A Christmas Manju (Part 1)

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by dorianhellfire

by dorianhellfire

MC x Ishida Mitsunari
Including: Maeda Inuchiyo
Rating: G

I know. Christmas was ages ago and I started it before the holiday but... it's 4 pages now! So, I am piecemealing it so some of it gets read at least until I finish it.

Since the snow began to fall, everyone has been talking about the Western holiday Christmas and how we should celebrate. I've never heard about it until Francisco and Luis told me about it. Lord Nobunaga is all about Western culture, and though he's always getting gifts, he was convinced that a Christmas celebration was in order as part of the traditional celebrations. Since serving Lord Hideyoshi, it would seem really hard to try and even celebrating the rise of the sun when it comes to Lord Mitsunari. But, when Umeko said she was going to make some sweets to give to one of the retainers she had a crush on, I decided to try it. Lord Mitsunari is a hard nut to crack, but I didn't want to give up just yet. Unfortunately, I needed to find a book on recipes to try something new and I heard a new shipment came in to the bookstore in town. I wanted to go with Umeko, but Lord Hideyoshi has quite a few maids and retainers helping with Lord Nobunaga's festivities to celebrate the holiday, sometimes including a grumpy Inuchiyo. Like Lord Nobunaga, Lord Mitsunari can be harsh. But, I believe he can have a generous heart if he were to try opening up even a little bit.

Having no choice, I went to ask the one person I didn't want to ask. "Milord?" I knock on the door to Lord Mitsunari's room expecting to be barked at for bothering him. Instead, I hear nothing. "Lord Mitsunari?" I wait a bit longer and still here no response. Carefully opening his door, I see him engrossed in a book, stacks piled around him like neat little towers. As I take small, hesitant steps, he takes no notice that I've intruded upon his perimeter. Lord Mitsunari has quite the handsome profile and I can't help but stare at him as he worked.

I didn't realize how long I was staring till that beautiful visage turned sour. "What are you doing in my room, you talentless dullard? Shouldn't you be helping Hideyoshi with his project?"

I jumped a little at Lord Mitsunari's bark and smiled hesitantly. "C-could you come with me to town? I need to go to the bookstore for something and everyone else is busy preparing the castle. It's for the celebration feast and I want to try some new Western desserts for Lord Nobunaga."

He stared at me for a moment, as if what I said was fiction. I expected to be told to go by myself when, instead, a short huff left him and milord set the book down in his desk. "Is it part of the elaborate things that Hideyoshi has been helping with?"

I nod right away. Why not? Lord Nobunaga is always wanting to try Western sweets at least once and it can't hurt to find something that's like castella to try for the celebration along with my plans to try and make a gift for Lord Mitsunari. "I-If you're too busy, I could try to find Inuchiyo to go wi-"

"That mutt wouldn't know what to do with a book, let alone what to do in a bookstore." His smile was bemused with whatever notion he has. "I'll go with you, if only to alleviate the pain and suffering you might cause Hideyoshi if you go with that dog or on your own." Lord Mitsunari stands up and gets ready. "Don't just stand there. Get your things already and head to the gate."

I'm smiling so hard, my face hurts. Nodding in happiness, I run to my room to get my purse and rush to get ready.

As we're walking, I must have been smiling because I heard a grimaced sigh next to me. "Must you smile like an idiot?" Lord Mitsunari rolled his eyes at me, but all I could do was keep smiling.

"I'm sorry, milord. I can't help but be happy that I get to go to town with you." It slipped out before I could stop myself and I blush, covering my mouth and glancing to see he's blushing, too.

"You can't possibly be serious," he said on a low tone I barely heard.

"It's not outside the realm of possibility that a woman can like even a man such as yourself, milord." I kept in step with him, his longer legs making it a little hard to keep up till I notice him slow down.

To Be Continued~!