After Naoki, Musashi, and Tomoe defeated Tomoe and Inshun, a week passed quickly.
During this week, the Heroic Spirit Swordsmen, whose appearances had been rumored, seemed to vanish into thin air. Not a single piece of news circulated.
Shimōsa Province, long shrouded in dark clouds, finally enjoyed a rare moment of peace during this brief period.
Thus—
"Let's visit Naoki's shop, Tomoe-dono!"
One afternoon, Musashi said this to Tomoe, who was cleaning the house.
"Huh? Visit Naoki-sama's shop?"
Taking off her headscarf, Tomoe turned to Musashi with a puzzled look at the suggestion. "Why the sudden idea?"
"Because it's boring just staying home like this in the daytime. Naoki told me to practice meditation to see if I could activate the Protection that way, but it's not working at all. I almost fell asleep."
Musashi said, scratching her backside like an old uncle and fiddling with the two swords placed beside her.
It had been a week since she started training with Naoki on the Protection. After being repeatedly punched, hung, thrown, buried in the ground, and defeated instantly by Naoki, Musashi finally grasped some tricks for using the Protection.
But not in terms of offense—rather, defense.
Driven by the thought [I don't want to be beaten by Naoki until I'm half-dead], the Protection granted her physical toughness and recovery strong enough to withstand attacks… The result seemed to meet the training's goal, yet also didn't.
Aside from nighttime training, Musashi had nowhere to go while Naoki was out earning money, meditating at home.
Honestly, Musashi found it a bit boring. She didn't mind if it improved her strength, but doing this every day with no results was genuinely tedious.
So—
"Let's just visit Naoki and liven up his business!" Musashi grinned.
"But as far as I know, Naoki-sama's business is…"
Tomoe looked hesitant.
Both knew what Naoki did for work outside. If they just showed up… Tomoe was sure Naoki would react strongly.
"Besides, Musashi-dono, what about money? We don't have funds to spend freely."
"Hehehe~~~ Don't worry about that! Tomoe-dono, just follow me!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
A little while later.
"So, Gozen, Musashi dragged you here?"
Wearing a luxurious kimono, Naoki sighed in resignation as he looked at Tomoe and Musashi sitting before him. "And the money used to book me specifically was…"
Reaching out and grabbing Musashi's face, pulling it toward him, Naoki tugged her cheeks hard. "Using my earnings to visit my business! You've got some nerve coming up with an idea like that, Musashi! What, even in this you want to freeload?"
Yes, the money Musashi and Tomoe used to come to the shop and book Naoki specifically was Naoki's own earnings—or more precisely, money given by Princess Kiyohime of Tsuchiura Castle.
If this money was used to book Naoki, it would ultimately return to his pocket, minus a small commission. In other words, Musashi and Tomoe were getting Naoki's services for free.
Only a freeloading swordmaster obsessed with eating for free could come up with such a scheme.
"I'm sorry, Naoki-sama. Gozen tried to stop her, but Musashi-dono was too persistent, and her actions were too quick and slick. Gozen couldn't stop her in time."
"It's fine, Gozen, no need to blame yourself. I can tell you had nothing to do with this."
Releasing Musashi, Naoki sat back by the window. "So, Musashi, why'd you come here? Don't tell me you actually came to have me entertain you with drinks and games?"
"Yup!"
Musashi nodded with a smile. "After all, Naoki's name is pretty famous, right? The handsome Namban (foreigner/barbarian) known throughout the jōkamachi. The super host who drives women wild. Let us enjoy your hospitality a bit too!"
"I recall demonstrating it for you before?"
"That wasn't satisfying. I want the full package—there's enough money!"
"Of course there's enough, because it's my money, you idiot!"
Naoki really wanted to kick her. "Instead of fooling around here, you should go back and figure out how to activate the Protection. If you show results, giving you the full package privately isn't an issue. No need to come here and give money to the shop owner."
"Is it okay for you to say that as an employee here?"
Musashi was certain that if the madam downstairs heard Naoki's words, she'd be furious.
"Well, forget that for now. Anyway, Naoki, give me a shoulder massage! Lately, you've been beating me up, plus all that daytime meditation. My whole body's stiff and sore."
"Didn't you hear what I just said… You're such a pain."
Though annoyed, Naoki still walked behind Musashi and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Light or hard?"
"Hard—OWWW!——!!"
The sudden pain from her shoulders made Musashi cry out. "Naoki, why'd you massage so hard!!"
"You said hard, my fault?"
"Ugh… Are you messing with me on purpose?"
"Yup."
"Don't just admit it!!"
"I haven't even settled the score for you spending my money. Or do you want to fly through the sky a few times tonight?"
Hearing those words and seeing the cold glint in Naoki's eyes, Musashi immediately shrank back. "No! I was wrong… But at least give me a normal massage, the basic service!"
"Fine."
Placing both hands on Musashi's shoulders again, Naoki massaged with normal, gentle pressure.
"Mhm, mhm, this kind of strength. Naoki, you're really skilled."
"Because people often sneak into my room at midnight. I ended up learning without realizing it."
Like Merry, Sajyou Rei, and later Olga Marie.
"Gozen, I'll massage you later too."
"A-Alright… Thank you, Naoki-sama."
Tomoe felt flattered.
And at that moment—
"Nao~~ki~~sama~~"
A voice suddenly came from outside the door, dripping with such sincere emotion it was palpable just by hearing it. Naoki, mid-massage, froze in shock.
Then—
*SLAM!*
The door burst open. Princess Kiyohime of Shimōsa Province had come again to visit her Love Nest.
"I've come to see you again, Naoki-sama. Today, too, please let this little girl—"
Naoki: "…"
Musashi: "…"
Tomoe: "…"
Seeing two other women suddenly in the room, Princess Kiyohime's face froze.
(W-Who are these vixen women!?)