Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 3 - Settling In ⊰♦

Ruka pov:

"So, you're from one of the villages that were burned down in the recent attack," said Tomo kun.

I clenched my fists, uncomfortable at the thought of lying. I disliked lying but I didn't have much of a choice in this matter. I couldn't just say that I was a person from 400 years in the future, after all.

"Yes," I answered halfheartedly. I hoped that I wouldn't ask too many details because lying to cover up other lies was hard and would surely get me in trouble in the long run – if anyone figured that what I said was strange and implausible, that is.

Tomo kun, much to my fortune, didn't press the matter further. He took me around the dojo to familiarize me with all the areas before we left to wander the streets of the village. Uneasiness bubbled within me from yet again seeing proof of being in the past. The buildings, the people, their clothes, the shops with many items on display – all of it was primeval. Thoughts of the Emperor of Darkness clouded my mind as I recalled what Lady Kana had said. The thought of fighting and bloodshed had me internally panicking a bit.

"Ruka chan, make sure you don't go anywhere outside the dojo alone," Tomo kun said, interrupting my train of thought. We stopped walking and he turned to face me, "Let me know if you have to go somewhere and I'll go with you. Many spies have been sent out by Lord Kurai to report details of villages and provinces he wants to take over and it's not safe to walk around alone. That and there's the deal with rounin like the men who were trying to hurt you."

I couldn't stop a shiver from running down my spine. I managed a smile though and it seemed to help covering up the shiver, "Thank you for watching out for me, Tomo kun."

He rewarded me with a big grin that eased the unsettled queasiness in my stomach. I didn't know how things would be here in the Edo Period for me but I was pretty sure that I would get along well with Tomo kun. He was friendly and kind and seemed responsible.

"By the way," he said, giving me a funny look, "how come you're wearing men's clothes?"

"I just feel more comfortable in them. I'm not one for many layers, you know?" I answered as we began to walk again.

"I see. Well, it looks good on you so I'll let you borrow my clothes for a while longer," he winked, still grinning and I chuckled. I figured these clothes belonged to Tomo kun because if I had worn the clothes of anyone else in the dojo, they'd be even more loose than these.

We spent the next hour or two talking to different people of the village. Tomo kun took care of introductions and helping me familiarize with the village in a pace that I was comfortable with. When we were almost done going around the entire village, Tomo kun suddenly stalled. He took a hold of my hand suddenly and dragged me behind him towards a restaurant of sorts.

"This place has the best sukiyaki in the whole village! Let's have some! My treat!" he said enthusiastically.

"Sure. I am kind of hungry, actually," I confessed with a sheepish smile. My stomach embarrassed me further by letting out a loud growl the next moment and Tomo kun burst out into laughter.

"I can see that!" he commented and guided me to sit at one of the low height tables in the restaurant.

This restaurant was a traditional-styled restaurant. All the tables were low height with cushions on the floor to sit on. Wood-framed, paper partitions were used to separate the tables and give some amount of privacy. Just as I was observing the ambience, a pretty girl wearing a fancy kimono walked up to our table and gave us a bow.

The very next moment though, she threw her arms around Tomo kun's neck and squealed, "Tomo kun!"

She glared at me briefly while I smiled back awkwardly. Tomo kun, for one, looked uncomfortable and shoved the girl off with a blush tinting his cheeks, "Get away, Akari! You're embarrassing me!"