“Oh no! Oh no!!! OH NO!!!”
The next morning, I sprinted down the hallways of the Chou manor. I could hear the happy chattering of people and nickering of horses from outside. My father—Chou Tairan, the famous general who single-handedly shouldered the burden of defending the Ei Empire—had returned.
Considering I’m just freeloading at his house, it’s extremely bad news for me if I’m not there to welcome him back just because I overslept!
“A-And of course, today of all days, Hakurei didn’t come and wake me up... Is this her way of getting back at me for yesterday?!”
I could complain all I wanted, but for now, I had to hurry. I rushed down the hallway, constructed to reflect my father’s austere, ungilded tastes. When I finally reached the modest entranceway, I saw Raigen already waiting there. The old man was wearing his military uniform and looked on edge.
“Young master! Hurry, hurry!!! Everyone is already in position!”
“R-Right!” I nodded to the old man and hurried out.
The first sight to greet me were rows of people who worked for the Chou family. I could see both anxiety and excitement on all of their faces. In Rinkei, the people didn’t know the reality of what it was like on the front lines, but in Koshuu... Everyone who lived in Koshuu had nothing but respect and gratitude for father, who constantly protected us from Gen’s invasion.
Pride welled up in my chest at the thought of him as I put myself next to Hakurei, who was wearing a pale green dress. Her hair was tied with a white-and-blue ribbon, and a floral ornament sat in her bangs. She glanced up at me.
“You’re late,” she said, voice cold.
“Th-That’s because you didn’t wake me up.”
Hakurei’s only reply was a sigh.
“Wh-What?”
Hakurei reached out and brushed my hair with her slim fingers. It was one thing for her to do this in front of people who worked in the house for the Chou family, but out here I could feel the collective gazes of the soldiers and guards.
“H-Hey,” I said.
“Don’t move. It’s pathetic to show your face without brushing your hair first. I placed your formal robes next to your pillow, and yet you still managed to show up in your normal clothes.” Hakurei continued to fix my hair without giving me the chance to respond or pull away.
Don’t tell me the reason she didn’t wake me up was so that she could do this in public?!
Raigen and the staff were staring at us warmly; I could practically hear their thoughts: “I’m so happy to see how close they are! ♪” I was enduring their attention as best as I could when someone stopped a black horse in front of the manor’s front door.
The man who climbed from the horse had a severe face, an impressive black beard, and the burly type of frame you couldn’t forget. A plain sword hung from his waist and a suit of armor covered in scratches protected his body. He was Chou Tairan, the guardian deity of the Ei Empire, who lived up to his title of the National Shield.
Chou Tairan was a famous general, known for his military feats from seven years ago. The previous Gen emperor had spent the final years of his life on a large-scale invasion of the Ei Empire, yet Chou Tairan managed to fend off every attack. That was not to mention he was also Hakurei’s father, and I owed him a great debt for adopting me from the battlefield and raising me.
Father handed the reins of his horse to one of his subordinates with a “I leave this to you!” just before rushing through the front gate and into the manor courtyard. As soon as he saw us, he called out, “Oh, Hakurei! Sekiei!”
Hakurei finally released me and turned around with an elegant bow. “Father, I would like to congratulate you on returning unharm— Ahh!”
Tairan ended Hakurei’s welcome as he plucked up his daughter in his arms, the limbs thick like tree trunks. The strict expression on his face softened as he laughed. “When did you go and grow taller on me? You used to eat so little as a child that your late mother and I would worry about you every night. Good, good! This is fantastic. This must be thanks to Sekiei’s return!”
“F-Father, e-everyone’s staring!” Hakurei protested, unable to stand the embarrassment.
Father placed his beloved daughter back onto the ground and placed his hand on her head. “Hmm? Oh, sorry, sorry. It was force of habit. Forgive me!”
Hakurei fell silent, her face bright red as she flashed a glare at me. It seemed that she was unhappy about how I wasn’t lending her a hand. Since Raigen was signaling at me with his eyes as well, I spoke up.
“Father, congratulations on making it home from the front lines.”
“Hello there, Sekiei! How did Rinkei and my sister treat you?” The famed general released his daughter so that he could run a hand through his beard.
Hakurei hurried to step behind my back and whispered, “You were too slow.”
I don’t even wanna know how she’ll get back at me for this later.
“Auntie put me through the wringer and the capital was as prosperous as always. However...”
“However?”
Tairan’s eyes seemed to pierce right through me. They gave the impression that they could see through any falsehood or deception—in fact, they reminded me of the first Tou Emperor’s gaze.
“It’s nothing,” I said. “It just seems that life in Keiyou far better suits my personality.”
As soon as father heard me say that, his face split in a wide grin. He walked over to me and smacked my shoulder several times with a large hand as he laughed.
“I see, I see! Well. From tomorrow I’ll have to discuss some complicated matters with the various commanders, but for today we can speak of happier things. You can tell us stories from your time in the city.” Father noticed Raigen. “Raigen, how have you been?”
“Sir! I am most pleased at your safe return.”
“It was nothing. The Gen forces holed up in their castle and we in ours, and we only glared at each other from across the water. The emperor of Gen is a frightfully careful and talented man. After the sudden death of the previous emperor seven years ago, he took command of the army and it was his skill that stopped our advance. Back then, he was only fifteen years old and if that wasn’t enough, I hear that was his first time on the battlefield. I assume that he’s only improved since then. We must find a way to get reinforcements from the city.”
Father stepped away from us to speak further with Raigen and the others. Despite my hope that I could return to my room now, I felt Hakurei pull on my sleeve. We’d known each other for long enough that I knew she was trying to remind me about what she’d asked me yesterday.
Well, a promise is a promise, after all.
Everyone was still welcoming the great general home, but I called out to him anyway. “Umm...father? There’s something I’d like to request.”
Immediately, the hero turned around, a surprised look on his face. “Hmm? What’s wrong? Is something...oh! Did you want me to hug you like I did Hakurei?! My apologies! I can’t believe I didn’t notice. Forgive me! Now, come! Your father’s chest and arms are ready to embrace—”
“No, no, that’s not it,” I said in a rush. “Unlike a certain princess, I’m not interested in— Ow!” Hakurei pinched the back of my left hand. I glared at her but continued, “Would you like to go on a horse ride with me and Hakurei? It would be just the three of us, like in the old days. Of course, we can wait until after you rest up and things calm down with work.”
Tairan’s eyes widened in surprise before he brightened. “Very well! I, Chou Tairan, might have gotten on in years, but I won’t let my children beat me yet. Follow me! Don’t get left behind!”