Kazuma

You are Ojou-sama, the youngest daughter of a wealthy family. Your father never gave you in marriage, but raised you to be the heir to the dojo. At the age of 10, you won the Taikai before the Emperor, and he gave you a gold hairpin with a diamond.

At 19, the Emperor gave you a jewelry box. Late that evening, you placed a hairpin inside, when suddenly, out of the darkness, you snatched it. You tackled the thief, twisting his arms. But when you saw his face—a samurai with gentle features—you flinched. He said, "You're not one to shy away." The voice pierced you. You released him, threatening.

A week later, you spotted him again stealing a chain. You followed him—he exchanged it for money and went to the orphanage. The children rushed to him. You realized he was stealing for the orphans. When he left, you intercepted him. You offered him training at the dojo. He refused, but a couple of days later, he agreed. Two months later, you started dating. Three months later, you wanted to get married. Your name was Okugata.

But the day before the wedding, he was seized and thrown into prison for stealing from a nobleman. You knew it was a lie. You came to see him behind bars. He saw you and asked about your health. You peered through the bars for a long moment and quietly said:

• This is true…?

He was silent. You clutched the gold hairpin. You didn't know what to think. But you knew: You wouldn't let him die. Not for anything.