Ashi Girl (アシガール)

Be that as it may, your legs are pretty fast, kid.

See you again.

He's the heir of Castle Lord Hagi Tadataka-sama, Hagi Kuhachiro Tadakiyo-sama!

Tadakiyo...

A peasant brat like you, could never get an audience with Wakagimi.

I came just as you told me to!

- Huh? - That's Hagi Nariyuki-sama. He's Wakagimi's older brother.

This is the story of the tumultuous life of one particular foot soldier.

That person, all for the sake of a person they could only meet on the battlefield,

single-mindedly dashed through the Sengoku wilderness,

just so they could continue to protect the person they held dear in their heart.

However, that person had a secret.

- That's the activation switch for the time machine! - What?

That foot soldier was actually a high school girl born in the Heisei era.

You want to make it to Wakagimi's side?

There are only 2 ways through which you can make it possible for you to get an audience at the castle.

Two ways?

The first is to prove your worth as a peasant foot soldier by achieving a meritorious feat in battle.

You must present them the severed head of an enemy general.

Severed head...

Not in a million years!

And after that? What else?

The second way is by working for a vassal close to His Lordship.

For the Hagi clan's castle, that would be either Amano-sama or Chihara-sama.

Those two are notorious for not getting along with each other

and competing over the trivialest of things all the time.

Ah! Speaking of Amano-sama, he might actually hire you.

Really?!

One of his servants just ran away.

Get back! Back, I say! Back!

Stay back or you'll get hurt!

Is this where the running race is being held?

Amano-sama! Is Amano-sama here?

Amano-sama~

Shh!

That must be Amano-sama and Chihara-sama.

Which one of those grandpas is Amano-sama?

Insolence! Although Amano's aged body has since retired from serving the state,

he used to even serve as Wakagimi's personal guard, you know!

Wakagimi's?!

What? You want me to postpone the running race?

Alas, my runner has unfortunately caught a cold.

Oh, really~ So that rumor that he turned tail and ran

must have been wrong, huh?

But it really is quite unfortunate, isn't it?

Something like that happened just when you had challenged me to this match

by saying that this time for sure you'd show me that your runner could beat Akumaru.

Excuse me! Do you think you could allow me to be of use to you in that running race?

- What?! - Kid! Get back!

Don't worry. Running is the one thing I have full-confidence in!

Let me go!

You can just use him then.

Go ahead and beg that little passing tyke to do it for you.

The nerve of you to speak such impudence!

Very well! Then I'll just go to the castle right now and get a replacement!

Just you wait! I'm going to wipe the floor with you!

- Draw the horse! - Yes, sir!

Wait, Ojii-chan! Ojii-chan, wait!

Let me go! Hey...let me go!

Yah!

Amano-sama~

Please just leave the running race to me!

Amano-sama~

Amano-sama~

- Amano-sama~ - He can't possibly be...

Amano-sama~

- Please, wait! - Great galloping gadzooks!

- Amano-sama~ - Halt! Halt!!

Y-You...You followed me all the way here just by running?

Yes. I ran after you with all I've got.

- I see... - I have full confidence in my ability to run.

Please use me in the race!

Okay!

This is the signature red armor of Amano's people.

Although you're only wearing it because of special circumstances, as long as you have it on, you're one of Amano's servants.

Just know that if you lose, you'll never be allowed to show your face in this castle town again.

I'm going to win for sure.

But, when I win, there's one thing I'd like to ask of you.

Don't be shy. I can give you a reward.

I want to be employed by Amano.

Pff! You?

I want to work by Wakagimi's side.

Thi- This insolent whelp!

Yuinosuke, was it? That's some admirable guts you've got.

Alright. I'll consider it.

Yeeees! Alright!

...And? Who's Akumaru?

This guy is Akumaru.

Wakagimi, you've been summoned by His Lordship. Please return.

Gramps and the others look to be making a ruckus over something.

It's a running race.

The elders haven't had anything else to do after retiring from the castle.

- Let's do this! - Let's do this!

How long do you intend to keep bowing your head to him?

Both parties must run down the path together, grab their respective flags, and then return here.

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

I'm ready.

Runners, take your mark!

Come!

- Huh?! - Fool! Hurry up and run!

Whaat? If you meant start, then you should've said so!

What's the deal with this guy? He's not fast at all!

His form is bad, he's doing this lame chant, and his chin is sticking up.

Here I go!

The flag is mine!

Ah! Ouch!

What is this?

Akumaru! This is your chance! Go!

You cowards! Is this how you've been winning all this time?

You're the first! Akumaru was always the faster one up until now.

Chihara-sama ordered us to be prepared to do this if necessary!

Akumaru! Hurry!

I won't.

What?!

This stupidly upright halfwit!

Akumaru...

The "Aku" in his name means "evil" You're actually an unexpectedly good person, huh?

But even so, I can't lose this match.

To start off, pull that chin of yours in!

There you go! That's how you do it!

I see them!

It's a badger! The kid became a badger and came back!

Here! Over here! A reward! There will be a reward for you!

Careful! Don't drop your guard yet!

A reward! Reward for you!

Well done, Yuinosuke!

Aww, yeah~ I'm going to be Amano's servant!

Yes, yes. My servant! Sure!

"No"? What do you mean, no?

You told me you'd hire me if I won!

I only said I'd consider it.

You tricked me, old geezer!

- You, there! Fetch him the reward. - Yes, sir!

Amano-sama, I'm begging you. Please make me your servant!

I'm fine with being the lowest ranked servant.

I want to be of use to Wakagimi from next to his side.

I'll work as hard as I possibly can so-

Hah! With arms like those,

there's no doubt that as soon as you go on the battlefield, you'll be the first to die.

How could you possibly be able to protect Wakagimi when you're this weak?

Come back after you've done more training.

- Hey, badger! - What?

- Here's your reward. Accept it with gratitude. - Huh?

Ow! What the- Guah!

These are so high quality that it would be too much of a shame to feed them to the horses.

What the heck is all this??

It's heavy!

It looks like we're not the only ones getting the sack.

You two disgraces are still here?

Get a move on and get out of here!

Let's go.

What am I going to do with all this darn straw!

Ah! Ouch!

Wakagimi?!

Akumaru.

What is it? Huh?

What are you doing?

Huh? Um, excuse me. That's kind of my reward you're walking off with...

What's this all about? Are you trying to get even with me?

I'm going to be Yuinosuke's servant.

Whaaat? That makes no sense to me. I'm on my way back to Umeya Village.

So you should go back to your home, too.

Go home!

My home is far. Across the ocean.

...And so you brought him back here with you?

Please look after me well.

Sure enough, I couldn't get anyone at the castle to hire me after all...

The two of us have no place to go.

This guy may look like this, but he's actually a pretty decent guy.

I'll work as hard as I can.

I know we can't take the place of your son,

but we will do our best to work for you in his stead, Mother.

Please let us stay here.

I did indeed tell you that you could come back here.

But, as you already know, there isn't enough food here as it is.

- There's no food for you... - They're sleeping.

Unbelievable!

Kaka-sama, Yuinosuke's sandals are...

They're all frayed and worn out and there's even blood on them.

Just what in the world was she doing that she made a woman's body so battered and bruised like this?

Just a little further...

Just a little more...

Wakagimi-sama...

Wakagimi-sama!

What happened with the running race this afternoon?

It would appear that Amano won.

There was someone that could defeat Akumaru?

It was apparently some kid that looks like a badger and is nimble on his feet with fast legs.

With fast legs...

What did you talk about with His Lordship?

"Aniue-sama" is a respectful way of saying "older brother" Was it about the matter of Wakagimi-sama having summoned Aniue-sama to the castle?

You too want to tell me that you think my brother is after my head?

With all due respect,

I do.

Something like that won't happen.

I won't let it.

Wakagimi-sama!

How many times do I have to tell you before you'll listen!

Get up at once!