"I looked him straight in the eye and told him to get lost, but he swung his giant hammer at me instead." Shinji paused for dramatic effect. "Do you know what I did?"
The crowd leaned in, eager to hear the rest of the story. "I simply patted him on the cheek, and to my surprise, his head popped off like a watermelon. I didn't mean to kill him, poor soul. Who would have thought that the strongest person from Koshi Village could be so weak, or maybe, I'm just too strong!"
The crowd erupted into cheers at Shinji's words. Meanwhile, Sora, sitting next to Lucy at the far end of the shade, clicked her tongue in disdain.
"You always say 'you're right' to avoid arguing with fools. But look at that scholar; he's stealing your thunder, spreading exaggerated tales of how he killed a person in a single blow."
Lucy remained silent, continuing to eat his porridge. He had his reasons for agreeing with Shinji. For one, his cousin might become wary of him and order Katsura and his men to take him down.
Just then, Goro walked into the shade, carrying bento boxes. The cheering ceased as everyone watched him approach Lucy. This scene had played out for several days, and everyone knew what would happen next.
Goro opened the largest bento box, filled with meat and delicacies, and handed it to Sora.
The young girl forced a smile, as she accepted the offering.
"Goro-Sama, thank you for this lovely meal. As for your proposal, I'm still considering it. I'm just a lowly mortal, and accepting might put me at risk with the female Tama Artists who pursue you. After all, who could resist a handsome man like you? If you truly love me, you should also value my life. How can I love you when I'm dead?"
Although Goro had heard these same words for days, he couldn't help but smile.
He kissed Sora on the cheek before glowering at his cousin.
He recalled the time he insulted Lucy's mother, only to be punched in the face. In a misguided attempt at revenge, Goro told his parents to take action, but they ended up assaulting Lucy's mother instead for falling to raise her child properly.
This dark history had created a rift between the cousins. To Goro, however, it was all over now. He had gotten his revenge, and moved on.
'I should tell Katsura and his men to stop bullying them. If they perform well in the upcoming civil battle, I might be able to raise the 1,000 Kojin needed to pay the fine for killing the mountain cat. The 100 Kojin salary I received last month was confiscated. And to think I met Sora at a time like this... perhaps our meeting was fate?'
Goro moved to hand out the remaining bento boxes to the other girls before stepping out of the shade.
As he did, he suddenly turned to Shinji and asked, "Great Scholar, tell me something. Why are you all so persistent in living? You were dragged away from your homes, forced to kill the mountain cat, and now you're being punished for it. Why do you keep trying so hard? If I were in your shoes, I would have given up already. Is it just because you want to go home?"
Shinji smiled, returning his usual demeanor, "It could be that. Some of us are just struggling to live to see what tomorrow looks like and the fun it brings. As they say, tomorrow is as infinite as the years to come, so we might just live to enjoy this blissful and sorrowful life for years to come."
Shinji's gaze drifted to the scarlet-haired man sitting at the far end of the shade. "If you're asking why we haven't fallen into despair yet, the answer is simple. We have someone to look up to. He's a role model we don't want to become."
Goro scoffed. "Why look up to someone, you don't want to be?"
Shinji chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "There's a saying: 'Do what I do, not what I say.' But for us, it's more like: 'Dream what he dreams, not how he achieves his dreams.'"
Goro snorted. "That's ridiculous."
Shinji's smile deepened. "Perhaps, but can't you help but wonder what kind of dream drives a man to set aside his humanity? A dream that makes him wake up at midnight to train. A dream strong enough to make an untalented person pour all their effort into something that doesn't come naturally to them, yet still manages to defy societal expectations. A dream that makes one act with conviction, even if it means being ostracized."
"If that's not faith, I don't know what is."
As Shinji finished speaking, Goro seemed touched by his words. Though his own dreams were more modest – to be with Sora, even if it meant bending the rules.
Clearing his throat, he declared:
"From now on, the newbies won't be whipped by Katsura and his men. And in the war a week from now, none of the girls, including Sora, will be allowed to participate."
The males' faces contorted in disgust at Goro's biased rule, but he simply shrugged and walked away, leaving them in an uncomfortable silence.
Sora broke the silence, opening the bento box filled with meat and rare delicacies.
"He's so sweet sometimes."
Lucy unexpectedly replied, "That's true. He's the most honest among my relatives. He'll ask for help when he needs it. He only acts intimidating because his siblings tease him about his rare disease that makes him gain weight when he's stressed."
The group stared at Lucy in surprise, their eyes wide with disbelief. This was the longest they'd ever heard him speak, and some wondered if it was a bad omen.
Sora, however, found it hilarious. She placed her index finger on her lower lip, her eyes teasing.
"Are you jealous...that I might start liking your cousin?"
Lucy's response was deadpan. "How can I be jealous of two men being together?"
Sora's expression crumbled, and she couldn't believe how easily Lucy had seen through her.
She sighed, watching as the others returned to their chatter. Turning to Lucy, she asked, "How do I get rid of him?"
Lucy played with his spoon for a few seconds, "It's easy. Tempt him with what he wants, and when he's about to get it, have the other girls ambush him from behind. Then, throw his body to the beast to cover your tracks."
Sora sighed in frustration. She'd been asking how to reject Goro's proposal and continue getting free meals - who knew when she'd eat meat again if she fell out with him?
'Now that my identity as a girl is out, I might as well ask the other girls for advice. Lucy seems to have bad blood with his cousin, so he won't be any help.'
Night fell, and the camp grew quiet as everyone slept. Shinji, however, was slightly bothered by the things he said during the day.
'I also have a dream big and grand like Lucy, but unlike him, who shows his true nature without hesitation, I am more of a bat. I look like a bird in the sky, but like a mouse when I am on the ground.'
Shinji felt a pang of melancholy, and decided to blow off some steam, like how almost man at the camp does. However, as he emerged from the blanket, he met Lucy's gaze, just as he had every time he'd tried to slip away.
Shinji's face flushed with embarrassment. "Come on, man, you have to understand. The streets are dry, you know?"
Lucy shrugged and continued his press-ups, allowing Shinji to slip away.
After navigating through the crowded camp, Shinji finally reached the male restrooms without being detected. He found an unused room and retrieved the "Male Heaven in Military Camp" from his belongings. Before he could open it, a soft voice spoke from behind.
"That's an interesting hobby."
Shinji shrieked, tossing the book down the hole as he spun around.
As he turned, he was met with a familiar face – the beautiful girl who had carried them on an eagle.
"You're...that Tama Artist," Shinji stuttered.
The girl chuckled, moving closer until Shinji was pressed against the wall, teasing;
"Why aren't you bowing?"
Shinji blinked, stopping himself from staring at her ample chest, then bowed lightly.
"Tama Artist-Sama, you can't expect me to kneel in a place like this."
The girl nodded, her expression indifferent, "My name is Lila, by the way. I have a proposal for you, with two rewards you won't dare refuse."
Lila's enchanting voice trapped Shinji for a moment before he asked, "What do I need to do?"
Lila's expression remained emotionless. "Kill the Kensei and ensure our side loses the first battle."
Shinji trembled at the coldness in her voice. The Kensei was a legendary senior at the camp, some even argued he would take down a samurai with his sword.
Before Shinji could reply, Lila slowly removed her yukata, pressing his body against the wall.
"Did you even hear about the rewards? I'll be your first, and you'll be mine."
She whispered in his ear, "Perform well, and I'll make you a Tama Artist."
Click...