#the best healer is back babyy

[aestheticsicrushon]

Silco will return to Teamfight Tactics to cover the Convergence in Shimmer with Set 9.5 Horizonbound on September 13th. Enemies beware, while allies practice self-care.

[quincette]

SUMMARY AND COMMENTS ON HOTARU’S SECOND TENKA TSUKI EVENT STORY AS YOUR LOVE INTEREST.

LINK TO THE FIRST PART HERE

So this story event gives us a glimpse into Hotaru’s psyche. Poor boy’s been living in a bubble and is all shades of fucked up inside but there’s that childlike innocence to him that draws the MC. I am 100% sure Tsuki MC is slightly older than him. Anyways, SPOILER ALERT, summary and comments after the break.

So the story starts in Mitsuba Clan’s village. The whole clan is on the run because they have broken ties with Iga. Kaede has just returned from liaising with Oda Nobunaga and she is worried that war between Nobu and Iga will start soon and that Mitsuba will be caught in the middle - they need to evacuate somewhere safe.

Echigo comes to mind as Nobu has no power in Uesugi’s domain. Then it was decided that MC is to go to Echigo to find out the living conditions there and what kind of a ruler Kenshin is.

MC: Kaede you’ve been to Echigo, what kind of a place is it?

Kaede: Cold, snowbound place. But Kasugayama town is warmer somewhat… I think it’s the people there.

After walking around the town for a bit. MC notices a dango shop and it takes her back to the time she took Hotaru to a dango shop. She wondered if he’s alright when she heard his voice, calling her name.

It is Hotaru. She was both happy and a little caught off guard because she doesn’t think it’ll be a good think if people know who she is.

Hotaru is with Kagetsugu, who chides him for not immediately eating the dango he bought him and now they have hardened. Kagetsugu sighs (no, really, he pouts and that’s will never be not cute) and says that he would buy him some more but Hotaru had better eat them immediately. Hotaru smiles smiles smiles.

(these two together are LETHAL)

Kagetsugu notices MC and Hotaru introduces them. 

Hotaru: This is the person who has shown me many things (lol)

Terrified that he might give her identity as a shinobi away, she admitted that she’s in Kasugayama to find work as a pharmacist/healer. Hotaru concurs, saying that MC’s medicine is the best.

Then Kenshin breezes through, all sparkly and smiley and sandalwoody and admits to the boys and MC that he is escaping the castle, then after a brief exchange of pleasantries with his people, runs away.

Hotaru calls Kenshin just “Kenshin”, without honorifics whatsoever, and they were really casual MC wonders if this Kenshin is that Uesugi Kenshin.

When they had parted ways, MC was about to go back home when she heard a scream from the woods. She followed the sound to find blood-spattered Hotaru killing a man. She was both surprised and not so surprised seeing this - Hotaru is an Iga shinobi afterall.

There are three people with him. She recognises Kagetsugu, who is talking to Hotaru, but not the other two. When she was about to go away, she’s caught by Kageie (who accuses her of being a Hojo spy) and Kanetsugu and taken to Kasugayama.

They decide to wait for Kenshin to pass judgement since no one can prove if MC is or is not a spy. Then Kenshin, recognises her.

Kenshin: Oh, I met her before. You are the medicine girl in town, right?

Kanetsugu: What?

Kenshin: Yes, she was with Hotaru.

Kanetsugu: In town? You said you were in the castle the whole day.

Kenshin: Well, that’s…

(Kenshin is so busted, he got an earful from Kanetsugu)

Hotaru arrives with Kagetsugu and Yoshichi and immediately corroborate Kenshin’s story. But it still doesn’t prove MC’s innocence, says Kageie.

Yoshichi: But Hotaru doesn’t tell lies.

Kagetsugu: Doesn’t mean he tells us the truth all the time.

Hotaru: MC is not the enemy.

Kageie: There’s no way to prove that, though.

Hotaru: Don’t hurt MC.

Hotaru shields MC from everyone else. MC is both terrified and doki-doki. Kenshin diffuses the situation by saying that he believes MC (because of course he does, the wind tells him so) and since Hotaru vouches for her healing ability, he gives her a job as the castle’s medic/pharmacist.

So MC spends the night in a new room with a new job and falls asleep while still trying to make sense of what is happening.

The next morning Hotaru calls her out in front of her room. He was with Kenshin (ever so sparkly) and Kenshin invites her for a walk out of the castle. MC prefers not to attract attention lest her cover was blown.

MC: Why?

Kenshin: Why? Do you need a reason to take a walk on a beautiful day?

Hotaru: *smiles smiles smiles*

So MC agrees to join their little excursion.

Then Kanetsugu appears.

Kanetsugu: And where, do you think you’re going?

Kenshin is dragged back by his scruff (lol) and he wails, you two, carry on the mission without me~~~~

So Hotaru takes MC to a field where small white flowers bloom. He said that Kenshin brought him the place and he thinks it’s beautiful that’s why he wants to show it to MC. MC is touched seeing him so happy, like the cold-blooded killer in him is just a nightmare.

Afterwards, they have dango and Hotaru licks the side of MC's lips because she has tasty dango morsel on his face (if this is the side effect of growing up only accompanied by a cat then I am all for it!!!) and go back to the castle. The castle is a rustle because the Hojo is going to attack. Kenshin mobilises everyone to the war  council but he asks Hotaru to stay out. Hotaru is sad.

Hotaru: Why?

Kenshin: Hotaru-kun, what do you think about taking someone’s life?

Then he just smiles and leaves to his war council. They left shortly after, leaving the castle rather quiet. MC is trying to console the forlorn Hotaru.

Hotaru: Did, I do badly? (he phrased it as if he thinks Kenshin was disappointed with his performance/ability)

MC says nothing because one one side she understands what Kenshin is trying to make Hotaru learn and on another she has ideas about how Hotaru was raised and how that had shaped him into a ruthless killer - lol, all thinking and no talking or doing - are you an INTP, MC?)

So she tried small talks.

MC: Ne, Hotaru-kun, are here on a mission from Iga?

Hotaru says nothing. So MC swtiches subject.

MC: What do you do with your spare time in Iga?

Hotaru: Read books, play toys…

MC: Oh, with your older brother? or friends?

Hotaru: No, just… with myself.

MC HAS FEELS. I HAS FEELS. MY POOR BABYY FIREFLY.

Hotaru: Oh, but Tora is there.

MC: Mmm, Tora has always been there, hasn’t he?

Hotaru smiles.

MC: Do you, like it here?

Hotaru’s smile widens.

Hotaru: It’s warm here. Everyone plays with you - sometimes all of them at the same time.

(he used the word “fuwafuwa” to describe the warmth of the clan - that steamy warmth you get from hot food and fluffy steamed goodies - I cried)

Then, suddenly, Hotaru is back on asking MC why Kenshin didn’t take him with the others. MC still has no answer. So she’s trying to dstract Hotaru by playing with him.

Then one day as she’s feeding the carps, Yoshichi is running around to find him and asks her help in calming Hotaru down (by distracting him some more) because he is going to go after Kenshin.

It doesn’t work though and Hotaru takes off. MC went after him.

One battlefield, the Uesugi has the upper hand and the Hojo are retreating. Kanetsugu asks Kenshin if they should pursue. Kenshin orders Kagetsugu and Kageie to drive them away, and to do just that.

When MC catches up with Hotaru, it was in the forest splashes red with blood. Hotaru has decimated the retreating enemy. The white flowers on the forest floors are now red and dirty.

The Kages were shocked. Kenshin says flatfly “We’re gong home.”

Hotaru: Did I do badly?

MC’s heart is breaking.

Hotaru: They’re got all so dirty now, referring to the red-spattered flowers.

MC kneeled next to him and took his blood spattered hand with hers.

Hotaru: I’ll get them dirty!

MC: yes, killing people is one way to get them dirty. 

MC internalises that as much as she wants to say it’s wrong she can’t because it’s all Hotaru’s been taught.

Back at Kasugayama, they are victorious but somber. Kenshin calls MC.

Kenshin: You are not a pharmacist, are you?

MC stiffens.

Kenshin: Not an ordinary city girl either. You didn’t flinch at the sight of so much blood being spilled.

MC gives him credit for being sharper than he looks.

Kenshin: So, a shinobi, is it?

Seeing no better way, she prostrates herself and apologises, and explaining her family’s situation and the things that drive them to run.

Kenshin smiles.

Kenshin: So you weren’t lying when you said you’re looking for a job. And that explains your skill with medicine.

Apparently, MC did a really good job in the aftermath of the battle so Kenshin welcomes her to Kasugayama. I guess in this version, women are allowed to reside in the castle.

Then Kenshin calls Hotaru and curtly tells him that he thanks him for his service but not his killing those people.

Kenshin: If you’re going to take someone’s life. Prepare yourself. 

(I think he meant it that he should feel something or take responsibility or something, gah, my apology, my Japanese is not good enough to catch the nuances of his words)

Then he left the hall.

Kanetsugu: he cares for you, you know.

Hotaru is sad and goes to the roof to think.

MC sits with him.

Hotaru: Why is he angry at me?

MC: I don’t think he’s angry at you…

Hotaru: Did I do badly?

MC: Hotaru-kun, what do you think when you’re takig someone’s life?

Hotaru: It’s a duty, isn’t it?

MC: when you kill someone, there are people who will not be seeing them again tomorrow and the next day and the next day…

Hotaru: That’s sad…

MC: Yes. I think, Kenshin-sama wants you to understand that.

Hotaru was silent for a bit before he stands up.

Hotaru: I want to apologise to Kenshin. Will you come with me?

He takes MC hands and they fly to the flower fields, where Hotaru picks a small bouquet for Kenshin.

Hotaru: I hope he’ll forgive me.

MC smiles. How could he not?

(I AM SO PUMPED THAT WE GET TO SEE MORE OF THE UESUGI CLAN SHENANIGANS AND KENSHIN, KENSHIN I LOVE YOU MY SPARKLY SANDALWOODY POPINJAY!)