Meanwhile, in the old wooden house, the air was filled with the savory aroma of simmering broth and the rhythmic sound of a knife.
Suzu was preparing for dinner, and Felix was helping her by cutting some vegetables.
Jun and Kai were sitting at the wooden table, fidgeting impatiently, their stomachs growling in anticipation of the coming meal.
The peaceful domesticity was suddenly interrupted by the creaking of the front door and the sound of approaching footsteps. Ryota burst into the kitchen, his face flushed with excitement, followed closely by the wizened figure of Granny Satomi.
"Look, I've brought gifts!" Ryota exclaimed.
Jun and Kai, initially unimpressed, perked up at the mention of gifts. They scrambled from their seats, crowding around Ryota with newfound enthusiasm.
"What is it, dear?" Suzu asked.
"I got something for everyone," Ryota replied.
"This is for Suzu," Ryota said while giving her a blue kimono.
For Jun and Kai, two gleaming beigoma, the metal tops made of cast metal that use a cord to spin. The boys snatched them eagerly.
"Here, I got something for you too, Felix," Ryota said.
Then he gave Felix some new shoes that could fit him.
"Thanks, but you didn't get yourself anything?" Felix questioned.
"I got full access to a tatara furnace. For a blacksmith like myself, what greater gift could there be?" Ryota said.
"You should be thanking Lady Satomi, as she was the one who got these for you," Ryota said to everyone.
"There is no need," Granny Satomi said.
After sharing laughter and stories over dinner, they eventually retired for the night. Granny Satomi made her way toward the grand house—a mansion where Miku resided. As she approached the entrance, she was greeted by Kimiko.
"Lady Satomi, you're back," Kimiko said.
"I was looking for you."
"Yes, I was looking for you too," Granny Satomi replied.
"Looking for me?" Kimiko asked, surprised.
"Indeed, I wanted to apologize for leaving you behind," Granny Satomi explained.
"No need to apologize; part of the fault is mine for not being fully focused," Kimiko replied.
Granny Satomi frowned, "I assume Lady Miku is very angry at me."
"Well, never mind that. Tell me what happened; your voice seems a bit worried," Granny Satomi said, noticing Kimiko's worried voice.
"You always can sense what the person is feeling," Kimiko said, impressed.
Kimiko leaned in and whispered everything into Granny Satomi's ear.
"Oh, I see. I apologize again for the trouble I have caused."
"Please don't apologize; if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have found out that our own samurai were plotting something behind our backs by working with the enemy."
Granny Satomi's expression softened as she placed a comforting hand on Kimiko's shoulder.
"We must remain vigilant in who we trust, my dear," she said quietly.
"If this news gets out, it could endanger not just our family but the entire clan's honor."
After saying that, she walked to the corridor while Kimiko went to her room.
The next day, when Ryota goes to wake Felix up, he sees him lying flat on his back with arms straight down at the sides. And as always, his eyes were open, but his mind was blank.
"Haahaaha," Ryota laughs, looking at Felix.
"Who sleeps like that?"
He goes near Felix and tries to shake him.
"E..." Felix tries to say something in a very low voice.
"What was that?" Ryota questioned.
Ryota brings his ears near Felix's face.
"Everythinn....hurtsss....." Felix managed to pull the words out of his mouth.
Then Ryota suddenly remembers that Kai had told him that he and Felix trained yesterday.
"I get it now; your muscles must be sore from the training."
"That's what happens when you don't train for a long period."
"I thought that you knew that even if you're older, you can still get muscle DOMS."
Then Ryota's face lit up with a grin.
"What if I do this?" he said, reaching his hand onto Felix's arm.
Felix's eyes widened, and Ryota pressed Felix's bicep with his finger. Felix avoids screaming, but a river of water flows from his eyes.
"Okay, I'll stop," Ryota chuckled, backing away.
"Now what do we do about your breakfast?" Ryota whispered.
Then he goes to the kitchen and brings Felix's breakfast to him. Ryota lifts Felix into a sitting position and feeds him the breakfast that consists of steamed rice, miso soup, pickles, and grilled fish.
"He has grown comfortable with us," Ryota thinks as he is feeding Felix.
"He smiles more and talks to us more."
"Maybe it's our distraction that prevents him from focusing on whatever it is he fears, that might happen."
After breakfast, a few hours later, Felix is still resting but now feels better than before.
Suddenly, someone knocks at the door. Ryota goes to check it out; it was Satomi and Kimiko.
"Greetings, Lady Satomi," Ryota said.
"Good morning," Granny Satomi replied.
"This young lady is Kimiko," Granny Satomi said.
"Nice to meet you," Ryota said while bowing.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well," Kimiko said.
"Without losing much time, I will tell you why we are here," Kimiko said.
"I am here to bring you to Lady Miku's Daimyo Yashiki," Kimiko explained.
"We've been summoned by Lady Miku?" Ryota asked.
"Yes, and you will accompany me at once," Kimiko said.
"Why would Lady Miku summon us? What could it be?" Ryota thought.
"You must also bring your wife and that red-eyed man, and not the children; they will be under Lady Satomi's supervision," Kimiko said.
Ryota nodded and went inside the house to fetch Felix and Suzu. Then he talked with Felix, Suzu, and the boys.
Then they started heading to the Daimyo yashiki, which was a big mansion. Then they all entered the room where Miku was sitting on an elevated tatami floor, and the rest sat on cushions on the lower surface.
There were three cushions facing towards the elevated floor where Miku sat. Felix sat on the right end, Ryota right next to him, followed by Suzu. Kimiko positioned herself near Lady Miku, a pleasant aroma of incense filled the room.
"I have summoned you here to decide whether you will stay or be expelled from this village," Miku began decisively, her voice steady and commanding as she met each of their eyes in turn.
Her eyes fell on the rings on the ring fingers of Ryota and Suzu.
"So they are married?" Miku thought to herself, reminded of the countless times she had been told that she would marry into a noble house when she grew up. Her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed Felix yawning beside them.
"He is indeed a fool," she mused silently.
"Kimiko." Miku signaled her.
"Yes, m'lady," Kimiko bowed deeply before turning back to address everyone.
"As you may know, the Shogun requires every clan to submit reports regarding..."
"Achoo!" Felix sneezed unexpectedly.
"Sorry about that," he mumbled as everyone turned to look at him.
"Where was I?" Kimiko resumed after a brief pause.
"Ah yes—reports on how many people reside in the village and their occupations."
"So, you will need to send our report as well. You must include whether we possess Zor energy, negative Zor energy, or none at all," Ryota added.
"I completely forgot about that," Ryota admitted.
"However," Miku interjected, "I have prepared a proposal for you that will allow you to stay in this village."
"What is the proposal?" Ryota asked.
"You," Miku pointed directly at Felix.
"As much as I hate to say this, you must become my samurai."
Everyone was in shock, and Kimiko was the most shocked out of all of them.
"What is m'lady saying?" Kimiko thought in disbelief, her mouth agape and her eyes wide with surprise.
"M'lady, are you sure?" Kimiko asked.
"Yes. He is our only option at this time," Miku replied matter-of-factly.
"I thought she summoned them to kick them out! If only I could awaken my Zor energy, then I could have become her samurai," Kimiko thought and sighed inwardly.
"Why me?" Felix asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You are the only one who has Zor energy."
"What about the samurai you already have?" Ryota asked.
Kimiko cleared her throat and said, "They suffered a tragic accident and were killed."
"So... currently we don't have any available samurais," Kimiko continued.
"And we need a new samurai for the clan, You are the only option available." Miku said.
"Pardon my ignorance, m'lady," Ryota interrupted.
"Why would you need a samurai so urgently, unless it's for a mandatory escort to meet the shogun?"
"How did you know that Lady Miku is to meet with the shogun?" Kimiko asked.
With a nervous face, Ryota said, "I was once a samurai myself."
"What?" Kimiko's eyes widened.
"M'lady, he..." she said to Miku.
"Don't worry, Kimiko, that doesn't matter now," Miku replied.
Kimiko's posture relaxed.
"Yes, you are correct. I need a mandatory escort for the Meeting of the Seven Noble Clans."
"T-The Seven Noble Clans meeting?" Ryota whispered to himself.
"I thought that she was only going to see the Shogun, but the seven noble clans?" Ryota thought, still surprised.
"As you are aware, there was a rule made by the emperor that the clans are forbidden to engage each other in any manner unless they are summoned by the emperor, and that hasn't happened in 16 years." Miku explained.
"And it is mandatory for a clan leader to have at least one escort with them whenever they meet with the shogun."
"So the clans don't get along as well as I thought; that's good to know," Felix thought.
"He will be a temporary samurai," Miku continued.
"Don't you have someone else?" Felix questioned.
Kimiko shook her head, signaling a no.
"If you want to live in this village and hide your negative friends, then you must accept what I tell you to do," Miku said.
"And if I refuse?" "Then I will have no choice but to report your presence here as a threat," Miku replied coolly.
"You would be expelled from this village—and worse."
"If I become her samurai, then Ryota and the others will have a safe place to live," Felix thought.
"But it will also entangle me in matters that are not mine to deal with."
"Then let me propose something," Felix said.
"Let's do a duel. If you beat me, I will become your samurai, and if I win, then you need to let these people stay in this village," he said.
"Do you know who you are talking to?!" Kimiko shouted.
"Fine with me," Miku replied.
"But, m'lady," Kimiko said hesitantly.
"If he is to become my samurai, I must know how strong he is," Miku said to Kimiko.
"If that is your wish, then," Kimiko said.
They stepped outside into a spacious yard, surrounded by tall trees swaying gently in the breeze. The sun cast long shadows across the ground as they took their positions for battle.
Miku drew her katanas with grace, while Felix interlocked his fingers and stretched them out before him.
He understood what was at stake: the freedom and safety of the people with whom he had shared so many moments. Kimiko acted as referee while others gathered on the engawa to watch intently.
A bamboo deer scarer rhythmically poured water nearby, its sound blending with the rustling leaves.
"I hope he doesn't lose too many fingers," Kimiko thought nervously.
Ryota wanted to shout encouragement for Felix but couldn't because of the tradition of watching the fight and not being involved in it.
"FELIX! YOU CAN DO IT!" He cheered silently in his mind.
With a swift motion, Kimiko slashed her hand between them as a signal to start the fight and quickly stepped back.
Miku and Felix dashed towards each other, suddenly disappearing and reappearing in the middle, with their faces very close and looking into each other's eyes, their arms extended straight back behind their bodies.
Miku's katanas extended outward like deadly wings. Time seemed to slow down as Miku pivoted on her left foot and swung her right katana in a swift horizontal slash aimed at Felix's right arm.
But Felix reacted with lightning speed, appearing behind Miku to strike her neck with a knife hand, attempting to knock her out.
However, she turned around to strike again at a very quick pace, swinging her katana. The blade came dangerously close to Felix's neck, almost making contact. He barely managed to dodge it, nearly losing his balance in the process, as his muscles were still sore and had not fully recovered.
"She is definitely faster than me," Felix thought.
"This man has impressive reflexes," Miku noted with intrigue.
"Guess I'm going to have some fun," they both thought simultaneously.
Felix launched himself at her, weaving in a zigzag pattern to confuse her while aiming a powerful punch at her solar plexus.
She quickly dematerialized with astonishing speed and appeared to the right side of Felix; then, she executed a fluid downward strike with her left katana.
Felix quickly turned to Miku's side and caught the blade between the index and middle fingers of both hands. The impact sent shockwaves through his arms, but he gritted his teeth and held firm. Gasps erupted from those watching on the engawa—eyes wide with disbelief.
"H-How is he keeping up with Lady Miku?" Kimiko thought anxiously with a blue face.
"FELIX! FELIX!" Ryota and Suzu shouted silently in their minds, with smiles on their faces.
Miku disengaged momentarily and leaped back to create distance between them.
"You would make an excellent servant."
"Oh yeah?" Felix replied with a smirk.
Undeterred, Miku launches at Felix, striking with a complex series of slashes and thrusts, her katanas becoming a blur of motion. Felix weaves and bobs, his heightened reflexes allowing him to avoid the deadly dance of blades by mere millimeters. A thin line of red appeared on his cheek.
Then he spots an opening and throws a roundhouse kick aimed at Miku's sword hand.Miku saw the kick coming and released her grip on one katana just as Felix's foot connected at the hilt of the sword.
The sword spun into the air; in one smooth motion, Miku caught it with her left hand while wielding it in reverse grip now.
Felix was momentarily surprised by her skill but quickly tried to evade her next strike.
[Twang]
A sharp pain shot through his calves as he failed to block Miku's attack completely; the pommel of one katana struck him squarely on the head, making him unconscious.