Chapter 73 "What's wrong? Can't you tell me...?"
It seems that on the day something bad happens, the sky is always exceptionally gloomy, making people feel depressed and leaving no time for preparation.
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Azhi sat under the eaves, watching the sky instantly become overcast. After quickly bringing in the clothes she had hung out to dry, she slowly frowned—she was worried that Yoriichi would be soaked to the bone when he returned.
In fact, he was completely soaked.
Amidst the dense rain, the boy's thin lips were pressed into a straight line, and his dark, wet hair obscured half of his face. He lowered his eyes and slowly walked towards A-Zhi.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni rarely showed any particularly obvious emotions, and this was the first time Aori had ever seen him so utterly dejected, which immediately made her panic.
"What happened?"
She picked up a dry towel and took a few steps to the steps. Before she could even step down, the boy grabbed her arm and walked over, preventing her from getting wet at all.
Aori asked very directly because she knew that she had to be this direct with Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
The girl tilted her delicate and lovely face up, her round eyes filled with concern for him. She gently wiped him with a towel, and Yoriichi Tsugikuni lowered his head in agreement, his gaze becoming even dimmer.
After a moment, as if he had thought of something, he said in a weak voice, "I don't want to be a swordsman anymore."
—This problem seems to be quite serious.
This idea popped into Azhi's head.
Although Aori couldn't tell whether Yoriichi was aggrieved or sad when he said those words, it didn't stop her from realizing the seriousness of the situation.
She hadn't forgotten how firmly the boy had declared, "I want to become the second strongest swordsman."
Aori and Yoriichi's relationship is improving rapidly, and at the same time, her relationship with Iwakatsu Tsugikuni is also becoming closer.
Not long ago, Yoriichi Tsugikuni took Oori to visit Iwakatsu Tsugikuni. When they entered his courtyard, they happened to run into him practicing swordsmanship.
The boy was very focused, and even when he saw them arrive, he did not lose his attention. Large beads of sweat slid down his neck from time to time, and in the end, even the back of his clothes was soaked with sweat.
His hard work was evident to the naked eye, but his hand holding the knife remained steady. Every swing was meticulous, and his eyes were full of determination. Just watching him made people marvel.
Even someone like Aori, who knows nothing about swordsmanship, was shocked, let alone Yoriichi Tsugikuni standing next to him, watching very carefully.
After waiting for some time, the boy completed his daily task and then put away his knife to stop training.
Having swung the knife so many times, Ji Guoyansheng had beads of sweat on his forehead, his cheeks were flushed, and his breathing became slightly rapid.
For A-Zhi, this state of his was all too familiar.
Every morning, Yoriichi would chop enough firewood, and Aori would sit beside him waiting. Sometimes, when it was hot, or when she chopped too much at once, she would be covered in sweat.
It will be just like what happened to Jiguo Yansheng now.
Aori knew that she was the one Yoriichi often took care of, and while she was touched, she tried her best to make up for it in other ways, even if it was just in small things, though not much...
She would often stay by Yoriichi's side, wiping his sweat, pouring him water, and doing whatever she could to help.
Ji Guoyansheng also often took care of her.
He would bring many novel toys to play with them, and share the food and supplies reserved for the heirs...
Although he doesn't have the identity of a mission target, in Aori's heart, Tsugikuni Iwakatsu is also a very good person, and he has quietly taken on a lot of importance.
So naturally, Aori picked up the cloth that the servant had placed there beforehand, walked up to Tsugikuni Iwakatsu, and then stood on tiptoe to skillfully wipe his sweat.
The twins, Kokushibo and Yoriichi, are exceptionally physically gifted, towering over boys their age. This difference is even more pronounced in front of Aori.
Ji Guoyan paused for a moment, withdrew his arm, and only after the girl swayed slightly did he belatedly bend his neck to make it easier for Azhi.
He doesn't have the habit of letting others wipe his sweat, thinking it's just a small, convenient thing. But the girl's skillful action could only mean one thing.
Ji Guoyan frowned and looked at his younger brother. Before he could speak, he heard Azhi's soft voice.
"Yan Sheng, you're really amazing."
She exclaimed sincerely, her eyes clear and untainted, filled only with pure praise, leaving no room for doubt about the truthfulness of her words.
Jikuni Iwakatsu rarely received such straightforward praise; flattery was not among them.
Zhu Nai doted on him, but she was most concerned with trivial matters of daily life. She would not interfere with or comment on things like swordsmanship.
And with his father... even less.
So even though it seemed incredibly childish and ridiculous, Jiguo Yansheng was still uncontrollably moved. He calmed himself down and made sure his tone wasn't so obviously funny.
He said naturally and calmly, "I have not done enough to shoulder the responsibilities of the family."
Ji Guoyan was taught from a young age to shoulder the heavy responsibility of inheriting the family business. He never slacked off from the first time he picked up a knife, and even in the coldest weather, he would complete his practice step by step.
He has always been strict with himself, hoping to become very strong so that he can protect those he wants to protect and become a qualified successor.
Though each word was spoken slowly, they were resounding. Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw only seriousness in Iwakatsu Tsugikuni's eyes, and as if infected by it, he couldn't help but let his imagination run wild.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn't need to protect as many people as his older brother. He only needed to protect his mother and Oori, and provide some help when Kokushibo needed him, so he didn't need to be as strong as his brother.
He raised his head, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I want to become the second strongest swordsman."
This was the first time Aori had heard Yoriichi Tsugikuni talk about what he wanted to do in the future. Just like Iwakatsu Tsugikuni, who had heard it just as clearly, her pupils contracted and she froze on the spot.
…………
Thinking about it now, Azhi still finds it quite surprising.
Her worry deepened, and she leaned closer, pressing the back of her hand against Yoriichi's forehead: "What's wrong? Can't you tell me?"
The girl's hair fell down from her ears, a few strands landing in Yoriichi's hand, soft and smooth, pulling him out of his own world.
He went to watch his brother practice swordsmanship again, but considering that Azhi might not be very interested in it, he didn't take her with him.
Today, Kokushiro Tsugikuni did not practice alone. Instead, a retainer invited by the head of the family gave him guidance from the side. Yoriichi Tsugikuni watched from the side. He did not find it boring and watched until the end.
Perhaps out of sympathy, after the meeting, the retainer casually gave Yoriichi a few pointers on the most basic aspects of swordsmanship.
Because he didn't think Yoriichi Tsugikuni was capable of anything, he didn't take it seriously. In just a few breaths, Yoriichi Tsugikuni knocked the retainer who was teaching him swordsmanship to the ground.
…………
Yoriichi took a deep breath, suddenly hugged the girl who was asking him the question, and whispered, "I don't like it..."
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Author's Note: Time to move off the main plot, 10,000-word update tomorrow _(:з」∠)_
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