The Day of Thunder

Akutou makes sure to step back.

No need to encourage people to hit him with heavy, pointy sticks.

"Honestly? You might be right. I'm envisioning everything from the point of view of a dream warrior. In the dream, things have to be exceptional or to not be. In the mortal realm, a certain degree of good enough can indeed big good enough.

This place appears to play by both rules at once. Finding a middle path between flaunting with the impossible and doing the bare minimum might be the wisest solution there."

Yukara chuckled. "I cannot let the perfect become the enemy of the good. A Ningen-do aphorism."

Settling back on the porch and setting her weapon the side, she added, "I appreciate your effort... and your insight. I simply have to make do - until the day I can do better."

"The fact you are now set on the future rather than ending half your sentences with a reference to your ineluctable doom gives me the greatest confidence in your ability to succeed in your endeavors."

"You have perhaps encouraged me to think positively."

Yukara chuckled, glancing at Akutou, "And those who have helped me have broadened my perspective."

Akutou scratches the back of his head.

It's possible he blushes slightly.

"If this is a romance thing, allow me to back out quietly from this conversation. That's one of the aspects of humanity whose study of I haven't planned to do before a few more years."

"Miss?"

Now it is certain that Akutou blushes.

"I just ain't accustomed t'--don't matter none. Got work t' do here; much as I do love some comp'ny, an' much as it'd be good t' have somebody t' ride th' river with, ain't got th' luxury of th' distraction at th' moment."

That drew a snort, and then a peal of laughter. Yukara winced at the motion, but could not help giggling, as she shook her head. "Ach, that makes three of us with no idea, then. Kai, Otomo-san, I do not wish to confuse either of you - I am not attempting to flirt at the moment."

Still chuckling, she added, "A thought which I have not even managed to consider, before coming here and meeting so many new and interesting people. In my earlier life, I assumed such matters were utterly distant from my own concerns."

Gazing out at the misty horizon, she added, more composed, "Perhaps when this is over, that is something I can learn more of."

Akutou blows out a breath.

"That's a relief," he says. "I mean, I'd be open t' it in 'nother time an' place, t' be sure, but, like I said, now ain't th' time'r th' place."

As I said t' th' Princess afore I realized she's th' Princess, he reminds himself.

A grin touches his face. Wouldn't that just piss 'em all off?

"One more reason to win and live then."