Chapter 4 Chapter 4: The Story of the Beginning

The cherry blossoms have withered, and the mountains outside the window are covered with petals.In the misty twilight, the petals of the cherry blossoms have gradually blurred.A piece of white paper slowly floated in from the window, like a butterfly.Agui was terrified.is a letter.She stood up abruptly and looked out the window. A small figure quickly disappeared into the vegetable garden next door like an arrow. At this time, the samurai family did not have strict family traditions and laws, and the communication between young people was very free.Even then, few people are brave enough to sneak into other people's mansions and deliver love letters privately.

Agui's wedding date has been fixed, and she is about to say goodbye to her youth.As a descendant of the Ashikaga family, this lady of the famous Kira family in Mikawa was brought up in Junfu like Yoshimoto's hostage.She lived in a temporary building with a different style from Junfu Castle, filled with the charm of Kyoto everywhere, showing the owner of the mansion's nostalgia for his hometown. Who is it?A Gui didn't open the letter right away, but quietly hid under the window.She felt that the man was still ambush in the vegetable garden to spy on her.Could it be that he sent the letter because he knew that his wedding date had been fixed?After thinking for a while, Agui carefully cut open the envelope.She suddenly thought that the only one who dared to act so recklessly was Takechiyo.

But when he took out the letter paper, Agui suddenly froze.It's not Takechiyo's handwriting, and the words are very casual, and the end of the letter is signed "Azuru". "Takechiyo's style of writing is not like this, and it probably disappointed you. Come to Major General Gong Laosong's back immediately, and I have good news for you." It seems that Ah He, who is as close as a sister to her, is deliberately teasing her. Agui looked outside again, and gently opened the partition.It was already dark, but this mansion was under the strict protection of Yiyuan, so there was no need to worry about safety. "Ah, it smells so good..." Agui couldn't help sighing.The lilacs seemed to be in bloom, and even the twilight around it seemed to be playing sweet spring music.She quietly opened the chaimen and walked towards the vegetable garden.Thinking that Ah He, who is familiar with the terrain in this area, might suddenly jump out to scare her, A Gui deliberately lowered his footsteps until he walked out of the vegetable garden.

"In the shade of the old pine..." she said to herself while looking up at the sky.There was no moon, and the night was dark and humid.She couldn't help pulling up her sleeves and started running quickly. The old pine trees are lush and leafy, firmly covering the small pool next to the sink.Turtle excitedly ran under the tree. "Ahe." She called.A figure stood up from the edge of the pool. "Ah? Master Takechiyo!" Agui stopped, eyes full of anger.Then, whether the letter was written by Azuru or Takechiyo, she suddenly became confused.Takechiyo walked up to Agui with strides, and said, "The letter must have been written, saying that there is good news to tell you."

Turtle was a little disappointed, but also a little angry. "So the letter is a prank by Master Takechiyo?" She asked in a questioning tone. "No." Takechiyo shook his head, "The word 'Ahe' is clearly written on it." "It's really Ah He...but why did you come here?" Takechiyo seemed to ignore her meaning at all, looking up at the twilight of Mount Fuji. "It's neither hot nor cold, isn't it a good season, Turtle?" Agui smiled wryly, "I'm asking you why you came here?" "This..." Takechiyo stared at his feet, "Look, look, the turtle is playing, look, there—"

Agui laughed dumbfoundedly.Takechiyo's childish innocence and playfulness, and her recklessness in pretending to be someone else's date girl, all made her laugh. "Young master, will you become the number one archer in Tōkaidō?" "Yeah. Yes, sure." "A good archer pretending to be someone else to write a letter...isn't like a real man." "It's not fake, it's Ah He's handwriting." "Really? Where is Ah He? It's better not to lie." "I did not lie!" "Oh, you're so stubborn!" "I'm not lying!" Takechiyo's expression became serious, and at some point, he moved closer to Agui, "It was indeed written by Ahe's parents and children."

"what?" "Because I asked her to write it. It's definitely not a lie. I like you and I want to marry you." "you……" "After explaining my heart to her, Ah He wrote that letter for me. But after she finished writing, she said she didn't want to come, and asked me to meet you instead of her... I came alone. Ah Kame, I, Takechiyo, will become the number one general in the world sooner or later. I will never lie. Do you understand, Kame?" Agui desperately wanted to pull his hand back, but Takechiyo had already tightly grasped it, and he couldn't break free no matter what.Her cheeks were flushed, her big eyes shone like stars, and her breathing became short of breath, "Master Takechiyo, please let me go!"

"No!" "Why do you still say those unreasonable things? Let me go!" "No! Unless you say you like me, I will never let go." A Gui covered his mouth with his sleeve and couldn't help laughing out loud. "Agui, I can do anything for you. As long as you want, I will try to find it for you." Agui felt that he should not continue to smile. "I don't hate you, my lord. But I still hope you can think about it calmly. You are still a Sanhe guest living in Junfu, and the Yuanfu ceremony has not yet been held." "That's why I promise you that I will become the number one general in the world..."

"Please wait..." Agui gradually felt sorry for Takechiyo.It doesn't matter whether he can become the number one general in the world, but the current situation is: he is a military general, a hostage whose life and death depend on Yiyuan's one thought and fate.Thinking of this, Agui became sad first.She suddenly put the other hand in Takechiyo's too.They walked side by side silently along the water's edge. The forest behind the Temple of the Major General's Palace had lush branches and leaves. "My lord, the world is really impermanent, it's sad!"

"yes." "It is necessary to be reasonable, but also to be patient all the time. Can you listen to what A Gui said?" "No." Takechiyo tightly grasped Agui's hand and shook his head vigorously, "I don't listen. I just like you." "Ugh." "I like you and don't want to think about anything else!" "I will be very embarrassed." "I can't control it." "Okay, son, you are a good man, let me go!" "No, I'm willing to be a bad boy. I won't let go!" Agui suddenly sighed heavily.It was completely dark, and even Takechiyo's face could not be seen clearly, "Master, it's really embarrassing."

Takechiyo remained silent, only staring at Agui in the dark.He also didn't understand why he would hold onto A Gui's hand, did he really like her that much?Or just because of stubbornness? "Gui, are you angry?" "No." "Don't be angry. When Kame is angry, Takechiyo will be very sad. Kame, let's hug Takechiyo as usual!" Speaking of this, not only the voice, but also Takechiyo's body trembled and tears dripped Tick ​​tock fell. "The general is crying too..." Agui was choked up by Takechiyo's emotions.This kind of emotion was mixed with sadness, and a kind of maternal instinct surged in Agui's heart, she couldn't help stretching out her hand, and hugged Takechiyo.Takechiyo snuggled up to him. When Agui and Takechiyo hugged each other tightly, they became irrational.The feeling between the two is the same as the love between a man and a woman in the general sense, with enthusiasm and impulsiveness, but the reasons for it are quite different. Takechiyo was pulled by a force that even he didn't understand, and he couldn't give up easily.This is not so much a desire to conquer, as it comes from his competitive spirit that never admits defeat.His whole body was burning with reckless fire, and he felt that he could even rob Turtle somewhere.Turtle is just the opposite.At first, she had a good impression of Takechiyo, but soon felt that he was very pitiful and couldn't bear it. Takechiyo's tears aroused her maternal instinct again.She held him tenderly, trying to make him aware of the age gap between them.However, when Takechiyo cuddled up desperately, her rationality was gradually overwhelmed by another emotion.Although Takechiyo hadn't grown up, he was physically strong.In order to express his love to the person he likes, he sheds tears and even threatens... Takechiyo's hot forehead pressed against Agui's chest. "If Kame hates me, then Takechiyo will die. Kame, just stay like this until dawn, is it okay... no, just hold Takechiyo like this, for years... decades..." Takechiyo said A hand slipped quietly towards the inside of her clothes, A Gui was already in a trance, and instinctively blocked it with his hand.But she said nothing.Even though the wedding date was just around the corner, she had already lost the power to resist being touched by Takechiyo's fierce and frantic fingers.Could it be that there is a mysterious natural force that controlled Takechiyo and captured Agui? For A Gui, this is the first skin-to-skin kiss with the opposite sex.This is the love between men and women?She thought in a daze, isn't it exactly the feelings expressed in those puzzling Waka songs in the past? The night wind blows slightly.The stars twinkled affectionately on the dark pine branches.The two of them could no longer hear any sound, nor could they see anything, only silence and scorching heat remained.A good spring night quietly opened the door for the two young people to blend in body and mind.The sound of shaking branches came from behind the temple, probably caused by crows flying in fright. After a long time, Takechiyo let go of Agui—no, when he was about to let her go, Agui tightly grabbed Takechiyo's hand. "My lord..." Agui was either ashamed or happy, calling out in a trembling voice.Takechiyo didn't answer, just patting the dust on the lapel of the hakama. "This……" "Game belongs to Takechiyo." "However, the young master is only eleven years old..." "The value of a man is not based on age." "Do you really want me, the woman who is going to marry?" "Hmph!" Takechiyo still put one hand on Agui, turned around, and sat down next to her. "I, Takechiyo, will sooner or later ask Iio Toyomae's son to be my retainer." A Gui woke up suddenly, the mysterious power that had been controlling her just now suddenly disappeared.A fifteen-year-old girl falls in love with an eleven-year-old Takechiyo. Can they stop the marriage decided by Yoshimoto?She became more and more sober, and her rationality gradually recovered. Although Takechiyo’s expression can’t be seen, he can hear his firm tone and imagine his proud posture, “I will definitely become the number one general in the world, and let Ujima and his ilk bow their heads. By that time, Agui will be me.” Ma'am, you don't need to bow your head to others. How about it?" Agui couldn't help crying bitterly.Takechiyo obviously didn't understand how she felt.Agui felt extremely regretful and ashamed, and felt how sad and pitiful it was for him to helplessly grab Takechiyo's hand.She jerked her hands back. "Remember, I will not abandon you." Turtle stood up abruptly.The fragrance in the sachet permeated and drifted into the night with the wind. "Gui!" Takechiyo stood up quickly, but unexpectedly bumped into the pine tree. "Turtle! Turtle!" But the fragrance on the woman's body has completely disappeared.Takechiyo patted the sand off his hands, looked at the night sky, and couldn't help laughing.Looking at the stars in the night sky, he suddenly felt relaxed. Takechiyo smiled and walked out.Of course, the retainers would never allow him to walk alone at night.He used the excuse of visiting Sekiguchi Ominaga, leaving his bodyguards Naito and Sanhei to wait blankly at the front door.Then, under Ah He's guidance, he sneaked in through the back door.Holding his breath, he walked slowly across the vegetable garden, retracing the way he had come.Walking through the open fence gate, just as he was about to pass the firewood gate in front of Ah Tsuru's bedroom, Takechiyo suddenly felt as if he had changed into a different person, unusually relaxed and refreshing. "Is it Mr. Takechiyo?" Just as he pushed open the chai gate, Ah He, who had been secretly waiting there, asked, "How is it?" "Excellent!" Takechiyo replied concisely with relief, completely opposite to the preoccupied look when he entered. Ah He suddenly felt jealous.Because of her indulgence, she had to use a woman's wrist to keep Takechiyo from revealing her secret, but she was full of jealousy towards Takechiyo and Agui. When he was entrusted by Takechiyo to write a letter to Agui, Azuru confirmed that he would go to the Major General's Palace.Next, she thought she had a trick: If Takechiyo didn't want people to know about the affair with Agui, she could threaten him so that Takechiyo could keep her and Shi's true secret.However, after writing the letter, Ah He's mood changed.After all, Takechiyo was too young, and Ru Agui laughed it off and didn't take it seriously, so what should I do?After repeated consideration, Ah He finally decided to let Takechiyo go alone, but unexpectedly, when Takechiyo came back, he seemed to be a different person, and he looked very happy. "Excellent?" She leaned forward and asked back. "It's rare! It's great!" Takechiyo said, standing inside the chai gate.The scent of Agui's body that was left on his body rushed towards him. Could it be that they... She couldn't help being curious, wanting to know the secret behind Takechiyo's calm expression. "So, A Gui embraced the young master?" "Ok." "Oh..." she cried out, covering her mouth in a panic, "Young master is lying!" "Why should I lie?" "A Gui is going to get married soon, how could she..." "At the beginning, it was. But Takechiyo promised her swearingly." "Even so, she didn't listen to you...Young master was tricked back by her." "Tricked..." "She must have said that we will part ways tonight... and promise to meet again." "Oh." Takechiyo shook his head, "Anyway, ha. Sanhei probably got impatient waiting, I have to go..." He acted like an adult.When he was about to leave, Ah He suddenly felt an inexplicable rush of blood rushing straight to his forehead, whether it was from curiosity or jealousy. "Wait a minute, Mr. Takechiyo!" She grabbed Takechiyo's sleeve and pressed it against him. "So... so... did A Gui agree to the young master?" Takechiyo stood there in a daze, acquiescing with his eyes. "This... actually..." Ah He panted lightly, and then, as if she had thought of something, "I won't let you go back! Unless you tell me the details... come to my bedroom!" She couldn't help but say , pulling Takechiyo to the corridor. Azuru quickly pulled Takechiyo into the bedroom, and immediately closed the window.Under the light, her eyes were burning with blazing flames, and her chest rose and fell sharply. "Young master is really bad!" She noticed in surprise that Takechiyo, who was looking at her calmly, was already like an adult.No, not only like an adult, but also showing the same aura as the Ujijin she hated so much. "Why do you have no expression?" Ahe suddenly hugged Takechiyo tightly, as if to crush him, "Is that how Agui hugs you?" Takechiyo nodded in surprise. "What did she say?" "Say she likes me." "and then……" "Agui showed me the evidence that she likes me." "What is it?" "This……" "Hmph!" Ah He began to strain his arms, "Hmph, tell me without any concealment. What did you say, what did Agui say?" "I've already said this. Yosanbei is still waiting for me. Let me go." "Don't let go." Ah He said, "I won't let go. Don't let go!" Takechiyo was panting heavily.Ah He's soft body was as warm as A Gui's body just now, he couldn't help but think of her as A Gui, but he suddenly came to his senses and pushed A He away.With red eyes, Ah He leaned over again. "Nonsense! You don't understand my heart, A Gui and...you are crazy!" "Let go of me, Sanhei and I are..." "No, no, if you go back like this, I will tell the adults about the two of you." "you……" "Yes. I'll tell my lord. I heard that my lord has promised my father to marry Ahe to Mr. Takechiyo." At this point, Ahe was suddenly a little surprised.Why is she saying these things?Did he fall in love with Takechiyo?Before she could find the answer, an inexplicable desire teased her.She hugged Takechiyo wildly, feeling a fire burning inside her.Is it goodwill, jealousy, or the desire to miss a man?It seems to be both, and it seems not to be.Ah Tsuru suddenly fell on Takechiyo's lap and began to cry.But that was not crying heartily, but a pretentious gesture, a coquettish temptation and tease. "If you can, please give me a hug. Ahe, I... like you son. But because our age gap is too big, I have been waiting silently. During this period, I was insulted by the young master... I didn't expect... I really regret it." Hearing this, a stone in Takechiyo's heart fell to the ground, and he let out a long breath, feeling relaxed.He didn't think Ah He was talking nonsense, and suddenly felt pity, and put his hand on her shoulder.As a result, Ah He cried even harder. Takechiyo didn't know whether to abandon this crying woman, or to use the man's broad mind to care and love her... He suddenly pressed his lips to her.Unbelievably, even though he witnessed what happened to Ah He and Shizhen, he didn't feel that Ah He was so unchaste. "Okay..." Takechiyo said to himself, "I don't know Miss Takechiyo likes me so much. Okay, don't cry." Ahe was a little nervous, but he didn't resist.Just now she was still pretending, but now she has fallen into the vortex of instinct and can't help herself... She stopped crying, and Takechiyo didn't make a sound.In the silent bedroom, the sound of clearing the dishes from the main hall could be faintly heard. Soon, Takechiyo stood up.After experiencing two women overnight, he couldn't help feeling in a daze.Without saying a word, he was about to leave the bedroom when Ah He, who was still lying on the tatami, stopped him.Takechiyo turned around, waiting for her next sentence, but Ah Tsuru said nothing.He took a few more steps. "I have to show something..." Ah He thought, his body moved slightly, and his face was extremely delicate. Takechiyo walked towards the corridor.In the cold night air, he suddenly felt like crying, "That's fine..." The light of the lantern cast a round and faint halo under his feet. "I'm an adult..." Although he felt that this experience cast a shadow over his pride in being with Agui, Takechiyo never regretted it.Without squinting, he strode straight to the porter, and shouted sharply: "And Sanbingwei, I'm back!" He shouted as he stepped up the steps, and the sound surprised him too.This is first love——Takechiyo felt empty and a little sad in his heart, but he was too young to understand why.