I had arrived at the capital. Busy streets, guards patrolling the area, vendors selling products, and residents begging for money. I looked around at everything in front of me—it was way more real than what you see on TV or in manga.
**Lee (thoughts):** "So this is the Imperial Capital outside of TV or manga... Irado (badass)."
Some people threw curious glances at me, mainly because I was carrying a strange sword that clearly didn't belong in this world. I ignored them—after all, they're not important to the story.
**Lee (thoughts):** "Alright, dude. I need to find a high spot and wait for Tatsumi to show up so I can follow him right away."
I headed into an isolated alley, then gave a pretty high jump—thanks to the Super Soldier Serum, I had superhuman leaping ability. I jumped onto the roof of a building, then to another, until I reached a spot near the capital's entrance.
**Lee (thoughts):** "Now it's just a matter of waiting for you, Tatsumi."
It didn't take long for Tatsumi to arrive, full of that determined enthusiasm from someone who wants to join the army to save his life from misery. I watched from the rooftop.
**Lee (thoughts):** "Poor Tatsumi... he has no idea his friends got dragged into this mess, thrown into the 'Vasco' or Michael Jackson's show. Wonder if I can at least save Ieyasu."
While I was pondering that doubt, I jumped from rooftop to rooftop, following Tatsumi discreetly. He entered a building that was definitely for enlistment applications. After a few minutes, I saw him get thrown out like trash into the street, then the guy yelling at him before slamming the door and going back inside. I let out some laughs!
**Lee:** "Hahaha! I didn't forget this part at all, damn it."
From afar, I watched a frustrated Tatsumi sitting on the ground. But suddenly, I saw a blonde woman approaching him—Leone—and starting to chat with him. The part where he gets excited about her boobs is exactly where he falls for it. Then I followed them to a bar. When they went in, I was on another rooftop watching the bar where they entered.
**Lee (thoughts):** "Gonna have to wait for them to come out, at least for Leone to leave."
After several minutes, Leone came out with Tatsumi's bag of coins. Watching the scene, I even remembered the woodpecker meme.
**Lee:** "Hehe, you're getting played, my bro. Wait... I remember... Uh... I'll have to wait for Tatsumi to leave until night. But what the hell!!!"
After a LOT, LOT, LOT... A LOT OF DAMN TIME, night finally came. Tatsumi left the bar with the biggest sad face possible. I started following him discreetly until he reached a deserted street corner, where he set down his backpack and sword beside him. I watched from a few meters away.
**Lee (thoughts):** "Alright, first contact with an anime character. Let's do this."
I started approaching Tatsumi, ending up face-to-face with him. Slowly, he noticed my presence and looked at me.
**Lee:** "Hey, need some help?"
Tatsumi widened his eyes, as if he recognized me somehow.
*(Author's note: Ah, damn, really? I'm such a jazzghost fan lol)*
**Tatsumi:** "I... Uh..."
Tatsumi lowered his gaze.
**Tatsumi:** "I don't have any money..."
I sat down next to him.
**Lee:** "Nah, that's not it. Looks like you had a rough day. If you want, you can talk to me—I'm a good listener."
Tatsumi looked at me and analyzed me a bit, then tilted his head up with his hands on his face.
**Tatsumi:** "Damn, I'm such an idiot! I came to the capital to enlist in the army to help my life and got rejected! Then I got tricked by a blonde woman and she stole all my money..."
**Lee (thoughts):** "Ah, really? Big surprise"
**Tatsumi:** "And before even reaching the capital, my friends and I got ambushed by bandits and we got separated! Now I don't even know where they are..."
**Lee (thoughts):** "My dude, you're really in deep shit. And here I was thinking my heart attack was bad luck."
I placed my hand on his shoulder.
**Lee:** "I really feel for you, man. Must've been a tough day. But relax—one day your luck will turn. Just keep faith and push forward, and everything will work out."
Tatsumi looked at me with a hopeful gaze, wondering if my words were true.
**Tatsumi:** "You think so?"
**Lee:** "Dude, I'm 100% absolutely sure."
Tatsumi smiled.
**Tatsumi:** "Thanks..."
I returned the smile.
**Lee:** "My name's Lee. What's yours?"
**Tatsumi:** "Nice to meet you, Lee. My name's Tatsumi."
Before we could keep talking, a carriage stopped right in front of us, and out came a girl with blonde hair in a fancy dress—it was Aria, my favorite psycho bitch.
**Aria:** "If you don't have anywhere to go, would you like to come to my house?"
I know this girl—she's not fooling me. I kept a smile, but I knew her true intentions.
**Lee:** "Hey, girl. My friend here had a bad day and we don't have a place to stay."
Aria clapped her hands.
**Aria:** "Really? That's too bad! You and your friend can stay at my house. We have food, rooms, whatever you need!"
She kept smiling, but I knew this damn girl and her damn decapitated family.
**Tatsumi:** "Ah, that would be great."
Tatsumi looked at me, waiting for me to say something. I already had a distrustful face.
**Lee:** "Would you really take in two strangers? Why trust people? Or better yet, why should we trust you?"
Aria blinked, surprised by my distrust. But quickly, she went back to that smile.
**Aria:** "Ah, I understand your distrust. The capital can be... different with people. But I like helping those in need—it's a tradition in my family."
The two guards driving the carriage approached and looked at me.
**Guard 1:** "Lady Aria can't ignore people like you."
**Guard 2:** "You should accept her kindness."
Aria and the guards briefly glanced at my sword—they'd never seen a weapon like that before. Is it a Teigu? Whoever's reading knows very well what it is and will pay attention to me and Tatsumi right after.
**Aria:** "So, what are you going to do?"
I looked at Tatsumi, who was blushing, then looked back at me.
**Tatsumi:** "Lee, she seems like a good person. Maybe we can..."
**Lee (thoughts):** "Ugh, too gullible."
**Lee:** "Tell the guy who lost his money to a blonde."
Tatsumi went silent, remembering he got played just like the woodpecker meme.
**Tatsumi:** "Well..."
I turned my attention back to Aria.
**Lee (thoughts):** "I'd refuse, but what can I do? Everything for the original story. And also, if I can't save Sayo, at least saving Ieyasu would be good enough for me."
I gave a slight smile.
**Lee:** "Alright, we accept."
Aria smiled.
**Aria:** "Then it's decided."
We went to the carriage, heading toward Aria's family mansion.