475 The Systems History: Unraveling their guise (1/2)

”Suzuki-kun, I might not travel with you back to the Capital's border.” As they dined, Tora stared down on her half-consumed dish as she interrupted Aki's jubilant storytelling. What happened today, she just couldn't leave the north unless she thoroughly investigates the incident.

”Is that so?” Aki stretched his lips a little up. ”How unfortunate.” He added as he glanced on her bandaged hand that showed a stain of blood.

”It is unfortunate, indeed.” Shrugging her shoulders, Tora said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Actually, it wasn't unfortunate for her as prolonging her stay in the north meant she wouldn't have to deal and see the emperor. Not to mention, her interest in Aki enormously extinguished to none as she perceived him as no less different from other men she had encountered with.

Although in this era, men and women were equally had the same privileges and rights, there was still discrimination about gender. After all, most of them saw women as fragile things and there are only a few numbers of women warriors.

However, ever since she became the general, it encouraged dauntless women like her who were more inclined to fight enlisted in the military. Those women who weren't blinded by shiny pieces of ornaments and silk dresses. Regardless, for Tora, it only made a little change: Men still thought they were above women, not equal.

”What can I do? I am guessing you have gained a good position in the imperial military and it was inevitable to be tangled down with its affairs.” Sigh after another heavy sigh, Aki shook his head sideways, disheartened to hear the news. Still, he didn't thoroughly press on the matter as he wasn't in place to question her.

Furthermore, he had guessed that with Tora's strength and the current general's influence, she must have gained a good position in the military. He would even mistake her that she may even be a daimyo if he didn't know that no woman had taken that position at the moment. Thus, he guessed that she may be a captain of her own little squad.

”Regardless, I must thank you for inviting me.” Tora smiled without a touch of displeasure. ”Fret not, my little Churu here is enough as a companion.” Turning to Churu, the little girl smiled back. Churu ignored Aki ever since he came and only bowed her head as a greeting. After that, she said no words and ate to her heart's content.

”Churu?” Furrowing his brows, Aki cast Churu a glance with a conflicted look.

In his mind, it was quite an odd name to have as it meant 'slurp' or something like that. However, he didn't dare laugh by it as it would be impolite and might offend the two, especially Tora who has her brow arched as if one wrong word, he would snap his head.

”If the heavens allowed, we will meet again.” Insincere, Tora never wanted to see him again. Not that she despised him or anything of the sort. She just found him a little troublesome to have around. After all, he was quite sharp despite his happy-go-lucky facade.

”Must I hope I will see you again, then?” Slowly, the corner of his lips curled into a sly smirk. ”I believed our encounter wasn't an accident. Thus, the heavens would allow it.” he confidently said, which made Tora's brows twitch.

'What a true philanderer.' Tora hissed inwardly.