Onmyoji, a nobleman in Heian-kyo

35. Using power to intimidate others/hypocritical?/Possessive?

...Would you like to join me in composing a dull tune?

Fujiwara Yasumasa glared angrily.

The magnetic voice kept echoing in my ears, growing louder and louder, as if it had penetrated deep into my mind.

The words, which were forcibly pinched in his ears to make him listen, did not evoke the slightest fear in him. Instead, an uncontrollable rage surged wildly within him!

The pent-up anger was like a volcano about to erupt!

"Here..."

A deep, rumbling sound could be faintly heard from his rough throat.

A sudden gust of wind howled!

"Protect Chang!"

Fujiwara Yukinari, holding up his clothes which were about to be blown away, suddenly shouted coldly, his expression serious.

A rare coldness appeared on his dashing and handsome face.

The other young masters, who had slowly come to their senses due to the sudden change in environment and the cold shout, all looked towards the source of the sound.

At this moment!

Kousaka Kyosuke unfolded his elegant folding fan and smiled as he faced off against Fujiwara Yasumasa, who held a closed folding fan. Fujiwara Yukinari stood between the two like a referee.

“Let’s stop here, Yasumasa,” Fujiwara Yukinari said to Fujiwara Yasumasa, enunciating each word clearly.

Fujiwara Yasumasa, who had calmed down somewhat, got angry again!

His eyes bulged, flashing with anger, and he desperately suppressed the urge to roar:

"...Do you know what? I simply asked a peasant girl to resolve our previous conflict!"

A peasant girl, a lowly commoner!

He could exchange all the concubines in the mansion for him!

At this moment, Fujiwara Yasumasa had long forgotten the peasant girl he had casually glanced at and taken a liking to!

What he wants right now isn't a woman!

"Sigh, the issue now isn't about contradictions, but rather whether you're willing to cooperate or compete with Kyosuke?"

"—What competition and cooperation?!"

"Pfft haha..."

The young men who slowly walked over all smiled.

"Where did this vulgar person come from?"

"Xingcheng, it must be hard for you to talk like that."

"That won't do. If we speak too bluntly, it will become vulgar."

One after another, teasing and mocking remarks rang out.

Fujiwara Yukinari could only manage a wry smile, then gave Kousaka Kyosuke a speechless sideways glance.

Why do they always cause trouble near my territory?

As for Fujiwara Yasumasa himself.

He saw some people he knew and some he didn't all laughing at him, and he almost wanted to pull out the sharp blade at his waist and trample them all under his feet and behead them one by one!

But that won't work!

Some people were no less powerful than him, yet even drawing their swords would make them criminals, exiled to other small countries.

"Lord Hosho, I'm sorry, but it's truly difficult to part with him." Kousaka Kyosuke then closed his folding fan and bowed apologetically.

"...Why be so hypocritical!"

Fujiwara Yasumasa sneered and turned to leave.

Staying here will only make us a laughingstock.

He'll see!

Kyosuke Kosaka shook his head, without a smile on his face.

Hypocritical? He doesn't deny it.

If you're outmatched, just focus on acting.

Even if others are clever and can guess what's going on, it doesn't matter.

“You,” Fujiwara Yukinari sighed, “you’re causing me trouble again.”

Kousaka Kyosuke smiled and bowed to the other young men who were watching him with interest.

"Thank you all for your great help. I have other matters to attend to at the moment. If you would be so kind as to join me another day, I would like to offer you a toast in gratitude."

"Another day...what a pity."

"Then you can't refuse next time."

The others who wanted to invite Kyosuke Kosaka to the banquet didn't mind.

Fujiwara Yukinari then quietly approached Kousaka Kyosuke.

Kyosuke Kosaka handed him a bottle of wine, understanding the gesture.

The purpose of using magic to brew wine in one's spare time was originally for personal enjoyment.

Unexpectedly, it was used to make friends.

However, the conflict was resolved so easily.

Fujiwara Yasumasa probably never imagined that he would be able to find such a good point to provoke conflict.

A group of privileged sons and grandsons of officials who love romance and poetry despise vulgar people like military officers and generals.

Even when there's nothing to do, they dare to take the initiative to provoke others, relying on the legacy of their fathers and grandfathers.

Not to mention encountering things you don't like.

After bidding farewell to the others, Kousaka Kyosuke departed with Yoto Hime, Chitanda Eru, and Shizuko.

"Don't worry too much about it."

"...But I've caused Kyosuke-sama a lot of trouble."

Kyosuke Kousaka, who had been comforting Eru Chitanda, was speechless.

He, who was walking at the front, stopped in his tracks.

The people following behind also stopped.

Chitanda Eru looked dejected.

Her once youthful face had lost its youthful vigor, and her clear, bright eyes had suddenly become dull.

Kyosuke Kousaka looked at Eru Chitanda, rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment, and then said:

"I'm very possessive, and it's extremely difficult for someone I've acquired to give up. Airu, you'd better not upset me."

Chitanda Eru looked up, her large eyes, which had lost their luster, now filled with astonishment.

More than just astonishment!

There was nervousness, shyness, and disbelief...

"Alright, let's keep going." Kyosuke Kousaka turned and continued walking.

He told the truth.

There wasn't a single element of lying.

As Chitanda Eru began to regain her senses, a blush quickly spread across her cheeks, as radiant as a peach blossom.

Yaodao-hime's eyes flickered... Who was she talking to?

Shizuko's mood remained unchanged.

Seeing Kousaka Kyosuke directly and ruthlessly confront a man dressed as a military officer made her feel very safe.

—Her brother found her a good owner!

On that day, the song sung by Kyosuke Kosaka quickly became popular among the upper class.

"This song was sung only for a mere peasant girl... What a pity, what a pity."

"That's not right. There's a saying that feelings can develop over time when people spend a lot of time together. Kyosuke is a fool."

"Interesting. Refined people actually want to fight on the battlefield, living a vulgar life of war and bloodshed..."

With so many witnesses, the news spread at an unbelievable speed!

Nobles have always enjoyed refined pursuits, and the conflict between Kousaka Kyosuke and Fujiwara Yasumasa immediately struck a chord with their tastes.

Everyone became curious and began to learn the whole story.