“Ryota!” The young, dark haired man turned his head, delighted to her the voice of his lover. He turned the rest of himself as well, expecting a full body embrace. What he wasn’t expecting was a full body tackle. He was knocked down, and Maiko was soon on top of him. “What do you think you’re doing?!!? Working with Okuri, trying to overthrow the entire government!?!?” she screamed, demanding an answer.
Ryota looked around nervously, hoping that no one of importance had heard what she said. Seeing this was not the case, he clamped her mouth shut and tried to change the subject. “What are you doing in your armor?”
“I’m all dressed up to stop that bastard you work for. I trust you’re dressed to help him?”
“No, I’m just going to make sure that nobody interferes.”
“So, he’s going to kill all three by himself?”
“What does it matter to you?”
“Damn you, why are you doing this?”
“Why should I tell you?”
“Because you don’t want me to leave you, that’s why!
Ryota sighed and sat up. “I’ve seen his type before. Won’t ever stop trying to reach the top until they get there or die trying. Difference is,” he explained, “Okuri’s going to succeed. Whether anyone helps him or not, he will kill both Shoguns eventually. So why not let him win today? If I let his struggle for power continue, he would kill so many people……”
“And if you let him win, he’ll still kill people too!”
“No! He won’t! He’s not that sort of person!”
“How do you know?!?!”
“He said so himself! He’s incapable of lying!”
Maiko paused at this. “He can’t lie?”
“No! The part of his mind that allowed him to lie was destroyed long ago! He’s never lied about anything, even if it only hurts himself!”
Maiko sighed and got off Ryota. “Well, I know you can’t lie to me.”
