Tokisada Short Story - Budding of True Love
"Hey, Yosuga. Can I ask you something strange?"
"Go ahead."
"The 'mating' that everyone talks about on this island is... is it what it is?"
"It's about sharing the night."
"As expected!"
Involuntarily, I leaned out of the bathtub.
"If you act violently, the hot water will overflow, customer."
"S-Sorry! The medicated bath is..."
Yomi's bathhouse is famous for their use of medicated baths that match one’s illness. The owner, Yosuga, is very knowledgeable about such things.
"In Japan...that's not how you say it, so I wanted to make sure."
"Do you want to mate with Olympia?"
"Yosuga?!"
I stood up again and a large amount of hot water overflowed.
"Do you know how to do it? If you're worried, I'll teach you."
He casually said so while adding hot water to the bathtub.
"Don't make fun of me! I'm not thinking of such an indecent thing..."
"But that's her duty, Tokisada."
It was calm, soft, and the usual tone.
"She is the only one [white]... so she has to decide who will be her husband, mate, and give birth to the next [white]. Right?”
Not knowing how to answer, I slowly submerged myself in the water.
Flashback to Byakuya saying: I'm a little dissatisfied with Tenguu island, so I want to change it even a little.
[White] Olympia doesn't speak to anyone and doesn't look anyone in the eye. Everyone on the island says so. Since she lives with [Yellow] Doma, she might be haughty—I thought so.
Flashback to Byakuya saying: Delicious! Lots of walnuts inside!
On that day when we exchanged words for the first time, she was really happy and stuffed her cheeks with freshly steamed eel head. On top of that, she didn't quite live up to her reputation as she seemed to help the brother of Paris, the white mouse I keep, who was lost.
"Well, Yosuga. Can I ask you another strange question?"
"Please."
"Women, well... I wonder if they like men who are skilled at that sort of thing. Look, everyone talks a lot about it here. Things like how they made their partner happy with their charms, and how many women they shared a bed with… and how they did it…"
"Then Tokisada, do you think she likes that kind of man?"
This time I was about to slip into the bathtub, so I hurriedly clung to the edge.
"Sister... is pure, isn't she?"
"She's pure."
"Even with me, it's so easy for her to say 'Let's get along!'"
"But were you happy to hear that?"
I looked at Yosuga.
Sister – she has a lot of great men around her. Akasa is a high-ranking [red], has a handsome face and is tall, and is the Kotowari director, and Kuroba too, is a deputy director and an excellent doctor. Yosuga is the owner of such a gorgeous shop and knows a lot of things that would make women happy.
Compared to that, I am nothing.
An outsider who was washed ashore on this island.
I haven't done anything to be proud of.
"Hey, Yosuga. I'm going to say something strange again... what if, what if… since it's just hypothetical, I'd definitely like you to keep it a secret from Sister, but by any chance... Do you think I can do it well?"
"Then do you have someone to practice with? If you need a lady who wants to play with a younger boy, I have an idea."
"I don't want that!"
"Then do your best~"
Yosuga smiled and handed me a special rice bran bag.
Receiving it, I gently trace the nape of my neck.
"Hey, Yosuga. I wonder if it's okay if I keep it from her. Or maybe I shouldn't mate with Sister..."
"If you are really her soulmate, Amaterasu-sama will take your side."
Amaterasu-sama.
If she is the goddess who sleeps on Tennyo Island, will she be able to save even an Outsider?
"... I'm sorry, it must be heavy."
"I told you I’m okay with it. Are you making fun of me for being weak?"
The two of us went out to see the waterfall today. It was meant to be a so-called 'date' on this island. So she injured her leg and I decided to carry her on my back as far as the carriage to pick her up.
When I was in Shimabara, I carried injured people and even corpses on my back. Those who die are terribly heavy. That’s why carrying her was nothing, I thought.
She wasn't heavy at all. Her body is soft and thin. But her faint breath touches my neck all the time, and I hear a happy voice in my ear, and I don't know what to do.
“I am a little dissatisfied with this Tenguu Island.”
The look in her eyes that day pierced deep into me. So I want to change.
I want to achieve it, to be recognized by everyone on this island and by Sister.
I love and respect Akaza, Kuroba, and Yosuga. But I don't want to lose. I want to be chosen as her bridegroom.
The island has a mysterious legend.
Once upon a time, a shapeless god divided his spirit gem into two, creating a man and a woman. Since then, they have been born without half of their souls, destined to search for their counterparts. Therefore, it is said that when a person encounters their soulmate, they cannot be apart even for a moment.
Cannot be apart even for a moment.
When I drifted ashore on the island and heard about it, I thought it was an exaggerated old tale, but now I feel that it's not a lie.
I don't want to leave my sister.
I want to be her half.
Even if I desperately wish so, I still haven't achieved anything.
Oh my lord, when will your precious voice reach me?
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