Fish, salt, and mead. The aroma around the docks filled Shou’s sensitive nose, with every step he took he sneezed. earlier Mr. Takemori was laughing at him, making the situation a lot worse. “Hahaha, How are you going to survive this journey if only being near fish makes you sick? I mean, we are not even at sea yet!” that sentence stuck with Shou since, how is he going to survive this journey? A nine-year-old, with no prior experience, adventuring with a drunk man-child as his ‘Sensei’.

The mud stuck to his heavy boots with every step of the way.

The bumps of every second person walking the opposite path didn’t help as well, it was doomed for him to fall.

But he did not give up, The smell of Takoyaki was close, he knew it.

And yet he couldn’t single it out, of the empty scenery of people’s backs and fronts and from the closed nose not a smell lingered too long.

But then, a glimpse to the left side of the street - a wooden slab that read ‘Takoyaki’ in big red paint.

After that it was gone, between the mountains of people the it disappeared, but Shou did not dare give up.

He takes a deep breath, a pause for good measure.

Taking a blind first step was easy, no bumps, no suddenties.

He exhales, maybe it wasn’t as hard as he thought. people see where he is going, and likewise, they don't want to crash into the mud.

He was wrong

For the second step made him realize that.

he felt his foot step over something rather slippery, a fish that was thrown on the ground. Shou tries to balance himself but to no avail, his legs raise forward and before he knows it he is rotated one-eighty degrees pushing the air currents and falling onto the person behind him

“Hey! Look where you're going kid!” the man clicks his tongue at Shou before pushing him aside and blitzing away. Shou Stands back up again, he clears dust mud and oil that stuck on him from the fall, a big sneeze escapes his grasp.

He was completely surrounded, but he could sense Takoyaki, and so he lunges towards the shop at full speed, trying to get through the little voids in between people, dodging,

A step to the right,

A step to the left,

It was just like the Training he does with Mr. Takemori every day.

The last slide was hard to stop - fast he flew towards his goal, the oil was too slippery for Shou’s weak legs to balance on, and so he can only stop by crashing into the stand before him.

And crash he does, into one wooden leg of the shop, but it was not over yet,

Looking back the distance did not seem as big as he thought it was.

Quickly he shakes his thoughts and stands his ground, his heart starts racing, and his stomach’s rumble loudens at the sight of victory. He notices the cashier standing behind the Shop’s counter taking orders right above him, but Shou is small enough for no one to notice him, so he is able to sneak in between people to the front of the line.

Shou takes a gulp “Ummm, excuse me?” the cashier does not respond, talking to the person behind Shou made it a lot harder to notice the frontliner. Shou clunches fists, his face puffs and his ears redden.

He so sneaks behind the stand and tucks the cashier by his sleeve “Excuse me! Hey! Over here!” The cashier is startled, he looks down at Shou “Oh! Hello little one, you're not supposed to be here!” The cashier sees Shou is growing impatient, so he sighs in defeat and asks “What can I get for you?” Shou’s eyes widen as he jumps shoulders at the cashier “One Takoyaki plate please!” The cashier raises an eyebrow, then he points towards a sign right beside the counter “Sorry, this is a makizushi shop, we only sell sushi.”

“Takermoi Sensei!!” Shou screams at the slumbering beast named ‘Heijirou Takemori’. It had been half an hour since they were supposed to wake and check out, but Mr. Takemori decided to sleep in.

“Sensei, wake up please…” Shou’s voice takes on a desperate tone, and his stomach growls loudly. he sits down on a chair next to Takemori’s bed and gives out a big sigh, then, slowly, his eyes start to cross on their own, and his body slowly softens, going deeper and deeper into tiredness.

“Hey! Hey! What do you mean you’re kicking me out? Do you know who you’re talking to?! Huh?” Shou wakes to a very unusual scene, an angry Mr. Takemori, kicking and cursing, as per usual, and the so-called innkeeper, absorbing all the toxicity Mr. Takemori is spitting.

The innkeeper’s legs were shaking, and his forehead full of sweat.

He was holding his broom very tightly, as if it would protect him from Takemori’s wrath.

“Yes sir, I am afraid I can't let you stay here any longer. It has been three days since you said you will be departing…”

Maybe it is not such an unusual scene after all, Shou reflects.

Shou slowly begins his walk towards the heated battle, his head held high, his shoulders stiff, unbeknown to him of the future that lies ahead. In such fashion he lunges into the conversation “Good morning… are we being kicked out?” he asks,

although he had rehearsed his sentence well during the walk to the unknown, he still slipped as his voice was as drowsy as ever.

Takemori looks at Shou, and his eyes lit up as if a lightbulb fired above his head, “Ohohoho! I have found our solution, Ashikaga-kun!” he says impishly.

“What are you talking about, Takemori-san, We've gone through this… you must-'' Ashikaga’s voice cracks and a cough slips through his lips “Ahm… you must be on your way now, dear sir.” Takemori grabs onto The innkeeper's shoulders and whispers “Shou! He is the solution. Make him work for you, he is a great cook you know? And he can clean, he is a super keeper!” The innkeeper glimpses at half-dead Shou, taking a moment before replying,

“Alright… but just this once yeah? I'll give you three more days. This is just for you, yeah? Because you’re Takemori and all,”

Takemori dabs The innkeeper's chest. “Oh what nonsense, Ashikaga-kun! You’re just like me!”

Shou stares at them, he tilts his head like a dog that has heard his name come out in a conversation “Huh?”

“Alright, Shou! Are you ready for your first day?” Says Mr. Ashikaga. His swayed attitude and relaxed body don't suit his interaction with Takemori earlier, Shou reflects, he seems to be talking with a completely different person.

“Yes! If I understand you completely, you mean to make me wear this kitsune fox costume and try to bring into the inn’s restaurant guests, i am assuming you want families instead of the drunk men like Mr. Takemori that seem to like this place a lot…” Shou straightens his back, puts his head up and inflate his chest proudly before speaking up “But, I must decline!” For a short time of an instant, The nine-year-old became a professional diplomat “I just simply cannot bring myself to wear this, i sincerely apologize… I understand you mean to use my small figure in such ways but it is just too embarrassing!”

The Innkeeper’s gaze lingers at Shou and so does his cheeks slowly flush “Shhhhh! Don't say it like that! That sounds like something else!” Mr. Ashikaga lunges at Shou and closes Shou’s mouth before it can speak again.

Shou glares at Mr. Ashikaga, but before he could move a finger The innkeeper speaks “Alright fine, I'll have you do something else.”

Working was a hassle for Shou, he had never done any kind of paperwork, cleaning, or cooking, except for his home. The only work he is used to is lumber and burning charcoal. Even the handiwork was different.

Dish washing was only an issue for Shou once he had to work in this restaurant. Although most dishes were just cups for beer, every once in a while came a huge pile of plates and empty bowls he had to go through.

Sometimes, the meat was stuck to the plate so hard it took what seemed like hours to clean it.

Another job he hated was cleaning the bathrooms. Cleaning the women's restroom was one thing, but the men… the stench made his entire body wobble, even his eyes teared and his sight blurred every time he entered, at some point he had to put on a full face mask. Not to mention, the very well-known smell of Mr.Takemori’s reek. It was eventually the cause for Shou Sato’s wheezing struggle’s and itchy nose.

You would imagine a nine-year-old wouldn't be able to handle bartending or the job of a waiter, but to Mr.Ashikaga’s surprise, he managed to handle all of that and more. Because of his polite and outgoing manner towards the customers; families and women have started going to the Inn’s restaurant as well. “Wow, Shou! I didn’t expect this at all, especially not from a nine-year-old like you… I will miss you a lot when you depart, maybe stay and work with me?”

“Hey, Mr. Ashikaga, you think this is good enough?” Shou comes waddling towards Ashikaga around from across the broad and noisy bar wearing the widest grin, with a notebook in hand, which he presents to Mr. Ashikaga “Oh! Shou! Let me see…”

at the moment Mr.Ashikaga’s eyes were graced by that notebook, his face fell into an ill pale tone. The handwriting, the arrangement, it was all better than anything Ashikaga had ever glanced upon “You did this?” a look of dismay appears on his face.

“Yes?-” Shou says, his eyes’s dazzle was one blinding, but it was clear the smile he wore was as Tremulous.

Ashikaga hesitantly snatches the paperwork off of Shou and starts flipping page by page gently. “Well? How is it?” Shou could not keep his gaze lingering for more a second at Ashikaga, imminently he stuck his eyes to the ground.

“How is it?” Ashikaga mumbles, his eyes could not sway a moment away from the shining notebook. “It's incredible! Are you sure you’re nine years old?”

“Well, Yes. I was born in purple actually, it's a funny story-” Shou stops his sentence and rolled his eyes up to meet with Ashikaga’s, but all he finds was as wide a grin as the serving counter.

“Oh… so it is good.” like a rainbow it was; rain fell, but at the same time Ashikaga’s infectious smile stuck onto Shou’s face like a sunray reflecting onto raindrops.

Shou’s nose was stiff again.

The smells were just too much, the cocktail of aroma’s was too much,

Mead, fish, oister, oil.

How is everyone so uplifted? The sound of drums and accordions accommodated the humming of people, the clinking plates and cups were echoing through Shou’s ears and the laughs of Takemori’s girl-followers were just as ear-ringing as any kanpai.

And yet, Shou could not rid his face of a smile,

It was all like the time his father took him on one of his voyages, in a far land to the west, it was all green! The first time Shou had ever seen this much green. Vast mountains shrouded the land, and chirping of birds was always a sound.

But then it was all stopped when Mr. Takemori came rushing towards Shou, knocking each and every table, person or dish in his way “SHOU!!!!” he screamed without taking a breath.

“Oh, Sensei Takemori, what do you want?” Shou’s voice was dead.

“Shou, you wont believe it!” Takemori rushed Shou pushing him towards a group of women sitting beside the tall counter. “Hey girls! Meet Shou Sato, my pupil and the next mist Shifuyo!”

Sounds of familiar hellos and giggles came from the girls,

Shou counted them, five girls, three had black hair and brown eyes, they had silk for skin, and they all dressed in kimonos. One of the other two girls had red hair and was frickle-faced, the one next to her had blonde hair just like his mother, and her eyes were a bright turquoise color. She stood out to Shou most.

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A feature they all shared, a thing that had Shou flailing in front of the women,

All of them looked down on him, they were all taller than him.

The redhead nudged Shou slightly “So so, you see that girl over there?” she points to a table, it was surrounded by drunk men, and from the little holes in between them he glanced at the pink hair of a woman, her white and blue dress gave accent to her curvaceous shape.

Against the cheers and cries, she paid no attention to the men surrounding her.

In front of her sat a much smaller lady, she as well had pinkish hair, but hers had a fade of green to it.

But her eyes were not looking at her acquaintance, instead, a pale green gawk met Shou’s glance.

The girl’s eyes squished from her wide grin as she waved at beet-red Shou.

And so, half-dead Shou carelessly waved back.

“Don't you see? She has been staring at you for quite some time!” says Mr. Takemori, his face butted into Shou’s as he tried to look at the table with him.

“Oh, I see,” Shou responds, his eyes still glued at the tiny lady.

“So? You’re gonna go talk to her?” one of Takemori’s followers asks.

“Talk to her…?” Shou tilts his head to the side, trying to fix his look.

Suddenly Takemori jumps out and breaks Shou’s line of sight “Wait, I think that's…” he mumbles, then rushes to the already so surrounded table.

At Takemori’s arrival, the men had scattered, and the picture cleared.

“How old is that lady?” Shou asks the group behind him.

“Oh? You were worried about her age?” one girl answered fruitfully “Well, she should be around your age, I think a year older than you…” another girl added “Impressive of you to be calling her lady!”

The brittle sound of Takemori’s hello scream shattered every other sound like glass.

Familiarity broke between Takemori and the two women. The blue dressed stood and hugged The silver-haired celebrity, smiling and giggling at Mr. Takemori.

Takemori leveled a glowering look towards Shou Sato, “Look, he's telling you to approach them!” one black-haired girl said.

And so Shou blinks twice, coughs in reassurance, and walks in glamor towards the most watched table of the day.

“Shou! Meet Kanae Ashikaga,” Takemori’s eyes were watering and a smile stretching from ear to ear was glued to his face,

Not to mention the bright red marking of a hand on his right cheek.

next to him sat the curvaceous woman. she seemed about Takemori's age, maybe an acquaintance of his, Shou reflected.

“Ashikaga… are you related to Mr. Ashikaga… I don't think I remember his first name,” Shou pauses his mumbling and glances back at Takemori “Wait, Sensei, you are hurt” he says coldheartedly.

“Shou! Couldn't you be more concerned? She slapped me!” Takemori’s voice was wobbly, and his cries made Shou want to peel his own ears off.

Shou's stare then traveled towards the girl sitting on the other side of the table, “Hello, do I know you?” Shou asks.

The girl cocked a brow in surprise and then burst with chuckles, rolling her belly tight.

“You go straight to the point!” she says, “I like that!”

Shou scratched his head “What is so funny?” then he swayed a quick look at Takemori, and a bright grin peaked on his face “Oh! Takemroi getting slapped! Wish I had seen that”

Kanae Ashikaga’s face seemed as if golden rays of light had hit it “Yeah! You're right!”

After everyone had sat down, and food was served, a conversation had stirred.

“You see, me and Takemori are both Shifuyo! I am the creator of love Kenjutsu, you understand! I am quite a genius!” Said Kanae, gulp after gulp she devoured the chicken in front of her while her eyes waited for Shou Sato’s response. “I see…” Shou took a moment of hesitation, “How are you related to Mr. Ashikaga?”

“We are siblings, you know!”

A man approaches the noisy table, it was none other than Mr. Ashikaga with more food to serve. “We share a father,” he adds to the conversation, his voice was tough and sharp. “Oh! Ashikaga-kun! Sit with us,” says groggy Takemori, he had already lost his sense of thought. “Mr. Takemori, I don’t think I can serve you beer anymore.”

The noise was still too loud for Shou, a headache had been carrying his entire evening, And yet, he did not think to leave for once.

For every glance he took at the familiar girl, who now sat next to him, was always met with her eyes back, “Shouuu” she whispered alongating her sentence, “Hey hey, how don’t you recognize me?”

Shou quickly throws his eyes towards the dish of oysters and meat “I’m sorry, I don't remember” and so he digs into the meat, gulp after crunch.

Until a feeling of itchiness and a sneeze reminded him, he cannot eat oyster.

“You are Akio, am I right?” Shou asks quietly, whilst neither Takemori nor Kanae seemed to be listening since they both were up to their feet dancing to drunken drums.

The girl's eyes did not linger for a moment too long on that business, her gaze was there for Shous. and so, a light blush appears on her cheek, and she nods swiftly, “And my last name?”

Shou closed the gap between their seats to get closer to her until their noses almost touched.

“Hmmmm” Shou hummed, then he quickly snatched his look elsewhere. Akio felt that Shou’s gaze was not fixated on the cooked chicken leg in front of him, even though his pupils reflected it like a mirror.

“I don't have one.” She states.

Shou lingers his stare at the now cold, half eaten chicken, not even a breathe was heard from him, until finally he spoke up, startling Akio's thoughts. "I think I remember you now... we met at one of my father's voyages, at that cold land."

Akio nods again. it was the last they spoke that evening, as it was the time to carry Drunken Mr.Takemori, and now also Ms. Ashikaga, back to bed.

“For the hundredth time Shou, they told me they were eighteen, how was I supposed to know?!” Takemori’s ears burnt red, he was walking back and forth on the wooden dock of their ship. “You know, I can still go back there and apologize…” he mumbles. Shou swiftly fixes a glare at Mr.Takemori, he notices the fool trying to jump off the ship, although being already departing “Don’t you dare! I see you!” Takemori freezes in place. It felt like they were back in the mountains again, A cold wind chill ran through him. Slowly he rotates his head, just to meet the heated lime eyes of Shou.

“You know, Mr. Takemori…” Shou’s voice was calm and quiet, but it felt like a loud stormy wave hitting Takemori’s ears.

Takemori does not give in, he shakes the numbness Shou gave him and hesitantly asks “Yes, Shou?”

Shou tries to smile, but it was clear; a sneer was hidden behind his thin grin.

A sneer so cold Takemori began seeing ice forming under his lips “You know… you are one sick being, Sensei” Takemori looked down to the ocean, all of a sudden, the sunny water seemed a lot prettier. Grace hit them, the way the waves hit the ship’s keel made him hold his face in excitement.

He closes his eyes, and the bags under them become a lot more apparent under the sun's rays.

In that fashion he smiles back at the ocean before turning to face Shou “Are you ready, Shou?”

Shou’s glare had slightly faded, and his sneer disappeared. What replaced it was lips curled into a snarling frown and eyes squinted.

“What? Takemori, stop that you’re creeping me out”

Like cracking wood and heavy waters, Heijirou Takemori’s emotions were struck, and the sunny spring day he had envisioned slowly faded into a dark snowstorm.

Man, This kid is dangerous, he thinks to himself.

Night came. Now they were truly in the middle of nowhere. To each direction Shou swung towards he noticed nothing but darkness. A moonless night it was.

Even the water, only slight murmurs and drips were heard, and a faint reflection seen. A creature of the deep could be lurking down there and no one would know.

What broke the ghostly silence was The itchiness that took control over Shou. The void of the black sea in front of him almost made him forget that fishy smell, but not quite.

“Hey, Shou! Already on edge huh?” It's Mr. Takemori, as usual, he came to tease Shou. the invincible Takemori, nothing can stop him. Not even the sea. “My nose is so stiff, Mr. Takemori… please don’t make it worse.”

Shou releases a subtle sneeze, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment “Man you really need to get over this…” Takemori reaches out to his pocket and takes out a handkerchief “Here, use this.”

“Thanks…” Shou says and quickly anchores his attention to the ship's ledge, leaning onto it, and back to watching the dead night.

Takemori sighs, he pauses for a moment to let his tone take on a more serious note.

“You know you can rely on me sometimes, yeah? At the end of the day, I'm the reason you’re here.”

Shou took another moment to glance back at Takemori, meeting his shaded spectacles, They were shining in the moonlight.

“What are you talking about? Also…” Shou finally gave up his pursuit of the ledge and reached to take Takemori’s weird black-tinted lenses off, but his hands could only grab the cold wind.

“What? Oh, the Ai Tai’s?” Takemori asks.

Shou nods aggressively. All of a sudden a grin appears on Mr. Takemori’s face, he takes a step back and poses an assured pose “They look cool don’t they?”

The ship was not very big, since it's a private ship departing in light of Shou and Takemori’s journey.

This makes Avoiding Mr.Takemori a lot harder, especially now since the night is so cold everyone has to sit in the captain's cabin. “Hey hey, Mr. Capitain! I'm thinking of buying my own ship, you know!” Takemori chose his next victim.

Shou was told the Captain was of a noble family, a rich one at that.

But looking at him now, he did not seem as Shou had imagined - he had a thick and curly brown beard, and wore his white captain's hat proudly. It had no crest of his family on it.

He had nothing that he wore resembling his family line, unlike Mr. Ashikaga who always wore a necklace with his family's sigil of black and silver stripes embedded on a hanging coin.

The captain also had his arm sleeves torn, while also wearing a fitting black tie along his white uniform, resembling a Keibu’s.

“Shhhh! Mr. Takemori, I am trying to focus here, this is a really bad time to be talking” his hands were firmly holding the wheel trying to steer it against the hard waves of this cold stormy night. “Oh yea? Let me help you then! Maybe I'll gain some experience…” Before a word could slip out the captain's mouth, Takemori forced his hold onto the steering wheel.

The captain, of course, fought hard against Takemori’s grasp. Surprisingly, he matched his strength. “You two stop fighting, will you?” says Mr. Ashikaga, the only other reasonable person in the room.

It was weird seeing him in clothes different than his formal innkeeper outfit, he wore an attire similar to a ronins.

Not wearing his usual black bandana that had covered his head to the brim, his hair was floating in the wind, green hair that had a touch of pink, reminding him of the relations he has with Kanae Ashikaga, the love Shifuyo.

“Oh yeah, Mr. Ashikaga,” Shou says, “why did you decide to come with us? I mean, you had a pretty successful business back home and all…”

He had stirred up a conversation trying to ignore the creaking sound the ship made.

“Oh about that…” Ashikaga takes a small moment, his eyes caressed at Shou “well, because of you of course! I just couldn’t imagine life after experiencing having you around.”

Shou’s realm of delusions had shattered. Now more than ever he felt alone to the few candles lighting the room before him.

Shou had never lost sight of their fire since they lit.

“Mr. Ashikaga, don't you think we should do something about these two…” Shou points over towards a hole the ship has made. “Oh yeah, we might actually sink here…” Ashikaga says, his voice was modulated. As expected of someone from the Ashikaga clan.

“One more thing I have been meaning to ask you,” Shou takes a hesitant moment before speaking up “how come someone of your caliber is an innkeeper?” Ashikaga eyes Shou intensely.

His look has changed, he no longer is wearing a playful smile. His eyes, as puff as they are, and his cheeks, as red as they are, now seemed more intimidating than ever, Shou felt the look he

gave him had drilled a hole in his chest, and the only thing interrupting that awkwardness was the violent sounds coming from Mr. Takemori and the captain.

“Oh sorry, I mean… I didn’t mean to-” Shou was interrupted by Ashikaga’s burst of words, “Oh don't mention it! Actually, I chose this life for myself…” Ashikaga’s smile was back on and his voice was as enthusiastic as ever.

“Oh… I see”

The ship’s crack had now become a hole, and a thunderous sound of rushing water covered all other.

“SHOU… SHOU! USE THAT ICE MAGIC OF YOURS ! COVER UP THE HOLE FAST” Mr. Takemori screams.

The candle’s fire disappears, and so the cabin darkens as the night’s black. “What ice magic?” Shou responded. Shou froze, His heart started racing and suddenly he felt as though he had lost the ability to breath.

“Well, Mr. Takemori, it seems we have fumbled, you and I.”

“Well, Kishuku-san, or Captain… you are supposed to know what to do in this situation, no?” Takmori says, trying to find help from the only sea-man here.

“No, we are going to sink.” Kishuku sits, legs crossed and a pop is sound.

The last bottle of rum.

“Kanpai, Takemori, Ashikaga.” The capitain pours each a glass, then approached Shou “you can have some too before you die.” He pours a glass of what is left, and they all sit in a circle, and all bless kanpai.

“Well then, Shou… sing us a song, you've got a pretty great voice.” Takemori finally settles down. His grating voice was sound across the waters. Shou remained silent.

After a less than a while water had filled the cabin up to their feet, the only activity they had going was watching Takemori dance to his own singing. At some points the captain had joined him too.

A final act, something broke; the mast. And it fell straight into the cabin, breaking the roof.

Shou saw the star lit skies for a moment, right before the huge pillar of wood crashed onto him.

Dust filled the air, and the smell of wet-wood had infiltrated everyone's nostrils

“SHOU! ITS SHOU, YOU ALRIGHT??” Mr. Ashikaga was screaming in sorrow, unable to do anything. “Don’t worry, he's fine,'' says Mr.Takemori, as he was walking in zigzag towards the mast that fell onto Shou.

He lifts the mast up with his bare hands, slowly what was under the mast is revealed,

the captain had his jaw dropped and eyes wide open, Ashikaga was on his knees, pale and breathless.

Shou was alive.

He was crouched on the ground covering his head with his arms. Takemori noticed he was mumbling something to himself.

“Shou! See, I told you! Ice magic!”

It seemed like a rough arching lump of ice wrapped like a cloak against the mast that had been drilled by its sharp edges.

“Oh… yeah… but aren’t you worried about him, he seems stuck in place.” says the captain, the shock of what had happened had him seem numb.

Of the ice came smoke, and soon after the sound of drips, the cold atmosphere of the night had settled for a temperate feel while the ice melted and became a part of the seawater.

“Oh, Mr. Takemori… is this some weird magic of yours?” a most quiet whisper had come out of Shou’s lips, as he gradually shifted his ground to the side. Right before his face had hit the Ship’s floor, Takemori rushed and caught his frail body.

“Once he’s asleep, there's no waking him up,” states Mr. Takemori.

A pause was needed for Mr. Ashikaga and Captain Kishuku. Soon after the cold windy air had returned to their now wrecked journey vessel, the silence broke with a burst of chuckles and laughter.

“You shouldn’t be saying that, Heijirou!”

Takemori spins to face Ashikaga and clenches his fists, his face beet red, not noticing that Shou has fallen from his arms “Shut up! Ashikaga!”

A thud is sound, and they all stare down at sleeping Shou.

“Now that I think about it, I had never seen him sleep before…” says Ashikaga, “also, how are we going to continue sailing, kishuku?” both Takemori and Ashikaga glare at their Captain,

But all the response he gives is a shrug of a shoulder.