Musume sat beside Satoshi, munching on an onigiri. Her long, silky black hair cascaded down her back, complementing her round face and the vibrant red of her kimono.
"I actually wanted to meet you before," Satoshi said excitedly.
"Meet me? You know me?" Musume asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Well, not exactly, but my brother told me a lot about you," Satoshi said with a smile.
"Your brother?" Musume inquired, her mouth still full of onigiri.
"Kaito," Satoshi replied. "Kaito Kitotsuki."
"Oh!" Musume's eyes widened as she swallowed. "You mean Kaito? He's been my elder sister's bodyguard a few times. You're his brother?"
"Yeah, I'm Satoshi Nawa-Kara Kitotsuki," he confirmed.
"Nawa-Kara?" She frowned. "You have two family names?"
"Well, actually, even I don't know why," Satoshi admitted. "But I have a question—why are you here?"
"Oh, I just arrived," Musume replied. "The lord has come to watch tomorrow's tournament. I think..." She tapped her chin, thinking. "Four people fight, so that means... eight people in total!"
"Oh yeah, the finals," Satoshi said. "I'll be partaking in that event."
"Oh really?" Musume's eyes sparkled. "That's so cool!"
"You mentioned the lord is coming." Satoshi's curiosity piqued. "Did you come with him?"
"Oh yes!" Musume nodded. "My elder sister is going to wed Lord Kishiyama, which makes me his sister-in-law."
"That's pretty interesting," Satoshi said, looking up at the sky.
Just then, Kaito, Ryuji, and Reiko stepped outside and spotted Satoshi sitting under a tree. Kaito immediately recognized Musume.
"Oi!" Kaito called out. "You already met her, huh?"
Satoshi was startled and turned to see the three approaching, Ryuji smirking with his hands behind his head.
Musume turned as well. "Oh, Kaito, you're here," she said, standing up.
"Miss Musume," Kaito greeted her. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"I came with the lord to watch tomorrow's battle." She frowned. "Though I'm not really interested."
"Ah, I see," Kaito said. "Is Rui also coming?"
"Yes, she's here," Musume confirmed. "I suppose you four are participating?"
"Yup, us four," Ryuji said, smirking. "Did you know Satoshi has been dying to meet you?"
Musume blushed slightly. "Meet me? Why?"
Satoshi immediately got up and kicked Ryuji, who only laughed. "I was just curious," Satoshi said to Musume. "My brother told me a lot about you, so I wanted to meet you myself."
"Curious?" Musume raised an eyebrow. "I suppose that's fine."
At that moment, a few guards approached. One of them, panting, addressed Musume. "Lady Musume, Lady Rui wishes to see you."
"Okay," Musume replied. She glanced at Satoshi, Kaito, Ryuji, and Reiko. "See you all tomorrow!"
As she left, Ryuji smirked and nudged Satoshi. "So, that's Musume," he said. "I see someone falling head over heels."
Satoshi shot him a deadpan look. "I swear, I'll kill you in the tournament and blame it on the opponent."
"Alright, enough bickering," Reiko interjected. "We deserve a celebration after today's victory."
They headed to a local izakaya, a traditional feudal-style restaurant, to celebrate. The day's events soon came to an end.
---
The morning sun gleamed, its rays piercing through the clouds.
"Come on, hurry up! We have to leave soon!" Reiko ordered as the group groggily prepared their weapons.
"Look lively!" he urged.
"Alright, Grandpa," Ryuji grumbled. "Let's go."
They arrived at the tournament grounds, where a roaring crowd greeted them. The final match was about to begin.
Taking their seats among the audience, they observed the matches leading up to theirs.
"Be ready," Reiko warned. "I hope you all remember the rules."
"Sorry, what were they again?" Satoshi asked.
Reiko sighed. "Alright, listen up. Each team has four members. We'll face another team of four in an all-out battle. Teamwork is key. Attacking a teammate—even by accident—means instant disqualification for the whole team. You can't gang up on a single opponent; the max is two-on-one. If one team loses all its members, the last standing fighter can surrender or take on all remaining opponents alone."
"That's a lot," Satoshi sighed. "Alright, I'll do my best."
As the matches progressed, Satoshi's gaze wandered to the lord's quarters. He spotted Musume, seated beside the young Lord Kishiyama. The newly appointed lord was known for his charm and benevolence. Beside him sat a regal woman in a bright red kimono, much like Musume's.
"Now," the announcer declared, "we present the legendary Horiyama Clan! And facing them, the renowned Togori Clan!"
"Alright, get ready," Kaito said, tightening his grip on his weapon.
Everyone assumed their stances.
"And now," the announcer boomed, "the fight shall commence!"
The sound of a massive gong echoed—but before anyone could act, a dark wave rippled through the arena. A chilling presence seized the crowd, forcing many to their knees as an overwhelming fear gripped their hearts.
Satoshi and his team froze, as did their opponents. Terror took hold, leaving them motionless.
A breathless messenger dashed into the lord's quarters. "My lord! We must leave at once! The one who ended the Hyuroshi War has returned!"
"What?!" Lord Kishiyama rose from his seat, his face filled with shock.
The woman beside him turned. "What's wrong?"
Leaning close, the young lord whispered gravely, "The Demon of Iyakari has appeared once again."