Samurai Love Ballad Party: A Series of Short Stories

The Unexpected Road Trip

Midorikawa Seijiro (Fuma Kotaro) x Valeria

Rating: G

Please note that MC is for an OC for SLBP so her characteristics are not typical MC. Also, the way I've written Fuma as Seijiro is totally how I would see him as the gardener outside the castle setting and giving a care for someone else.

I've been sent off to get some things for my witch of a mistress. That horrible woman yelled and demanded I go get the most elusive tea in all the province and I barely know Japanese! I'm trapped in this backwards land thanks to my father and his inabilities to stay out of debt. I sigh as I walk in my tattered maid's kimono. One thing I can be grateful for is not wearing those insufferable corsets. Doesn't help me find the tea I need and stay out of trouble though.

As I enter the town market, the streets are bustling with people all shopping for goods and socializing. I could use some socialization, but my studies into the native language are staggered thanks to that vile woman's constant need to call upon me for nothing more than to remind me that my life is not my own. Losing count how often I've sighed this day, I begin my mission to find that tea and pray it doesn't take me all day.

I'm not sure how long it's been since I got to town, but it feels like forever and I still haven't any luck with my search. I'm about to give up, thinking it was some wild goose chase when a shadow lingered over my hanging head. "Why so down, little miss?" The gentle tone of the gardener, Seijiro, linger in the air and a tiny bit of relief fills me.

Seijiro always managed to pop up when I'm in a bad situation. One would think that a bad omen but not really when he's been the only one that's ever been there for me so as far as I was concerned, I could use all the good omens I could get and I always feel relaxed a little when he's around. "Mistress sent me out on what feels like a wild goose chase. I've been running around all this time looking for this tea I swear doesn't exist because practically all the shops I've been to don't have it." I hand him the paper with the name of the tea. "The last thing I need is to hear her yell at me again. I might as well not go home..." I'm so frustrated, I ball up my fists as if that will help stave off the tears of frustration welling up in my eyes.

I can see Seijiro is thinking hard on this as he analyzes the paper I gave him. I'm so sure he'll tell me it's not sold here that I mentally prepare myself to get punished when it's not even my fault. "I know exactly where we can get this." Even though I'm standing still, I stumble forward in disbelief. There on his face was that gentle smile that may have been lopsided, but to me it was the answer to my prayers.

"Are you sure? I don't wa-" I'm cut off with a wave of the hand.

"Of course I do!" Seijiro says this so matter of factly that I feel as if things might be okay. "We just have to head to the next village over."

There it is. The other sandal fell. "B-but that's..." I feel myself pale a bit. The next village is at least a couple days walk if I was lucky enough to get there without incident. I'm totally crestfallen now.

"Not that village, silly mouse." Why does he have to smile so reassuringly? "There's one I know much, much closer. Come!" And without delay, his long legs start taking him down the road and I hurry to catch up.

I must have been very tired from my earlier running because it felt like we were walking for hours. I know i'm falling behind, but I can't seem to muster the will to move faster. I didn't even notice I wasn't looking where I was walking until I bumped into Seijiro. "Oh! I'm so sorry!"

He turned and smiled at me then turned back around and squatted down. "Hop on," was all he said in that light cheerful tone he always seems to have.