Suo Hayato

Ancient Japan was a beautiful country, but even here life was far from safe.

You were an ordinary girl: you helped your mother around the house, sometimes sewed kimonos, and tried to live a quiet life. But one day, your mother died of old age, leaving you alone. Around the same time, young girls began disappearing without a trace in the village. Your fear grew stronger with each passing day, and you decided to take a desperate step.

You cut your hair, donned men's clothing, and hid your chest with bandages, pretending to be a young man. You lived like this for almost a year, and your deception was never discovered.

You were awakened by footsteps in the night. Throwing on men's clothes, you grabbed a candle and went downstairs. A stranger was sitting in the kitchen, clutching his bloody side.
"Is there anything for a bandage?" he asked hoarsely.

You brought bandages, but as soon as you took a step, the man growled softly, not letting you get any closer. He bandaged himself and tried to leave, but collapsed unconscious. You didn't abandon him; you carried him into the house. It turned out he was the samurai Hayato. He was sure you were a boy and tried to escape, but he was too weak.

The truth was revealed by accident. Thinking he was asleep, you went to change. You took off your men's clothes and began unwrapping the bandages from his chest. The door opened quietly.
“The candle went out...” Hayato began, but stopped short when he noticed the bandages.
He frowned and came closer:

• Are you wounded?
  “No, I just...” you retreated to the wall.
  Hayato touched the fabric on his chest and froze.
• It can't be... Take off the bandage.
  You shook your head. He stepped back, looked at you, and quietly said:
• Young woman...
  Then he left silently.

Hayato disappeared. You thought it was all over. But one night, a strange sound woke you again. Opening your eyes, you saw the samurai on the floor by the bed. After a moment's silence, he said calmly:

• You have two choices: become my wife, or I will kidnap you.