December, Tensho 9, Gifu

One month after leaving Odawara, I returned to my hometown Gifu for the first time in about half a year.

As I walked along the streets, I could see the same old townscape and, looking up, I could see the Gifu Castle where my family lived.

I wondered why I was so excited to be back in my hometown ......, even though it was just that.

I suddenly stopped in the middle of the street and someone tugged on my sleeve.

"Sir? What's wrong? What's wrong?

"It's been a long journey! It's been a long journey, and you may have unknowingly accumulated fatigue. ...... I'll carry you here! Come on, sir, don't be shy! I'm sorry.

"...... No, it's fine. Thank you, Fuji and Kai. Thank you, Fuji and Kai. I'm sorry you all had to stay so long. Let's go to .......

Hahaha! Haha!

I held Fujihime and Kaihime's hands and started walking again. I'm not sure what to make of it.

If you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.

In a bad way, I'm a hostage, but I don't intend to be one at all, so I don't think there will be any problem. In the first place, this is what the girls wanted.

It's okay if they see you as a hostage. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. I'm the most rewarding person in the ...... world.

The rest of the day went by without any problems, and the streets became more and more crowded. We were approaching the castle town.

Some people were looking at us from a distance, and there was quite a commotion. Normally, it's not often that the people have the opportunity to know the face of the Imperial Highness, but due to the influence of the horse lineup, I'm a bit of a celebrity in Gifu, his home town.

"Hey, hey, isn't that young master? Waka-sama?

"Waka-sama is that Tennyo-sama? Young-sama?

I heard you went to the far East. ......

Well, ...... I suppose she's come back.

"I can't believe I got to see her with my own eyes, thank you, thank you, thank you.

This is a bit of a bad idea. ...... I should have worn a disguise or two. ...... It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web, as well as to make sure that you're getting the most out of it.

It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any suggestions on how to get out of this situation.

".........'s .........'s ..........

"Hmm? That's .......

"......'s .........'s ......'s! ............

The unidentified object that was gradually approaching made everyone in the area tense. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

"No, ......, this is .............

"And ...... and ............'s and ...... and .......

You can hear her beautiful voice even from this far away, and this overwhelming speed,......, there's no doubt about it, Tsubaki!

"And...and...and...and...and! !

The moment I saw through his true identity, Tsubaki came to a stop right in front of me, as if he had completely ignored the laws of inertia.

The cloud of dust and smoke had been fine-tuned so that it didn't affect us at all, only damaging the surroundings.

By the way, I hadn't seen Tsubaki for a month because he had delivered a letter to my father and grandfather. If you're a fan of ......, you'll agree with this attitude.

It's been a long time, Tsubaki. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. Haha!

Haha! The letter has been safely handed over to the two of you. Lieutenant General Gifu is waiting for your return at this end.

"Hmm, that was very good. As expected of Tsubaki.

"Thank goodness! "Thank you for your happiness!

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure what to make of that.

Of course, it's also because she's usually easy to get along with.

She must have reached her limit by now. I'm not sure what to do.

She's a helpless girl. ...... I smiled and gently stroked her over and over again. You'll be able to get a lot more out of it.

You can do it like you always do, okay? You can do it like you always do.

I'm not sure if my words were the deciding factor, but as if to break through the lid of my suppressed emotions, she clung to me, sobbing.

It's been a while! It's been a long time! I've missed you for a month ......, I've missed you for a month! "Yes.

"Well, you did your best. I've been missing you for a month and a ...... month! I'm sorry.

"Gosh, ......, I understand.

I managed to quiet down the crying Tsubaki, and took advantage of the confusion to head for the castle. It was a little unexpected, but it turned out to be a good thing.

When we arrived at the castle gate, the gatekeeper noticed us and hurriedly greeted us.

"Sanboshi-sama! Welcome back! Welcome back!

"Thank you for welcoming me.

"Hahaha! Haha!

The gates are slowly opening. The gate slowly opened.

I waited for the gates to open completely, and when I entered, I saw my father and his vassals all there. When my father's eyes met mine, he came up to me with great speed and hugged me with all his might. He hugged me as hard as he could, over and over again, as if he was confirming my existence.

"Sanboshi! I'm so glad you made it back to ......! I've missed you so much! I missed you!

"......! No, no, no, no, no! There was so much I wanted to say.

There were so many things I wanted to say. I'm not sure what to say, but I'll try. There was the story of his adventures on the road, the events of the Hojo family, the taking of Princess Fuji and Princess Kai as brides, the days of training in Hakone. I wanted to talk a lot about my master, and about Yuki and the others .......

But the moment I saw my father's face, all those things were blown away and I was just so happy.

I wanted to see my father too. I was so happy that I couldn't hold back the overflowing feelings in my chest, and I couldn't help but cry to the point of embarrassment.

The sight of them rejoicing over their reunion with tears streaming down their faces was a sure sign of the bond between father and son.

Then we managed to regain our composure and left each other embarrassed. To be honest, I couldn't stand the warm glances from the people around us.

My father must have felt the same way, because he coughed deliberately and urged me to go inside the castle.

Gohon! Well, you're back home. It must have been cold outside. Have a good rest today.

"Yes! Thank you very much.

Well, it was colder in Hakone where it was snowing, but I'll take your word for it. It was cold in Hakone, where it was snowing, but I'll take your word for it. I don't feel comfortable talking too long outside.

As I was about to start walking, I suddenly felt my body float into the air. I turned around and saw my father holding me in his arms with a big smile on his face.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. You're getting heavy, Sanboshi! You've gotten so big in such a short time. ......

At first he was smiling, but then his voice became quieter and quieter, and finally he seemed to be crying a little.

From a parent's point of view, feeling your child's growth is probably the happiest time of all.

My child, who is still very young, is going on a journey and growing up in a place that I don't know. ...... I guess that makes me very sad. I'm sorry for what I did to my father. ......

But don't worry, Dad. From now on, we'll always be together. ...... I won't let him die in the Honnoji Incident, and I'll let him live until he becomes a grandfather.

I want you to live until you become a grandpa. When you die, I want you to live a great life surrounded by your children and grandchildren. I want him to go away surrounded by happiness. That's my little wish.

When I tugged on his sleeve a little bit, my father turned his head in wonder. Seeing this, I smile wickedly.

I was definitely going to tell him when he came back. Because there is no more appropriate word than this one.

"Chichiue ............ Taimasu! Hey!

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"Welcome back ............, Sanpoji.