Ikémen Sengoku: Transcriptioned Romances Across Time (Nobunaga)

Fall in Love Again [October 2020] Premium Ending

Man: "You're Nobunaga's favorite concubine, ain't ya?" Every muscle in my body tensed. I looked back to see a man I was almost certain I'd seen somewhere before. 

Isn't he from before? The one that shot Nobunaga? This is bad I've gotta get out of here!  I tried to pull away, but the man tightened his grip, squeezing my wrist so hard that it hurt. 

"I knew it. Most of our men ended up getting captured . . . but it doesn't matter. We'll do whatever it takes to get our revenge." 

His name instantly came to mind, but I bit my tongue to keep myself from shouting it. I can't do that. If I ask him to save me, the same thing might happen again.  Suddenly, the image of Nobunaga shielding me from that arrow flashed through my mind. 

I can't expect Nobunaga to come to my rescue all the time. That's what started this whole mess. I've gotta handle this myself.  I glared daggers at the man, keeping my voice firm.

Mai: "If you're looking for a hostage, then you've got the wrong girl. I'm worthless to you."

Man: ". . . What?" The man lifted an incredulous brow, clearly not convinced by my declaration. "Nobunaga rushed over to shield you in that tent. He was willing to risk his life to protect you. You can't possibly be worthless to--"

Mai: "You think so, huh? Well, you're wrong!" I raised my voice to interrupt him. After all, Nobunaga doesn't have any feelings for me. Not anymore.  

          Nobunaga: ". . . I tire of this. Leave."
          ---
          "I have no interest in a woman who scares so easily."

Remembering the night before sent a stabbing pain through my chest. At that moment, the fear I felt for my own life was overpowered by another emotion. Namely, the indescribable pain of the fact that my role in Nobunaga's life had changed.

Mai: "To him, I'm just . . ." The man scoffed when he saw my pained expression.

Man: "Ah, I see. You poor, poor princess."

Mai: "What . . . ?" He loosened his grip on me, and while I was distracted, he thrust a dagger in my direction. "Hey, watch it!"

Man: "Don't try to fool me with your ridiculous lies. Aren't you going to beg for your life? IF you keep insisting that you're worthless as a hostage, then I may as well kill you right now and deliver your head to the castle. I can't wait to see the look on that heartless demon's face."

Mai: "L-Listen, you don't have to do this." My body froze in the face of the bloodlust that shone in the man's eyes. So I can't even manage to protect myself? Is this how I die?  

I saw the tip of the blade shift and instinctively squeezed my eyes shut. I wish I could've told him before the end. Even if you don't have your memories . . .  

". . . I still love you, Nobunaga." Just as I muttered those words, I heard the sharp clang of a blade being batted away, then the sound of my assailant groaning. 

And suddenly, I felt a pair of strong arms holding me. "What the . . . ?"

Nobunaga: ". . . That was utter foolishness."

Mai: "Nobunaga!"

Nobunaga: "If you love me as you claim . . . then you mustn't be allowed to leave this life behind my back." I'm still alive . . .  But what is he doing here?  

Relief flooded through me with such intensity that I felt like I might slump to the ground. The person holding me up was none other than the man I'd pictured in my mind only moments ago. I didn't think that he'd actually come to my rescue.