Ch 6: Bandits and a Bunny - Pt 1: Celebration

"Ahh, come on! You sure you don't wanna come have some fun with us?"

"Yeah! What gives? You're all alone out here. Whoever left you to watch all this stuff needs to learn how to treat a pretty lady like yourself right. We'll show you how it's done."

As Masato and I approached our carriage, there were two guys pestering Yuuna. Masato coolly walked up behind them. "May I help you gentlemen?"

The one with the spiky blonde hair looked over his shoulder. "Huh? Who the hell are you?"

His buddy with the long bangs completely covering one of his eyes spun with a step. "Can't you see we are trying to talk to a girl here? You the one that left her defenseless on her own?"

"I suppose I am that person, but you should know that the pretty girl sitting up there is my daughter. If I must tell you my reason for abandoning her, it was to buy her these flowers." Masato lifted up the bouquet of hydrangeas to where Yuuna could reach it.

"Oh! Um... Thank you, Father!" Yuuna blushed slightly out of embarrassment.

"As for how to treat a lady properly, I believe I am doing a fine job. In order to surprise her, I had no choice but to trust that she would be all right." Masato glared at the hoodlums. "I never expected that I would return to find a couple of losers like yourselves bothering my daughter when she obviously has no interest in you."

"Ack!"

"Urgh!"

Masato grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. "If you really wish to win over my daughter, this young man is your competition." He smiled a condescending sort of smile. "If you would like my humble opinion, he has already won both of us over."

"F-Father!" Yuuna jumped to her feet. "How--! How could you say such a thing?!"

I totally agree!

Masato tilted his head back to look up at Yuuna, smiling mischievously. "Oh, but I clearly stated that this was only my own opinion. Why are you getting so worked up about it? Hmm?"

Being totally ignored at this point, the two thugs gave up. "Whatever. Let's get out of here, Bro."

Yuuna sat back down and held the flowers to her nose. "Thank you, Father... For the flowers and for chasing off those men."

"Don't mention it!" Masato gave me a smack on the back. "There's lesson one on how to protect your woman, Aoi!"

"Would you stop it?!" Yuuna forcefully pounded her fists on her lap and scowled at her father once again.

"Okay, okay." Masato climbed into the seat. "How about we end the day with some dinner to celebrate our good fortune?"

Gurgle. Grrrowl. Yuuna slapped her belly and laughed shyly. "Heh-heh. I could eat."

* * * * *

Our celebration was held at a massive tavern. Overall, it was quite simple with minimal decor, but it could easily serve hundreds of people at once. Our table was covered in various meats and vegetables that the three of us could not possibly finish ourselves. Masato even ordered three bottles of sparkling wine so we each had our own.

Masato raised his glass. "To Aoi for closing the deal with Hiroshi and starting his career as a merchant!"

I reluctantly joined the toast. "I really didn't do anything that special."

Yuuna refused to even entertain her father. "Aoi, please don't let Father drag you into his work. I'd rather not continue spending my life with another merchant who can't leave his work behind."

Um... Did she just...?

"Aha!" Masato pointed his finger in his daughter's face. "You said it! You just admitted you want to spend your life with Aoi!"

Yuuna's face went as red as the strawberries I knew from my own world. "Huh?! No! I--! I didn't mean it like that!" She crossed her arms and pouted. "Hrrrmm!"

The teaser left his target alone. "Anyway, Aoi, how is it you came up with such a promising proposal on the spot like that?"

I thought for a moment and took a sip of the bubbly booze. "Let's just say I have some experience dealing with people who can't seem to settle things without a little outside help.”

"I'm sorry to hear that.” The man sitting across from me frowned. “I suppose being stuck with just the three of you for so long, there was no avoiding the occasional fight between your parents."

I brought my hands up in defense. "Wait, no. That's not exactly what I meant."

Masato wiggled his finger at me. "Don't worry. It's normal in a close relationship. Yuuna's mother could be relentless when her mind was made up. Though, perhaps I'm not one to talk."

"No, really. There was only one time-- Oh, forget it." It's not like I can just casually say I was an arbitrator in my past life and was reincarnated into this world.

From over Masato's shoulder, I noticed the two guys from earlier walk in and spot me just the same. This time, there were four other men with them. With their eyes on me, they sat where they had a clear view of our table. Masato and Yuuna cheerfully continued with our meal, but I could feel the crew watching us as they chatted and drank their pitchers of beer. Even when we left, the eyes of those men followed.