#Ikemen Sengoku: Romances Across Time | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dreamscapesin1582 · 2 years

Text

lovers in letters

Here is my piece for this gift exchange! This is probably the longest fic I’ve written so far just because I didn’t divide it into chapters and just meshed it in one.

Thank you so much to Bryn ( @ikemenlibrary ) and Sunny ( @sunnyikemen ) for hosting and allowing me to be a part of this wonderful group~

I hope you like it, @kokorokai !!!

To Lord Hideyoshi,

This is Mai. I am writing you a letter to express my gratitude for allowing me to spend the day with you. The sweets were delightful, and I will take utmost care of the gifts that you have given me. Although it should have been a time for me to make up for your time taking care of me when I was sick…

Oh wait. I’m not supposed to write that. Ugh, I’ll rewrite it…

The woman traced a finger on the letter she laid down on her writing desk, remembering the time she was still adjusting to the aftermath of her time travel incident. She wasn’t accustomed to the lifestyle of old, but she assumed that she had to at least try to act the part. And so her thought process went like that - she has to show utmost respect to the “lords” to reduce the risks of dying, and respect is equivalent to expressing gratitude at any act of benevolence… therefore, a letter after an outing.

There was an issue, however. Mai was also not aware of how they wrote their letters. Can the chatelaine even send letters to lords? Just how far is the status of the chatelaine? Oh, but isn’t she declared as a princess? Then, shouldn’t she write her letter like how royals do? Ah, but she wasn’t a royal…

In the end, Mai scrapped attempt by attempt until she woke up the next morning with a pile of drafts and ink on her face. Ever since then, it transformed into something like a curse, and now she has collected several letters. Here, she stared at one of them. The very first one she kept, only one of the many letters left unsent. The corner of her lips perked up in a derisive smile and, after staring blankly at the innocent sheet of paper, she let herself collapse on the table.

She moved her head and her hair fell on her face, to which she subconsciously reacted by blowing a puff of air to it. Strands flew and fell back, now only messier and covering more of her face. She only felt even more helpless.

“I really should move on…”

To Lord Hideyoshi,

…Well, it’s not like I’m going to send this to you so I’m just gonna write whatever I’m thinking about right now. Or rather, what I feel.

I think you’re a great person. No, you’re really a great person. There’s no doubt about that. You look after people a lot, you try to help as much as you can, and you’re really loyal! Not many guys have that trait, you know! It’s a real treasure. Not to mention how good-looking you are– ahem. Well, I think you’d be twice, no, a hundred times more popular when you end up in the modern day!

……

Ah, I’ve done it again.

There’s no way that would happen.

Because you’re loyal.

“You ‘went out’ with Hideyoshi?” Masamune took a step forward, harboring an excited glint in his eye. “Really? Finally?!”

“About time, I guess…” Ieyasu commented quietly as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed. Contrary to their excitement, Mai perked an eyebrow in confusion.

“Yes, he accompanied me to observe the castle town and take note of the citizens’ evacuation–” Realization hit her. “...Wait, what did you mean by that?”

“Oh– oh, you still meant work. I thought you meant the other thing. You know, what you explained to us before… about… what ‘going out’ was supposed to mean… in your hometown. Sorry, lass.” The One-Eyed Dragon bowed his head, evading her questioning stare. Mai gave him one last peeved look before letting it go and instead continued staring at the direction of the castle entrance. It was obvious to the two guys what her concern was, considering the misunderstanding they brought about. Ieyasu sighed.

“...Say, what exactly is the reason why both of you are still making a fool of yourselves?”

“Ieyasu.” Masamune tried to get a hold of him but Ieyasu quickly dodged his attempt, taking another step forward to face Mai. “It’s not our business–”

“It may not be, but at this point, I think someone has to start talking about the “business” they left hanging around that everyone is forced to look at.” Ieyasu stared down at her, and while Mai flinched at his words, she still felt that his annoyance was not really directed to her. “Are you really going to stay this way? Because don’t tell me you don’t know–”

“...There’s no point.” She managed to utter. Ieyasu was quite taken aback at first when she lifted her head to look at him, and he frowned. If that fool of a man saw that expression just now, he would probably snap out of it. He should, because it was clear as water that she found her peace with the idea, but there was still no hiding the conflict that was raging in her eyes like crashing waves from the farther side of the sea. “Ieyasu. Thank you, but there’s really no need to go any further.”

“You really–”

“Lord Masamune! Lord Ieyasu!” Mitsunari suddenly came rushing to their direction. “Please come quickly! Assassins targeting Lord Nobunaga have managed to break in!”

“What?”

“We currently do not know how many of them are here, but we have to move swiftly to search for them.” He said, and afterwards, the castle quickly turned noisy. “Lord Keiji and the soldiers he was training had already engaged a small group of them by the courtyard.”

“Fine, we’ll look into that. You look after Mai.” Ieyasu took off, and Masamune patted Mai’s shoulder before running to another direction. Meanwhile, Mitsunari smiled at Mai in an attempt to ease the panic she must have felt.

“Let’s go. I will take you to Lord Nobunaga.”

Although hesitant, she nodded. They made their way to the tenshu, where Nobunaga was watching the skirmish from above. With a quick report about the present situation, Mitsunari went back to the fray. Nobunaga did not look worried, unlike Mai who tried so hard to calm herself down. He started speaking to distract her.

“...Hideyoshi went back to town, you say?”

“Yes. After escorting me back here a while ago, he said he had to take care of something and went back.”

“Hm. It seems this whole situation will be resolved faster than I expected it to be.” He turned his back from the balcony and glanced at Mai. “Do not fret too much.”

“Easy for you to say–!”

BANG!

“Oh, God!” She exclaimed. Fear gripped her heart, realizing that the assassins must have some arquebusiers among them. Worse, that gunshot was so loud that she wouldn’t be surprised if the culprit was near them.

Out of worry and fear, she immediately thought of Hideyoshi. Mai glanced at the tenshu’s open balcony after spotting what seemed to be him approaching the castle and almost felt like those negative emotions were a lie. However, just as she was about to step into the balcony, she noticed a small string of smoke from nearby.

They’re this close?!

In that moment, it felt like her senses shut down after a single gasp of breath. All she had was her instincts, and that made her whirl around. Her skin almost felt the vibration in the air as Nobunaga shouted, but the sound did not come to her as loud. She threw herself to him with her arms wide open, and a single thought in mind.

Nobunaga cannot die here.

…because what would Hideyoshi do then?

Another gunshot rang in the tenshu.

Meanwhile, Hideyoshi had his horse gallop for his life back to the castle. Just when he thought he had managed to corner one of those wretches who dare to even think about going for his lord’s life, the man escaped by taking his own life and a curse: it is too late.

For once, it was not the threat to Nobunaga that had him so disgruntled. Hideyoshi deals with that almost everyday, and he trusts his lord’s strength. In fact, it was the worst time they could think about raiding the castle; everyone is there.

But when he thought of Mai, afraid and undefended in a dangerous environment, his blood boils. Just the mere thought of one of those assassins finding her in her vulnerable state… he couldn’t bring himself to calm down. And with the growing turmoil raging inside his chest, he urged his horse to run even faster.

He didn’t intend to acknowledge it, but he knew it was not fear that was driving him insane… not exactly. There was something greater other than fear for her life.

It was the times he found her so pretty, so kind, so full of confidence and light, and yet he could not express it in full. It was all the times he had to lie about the gifts he got for her, revealing only a fraction of his own heart with words that barely described what he felt. It was all the times he drew his hand back when she had a cute expression on her face, or when she pouted her lips at his attempts to tease her, or when she called him out on his little regard for his life, or when she shed tears for him.

It was the memory of their first outing, and their most recent one. It was the way he found reasons to strive for peace whenever he watched her appreciate the new bolts of fabric in the market. It was the sparkle in her eyes whenever she eats desserts from the tea house they often visit together. It was the picture of her, looking so happy even when both of their hearts are separated by a single bordering line.

It was all the times he did not cross the line he drew himself.

The loud whinny of the horse finally pulled Hideyoshi out of his thoughts that were trying to drown him in regret. He realized that he had already reached his destination. The fighting wasn’t quite over, but it was clear that the threat was all up in the smoke. He couldn’t find Mai, but seeing the rest of the Oda forces gave him peace of mind, or at the very least a modicum of it. He was convinced the situation was not as serious as he thought.

Seeing his arrival, Keiji and the other lords caught up with him. Hideyoshi shared the situation he handled before he rushed back. Now it was just the matter of rounding up everyone involved. It was nearly dawn when the conflict had ceased at last.

It was only until Mitsunari had met with them did the morbid thoughts come back, and with twice the force. He couldn’t even process what he reported just then; his mind focused on the words, “Mai was with Lord Nobunaga when one of the enemies was desperate enough to risk everything just to climb up and shoot at the tenshu.”

“Mai–!” Hideyoshi slammed the door so hard as soon as he reached her room that he almost broke it. But there was no woman present, only a man casually reclined beside her writing desk. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Is that any way to greet people?” Mitsuhide shrugged his shoulders and feigned a look of hurt. While annoyed, Hideyoshi managed to reel in his emotions. He was about to lose it, had this encounter not been as anticlimactic. His presence, ironically, doused his hot emotions with cold water.

“...Where is Mai?” He asked. “I heard she was with Lord Nobunaga when a gunman managed to get close to their position.”

Mitsuhide frowned. “Yes. About that…”

“I don’t like that tone, Mitsuhide. Spit it out.”

“...As you can see, she’s not here.” Mitsuhide calmly retorted. Hideyoshi clicked his tongue at his evasiveness. “As for the gunman–”

“WHERE IS SHE, THEN?!” His patience running out, Hideyoshi charged to his direction and grabbed him by his lapels. Mitsuhide did not evade his furious glare, and instead fixed him a cool stare dripping with unsaid disapproval. “I don’t have time for this!”

“Ah, just look at you. Getting all worked up for someone other than our lord.” It wasn’t a new quip he told, but the tone of his voice was not of the teasing kind. And it was because he was serious that Hideyoshi could not further act on his annoyance. “You really should have been careful, Hideyoshi. Had you not been acting in such a manner, you and I would not find ourselves in these circumstances.”

“Damn it!” What does that even mean?! He pushed him towards the wall as he released his collar, and a few rustling sounds followed. Hideyoshi took a deep breath to calm down and turned back to him. Mitsuhide was fixing his clothes when Hideyoshi noticed the papers lying on his feet. On second glance, it looked like Mai’s handwriting. On the third, one could make out Hideyoshi’s name on one of them. That’s when he realized they were letters… addressed to him. “W-What…”

“It seems the little mouse is surprisingly shy.” Mitsuhide picked up one of the papers that fell on the floor. Not that he didn’t know the contents of it. “Each of these papers has your name on it. Well, considering it’s addressed to you.”

Letters? She never sent me any letters. But it was difficult to deny it when Mitsuhide forced him to look at it. Clearly, the first line was his name. Now, he was figuring out what Mitsuhide was trying to do. The answer didn’t please him.

“She didn’t send it because she didn’t want me to read it. Don’t force me to.”

“She didn’t because you didn't let her. Because instead of building a happy relationship, you built a wall.” As if he found the man hopeless, Mitsuhide sighed with exaggeration. “For a model vassal such as yourself, you can be quite frustrating.”

“What does all this have anything to do with–”

“The gunman had aimed his final shot at Lord Nobunaga. Mai threw herself in the crossfire.” Those chilling words made Hideyoshi freeze. Mitsuhide continued. “If I had been a second too late, she would have taken the hit meant for our lord. Now, who does that remind me of?”

Oh, God. The revelation was like an arrow that went straight to his skull. He couldn’t think of anything, but his eyes seemed to be watching it happen in front of him.

“Look at these, Hideyoshi. Look at all these words she could not send to you. Look at it and think about your actions since then. Maybe you’ll finally find your own words to tell her, to end this stalemate… before you regret it.”

Mitsuhide began walking away, leaving him to stare blankly at the pile of letters. The minutes of silence was broken by the sound of a thud as Hideyoshi fell to his knees. A trembling hand reached to one of the letters. His heart was crushed as he scanned every letter there was.

“...Hideyoshi?”

His body went alert at the sound of her voice, and it quickly moved to stand in front of her as she stepped inside the room. He inspected her entire figure, and fortunately, there was no visible injury. Noticing his fatigued state, Mai reached to cup his cheek. “What’s wrong? Did you get hurt?”

…Yes.

“...What were you thinking?” Hideyoshi could not even snap at her. It was like Mitsuhide drained all the anger and aggression inside of him just so he could not scream at Mai the moment she appeared before him. His hands landed on her shoulders, and Mai felt them shaking. “Why go to such lengths…?”

She figured he must have heard about what happened. “...Are you angry?”

“I want to. But there’s no point anyway. Not when everything’s my fault.”

“Your fault? Just what–” Mai finally noticed the scattered letters on the floor and her eyes widened in recognition. “Y-You..”

“Mai, listen.”

Hideyoshi called her to get her attention again. While hesitant, she faced him once more. Just at the look in her eyes, his resolve staggered. Meanwhile, Mai had a vague idea about what he was going to say. And while she somewhat expected it, she wasn’t liking it.

“You are a wonderful person– no, words can’t describe how great you are. I care about you and I would do anything in my power to make sure that you will always have a smile on your face. I love… that about you.” He knew his expression must be crumbling at this point, but he owes her the words, if not anything else. “But Mai, don’t… don’t ever think about risking your life like that again.”

“...So you heard.” Mai smiled sadly. “I’m sorry if I worried you, Hideyoshi. Well, if anything, I have already been scolded by Nobunaga. I know what I did was wrong, but… when I thought about what you would have felt if the worst happened, my body just moved.”

“That. That’s what I didn’t want to happen.” Hideyoshi thought back on the letters. For a while now, she was only thinking of him. Now it came to the point where she would consider his feelings rather than her own safety. And it was terrifying. “You’re not his vassal, Mai. You are not obligated to give up your life for him. You should be spending your efforts on your job! Your dream! You don’t have to die… for anyone’s sake. Not for Lord Nobunaga… and not for me.”

“Hideyoshi–”

“I’m sorry.” There it was, the words he never liked to come out of her mouth. Now he was saying them, and only because he could not live with the guilt otherwise. “I’m sorry it came to this. I… I should have settled things between us the moment before it was too late.”

“Hideyoshi, wait.” Mai intervened. “I’m– I’m not liking this. It’s not like that. Look at me.” She looked at his eyes and that forced him to look back. He looked so lost, and she was afraid that he could never truly find his way back to where they were. If they couldn’t move forward, best believe she wouldn’t want him to go even further back! “You found out my feelings. And I’m pretty sure there’s a part of you that feels the same. But I’m not asking you to do anything. What we have is enough.”

“It’s not supposed to be enough for you.” He shook his head. For him, there was nothing else he could lose at this point. “You’re right. I love you. I care about you so much, even more than you ever knew, but you deserve much more. You’re not supposed to be stuck pining for someone who already has a foot down the grave.”

His life belonged to his lord’s cause. As much as his heart yearned for her, he may never find it in himself to choose survival if it meant surrendering a chance for Nobunaga’s ambition to come to fruition. That was what made him draw the line… but that line is blurring. He was wavering.

“...Please, Mai. Let me.” He pulled her petite figure into his arms. As if molding the feeling into his mind, he stayed there for a while, and she let him. She stood there with mixed emotions and tears in her eyes. “Let me be the one to take the hit.”

You don’t have to feel like you need to do things for me. Like you have to push down your feelings just for me.

“You don’t have to do those things for my sake anymore.”

“So you’re saying… you are only going to accept your death, but not mine? That you have to die before me?” She hastily squirmed out of his hug and reached out to get a hold of him. “Please… anything but that!”

“Mai–”

“I know.” She whispered. Hideyoshi couldn’t talk back at the sight of her tears. “I know you have greater things to accomplish. I know the time where I have to say goodbye may come eventually. I know that… but I don’t want to hear you say that you would rather trade your life for mine…!”

“...Can you really blame me?” He managed to answer. “Your life is meant to be well-lived, so you should live well. It’s not meant to be taken away so early for something so unfortunate.”

“You’re not hearing me.” Mai sighed. “You think my love for you is an unfortunate thing that happened to me? You are the reason why I am still standing here. You were there with me when I was starting to lose my mind because of my situation. All the things you did for me saved me, Hideyoshi. Whether you acknowledge it or not, you are someone important to me. Very, very important.”

It wasn’t the time to succumb to her fears. If this was the moment meant for their feelings, then she would not leave anything out. It was all or nothing.

“The love I have for you will never be something that will bring me down.” She said with the resolve that he was starting to lose. “You believe that you will someday give up your life for the sake of Nobunaga and his ambitions… no, you’re dedicated to giving up your life for that. But that is the ‘unfortunate’ thing that’s going to take my life away. How about that?”

“Stop. That can’t be true.”

“It’s not unbelievable, is it? Because it’s familiar to you. Because that’s what you were telling me just now.”

They continued to stare at each other until the man heaved a sigh. Meanwhile, Mai continued to hold his hand, perhaps to console herself. She thought back on Ieyasu’s words. They really did need the talk.

“...Did you know what Nobunaga told me when I did what I did?” Mai recalled what happened right after she tried to shield Nobunaga. “He said he hated the aspect of someone dying for his sake. ‘What is the purpose of devoting yourself to a cause if you are not there to witness it?’, he told me.”

Hideyoshi’s eyes lit up in acknowledgement; he knew it to be true.

“Do you think he does not wish for his own allies to see the fruits of all your efforts? The future that you have always been fighting for?” She said, “He told me to live. He told me to live so I can see the future he has envisioned. Doesn’t that also extend to you?”

“Can’t you see, Hideyoshi? Nobunaga will never see your death as a benefit, because you are not just an asset to him. And I–” She bit her lip. No. I should say it. “My life will never be the same if you die on me like that.”

His desperation had died down to mere embers. Meanwhile, his urge to comfort Mai burned like blazes that cannot be tamed. He exhaled and wiped the tears welling up on the corners of her eyes. Mai took that opportunity to place her hand on his as it rested on her cheek.

“I can’t imagine my life without you anymore. My life is dependent on your life and your happiness. So if you think you can remove me from your life, think again. I’m here to stay… even if I remain as someone who stays at the other side of the line.” Her eyes now clear, Mai spoke not with despair but with confidence. Hideyoshi looked at her with surprise, and newfound adoration. “So, promise me. Promise me that no matter what, you will always fight to come back. Come home where we could live our lives in a time of peace that you worked so hard for.”

He was not supposed to be able to promise that. Not everything goes according to plan, after all. But she was confident in her words; she truly believed that they would not lose to fate. And funnily enough, if there was anyone who can attest to the ability of surpassing the impossible, it was her.

Going so far as to take responsibility for my life… when I should be the one shouldering that. His mind that was drowning in the shadows of questions and doubts was slowly being pierced by light. It wasn’t the first time he got to see that light, and he knew it was because of this woman in front of him.

His precious person, the sun of his life.

“...You win.”

“Huh?”

There was a hint of clarity regained in Hideyoshi’s eyes. He wasn’t trembling anymore. Mai looked up to him with confusion.

“I want to show you something.”

And thus their quiet trip back to his manor. While she barely has an idea on what’s going on, Mai did not say a word at the thought that maybe she got to him. She doesn’t feel as nervous as when she first found him back there.

She hoped she managed to reach his heart.

The sun was beginning to rise when they reached his room. Hideyoshi urged her to sit down, and she watched as he reached for something at one of the drawers. Curiously, when he found it, he seemed embarrassed. Mai turned to what he had placed on the desk, and it was quite familiar…

“It turns out we were doing the same thing all this time.”

The box was full of papers; some were rolled into scrolls, some were unfolded and piled, some were even damaged and crumpled but kept there nonetheless.

“You…?” The more she realized, the more her face heated up. Hideyoshi faked a cough to try to dispel the awkward atmosphere. “Are these… letters?”

“...Yeah. Letters I wrote that were meant for you.” He confessed. “While it was not my intention to find your letters, I’m still sorry that I read it without your permission.”

“I-It’s fine. It was addressed to you, anyway.” Though most of it were just embarrassing journal entries of my developing love for him all this time– oh, God. This is embarrassing! With that realization, Mai tried to hide her face in her hands. “This conversation took quite a turn, huh… Ha ha…”

“...Mai.”

“Yes?”

“I know this is embarrassing for you, so I’m letting you read these, too.”

“O-Oh?” She meekly let down her hands to look at him. Hideyoshi was avoiding her gaze, so she turned to the letters settled in between them. “Are you sure?”

He nodded. Mai picked up one of the unfolded papers. It really was a letter for her.

Letters to thank her for her work. Letters to remind her not to work too hard. Letters to wish her safety on her journeys outside Azuchi where he could not accompany her. Letters that reveal only a fraction of how much he cared for her; most of the time, she already knew it. Because his actions always communicated that, whenever he tries to help her and protects her from all danger.

Then she turned to the scrolls. For some reason, she almost didn’t want to reach out to it, but she did. Hideyoshi was silent in front of her as she read it.

They were formal requests to Nobunaga and the other warlords. In the event that I would lose my life on the battlefield… I ask that Mai would be given the freedom to live her life the way she wants it. I ask that she would be supported in her endeavors…

Hideyoshi only watched her as she quietly returned the scrolls. Then, she turned to face him.

“Thank you for letting me read them.” Of all the reactions he expected her to have, he didn’t believe she would smile. But she smiled brightly at him. “It makes me happy to know that you thought about me so much.”

“...You’re not bothered by the fact that I am still this coward of a man who still would not hesitate to do everything just to realize my lord’s ambition?”

“That fact is something that is a part of you, and I love you, so that means that is also something that I love about you.” Hideyoshi was taken aback at her clear answer. “I love that you’re dedicated, and I love that you still think of me despite your expectations about your fate. In fact, it makes my love for you all the more meaningful.”

“You really are…” He paused. Mai stared at him as his eyes focused on her, narrowing with affection while his mouth perked with a smile. “...a special person to me.”

While they were going back to the manor, Hideyoshi’s mind kept going back to her firm words. True enough, he realized that all this time, he had only focused on the end result. It was always about his eventual death that kept him from realizing the present. And when he actually did consider the present, it was not even a question anymore. All he did, all he wanted to do, all he tried not to do but did anyway, it was all answering what he really desired.

He really was such a fool. Dedicating himself to ensure life without restrictions but he restricted himself to living his life.

Letting her go without doing anything would mean disregarding myself and my own feelings again. If she really meant that her life’s fulfillment has to involve his own, then taking steps to consider himself – to love himself for once – would make her happy.

…There really is no one like her.

“I want you to listen to what I’m going to say.”

Just like what she did a while ago, Hideyoshi reached out to hold her hands. They were smaller in his, and having her fingertips delicately rest on his palms made the instinct to protect her all the more intense. And just like what he did, Mai wordlessly watched as he prepared to tell her everything.

“I’ve been thinking… and I still believe that I deserve all the things I would lose if you decide to leave me and go. I want to be with you, but I can’t believe just yet that I’m worthy of you all of a sudden. I don’t even know if this really is the right thing to do. I’m not sure of a lot of things, even though you tell me it’s okay.”

I’m really just a coward. Hideyoshi smiled wryly as he shook his head. The doubt was creeping in once more, so he held her hands firmly. She responded by squeezing his hands back.

Now that he thought about it, it’s funny how easy it was for them to hold hands like this.

Although it turned out that it won’t be enough. He turned out to be selfish and greedy.

“What I can say, with complete certainty, is that you laid a mark within me. Something I cannot erase nor surrender. Something that is compelling me to say all of this despite my fears because… because if I could not see you again…” The imaginary sight he saw a while ago came back. What if Mitsuhide was not able to interfere with the assassination attempt? What if she got hurt, got shot? “...I finally understood what you meant by what you said then, because just thinking about the possibility that you’d leave me… I just know that I would drown in all my love, guilt, and regrets. I would feel your absence like a thousand deaths.”

“Oh, Hideyoshi…”

Lovers in all but name. While their current relationship did not match the extent of their feelings, their bond had reached the point beyond their comprehension. Their hearts were mirrors that reflected each other’s love and fears, and thus the unending cycle of turning away at the moment of truth.

But constant back-and-forths like that would do nothing to end it. It would only cause friction, tension, and eventually snap into something irreversible.

That ends now.

He moved to intertwine their fingers together. Oh, how natural it felt.

“If you’re willing to accept me, then let’s live. Let us be happy together.”

Mai’s face bloomed like a flower that had always patiently waited for the sun to let it bloom. A pretty shade of pink dusted her cheeks as she laughed with great relief and joy. The sight of it rejuvenated something inside the man, like he was finally unburdened by something heavy that kept him from reaching her.

Now, he found the courage to go to her.

He gently lifted one hand towards his lips and placed a kiss on her fingers. Mai felt his warm breath on her skin, and it seemed to have delivered heat to her face, since it slowly felt hotter. He stole a glance and felt a bit of pride, and a lot of affection.

She’s so cute right now.

Mai stared at him with wonder. She wasn’t sure if this was really happening. Oh, but her heart is so full to the point of bursting. There really is nothing like loving and being loved back. And despite the treacherous path they are taking, she believes that she’ll be okay as long as he is there.

Now, she finally had him.

She shook her head as she mumbled. “Oh, you and your casanova ways…”

He’s so handsome right now.

“What was that?”

“N-Nothing.” She cleared her throat. “I just… don’t know what to say.”

We can’t have that, can we?

“We don’t have to say anything anymore. We have all the letters to say what we always wanted to tell each other.” Hideyoshi tugged at her hand as he moved closer to her side. “Actually… I’m thinking of something else other than talking.”

The pink on her cheeks grew brighter that it was undeniable she was positively blushing. He even felt his own face growing warmer at the suggestion.

“...I don’t see any more reasons why we have to talk, then.” Hideyoshi chuckled at her coy response, or perhaps it was something out of relief. “Actually… I’m probably thinking of the same thing.”

He grinned with a bit of mischief. “I wonder if we really are thinking of the same thing.”

She pouted. “And here I thought we were tired of guessing games.”

“I can’t have you growing tired of me, can I? Not after this.”

Hideyoshi stood up and with a final tug of her hand, he pulled her up only to place an arm at her back to support her. At closer proximity, both of them saw the heat on their cheeks, and a hotter fire in their eyes.

As if finally tied together by the line that separated them all this time, their lips met in a tender kiss. Each had their own imagination of what it would feel like, but the real thing surpassed that. Pushed by the bliss of finally reaching each other’s feelings, they sought one another. The tension gradually went sky high as their hands worked with urgency. The kiss grew ardent, passionate.

And thus the beginnings of an everlasting love came with the magnificence of the rising sun.

#ikemen sengoku #ikesen #Ikemen Sengoku: Romances Across Time #cybird #ikemen series #ikesen hideyoshi #toyotomi hideyoshi #ikemen sengoku oneshot #ikesen oneshot #oneshot #2022 gift exchange piece #kokorokai

19 notes · View notes