Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: A Brief Rest (14)
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As one might expect, neither Baek Il-yeong nor Oda Nobunaga got up right away.
Sleep is an essential necessity for humans. In other words, after spending the entire night devouring each other without a wink, the two of them could only collapse into slumber.
"Nngh..."
How long had they slept, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing their warmth? The first to open his eyes was none other than Il-yeong.
"...Huh?"
But the moment he did, he instinctively reached for his waist, groping for Onimaru—now his beloved sword—without even realizing it.
This was because of the ninja kneeling on one knee right before his eyes.
"You've awakened, Lord Hirate."
"Ah..."
His surprise was short-lived, however. He soon realized the ninja was none other than Takigawa Kazumasu and let out a sigh of relief.
In truth, it wasn't all that strange if he thought about it.
Who was Oda Nobunaga, after all?
The residence of the woman who had pacified the chaotic Owari Province was no longer just a private dwelling for one person.
So, while the samurai might stand down for personal matters, they couldn't pull back the ninjas.
Of course, this was something Il-yeong didn't know, but it was the same reason Nobuyuki had been able to slip past the samurai earlier.
The samurai and servants had figured the ninjas would handle it somehow.
"...So, you saw everything."
It was a question he couldn't just gloss over.
No matter who it was, having their intimacy witnessed outright would be embarrassing.
Takigawa Kazumasu blinked at Il-yeong's query.
Her black hair was matched by eyes of an exceptionally deep black. Though her lower face was covered, her exposed eyes alone hinted at her sharp features.
"...I didn't see anything. Ahem."
She averted her gaze from Il-yeong as she said it, almost unconsciously. Naturally, Il-yeong wasn't a fool; he understood exactly what "didn't see" implied, and he could only let out an awkward laugh.
'She heard us, then.'
Honestly, it wasn't exactly welcome, but what could he do? From Takigawa Kazumasu's perspective, it surely hadn't been enjoyable either. So, scratching his cheek, he looked at her still kneeling and asked,
"By the way, why are you kneeling here?"
"Ah, that's..."
Takigawa Kazumasu answered Il-yeong's question promptly. But it was a response that left him quite flustered.
"Lady Nobuyuki wishes an audience with the Daimyo."
"Ah, I see."
He responded reflexively, his gaze drifting down to Nobunaga, who was sleeping soundly. He couldn't help but notice anew how beautiful she was.
...No, that's not it.
Il-yeong reached out to wake her but hesitated, glancing at Takigawa before saying,
"Uh, give us a moment."
"Ah."
Only then did Takigawa Kazumasu realize they were practically naked and hurriedly stood, exiting the room.
"P-Pardon the intrusion."
Seeing her flustered—unlike her usual cool demeanor—Il-yeong couldn't help but smile. And at that moment.
"Huh?"
A chilling remark from behind.
Il-yeong whipped around with a "no way" expression, only to find Nobunaga awake and staring at him. His eyes inevitably fixed on her fully exposed, snow-white breasts.
And then.
—Thud!
"Are you trying to go after Kazumasu now, you beast?"
She planted her foot squarely on his chest and grumbled. But did she realize how her breasts and thighs jiggled with the motion, adding an erotic allure?
Thus, Il-yeong naturally grabbed her ankle and pulled her toward him.
"Ah, wha—?"
Needless to say, Nobunaga stood no chance against Il-yeong's strength. She was effortlessly drawn into his arms.
"Jealous?"
At point-blank range, where their breaths mingled, Il-yeong asked. Nobunaga blinked her golden eyes for a moment before smirking.
And before he could react.
—Smack.
She lightly pressed her lips to his.
After a brief but intense kiss, Nobunaga wrapped her arms around the neck of the equally naked Il-yeong and whispered huskily.
"Now I finally get you, you lanky fox."
"Haha..."
The two could only laugh as they faced each other. The atmosphere was already heated. Neither was oblivious to it, so their gazes naturally locked in a sticky, lingering stare.
"Ahem."
But at that instant, Takigawa Kazumasu's low cough from the next room froze them in place.
"Not only Lady Nobuyuki, but the other retainers are also awaiting the Daimyo."
At Takigawa Kazumasu's follow-up words, Il-yeong and Nobunaga exchanged smirks and thought the same thing.
...They'd have to bide their time for the next chance.
No matter how urgent, they couldn't skip washing up after intimacy. Cleanliness was for both their sakes, not just their own.
However, heading straight to the bath with eyes upon them wasn't feasible, so they quickly wiped down using the water cloths and portable basin brought by the servants.
...Doing it once more in the process was unavoidable. Really.
In any case, about an hour passed before they were fully dressed. Nobunaga, whose skin inexplicably seemed even more radiant, sat at the head of the aired-out room and commanded the returned samurai.
"Let her in."
"Yes, Daimyo."
The samurai replied from outside the door and stepped away briefly to fetch Nobuyuki, who had been waiting in a nearby room. Meanwhile, Il-yeong, seated beside Nobunaga, gave her a gentle smile and said,
"Nervous?"
"...Mm."
At Il-yeong's return to formal speech, Nobunaga stroked her white chin and swallowed. Though she didn't voice it, how could she not be tense?
How could Il-yeong not know her feelings?
So, looking at her, he said,
"It might be best if I step out."
"Probably."
This could be the first time the sisters truly opened up to each other. His presence wouldn't look good.
'Takigawa Kazumasu will handle security anyway.'
Even if Nobuyuki harbored ill intent, there was no worry. As Il-yeong had thought earlier, there were ninjas from the Koka school led by Takigawa, and Nobunaga herself wouldn't lose to Nobuyuki.
Right on cue.
—Step. Step.
Footsteps echoed from the end of the corridor. Il-yeong rose silently, smiled at her, and said,
"Good luck."
"...I'll try."
Was there anything more encouraging than a loved one's support? Nobunaga nodded, thinking just that.
And finally.
"Daimyo. The lady has arrived."
"Let her in."
"Yes."
The samurai opened the door at her command, and Nobuyuki entered, dressed neatly—entering Il-yeong and Nobunaga's view.
However, seeing her, Il-yeong inwardly tilted his head.
'Didn't she sleep?'
Nobuyuki looked quite haggard.
Dark circles hung under her eyes as if she hadn't slept, and her cheeks were flushed red—perhaps from a fever.
"Are you unwell, Nobuyuki?"
Nobunaga asked with veiled concern, seemingly thinking the same. But Nobuyuki didn't answer, merely alternating glances between Il-yeong and Nobunaga.
Her gaze was peculiar.
Thus, Il-yeong suddenly grasped the reason, as if struck on the head.
'Well, yeah. They're the ones who ruined her.'
In the original history, Oda Nobuyuki lost to Oda Nobunaga, but she, living in this world, had no way of knowing that.
"..."
When her eyes met Il-yeong's for a moment, Nobuyuki looked down and bit her lip, turning his guess into certainty.
'She's pissed.'
From Nobuyuki's perspective, how humiliating and infuriating it must be. She'd tried repeatedly to make Il-yeong hers, only for him to be taken by her sister—the one she'd deemed less talented. And now, having to face them after defeat... The rage surging from deep within her chest must be unbearable.
"Then."
Best to leave the room for now.
With that thought, he gave Nobuyuki a silent bow and passed her to exit.
"...Tch."
If there was a slight sting, it was how she instinctively hunched her shoulders and shrank back as he brushed past.
—Creak, click.
Il-yeong glanced at the closing door, then walked down the corridor with a wry smile.
'How much must she hate me.'