#811 Had Paths Not Crossed, Blood Would’ve Remained Unshed

“Whew! What a wild ride that was…!”

It has only been a few minutes since I started wearing the Loincloth of Love.

Basking in Platy’s love energy, I felt as empowered as a super-vegetable. However, the illicit modifications on my loincloth were instantly detected by the organizer, Zoth Syra, and I was disqualified.

In a way, I was relieved.

Feeling awkward just standing there, I thought of catching up with some acquaintances before the romantic whirlwind settled. 

When exactly will the sumo match begin?

At this rate, it might never start.

That’s when I spotted him:

A seemingly downcast gentleman...

“What’s wrong, Orkubo?”

He seems dejected.

The first round hasn’t even started yet, but he looks as though he’s already lost. 

Even his love aura is as powerful as anyone’s.

It’s radiating like a tank engine.

“My Lord… It’s just, I feel like I’ve already lost.”

“What happened?”

Seriously, what’s up?

Isn’t Orkubo still in the honeymoon phase, living his best life?

Why so down?

As the farm owner, I can’t overlook such an unusual mood from Orkubo, who’s always been one of our top workers!

“The thing is...!”

I listened to his story. 

I get the gist of it now.

Basically, Orkubo, fresh in his lovey-dovey marital phase, is scared of his tough-guy image crumbling. 

He was looking forward to this sumo wrestling tournament and wanted to regain that drive to fight and that intense focus that a warrior needs. But then, his wife, Zoth Syra, had her ideas and plans, and things just didn’t go as he had hoped.

“The atmosphere around here has turned rosey, after all...!”

“Madam Zoth Syra truly has a way of turning the room into her own world in the blink of an eye... However, thanks to that, I missed a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rediscover my masculine instincts. Yet, at the same time, I can’t forgive myself for even thinking about resenting my wife because of it...!”

“Don’t overthink it. All newlyweds get carried away sometimes.”

“...”

Orkubo gives me a fleeting, mysterious look before quickly shifting his attention and pointing in a different direction.

Is that towards the audience seats?

Curious about what he was pointing at, I strained my eyes to see exactly what was at that spot...

...Oh, hey. I recognize those faces.

Isn’t that… Gobukichi?

And… Teacher Carp?

The other pair of newlyweds?

“Oh my gooosh, Sir Gobukichi! If only we had known about this super fantastic event, we totally should’ve joined! We would’ve rocked it and won for sure, ahnnn!”

“You bet, Carp-tan! Your love for me is just the biggest in the world... no, scratch that, in the entire universe!”

“Absolutely! I’m just utterly, completely overflowing with lovey-dovey feelings for youuuu, ahnnn!!!”

“I wuv wuv wuv wuv wuv wuv wuv you too!”

............

...Seriously...?

I thought it’d be nice to let them enjoy some time alone together, but I never expected things to turn out like this...!

“I couldn’t help but feel uneasy, wondering if I might end up like them someday. That’s why I thought I’d try to regain my masculinity at today’s sumo wrestling tournament... But, My Lord, was it a mistake to think that way? Maybe the only way to get back to my old self is to put some distance between me and her...?!”

Wait.

That’s not fair on Zos Saira.

Being more experienced, I need to guide this newlywed couple.

What should I say...?!

“Orkubo…! People change over time.”

“Pardon?”

I think that was a good start.

Now, for a profound conclusion.

“You know, we can’t change just by ourselves. It takes meeting others, seeing different perspectives, and doing things to realize that we can’t stay the way we are. That’s what triggers change.”

And when it comes to forming deep connections with others, is there anything more intense than marriage? 

You’re suddenly spending every hour of every day with someone of the opposite sex that you’ve never had any contact with before.

You’re exposed to things that would’ve been impossible to approach if they were strangers, and yes, that means friction and conflicts arise.

Even something as simple as how we eat—like whether you pour cream stew over rice—can lead to clashes until we eventually smooth out the edges and adapt.

“Changing is also growing. Orkubo, you seem resistant to change, but have you ever thought of it as growth? Changing, moving forward—it’s all part of the process.”

“My Lord...”

“Being a tough man is all well and good, but that’s something you should outgrow during your younger years. Once you’re an adult, you need to be able to adapt, mix toughness and gentleness depending on the situation to make your way in the world.”

You know, women might just be the ones who teach us men how to be gentle.

Orkubo, let your life with Zoth Syra teach you that flexibility and grow as a person. 

Becoming softer doesn’t mean you’re degenerating!

“Uoooooooh!!!”

With a roar, Orkubo releases an aura that engulfs him.

It’s the love aura he received from Zoth Syra. The emission was so strong it seemed like it could reach the heavens and pierce the clouds.

...I wonder if the gods up there are surprised?

“My Lord! Your words have opened my eyes! To soften is not to decay! It’s growth as a person! I’ve taken your teachings to heart!”

“Ah, good. Glad you get it.”

By the way, being as soft and malleable as Gobukichi might not be such a great thing.

I mean, can you even whip someone like that anymore?

“Fukukuku... Looks like he’s been successfully persuaded.”

“What the-?!”

I was startled by the sudden voice from behind. But when I turned around, it was none other than Zoth Syra herself!

“I know he’s been feeling down lately. I thought today’s event would be a good opportunity to clear his worries. Seems like everything went according to plan.”

“What...?!”

“It might’ve been just a simple venting session, but that wouldn’t have solved the root of the problem. Thanks to you, my husband’s worries are resolved. As expected of the man the princess fell in love with at first sight... Ahem, that’s all I’ll say.”

Don’t tell me...!

Did Zoth Syra orchestrate this entire affair?

It’s not impossible.

After all, she is not just a witch but a wise woman who also serves as the Mermaid Kingdom’s Prime Minister.

She’s adept at controlling human behavior.

On top of that, she resolved Orkubo’s worries without causing a rift between them.

It involved numerous people in the process, though.

All this was premeditated...?!

“So, everything went according to plan, resolving Orkubo’s worries without causing any marital rifts...”

“Uh huh, and?”

“Can we fix this situation now?”

Right now, the sumo arena is caught in a whirlwind of romance.

Because of the spell Zoth Syra cast.

It’s made women’s romantic feelings sort of... visible.

And as per the event’s flow, they’re supposed to wrestle until one remains. But that wouldn’t be right.

Why?

Because it’d rank the intensity of a woman’s love.

“...Exactly.”

That’s Zoth Syra for you, one of the Selfless Workaholics.

She understood what I was trying to convey.

“Every woman believes she’s number one. Imagine if they were ranked second, third, fourth, fifth...!”

“Men feel the same! Losing in the first round and hearing, ‘It’s because your love wasn’t strong enough!’ could lead to divorces...!”

“...”

Reading the situation, our actions were swift.

“Wh-Whoopsies! We’ve got machine trouble! The Loincloth of Love has completely malfunctioned!!!”

“It seems we can’t proceed with our special event! Sadly, we’ll continue with a regular sumo match!!!”

Thanks to Zoth Syra’s quick thinking and disabling the Loincloth of Love, the main event returned to normal sumo, where defeat simply meant someone wasn’t as skilled.

The depth of a partner’s love was not a factor.

But in the end, Orkubo, having gone through personal growth, emerged as the champion with great vigor.

After all, this whole event was part of Orkubo’s Castle, so it made sense for him, the master, to emerge on top.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, celebrating the victor, and this year’s Orkubo’s Castle came to a close.

Avoiding conflict and keeping things friendly is the way to go...!