minutemen | 6 ❀ Summer Citadel

6 ❀ Summer Citadel

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.

You did it to preserve his history. I'm sure a man like your master would understand that and feel proud that you could do something so faithful and.... rather intimate just for his sake.

[Tonbokiri was with you up until 'intimate'.
He puts his hands over his flushing face and bends down again.]

I-- Yes, but-- I actually would never be able to face him, would I. This one was married to his wife... Produced his heirs...

[Even after everything Monoyoshi did for him, Tonbokiri still has Issues about that mission. But the memory of the little sword reprimanding him calms Tonbokiri down a little. He slowly lowers his hands.]

I could not let that great man be lost to history. Not in the slightest detail. But, forgive me. I still worry, for as a spear I was not always by his side. Did I do enough...?

[ While Tonbokiri seemed to be distracted by his feelings, Mitsutada takes this moment to slowly slip upward and shifts closer to Tonbokiri. He reaches out to ruffle his hair in an affectionate way before gently tugging him to lean against his shoulder. ]

I think that's... something any of us would ask. "Did I do enough?" "Did I keep his history as it was?" "How would he feel about this..." And it's something that has no answers I'm afraid... But you did your best. You did what you felt was right, whether it was big or small decisions... You made the choices you thought he would and that's what matters.

[Tonbokiri is indeed distracted by his emotions. Instinctively he relaxes again at the comforting feeling of a hand in his hair, leaning towards where he is being tugged as he listens to Shokudaikiri's encouragement.

He nods, and his cheek rubs against Shokudaikiri's shoulder. A little surprised to find himself like this, he sits up straight again, his face warm with a blush for a different reason, now.]

Thank you. You are a great comfort to me. ...Both your words, and your kind actions.

[ He chuckles quietly when Tonbokiri shoots back up again. It was rather embarrassing for him to accept comfort like this, wasn't it... Mitsutada didn't mind though so he reaches out to ruffle his hair just a tad bit more. ]

I just simply think you are being too hard on yourself.

[No... No, pretty sure he's being just the right amount of hard on himself. This is a Very Serious Thing, after all!
Such thinking clearly shows through the expression on his face, but after a moment Tonbokiri smiles faintly, yielding to the soothing feeling of his hair being ruffled. (He is so weak to that...)]

I suppose it is difficult to think any other way, when it comes to Tadakatsu.

Mmm... I can understand that. He was your very important master so of course, you would want to do everything in your power to show him justice. I just feel... that if I were naturally a human and you had been my blade? I would have been extremely proud.

S-Shokudaikiri-dono--

[Tonbokiri is moved-! So moved!
What can he possibly say in return? What could possibly equate to this feeling...?]

You are very cool. Just now, I think that's the coolest thing I've ever heard.

[He is 100% honest, and also hoping that it conveys his gratitude.]

And here I wasn't even trying to come off as cool.

[ His cheeks gain a little bit of color, but he was laughing. It was such a nice compliment from Tonbokiri. ]

[Tonbokiri smiles softly at his reaction.]

Then, that is a good thing. It must be your true character if you weren't trying.

[He blinks in realization, then chuckles. Kind of like how Monoyoshi had told him--] Like your master, but still yourself.

Like my master but still me.... that certainly has a nice ring to it.

It does, doesn't it.
Monoyoshi Sadamune once gave me advice along that line... It is a challenging lesson to take to heart.

For any of us that's for sure... But I hope it's a challenge you wished to surpass, because it would be a shame to lose Tonbokiri's self.

[He is surprised to hear it put that way.]

Thank you for saying so. I did it all for the sake of Tadakatsu. I... did not think of it in terms of losing myself.

[He rubs the back of his head.]

I don't know if I can say I surpassed the challenge, for I still have doubts about how well I accomplished the mission. But, I did the best I could.

[ He gives him another soft look as his hand squeezes his knee. ]

I'm proud of what you've done, Tonbo-san.

[ Okay, maybe he just wanted to see how he might react to a nickname. ]

[Although he does nothing with the goal of gaining praise for himself, it is still warming to have someone tell him that they are proud of him.

So he smiles abashedly-- and then looks up, his eyes round. Shokudaikiri just--]

Ah, yes. Thank you. [He is surprised, but also touched. Of course, it is the prerogative of the older swords, to call him as they wish. But for any of them to actually do it... (Nikkari Aoe-dono is the only one that has, and Tonbokiri doesn't really know why he started. Other than Nikkari is Nikkari.)]

Thank you.

[He says it again, to at least acknowledge the nickname in some way, although he's a touch speechless right now.]

[ Watching the way Tonbokiri's face changed was precious... He didn't want to embarrass him further by pointing it out, but it was definitely worth seeing how he'd react. ]

Anytime, Tonbo-san.

[Being called by the nickname twice in a row is still a little surprising, and Tonbokiri finds himself saying again only,]

Thank you.

[Shaking his head slightly at himself, he lifts his eyes, although his face still feels warm.]

If... If I may say so, I'm pleased, but surprised, that you feel that much closer to me after this one conversation...

I'm very glad that we had the chance to speak together at length today. Although I'm sorry that it came at the cost of your head being hit by a volleyball.

[Next time, it will be over drinks for sure. Far less risk of volleyballs there.]

I've been wanting to call you a bit more familiar, but I wasn't sure how you would take it at first. But now I'm certain I made the right call.

[ He gives Tonbokiri a smile. It was worth it to see that surprised look on his face. Even the volleyball was worth it. ]

Is- Is that so? [He returns the smile, but then bows from his waist towards Shokudaikiri.]

This one will work hard to be worthy of the honour.

You don't need to work any harder than usual. You're already impressive enough in my eyes.

[[Everyone is eating Zunda tonight after all!]]

Th-thank you for saying so. [For someone of Shokudaikiri's level to say that, he is humbled.]

However I must keep improving myself in all sorts of ways. To adjust myself to suit Aruji even better.

[He's heard that a few swords have gone on solitary journeys to improve their skills...]

Of course. I would never wish for you or anyone to hold back from your full potential. I simply meant, you don't have to change yourself for my sake.

[(Can you hear Monoyoshi somewhere sighing, 'you take things too seriously, Tonbokiri-!')]

Ah. Yes, of course. [Sorry. But-!]

But if we were to be assigned to a mission together... I will have to work hard to even be close to your level.

If we were to be assigned on a mission together, I have complete faith that we would succeed 100% in our mission.

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