#ikegen yoshitsune

[aishangotome]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune: Chapter 12

Chapter 11

♡———♡

Yoichi: Then, how about having Yoshino treat it?

Yoichi: That wouldn't be a problem, would it?

Yoshitsune: What?

Yoshino: Huh?

My voice and Yoshitsune-sama's overlapped perfectly at Yoichi-san's suggestion.

Yoshino: Treat it... You mean me treating Yoshitsune-sama!?

Yoshitsune: Yoichi, what are you saying? There's no way I can let her do that.

When I looked at Yoshitsune-sama, he had a rare look of confusion on his face.

Yoichi-san pointed a finger at Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoichi: If you leave that wound alone, someone might notice it.

Yoichi: There's a limit to what you can do to treat it yourself.

Yoichi: The best way to deal with it without the vassals noticing is to ask Yoshino.

Yoshitsune: I'm holding Yoshino as a hostage. I didn't bring her here as a healer.

(I was surprised, but...)

(If we don't do anything, the wound could get worse, right?)

I made up my mind and spoke.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama, please let me treat it.

Yoshitsune: Yoshino.

Yoshitsune: Do you understand what you're saying?

Yoshino: ...I do.

Yoshino: You have helped me many times, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: Precisely because we are enemies, I think this is the last chance I have to repay your kindness.

I looked at Yoshitsune-sama's face with a bit of nervousness.

Yoshino: So that I won't have any regrets... Please allow me to act as your healer now.

(Because if we go to war, we will fight and hurt each other.)

Yoshitsune: ...Very well.

Yoshitsune: As a patient, I will allow you to treat me.

Yoshitsune-sama looked directly into my eyes.

Yoshitsune: Thank you for your offer, Yoshino.

(Thank goodness...)

--CHOICES--

Sincerely...

Please leave it to me

I hope we can get along well

---------------

Yoshino: Yes, please leave it to me!

Yoshitsune: I'm the one who should be asking you for that favor.

Yoichi-san, who had been watching, grinned.

Yoichi: Well then, I'll keep watch in the hallway. Call me if you need anything.

Prompted by Yoichi-san, we headed to Yoshitsune-sama's room.

-

(So this is where Yoshitsune-sama lives...)

The setting sun began to color the room, which was beautifully decorated with fine furnishings.

I naturally straightened my back in Yoshitsune-sama's room, which I was visiting for the first time.

Yoshitsune: Then, may I treat you?

Yoshino: ...Yes.

Yoshitsune-sama casually opened his kimono.

His toned body came into view, and for some reason, I felt like I had seen something I shouldn't have.

(This is not the time to be flustered. I need to focus on the treatment.)

(But still... what a terrible wound.)

The wound was deeper than I thought, and it must be quite painful even with the slightest movement.

I carefully washed the wound, applied medicine, and wrapped it with a fresh cloth.

Yoshitsune: Nn..

I stopped my hand as Yoshitsune-sama slightly furrowed his brow.

Yoshino: I'm sorry, did that hurt?

Yoshitsune: ...No, it's fine.

Yoshitsune-sama answered calmly, but there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.

(It must really hurt.)

Yoshino: I'll finish soon, so please bear with me a little longer.

The treatment was soon finished, and I started cleaning up.

Yoshitsune-sama, who had put on a new kimono, was expressionless as usual.

(It will take some time for Yoshitsune-sama's injury to fully heal.)

(To think he was trying to endure such a terrible wound without anyone knowing...)

There is a line between us that must not be crossed.

Yet, the rising impulse opened my lips.

Yoshino: ...Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: What is it?

Yoshino: Please, don't push yourself too hard.

Yoshitsune: .....

Yoshino: We are enemies. No matter how hard we try, that cannot be changed.

Yoshino: That's why I couldn't wish you safety when you went to the battlefield.

Yoshino: But now, seeing you injured in front of me... I regret it.

Yoshitsune: ....Yoshino.

He looked down at the arm I had just treated.

Yoshino: I want you to take better care of yourself, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: I cannot do that.

Yoshino: Why...?

Yoshitsune: Because I cannot defeat Lord Yoritomo unless I risk everything.

Yoshitsune: If I lose, everything will be taken away. I've had enough of that experience once.

His voice was filled with unwavering determination.

(I... I'm sure no one can stop him.)

Yoshino: What happened between you and Yoritomo-sama in the past...?

My reason whispered that I shouldn't ask, that I shouldn't pry.

But the impulse to know overwhelmed it like a storm, disturbing my heart.

Yoshino: Why do you two have to fight so hard, even if it means suffering so much?

Yoshitsune: ......................

(...The silence is as heavy as lead.)

Something contradictory, like a frozen flame, burned in Yoshitsune-sama's eyes.

After a while, Yoshitsune-sama opened his mouth.

Yoshitsune: Once, my father--that is, the leader of the Minamoto clan, who was also Yoritomo-sama's father,

Yoshitsune: Was defeated in battle by the Taira clan and executed.

(That's...)

Yoshino: ...Even I, who am ignorant of current affairs, have vaguely heard about it.

Yoshino: The Taira clan, who defeated the Minamoto clan, flourished for a while, but were eventually defeated by the Minamoto clan again.

(But, I see.)

(You both lost your father in such a terrible way...)

I hesitated but continued to ask questions.

Yoshino: At what age did this happen to you, Yoshitsune-sama?

Yoshitsune: I was so young that I don't remember. So I didn't learn the details until much later.

Yoshino: At such a young age...

Yoshino: You must have gone through a lot of hardship.

Yoshitsune: For me and Yoritomo-sama, the sons of a defeated commander, it was fortunate that we were not killed.

Yoshino: ...To think that even children would be killed if they lost...

(Is that what it means to be born as the son of a samurai leader?)

Terrified and saddened, I bit my lip tightly.

Yoshitsune: In my case, my life was spared because my mother became a concubine of the leader of the Taira clan.

Yoshitsune: I've heard that my mother was a great beauty, but I don't remember her face, just like my executed father.

Yoshitsune: I was separated from my mother and confined to Kurama Temple.

Yoshino: Kurama Temple...

Yoshitsune: I've talked about it before.

Yoshino: Yes, when we met in the garden at night.

**Flashback**

Yoshitsune: Before I could even remember, I was left at Kurama Temple.

Yoshitsune: I don't even remember my parents' faces now.

Yoshitsune: I grew up not knowing my origins, but I could sense that I was shunned.

Yoshino: It's surprising. I never imagined Yoshitsune-sama had such a past...

Yoshitsune: Really?

Yoshino: ...Yes.

Yoshitsune: I learned later that there were various reasons for it.

**Flashback over**

(At that time, I wondered why Yoshitsune-sama was shunned.)

(He was treated like a plague because he was a child of the Minamoto clan.)

(He was still a young child, unable to rely on anyone, and on top of that, he was targeted by ayakashi...)

My heart ached terribly when I thought about Yoshitsune-sama back then.

Yoshitsune: In my life at Kurama Temple, where I had no place to belong,

Yoshitsune: I eventually met a yamabushi who had ties to the Minamoto clan and learned of my origins.

Yoshino: ...How did you feel?

I asked timidly.

Yoshitsune: I was surprised but also convinced.

Yoshitsune: I was sure that my place was not there, so I decided to leave the temple.

Yoshitsune-sama slowly spun his words as if remembering the past.

Yoshitsune: The Oshu Fujiwara clan accepted me, who had nothing.

Yoshino: That's why Yoshitsune-sama is based in Hiraizumi, Oshu.

Yoshitsune: That's right. I made many connections here.

(And it became an important place for Yoshitsune-sama.)

Yoshitsune-sama's tone softened a little when he talked about Hiraizumi.

Yoshitsune: But I will leave Oshu again.

Yoshitsune: Because I learned that my half-brother, who was exiled to Izu, was planning to raise an army.

Yoshino: ...Yoritomo-sama was going to fight the Taira clan again.

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Yoshitsune: So I rushed to Yoritomo-sama and fought the Taira clan together.

Yoshino: But why did you do that, even though you had never met Yoritomo-sama before?

On the battlefield, you're always close to death.

I've only been on the battlefield once, but I've learned that all too well.

(Even though he's your brother, to risk your life for someone you've never met...)

Yoshitsune: I wanted to meet someone with the same blood flowing through their veins.

Yoshitsune: I felt that if I did, I would know who I was.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama...

I was startled by his slightly lower voice than usual.

(I see. For Yoshitsune-sama, who had a lonely childhood, blood ties were very important...)

Yoshitsune: I was happy when I met Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshitsune: Even though our personalities were completely different, I felt like we had something in common...

Yoshitsune: Ah, I truly felt that this person was really my brother.

Yoshino: And then you two started fighting together.

Yoshitsune: Yes.

His long eyelashes drooped melancholically.

Yoshitsune: It was a foolish decision, looking back now.

Yoshitsune: I respected Yoritomo-sama, who had everything I lacked, and fought on the battlefield, wanting to be of help.

Yoshitsune: Before I knew it, there were people behind me who admired me as a commander.

Yoshitsune: A great number of comrades who believe in me and follow me.

(Yoshitsune-sama was born with a different soul.)

(For Yoshitsune-sama, the bond with his vassals might be more important than anything else.)

(But Yoritomo-sama...)

Something we talked about at the festival the other day crossed my mind.

Yoshino: After the war with the Taira clan... you said you were banished, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Yoshitsune: When I was abandoned by my blood brother, it was a shock like being thrown into the bottom of a valley.

Yoshitsune: But even more than that...

Yoshitsune: I couldn't forgive the fact that my vassals, who had fought so hard in the war, were trampled and killed by Yoritomo-sama's orders.

(Ah...)

Yoshitsune-sama's fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

(Yoshitsune-sama is always so straightforward with people...)

(He must have been deeply hurt when he became enemies with Yoritomo-sama, whom he respected.)

(But...)

I hesitated as I looked at Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: I haven't been involved with the shogunate for very long.

Yoshino: But I can't believe Yoritomo-sama would do such a thing for no reason.

Yoritomo-sama has two sides to him, and it's hard to grasp his true intentions, but I know now that he is also a very fair person.

(What could have caused the two of you to drift apart...?)

Yoshitsune: The time for thinking about such things is over.

Yoshitsune-sama answered coldly, as if facing the question he had asked himself hundreds of times.

Yoshitsune: I know. He would sacrifice ten thousand lives for a hundred thousand.

Yoshitsune: But...

Yoshitsune: If those ten thousand include the people I hold dear, I must take up my sword.

Although his expression didn't change, Yoshitsune-sama harbored deep anger and sorrow.

Yoshino: Aren't you... scared?

(To fight against the brother you once respected, carrying the lives of everyone on your shoulders.)

(To engage in a life-or-death struggle on the battlefield.)

Yoshitsune: I have never felt fear, not even once, in the midst of the harshest battles.

Yoshino: Not even once...?

The image of Yoshitsune-sama, with his overwhelming power and fighting like a demon of war, vividly resurfaced.

(Is that why he fights so recklessly?)

Yoshitsune: Even when I was on the verge of death, the feeling I felt was not fear.

Yoshitsune: It was only the intense lingering attachment that burned through my body that kept me alive.

(His eyes... He's serious.)

Yoshino: That's why you rose again, Yoshitsune-sama, and challenged Yoritomo-sama to battle...

(Just for the vassals who believe in you.)

Before I knew it, my eyes were burning with tears.

I don't know what emotions caused it, but I couldn't look away from Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: Death comes to everyone eventually.

Yoshitsune: That's why I don't hesitate to burn this life.

Yoshino: But then, where is your peace and happiness, Yoshitsune-sama...?

Yoshitsune: It's enough for me if the people around me are happy.

(Why...?)

Yoshino: That way of life... is too sad!

I clenched my fingers tightly, trying to hold back the overflowing emotions.

(I... I mustn't shed tears.)

(Because we don't have that kind of relationship.)

My palms, where my nails dug in, hurt, but my chest felt like it would burst even more.

(...Why do I feel this way?)

Yoshitsune: I don't feel sad. At least not now.

Yoshino: Huh...?

My bewildered figure wavered in Yoshitsune-sama's eyes, which seemed to draw me in.

Yoshitsune: People say I have a talent for war.

Yoshitsune: But that's probably because I was born incomplete in some way.

Yoshino: N-no way...

(I wish I could deny it.)

I was afraid when I saw Yoshitsune-sama fighting, but through unexpected events, I gradually got to know him...

And I learned about his incredibly sad past.

(That's why I realized it.)

(Yoshitsune-sama... is indeed someone who lacks something crucial.)

(Even though he lacks it, he is strong, straightforward, and beautiful.)

Yoshitsune: Now I think this way.

Yoshitsune: I must have been born incomplete to protect the things I hold dear.

Yoshino: ...Yoshitsune-sama, is that okay with you?

Yoshitsune: ––It doesn't matter.

His voice, quiet as the wind before a storm, made my skin crawl.

Yoshitsune: This life, this body... even my soul, is not mine.

(Yoshitsune-sama and I are too different in our origins, our lives, and our ways of thinking.)

If we had lived normal lives, our paths would never have crossed.

(But we met. In the worst possible way, as enemies.)

Yoshino: ....Yoshitsune-sama.

I slowly exhaled and calmed my heart.

Yoshino: I understand your feelings. There's nothing more I can say...

Yoshino: But please, just this one thing. This is a request from the healer who treated you.

Suppressing my personal feelings, I searched for the right words.

Yoshino: Please rest for a few days. Please don't push yourself too hard, at least during that time.

Yoshino: And... could you please let me see how your wound is healing for a while?

(I don't intend to forget my position, but I want to take responsibility for the treatment I've undertaken.)

(Besides, there's probably nothing more I can do for Yoshitsune-sama.)

Yoshitsune: ......

Yoshitsune: Yes. I'll leave it to you.

He gave me a gentle smile, and my heart ached sweetly.

Yoshitsune: Let me thank you again. You saved me by treating my wound.

Yoshino: No... I'm glad I could be of help.

Yoshitsune: Yoshino.

Yoshino: Ah...

His hand reached out and touched mine.

Yoshitsune-sama gently unclenched my tightly clasped fingers.

Yoshitsune: I only know my own way of life.

Yoshitsune: So I will continue on this path.

Yoshitsune: But I won't forget that you treated me today.

Yoshitsune: That I felt your kindness--your single-minded devotion to someone--was beautiful.

(Please... don't say such things.)

The doubts and emotions that arose made me feel like I couldn't breathe.

Yoshino: I haven't done anything that great.

Yoshino: I can treat your physical wounds, but I cannot erase the sadness of your past.

(If we weren't enemies, I would be thinking about things I shouldn't...)

Yoshino: ...I think I'm half-hearted.

Yoshitsune: There's no need for you to feel that way.

Yoshitsune-sama quietly denied my words.

He held my hand, and the warmth of my skin, which I couldn't hide, must have been conveyed to him.

Yoshitsune: You are grieving for me now, facing me with sincerity.

Yoshitsune: Precisely because I am your enemy, you should know that there is no flattery or ulterior motive in my words.

Yoshitsune: You are beautiful, Yoshino.

He pierced the center of my heart directly, and I gasped.

Yoshitsune: Like a curse engraved on my soul, I will remember it even when you and I become enemies again.

(...This is cruel.)

(I can't think of Yoshitsune-sama as an enemy.)

(I can't leave this person alone. I don't want to leave him alone, but--)

Yoshitsune: Let me walk you back.

As he slowly let go of my hand and tried to stand up...

Yoshitsune: Ugh...

Yoshino: You mustn't move. Please stay still...

I gently pushed Yoshitsune-sama back and placed my hand on his through the bandage.

Yoshitsune: ......

Yoshino: Does it still hurt a lot?

Yoshitsune: ...No.

Yoshitsune-sama muttered as if caught off guard.

Yoshitsune: ...Even though you're just touching it.

Yoshitsune: The pain has strangely subsided.

Yoshitsune: I didn't sense any magical power, yet what did you do to me?

Yoshino: It seems that placing a human hand like this on a wound soothes the pain, that's why it's called "teate" (treatment).

Yoshitsune: I can hardly believe it.

Yoshitsune-sama looked unconvinced, then...

Yoshitsune: I don't think it would feel like this if just anyone touched me.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama...?

His elegant fingers touched my cheek, and my heart leaped.

Yoshitsune: You have the power to heal people.

Yoshitsune: ...You are completely different from me.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 13

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Super belated countdown post for JP IkeGen’s 3rd anniversary. XD;;;

The last picture is the reward for users - 5 gacha tokens.

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[shatcey]

Embarrassing

I decided to read Genjiden while I was waiting for the tram. And… Yoshi got topless. I look around nervously. No one is watching. But it's too unnerving to continue. I'll finish at home…

I remember a time when even CG didn't stop me from reading in public place. What has changed? Is that Yoshi? I don't want strangers looking at him! My sweet bunny boy…

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Their childhood drawings❤️

[archiveikemen]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune Main Story: Chapter 15

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting┊aikm’s Genjiden Glossary

Yuno: Matters between Yoshitsune-sama and I aside, I don’t think anyone has the right to allow or disallow people to get closer.

Kurama narrowed his eyes sharply.

Kurama: Are you trying to argue with me?

(What pressure…!) 

Kurama: Listen. Don’t act like some know-it-all.

Kurama: That guy’s soul is mine. We have a pact. 

(A pact…)

= Flashback Start =

Kurama: I did try to take the soul from Yoshitsune when he was dying... but he kept saying he wanted to live. 

Kurama: So we made a deal. The next time he's dying, I'll eat his soul.

= Flashback End =

(That’s what he said when I first met the two of them.)

(I know that Yoshitsune-sama has something he desperately wants to accomplish, even if it means costing him his life.) 

Kurama: The soul is the very foundation of what forms an individual.

Kurama: If his soul is mine, it means Yoshitsune is also mine, doesn't it?

Kurama: Yet, that man is reckless and dangerous. 

Kurama: To top it off, he’s even fooling around with some lass like you. 

(Huh? Could it be…)

Yuno: … Are you sulking?

Kurama: …

Kurama: What nonsense are you spouting?

(But his face tells me that he meant those words from the bottom of his heart…) 

Yuno: You’ve known Yoshitsune-sama for longer than anyone else, that’s why he’s important to you and you’re worried about him. Is that right  Kurama?

Kurama: Worried? Me? 

Kurama’s eyes widened slightly.

Yuno: Am I wrong?

Kurama: Of course you are. Don’t measure me by human standards of emotion. 

(But from the way he said it… I really do think that’s the case.)

Perhaps there were feelings hidden within Kurama’s heart that even he wasn’t aware of.

Kurama: … I feel like something’s off about me whenever I talk to you.

Kurama popped the last slice of mandarin into his mouth, looking displeased.

(Kurama is a terrifying ayakashi, but if I properly get to know him, he might actually have something in common with us humans.) 

The intimidation I felt from him lessened slightly. 

Kurama: I don’t get why Yoshitsune or Yoichi would be interested in a woman like you.

(Interested…?) 

Yuno: The reason why I’ve been frequenting Yoshitsune-sama’s room is to treat his injury.

Yuno: And Yoichi-san is purely being kind, there’s no deeper meaning behind it.

Yuno: I think they’re just looking out for me because I’m a hostage. 

Kurama: You’re one naive woman. 

Kurama’s voice sounded exasperated as he showed me no mercy with his words.

Kurama: In the first place, it was Yoichi who suggested taking you as a hostage.

Yuno: What…

(Yoichi-san… suggested taking me…?) 

My eyes widened in surprise at the completely unexpected revelation. 

Yuno: Why…?

Kurama: How would I know? 

Kurama: Yoshitsune eventually decided to go with that plan, citing some stupid reason like wanting to protect the lives of the people… 

Kurama: This won’t escape my eyes.

Kurama: For some reason, Yoichi became interested in you after hearing about Yoshitsune’s trip to Kamakura. 

(I didn't know that at all…)

But now Kurama mentioned it, it’s true that Yoichi-san has been especially kind towards me.

Yuno: Kurama. Thanks for telling me.

Yuno: I’ll ask Yoichi-san directly if there’s any reason behind it. 

Kurama: There’s no reason to be thanking me. You just became even more confusing.

Still not back to his usual self, Kurama replied curtly before turning his back to me.

Kurama: I’m leaving.

Yuno: Okay! See you. 

(Now…)

(As much as I want to ask Yoichi-san about it right away, I need to check on Yoshitsune-sama’s injury first.)

After parting ways with Kurama, I headed to Yoshitsune-sama’s room. 

…

Later that day, when the sky had turned a crimson red with the sunset… 

I had a maid pass Yoichi-san a message before paying a visit to his room.  

Yuno: Sorry for dropping by all of a sudden when you must be busy, Yoichi-san.

Yoichi: It’s okay. What did you want to talk to me about?

Yuno: I heard from Kurama that it was you who suggested to Yoshitsune-sama to take me as hostage. 

Yuno: … [frowns]

Yoichi-san fell silent. 

Yoichi: Oh? You’ve gotten surprisingly chummy with Kurama, huh. 

(Kurama would probably deny it immediately if he heard that…) 

Yoichi: I wasn’t exactly trying to keep it a secret, but I never thought Kurama would be the one to tell you.

Yuno: So it’s true then…

Yoichi: Yeah. It was me, Yoichi-san, who specifically nominated you as hostage. 

Yoichi-san spoke nonchalantly and winked.

Yuno: Why did you make such a suggestion?

Yoichi: Hmm, let me think.

Yoichi: Honestly, I’m not sure if I should tell you the reason.

Despite his usual lighthearted tone, his facial expression suddenly turning serious made my heart skip a beat.

Yoichi: I think you’d be better off not asking.

(I don’t know what Yoichi-san’s true intentions are, but…)

Yuno: I’ve already learnt a lot ever since coming to Hiraizumi.

(I’ve learnt that Yoichi-san, Kurama, and Benkei-san who’s currently a hostage in Kamakura are bound by companionship.)

(The people of Hiraizumi trust the Rebel Army…)

(And Yoshitsune-sama is a pure, fierce… yet dangerous person.)

I started having doubts because of the things I had come to know.

Yuno: If something’s bothering me, I want to bother so much about it that I won’t regret it later on. So, please.

Yuno: If there’s a specific reason why you requested for me as a hostage, I want you to tell me.

Yoichi: … Fine.

Yoichi-san let out a rare sigh.

Yoichi: You mustn’t reveal to anyone what I’m about to tell you. Of course, that includes Yoshitsune-sama.

Yuno: … I promise I won’t.

When I nodded, Yoichi-san turned to a shelf in his room.

He pulled out a box from deep within the shelf and placed it before me.

(What’s this…?)

Yoichi: Here we go.

He lifted the lid, and inside the box laid two old pieces of paper.

Yoichi-san carefully took the folded papers and spread them out.

Yuno: These are…

Yoichi: Death poems. By Yoshitsune-sama and Benkei. 

(D-death poems… they're something you write when you’re prepared to die.)

I felt the blood drain from my face as I looked up at Yoichi-san.

Yuno: Why do you have these…?

Yoichi: Back when Yoshitsune-sama was being hunted down by Yoritomo-kou’s forces, he exchanged this death poem with Benkei. 

Yoichi: I saw them being left behind at the old residence, so I quietly took them.

Yuno: Can I… read them?

Yoichi: Yeah. Go ahead. 

At Yoichi-san’s prompting, I slowly reached for one of the papers.

(This looks like Benkei-san’s poem.)

Yuno: Wait for me at the crossroads of the six realms… even if one of us were to arrive late or depart early…

In a low voice, I read aloud the poem written in skilled penmanship and signed off with Benkei-san’s signature.

Yoichi: “Please wait for me on the path to the afterlife. Even if the order of our deaths is reversed, we will meet again”...

Yoichi: Seriously, isn't it kind of funny for a guy like him to be lonely?

Yoichi-san was no longer smiling as he spoke.

Yuno: W-what was Benkei-san feeling… when he wrote this?

(... He must've felt resolved to follow Yoshitsune-sama even after death.)

Overwhelmed by the resolution and sorrow expressed through the poem, I couldn't say a word.

Yoichi: Want to see Yoshitsune-sama’s too? 

Yuno: … Yeah.

(I wonder what Yoshitsune-sama's response was…?) 

I nodded and unfolded the other piece of paper with slightly trembling fingers.

(This is Yoshitsune-sama’s signature…)

I read aloud the poem written in his beautiful penmanship.

Yuno: In the next life, and the life after that, let us meet again… until we reach the purple-coloured clouds in heaven. 

(This poem…)

I gasped, and Yoichi-san’s gaze fell.

Yoichi: No many how many times they’re reborn, they’ll meet each other again and go anywhere together— this is his answer. 

(... This poem is so fitting for Yoshitsune-sama.)

Somewhere in my heart, I had hoped that Yoshitsune-sama would resist his imminent death.

However, the moment I read that poem so undefiled and beautiful, I came to accept it. 

The sunlight streaming into the room grew darker, the sunset drawing near cast a shadow over my heart.

Yoichi: Ever since that time, time has stopped for us.

Yoichi: No matter how many soldiers we gather, the fact that the Shogunate is overwhelmingly more powerful remains unchanged.

Yoichi: Even with the power from Yoshitsune-sama’s supernatural abilities, they still have you as their trump card.

Yuno: I… I… 

Yoichi-san smiled wryly at me as I choked on my words. 

Yoichi: Ah, I’m not blaming you. I’m only stating the facts.

Yoichi: The feelings expressed in these death poems still live on till this day. 

Yoichi: Yoshitsune-sama intends to die in this battle.

Yuno: What… 

A painful feeling weighed on my heart, but I suddenly recalled some of Yoshitsune-sama’s words.

= Flashback Start =

Yoshitsune: Once, in the face of Yoritomo-kou’s forces, I failed to protect what was important.

Yoshitsune: However, my vassals and the people of Hiraizumi still chose to believe in me and follow me.

Yoshitsune: It’s my mission to provide them a country where they can live peacefully under the threat of no one.

Yoshitsune: — Even if I won’t be able to see it with my own eyes.

= Flashback End =

(Perhaps deep down, I already know…)

(... That Yoshitsune-sama is running towards his death.)

The indistinct feelings of anxiety I had been carrying took form. 

Yuno: … Even though I know that Yoshitsune-sama’s answer is unshakable, I don't want to accept it.

(Even if I’m an enemy of Yoshitsune-sama.) 

(These contradicting thoughts are all I have right now.) 

Yoichi: Yuno… 

Yoichi: It seems that you’re a much stronger woman than I thought you were. 

Yoichi-san looked down at the two death poems in my hands. 

Yoichi: In the first place, he’s not the kind of person who can still smile without a care after killing his older brother whom he respects. 

Yoichi: Even if he were to survive this battle, I don't think he’ll ever smile again.

Yuno: … 

Yoichi-san was someone who had been fighting by Yoshitsune-sama’s side all this time, that's what made his words so heart wrenching.

Yoichi: Ever since the day he decided to take revenge against Yoritomo-kou, Yoshitsune-sama has been willingly heading towards his own destruction. 

Yoichi: With firm resolve, one step at a time. 

(Benkei-san is determined to follow Yoshitsune-sama till the very end, and then…)

Yuno: Do you share the same belief with Benkei-san too, Yoichi-san? 

Yoichi: …

Yoichi: Benkei and I are both worried about Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoichi: But neither of us have the option to stop fighting.

Yoichi: The only way this war will end is if either Yoritomo-kou or Yoshitsune-sama is defeated. 

(... What Yoichi-san is saying sounds reasonable.) 

Yoichi: However. 

(Eh?) 

Yoichi-san’s eyes contained a faint glimmer of light.

Yoichi: Benkei decided on staying by Yoshitsune-sama’s side till the end. 

Yoichi: But I’ll keep searching for a way to save Yoshitsune-sama and the others. 

Yuno: Is that possible…?

Yoichi: Yeah. If I said with confidence that I’ll make it happen no matter what it takes… I’d look cool, wouldn't I?

Yoichi: But reality isn’t that sweet. 

(... That’s true.)

Yoichi: At the end, I’ll fight alongside him and increase the chances of him surviving.

Yoichi: Unless Yoshitsune-sama finds something that makes him feel from the bottom of his heart that he wants to live.

Yuno: Something that makes him genuinely want to live…?

Yoichi: Yeah. 

His hazel coloured eyes fixed onto me.

Yoichi: You asked why I suggested you as a hostage, didn't you?

Yuno: Yes…

Yoichi: That person seems to be unusually emotional whenever he’s around you.

Yoichi: I just thought this arrangement would spark something in him. 

Yuno: … Is that so? 

(When I first heard about being taken as a hostage, I thought it was because of my pact with Tamamo.) 

(But it turns out, that wasn't the case.)

I gently traced Yoshitsune-sama’s death poem with my fingertips.

The words sank into my heart, coiling tightly around it.

Yuno: I don’t think I’m capable of something as big as changing Yoshitsune-sama’s resolution, but…

(... I want to do something for Yoshitsune-sama.) 

(Still, even talking to Yoritomo-sama won’t stop the war.) 

(... What if I don’t participate in the war at all instead?) 

If I didn't use my fox powers, would Yoshitsune-sama not have to fight to his death?

I quickly dismissed the thoughts that surfaced in my mind. 

(I can’t so easily break the promise I made with everyone at the Shogunate.) 

Even if I were to be absent from the battlefield, Yoshitsune-sama would definitely still throw his life away and go all in. 

Yoichi: Sorry, I ended up saying things that make you worry.

Yuno: No. I prefer this over not knowing anything at all. 

Yuno: Thank you for talking to me.

Yoichi: … Yeah. 

After excusing myself, I left the room.

…

A few days later—... 

I visited Yoshitsune-sama’s room as usual to check on his wound. 

Yoshitsune: How does it look? 

The wound that was once a deep gash had completely healed.

Yuno: … It’s alright now. There shouldn't be any problems with resuming your usual training.

Yoshitsune: I see.

Yoshitsune-sama looked relieved as he adjusted his kimono.

(Even though it’s a good thing his wound has healed…) 

Once this treatment session ends, we won’t have any more opportunities to chat like this. 

A wave of sadness washed over me and I spoke up before I knew it.

Yuno: While I did say that it's alright to train, please don’t overdo it as you’ve only just recovered. 

Yoshitsune: Don’t overdo it…

Yoshitsune: Understood. 

Yuno: Recently, something feels rather off…

Yoshitsune: It’s just your imagination. 

Yoshitsune-sama unnaturally averted his gaze. 

(It most certainly isn’t!)

Yuno: Kurama… probably won’t listen, so I’ll ask Yoichi-san for this favor instead.

Yuno: If Yoshitsune-sama does anything reckless, he’ll tell Benkei-san. 

Yoshitsune: … That’d be a problem.

(As expected, Benkei-san’s scolding is Yoshitsune-sama’s weakness.) 

While Yoshitsune-sama frowned at the idea, I recalled Yoichi-san’s words.

= Flashback Start =

Yoichi: Ever since the day he decided to take revenge against Yoritomo-kou, Yoshitsune-sama has been willingly heading towards his own destruction. 

Yoichi: With firm resolve, one step at a time. 

= Flashback End = 

(Yoshitsune-sama is walking on the path of destruction with Benkei-san by his side.)

The weight of that pain felt like it was about to crush me.

Yoshitsune: Yuno. 

[omkookie]

✨Ikegen memes because you found Tamamo✨

[d-sakamaki01]

Everything I got this week

Ikevil and IkeGen

Spoiler

⬇️⬇️⬇️

Victor gacha (Ikemen Villains)

Liam 1st BD (Ikemen Villains)

Yoshitsune gacha (Ikemen Genjiden)

Sueharu CH 1 (Ikemen Genjiden)

[sakura-samsara]

Yoichi Main Story: Chapter 5 Normal Story

← Chapter 5

Yoichi: Aww, man. I really hate working off-schedule. 

Yoshino: Yoichi-san?!

Yoichi: That’s me.

He hurled another knife at the ayakashi, the flash of its blade splitting the black of night. 

The ayakashi let out a roar, and its mistlike form dispersed until it seemed like it had dissolved into the darkness.

Yoichi: Get over here, Yoshino!

Yoshino: !!

My body moved faster than my mind at the very moment that I heard him call for me. 

I dashed to Yoichi’s side despite the limp in my gait—at the same time, the dark shadow began to coalesce again, writhing with new vitality.

Yoshino: No…!

Yoichi: Well, this isn’t good. If a knife isn't going to cut it, there’s nothing else I can do. 

(How can he say that so casually?!)

Yoichi: Now—oof!—up you go.

Yoshino: Yoichi-san?! What are you doing??

He’d hooked his arm under my knees and lifted me up against his chest with ease.

Yoichi: Stay still, mmkay?

Yoichi spoke in a hushed voice, breaking into a sprint with me still held tight in his arms.

Yoshino: P-Put me down! You’re putting yourself in danger…

Yoichi: No way am I letting you do any running. Your leg’s injured, from the looks of it. Just keep quiet and hang on. 

(He noticed…)

Warmth bloomed in my chest as I entrusted my body to Yoichi despite my disorientation.

I cast an apprehensive look back towards the ayakashi—it hadn’t caught up to us just yet.

(It looks like the ayakashi needs to take a while to recover after it’s attacked.)

Yoshino: What are you even doing here in the first place?

Yoichi: Yashichi ran to my stand and begged me to come rescue you. Kid was just bawling his eyes out, so it wasn’t like I could say no. 

Yoshino: So Yashichi-kun called for help after all…

(Thank goodness that he returned safe and sound!)

(...But that makes this the second time that Yoichi-san’s saved me, now.)

Yoshino: …Thank you, Yoichi-san.

Yoichi: Don’t thank me just yet. 

He jabbed a finger out at the darkness,

and I followed its line to see the ayakashi creeping towards us almost vengefully. 

(....)

We had hidden ourselves in a grove of trees, but the ayakashi was still roving through the thicket as though it was searching for us.

Yoichi: Sure, I could run around playing cops and robbers with that thing all night.

Yoichi: But if we don’t deal with it eventually, we’re gonna end up bringing it back to town with us when we go back.

(If that happens…!)

Yoshino: We can't let it attack the townspeople!

Yoichi: Ehh, speak for yourself. It’s not like I've got any reason to care about the people of Kamakura.

Yoshino: How could you—?!

I swallowed the rest of my words before they could spill out.

(Yoichi-san came all this way to rescue me.)

(Regardless of why he did it, it’s not right for me to complain about what he says when he’s helping me.)

Yoshino: I just wish I could use my powers to get rid of it…

Yoichi: What? You can’t even use them?

Yoshino: I tried, but… Yeah… I have no idea how I was able to use them without thinking earlier. 

Yoichi: …

Yoichi: I heard Kurama tell Yoshitsune-sama something once.

Yoichi: Supernatural powers are transferred to and from the soul. Using them is less about thinking and more about feeling. So, the stronger your will to use them is, the stronger they’ll end up manifesting. Or something like that.

(That means…)

Yoshino: So you think I can’t use my powers well because I don’t believe enough in myself? 

Yoichi: That could be it, yeah.

(...Well, I was pretty doubtful about whether or not I’d be able to use my possession powers when I tried earlier.) 

Yoshino: So, if I try my hardest to will myself to use their power… will I finally be able to do it? 

Yoichi: Sure, yeah.

I looked intently at Yoichi in spite of his indifferent response. 

Yoshino: Yoichi-san, please put me down and stand back.

(Yoichi-san is right. There’s nothing we can do about the situation just by standing around.) 

(This time, I will stop the ayakashi before it attacks the town!)

Yoichi: ……

I held his gaze as he cast a long look at me, as though he was sizing me up. 

Yoichi: Nah, I don’t think I will.

(Huh?)

Yoichi: If you’re gonna use your powers, why don’t you use them with me by your side?

Yoichi: That way, I can have your back. 

He drew a knife from his pocket, so deftly that it seemed to appear out of thin air. Like a magic trick.

Yoshino: But…

Yoichi: Oh? You’re worried about me? You’re such a sweetheart.

(That wasn’t what I—)

The spark of mirth that always danced in Yoichi’s eyes suddenly disappeared, his face now cast in a serious light.

Yoichi: You’re the kind of person who’d throw your life in danger just to protect a little fox you found on the side of the road. 

Yoichi: So if you’re gonna try using your powers again, I think it’s best if you’ve got someone to protect you while you’re at it.

(...So he’s saying he won’t leave? He’ll stay with me?)

Yoshino: I just don’t get why you would help me. What’s in this for you…?

(From what I’ve learned about Yoichi-san, he doesn’t seem like he does things purely out of the kindness of his heart.) 

That devil-may-care smile reappeared on his face, but I had a feeling that he was far more calculating than he let on. 

Yoichi: You’re lucky I’m such a nice guy. I’ll only ask you for a contingency fee.

Yoshino: What do you want…?

Yoichi: Your trust.

Yoshino: Huh…?

Yoichi: I’m not asking you to trust in me completely.

Yoichi: But if you can manage to get rid of that ayakashi, I want you to let me into your heart a little.

Yoichi: Well, that’ll be good enough for now, at least.

Yoichi’s eyes glinted provocatively. 

Yoichi: So, what do you say? You gonna take me up on this gamble?

(It’s a risky deal for me to cut.)

(But right now, the only thing that matters to me is defeating the ayakashi, no matter what it takes.)

Yoshino: …I will.

I answered Yoichi with a resolute nod of my head.

Yoshino: Thank you, Yoichi-san.

Yoichi: You’re my partner now. Don’t mention it.

Yoichi: Oh, and by the way—there’s this other thing that I’ve seen Kurama and Yoshitsune-sama do.

Yoichi: You’ve got to have a strong will to use your powers and all that… 

Yoichi: But apparently it’s easier to control them if you associate some kind of gesture with it. 

Yoshino: Some kind of gesture?

Yoichi: You know, like how Yoshitsune-sama swings his sword to help him cast his blades of wind.

Yoichi: And how Kurama uses his war fan to do the same thing. Your gesture can be whatever you want.

(“Whatever you want”? It sounds pretty simple when he puts it that way…)

Yoshino: I guess that makes sense. I’ll give it a shot!

Yoichi: You can do it.

Yoichi stroked my hair with one of his hands.

Yoshino: …What was that for?

Yoichi: Hm? Oh, that? It’s a magic spell that’ll give you courage. 

(He’s as vexing as always… but I do feel a lot less nervous than I did before.)

Yoichi: You ready now, Yoshino?

Yoshino: I’m ready.

Yoichi: Marvelous.

With that, Yoichi picked me back up and dashed in front of the ayakashi.

(Ah-!)

He gently lowered me to the ground—and, a split second after, sent his knife hurtling towards the ayakashi with a practiced flick of his hand.

Yoichi: It’s no fun, hitting a target when it’s this hard to miss.

His knife struck the center of the black mass before us, and the ayakashi let out a groaning howl. 

Yoichi: Now, Yoshino!

Yoshino: …!

I raised my dominant hand high with its palm facing the ayakashi.

(I have to be strong.)

I focused my eyes forward, readying myself to use my power at its full strength.

(Let me take away its power!)

My hair whipped in a sudden gust of wind.

Yoshino: Ah…!

Silver light danced in the periphery of my vision, and I realized that the color of my hair—and my eyes—must have changed again.

(My hand… feels so hot…)

A thick golden haze rose in the air and illuminated the dark surroundings. 

It lingered for a moment before floating towards me, shimmering as it seemed to absorb into the center of my outstretched palm. 

The strange sensation of magic flowing into me shook me to my core, but…

Yoichi: You’ll be alright. I’ve got faith in you, I really do.

Yoichi: So just relax and do your thing. 

One of his hands settled firmly on my lower back as I felt a powerful warmth envelop my whole body.

(Somehow… I’m not afraid anymore.) 

Yoichi drew yet another knife at the ayakashi, ready to protect me.

The ayakashi stretched out towards Yoichi, as if aiming through the mist hanging in between itself and us.

Yoshino: I won’t let you hurt anyone—so you won’t get any further than here.

Yoichi: …

And at last, the tendrils of darkness was dispersed into the golden mist that then flowed back into my body. 

(Even someone like me… is able to be a protector.)

Yoshino: It’s… over…

Yoichi: Mm.

Yoichi: …Beautiful.

I only barely caught the sound of him murmuring to himself as he gazed at the dimming light that surrounded me.

Chapter 6 →

[the-bird-and-the-flute]

Yoshitsune’s route - random spoilers part 2

I just read chapter 16 and I JUST LOVED MC'S RESOLVE! SHOW THEM MC!!!!!

When Yoshitsune said he was sending her back to the shogunate cuz war is going to start soon, he asked her to not fight (we all know you love her dude). But she stood up for her beliefs and said she is going to war anyway AHAHAHA. I LOVED THAT. SERIOUSLY. EPIC!

I think she did the right thing cuz this is a way to make yoshitsune question his own beliefs and maybe (and finally) care a little bit more about his well-being and not just throw his life away cuz he sees no value in it as long as his friends are safe and happy.

[ask-misun-and-oc]

IkeSen vs IkeGen in 17th August competition

Note: By the way, yesterday is Independence Day in Indonesia. So congrats for Indonesia for 79 years. I hope no more drama and injustice in my country.

-GF Carrying Race -> Nobunaga and Mai vs Yoritomo and Yoshino

-Clog Race -> Hideyoshi, Masamune, Ranmaru vs Morinaga, Shigehira, Kagetoki

-Climbing Race -> Kenshin, Yukimura, Sasuke, Shingen vs Yoshitsune, Yoichi, Benkei, Sueharu

-Tennis Using Utensils -> Motonari and Mitsuhide vs Tamamo and Kurama

-Make Up Competition -> Mitsunari and Ieyasu vs Yasuchika and Akihito

-Water Splashing Competition -> Kennyo vs Ibuki

-Pillow Fight -> Kichou vs Rikka

Well, i'm sorry for Keiji, Yoshimoto, and Kanetsugu because IkeGen has no more character for the pair. Perhaps you can be the 'biduan' to entertain the supporters. (Just kidding)

Note:

-"Biduan" actually is a Diva or female singer. But in my country context, it's a sexy singer who sing dangdut music. I hate dangdut music because it's too vulgar. That's why i love J-Pop and K-pop (but it's male only).

- @ask-kennyo request a switch team because he hates Mitsuhide. I guess... i will switch it with @mourimotonariblog. Don't worry, old man. Just smacking water baloon with a stick with closed eyes. And for tennis using utensil, it's just like 'kemari' but you can use any utensil such as book, pan, broom, fan, even bottle to hit the ball.

-I revised the role for @ask-kanetsugu-naoe and @ keiji maeda as commentator, while @ask-yoshimoto is host for supporters (just like interacting the audience)

[aishangotome]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune: Chapter 5

Chapter 4

♡———♡

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama…?

???: …

When I called out to him hesitantly, the man turned around and removed his mask…

Yoshitsune: How did you know?

He tilted his head in wonder.

(It really was Yoshitsune-sama!)

Yoshino: Wh-Why are you... here of all places...?

(I thought the next time we'd meet would be on the battlefield...)

I called out to him on impulse, but my body stiffened at the realization that I was alone with an enemy commander, and I took a step back.

Yoshitsune: Don't be so wary. I have no intention of causing a commotion here.

Yoshino: Is that so...?

(But I can't imagine him coming to enemy territory alone. He must have someone with him...)

As I looked around, Yoshitsune-sama spoke as if he had read my mind.

Yoshitsune: I came to Kamakura alone.

Yoshitsune: I didn't even tell Benkei and the others. I infiltrated under the cover of the festival's commotion.

Yoshino: Infiltrated...?

To my question, Yoshitsune-sama kept his distance and threw out words.

Yoshitsune: Well, you've discovered my true identity, haven't you?

Yoshitsune: It was a waste, even though I tried to appear with a mask I luckily had with me.

(He went through the trouble of wearing a mask to hide his identity from me. But...)

Yoshino: Why did you even have a mask in the first place? Was it perhaps for a disguise or something...?

Yoshitsune: No.

He looked down at the fox mask, looking a little disappointed.

Yoshitsune: I don't dislike the festival atmosphere. I thought I could enjoy it a little.

(Wh-What an unexpected reason!)

(Is Yoshitsune-sama... a bit of an airhead?)

Yoshitsune: ––Anyway,

Yoshitsune: I promise I won't harm Yoshino tonight.

Yoshitsune: In exchange, you must not make a fuss until I leave.

(So it's not reconnaissance either?)

Yoshitsune-sama's straightforward words didn't seem to contain any lies.

(I know it's dangerous to trust an enemy commander, but...)

(Yoshitsune-sama kept his promise to 'spare me' before.)

(And most of all, he saved me when I was about to be assaulted by bandits.)

Encouraged by this fact, I lowered my guard.

Yoshino: Um, it's a bit late to ask, but why did you save me?

Yoshitsune: That's...

Yoshitsune-sama opened his mouth slowly, his expression unchanged.

Yoshitsune: I have no right to judge you either.

Yoshitsune: It leaves a bad taste to ignore someone when you have the means to help.

(Ah––)

**cabin flashback**

Yoshitsune: Why did you help him, knowing he was your enemy?

Yoshino: What…?

Yoshitsune: Answer me.

Yoshino: Well…

Yoshino: …I’m a pharmacist.

Yoshino: Having the means to treat someone and yet ignoring an injured person right in front of you is akin to being a murderer.

**end of flashback**

Back then, Yoshitsune-sama dismissed me, but he also said... "Everyone has contradictions."

(If he hates Yoritomo-sama enough to borrow the power of ayakashi,)

(Then surely he should kill me, who cooperates with Yoritomo, by any means necessary.)

And yet, Yoshitsune-sama extended a helping hand to me in my time of need.

Yoshino: Th... thank you, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: I did it of my own accord.

His nonchalant dismissal of his actions felt somewhat dazzling.

––At the same time, I recalled the day I saw Yoshitsune-sama in battle.

(I was chilled when I saw him charge towards the enemy without fear of injury.)

He skillfully maneuvered his horse, advancing towards the enemy.

Many soldiers were repelled by the overwhelming difference in strength.

(And yet...)

No matter how skilled he is in tactics, no matter how dangerous his fighting style, Yoshitsune-sama always sticks to his principles in the end.

(I don't think Yoritomo-sama would fight so recklessly. But...)

**imperial palace flashback**

Yoritomo: I intend to guarantee your personal safety, at the very least, since I’m bringing a mere woman onto the battlefield.

Yoritomo: However, there’s no such thing as absolute safety, as you experienced in the previous battle.

Yoritomo: Even so, it is the shogunate’s decision to continue involving you in this matter.

Yoritomo: Therefore, if you choose to cooperate with us of your own volition, it would be only fair to guarantee you better treatment than before.

**end of flashback**

(The more I get to know Yoritomo-sama, the more I feel that he is a fair person, even if it's hard to understand.)

(... There are some similarities between Yoritomo-sama and Yoshitsune-sama after all.)

The fact that these two were enemies caused a sharp pain in my chest.

Yoshitsune: Yoshino? Is something wrong?

Yoshino: ...N-No, it's nothing.

I was startled to realize that I had unconsciously clenched my fingers.

Yoshitsune: I see. Then, I must be going.

(...!)

As Yoshitsune-sama turned to leave, I called out to him on impulse.

Yoshino: Wait!

Yoshitsune: What is it?

(Oh no, I just...)

I was confused, not knowing why I had called out to him.

But for some reason, I felt like I shouldn't just let him go like this.

My eyes suddenly fell on the package I was holding.

Yoshino: ...Do you dislike dango?

Yoshitsune: ...Dango?

Yoshino: I just bought it at a stall. Would you like to eat it as a thank you for helping me?

Yoshitsune: There's no need for thanks. I did it of my own accord.

Yoshino: That's not how it works. I'd feel bad if I didn't do anything...

Yoshino: Ah, perhaps you don't eat dango? Should I have bought something else?

(Was it rude to offer food from a stall in the first place...?)

Yoshitsune-sama furrowed his brow slightly, as if a little perplexed by my anxious rambling.

Yoshitsune: That's not the case, but...

Yoshino: Th... then, please.

Yoshitsune: Very well.

(Thank goodness...)

We sat side by side on the stone steps, and I quickly took out the dango.

Yoshino: Here you go.

Yoshitsune: Ah. Thank you.

Yoshitsune-sama received the dango and casually popped it into his mouth.

Yoshino: Wow... It's so chewy and delicious.

Yoshitsune: ...Indeed.

(I should buy some for Tamamo as a souvenir.)

(Ah, but he's a gourmet, so he might say, "Dango from a stall?")

Yoshitsune: ............

(Huh? ...He seems to be frozen.)

Yoshino: ...Lord Yoshitsune? Did you not like it?

Yoshitsune: The taste is fine.

Yoshitsune: ...But this dango is quite chewy and a bit of a struggle.

Yoshitsune: It's difficult to time the chewing.

(Eh?)

Yoshino: Does that mean you don't like chewy things?

Yoshitsune: It seems so. It makes me sleepy while eating.

(Yet another unexpected side of him...)

(The difference between his appearance and his demeanor on the battlefield is truly extreme!)

Yoshino: I'm sorry, I didn't know... I should have gotten something else.

Yoshitsune: It's alright.

Yoshitsune: Your gratitude has been conveyed sufficiently.

Yoshino: Yoshitsune-sama...

(He really is... a sincere person through and through.)

--CHOICES--

You're so kind

Thank you

I'll choose something different next time

--------------

Yoshino: You're kind.

Yoshitsune: I merely stated the obvious.

Yoshitsune: But if that's how you see it, then so be it.

Having finished the dango, Yoshitsune-sama mutters to himself.

Yoshitsune: ...What a pleasant breeze.

The leaves rustle in the night wind, creating a soothing sound.

As I listen to the sound of the leaves and look up at the night sky, I see a pale moon floating.

Yoshitsune: The moon is beautiful tonight.

Yoshitsune: The moon seen in Hiraizumi is no different in beauty from the moon seen in Kamakura.

(Speaking of which...)

Yoshitsune-sama's words remind me of our first encounter.

Yoshino: You said you came to Kamakura alone, didn't you, Yoshitsune-sama?

Yoshitsune: If Benkei-san knew, he would nag me endlessly.

(Benkei-san... is that the scary-looking guy?)

(He's surprisingly overprotective...)

Yoshino: Why did you come all the way to Kamakura?

Yoshitsune: Well...

Yoshitsune-sama's eyes seemed to darken in the night.

A brief silence filled the air as I held my breath, and then a low voice echoed in the wind.

Yoshitsune: I wanted to see the town I would eventually destroy one last time before the battle.

(The last time...?)

Yoshino: Have you been to Kamakura before?

Yoshitsune: I stayed here when I was under Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshitsune: I was quite fond of Kamakura, but...

Yoshitsune: Shortly after the war with the Heike, I was exiled by Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: That's terrible...

(To think that it was his own brother who exiled him...)

Yoshitsune: That's why I came here to burn this last image into my memory.

Yoshitsune: ...The town and its people. They haven't changed from my memories.

Various emotions cast fleeting shadows on his sculpted, white profile.

Only he could know what those feelings were.

(But... I feel like I've touched Yoshitsune-sama's heart a little.)

We both fell silent, lost in our own thoughts, when––

???: Hey, hey...

(A child's voice...?)

A small boy emerged from the trees.

Boy: ...Oh man, he's not here either.

Yoshino: What's wrong? Are you looking for someone?

Boy: Ah, there are people here!

The boy notices us and approaches.

Boy: Have you seen my little brother? He's wearing a blue kimono...

Yoshino: No, I haven't seen him.

Boy: I see...

Yoshitsune-sama suddenly speaks to the dejected boy.

Yoshitsune: Did you get separated?

The boy flinches at the quiet question, then nods timidly.

Boy: Yeah... We had a fight, and he ran off.

Yoshino: Oh dear, that's worrying.

(With so many people in town, it must be hard to find someone once you're separated...)

Boy: It was his fault to begin with. But maybe I got too angry...

Boy: ...I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find him.

The boy clenches his small hands and tears well up in his eyes.

Boy: He must hate me now...

(Ah... It's easy to feel insecure after a fight.)

Yoshino: It's alright––

As I start to speak--

Yoshitsune: There's no brother who can easily hate his older brother.

(Yoshitsune-sama...?)

Yoshitsune-sama's words made the boy blink.

Boy: Really...?

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Yoshitsune-sama gently placed his hand on the boy's head.

Yoshitsune: But it's better to get along from now on.

Yoshitsune: ––Because people can't always walk the same path forever.

(Ah...)

Yoshitsune-sama's profile, illuminated by the moonlight, floated whitely in the darkness.

(I've never seen anyone with such a sad face.)

Even though his expression shouldn't have changed...

My heart tightened at the emotions quietly swirling in his eyes.

(Why does he look like that?)

I was incredibly curious, but...

(...I need to think about this child right now.)

I met the boy's eyes and spoke to him gently.

Yoshino: If you'd like, I can help you look for him.

Boy: Really?

Yoshino: Of course!

Yoshitsune: Then I shall join the search as well.

Yoshino: Really!?

Boy: Th-Thank you, big brother, big sister!

(But...)

I whispered to Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshino: Is it alright? What if someone sees your face?

Yoshitsune: No one would think I'd be attending a festival with women and children.

Yoshino: Ah, that's true...

Yoshitsune: Besides, if need be, I can carve a path for myself even if I become a fugitive.

(He's that confident in his abilities.)

Yoshino: ...I understand. If you say so.

Yoshitsune-sama nodded once and looked around.

Yoshitsune: We haven't seen your brother since we've been here. Let's go out into the town.

Yoshino: Yes, he might be wandering around, drawn by the festival sounds.

I held out my hand to the boy.

Yoshino: Let's hold hands so we don't get separated, okay?

Boy: Okay!

The boy smiled brightly and took my hand.

Then, he boldly reached out his other hand to Yoshitsune-sama.

Boy: Here, big brother!

Yoshitsune: .....

(Wow...)

Yoshino: Um, this person... well, he's not the type to do that sort of thing...

Yoshitsune: Is this alright?

(Eh?)

Yoshitsune-sama, who had taken the boy's hand, asked flatly.

Boy: Yeah! Let's go, let's go!

Yoshino: W-Wait...!

I was pulled along by the boy, who started walking excitedly.

(...This feels strange. How do we look to others?)

(We certainly don't look like a family.)

Perhaps because the festival music was getting closer, I felt strangely restless.

(I wonder what Yoshitsune-sama is thinking?)

I glanced at his white profile, but as usual, I couldn't read his expression.

-

The town was even more crowded than before.

Yoshitsune: He doesn't seem to be here... Let's try looking over there.

Yoshino: Yes.

(I hope we find him soon...)

Boy: ...Ah!

Yoshitsune: What is it?

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 5 Premium Story

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[apfleur]

Event period: 1 Dec 2022 to 13 Dec 2022

[nica-my-beloved]

Ikemen Men In Ikemen Series

(Ikepri, Ikevil, Ikegen)

Businessmen

Sueharu: "I love women."

Silvio: "Women are bitches."

Jude: "Women should be respected!"

The Kings

Gilbert: "I'm a King."

Akihito: "Me too."

William and Elbert: "So are we"

Poster bois

Leon: "Ofc that's me."

Yoritomo: "Originally it's me, but my brother gets more spotlight from fans."

William: "I'm a poster boi as well."

Leon and Yoritomo: (Why does he have white hair?)

Tsun Tsun bois

Yves: "Want some cake?"

Shigehira: *Ahem* "Not like I'm dying to eat it or anything. But since you asked, as a decent person I'll have some.......Mm....Ahhh, it's so delicious"*starry eyed*

Yves: *blushes* "Hey! Stop making that face! As if you're enjoying my cooking!"

The ZzzzzzZ

Luke: ".....zzz....Honey...."

Yoichi: "....zzz..Young..zzz...master..."

Harrison: ".....zzz....Liam...."

That guy

Nokto: "Hey, how is that girl!?"

Jin: "Yeah. She's cute but the boobs aren't big enough."

Sueharu: (At least I'm decent than these two-----Ah! Yoshino's boobs!)

Best big brothers

Luke: "I'm younger than Emma but I still treat her like my younger sister."

Harrison: "I'm not even a big brother type. I simply got added here because Kate thinks I am one.

Morinaga: "I want to see Yoshino as my little sister but I can't help it. I get these indecent thoughts about her sometimes."

Luke and Harrison: "You need help."

The most beautiful ones

Azel: "Hah. I'm a god. Of course I'm the most beautiful."

Tamamo: *flips his hair* "Hmph. Well I lived here for more than 800 years. I'm the most beautiful one."

Elbert: "..............................."

Alfons: "Lord Elbert. No." <- not included in this category, just came here to avoid potential murder.

The babies

Luke: "Believe it or not, I'm the youngest prince."

Ellis: "Nice to meet you guys too. I'm the youngest villain."

Shigehira: (Wow...they are so tall and...those muscles...)

Someone from the audience: "Don't worry Shigehira, Yoshino still loves you."

Shigehira: *blushes* "Shut up!"

The unreasonable brats

Kurama: *points his fan* "Hey! Give me everything you're wearing right now. Yes, those shiny necklaces, bracelet, rings and also the shiny items in this room. Actually, give me your whole palace. Give it all."

Silvio: "Huh!? Who the hell are you? A thief?"

Kurama: "How dare you call me a thief. Do you wanna die you bling bling covered sleazeball?"

Silvio: "Who the fuck told you that name!!?"

Kurama: "Hm? A girl looking like a brown rabbit."

Silvio: "That bitch! I'm gonna kill her for sure!"

The most loved ones

Yoshitsune: "I don't know why everyone loves me. They say I have a very innocent personality but I don't understand."*cutely tilts his head*

Jude: "I'm most popular because everyone here likes to be choked for some reason." *rests his head on his fists looking bored*

Gilbert: "Well, I'm here because I'm so handsome and everyone falls down on their knees as soon as they see me."

Yoshitsune: "Why is that?"

Jude: "Obviously because-----forget it. I was paid by a blonde guy to not taint your mind."

Chevalier: *ignoring all of them because he's listening to an audiobook*

The villains

Ibuki: "I heard you love manipulating people for fun."

Gilbert: "I heard that about you too. Looks like we're...."

Ibuki and Gilbert: "Kindred spirits" *fist bumps*

Ibuki: "I have a kid."

Gilbert: "I have raised a kid too."

Ibuki: "I have tried manipulating the evil fox princess to break her heart."

Gilbert: "I too have tried tainting little rabbit's heart."

Ibuki and Gilbert: "But I failed."

Ibuki and Gilbert: "........!"

Ibuki and Gilbert: "Hahahahaha!"

[ga-yuu]

Revealing design of Young Yoshitsune!!

[archiveikemen]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune Main Story: Chapter 12

This is a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes with no guaranteed perfection; expect mistakes, grammatical errors, and some creative liberties. All original content and media used belongs to Cybird. Please support the game by buying their stories and playing their games. Reblogs appreciated.

Read this before interacting┊aikm’s Genjiden Glossary

** = Translator's note

Yoichi: How about letting Yuno tend to your wound?

Yoichi: That way, it won’t be a problem anymore.

Yoshitsune: What?

Yuno: Huh?

Yoshitsune-sama and I responded at the same time to Yoichi-san’s suggestion.

Yuno: Tend to… are you saying I’ll tend to Yoshitsune-sama’s wound!?

Yoshitsune: What are you talking about, Yoichi? I will not allow for such a thing.

Yoshitsune-sama looked unusually perplexed.

Yoichi-san pointed a finger at him.

Yoichi: Someone will find out about your wound eventually if we leave it as is.

Yoichi: There’s a limit to how well you can tend to it yourself.

Yoichi: Yuno is your best choice if you want to keep it a secret from the vassals.

Yoshitsune: Yuno is here as a hostage, not an apothecary.

(It's surprising for sure, but…)

(His wound might worsen if I don't do anything about it.)

I said firmly,

Yuno: Please let me take care of your wound, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: Yuno.

Yoshitsune: Do you understand what you're saying right now?

Yuno: … I do.

Yuno: Yoshitsune-sama, you’ve helped me time and time again.

Yuno: It’s precisely because you are my enemy, this is my final chance to thank you for all the help you’ve given me.

I nervously looked up at Yoshitsune-sama’s face.

Yuno: So that I’ll have no regrets later on… please allow me to perform the role of an apothecary.

(Because we’ll fight against and hurt each other when we go to war.)

Yoshitsune: … Fine.

Yoshitsune: I accept your treatment as a patient.

Yoshitsune-sama looked into my eyes.

Yoshitsune: I appreciate it, Yuno.

(Thank goodness…)

Yuno: Please leave it to me!

Yoshitsune: Those are some reassuring words, you seem like a trustworthy apothecary.

Yoichi-san, who had been watching us from the side, grinned.

Yoichi: I’ll keep watch outside in the corridor. Call me if you need anything.

…

Urged by Yoichi-san, we went to Yoshitsune-sama’s room.

(So this is where Yoshitsune-sama lives…)

The rays of sunlight shining into the room added flair to the beautiful furnishing.

Yoshitsune: I put myself in your care.

Yuno: … Understood.

Yoshitsune-sama casually removed his kimono.

Seeing his toned body felt as though I were looking at something I shouldn't be looking at.

(This is not the time for my heart to be racing. I need to focus on treating his wound.)

(Anyway… this is a really severe wound.)

The wound was deeper than I had expected, and even the slightest movement could potentially cause a great amount of pain.

I carefully cleaned the wound, applied medicine, and wrapped it up with fresh bandages.

Yoshitsune: Ggh…

Yoshitsune-sama grimaced, and I immediately stopped.

Yuno: Sorry, did that hurt?

Yoshitsune: … No. It’s fine.

Despite Yoshitsune-sama’s calm response, there was a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Yuno: I’ll finish up soon, so please bear with it a little bit more.

I was soon done with the treatment and started packing up.

Yoshitsune-sama, dressed in an unlined kimono, was expressionless as usual.

(It’ll take a while for Yoshitsune-sama’s wound to heal.)

(He tried to bear with such a serious injury without telling anyone…)

There was a boundary between us that we mustn't cross.

And yet, an uncontrollable urge welled up inside me and escaped through my lips.

Yuno: … Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: What is it?

Yuno: Please don’t do anything rash.

Yoshitsune: …

Yuno: Nothing can change the fact that we’re enemies.

Yuno: That's why, I couldn’t bring myself to wish you well before you headed into battle.

Yuno: But now, seeing you injured… I regret not doing that.

Yoshitsune: … Yuno.

He looked at his freshly bandaged arm.

Yuno: I want you to take better care of yourself, Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: That’s impossible.

Yuno: Why…?

Yoshitsune: I can’t defeat Yoritomo-kou unless I risk everything.

Yoshitsune: Everything will be snatched away from me if I lose. I only had to experience it once to know I never want it to happen again.

His tone contained an unwavering determination.

(... There definitely isn't anyone who can stop this man.)

Yuno: What happened between you and Yoshitsune-sama…?

My subconscious was telling me that I shouldn't have asked that question, and that I was prying too much.

Yet the urge to go further took over my heart like a storm.

Yuno: Why do both of you have to go through so much pain just to fight?

Yoshitsune: …

(... The silence is suffocating.)

Hot and cold like frozen flames, conflicting emotions burned deep inside Yoshitsune-sama's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Yoshitsune-sama spoke.

Yoshitsune: My father— who was also Yoritomo-kou’s father and the head of the Minamoto Clan…

Yoshitsune: He lost in the war against the Taira Clan and was executed.

(What…)

Yuno: … I’m not well informed of such affairs, but I’ve heard some things about it.

Yuno: The Taira Clan thrived for a period of time after emerging victorious in that war, but was eventually defeated again by the Minamoto Clan.

(But… yeah.)

(They both lost their father so tragically…)

Despite my hesitation, I probed on.

Yuno: Yoshitsune-sama, how old were you when it happened?

Yoshitsune: Due to my young age at that time, I don’t have memories of it. I only learnt about it much later.

Yuno: Y-you were that young…

Yuno: You must’ve been through a lot.

Yoshitsune: As the sons of a defeated general, Yoritomo-kou and I are considered lucky to have been spared.

Yuno: … Even the children of the defeated general were to be executed?

(Is that what being born as the son of a warrior entails?)

I bit my lips tightly, feeling a mix of fear and sadness.

Yoshitsune: In my case, my mother’s life was spared because she became the Taira Clan head’s mistress.

Yoshitsune: I heard that my mother was an extremely beautiful woman, but I have no recollection of her face. Just like how I don't remember my executed father’s appearance.

Yoshitsune: Afterwards, I was separated from my mother and held captive in Kurama-dera.

Yuno: Kurama-dera…

Yoshitsune: I told you about it before.

Yuno: Yeah, when I met you in the garden the other night.

= Flashback Start =

Yoshitsune: Before I even became old enough to understand anything that was going on, I was sent to a temple on Mount Kurama.

Yoshitsune: I have no memory of what my parents’ faces looked like.

Yoshitsune: Growing up not knowing my own lineage, I always felt ostracised.

Yuno: I didn’t expect your past to be like that…

Yoshitsune: Really?

Yuno: … Yes.

Yoshitsune: Later on in life, I found out that there were various reasons for that.

= Flashback End =

(At that point in time, I was wondering why Yoshitsune-sama was disliked.)

(People were wary of him because he was a descendant of the Minamoto Clan.)

(He was only a young child with no one to rely on and was constantly the target of ayakashi at the same time…)

Thinking of how life was for Yoshitsune-sama back then, my heart ached.

Yoshitsune: When I was at Kurama-dera, I didn't have a place where I truly belonged.

Yoshitsune: Eventually, I met a monk who had connections to the Minamoto Clan. That was how I got to know my true identity.

Yuno: … And how did you feel?

I hesitatingly asked.

Yoshitsune: I felt surprised, yet relieved.

Yoshitsune: Convinced that the temple was not where I belonged, I decided to leave.

Yoshitsune-sama spoke slowly, talking about his past.

Yoshitsune: I had nothing to my name, but the Oshu-Fujiwara Clan accepted me.

Yuno: That’s why you're based here in Oshu Hiraizumi.

Yoshitsune: That’s right. I gained my connections here.

(And so this place is precious to Yoshitsune-sama.)

His tone softened whenever he mentioned Hiraizumi.

Yoshitsune: But I left Hiraizumi again.

Yoshitsune: I learned that my half-brother, who was living in exile in Izu, was plotting a rebellion.

Yuno: … Yoritomo-sama planned to attack the Taira Clan again.

Yoshitsune: Yes.

Yoshitsune: I hurried to Yoritomo-kou’s side and fought alongside him against the Taira Clan.

Yuno: You’ve never met Yoritomo-sama even once prior to that… why?

Being on the battlefield meant that death was always lingering by your side.

It didn't take me more than one trip to the battlefield to know that.

(Them being brothers aside, risking your life for someone you’ve never met is…)

Yoshitsune: I wanted to meet someone from the same bloodline.

Yoshitsune: I had the feeling that I'd understand my identity better if I did.

Yuno: Yoshitsune-sama…

I was surprised by his unusually tender voice.

(I understand now. Blood ties are very important to someone like Yoshitsune-sama, who spent his entire childhood alone…)

Yoritomo: I was happy when I met Yoritomo-kou.

Yoshitsune: Although we had different personalities, it always seemed like we understood each other…

Yoshitsune: I sincerely felt like “ahh, this man is truly my older brother”.

Yuno: Is that how you started fighting alongside him?

Yoshitsune: Yeah.

His eyelashes drooped as he looked down pensively.

Yoshitsune: Look back, it was a foolish decision.

Yoshitsune: I respected Yoritomo-kou because he was everything I could never be. I wielded my sword on the battlefield, wanting to be useful to him.

Yoshitsune: Before I knew it, a few people started looking up to me as their leader.

Yoshitsune: Many comrades believed in me and became my followers.

(Yoshitsune-sama was born with a unique soul.)

(To him, there is nothing more important than his bond with his vassals.)

(To Yoritomo-sama, however…)

Memories of our conversation at the festival a while back flashed in the back of my head.

Yuno: You mentioned before… that you were exiled after the war against the Taira Clan.

Yoshitsune: Yeah.

Yoshitsune: I was discarded by my biological brother, someone I was bonded to by blood. It felt like being thrown to the very bottom of a ravine.

Yoshitsune: But more than that…

Yoshitsune: I couldn’t forgive Yoritomo-kou for ordering the killing of all the loyal vassals who fought hard in battle.

(Ah…)

Yoshitsune-sama’s fist was clenched so tightly his knuckle turned white.

(Yoshitsune-sama is someone who’s always honest with others…)

(To become enemies with Yoritomo-sama, whom he held in high regard, it must've hurt him deeply.)

(However…)

I looked at Yoshitsune-sama with hesitation.

Yuno: I haven't interacted with the Shogunate for long.

Yuno: However, I believe that Yoritomo-sama wouldn't do such a thing without reason.

It was hard to grasp Yoritomo-sama’s true feelings due to his two-faced character, but I knew that he was an impartial man.

(I wonder what caused the two of them to become estranged…)

Yoshitsune: It’s long past the time to be brooding over such things.

Yoshitsune-sama answered in a detached manner, as though it were a question he had asked himself countless times.

Yoshitsune: I know. That man would readily sacrifice 10,000 lives to save the lives of 100,000 people.

Yoshitsune: However…

Yoshitsune: If my loved ones are part of those 10,000 lives lost, I will have no choice but to pick up my sword.

Yoshitsune-sama’s facial expression remained unchanged, but it was clear that he held deep feelings of rage and sadness in his heart.

Yuno: Are you not… scared?

(He carries the burden of thousands of lives while fighting against his older brother whom he once respected, facing life and death on the battlefield.)

Yoshitsune: No matter how tough the situation on the battlefield becomes, I have never once felt afraid.

Yuno: Not even once…?

An image of Yoshitsune-sama fighting with otherworldly strength like a human embodiment of war flashed vividly in my mind.

(Is this why he’s so reckless in battle?)

Yoshitsune: Even when my life was hanging by a thread, it wasn't fear I felt in my heart.

Yoshitsune: It was an intense feeling of yearning that burned inside of me and kept me alive.

(This look in his eyes… he’s serious.)

Yuno: So this is why you got back on your feet and went against Yoritomo-sama…

(For the sake of all the loyal vassals who believed in him.)

Without realising it, my eyes were brimming with tears.

I didn't know for sure what I was feeling, but I couldn't look away from Yoshitsune-sama.

Yoshitsune: Everyone dies eventually.

Yoshitsune: That’s why I don't hesitate to have this life go up in flames.

Yuno: But where is your peace and happiness in all this…?

Yoshitsune: As long as the people around me are happy, I ask for nothing more.

(Why…?)

Yuno: To live like this… it’s too sorrowful!

I tightly clenched my fists, holding my emotions back from overflowing.

(Urgh... I mustn't cry.)

(The type of relationship we have doesn't permit me to shed tears for him.)

My palms hurt from my tightly clenched fists; but more than that, my heart felt like it was about to burst.

(... Why do I feel this way?)

Yoshitsune: I don’t find it sorrowful. Not now, at least.

Yuno: Huh…?

The reflection of my puzzled self in Yoshitsune-sama's eyes that seemed to pull me in wavered.

Yoshitsune: People say I have a talent for battle.

Yoshitsune: But that’s probably because there’s something I’m missing by nature.

Yuno: W-what…

(If only I could deny that.)

I feared Yoshitsune-sama when I witnessed his ferocity on the battlefield. However, as I slowly got to know him better through a series of unexpected events…

I came to know about the painful story of his life.

(That's why I understand.)

(Yoshitsune-sama is indeed… missing something crucial.)

(Despite that, he’s still a tough, upright, and beautiful person.)

Yoshitsune: That’s just how I think of it right now.

Yoshitsune: There is no doubt that I was born imperfect to protect what's important to me.

Yuno: Yoshitsune-sama… are you really okay with that?

Yoshitsune: — Doesn’t matter.

His voice sounded like the calm before a storm, sending a shiver down my spine.

Yoshitsune: This life, this body… and even this soul, don’t truly belong to me.

(Yoshitsune-sama and I are too different in terms of our birth, way of life, and mindsets.)

Had we lived ordinary lives, we would never have crossed paths.

(But now we’ve met. In the worst possible circumstances, as enemies.)

Yuno: … Yoshitsune-sama.

I slowly exhaled, calming my heart down.

Yuno: I understand how you feel now. I… don’t have anything else to say on this topic.

Yuno: However, please let me say one thing as the apothecary who treated your wound.

I pushed my personal feelings aside and searched for the appropriate words.

Yuno: Please allow yourself to rest for a few days, and refrain from overexerting yourself in the meantime.

Yuno: Also… can you let me observe the healing progress of your wound during this time?

(I haven't forgotten my position as a hostage, but I want to take responsibility for the treatment I provided.)

(This is definitely all I can do for him.)

Yoshitsune: …

Yoshitsune: Yeah. I’ll leave that to you.

His tender smile caused a sweet throbbing sensation in my heart.

Yoshitsune: Allow me to thank you once more. Thank you for treating my wound.

Yuno: Don’t mention it… I’m glad I could be of help.

Yoshitsune: Yuno.

Yuno: ah…

Yoshitsune-sama reached his hand out and touched mine.

He gently unclenched my fingers.

Yoshitsune: My way of living is the only one I know.

Yoshitsune: That’s why, I’ll continue walking down this path.

Yoshitsune: However, I’ll never forget that you treated my wound today.

Yoshitsune: Your kindness and your earnestness in being thoughtful of others— I find them beautiful.

(... I want you to stop saying such things.)

The emotions and inability to reach enlightenment developed made me feel like my breathing was about to stop.

Yuno: I have done nothing significant.

Yuno: I may be able to heal physical wounds, but I can never erase the sorrow you feel as a result of your past.

(It’s meaningless to think about things like ‘if only we weren't enemies’.)

Yuno: … I feel like I’m leaving things incomplete.

Yoshitsune: You don’t need to feel that way.

Yoshitsune-sama calmly disagreed with my words.

He must've felt unconcealable heat from my skin when our hands touched.

Yoshitsune: Right now, you're sincerely facing the sadness you’re feeling on my behalf.

Yoshitsune: As your enemy, I can sense that your words contain no flattery or self-interest.

Yoshitsune: You’re beautiful, Yuno.

I gasped, those words went straight to the core of my heart.

(... This is so cruel.)

(It’s impossible for me to see Yoshitsune-sama as an enemy.)

(I can’t leave this man alone. I don’t want to leave him alone—)

Yoshitsune: I’ll see you off.

Yoshitsune-sama slowly let go of my hand and tried to stand, when…

Yoshitsune: Ggh…

Yuno: D-don’t move. Stay right there…

I gently pushed Yoshitsune-sama back down and placed my hand over his bandaged site.

Yoshitsune: …

Yuno: Does it still hurt badly?

Yoshitsune: … No.

Yoshitsune-sama mumbled, seemingly caught off guard.

Yoshitsune: Just by touching the injury site like this…

Yoshitsune: You mysteriously made the pain disappear.

Yoshitsune: I don't sense any special powers coming from you. What did you do to me?

Yuno: Originally, touching an injury with your palm like this relieves pain; that's why it’s called “treatment”.**

**This sentence is lost in translation. I can’t explain it well, but hand = 手 and treatment = 手当て – there is a 手 in 手当て, that's why Yuno said that.

Yoshitsune: I find that hard to believe.

Yoshitsune-sama wore a sceptical look and thought for a moment…

Yoshitsune: I don’t think there’s anyone else who can cause this sort of effect on me just by touching.

Yuno: Y-Yoshitsune-sama…?

His beautiful fingers caressed my cheek, making my heart skip a beat.

Yoshitsune: You have the ability to heal.

Yoshitsune: … You’re entirely different from me.

[gayuu-the-necromancer]

im afraid adding mc sprites would cause some controversy because I’ve been seeing drama on twitter from another otome game where the mc took too much space of the gacha card and the self insert part of the fandom was angry about it because to them MC just represents them and they dont want too much of mc

If they want self inserted type of MC then cybird should make their games like Obey me, where there is no dialogue and only choices. But in the ikemen series games, the MCs are now starting to have more personality. Also their designs are slowly improving. It's not the same generic brown hair brown eyes MCs. I would love to see Yoshino (Ikegen MC) changing her hair and eye colour while she's using her supernatural powers like Yoshitsune and Akihito. I would also love to see Kate's scared facial expression when Crown members assassinates bad guys. Both these women already look gorgeous and I wanna see their faces reacting to everything.

They should do it like Tears of themis or diabolik lovers or ozmafia where there is a small sprite of MC next to the dialogue box. I think it will look cute. If some people don't like having that, then the devs should put an option to not show MC's sprite while playing the game. It's a small thing, but I think it will look nice.