IEGO: CS || Wavering Hearts

『 CHAPTER 15 』

The next day arrived.

"[Surname]-chan, [Surname]-chan, wake up," Akane called.

Zombishly, you groaned. When you sat up, you sat up in a way most movie zombies arose from their grave.

"Oh, good morning," said Fei.

"Hi hi," you slurred out.

With a stretch, and making sure all your limbs were intact, you stood up from your sleeping bag. You followed the others into getting ready for the day.

It was time to search for Nobunaga once more.

♡ --- ♡ --- ♡

You made sure to stick close and lower your head, as you walked alongside the others, since there were a few villagers working out in the field. You narrowly bumped into Nishiki when everyone halted in their steps. You peered from behind Nishiki to see a girl about your age and her younger brother approaching the group.

"Okatsu–san!" Shindou greeted her.

"Takuto-sama!" Okatsu held out a bento box towards him. Her cheeks were a little red. "Here. I was worried you may be hungry this morning."

"Oh, thank you Oka⸺"

Your stomach growled.

Everyone turned to you.

You lowered your head even further. One hand held onto your stomach while the other was used to cover half your face.

Shindou smiled. Holding back a chuckle, he walked over to you with the bento box. "Here, [Surname]. You can eat right now if you want to. Ah!" Shindou turned to Okatsu. "Sorry, Okatsu-san. I know you made this for me, but if it's alright, may I share with my friend?"

"A-ah, I'm okay with it!"

"Thank you, and pardon me again, Okatsu-san."

Okatsu watched as Shindou tried to feed you a piece of tofu from the bento. You tried to sign to him that you could hold in the hunger; not wanting to eat in the middle of the road. Nishiki then chimed in that Shindou was acting a little bit bias, saying how he was sharing the bento only with you. Midori defended Shindou by saying that you, as a junior to Shindou, required more attention that Nishiki who was a second year.

That girl... Okatsu stared at you. Could she be Takuto–sama's ⸺?

A surge of a powerful aura hits you. The growlings of your stomach increased, but was soon masked by the incoming gallops of horses' hooves. From the corner of your eye, therein approaching your group was none other than the Nobunaga Oda.

At Okatsu and her little brother, Tasuke's, behest, you and everyone mimic their actions: bowing down on your knees by the sidewalk to show respect. Unlike the others, however, you kept your face lowered against the ground and only kept an ear out.

"So that's Nobunaga..." Tenma muttered.

"He has a sweet tooth? I never imagined that." Shinsuke chuckled.

"You there!" Nobunaga's voice boomed.

Shinsuke squeaked. He clamped a hand over his mouth.

Nobunaga's aura was even closer now. You bit your lip; trying not to pounce at him ⸺ trying to not devour his aura. You could hear a growl ⸺ Bewitching Jiangshi's growl ⸺ as if something inside you was trying to supress your hunger.

"You don't appear to be from this country." Nobunaga glared. "Are you Imougawa's men?"

As if saving everyone's skin, but in reality you wanted to cover up your grumbling stomach, you coughed as heavily as you could.