Cherry Blossom | | Ikemen Sengoku | |

Chapter 26: The Weight of a Leader

Nobunaga is still gazing out the balcony, but it is as if he is staring at nothing in particular but the memories of the fallen ones. His eyes are illuminating through the darkness with its angelic soft light.

The whole time he told her his goal, never once did he look at her. He knows all too well the ugly side one has to take in order to bring that beautiful future to life. She is too pure for that, too innocent and naive to acknowledge that. Almost as if she never belongs here in the first place. Her whole being is unstained, and he does not want to stain her in any ways.

But at that moment, Nobunaga didn't know she finally understood him. For the first time, she finally can see what he hides behind his dark orbs. Why he never let anyone sees how he feels. Because what she sees there breaks her heart into pieces. Sadness, sorrow, loneliness, burdens, responsibilities, and so much more.

She finally understands. To Nobunaga and Masamune, all lives are equally important to them. Putting it on a scale, it is simply a measure of quantity. Even if that person is their closest one, their family member, their vassals are just equally important to them.

Nothing will stop them from striding forward. And they do it not just for them, but for the ones that had sacrificed their lives for them. Though their actions are contradicting, their convictions hold the utmost respect towards the people that are willing to fight for them, willing to put their lives on the line for them.

Looking at Nobunaga, she feels her heart aches painfully. He looks so young, yet he had been holding a big burden and weight on his shoulders for many years. How much pain did he went through to become who he is today? How much did it cost him? And how many times did he had to kill himself to freeze his heart from all emotions?

A powerful, foremost and exemplary leader. Even with people fearing and seeing him as a ruthless, merciless warlord, he continues to carry on. In honor of the people that followed and is following him. The fallen ones and the survivors.

At this moment, she wishes she can hold him in her arms. Though she doesn't agree to the killings, the violence to bring peace, but all of his actions make sense. At least it does in this era, where many regions are being ruled by different lords. Maybe because there are people like Nobunaga, who are willing to fight for the greater good, she is able to enjoy the peace back in her time. And it is indeed thanks to him and his followers that Japan became a great country like it is now in the future.

"You've spaced out for a while, brat." He snaps her back to reality. "I don't expect a fool like you to understand."

Is that how you called someone you just kissed... She thought to herself. That natural, arrogant and detestable attitude of his just came back.

Despite making a scorning remark towards her, he lay down his head on her laps and closes his eyes. Even though it catches her off guard, she does not push him away. She almost finds herself running her hand through his soft silky hair, but she holds herself back. He looks so peaceful and innocent when he has his eyes closed that one could never be able to tell he is the preeminent Oda Nobunaga.

Shrugging her thoughts away, she speaks up, hoping she can get an answer to her earlier question.

"So, is it true that Ranmaru and you have that kind of--." She is cut off with his strong glare.

It was so intense that she looks away nervously.

"He is a really pretty man..." She said in a low tone, sweats forming on her forehead as she feels his intense gaze still on her. "Young... and talented... I wouldn't be surprise..."

The more she continues, the more her voice becomes less audible. Nobunaga heavily sighs and closes his eyes again, relaxing all the muscles in his body. He gives up on her. Her dumbness cannot be cure.

"Sometimes I look at Mitsunari and Mitsuhide, wondering how is it possible for one man to be that intelligent." He said with his eyes closed. "Then I look at you and I understand why."

"What does that mean." She said in confused, unable to understand his words. "Is that a compliment?"

Nobunaga's eyebrows slightly knit together in frustration.

"Shut up." His voice carries an absolute demand that quiets her.

Y/N doesn't dare to mutter another word though she wants to ask him how long he is planning to stay this way. However, she finds herself enjoying moments with him like this. Looking out the balcony, the city of Azuchi is as lively as ever. But with the incident that just happened, she prays for the fast recovery of the people that were targeted.

Averting her gaze back on Nobunaga, she realizes he seems to have fallen asleep in her laps. She runs a hand through the tip of his hair gently, being cautious not to wake him up. She had never initiate to touch him before, it was always Nobunaga who grabs her or pulls her.

The sweet peaceful moment brings back the memories of their kiss. The way he kissed her, she never felt anything like that before. Almost as if he desires her, wants her and treasures her.

However, Y/N shakes the thought away when a deep blush creeps on her cheeks again. She tells herself it was just a momentarily thing between both of them. Nothing else and nothing more than that. Tomorrow when she wakes up, they both won't remember what happened in his tenshu tonight. Knowing Nobunaga, he must have done it to many women.

Even though she starts to feel the numbness in her legs, a kind smile still displays on her face as she stares at him. She was able to break through his cold wall that he put up. Even if not by much, she is happy that he told her his goal. And soon she has fallen asleep before she knew it.