"Tatsumi… Tatsumi… why haven't you come yet, you bastard!!!"
Ieyasu, squatting by the roadside drawing circles, suddenly stood up and roared at the sky, his expression filled with endless resentment.
"Idiot, what are you doing!"
Startled, Sayo noticed people passing by pointing at them. Her face flushed, and she quickly pulled the frantic Ieyasu back down.
"Sayo… I'm so hungry…"
Ieyasu looked at Sayo with teary eyes, appearing utterly pitiful.
"You… are you even a man? It's only been two days since we last ate, I…"
"Grumble grumble grumble…"
Her face flushed even more, and before she could finish speaking, her stomach protested. Sayo also looked embarrassed.
"That Tatsumi bastard probably got eaten by wolves! A kind lady offered to help us earlier, but you refused, Sayo…"
Ieyasu cursed Tatsumi while complaining, looking at Sayo with the resentment of a young girl.
"Why… why are you blaming me? Master said the Imperial Capital is full of treacherous people, and we shouldn't trust anyone easily. Besides, we don't even know her, how can we accept things from strangers…"
Although she was starting to regret it, the girl stubbornly defended herself. Her voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible by the end.
Both fell silent, no longer speaking. They were unfamiliar with the Imperial Capital, penniless, and suffering from hunger and thirst. But more than that, they were worried about their companion.
Why hadn't Tatsumi shown up yet? Had something really happened to him…?
"Um, if you have nowhere to go, why don't you come to my house?"
Just as they were feeling incredibly worried and lost, a gentle and friendly voice spoke. Ieyasu and Sayo looked up at the same time, both surprised.
A blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl stood beside them. She wore a blue and white dress, exuded a noble aura, and had a sweet smile. Her kind and friendly demeanor warmed Ieyasu and Sayo's hearts, who were at a low point in their lives, like seeing the arrival of spring.
"Okay…"
Ieyasu, who was starving, was about to agree without thinking, but Sayo quickly stopped him.
"Sorry, we don't have any money…"
Her face slightly red, Sayo, being a girl, wasn't as shameless as Ieyasu and was much more reserved. Although she wanted to accept, she still refused.
Looking at the other girl's beautiful and cute clothes, and then at their own dirty and tattered clothes, Sayo couldn't help but feel a little inferior, driven by a young girl's natural tendency to compare.
"Hehe, you've both just arrived in the Imperial Capital from the countryside, right? And you don't have any money or acquaintances, do you?"
"My name is Aria. Honestly, I can't just ignore people like you!"
She was already used to doing this kind of thing, and since it was her master's order this time, Aria was even more attentive. Her expressions and actions were flawless, perfectly portraying a kind-hearted and helpful young lady.
"Waaah… Miss Aria, you're so kind, an angel! An angel!"
Deeply moved, Ieyasu grabbed Aria's hand tightly and shouted excitedly.
Looking at the dirty hands that hadn't been washed in days, Aria felt a churning in her stomach, as if she was about to throw up. She instinctively wanted to push Ieyasu away, but she remembered her master's instructions and forced herself to endure it.
"Ieyasu, take your filthy hands off her!!!"
Sayo stepped forward. She was about to be angered to death by Ieyasu, who was so insensitive. It was one thing to touch the rough hands of the old grandmothers in the village, but how could he touch the hands of a noble young lady from the city?! Enraged, she slapped Ieyasu's dirty hands away.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Ieyasu didn't mean it, please don't mind, please forgive him."
Pressing Ieyasu's head down, she repeatedly bowed and apologized to Aria. Sayo, who was easily embarrassed, wished she could find a hole to hide in.
"It's just touching a hand…"
The dull-witted Ieyasu felt depressed. He thought, what's the big deal about touching a hand? But seeing Sayo's furious expression, he didn't dare to show it and just half-heartedly followed along.
"Ha… haha… it's… it's okay!"
Her eyes twitched, and the smile on her face was incredibly stiff. Looking at the large, black handprints on her white and tender hands, Aria felt like dying.
However, to complete her master's mission, she had to endure!
A fierce light flashed in her eyes. If it were the old her, Aria vowed she would have dismembered these two lowly people into eight pieces and tortured them to death with all sorts of cruel methods!
Daring to defile someone so noble, even death would not be enough to atone for the sins they have committed!!!
"My name is Sayo, and this idiot is Ieyasu. Miss Aria, we appreciate your kindness, but we are waiting for a companion…"
With an apologetic expression, and giving Ieyasu a hard kick, Sayo introduced the two of them to Aria. Although she was tempted by Aria's kindness, the girl ultimately couldn't set her mind at ease, thinking of Tatsumi, who had yet to appear.
Ieyasu wanted to say something, but after being glared at by Sayo, he didn't dare to speak and stood aside, sulking like a child.
"Sayo-san, that's not right of you. If you get sick or go hungry, your companion will be sad even if they see you."
"Come on, let's go to my house tonight, and tomorrow I'll take you to find your companion. I know the Imperial Capital very well. That's settled, and if you refuse again, I'll be angry!"
Although Aria wanted to tear these nagging people apart, she endured it to complete her master's mission! She endured!!
"Uh…"
Taken aback, Sayo felt a warmth in her heart. This noble young lady was so kind. If she refused again, it would seem impolite.
"Okay, Miss Aria, then we'll intrude. Thank you so much!"
Already somewhat tempted, Sayo finally made a decision after a little thought. Holding down Ieyasu, who was still being petulant, Sayo bowed again, expressing her sincere gratitude.
"Haha, great, great, finally…"
Seeing that the stubborn Sayo had finally relented, Ieyasu was delighted and wanted to cheer, but he was glared at by Sayo with a threatening look, which made him feel a cSheele in his heart. He laughed sheepishly and dared not make a sound.
"Hehehe, that's right. Come with me, Ieyasu-san, Sayo-san."
With a bright smile, Aria breathed a small sigh of relief, finally able to complete the task her master had instructed. Turning around, she took the lead and started walking away from this dirty place.
"Hmm…"
As if something had been triggered, Aria's legs weakened, and she cried out.
"Miss Aria, are you alright?"
Sayo quickly supported Aria from behind and asked with concern. Ieyasu, on the other hand, had learned his lesson and didn't move rashly, looking at Sayo with an expression that said, "Now you have no reason to scold me, right?"
"Haha… I'm… I'm fine!"
Having been tormented day and night by that bad master these past few days, Aria's face turned slightly red as she answered with some guilt, recalling those embarrassing scenes.
"Could it be that time of the month…"
Ieyasu couldn't help but mutter quietly.
He remembered seeing Sayo like this last time, and when he asked her what was wrong, he got a beating. Later, his mother told him that girls have those days every month, and you should never provoke them at that time.
Although his voice wasn't loud, Ieyasu's words were clearly heard by both girls, and both Aria and Sayo's faces turned blood red.
"Go to hell, you idiot!!!"
Without thinking, Sayo kicked Ieyasu out of shame and anger. It was too embarrassing, this guy!
"Ah!!!"
Ieyasu's screams echoed in the air. The boy thought, "As expected, what my mom said was right…"