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.

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.

[Shokudaikiri, you're so cool-! Tonbokiri's expression brightens.]

Ha- Hahaha. Of course! Of course, nothing less!

Recently, Aruji has been sending me to eras other than Sengoku a bit more often. I hope we shall be assigned together sometime.

I hope so as well. I think it would be fun to explore the eras with different thoughts and views.

It's true. If we have some down time between missions, it is interesting how everyone likes to spend that time.

Perhaps you would seek out different foods?

Hahaa, it seems you caught me. Though it'd be fun to check out the sceneries too.

[Hahaha, well, it was easy to guess.]

Mm. That's a good idea. It is interesting, how the cities develop over time. Even the natural sights mature and change.

I'll admit, I've been rather curious about some of their new developments in technology as well. Not just the buildings but the things people travel in.

The things people travel in...? [Tonbokiri's expression brightens.] You mean, like steam ships? If you have a chance, I hope you can see it with Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki-dono. He is quite knowledgeable about them.

Do you think he would mind sharing some of that knowledge with me?

Hahaha, not at all, I'm sure! He is as enthusiastic about modern technologies as anyone I've seen, and proud to talk about it.

You're right about that... if there's one person who knows enough about modern technologies or has the willingness to learn it would be him.

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