Chapter 79

This is a story about Oda Nobufusa before he came to Edo.

("It's long... and boring...")

Nobutaro, the eldest son of Koki, was now coming of age.

Nobunaga himself was to be the hat sponsor, and the coming-of-age ceremony was being held at the Ishiyama office.

Nobutaro received a name from Nobunaga and became Tsuda Nobuhiko.

("Mitsuan, it's such a hassle to change names every time.")

Koki thought the same, but "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."

However, there was something that the men of the Tsuda clan firmly refused to do.

That was to tie their hair in a topknot or shave their foreheads.

While others like Shibata Katsuie complained, Koki ignored them.

In battle, they would wear helmets, so they kept their hair short, and left the hairstyles to personal preference.

This way, they didn't spend much time on hair maintenance, which had many advantages.

The Tsuda family members washed their hair every day and took good care of it with combs, brushes, and hair products.

These items were made from natural materials and were now produced in the Tsuda domain.

While a topknot and shaved forehead might look clean at first glance, few people could afford to bathe daily, so many had dandruff in their hair.

Nobunaga was particular about his appearance, but Katsuie was often sweaty and smelly, with dandruff in his hair.

Given these circumstances, Nobuhiko, like his father Koki, kept his hair short.

He followed the dress code, and since he wore a hat, it wasn't much of a problem.

Koki, however, was thoroughly bored by the long coming-of-age ceremony.

He was secretly glad he didn't have to go through it himself.

("Mitsuan, the wedding ceremony is even longer than the coming-of-age ceremony.")

("When I think about that...")

Koki had attended a friend's wedding before being sent to this era, but it lasted only two to three hours.

In this era, it lasted for two days, which was quite impressive.

Koki really wanted to ask the person in charge what they did for so long.

However, since it was a wedding between the Oda and Tsuda families, it couldn't be a simple affair.

("Ah, I envy Masahiro.")

Among the Tsuda family retainers who came to Ishiyama to participate in Nobuhiko's coming-of-age and wedding ceremonies, Honda Masahiro did not attend the wedding ceremony but worked on other tasks outside.

"Here are the celebratory red and white rice cakes!"

"Only one cup of celebratory sake per person! No lining up twice just because you want more!"

On the first day of the wedding ceremony, the laborers who had gathered for the Ishiyama construction project were given a day off and paid, while Oda and Tsuda family retainers worked together to distribute celebratory red and white rice cakes and sake to many of the local residents.

There were also temporary stalls, street performances, musical performances, and Noh plays, turning Ishiyama into a celebration.

Of course, the person in charge of organizing this on the Tsuda side was Honda Masahiro.

While he didn't have to attend the long wedding ceremony, Masahiro was indeed busy.

If anything went wrong, it would be his responsibility, so it wasn't exactly easy.

Unlike Koki, Masahiro thought it might have been easier to attend the wedding ceremony.

Humans tend to think the grass is greener on the other side.

"It seems to be going well."

"Yes."

Incidentally, the person in charge on the Oda side was Hori Hide政, who had recently become close to Koki.

From Masahiro's perspective, he was doing his job efficiently, as befitting a master.

"Lord Honda, I hear the Tsuda family will also hold a wedding ceremony?"

"It's not as formal as that. After all, it's planned by Lord and Lady Kyouko."

A large venue for special events was built near Edo Castle, and a banquet was to be held to introduce Nobuhiko's wife, Fuyahime, to the retainers and their families of a certain status.

The meal would be served in a standing format, and the bride and groom would change their outfits, cut the cake, and take photos.

It was similar to a modern wedding reception, but this was what Kyouko had requested.

"I think it's better to show Nobuhiko's bride to everyone."

Kyouko was right, and no retainer could refuse her request, so in Edo, Fushimi Koji and Oda Kiyomasa, who had become Kyouko's assistant, were preparing for the reception.

The wedding ceremony in Ishiyama was to be followed by the reception in Edo as soon as the Tsuda family returned.

"Actually, I will also attend as Lord's representative."

"Is that so?"

Since Nobunaga couldn't attend, Oda Nobufusa and Hide政 were to attend as his representatives.

Nobufusa, who was to marry Aihime, would stay in Edo, but Hide政 had also taken on the task of bringing back photos from the reception to Nobunaga.

He was chosen by Nobunaga because he was the closest to Koki among the inner circle.

The other inner circle members, who had received canned goods from Koki before, also wanted to attend the reception because they were interested in the food, sake, and sweets served there.

However, since Nobunaga had chosen Hide政, there was nothing they could do.

Hide政, however, was very eager to attend, so he worked hard to be chosen.

Being able to move in such a way to be chosen is also a skill required to be called a master.

"Please take care of things in Edo as well."

"Of course."

And he didn't forget to greet and connect with Masahiro properly.

Master Kutarou, a master, is called a master because he doesn't neglect such small details.

"Please leave the security to us, Lord Nobufusa."

A week after Masahiro said this, the reception for Nobuhiko and Fuyahime was held in Edo as scheduled.

"Mitsuan, you two make a good couple."

"Yes."

Nobuhiko, who resembled Kyouko and was more handsome than Koki, and Fuyahime, a well-known beauty in the Oda family, were first making the rounds in formal attire to greet their family and retainers.

The attendees were impressed by the young heir couple's beauty and watched them happily while eating and drinking.

"Make sure there's no shortage of food and sake! There's a little more time until the outfit change..."

Meanwhile, Oda Kiyomasa, who was under Fushimi Koji, was working hard to ensure the success of the reception.

It was an important event for the heir and his wife of his lord.

He couldn't afford to fail, so he worked hard.

"Kiyomasa."

"Lord?"

"You're busy, I know, but if you try too hard, you'll just make more mistakes. Take a deep breath."

"Yes."

Kiyomasa, who had been running around busily, took a deep breath at Koki's suggestion.

He felt a little less tense.

"Here, have a drink before you go."

Koki handed him a glass of beer.

Kiyomasa was worried if it was okay to drink alcohol, but he couldn't refuse since it was from his lord.

He didn't get very drunk from one glass, but he did feel a little more relaxed.

"Kiyomasa, you're so serious."

"You're a hundred times more serious than me."

Kyouko and Koki found Kiyomasa's seriousness endearing.

They thought he had the ability and talent to support Nobuhiko.

"Next, it's time for the outfit change."

The couple left for the outfit change, and during this time, the retainers were to perform various acts.

However, in this era, there weren't many acts that would be well-received at a reception, like dancing or reciting poetry as Nobunaga did.

Everyone was more focused on the food and sake.

"Kutarou, are you going to perform something?"

"Yes, Lord Nobufusa. Leave it to me."

Here, Hide政 went on stage to perform.

Koki and Kyouko were very curious about what he would do, but to their surprise, he performed a card trick.

Playing cards were imported in small numbers via Portugal, and Hide政 had managed to get some.

He skillfully made the cards disappear from his hands, amazing everyone.

Of course, it was a magic trick, but to those who didn't know the secret, Hide政 looked like a magician.

"Wow, he's good."

"Yeah, I can't do that well either."

Koki was impressed by Hide政's mastery.

"Here, the newlyweds are back."

After the successful outfit change, the couple returned in tuxedos and a wedding dress, which Kyouko had tailored herself.

("There's no kiss, huh.")

("Mitsuan, consider the era.")

They didn't kiss, but Nobuhiko put the ring Koki had given him on Fuyahime's finger, which was very exciting.

"Let's take some photos."

Photos of Nobuhiko and Fuyahime were taken by the Tsuda family's dedicated photographer to send to Nobunaga.

While Koki and Seiki used to take photos, the recent high demand led to the appointment of specialized retainers.

There were several of them, and they were busy taking photos all over.

"Excuse me, young master and madam. Please stop moving for a moment."

Not only their standing poses but also the cake-cutting scene was being photographed.

"Wow... beautiful people look good no matter what they do."

Even though they were his son and daughter-in-law, Koki, who had a more ordinary appearance, felt envious of their beauty.

"Mitsuan, is there anything else you want to say?"

"The cake looks delicious."

"It was hard to make a cake that everyone could eat."

The wedding cake was quite large and was completed through a joint effort by Oichi, Hazuko, and the Tsuda family's cooks under Kyouko's direction.

"A cake that can't be eaten is meaningless, right?"

The cake was skillfully cut and distributed to the attendees.

Many of the retainers and their families were seeing a cake for the first time and were looking forward to eating it.

"Kutarou, the Tsuda family must be quite wealthy."

Nobufusa was impressed by the deliciousness of the cake he was eating for the first time.

He started to think that marrying into the Tsuda family might not be so bad.

"These things must be well-received by Nobufusa, and he must strive to become the head of an independent household."

"Yes, as my father said."

Nobufusa resolved to work hard in the Tsuda family.

While he kept his name as Oda, he was essentially a son-in-law in the Tsuda family.

("I'm glad I attended. The food, sake, and cake were all delicious.")

And Hide政 resolved to be invited to more Tsuda family banquets in the future.

"Lord, here are the photos of Nobuhiko and Fuyahime."

After returning from the reception to Ishiyama, Hide政 handed several photos of Nobuhiko and Fuyahime to Nobunaga.

He sighed with relief, knowing his task was complete.

"Fuya, you look beautiful."

Nobunaga smiled at the photos of his beloved daughter in a beautiful dress and accessories.

He felt relieved as a father to see his daughter being treated well.

"However..."

"However, what is it?"

Nobunaga seemed to be bothered by something.

His tone suddenly changed, making Hide政 a little anxious, though he didn't show it.

"Kutarou, did you eat this