Snow White with the Red Hair (赤髪の白雪姫)

It started raining all of a sudden, huh?

We're almost to the border, but we probably won't make it back to the castle.

I guess we'll have to find somewhere to stay the night.

There's an inn town up ahead. Let's try there.

Yeah.

Are you all right, Shirayuki?

Yeah.

All right, let's hurry to the town before it starts raining harder.

Yes, sir!

Caught in the rain, were you?

Will two three-person rooms be all right?

Anything's fine. Thanks.

First, you'll want a bath, right, sir?

Please make yourselves at home.

Oh, a bath sounds good.

Yeah, it'll warm us up.

Jeez, this rain...

Do you have a room open?

Yes, of course. Wait a moment, please.

Today's rain is bringing blessings...

"Episode 21: When I'm with You..."

Thank goodness they had rooms, huh?

Yeah.

Well, Master, right now Miss Kiki and Shirayuki are in the bath next door, too...

Don't talk about stuff like that!

What else are we supposed to talk about right now?

You're funny, Master.

Anyway, poor Mitsuhide, staying behind on his own.

We couldn't all be unarmed at the same time.

When they're with me, they're always on duty no matter where we are.

Even though Miss Kiki and Mitsuhide are like that,

could they actually be betrothed or something?

I don't know. What's with your choice of topics?

I thought it'd be nice to talk about that once in a while.

I feel like I wouldn't mind either way, though.

As long as they can say they're happy, and I can see that with my own eyes.

See that with your own eyes?

You, too.

Huh...?

If you say that right now, every time I remember those words,

you'll show up naked in my mind, you know.

You're impossible! Then forget it. I'll never say it again.

It's too late. I'll think about it again eventually.

Well, Master, shall we try to find a spot where we can peek?

Stop it!

Oh dear, that was a joke!

Kiki, do you guys use lodgings like this often?

We do when Zen hides his identity when we're out.

Oh, I see.

It's because Zen thinks it's important to see what's outside of the castle.

But in the past, he seemed to feel caged in by those big windows in the castle.

Caged in, huh?

That would make you want to get out!

Shirayuki, you've been with us for a while now, huh?

She's blinding...!

Here, thanks for waiting!

Miss, will you bring something spicy, too?

Sure thing!

This is good. We can't get food like this normally.

Why not try making it at the castle?

Don't be ridiculous.

I can probably make it. As long as I have the recipe.

Right, Miss?

Yeah, I could probably get pretty close.

Then, do you want to try making it sometime?

I'll help too, then.

Mitsuhide, you can cook?

Yeah, we used to take turns cooking where I was before.

Oh?

--I learned a few things there. --It's fallen out.

Am I the only one who doesn't cook?

C'mon, cheer up, Master.

Here, this is good, too!

Obi!

How can you act that way toward your master?

It's because there's trust between us.

Shall we make this into a contest, Mitsuhide?

--Master! --Zen!

Which will you eat?

--Master! --Zen!

Now, eat!

I am sorry...

I was just thinking that it's been a while since we've been like this.

You're right. We haven't all been able to gather like this for a while.

Oh, sirs, we met earlier at the inn, didn't we?

Yes, you'd also been caught in the rain...

Oh, you remembered?

Mister, you're handsome. Are you free tonight?

N-No...

Hey, Kiki!

Oh my, excuse me. He's yours?

That man is free tonight.

Kiki...!

Mitsuhide's popular with the girls, huh?

I guess. When he came to the castle, the maids were all excited.

It's probably because he seems kind.

I-I'm sorry, but I must stay with my companions.

Aw, too bad.

That elegant man over there'd be nice, too, though.

You... look like you'd be dangerous.

How can you tell?

I have a good eye for men.

Well, let me know if you change your mind!

She'd take anyone, huh?

She didn't want me, though.

--Me, neither! --Don't worry about that, Shirayuki.

I wonder if it's stopped raining?

I'll go take a look.

The sky's beautiful, isn't it?

The moon's nice and clear tonight.

I ate so much.

Oh, it's stopped raining.

You're right.

After coming to Tanbarun, a lot happened,

so even though this wasn't planned, it's nice to have a break.

You and the master are always reliable and brave, though.

You should relax once in a while.

You said that to me before, didn't you?

You said, "Your normal state is trying to act cool, Miss."

Oh, that time when you were drunk?

I can't believe you remember.

Zen and I can relax when we're with you, Obi.

That's what it feels like, so thanks.

You heard her, Obi.

You think so, too, don't you, Zen?

That's not my normal state.

I wonder about that.

Was that a place to laugh?

No, I don't think so...

I wonder what it is. Seriously, I don't really know, either.

It's always like this when I'm with you guys.

Come to think of it, you went to the baths with Shirayuki, huh?

How was it?

No! Sorry! That came out wrong!

It's just, you know, it's rare for you and Shirayuki to be alone together, right?

It was the same as usual.

Zen and Shirayuki don't change, do they?

Even though things change around them...

In a good way?

Of course.

I think so, too. I talked to Zen about it before.

The two of you haven't changed since you met, huh?

Even though your relationship changed.

Really?

When we first met,

she treated me a lot more coldly than she treated everyone else, though.

That's because you were acting so arrogant...

Shut up!

If we haven't changed, it's probably because of how Shirayuki is...

Even when I told her who I was after hiding my identity,

and even if our relationship is called something different,

the core of our relationship won't change.

I think she'll always be a close friend.

That's the kind of girl she is.

That's what he said.

It looks like Zen will be able to leave your nest soon, Mitsuhide.

Zen will still be my first priority, though.

It's because you say things like that

that Zen worries that you'll be alone for the rest of your life.

He said that?

Yeah, before.

Well, I'll probably marry someone who also sees Zen as a priority,

so it should be fine.

Like Obi?

Th-That thought didn't even cross my mind...

Well, I'm going to have another drink.

Good night, Miss.

Okay.

I wish he'd be more self-aware...

Oh, sorry.

It's okay...

Ten seconds.

Okay.

The rain brought a strange acquaintance.

You've changed, Obi.

How?

The people with you looked like swordsmen.

Are they your current employers?

I guess you could call one my master.

Oh? That's a surprise.

Your skills are still sharp, huh?

Why are you in Tanbarun?

I'm looking for someone.

There's someone who ran here from Clarines.