up quite a bit when Tonbokiri told him he could continue. With his face pulling out of his shoulder, there was a certain spark of excitement in the younger Sword's eyes.
A part of him thought maybe he had ruined his chance to repay Tonbokiri for his kindness. He wouldn't have blamed the other man for saying no. Without realizing it, Izuminokami crossed a line he wasn't supposed to after all. (And he was terrible for wanting to do it again, but he'll refrain)
He gives Tonbokiri's shoulders a gentle squeeze before pulling back to resume his place behind him again, and once he's settled in place, he starts to comb out his hair again.
Izuminokami, with only a squeeze to his shoulders, and that oddly excited look in his eyes (why?), returns to combing his hair. And somehow, now that he's not holding back his reactions, Tonbokiri feels even more at ease as he relaxes into the feeling of being taken care of.
"Perhaps... I should warn you. I might very well fall asleep as you do this. If we keep talking, I probably won't though."
(Because... it was cute and Kanesan has a secret enjoyment of cute things...)
"If sleep calls to you while I work my magic then so be it. I'll find it flattering."
It wasn't as if it'd be Tonbokiri calling him boring. It just meant the other man found his presence soothing enough to let his guard down around him. That's the way Izumi saw it anyway.
He lets out a soft laugh while his hands go back to work on combing his hair out slowly, being a little more careful about how far he combs it. he wanted this experience to be enjoyable for Tonbokiri, not uncomfortable like he had been looking before. He still didn't fully understand it himself how something could feel enjoyable like he said but seem so uncomfortable for him, and maybe he never would... Still, Tonbokiri was important to him, so he didn't want to upset him.
"Hmm... I don't really think I do anything too special. I just use the soaps Aruji got for us to use for hair and that seems to do the trick pretty nicely."
Tonbokiri's shoulders and back relax once again as he enjoys the slow combing.
"The soap that is in this era is amazing, isn't it. It makes my hair smooth, and the scent is refreshing. The body soaps, as well. And always having hot water... Unimaginable luxury."
Izuminokami nods in agreement with a cheerful little sound slipping out.
"So many things we get to experience like this that even our own masters wouldn't have dreamed to exist. We have to enjoy them to the fullest in their honor, don't you think so?"
Tonbokiri can't turn his head, and he learnt his lesson about even nodding, but he is quick express his agreement.
"Yes, I feel so as well. I would not have the title of one of the Three Great Spears if not for Tadakatsu, and therefore not be here at all. Everything I can experience now is thanks to him and Aruji."
His combing stopped for a moment as he listened to Tonbokiri's words, a fond smile forming on his lips. Tonbokiri truly was an amazing man with one one of the bigger hearts he's ever seen before.
"and if it weren't for my master and Aruji... I wouldn't be here to get to learn more about you and the others. I think I would be quite full of regrets if things were different."
Tonbokiri wants to see Izuminokami's laughing face, so he risks messing up the combing to turn around and smile with him.
"I do understand, though. I am thankful we have these human forms and personalities and we can get to know each other. Let's experience lots of things." He smiles more broadly and echoes what Izuminokami had said earlier, "Enjoy them to the fullest."
Hearing his words echoed back to him flusters him a little bit, but that smile of his still remains. He stops the combing again, so he could reach out and give Tonbokiri's shoulder a gentle squeeze.
"And let us experience more new things together, my friend."
Out of context that might sound like a love confession, but honestly, Izuminokami valued loyalty and friendship to no end, and wanting to experience new things with his friends is just a feeling that comes naturally to him.
Tonbokiri (of course) takes that statement in a straight-forward way. He turns further to give Izuminokami's shoulder a firm squeeze in return. His eyes are shining with pride, although his cheeks warm bashfully at being called 'friend'. Especially since he learned earlier what it means to Izuminokami.
"Friend... I will do my best to be worthy of the honour of that title."
It was Izuminokami's turn to look rather flustered. He should have known that Tonbokiri would take his words very seriously, but hearing him say this with that sparkle in his eyes, it was almost too much. He might not be as tsun about feelings as Kashuu was, but it still really got to him.
He glanced off to the side, knowing full well how red his face must look right now.
Tonbokiri is a serious spear, but he can pull off a little teasing every now and then. He takes advantage of Izuminokami glancing away by affecting a serious and worried tone that is belied by his soft smile.
"I don't? But... you said we'd experience things together. I can't very well do that by doing nothing."
Not that Tonbokiri was out to make Izuminokami flustered, but he will admit to himself that it's a little satisfying to turn some of that back on the sword. Especially since Izuminokami is the type that isn't good at acknowledging his own feelings at all.
He sputters a little and tries to hide his face even more. Curse Tonbokiri for doing such a fine job on his hair! He can't use that mass amount of hair to hide his face now from this embarrassing feeling he had now. He couldn't even scold the other sword when he was so honest and genuine it was hard to tell if he was actually teasing or not..!
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he teases out of love!!
"Wife...?"
Of course Izumi knew that a lot of their past masters were married to their way of life and their swords in a sense. Like one would be married to their jobs, but the way Tonbokiri looked so flustered, it must not have anything to do with that...
"What do you mean?"
Express your love some other way! (wait--)
But Tonbokiri doesn't change his posture, or hiding behind his hands.
"It is a somewhat long story, for it was a long mission. But the short of it is that the forefathers of Ieyasu Tokugawa's heavenly generals were killed before their time. We agreed to the plan of taking on the roles of those generals, in order to protect Lord Ieyasu and restore the course of history."
He looks downcast for a moment, and his hands lower a little further.
"Although I was full of misgivings about it, I took on the role of Honda Tadakatsu. I did not realize it immediately, however we also had to live out the personal lives of those men. ... Including having a wife. It-- it was Tadakatsu, but it was me."
Up come the hands again.
well if you insist...
He had to have, because Tonbokiri wasn't the type of man to lie or play pranks on someone. The way his face was so red like this? He was definitely telling the truth. And with all that time spent with her... this wife of his, he must have grown quite close to her in all that time.
The pressure of him leaning over Tonbokiri was finally lessened, but only because Izuminokami sat on his knees so he could just lie his head on his shoulder now. All the thoughts really washing over him.
"That feeling... it must give you good memories then, huh.... perhaps I was unintentionally being cruel toward you..?"
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"They are... complicated memories. There were good - enjoyable - times, but I was also anxious about living out that great man's life. Particularly the parts I'd not been there for as a spear."
He takes a deep breath and lowers his hands again. The redness is receding from his neck, but his cheeks are still flush.
It was pretty intense for teasing, but he wouldn't call it cruel. Izuminokami was just intending to let him enjoy the feeling of having his hair combed, and unintentionally went too far.
"You did not know, so there is nothing to apologize for, Izuminokami-dono. You could not have possibly known I would react in such a way. ... Indeed, I did not think I would react this far, either. My apologies for startling you."
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That's what his main concern was when he had first yelped so loudly. Now that he's heard the reason though, he couldn't help but think Tonbokiri to be even more mature of a man. Aruji would have mentioned if something went wrong, which means the role Tonbokiri took on for the sake of history was successful.
"If anyone should apologize it should be me. I had no real reasoning for the intimate way I touched your hair. In truth, I just felt compelled to. You seemed like you were enjoying the combing so much, I wanted to see if I could take it further. Even though I was able to see something enjoyable, I apologize for my actions..."
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Tonbokiri looks down at his hands as Izuminokami continues his apology. As he thought, he saw that Tonbokiri was enjoying it and just wanted him to be happier...
Seeing him like this was 'enjoyable', though? Tonbokiri makes a strained face at his hands, not looking up yet.
"Thank you, Izuminokami-dono. I would rather that you forgot seeing me like this, though. It is embarrassing, to have acted like this before you."
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"I don't know if I'll be able to forget that sight. You showed me something I never would have expected and it was charming, especially now since I know the reasoning behind it... say. Does this mean I can't continue combing your hair...?"
He thought it was a fair question. Tonbokiri might not want him that close to his hair anymore.
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"I don't understand how it's charming..." But Tadakatsu's wife - his wife - had said the same thing.
Finally he looks up, just to find Izuminokami's face buried in his shoulder. So he puts the smile into his voice as he answers, "You may continue. It does feel good, in the way of being nostalgic for when Tadakatsu did maintenance on me. The other kinds of touch surprised me..." and made him nostalgic for other things. "But combing is fine."
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A part of him thought maybe he had ruined his chance to repay Tonbokiri for his kindness. He wouldn't have blamed the other man for saying no. Without realizing it, Izuminokami crossed a line he wasn't supposed to after all. (And he was terrible for wanting to do it again, but he'll refrain)
He gives Tonbokiri's shoulders a gentle squeeze before pulling back to resume his place behind him again, and once he's settled in place, he starts to comb out his hair again.
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Izuminokami, with only a squeeze to his shoulders, and that oddly excited look in his eyes (why?), returns to combing his hair. And somehow, now that he's not holding back his reactions, Tonbokiri feels even more at ease as he relaxes into the feeling of being taken care of.
"Perhaps... I should warn you. I might very well fall asleep as you do this. If we keep talking, I probably won't though."
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"If sleep calls to you while I work my magic then so be it. I'll find it flattering."
It wasn't as if it'd be Tonbokiri calling him boring. It just meant the other man found his presence soothing enough to let his guard down around him. That's the way Izumi saw it anyway.
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"If it's magic, I don't suppose you'd be willing to share some secrets of your hair care?"
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"Hmm... I don't really think I do anything too special. I just use the soaps Aruji got for us to use for hair and that seems to do the trick pretty nicely."
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"The soap that is in this era is amazing, isn't it. It makes my hair smooth, and the scent is refreshing. The body soaps, as well. And always having hot water... Unimaginable luxury."
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"So many things we get to experience like this that even our own masters wouldn't have dreamed to exist. We have to enjoy them to the fullest in their honor, don't you think so?"
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"Yes, I feel so as well. I would not have the title of one of the Three Great Spears if not for Tadakatsu, and therefore not be here at all. Everything I can experience now is thanks to him and Aruji."
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"and if it weren't for my master and Aruji... I wouldn't be here to get to learn more about you and the others. I think I would be quite full of regrets if things were different."
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"I suppose you're right about that."
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"I do understand, though. I am thankful we have these human forms and personalities and we can get to know each other. Let's experience lots of things." He smiles more broadly and echoes what Izuminokami had said earlier, "Enjoy them to the fullest."
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"And let us experience more new things together, my friend."
Out of context that might sound like a love confession, but honestly, Izuminokami valued loyalty and friendship to no end, and wanting to experience new things with his friends is just a feeling that comes naturally to him.
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He turns further to give Izuminokami's shoulder a firm squeeze in return. His eyes are shining with pride, although his cheeks warm bashfully at being called 'friend'. Especially since he learned earlier what it means to Izuminokami.
"Friend... I will do my best to be worthy of the honour of that title."
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He glanced off to the side, knowing full well how red his face must look right now.
"As if you need to do anything."
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"I don't? But... you said we'd experience things together. I can't very well do that by doing nothing."
Not that Tonbokiri was out to make Izuminokami flustered, but he will admit to himself that it's a little satisfying to turn some of that back on the sword.
Especially since Izuminokami is the type that isn't good at acknowledging his own feelings at all.
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"Th-that's not what I meant...!"
Is he going to make him say it?
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