#slbp umeko

[yonezawacastle]

I do think my favorite thing about Mitsuhide's arc is actually Oichi, and what a high place she clearly holds in MC's thoughts. Otome games are going to focus on handsome guys pretty much by default, but it's just so refreshing to have a female friendship be this central to the story and this important to the protagonist.

[yoolee]

Lately as I have been mindlessly listening to a hundred and a half “I was reincarnated/transmigrated into a book I read/otome game I played” I can’t help but imagine such a story with SLBP as the game in question.

Misc thoughts: Most of these stories have to do with changing one’s fate / avoiding some disaster or doom or fav character’s death and that would be so hard with SLBP from a which is actually one of the reasons why I think it would make a great story. The sort of inevitability of war and its influence is so deeply woven in and it’s not like there are “oh so and so attacked from x river as spring turned to summer in this year” details that could be used. To me such a big theme is just finding moments of meaningful happiness with the important people in your life, and I really like that as a story over a lot of these ‘save the world’ ‘win the war’ ‘overthrow a tyrant’ clear win/lose goals. How would that influence this kind of transmigration story? What would someone who woke up in SLBP have as a goal?

I think it would be interesting because even with knowledge of the supposed inner workings and secrets of characters, and some knowledge of future events, if the protagonist woke up as chef - it’s not like she would have money and influence to act on it. It’d be an interesting challenge, IMO.

Or embracing the more stereotypical storylines you could go:

The semi-serious route of just ‘try to stay alive during warring states era’ which involves NOT being a poison tester perhaps.

The ‘go romance favorite side character (Toramatsu? Tired single dad Kanetsugu? Kansuke?) who didn’t get route’

‘Play matchmaker and find people similar to who nameless chef becomes over course of route because there’s only one of her and you and want all biases to have SOME happiness in their lives’ (protag reincarnated as Umeko? As nameless retainer/vassal?)

Protag realizes they’re in the game only after little brother has left to become a poison tester, and hurries after to get the game back on track (perhaps not knowing which ‘route’ they’re on until they catch up) and then has to you know, not die despite now being extra suspicious

Get unexpectedly attached to a character who wasn’t one of your favorites by virtue of actually experiencing things (eg—Inuchiyo)

Try to find a way to gain enough power and influence that they might be able to actually change things - go try and find Iga and train as an assassin to take out the lords they liked less? Uses the extreme cliche of somehow remembers enough detail about a modern invention or process to develop it (I remember salt being a brief produce plot point in Shingen/Kenshin’s route) but would still have to get around heroine’s agency or lack thereof and availability of resources to enact said inventions.

You could also scrap the idea of protag wakes up as chef and instead have it be like—protag wakes up as one of the lords or named vassals and that solves the influence problem but ups the likelihood of dying in battle or being named a spy problem.

If I were to write it, would probably be the usual slapstick. Go the route of protag waking up as chef, try and keep chef dad alive, leverage childhood friend status to preemptively bribe/lure Inuchiyo over to Kai’s side, maneuver to end up on Yukimura/Saizo prologue path since Kai has the highest concentration of favorites, trying to get Shingen/Kenshin into an alliance (or relationship) trying to develop a business plan for a sweets business (focused on Nobunaga and Ieyasu’s favorites) with maybe Francesco as an investor to try and gain enough mercantile influence for future negotiations.

It would require too much research to rally do well but such is life 😂

[cyllux-the-imaginary]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA man I love SLBP’s April’s Fools gags, it does me everytime

(oboro tho LOL I loved it)

[otome-shenanigans]

pretty sure the only thing masamune is craving is affection, actually

[ninjasuccesssquad]

Girl talk with Umeko and co.

[incorrectslbpquotes]

MC: why would I fuck a demon? simple, the status. imagine you and your friends arriving at the gates of hell, they're all crying, scared to death, and you just walk into the arms of your sugar demon. legendary.

Umeko: where is my bible-

Matsuko: no wait she actually has a point.

[buddy-anon]

[tacogawa]

they dont get enough credit for bein so amazin

[ieyasu-tacogawa]

Ladies ;) MFK. Almost done, a few more to go. Will make a list and link all when all are posted.

[alexisjusthere]

WHAT EVEN IS THIS LMFAO

THEY MAKE IT HILARIOUS EVERY YEAR I ACTUALLY ALMOST BELIEVED IT BUT THEN I SAW YOSHIHIME AND WAS LIKE NOPEJDOJSHDVHFHJEJJF

[incorrect-slbp-quotes-blog]

Umeko: Dieting is my passion! Do you have any idea how I'd have looked, if I hadn't been on a diet my entire life?

Ieyasu: *snickers* Good?

MC: Milord!

[wingcinna]

Maid wife + restaurant wifey = 💖

[ninjasuccesssquad]

Personal Nurse for Yukimura 🤕

[thatlongspringnight]

Braided (Umeko/MC drabble)

She braids flowers into your hair. 

Twisting the fresh spring blossoms and vines into intricate styles, the light of early morning painting everything in sunrise.

She braids flowers into your hair and tells you stories of her mother. 

She listens, with rapt, watching eyes, as you open up like the blooms she gives you, telling her about your family, wiping your tears when you talk about your father.

Perhaps that is all she would have done.

But you can’t stop yourself, no. Not with her sparkling eyes and her fingers, twining with yours.

You seek her out. 

Finding her every morning.

Helping her with the chores, letting her brush her fingers down your neck.

You, even, are the one to pull her out deep into the garden, before anyone else is awake.

But even then, with flowers in your hair, and your hand holding hers.

She’s still the one that kisses you first.

Soft inspired by @buddy-anon and the post about MC and Umeko being cute girlfriends <3 

tagging @han-pan

[buddy-anon]

small commission with best girls Umeko and MC

[draconivn]

003 | A Happy Family

Summary: It was one milestone of happiness after another. First your wedding, then the announcement that you were pregnant with the Date heir. Everyone’s trying to figure out if it’s a boy or a girl, but your dilemma is trying to keep yourself busy until the big moment. Disclaimer: I don’t SLBP or any of the characters in it.

"I don't think I've felt more helpless than I do today."

"Oh don't worry about this, Lady Zaria. We knew this would be coming one day," Umeko said, smiling reassuringly. "If Lord Masamune knew you came into the kitchen to work, he would not be able to forgive us."

I sighed, looking down for a moment. I couldn't see the hem of my kimono anymore, a protrusion of my belly in a round curve for my fingers to cradle. Ever since I became pregnant, Masamune had become more watchful and cautious of me doing anything, even so much as making sure that Shigezane's daily banter didn't get too much. I reassured him with a smile that all was well, but as I was getting close to my due date, he ordered me to stop my duties.

It was difficult for him to adjust, I knew it, so I had suggested to Lord Kojuro that we gradually let him take over. It was an odd request, from what I gathered, but with how much my husband worried about the Date and myself, Lord Kojuro agreed.

My duties in the kitchen also disappeared, yet I still found myself wandering to them on occasion to feed my odd cravings. Each time I was caught, Umeko and Matsuko shooed me out just like they had done so moments ago, and instead took on preparing my cravings for me. I felt like I was a burden, but it was all to make sure the baby was in good health by not overworking myself. Though I was persistent in refusing to have someone constantly watch me all day, saying that I was fine on my own.

"Will you be in your chambers today?"

I smiled, "Lord Masamune has promised to take me out on a walk around the garden this afternoon, so I’ll be meeting him at his chambers and wait for him when he’s done his work." It was closer than my room, but the doctor had ordered that I stay on my feet rather than the bedrest that Masamune was insisting on. He was busy today with a few meetings for the morning, but he had promised me a walk in the garden after he was done, so I had decided to go on ahead instead of him trying to find me. 

A little snack before we would do so wouldn’t hurt.

I left so that I would avoid another shoo-ing, taking my time as I wandered through the corridors. I would've liked to take a detour to the veranda to get some fresh air for the day, but that would've taken me further away from Masamune.

“Good afternoon, Lady Date. I hope you’re doing well today.”

I smiled. “Definitely. Thank you for the regards.” I had gradually become accustomed to becoming Lady Date over the past year, though it was quite an adjustment period following the wedding. A few retainers greet me with a bow on the way, making sure to ask after me and the baby.

"Hey doll!"

I turned to the sound of the familiar greeting, greeting my husband’s cousin as he jogged over to me. "Lord Shigezane. Are you on your way to see Masamune?"

He grinned. "I am, but I'm trying to see how I can avoid Kojuro this time."

I laughed. "I'm not sure you can avoid that no matter how you go about it." Lord Shigezane always had a penchant for entering Masamune's chambers without announcing himself, usually with Lord Kojuro appearing exasperated behind him before they would both lecture him daily for barging in. 

“Well, how about you, doll? You look like you're doing good and in bright spirits!" He glanced down to my belly. “And from what I hear you’re due anytime now! Are you sure you should be out and not in bed resting?”

I nodded. "Mhm. The doctor recommended getting some light exercise so Masamune promised me a walk in the garden today after he's done with his meetings. I was going to head to his chambers and have refreshments brought over. But seeing as I keep getting blocked from getting into the kitchen, I did manage to get an order of snacks coming. Though if he hasn’t eaten lunch yet, then that’s a different story…”

"Can't keep away from doing your duties, huh?"

"I don't like sitting around and doing nothing. It leaves me in absolute boredom."

"But you're not doing nothing."

I blinked, looking at him questioningly.

He didn’t have that joking or fun-loving expression, only holding an expression of seriousness as he spoke every word in a heartfelt manner.  "You're working hard to help the baby grow, doll. If being a mother isn't the hardest job in the world, I don't know what else there is. You love Masa, became his wife and Lady of the Date, and now carrying his kid. You're doing a lot more than you think." 

I never had thought of it that way, his words touched me. I smiled warmly at him. "Thank you, Lord Shigezane."

We were getting close to Masamune's chambers, and there came the famous roadblock as Lord Kojuro came to see us. He opened his mouth, ready to scold Shigezane but he saw me next to him and he let out an exasperated sigh. "Really, Shigezane? Are you trying to use her to get out of this?"

"You know I would've done it even if she wasn't here. We just happened to bump into each other and she wanted to see Masa too!"

I giggled at the banter the two had started already, barely moments of crossing each other while Lord Shigezane started walking forward in an effort to press past Lord Kojuro. I could smell the food starting to come through the halls, and I was ready to turn and greet Umeko, before a sharp pain soared through me. 

“– are you okay?”

I barely heard the question, looking up at Lord Kojuro and Lord Shigezane as they seemed curious about my expression, having stopped their banter.For a moment, I thought I had walked awkwardly or I had been walking a little more than I should’ve that it caused discomfort to my body, but my body didn’t seem to think of it that way. “Yeah, I–” A cry left my lips before I could finish my sentence and my hands clutched my belly as I fell to my knees, groaning in pain.

I barely heard the call of my name in that moment, the tray set on the floor as Umeko, Lord Kojuro and Lord Shigezane came rushing to my side. I must’ve been loud enough because retainers were rushing down the corridors to come look, and soon, Masamune’s voice sounded out to ask what was going on. I could barely look up at him, but in the moment I did, his jade eye widened and everyone quickly backed away to take me into his arms.

"What's wrong?"

"Th-The baby-!" I managed to get out. “I-I think I’m–…”

“Are you sure?”

It was not something like a practiced contraction or anything like my body being under stress. And there was no way that I was hours away from giving birth. “I’m sure! Our child wants to get out now!” I grit out, clutching his kimono before I had to bury my face in his chest to hide the pain I was showing on my face. 

Masamune’s warmth wrapped around me as he gathered me into his arms, and he moved swiftly to take me down the hall to the birthing chambers, while Lord Kojuro was barking orders to the retainers. 

“Get the physician! Make sure to gather all the supplies he’ll need for the labour! Lady Date is in labour!”

My body wanted to curl in, practically fighting against being set down on the futon and I gripped Masamune’s kimono. It didn’t hit me until then and there that we were going to have our child very soon, and I was going to be a mother. “I-I’m scared…”

He looked at me, and his hands held mine as he kissed my forehead, my eyes shutting at the pain. He had spoken previously about his concerns about being a father, that he was afraid they would be scared of him, and I had been the one to reassure him. “Everything will be fine,” he whispered against my brow. “Just take deep breaths.”

Who would’ve thought I’d be the scared one at this moment? "M-Masamune…" I wanted to have him here. “What if I’m not a good mother?” Yes, this was coming out of my mouth right then and there.

He smiled gently at me, my own hand gripping his firmly when I felt another contraction come through and I tossed my head back with a cry of pain.  “You won’t be. With a heart like yours, I know you’ll be the greatest mother any child could ever have. Even if something happens, I will be there with you every step of the way. Just as you ask me to share my burdens as my wife, we share each other’s burdens as parents.” Even like this when I was in pain, when I was struggling the most, he still fought to give me those words so that my heart wouldn’t feel lonely or heavy before our child came. He was right.

I inhaled sharply, swallowing hard after with a nod. 

“You can do this. I love you.”

"I love you too."

Those were the last words I heard the doctor entered the birthing chamber with a string of maids and supplies, whisking him out and the doors were shut.

Masamune looked to Kojuro and Shigezane, and without another word, they went to the Main Hall to wait.

Many had come to join them, all in curiosity and concern now that the announcement had gone out that Lady Date had gone into labour. It was a vital moment, knowing that the clan's next heir rode on this moment. There was nothing but silence. It was like all work had gone to a standstill. 

“Shigezane, if you keep pacing, you’ll wear a hole into the floor.”

“Fine.” He stopped in his tracks with a frown, moving to sit next to him and hands falling to his knees. 

“I know it’s nerve-wracking for you, but I’m certain Lord Masamune’s feeling just as much pressure,” Kojuro said to him, glancing at Masamune on the dais.

While Masamune looked calm, it was practically torture for him on the inside. He couldn’t be there when she was going through the most painful process of being his wife, of becoming a mother. There were the times that she fought so bravely as the Lady of the Date, causing emotional and mental pressure to both of their hearts of being away from each other like that. But they always found their way to each other to share their pains. This was one pain he wasn’t going to be able to be with her for, and instead, wait to see the fruits of her hard work.

There were the occasional murmurs about whether it was a boy or girl, though it always silenced when Kojuro’s eyes were on them. As a samurai, it had to be the concern of birthing a boy to carry on the name of the house, though Masamune had expressed being fine with either a son or a daughter in the beginning, stating that he hoped the child was like his wife rather than like him.

Then the cries of a newborn baby filled the halls.

Masamune’s head snapped up at the sound and without hesitation, he was on his feet and striding past the retainers back to the birthing chamber. 

I was exhausted after the entire process, my chest heaving, beads of sweat being damped off my forehead by the maids. The crying of our child loudly filled the room over the doctor's instructions, until I was propped up to a sitting position and able to cradle our newborn. It felt like it took more out of me than I thought it would.

The doors slid open and I looked at Masamune, giving him a tired smile. He looked like he couldn't believe his eye at the sight, until his feet guided him to be at my side. He brushed my hair out of my face, looking in awe at the child in my arms, before the doctor spoke up with a warm smile,

"Congratulations, Milord. You have a healthy baby boy. Lady Date, you worked hard. Congratulations once again."

I smiled at the doctor. “Thank you very much for your hard work.”

“I will give you two some time, and then I will be back to make sure the both of you will manage the first night.” The doctor got up and excused himself with a bow to us and Lord Kojuro and Lord Shigezane who were at the door.

"Congratulations, Milord." 

"I'm proud of you two! Congratulations on the new addition to the family."

"Thank you very much. I’m happy our little one made it safely." 

I could've sworn up and down that I nearly saw and heard Lord Kojuro sniffle and be ready to wail as he did at our wedding, but he seemed to have refrained for the moment while Lord Shigezane snickered at him. Lord Kojuro decided to excuse themselves so that they wouldn't interrupt the moment between us much longer, closing the door to leave us in privacy. It wasn’t too long until after their departure that there was cheering muffled faintly, but very distinct to have come from the Main Hall.

I looked to Masamune, who had been quiet since the moment he entered, and I smiled. "Would you like to hold your son?"

He looked at me in surprise, before accepting him with a smile and carefully taking our son into his hands. "So small…" he murmured, cradling him to his chest. With one hand, he stroked our son's cheek affectionately and was immediately taken aback by a tiny hand wrapping around his finger.

Masamune stayed close to me, a little stiff as he tried to comprehend holding his newborn son. Jade green eyes peered up at him, a speckle of hair like my own faint in the few strands that sat upon his head.

"What should we name him?" I looked at him as he fell into thought. Samurai were to have two names, one for childhood, and the other for when they became a samurai and served in the battlefield. I had tried thinking of a few names, while trying to understand how the name -maru always worked its way like Masamune did with his old name ‘Botenmaru’.

"...Torakikumaru." His lips began to curl into a smile at our son, and he seemed reluctant to let go of him, just as the little hand refused to let go of his finger. 

“He loves you already,” I murmured to him. 

Masamune's expression was affectionate as he raised eyes to me, kissing my forehead as he murmured, "You worked hard. Thank you."

“Thank you for supporting me,” I murmured back, kissing his cheek. My heart had never felt so full until this moment, my husband at my side and our son in our arms. 

While it was a day of rejoicing, it wouldn’t be long before Torakikumaru would face hardships as the heir to the Date. Without fail, we would be there every step of the way as his parents. Masamune and I would continue to support each other as husband and wife, and lead the clan as the Lord and Lady of the Date.