A/N: For all the Testarossa gooners out there. Bordeaux might not have any lust for her anymore, but that doesn't an Testarossa herself has no feelings for Bordeaux.
Just putting it out there :)
Also please help pay for my Internet by subbing to my Patreon. It's only $5 and helps with research, writing and everything to make the story as enjoyable and accurate as possible.
Details at the bottom.
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Shizue was still laughing when she spoke again, one hand pressed lightly against her chest as she tried and failed to calm herself.
"Now I'm sure of it," she said. "There's no way I could be mistaken."
Bordeaux glanced at her sideways. "Sure of what?"
She t his gaze, her smile softer now, more certain. "Bordeaux-san. You're Japanese, aren't you?"
Jinny blinked. "Japanese? What's that supposed to be?"
Before Shizue could answer, Bordeaux tilted his head slightly, a smug curve tugging at his lips.
"Wakarimasen," he said casually. "Dō omoimasu ka?"
Shizue smiled wider. "I thought so."
She studied him for a mont, then asked, "But Bordeaux-san… how did you co into this world? And how did you turn into a demon?"
Jinny raised both hands. "Wait, wait, wait. We're completely lost now."
Jenny nodded rapidly beside her. "Yes. Extrely lost."
Shizue glanced back at them. "Well… Bordeaux-san isn't exactly from this world."
Jenny frowned. "So he's an otherworldly? But then how, he's a Primordial, isn't he?"
"That's what I'm trying to understand too," Shizue said slowly. "But I'm sure of it. Bordeaux-san is from Japan. The sa country I'm from. Just… from another world."
The room fell quiet.
Three pairs of eyes settled on Bordeaux, each filled with a different kind of confusion.
He chuckled. "That's a long story. I'll tell it another day."
Shizue didn't back down. "Then just a little. Can you tell about the Japan you ca from?" She hesitated, then added, "Were you from the sa generation as ?"
Bordeaux leaned back slightly, considering. "That's not an easy question either."
"In what way?" Shizue asked.
"Well," he said, tapping a finger lightly against his chin, "I've been reincarnated about three tis now."
The words landed heavily.
Shizue stared at him. "Three tis…? Is that even possible?"
"It happened to ," Bordeaux replied. "So I'd say yes."
She shook her head slowly. "That's hard to believe. Just how strong must your soul be…"
Bordeaux smiled again, clearly pleased. "Pretty strong. Not to brag, of course."
Jenny narrowed her eyes. "The look on your face says otherwise."
Jinny nodded firmly. "You're definitely bragging, Bordeaux-sama."
"I would never," he replied, completely unapologetic.
Shizue took a breath, steadying herself. "Then… can you tell about the second world you were born into?"
Bordeaux paused. "That one?" He thought for a mont. "It was during the Heian era."
Shizue froze. "That long ago?"
Jenny tilted her head. "Is that really that long?"
"The Heian era was about eight hundred years ago," Shizue said.
Jenny's eyes widened. "Then Bordeaux-san is at least eight hundred years old!"
"I don't think math works like that," Bordeaux said dryly.
Shizue's expression shifted. "Wait. If you lived during the Heian era… does that an you experienced the Genpei War?"
Bordeaux stiffened.
"You know about the Genpei War?" he asked.
"Of course," Shizue replied. "I grew up in a war-torn world too. We learned about it and about how it shaped Japan."
Bordeaux stood abruptly, the chair scraping softly against the floor. He stepped closer, agitation clear in his movents.
"Then you know how it ended," he said. "You know who won."
Shizue hesitated, caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes. "…Yes. It's recorded in history."
Bordeaux grabbed her shoulders.
"Who won?" he demanded. "Did the Minamoto win?"
"Yes," Shizue said firmly. "The Minamoto won."
Bordeaux slumped back into his seat as if all the tension had drained out of him at once. "I see… that's good."
Jinny tilted her head. "So… do we celebrate or sothing?"
"It is a good thing," Bordeaux replied.
Shizue frowned slightly. "Wait, Bordeaux-san. If that's the case… didn't you witness the war yourself? How did you not know how it ended?"
He glanced away. "I died pretty early on. Never got to see how it played out."
"…Died early on?" Shizue repeated.
Realization hit her all at once.
She stood abruptly. "Bordeaux-san, please tell . What was your na?" Her voice tightened. "Your Japanese na."
"My na?" Bordeaux blinked, then shrugged as if it were obvious. "Haru. Haru of the Minamoto."
Shizue froze.
Her breath caught, eyes widening as if struck by divine revelation. In a low, almost trembling voice, she said, "Haru… your na is Haru."
Bordeaux frowned. "Yeah? Is sothing wrong with it?"
"Haru-san…" Shizue whispered. "Are you that Haru? The one who made a last stand against one thousand Taira soldiers?"
Silence fell.
"The legendary warrior," she continued, voice filled with awe, "praised as a hero among the Minamoto."
Bordeaux's eyes widened. "Oh, yeah. I did fight about a thousand people during my last monts as Haru." He paused. "But wait. How do you even know about that?"
Shizue lowered her head slightly, reverence clear in her posture. "Haru-san… you're my hero. My mother used to tell stories about your brilliance, your talent in swordsmanship and how you sacrificed your life so your platoon could escape." She looked up at him, eyes shining. "To think I'd et you here of all places… it's truly an honor."
Bordeaux recoiled. "Okay, first of all, stop that. That tone is weird. Don't talk to like that."
He squinted at her. "Second… is your mother immortal? How does she know about things from almost a thousand years ago?"
Shizue laughed. "Of course she isn't. Like I said. The Genpei War is recorded in history and taught in school. And the story of Haru of the Minamoto is an important part of the curriculum."
Bordeaux stared at her. "…Wait. Seriously? People learn about in school?"
"Yes," Shizue replied without hesitation.
Jinny leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "So Bordeaux-sama is basically a legend in your world?"
"Tell Shizue, who were the major contributors to the Minamoto victor?" Bordeaux asked.
"Well," Shizue said, "many people played key roles in that victory. If you want, I can tell you who and what they did."
Bordeaux raised an eyebrow. "You actually morized all that?"
"Of course," she said simply. "For example, the most important figure in the Minamoto's victory was Minamoto no Yoritomo."
Bordeaux stiffened.
"…Uncle Yoritomo?" he said. "Him!?"
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