Maharlika Mahika // undergoing editing

Act XVI

Kageyama's POV

Preparations are being made as soon as I declared attack on Aoba Johsai. The Citrine Royal Guard are training more vigorously, under the supervision of Captain Sugawara Koushi. The Military Regiment, handled by General Sawamura Daichi, are also preparing themselves for attack.

Meanwhile, I'm staying with Jiyuu as we devised yet another strategy.

"Chances are, they will reinforce their third military base once their base next to the border has fallen. We shall attack the their Base-Militar 3, after three days." she said.

She droned on and on about bases and attacks, but my mind was filled with the earlier events.

Do you, by any chance, have feelings for me?

Argh, stupid Tobio, stop thinking abou that!

"Are you even listening?"

Her mellow alto voice shattered my thoughts, and my eyes turned to look at her, arms crossed and her expression beyond annoyed.

She sighed once I didn't give out an answer, and repeated what she said.

"I said, I'm going to fight with you."

She's going to... what?!

She can't fight with us, it's much too dangerous for even a Mahika like her!

She's not serious, isn't she?

First, she'll fight single-handedly an armed force of Mahika Dilim, and then, she's going to take on the Military Regiment of Aoba Johsai!

Seriously, what is she trying to prove?

"Don't underestimate me, king." she said, glaring at my direction. "I'm much stronger than you think I am."

She walked out again, but this time, I didn't even chase her.
-------

Time check: 1:30 AM

It takes two hours by carriage to go to the boundary.

Enough time to rest.

But, insomnia's attacking me again, pulling me to its clutches to be unable to sleep.

Hinata and Jiyuu are peacefully asleep, side by side in the seats across me.

What is this churning feeling inside of me that makes me want to break the two of them apart?

Gah, Tobio, you're being stupid again.

I stared at Jiyuu, her sleeping features highlighted by the moonlight.

Her violet eyes covered by her eyelids, her eyelashes were thick, her eyebrows relaxed and not scrunched up in a glare she gave me as per usual, skin lightly sunkissed, pink lips slightly parted as she drew long breaths of air as she rested and a marginally turned-up nose adorned her visage. Her head was leaning against the window as she slumbered, locks of her thick, wavy chocolate brown hair served as a pillow for her resting figure.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Her alto voice cracked the deafening silence of the carriage, eyes giving me a deadly glare.

I was at loss for words, desperately trying to say something but failed miserably.

Finally, after moments, I cleared my throat and formed words.

"Sorry."

It came out all quiet and raspy and it wasn't my trademark shout.