Samurai Love Ballad Party: Masamune Chapters 7-Divine Ending
Masterlist and guide
This was mostly cute but not as enjoyable as I'd hoped. Masamune is an interesting character, and I believe him and MC as a happy couple, but there were a few too many things that bugged me and not enough that I super enjoyed.
Content note: unfortunate treatment of abusive parenting
Masamune recovers and fulfils his fathers wish to bring peace to the local Ōshu region...by conquering everyone else. That's The Sengoku, I guess.
But before the final battle he gave a speech that he wanted to secure peace in a way that isn't forged in blood, and he uses new tactics which leave a lot more survivors. And afterwards, he thanks everyone with a smile.
(Also looking up the real Masamune's history he was 18 when his father died, I think he really is a teenager omg poor baby)
Masamune's little brother Kojirou shows up, and is bouncy and affectionate. Shigezane says they get along but avoid each other to prevent upsetting their mother Yoshihime, since she hates Masamune :(
MC: Have you tried talking your mother how you feel? She's your mother, she has to understand...
Masamune: It's more complicated than that :(
Yeah MC, I'm guessing she already knows her son feels bad when she screams at him that he's demon spawn.
We meet Masamune's maternal uncle Yoshiaki, who tells MC that his mother thinks his heterchromia marks him as a demon.
(I tried looking up info on attitudes to heterochromia in Japan but afaict it basically doesn't happen, since almost everyone has dark brown eyes unless they're albino. But this is Anime!Japan so Masamune's eyes are blue and green)
Aw and then MC apologies to Masamune for thinking it could be fixed that easily, and realises he must have tried talking to her.
Masamune: Why wouldn't she despise me? I have asked myself countless times what life would be like without this evil eye. It's why I distance myself from people...everyone knows I don't care much for women, but I'm sure that too is because of my mother. She's my weakness.
MC: But it's so beautiful. There may be nothing I can do to make Lady Yoshihime see it the way I do...but that is her loss. And you never know when someone will come after you, so it might as well be for something beautiful.
He stares at her, and then laughs, saying "Only you would ever say such a thing. But maybe you're right.".
Masamune: (Oh no he went quiet, was me laughing that uncomfortable?)
MC: (...his smile is hot???)
Umeko, visiting MC in her room: The other maids tell me you seem sick :(
MC: Lord Masamune isn't taking me with him on his trip to Kyoto, and I'm a little sad about not seeing my family...I'm sorry to worry everyone with something so selfish!
Oh my goodness! And then we see Umeko REPORT TO MASAMUNE, WHO IS THE ONE WHO SENT HER. Interestingly, the narration now refers to MC as 'Yahiko' and 'him', I guess this is Masamune POV. Masamune mutters to Kojuro that he has never missed his own family.
MC is overjoyed to be told she's going to Kyoto, I'm just waiting for her to realise what a mess she'll be in if Masamune's with her when she sees her family.
MC promises Kojuro she'll look after Masamune.
This is all such a weird dynamic, it's kind of infantilising the way Kojuro, Shigezane and MC treat Masamune like this helpless victim who can't be held responsible for anything bad he does, and needs to be constantly coddled. Yet at the same time they're all loyal subordinates and he has such huge power over all of them. Kojuro and Masamune are like a variant of Mitsuhide and Nobunaga. Nobunaga is older and way more deliberately selfish and hurtful, but Mitsuhide is more willing to question him, if only internally, and open eyed about his complicity in enabling murder and abuses of power (and, you know...killed him in the end irl) Masamune is a traumatised teenager who does deserve and need more love and support than he generally gets, but I don't think the way the few people who care about him tend so much towards largely unquestioning devotion is good.
At an inn, Masamune is coldly unfriendly to all the women flirting with him...so they turn their attention to MC. Shigezane thinks this is great, but the other two are miserable.
Shigezane: I can't blame Yahiko for being naive, but you let that slip through your fingers, milord. You do know people believe you prefer the company of men.
Masamune: And I care because?
MC: (The idea of him being gay bothers me for some reason??)
Shigezane: I don't care one way or the other. But Yahiko, if only you were a woman! Then you two could have sex!
Masamune: ...maybe.
MC: !!!!!!
Way to be heteronormative Shigezane. Masamune could have sex with actually-male-Yahiko! Seems like Masamune is aware he's into Yahiko, and not bothered by the idea of being seen as gay. I guess he's put off by his own straightness, Yahiko's assumed straightness, or just his general inability to be vulnerable.
Haaa a note from Hideyoshi about how loyal and talented Shigezane is, pondering how he can manipulate Shigezane to like him. Also apparently the real Shigezane put a caterpillar on his helmet *googles* This is so much more amazing than I was imagining.
Aww. Masamune awkwardly asks MC if she'd rather stay with her family, and when she says she wants to stay by his side and serve him he gives a small shy smile. He tells her to go visit them.
MC: But I should stay with you!
Masamune: I don't need you following me around the clock. Besides which, I have every intention of visiting the restaurant.
I was expecting MC to realise the issue here, but no! She goes home, greets her family, and dresses as a waitress, wearing Masamune's hairpin. Maybe he WON'T realise, and we'll have identity porn UST!
Me: Ugh, the creepy magistrate. I guess this'll be like the Yukimura path, when MC gets saved by Yukimura.
And sure enough, she's saved by...Yukimura! He is endearingly blushy when she thanks him. Unfortunately, they've both only just realised she's bleeding when Masamune arrives.
Masamune: What did you do to her, you bastard?
MC: Wait, I-
Yukimura: Say I told you I did everything you think I did...what would you do about it? >:D
BAD YUKIMURA
Masamune attacks, and Yukimura cries out...in confusion, when Saizo suddenly shows up and blocks the blow.
Saizo: Would you mind letting him go this once, just for me? After all, she wants you to stop :)
This gives MC the chances to explain, and Saizo smilingly apologises on Yukimura's behalf then drags him off by his collar, telling him to be more of a 'good boy'.
(I'm still pissed off at you, Saizo! But that was cute)
When MC goes to check on Masamune he flinches and sharply tells her to go away, since he thinks of her as a woman. But he still hands her a handkerchief for her wound.
Shigezane immediately ships MC (aka f!Yahiko) with Masamune, much to Masamune's annoyance.
She finds it strange to have to keep her distance to avoid him snapping at her, but takes the chance to ask Masamune how Yahiko is doing as his page.
Masamune: Very well. He's one of the few people I can trust.
MC is consumed with the guilt of knowing she's lying to him.
It's not until several days later, on the trip back, that Shigezane notices that Masamune got injured in his fight with Yukimura and has been ignoring it.
MC, cleaning the wound: Promise me you'll tell me if something like this happens again!
Masamune: You sound more and more like Kojuro :)
MC is suddenly very aware of how close they are, and even though she feels bad for lying, she would do anything to stay by his side.
The next day she gets a stomach ache so bad she becomes visibly ill, and collapses. Masamune catches her, and forces her to accept his help.
Masamune: If something happened to you...something would happen to me. And just like you said to me: promise me you'll tell me before something like this happens again.
She falls asleep against the comforting warmth of his back as he carries her all the way to the closest village. Welp, there goes any chance to try and explain things to the doctor /o\ And then as Masamune hands 'Yahiko' to a retainer...he stares in shock at the bandage around 'his' arm.
Me: Why are you shocked? You saw MC get that injur- OH.
MC wakes up to Shigezane's smiling face. Before she can ask about Masamune a bunch of retainers come in to celebrate her waking up.
Retainers: I've never seen him go ashen like that. Don't ever doubt that you mean the world to him.
See, Shigezane, THEY ship it.
Shigezane shoos them off and ruffles her hair, saying she can see Masamune when she's better. She sees a brief flash of sadness in his eyes as he says "You're one of of us. Nothing will ever change that."
Aw. You're alright, Shigezane.
Shigezane: I'm sure you've heard, but Yahiko woke up.
Masamunbe: I see.
Shigezane: About Yahiko's situation...
Masamune: For now...don't tell anyone. I-I'll be the one to speak to him.
Huh, is this NOT about MC's gender??
Meanwhile, it hasn't occured to MC that she may have been discovered, and she's just thinking soppy thoughts about how grateful she is to Masamune for everything. She feels a strange, intense warmth in her heart and realises she's in love with him.
That evening she's well enough to seek him out, and is all happy butterflies as she approaches him to apologise (for...being sick, I guess?)
Masamune, coldy: Yahiko. Are you a woman?
MC: .....D:
Masamune: I knew you were different from the others, but... :( I relieve you of your service.
MC: Wait, Lord Masamune, I-
Masamune: Don't come any closer >:(
Awww... (and yes, I know he doesn't mean that in a non binary inclusion way but I'll take it)
Shigezane: Man or woman, isn't Yahiko special to you? I'm sick of seeing you give up on everything that could make you happy!
Masamune punches him. Masamune >:(
Shigezane brushes off MC's concern about his split lip, and tells her he's sorry he can't oppose his lord and help her, but she will always be one of them.
And then she gives him a carefully written recipe list of all of Masamune's favourite recipes, and asks him to somehow make sure Masamune gets them :(
Then she kneels outside Masamune's door and apologises for lying.
MC: I'm in no position to be saying such things, but...I'm glad I was allowed to serve beside you as long as I was...*sniff*...if nothing else...please be sure you eat...
The next day Masamune is interrupted from silently angsting by Shigezane shouting about how he has no good reason not to forgive MC when he's the reason she had to lie in the first place. And then Shigezane punches him :D
MC is sadly walking through the village outskirts away from the castle, when she hears hoofbeats, and suddenly Masamune appears.
Masamune, holding out her recipes: The reason I could eat these things...is that you made them.
MC: But...
Masamune: I have no right to ask...but...come back with me. It does not matter if you are man or woman. I am not good with women, but even so...there's no point to any of this if you are not the one serving me...so...I want you at my side again...as you have always been.
Ok I'm swooning a little. And while punching Shigezane was Bad, this isn't too slow of a turnaround considering he has trauma around women AND being betrayed.
Masamune: Yahiko...no, MC. Serve me as my page. That...is a direct order.
MC: Yes Milord...please allow me to serve you...it would be my honour :) :)
Well, I guess as long as they're both into it.
Umeko rolls surprisingly well with finding out MC is a woman, and then immediately guesses that MC is in love with Masamune, which MC denies.
Masamune gives her the same kinds of blunt commands he did before, even though she's dressed as a woman, but he takes a moment to say the hairpin looks nice, which makes her blush.
Shigezane: LOOK AT MY OTP :D
Kojuro: You're going to drag me into some ridiculous scheme again, I can tell :/
HAAAA I just unlocked Masamune's latest 'lottery' (gacha for decorations for my 'castle') and it includes some cute stuff like a little boat, a very cute plushy one eyed dragon, and a TRAINING DUMMY WITH YUKIMURA'S FACE. Dude, Yukimura didn't have one of you, that's messed up. *clears space in my castle inventory*
Shigezane and Kojuro make up excuses to leave MC and Masamune alone in the village, and they have a cute walk, until MC gets so overwhelmed by what a great job Masamune has done bringing peace and social programs to his people that she trips and breaks her shoe. He catches her, then carries her to a chair, which is very shippy especially in context.
Oh no his mother wants to meet MC for tea.
Oh no someone tried to poison Masamune just when he was slowly trusting people more.
Oh no there's a letter organising it in Kojuro's handwriting ???
MC: Someone must be trying to frame him!
Masamune: Yeah. If Kojuro really wanted to kill me he wouldn't leave so much evidence.
Kojuro is "arrested" and brought to Masamune. They both agree it was probably Masamune's maternal uncle Yoshiaki, and Masamune is protectively indignant that they tried to hurt Kojuro as well as himself.
Masamune: I'll take care of everything. Write one of your silly poems or something.
Kojuro: As you wish :)
Even the retainers and MC have figured out it was probably a setup by Yoshiaki, who would inherit with Kojuro and Masamune out of the picture. And they all agree that if there's a split in the Clan, they'd side with Masamune. MC has helped them realise how great he is.
Masamune hears this, and tells MC "I thought I didn't care what the retainers thought of me...but it's nice to have people around who understand."
MC: They all love you!
Shigezane: And what about you, MC?
MC: Of course, I love him too.
Shigezane: :D
MC: UH
Masamune, staring at the ground: Don't tease her so much. I'm going now.
MC: YES I'LL JUST GET BACK TO WORK *runs away*
Shigezane: Masamune, are you blushing :D
Masamune: Shut up >:(
Shigezane: But in all seriousness, how do you feel about her?
Masamune: ...she's very...valuable. To us.
Masamune: I'm sorry, mother, but I cannot give MC permission to have tea with you.
Yoshihime: You seem very attached to her >:(
Fransisco: Oh! You're a girl again! And looking very pretty! Could that be why Lord Masamune has been nicer to us lately? It's said love makes a woman more beautiful, is he the lucky man? ;)
MC: N-no!
I was just thinking about how one thing I don't like about this path is the teehee cutesy "Aw he has a crush" approach to him being, you know, less of a war criminal etc. I'm not against "nice girl reforms morally grey dude" romances but it feels trivilialising.
Masamune: I would like to dismiss you from my service.
MC: No! Not unless you give me a reason!
Masamune: Because I know you have feelings for me.
"His eyes do not leave mine for an instant. But there's something desperate in them, like he's begging me to deny it. I know I should be kind to him and do just that...but I find I cannot"
Masamune: You won't deny it?
MC: ...I can't.
He closes his eyes and sighs.
Masamune: Then I cannot have you so close to me. If you have...feelings for me, frankly, it will...get in the way. I trust you. But only as a vassal.
MC: ...right :(
Masamune: As a reward for your service, I would like to offer you-
MC: I don't need it. If you insist upon giving me something...give me forgiveness for my feelings. I won't lie to you any more. I love you. It's embarrassing to tell you like this...but I'm proud to love you. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.
He says nothing, and she leaves.
Masamune: She smiled even to the end :( But if staying by my side would put her in danger, I would rather she hate me.
Ahaaaa and then Masamune's mother Yoshihime shows MC a letter "in Masamune's handwriting" saying she can come to tea.
MC: But he just...fired me? And wait...she's the sister of the main suspect in framing Kojuro...
Me: Omg MC are these actual self preservation instincts?
MC: I should go, to find information to exonerate Kojuro!
Me: /o\
MC is at least hesitant to drink the tea. But eventually she does AND GUESS WHAT.
Yoshihime: I've drunk the antidote of course. But you will die a slow agonising death :D
MC: ...you mean to get rid of...everyone...around Lord Masamune. But...it's too late...poisoning me is meaningless...
YOU'LL STILL BE DEAD, MC
Yoshihime: Losing someone he cares about so much will destroy him! He'll feel the same pain as me! And then my brother's army will destroy him :D
This makes MC try to move, but she starts to black out, hearing the sound of someone crying...
Masamune's uncle Yoshiaki: Ah, the bait is awake :)
MC: Do you really want to do this to your own nephew?
Yoshiaki: He's a menace, if we don't take him down our little dragon will consume us.
Coughing up blood, MC mentally apologises to Masamune and then passes out.
We switch to Masamune, who's realised MC is missing and is freaking out. And then his little brother comes in, crying, and and explains, saying their uncle Yoshiaki threatened to kill their mother if he told Masamune.
Msamaune orders his army be readied, and Kojuro freed.
The retainers are clearly worried this will be a repeat of when Masamune's dad was taken hostage. But Masamune orders a rescue.
Masamune: Noone shall suffer my father's fate again...or witness it. I have no right to ask...but will you lend me your strength, as you did my father?
Kojuro: If that is what you want, Lord Masamune...I shall follow you into the depths of the deepest Hell.
The other retainers follow, and as he thanks them, for an instant Masamune smiles.
Shigezane offers to lead the army so Masamune can mount a rescue.
At first MC thinks her hearing Masamune's voice calling her name is a sign she's starting to hallucinate. But she calls back, and he runs and pulls her into his arms.
MC: But why?
Masamune: Because...you're important to me. Even though I told you to leave to keep you safe from all this...here you are.
Me: Aww. But also- GIVE HER THE ANTIDOTE.
Masamune: As long as I live...I will protect you with my life. You're coming home with me.
ME: Sure :)
Me: ANTIDOTE?????
Ahhhh they need to track down his mother to get it! So Masamune carries the near-comatose MC on his back, telling her to hold on as he and Kojuro search for his mother.
MC: Please...forgive your mother...I still... want you two to reconcile someday...
COME ON. SHE COULD NOT BE MORE OF AN ABUSIVE CARTOON VILLAIN.
Yoshiaki, slow-clapping: What a lovely speech. AND NOW YOU DIE >:D *draws sword*
..ok, fine, it is possible to be more of a cartoon villain.
Filled with determination, Masamune defeats his uncle despite receiving multiple injuries, and demands to know where the antidote is. But he doesn't know.
Masamune: Uncle, I'm begging you!
Yoshihime: Let my brother go. Then we can talk.
Masamune: Mother...I'll do anything...
Yoshihime: Then...I shall ask for your life.
Masamune's little brother Kojirou: Mother! I won't let you murder my big brother! You've been lied to- Father didn't beg for his life, he's the one who told Masamune to shoot! Uncle, I will not be your puppet ever again! If I have to I'll become a monk!
For a moment it looks like Yoshihime will be reasonable... then she starts screaming that Masamune is still a murderer, he should die etc.
Masamune: Fine. Once I am dead, see that MC drinks the antidote.
MC, coughing up blood: No!!!
And then Shigezane storms in and his soldiers get the antidote!
Masamune: Forgive me, mother, but I cannot die just yet. I promised father to take care of you. And I... don't want to leave behind the one I love.
"For everything that Lady Yoshihime did...she's still Lord Masamune's mother. I'm sure she didn't want to poison anyone."
Are you MC? Are you really sure?
Masamune: You were right all along, noone's closer to you than your mother.
SHE JUST. TRIED TO MURDER YOUR GIRLFRIEND. PURELY TO SPITE YOU.
And then by the time MC finally gets the antidote, she's too paralysed to drink it.
Divine Ending:
A distraught Masamune gently gives MC the antidote a little at a time by kissing her, which is pretty romantic.
And then she falls into unconsciousness. She wakes in a beautiful misty field of flowers. And waiting for her there is...her father.
MC: Am I...dead? D:
But then she hears Masamune's voice, calling for her.
Father: Someday, after you have lived a long, full life, with no regrets...come back to me. I'll be waiting to hear every word.
She wakes in the arms of a terrified, crying Masamune.
MC: All I want...is to serve you. Will you still deny me a place at your side?
Masamune: You are to be at my side forever. Do you understand?
MC: Yes :)
A few days later Masamune is stubbornly feeding her rice porridge in bed. Aw, he cooked it himself.
Luis: You used to look like a demon, but now you're so kindly.
Fransisco: TACT, LUIS. But MC's love has changed you, hasn't it?
Masamune: I suppose :)
Masamune talks with MC about how he's curious about Europe and would like to take her to overseas one day.
Once she's better there's an official feast to celebrate peace with Lord Yoshiaki. Man, I was hoping at least HE would get murdered, oh well.
Umeko: I hear Lord Masamune nursed you back to health :D
Maid: It was so strange having him ask me how to make porridge!
MC enjoys their teasing but still isn't sure how Masamune feels.
She finds him alone, looking up at the moon. She sits next to him and he smiles.
MC: You've been smiling so much more lately. I love seeing your smile, and knowing you're happy.
Masamune: ...
MC: DID I SAY LOVE? I MEANT...UH...
But then he gently puts his hand on her cheek and tells her he loves her too, and they sit holding hands and it's all very sweet.
Epilogue:
Aw. Masamune takes MC to a hill with a nice view, saying he used to come there when he was feeling overwhelmed. But he hasn't needed to come here for a while, now he has MC.
Masamune: MC, I...WAIT. SHIGEZANE AND KOJURO, WHY ARE YOU WATCHING US.
Kojuro: >.>
Shigezane: Well why haven't YOU had SEX yet?? Or at least kissed!! Amirite, MC?
MC: UM
I don't know why Shigezane being described as "like an older brother" bothers me timeline-wise, given everything else, but it does.
Masamune gets MC to teach him how to help with dinner, and says he likes her teaching him, it's pretty cute. He gets blushy and MC thinks that she likes him as he is.
Massamune can now politely talk to maids and other women! ...and so various noble ladies are suggested as brides.
Kojuro: It would be more shocking if he didn't take a wife, or at least a few concubines. Will you hate him if he does?
MC: No, it's just part of life I'll have to accept :( But I want to be the one to support him where it really matters.
She tells Masamune something similar, all "Don't worry about me I'm fine :)", but he tells her he cancelled the wedding, because the only woman he wants in his life is her. For any other lord I'd find this a little anachronistic but she's literally the only woman he can stand to touch, so.
They're very cute, and he asks to spend the night together but makes it clear they don't have to have sex if she doesn't want.
THE END
Rereading this, there was a lot I liked. But I didn't enjoy it as much as the Yukimura and Mitsuhide paths.
This entry was originally posted at https://alias-sqbr.dreamwidth.org/793448.html. There are
comments.
This was mostly cute but not as enjoyable as I'd hoped. Masamune is an interesting character, and I believe him and MC as a happy couple, but there were a few too many things that bugged me and not enough that I super enjoyed.
Content note: unfortunate treatment of abusive parenting
Masamune recovers and fulfils his fathers wish to bring peace to the local Ōshu region...by conquering everyone else. That's The Sengoku, I guess.
But before the final battle he gave a speech that he wanted to secure peace in a way that isn't forged in blood, and he uses new tactics which leave a lot more survivors. And afterwards, he thanks everyone with a smile.
(Also looking up the real Masamune's history he was 18 when his father died, I think he really is a teenager omg poor baby)
Masamune's little brother Kojirou shows up, and is bouncy and affectionate. Shigezane says they get along but avoid each other to prevent upsetting their mother Yoshihime, since she hates Masamune :(
MC: Have you tried talking your mother how you feel? She's your mother, she has to understand...
Masamune: It's more complicated than that :(
Yeah MC, I'm guessing she already knows her son feels bad when she screams at him that he's demon spawn.
We meet Masamune's maternal uncle Yoshiaki, who tells MC that his mother thinks his heterchromia marks him as a demon.
(I tried looking up info on attitudes to heterochromia in Japan but afaict it basically doesn't happen, since almost everyone has dark brown eyes unless they're albino. But this is Anime!Japan so Masamune's eyes are blue and green)
Aw and then MC apologies to Masamune for thinking it could be fixed that easily, and realises he must have tried talking to her.
Masamune: Why wouldn't she despise me? I have asked myself countless times what life would be like without this evil eye. It's why I distance myself from people...everyone knows I don't care much for women, but I'm sure that too is because of my mother. She's my weakness.
MC: But it's so beautiful. There may be nothing I can do to make Lady Yoshihime see it the way I do...but that is her loss. And you never know when someone will come after you, so it might as well be for something beautiful.
He stares at her, and then laughs, saying "Only you would ever say such a thing. But maybe you're right.".
Masamune: (Oh no he went quiet, was me laughing that uncomfortable?)
MC: (...his smile is hot???)
Umeko, visiting MC in her room: The other maids tell me you seem sick :(
MC: Lord Masamune isn't taking me with him on his trip to Kyoto, and I'm a little sad about not seeing my family...I'm sorry to worry everyone with something so selfish!
Oh my goodness! And then we see Umeko REPORT TO MASAMUNE, WHO IS THE ONE WHO SENT HER. Interestingly, the narration now refers to MC as 'Yahiko' and 'him', I guess this is Masamune POV. Masamune mutters to Kojuro that he has never missed his own family.
MC is overjoyed to be told she's going to Kyoto, I'm just waiting for her to realise what a mess she'll be in if Masamune's with her when she sees her family.
MC promises Kojuro she'll look after Masamune.
This is all such a weird dynamic, it's kind of infantilising the way Kojuro, Shigezane and MC treat Masamune like this helpless victim who can't be held responsible for anything bad he does, and needs to be constantly coddled. Yet at the same time they're all loyal subordinates and he has such huge power over all of them. Kojuro and Masamune are like a variant of Mitsuhide and Nobunaga. Nobunaga is older and way more deliberately selfish and hurtful, but Mitsuhide is more willing to question him, if only internally, and open eyed about his complicity in enabling murder and abuses of power (and, you know...killed him in the end irl) Masamune is a traumatised teenager who does deserve and need more love and support than he generally gets, but I don't think the way the few people who care about him tend so much towards largely unquestioning devotion is good.
At an inn, Masamune is coldly unfriendly to all the women flirting with him...so they turn their attention to MC. Shigezane thinks this is great, but the other two are miserable.
Shigezane: I can't blame Yahiko for being naive, but you let that slip through your fingers, milord. You do know people believe you prefer the company of men.
Masamune: And I care because?
MC: (The idea of him being gay bothers me for some reason??)
Shigezane: I don't care one way or the other. But Yahiko, if only you were a woman! Then you two could have sex!
Masamune: ...maybe.
MC: !!!!!!
Way to be heteronormative Shigezane. Masamune could have sex with actually-male-Yahiko! Seems like Masamune is aware he's into Yahiko, and not bothered by the idea of being seen as gay. I guess he's put off by his own straightness, Yahiko's assumed straightness, or just his general inability to be vulnerable.
Haaa a note from Hideyoshi about how loyal and talented Shigezane is, pondering how he can manipulate Shigezane to like him. Also apparently the real Shigezane put a caterpillar on his helmet *googles* This is so much more amazing than I was imagining.
Aww. Masamune awkwardly asks MC if she'd rather stay with her family, and when she says she wants to stay by his side and serve him he gives a small shy smile. He tells her to go visit them.
MC: But I should stay with you!
Masamune: I don't need you following me around the clock. Besides which, I have every intention of visiting the restaurant.
I was expecting MC to realise the issue here, but no! She goes home, greets her family, and dresses as a waitress, wearing Masamune's hairpin. Maybe he WON'T realise, and we'll have identity porn UST!
Me: Ugh, the creepy magistrate. I guess this'll be like the Yukimura path, when MC gets saved by Yukimura.
And sure enough, she's saved by...Yukimura! He is endearingly blushy when she thanks him. Unfortunately, they've both only just realised she's bleeding when Masamune arrives.
Masamune: What did you do to her, you bastard?
MC: Wait, I-
Yukimura: Say I told you I did everything you think I did...what would you do about it? >:D
BAD YUKIMURA
Masamune attacks, and Yukimura cries out...in confusion, when Saizo suddenly shows up and blocks the blow.
Saizo: Would you mind letting him go this once, just for me? After all, she wants you to stop :)
This gives MC the chances to explain, and Saizo smilingly apologises on Yukimura's behalf then drags him off by his collar, telling him to be more of a 'good boy'.
(I'm still pissed off at you, Saizo! But that was cute)
When MC goes to check on Masamune he flinches and sharply tells her to go away, since he thinks of her as a woman. But he still hands her a handkerchief for her wound.
Shigezane immediately ships MC (aka f!Yahiko) with Masamune, much to Masamune's annoyance.
She finds it strange to have to keep her distance to avoid him snapping at her, but takes the chance to ask Masamune how Yahiko is doing as his page.
Masamune: Very well. He's one of the few people I can trust.
MC is consumed with the guilt of knowing she's lying to him.
It's not until several days later, on the trip back, that Shigezane notices that Masamune got injured in his fight with Yukimura and has been ignoring it.
MC, cleaning the wound: Promise me you'll tell me if something like this happens again!
Masamune: You sound more and more like Kojuro :)
MC is suddenly very aware of how close they are, and even though she feels bad for lying, she would do anything to stay by his side.
The next day she gets a stomach ache so bad she becomes visibly ill, and collapses. Masamune catches her, and forces her to accept his help.
Masamune: If something happened to you...something would happen to me. And just like you said to me: promise me you'll tell me before something like this happens again.
She falls asleep against the comforting warmth of his back as he carries her all the way to the closest village. Welp, there goes any chance to try and explain things to the doctor /o\ And then as Masamune hands 'Yahiko' to a retainer...he stares in shock at the bandage around 'his' arm.
Me: Why are you shocked? You saw MC get that injur- OH.
MC wakes up to Shigezane's smiling face. Before she can ask about Masamune a bunch of retainers come in to celebrate her waking up.
Retainers: I've never seen him go ashen like that. Don't ever doubt that you mean the world to him.
See, Shigezane, THEY ship it.
Shigezane shoos them off and ruffles her hair, saying she can see Masamune when she's better. She sees a brief flash of sadness in his eyes as he says "You're one of of us. Nothing will ever change that."
Aw. You're alright, Shigezane.
Shigezane: I'm sure you've heard, but Yahiko woke up.
Masamunbe: I see.
Shigezane: About Yahiko's situation...
Masamune: For now...don't tell anyone. I-I'll be the one to speak to him.
Huh, is this NOT about MC's gender??
Meanwhile, it hasn't occured to MC that she may have been discovered, and she's just thinking soppy thoughts about how grateful she is to Masamune for everything. She feels a strange, intense warmth in her heart and realises she's in love with him.
That evening she's well enough to seek him out, and is all happy butterflies as she approaches him to apologise (for...being sick, I guess?)
Masamune, coldy: Yahiko. Are you a woman?
MC: .....D:
Masamune: I knew you were different from the others, but... :( I relieve you of your service.
MC: Wait, Lord Masamune, I-
Masamune: Don't come any closer >:(
Awww... (and yes, I know he doesn't mean that in a non binary inclusion way but I'll take it)
Shigezane: Man or woman, isn't Yahiko special to you? I'm sick of seeing you give up on everything that could make you happy!
Masamune punches him. Masamune >:(
Shigezane brushes off MC's concern about his split lip, and tells her he's sorry he can't oppose his lord and help her, but she will always be one of them.
And then she gives him a carefully written recipe list of all of Masamune's favourite recipes, and asks him to somehow make sure Masamune gets them :(
Then she kneels outside Masamune's door and apologises for lying.
MC: I'm in no position to be saying such things, but...I'm glad I was allowed to serve beside you as long as I was...*sniff*...if nothing else...please be sure you eat...
The next day Masamune is interrupted from silently angsting by Shigezane shouting about how he has no good reason not to forgive MC when he's the reason she had to lie in the first place. And then Shigezane punches him :D
MC is sadly walking through the village outskirts away from the castle, when she hears hoofbeats, and suddenly Masamune appears.
Masamune, holding out her recipes: The reason I could eat these things...is that you made them.
MC: But...
Masamune: I have no right to ask...but...come back with me. It does not matter if you are man or woman. I am not good with women, but even so...there's no point to any of this if you are not the one serving me...so...I want you at my side again...as you have always been.
Ok I'm swooning a little. And while punching Shigezane was Bad, this isn't too slow of a turnaround considering he has trauma around women AND being betrayed.
Masamune: Yahiko...no, MC. Serve me as my page. That...is a direct order.
MC: Yes Milord...please allow me to serve you...it would be my honour :) :)
Well, I guess as long as they're both into it.
Umeko rolls surprisingly well with finding out MC is a woman, and then immediately guesses that MC is in love with Masamune, which MC denies.
Masamune gives her the same kinds of blunt commands he did before, even though she's dressed as a woman, but he takes a moment to say the hairpin looks nice, which makes her blush.
Shigezane: LOOK AT MY OTP :D
Kojuro: You're going to drag me into some ridiculous scheme again, I can tell :/
HAAAA I just unlocked Masamune's latest 'lottery' (gacha for decorations for my 'castle') and it includes some cute stuff like a little boat, a very cute plushy one eyed dragon, and a TRAINING DUMMY WITH YUKIMURA'S FACE. Dude, Yukimura didn't have one of you, that's messed up. *clears space in my castle inventory*
Shigezane and Kojuro make up excuses to leave MC and Masamune alone in the village, and they have a cute walk, until MC gets so overwhelmed by what a great job Masamune has done bringing peace and social programs to his people that she trips and breaks her shoe. He catches her, then carries her to a chair, which is very shippy especially in context.
Oh no his mother wants to meet MC for tea.
Oh no someone tried to poison Masamune just when he was slowly trusting people more.
Oh no there's a letter organising it in Kojuro's handwriting ???
MC: Someone must be trying to frame him!
Masamune: Yeah. If Kojuro really wanted to kill me he wouldn't leave so much evidence.
Kojuro is "arrested" and brought to Masamune. They both agree it was probably Masamune's maternal uncle Yoshiaki, and Masamune is protectively indignant that they tried to hurt Kojuro as well as himself.
Masamune: I'll take care of everything. Write one of your silly poems or something.
Kojuro: As you wish :)
Even the retainers and MC have figured out it was probably a setup by Yoshiaki, who would inherit with Kojuro and Masamune out of the picture. And they all agree that if there's a split in the Clan, they'd side with Masamune. MC has helped them realise how great he is.
Masamune hears this, and tells MC "I thought I didn't care what the retainers thought of me...but it's nice to have people around who understand."
MC: They all love you!
Shigezane: And what about you, MC?
MC: Of course, I love him too.
Shigezane: :D
MC: UH
Masamune, staring at the ground: Don't tease her so much. I'm going now.
MC: YES I'LL JUST GET BACK TO WORK *runs away*
Shigezane: Masamune, are you blushing :D
Masamune: Shut up >:(
Shigezane: But in all seriousness, how do you feel about her?
Masamune: ...she's very...valuable. To us.
Masamune: I'm sorry, mother, but I cannot give MC permission to have tea with you.
Yoshihime: You seem very attached to her >:(
Fransisco: Oh! You're a girl again! And looking very pretty! Could that be why Lord Masamune has been nicer to us lately? It's said love makes a woman more beautiful, is he the lucky man? ;)
MC: N-no!
I was just thinking about how one thing I don't like about this path is the teehee cutesy "Aw he has a crush" approach to him being, you know, less of a war criminal etc. I'm not against "nice girl reforms morally grey dude" romances but it feels trivilialising.
Masamune: I would like to dismiss you from my service.
MC: No! Not unless you give me a reason!
Masamune: Because I know you have feelings for me.
"His eyes do not leave mine for an instant. But there's something desperate in them, like he's begging me to deny it. I know I should be kind to him and do just that...but I find I cannot"
Masamune: You won't deny it?
MC: ...I can't.
He closes his eyes and sighs.
Masamune: Then I cannot have you so close to me. If you have...feelings for me, frankly, it will...get in the way. I trust you. But only as a vassal.
MC: ...right :(
Masamune: As a reward for your service, I would like to offer you-
MC: I don't need it. If you insist upon giving me something...give me forgiveness for my feelings. I won't lie to you any more. I love you. It's embarrassing to tell you like this...but I'm proud to love you. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.
He says nothing, and she leaves.
Masamune: She smiled even to the end :( But if staying by my side would put her in danger, I would rather she hate me.
Ahaaaa and then Masamune's mother Yoshihime shows MC a letter "in Masamune's handwriting" saying she can come to tea.
MC: But he just...fired me? And wait...she's the sister of the main suspect in framing Kojuro...
Me: Omg MC are these actual self preservation instincts?
MC: I should go, to find information to exonerate Kojuro!
Me: /o\
MC is at least hesitant to drink the tea. But eventually she does AND GUESS WHAT.
Yoshihime: I've drunk the antidote of course. But you will die a slow agonising death :D
MC: ...you mean to get rid of...everyone...around Lord Masamune. But...it's too late...poisoning me is meaningless...
YOU'LL STILL BE DEAD, MC
Yoshihime: Losing someone he cares about so much will destroy him! He'll feel the same pain as me! And then my brother's army will destroy him :D
This makes MC try to move, but she starts to black out, hearing the sound of someone crying...
Masamune's uncle Yoshiaki: Ah, the bait is awake :)
MC: Do you really want to do this to your own nephew?
Yoshiaki: He's a menace, if we don't take him down our little dragon will consume us.
Coughing up blood, MC mentally apologises to Masamune and then passes out.
We switch to Masamune, who's realised MC is missing and is freaking out. And then his little brother comes in, crying, and and explains, saying their uncle Yoshiaki threatened to kill their mother if he told Masamune.
Msamaune orders his army be readied, and Kojuro freed.
The retainers are clearly worried this will be a repeat of when Masamune's dad was taken hostage. But Masamune orders a rescue.
Masamune: Noone shall suffer my father's fate again...or witness it. I have no right to ask...but will you lend me your strength, as you did my father?
Kojuro: If that is what you want, Lord Masamune...I shall follow you into the depths of the deepest Hell.
The other retainers follow, and as he thanks them, for an instant Masamune smiles.
Shigezane offers to lead the army so Masamune can mount a rescue.
At first MC thinks her hearing Masamune's voice calling her name is a sign she's starting to hallucinate. But she calls back, and he runs and pulls her into his arms.
MC: But why?
Masamune: Because...you're important to me. Even though I told you to leave to keep you safe from all this...here you are.
Me: Aww. But also- GIVE HER THE ANTIDOTE.
Masamune: As long as I live...I will protect you with my life. You're coming home with me.
ME: Sure :)
Me: ANTIDOTE?????
Ahhhh they need to track down his mother to get it! So Masamune carries the near-comatose MC on his back, telling her to hold on as he and Kojuro search for his mother.
MC: Please...forgive your mother...I still... want you two to reconcile someday...
COME ON. SHE COULD NOT BE MORE OF AN ABUSIVE CARTOON VILLAIN.
Yoshiaki, slow-clapping: What a lovely speech. AND NOW YOU DIE >:D *draws sword*
..ok, fine, it is possible to be more of a cartoon villain.
Filled with determination, Masamune defeats his uncle despite receiving multiple injuries, and demands to know where the antidote is. But he doesn't know.
Masamune: Uncle, I'm begging you!
Yoshihime: Let my brother go. Then we can talk.
Masamune: Mother...I'll do anything...
Yoshihime: Then...I shall ask for your life.
Masamune's little brother Kojirou: Mother! I won't let you murder my big brother! You've been lied to- Father didn't beg for his life, he's the one who told Masamune to shoot! Uncle, I will not be your puppet ever again! If I have to I'll become a monk!
For a moment it looks like Yoshihime will be reasonable... then she starts screaming that Masamune is still a murderer, he should die etc.
Masamune: Fine. Once I am dead, see that MC drinks the antidote.
MC, coughing up blood: No!!!
And then Shigezane storms in and his soldiers get the antidote!
Masamune: Forgive me, mother, but I cannot die just yet. I promised father to take care of you. And I... don't want to leave behind the one I love.
"For everything that Lady Yoshihime did...she's still Lord Masamune's mother. I'm sure she didn't want to poison anyone."
Are you MC? Are you really sure?
Masamune: You were right all along, noone's closer to you than your mother.
SHE JUST. TRIED TO MURDER YOUR GIRLFRIEND. PURELY TO SPITE YOU.
And then by the time MC finally gets the antidote, she's too paralysed to drink it.
Divine Ending:
A distraught Masamune gently gives MC the antidote a little at a time by kissing her, which is pretty romantic.
And then she falls into unconsciousness. She wakes in a beautiful misty field of flowers. And waiting for her there is...her father.
MC: Am I...dead? D:
But then she hears Masamune's voice, calling for her.
Father: Someday, after you have lived a long, full life, with no regrets...come back to me. I'll be waiting to hear every word.
She wakes in the arms of a terrified, crying Masamune.
MC: All I want...is to serve you. Will you still deny me a place at your side?
Masamune: You are to be at my side forever. Do you understand?
MC: Yes :)
A few days later Masamune is stubbornly feeding her rice porridge in bed. Aw, he cooked it himself.
Luis: You used to look like a demon, but now you're so kindly.
Fransisco: TACT, LUIS. But MC's love has changed you, hasn't it?
Masamune: I suppose :)
Masamune talks with MC about how he's curious about Europe and would like to take her to overseas one day.
Once she's better there's an official feast to celebrate peace with Lord Yoshiaki. Man, I was hoping at least HE would get murdered, oh well.
Umeko: I hear Lord Masamune nursed you back to health :D
Maid: It was so strange having him ask me how to make porridge!
MC enjoys their teasing but still isn't sure how Masamune feels.
She finds him alone, looking up at the moon. She sits next to him and he smiles.
MC: You've been smiling so much more lately. I love seeing your smile, and knowing you're happy.
Masamune: ...
MC: DID I SAY LOVE? I MEANT...UH...
But then he gently puts his hand on her cheek and tells her he loves her too, and they sit holding hands and it's all very sweet.
Epilogue:
Aw. Masamune takes MC to a hill with a nice view, saying he used to come there when he was feeling overwhelmed. But he hasn't needed to come here for a while, now he has MC.
Masamune: MC, I...WAIT. SHIGEZANE AND KOJURO, WHY ARE YOU WATCHING US.
Kojuro: >.>
Shigezane: Well why haven't YOU had SEX yet?? Or at least kissed!! Amirite, MC?
MC: UM
I don't know why Shigezane being described as "like an older brother" bothers me timeline-wise, given everything else, but it does.
Masamune gets MC to teach him how to help with dinner, and says he likes her teaching him, it's pretty cute. He gets blushy and MC thinks that she likes him as he is.
Massamune can now politely talk to maids and other women! ...and so various noble ladies are suggested as brides.
Kojuro: It would be more shocking if he didn't take a wife, or at least a few concubines. Will you hate him if he does?
MC: No, it's just part of life I'll have to accept :( But I want to be the one to support him where it really matters.
She tells Masamune something similar, all "Don't worry about me I'm fine :)", but he tells her he cancelled the wedding, because the only woman he wants in his life is her. For any other lord I'd find this a little anachronistic but she's literally the only woman he can stand to touch, so.
They're very cute, and he asks to spend the night together but makes it clear they don't have to have sex if she doesn't want.
THE END
Rereading this, there was a lot I liked. But I didn't enjoy it as much as the Yukimura and Mitsuhide paths.
This entry was originally posted at https://alias-sqbr.dreamwidth.org/793448.html. There are
comments.