“I’m a marine, I know full well of these ‘independent pirates’, buncha pests. Pests with rifles.” Hide started to slide the weights off the bar and one-by-one she placed them in their appropriate spots. “But pests fall to well-armed traps, as things should be. The repairs are a pain, though.”

"I hope we will be able to get rid of a certain amount of pests soon, when a certain other clan stops blowing koku up their asses." he said, slightly grinning

Hide nodded in agreement. “Oh, yeah. You don’t have to tell me twice, you can feel the extra koku they have these days. Literally in my case.”

She then offered a slight grin, “Yasuki-sama, how have you fared this miai?”

"Hmmm" he ponderd "That's a good question. My target is rather popular and the events aren't in my favour. I'm starting to look for a backup plan."

“Ahhh, that’s too bad.” Hide looked down a bit, pondering her own situations. “Yeah, my luck has been pretty awful when it’s come to the events here. My target also is on the lower end as well and that’s got me worried.”

"Hmmm." He thought about what backup he could give for Eriko in case Hide was taken by someone else. "I'm good with strengthing our relations with our allies. Have you met alot of people?"

“I’ve met a good number of people. Pretty sure not many are interested.” She rubbed at the back of her neck, still a bit disappointed at the thought of Eriko being snatched up by someone.

"I know one who is" he said with a playful smile, "but it's right, sometimes you need a bit of luck, albeit i don't think many would seek the one in question out. Their familiy isn't really popular"

“Wait... Who I’m interested in or who is interested in me?” There was a slight bit of confusion very evident in her eyes.

"Um, isn't it obvious?"

She looked at the Yasuki with the blankest look, like there was some processing going on her head, but it was very very slow. “Is what obvious?”

Sometimes prejudices were probably true. Lots of muscle and little, well,...
"I'm talking about a certain Crustacean"

He was probably the first of his kin to understand that Hide was not as clever as Eriko made her out to be.

“Ah! So, same difference... Wait, she’s interested?”

"Yes, she is" he tried to hide a smirk but couldn't "So you better make an effort, Matsu-san"

“I mean, I have been doing that. Got karaoke with her tonight.” There was a hint of pride in herself. “But I will try and get a one-on-one meeting with her at some point. This was more of a group activity.”

"That's good. Maybe you can arrange a small date in the Druk'n Crab. It may be a bit more,... rusitcal, but i guess she won't mind as much."

It was as good a plan as any. “Hmmm. Good idea. I haven’t been to a Crab bar since my brother’s wedding last year.”

"Tomo-san has a wonderful little pub and more importantly: the air conditioning works and the beer is ... fair to the price. I am sure that you will like it,...

But maybe you can tell me something about a certain Kitsu who is part of your delegation?"

“Kitsu Nozomi? I mean, I haven’t really gotten to know her too well but ask away. I’ll try and help as much as I can.” Hide was tempted to tell him how easily flustered she got. And that was still on the table in the back of her mind.

"My personal taste is for samurai who have a great knowledge. I enjoy discussing historical, scientific, political and cultural contexts. I have only heard from Akemi-san that she is a samurai of that kind, so I am interested in meeting her." he replied