Book 2: Chapter 73: Only You

Lily and s.h.i.+u traveled two days back to Kamakura City.1

Once they were in the city, Lily brought s.h.i.+u to a tailor to have a few ninja attires made for her before returning to the dojo.

Lady Kagami. The entrance was still guarded by the same male and female attendants. They received Lily with even more respectful att.i.tudes this time. After all, Lily was now ranked third in the dojo; a truly powerful figure. In Kamakura City, she was starting to be the topic of conversation between many samurai. Even among the upper echelon of the Genji clan, Lily had a very respectable reputation.

Lily still gave them both a friendly nod before entering the simple but deep courtyard. She saw Senior Kondo walking up to her as soon as she entered. From the looks of it, his injuries had healed a lot and he no longer needed the crutches.

Senior Kondo, Lily went up to him and bowed.

Since he previously lost to Tokugawa, Kondo remained fifth in the dojo ranking while Tokugawa ranked higher than him. As a result of his injuries, no one challenged him at this time due to the righteousness of a samurai.

Lady Kagami. Kondo looked both happy and dejected at the sight of Lily. Senior Kondo, you look so much better now. Have your injuries healed? Im fine. Maybe Lady Kagami should be more worried about Lady s.h.i.+mizu. Eh? Whats wrong with Sister s.h.i.+mizu?

Kondo had a worried expression on his face. After all, theyd been living in the same dojo for many years. Three days ago, she lost to Uesugi Rei in the contest that everyone in the Land of East had their eyes on

Kondo told Lily every detail of the battle that ensued between s.h.i.+mizu and Uesugi Rei a few days ago. He was watching the battle from the second floor of a teahouse nearby on that day, so naturally, he got a clear view of it.

What? Lily looked concerned too after listening to Kondo. Sister s.h.i.+mizu had always been sickly and down. How would someone who cared so much about reputation cope with suffering such an utter defeat in public?

On the contrary, it wouldve been better if Sister Uesugi was the one who lost. At most she would just smile and say Im ashamed of myself and there wouldnt be so much to worry about her.

I understand. Thank you for informing me, Senior Kondo. I will go see Sister s.h.i.+mizu now. Oh right, thank you for the medicine that youve brought for me, Miss s.h.i.+u. Youre welcome. I am only carrying out an order. If you like it, I can bring you more next time.2

Ahem, I I hope there wont be a next time hehehe. Kondo smiled at s.h.i.+u with sweat beading his forehead. Well then Lady Kagami, I still have some errands so Ill excuse myself first.

Alright. Lily gave her senior a slight bow, then turned around and hurried to s.h.i.+mizus room.

However, when she reached s.h.i.+mizus place, she was told that s.h.i.+mizu had gone to her private dojo.

Seems like Lady s.h.i.+mizu isnt as depressed as Kondo had mentioned? s.h.i.+u asked.

Lily shook her head instead. Ill go have a look. s.h.i.+u, take the luggage back and go spend some time with Nanako.

With her? Umm alright. s.h.i.+u then left while sulking.3

Lily hurried toward an old and slightly deserted dojo surrounded by a bamboo forest in the deeper part of the courtyard.

She walked through the bamboo forest and went up to the old, dilapidated dojo. She peered into the dojo through a rather weather-worn paper window screen.

s.h.i.+mizu was wearing her usual white and blue dojo uniform. She stood in the center of the dojo with a sword in her hands. A ray of light came through from the damaged roof, causing golden specks of flying dust particles to be visible, and shone on s.h.i.+mizus delicate back.

As long as I can master the seventh, no, the eighth, the ninth stage of the mysterious sword technique, I can definitely defeat that woman and regain my pride! But why!? Why am I not making any progress?! Im even starting to lose my stability in the sixth stage! Cough, cough, cough!

Sister s.h.i.+mizu

s.h.i.+mizu turned around and saw Lilys silhouette in the bright sunlight at the door.

Lily Lil Lily Is that you? Is that really you?4

Sister s.h.i.+mizu! Lily worriedly rushed over to s.h.i.+mizu. Before she could even bend down, s.h.i.+mizu had latched onto her thigh and nuzzled her face against Lilys stomach.

She appeared to be sniffing the scent on Lilys body to her hearts content. The unique, healthy and feminine scent on Lily greatly soothed her.

Youre finally back Do you know how lonely Ive been over the past few days? Sister s.h.i.+mizu Lily knelt down and s.h.i.+mizu pressed her lovely face against Lilys chest.

Despite being the older sister, s.h.i.+mizu spoke in a rather coquettish tone. So soft It feels so good to lean against you, Lil Lily5

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, losing a contest isnt a big deal. Please dont take it to the heart.

Do not mention that again! s.h.i.+mizus voice suddenly turned very fierce. That woman deliberately concealed her strength and schemed against me to embarra.s.s me! She had embarra.s.sed me in front of the world! Shes so mean Sobs Lily, that woman bullied me!

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, Sister Uesugi isnt that kind of person. That was only an ordinary contest. Dont let it bother you. Sister s.h.i.+mizu is still a very impressive female samurai! Youre so much more powerful than Lily.

Hehe, Lil Lily is so good at comforting others. Of course I am better than you. Otherwise, how can I be your elder sister? But that woman defeated me. Will you dislike me from now on and choose to side with her?

Sister s.h.i.+mizu, who do you think Lily is? We will forever be training sisters and we will never abandon each other. Have you forgotten about that?

How could I forget But I am afraid that I might stop practicing sword. Lately, the more I practice, the worse my physical condition gets. I havent made the slightest progress. Lil Lily maybe I have no talent.

How can you think that way, Sister s.h.i.+mizu? If the top female samurai of the East labels herself as untalented, then thousands of samurai in training would be ashamed of themselves. Please dont let your defeat get to you. Even if you defeat Sister Uesugi, there is still As.h.i.+kaga Makoto and the legendary Fujiwara Ayaka. There is always a long road ahead of the strong. No one can possibly reach the top in just a short amount of time. Slightly falling behind for now doesnt necessarily reflect your future achievements, does it?

I truly hope it is as you said. But it doesnt matter anymore. I dont feel like practicing sword now. Leaning against your chest makes me feel so much better than I did a few days ago. I dont have any friends. Everyone is laughing at me behind my back. You are all I have

Sister s.h.i.+mizu Lily was quite moved. Regardless of their feelings, s.h.i.+mizus trust and reliance toward her were sincere.

Lily caressed s.h.i.+mizus shoulder.

I dont care about anything as long as I can be in your arms like this every day s.h.i.+mizu lifted her head up and rested her chin on Lilys b.r.e.a.s.t.s6. Her gentle but sorrowful eyes blinked, and her pink lips parted slightly. Kiss me. Can you give me a kiss?

Eh? Lily instantly blushed and turned her head to the side. Sister s.h.i.+mizu W-We agreed that we are nothing more than training sisters

Hmph. Have you never kissed anyone?

Eh? Lily was taken aback. Regardless of the truth, any girl would deny when asked this question. No.

s.h.i.+mizu looked more at ease. Never mind then. As long as Lil Lily stays with me forever, we can take things slow. Im not like that woman who looks s.e.xually deprived all day long.

But why do you refuse to go further with me, Lil Lily? You look s.e.xually deprived too. Eh? I-Im not! Lily denied with a flushed face.

s.h.i.+mizus complexion and mood greatly improved after Lily came back. Even so, she still refused to go out and meet people. She either stayed at home quietly or spent her time at the old dojo. Lily stayed by her side out of concern.

s.h.i.+mizu rarely practiced sword after that. Watching Lily improve every day made her feel happy yet a little sad at the same time.

A few days later, a sixth ranked disciple challenged Lily. Needless to say, they suffered a total defeat. Since then, no one dared to challenge Lily again for the time being.

Sister s.h.i.+mizu Lily is rather concerned by the fact that you only drink tea all day long but not practicing sword. Lily was dripping with sweat in her pink yukata while holding a wooden sword. She had just finished practicing while s.h.i.+mizu had spent the entire day staring at her obsessively and preparing tea or snacks for her.

Dont worry about me. Ive hit a wall lately, so its better that I take a break from training. Thats true

s.h.i.+mizu was dressed in a white kimono that gradually turned light purple toward the bottom. Her short swinging sleeves were decorated with lilac flowers. In this era, a smooth gradient was achieved by painting the layers by hand. Since it was an extremely tedious work, the elegant-looking kimono came at an expensive price.

s.h.i.+mizu who never cared much about clothes had started dressing herself up in the past few days.

She even applied blush on her face. s.h.i.+mizu had a very pale complexion that lacked rosy colors. She thought that Lily would much prefer healthy-looking girls.

Lil Lily Arent you going to do something about my laziness?

Eh? Lilys chest heaved as she panted. She looked down at s.h.i.+mizu who was sitting on the floor. Her appearance was a little different from the usual.

Arent you going to punish me? I might work harder after Lil Lily punished me.

Huh? Why would a proud woman like s.h.i.+mizu say such things to Lily? Lily couldnt help but worry. Could the blow from s.h.i.+mizus defeat be so great that she had given up on herself?

s.h.i.+mizu played with her own hair. Do you remember the day when I tied you up at the camp that day and disciplined you? I still feel guilty about the incident and sorry toward you. If Lil Lily takes revenge on me, perhaps I would feel better.

Eh? Please dont say that, Sister s.h.i.+mizu. Lily dont blame you as Lily was at fault that day

s.h.i.+mizus gaze softened as she visibly relaxed. She was half-lying on the old floor while basking in the sunlight that came inside. Her fair beautiful leg was exposed from under the kimono skirt. s.h.i.+mizus lower body wasnt particularly slim, but she was very well-proportioned. Her thigh was perfectly shaped, but her exposed lower leg was so slim it could completely fit in Lilys grip.

s.h.i.+mizus gaze wavered at Lily, inadvertently exposing her desires to be disciplined.

Her pink lips parted slightly. Although I am a powerful female samurai, Im still a woman at the end of the day There are times that I need to be kept in check and disciplined so that I can pull myself together, you know?

Lily would be lying if she said that she didnt have the urge to do something to s.h.i.+mizu at this moment. However, she knew that she should be encouraging s.h.i.+mizu to pull herself together at a time like this instead of making another mistake and cause her to fall deeper into the abyss of self-abandonment.

She kneeled down, gently pulled s.h.i.+mizus skirt to cover up her snowy white thighs7. Sister s.h.i.+mizu, have you forgotten about your destiny? Have you forgotten that you are the one chosen by the ancient mirror? There will come a time when you will have to fight those terrifying demons and villains that bring harm to the mirror girls at the frontlines. Lily swore that she would fight alongside you. I wish that Sister s.h.i.+mizu will grow even stronger and become a female samurai that is revered by all.

Is that so? Do you really wish for that? Yes! Lily opened the front of her robes wider and nodded.

Thank you, Lil Lily. Perhaps Ive been too depressed lately. You are right. Im still shackled by my inescapable fate. If I stop here, Ill only get swallowed up by my dark fate! Ill work hard, as long as Lil Lily stays by my side8

s.h.i.+mizu hugged Lily. The two girls shared a long embrace under the warm sunlight in the dim dojo, as they encouraged each other.

Under the dazzling sunlight, a tall figure came from outside the dojo and accidentally walked in on the scene. Her delicate body jolted and her face flushed. However, she had a look of both relief and melancholy on her face.

Uesugi Rei turned around and leaned against a wooden pillar of the dojo that was overgrown with weeds at the bottom. Her chest heaved in excitement and she was smiling in resignation. However, her smile was laced with a tinge of bitterness that she wasnt even aware of herself. She turned around and left quietly without interrupting s.h.i.+mizus beautiful dream.9

Robinxen: Roll for random encounter!

Robinxen: s.h.i.+u is naively savage.

Robinxen: The rivalry continues!

Robinxen: Does anyone else just imagine her being dead inside?

Robinxen: s.h.i.+mizus absorbed so much imoutonium its integrating with her essence!

Silva: Im jea uh I mean such a G.o.dly position

Robinxen: YOU FOOL!

Robinxen: So with all these flags who thinks s.h.i.+mizu is gonna snap in the future and become the final boss?

Silva: Uesugi Rei, best girl, nuff said Robinxen: Still team s.h.i.+u!