Swords & Saniwa

Condition

~Kogitsunemaru~
小狐丸

Requested by Cookie_Christie!

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Gesturing for Konnosuke to come, it ran towards the sage and leapt onto her thighs with a simple jump. Taking out a brush from the drawer, she began combing the tangled patch of fur, giving pats as well while working on it.

"Thank you, L/N! I feel much better! "

"That's good. Before I forget, could you get me the archives of practice sessions from the last 3 months?"

"Understood! I will sort them out and have it sent over to your inbox! Then, I shall go now!" Running off with the sound of the ringing bell, she then placed her attention back onto her report. Every time she thought about him, it meddled with her focus. Why think about him? Surely he didn't do anything that offended or angered her, but she just didn't know how to resolve the problem. 

Just yesterday, they had a small bickering over Konnosuke and the new sword, Tomoegata Naginata.

"You should include me as well and not just Konnosuke... " He whispered, hoping that she didn't hear what he had said.

"Don't tell me... you're jealous?" She poked the mystery bubble easily. He avoided looking into her eyes and admitted after getting stared at for a few minutes.

"...Yes! What's wrong with that! I am important to you, aren't I...? And that Tomoegata. Why does he keep following you around wherever you go? We haven't been together for months..."

She gave a silent sigh before landing a peck on his cheek.

"I'll do it when I have free time, okay? Let's sleep. It's really late now." Turning off the lights, she faced her back towards him. It was rare for him to be full of jealousy, especially when the main character was just a fox and also a walking database. Does even data make the wild fox into a jealous fox...? It just doesn't make any sense to her. Not just Konnosuke, but also the new sword, Tomoegata Naginata. He replaced Ookanehira as the secretary and as expected, he did not disappoint her. He was on par with Hasebe. She was kind of relieved that he was a reliable person but sometimes he stuck himself by her side like a parasite. Sure, it wasn't a bad thing, but it wasn't a good thing either. Privacy isn't something Tomoegata knew in just a week.

"Aruji, it's me." The familiar voice rang through her ears. 

"Come in. So, what do you have for me, Tomoegata?"

"Kogitsunemaru will replace me as your secretary, Aruji."

"What? Do you know you're not allowed to change without my permission?"

"I do not wish to see you in agony anymore. He's jealous of my position and I shall grant his wish."

Furrowing her brows, a part of her suspected him. How did he even know what happened between her and Kogitsune?

~~

On the other hand, there he was in the kitchen making tea for her. It was the first time that she didn't wake him up with her morning kiss. Just the thought of it made him feel down and guilty of what he had done yesterday. Announcing his presence, there wasn't any answer. 

"Nushi-sama...?" Sliding the door open gently, he glanced through the room before entering, only to realise that she had fallen asleep. Her eyes were darting around as she whined, shifting a little to make herself comfortable. 

"She told me that she didn't sleep well last night." A voice was heard as the figure appeared with a blanket on his forearm. Covering her with it, he then glanced at him before carrying her up gently and moving her to her quarters. He was displeased to see Tomoegata in her room. Does he not feel intrusive when she's at her most vulnerable stage?

"It's rare to see you in her room at this point of time."

"Coincidence. I've told her to replace the secretary, and that person is none other than you."

"What? W-Why would you do that?" He couldn't believe his ears for once.

"Because I know all the gossips circulating around this citadel. I knew Aruji disliked me following her around and decided to replace me, but she didn't make the decision until I told her to."

For a moment he didn't believe him. Why would he suddenly give up his position willingly? This was a rare opportunity to be close to his 'beloved' master, just like how Hasebe would describe whenever someone asked. He was excited for a moment before something doused it down into disappointment.

Tomoegata stretched out a finger. "One condition. I will replace you after two months. That is also approved by Aruji."

"That's cheating!" 

"I didn't agree to that!"

Silence followed them until she told him the truth.

The fox got what he wished in the end, but nevertheless had to accept the condition to keep him away for as long as he could. Of course, Tomoegata never got back his position after losing a game of scissors-paper-rock.

~~

Attention:

The next published chapter will be the last chapter as I intend to cut it and readers would probably shoo away from this book just by looking at the number of parts this book has. The new book will also take the same name except that I'll add a '2' behind! I will finish all the remaining requests and have them published under the new book!

Thanks for all the encouragement!