Prologue: Part 3

Who was it that showed up, you ask?

Either he’s telling us to wage a glorious poetry battle, or to get out paper mats and wrestle on those. Both actually sound kinda fun, to be honest. I’ve never written insult poetry, nor have I ever wrestled on paper. This could be interesting.

“Thy face, must be said,
reminds me of moldy bread.
Thy butt, it’s true,
is as lumpy as stew.
Thy song, when heard,
could kill flocks of birds.”

Hmmm. It could use some work. No matter. Back to uncle-chan. That’s my nickname for him, by the way. It perfectly sums up how I feel about him. In two words: He’s creepy. While I’ve been mentally composing my poetry, uncle-chan’s been going on about me and Yui’s “childish ramblings.” I ask when he got here, and he says just now, since he was with the Emperor.

…. Okay. Then he tells Yui to leave. Yuiiiiiii! Don’t leave me with him! T_T

Damn you, Yui. See if I ever help you again. Apparently my dad sent uncle-chan to check up on me. Thanks a lot, dad. I didn’t think fathers did this kind of thing to daughters they actually liked. I tell him to pass on to my dad that I’m fine but I won’t be for long if uncle-chan keeps visiting.

Uncle-chan reveals that apparently dear old dad is actually asking about if I’m going to settle down and get about the business of popping out tons of grandbabies for him. Imperial grandbabies, of course.

I tell him that I’m not interested in that stuff. Uncle-chan whines that if I don’t hitch up soon I’ll be too much of an old maid for anyone to want me. Not too much of an old maid for you, though, right uncle-chan? I thought so. Sigh.

…. Okay, he’s getting even creepier than usual. Time for me to bring out the big guns.

Uncle-chan nearly throws a fit. Ha! Careful, uncle-chan, don’t want to have a heartattack. Stress is bad for you at your age. Hinata gets upset too, but Hinata is always getting upset, so she’s used to that feeling.

Uncle-chan demands to know what “lucky man” stole me away. See? I tell everyone, but no one believes that my uncle actually has designs on me. I try to pacify him with flattery, because if he really does die right here I think my dad would not be happy with me.

He then smiles and says he just wants to make sure this guy can properly take care of me. That would be a nice thought if it were from someone else.

There’s really nothing more for me to say at this point. He goes on to say if someone suitable doesn’t show up, he’ll find someone for me. I hope someone suitable does show up, for my sake. He leaves.

Are you really on my side, Hinata? I’m sincerely starting to wonder about that. You know, if you like uncle-chan so much, feel free to try for him. You have my full support.

Hinata backtracks and says that no, she just thinks he’s very strong and reliable. Then she says that maybe uncle-chan wrote that poem for me.

….

She then goes on to count the reasons for it. Like how he might get lonely on his patrols, and how the “road he chose” might be his patrol route. Oh god, she has a point. Oh god.

Then she says that it also might be Yui. This is a much, much better prospect when compared to my uncle. But I’m still not sure how she came up with Yui, of all people.

She says it’s not uncommon for friends to develop feelings for each other. Okay, I do like Yui. A lot. But.. really?

Well, he did weird out on me a little while he was here, so I guess it’s possible. I still don’t think he sees me like that, though.

Now that’s just mean. She then says that’s actually one of my redeeming qualities. So either she’s saying, “You’re dumb and that’s cute.” or “Your stupidity is one of the better things about you.”

I’m not sure which is worse. I decide to pick on her and say that if Yui is a candidate, then Hisame must be one, too.

Hinata takes me seriously and says that well, he does know my name and looks like a poetic sort. I decide to go with it and say that him being of nobility might make him lonely, as well. I don’t add that another reason he’s probably lonely is because he’s a gigantic jerk.

Hinata runs off to start making supper. Oh boy, I hope she makes pork dumplings again. I love pork dumplings. I love them so much.

****Meanwhile, with Hinata****

I wish she’d calm down a little more, though. Sometimes she reminds me of a slightly disturbed squirrel that ingested far too many sweets. I say this with utmost affection, of course.

I very much hope that I will get to see her become happy.

Sometimes I wonder how it is that lady Haruka has never found me out, but Haruka is not always the most… brilliant of stars in the night sky, if I may say.

I will have to do the best I can for her while I still can. No matter what happens, I won’t let her be hurt because of me. She can be a spoiled child at times, but I love her and feel grateful to her, nonetheless.

****Back with Haruka****

All of them make sense, and yet none of them do. Oh, wait, I never really thought about it before, but I guess Hinata could have written that letter, too, as a joke or something. I’m not sure why she’d do that, but it’s possible. She definitely has the ability to write a nice poem, and she’s my attendant, so it wouldn’t be hard for her to get it to me.

I wonder who I want my mystery poet to be?

I send a quick e-mail to my twin, Megumi. Working together, we’ll find out who this poet is, for sure!

End of Prologue