Horizon:GT3 Chapter16
Final Chapter: Precious Things and Precious Moments[edit]
To keep it going
Is to continue on
To continue on
Is to make connections
Point Allocation (The Divine Net is Overheating)
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Tenzou was waiting on a bench in the central plaza of belowdecks Tama.
The place was nothing fancy. The plaza was really only a small space within the wide block. The branch shrine stalls set up there contained part-time Asama Shrine shrine maidens explaining new services to the residents and selling charms.
…I didn’t expect Mary-dono to continue working at the Asama Shrine so long.
She had started working there shortly after they docked at IZUMO.
He had been worried he would have to find a solution to the job issue, but the others had all worked together to solve it. But he knew why that had happened.
“Because Mary-dono is so well liked. I feel like if I had her search for a room to rent instead of doing it myself, offers would start pouring in.”
“Master Tenzou.”
“Um, yes!?”
He shouted and turned to see Mary in her casual clothing. She tapped her blue tights.
“I’ve been wearing my uniform a lot lately, so I thought I would wear this today.”
“I do like the usual uniform, but this is nice too!”
He truly felt that way. And she…
“How about we shop for some clothing better suited for this season?”
“Eh?”
He had thought they would be looking for a room today. A change of plans then, he decided, taking the double-digit number of plans he had come up with for the day and throwing them in the mental shredder. Then something occurred to him.
…I don’t know anything about clothes.
Ninjas wear black! My scarf is red! My inner suit is white! He had lived his life based on those rules. Of course, he did own a few casual outfits, but only for wearing around the house. But…
“Lady Kimi informed me of a clothing store up top that can provide clothing for you.”
“Oh, really? Then I leave this in your capable hands, Mary-dono.”
She was so well liked, after all. He was certain this would lead to him finding actual fashionable clothing for a black, red, and white guy like him. So…
“What kind of store is it? An English one?”
“Judge. It is a chain jointly funded by San Mercado and Fino Alba called Gran Territorio.”
“I see,” he said. “With K.P.A. Italia and Tres España, they should have black, red, and white from their uniform colors. But…”
“Is there a problem?”
“It’s a shame we don’t have to buy new clothes for you more often since you are so good at sewing, Mary-dono.”
“It’s a shame we don’t have to buy new clothes for you more of ten since you work as a ninja, Tenzou-dono.”
She copied me. And when he saw her smile…
…Mary-dono is so wonderful today.
But Mary continued with a bitter smile.
“Sorry. My hands are always a mess because I am so bad at sewing. I never am going to leave behind my Scarred name, am I?”
“No, I appreciate that you keep my clothes mended. It’s just…”
Standing here chatting seemed like a waste of time and the nearby people were starting to watch them. Why is Gin-dono over there giving us a thumbs up?
Then Mary took his hand. With her usual call of “Master Tenzou”, she tugged on his hand for him to follow. She knew where this store was located, so he squeezed her hand back. The same hand she had been sewing with the night before.
“Mary-dono.”
She said she was bad at sewing and she did have some scars, including the older ones from her life in England, but…
“You have such lovely hands. I am glad I saved the person they belong to.”
●
“Oh,” said Mary, turning around without thinking.
She could tell she was blushing as she came to a stop. But she also knew his words had put a smile on her face.
“Did you know, Master Tenzou? When I was in England…I believed in the words ‘save you from anything’ and would repeat them to myself all the time.”
“Judge. You still do…from time to time.”
“Judge. But now I say ‘thank you’ more often and I am glad that I do. But,” she said. “There was one someone who wanted to save me from anything and you finally managed it.”
She squeezed his hand. She placed both hands on his to make sure she could feel them.
…I knew it.
Someone had once taught her many things. So now she hoped she could continue learning with Tenzou.
“Master Tenzou, I want to tell you something.”
“Is it big news?”
“Judge,” she replied, thinking that they would find a good room eventually, so it didn’t have to be today.
Because someone had given her the freedom to choose whatever home she liked – new, remodeled, or whatever else.
So with hope for the future in her heart, she smiled and spoke.
“It’s going to be a lot of work once we have a child, isn’t it?”
Oh? Why is everyone collapsing out from behind that corner?
–Now, let’s play.
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