Mob Yandere Book 7 Epilogue, (7)

Book 7 Epilogue, (7)

[Part 7/10]

Kayo declares while playfully sticking out her tongue. However, Otsuru can't help but think that soone who dismisses the idea of being matched with young masters from esteed families in the central region or noble lords based solely on their portraits has no right to make such statents.

"I completely forgot about rest too! After all, I'm so busy with work every day!... Well then, I'll rest here! Ti is money, you know!"

As Kayo is scolded, she hurriedly glances around, trying to evade the criticism, and rushes into the room, locking the door from the inside.

"Oh, right! Please prepare the bath as well! I'll take a bath after dinner!"

She opens the door halfway and makes her announcent. And before a pursuit of lecturing could be unleashed, she hastily closes the door with force and locks it once again.

"Haa, what is she doing..."

...It goes without saying that Otsuru sighed deeply, shrugging her shoulders. Despite Kayo's growing business savvy, her underlying childish mindset remained a cause for concern.

"...Goodness, you're such a bother. I'm not your mother-in-law, you know."

On the other hand, Kayo, who had successfully barricaded herself in the guest room, sighed with a weary expression. She reaffird her decision to stay locked in this room until things settled down.

...In any case, this eting must not be seen by others.

"Phew... I guess we only need candlesticks for lighting. Could you please arrange that for ?"

After glancing around the dim and deserted room, Kayo made a request to no one in particular.

In an instant, without any warning, the candlesticks set up in the room all lit up simultaneously, casting a faint glow on the eclectic Western-style guest room.

"I apologize for the trouble."

In the midst of this seemingly supernatural phenonon, or perhaps the work of a tanuki or fox, Kayo remained completely unfazed. Instead, with a carefree smile, she swiftly took a seat in a nearby armchair, sinking deep into its embrace.

'Isn't it said that one should surround themselves with good company? You've gone through quite a bit of trouble this ti, haven't you?'

'Regarding the incident the other day, I appreciate your concern. However... it seems you've spent quite a sum of money. Was it worth it?'

At that very mont, two shadows erged from behind Kayo as if peering over her shoulder. With their elegant voices, they revealed themselves as a graceful pheasant and a white egret. They appeared as if they had been there all along, as if they had materialized out of thin air.

However, this was within Kayo's expectations, and she showed no trace of surprise as she greeted them with a welcoming smile. Naturally, she exchanged greetings.

"Madam Advisor, Second Princess. Good to see you. Yes, there is no problem. After all, half of the inventory was already overstocked anyway."

Kayo's words were indeed true. Lately, not only in the Northern region but throughout Fusō-kuni, there had been nurous incidents related to youkai. While the destruction of villages was not uncommon, the soaring transportation costs and price increases resulting from it led to a decrease in purchases.

The lives of the rchants and producers are also at stake. If they have excess inventory and cannot ship it this month, it becos a problem. As winter approaches, transportation becos difficult, and in the worst case, they have to keep the inventory until the snow lts. Selling it off to the imperial court here wouldn't be a bad choice in that case.

'But even so, it pains . ...I've burdened you with the dirty work, as in the incident in Hotoya Village. I don't know how to thank you...'

The white egret expressed a formal sense of apology. The turmoil in Hotoya Village in the early autumn was publicly treated as a hoax by Kayo's misunderstanding and spread as a rumor to the public. And this ti's incident... while it could be considered a service to the imperial court, from the perspective of the trading company, it was simply selling off inventory at an unfairly low price, which was not particularly pleasing.

"Do you have any issues or complaints within the trading company?"

Therefore, the advisor was worried about Kayo. She was concerned about Kayo's position, as it was useful for protecting he.

"'No problem' is too vague of a statent. However, it does depend on my efforts... I've been giving it my all, you know?" Kayo's response, in the end, transford into a complaint mixed with frustration.

In truth, Kayo's argunt held so validity. Considering the profits she had generated since arriving in the Northern region, the savings she had achieved by cutting unnecessary expenses, the exploration of new markets and demands, and the connections she had established, even after subtracting the setbacks caused by her frequent eccentric behavior, there was still a considerable amount of profit. Nevertheless, the higher-ups and executives... not just the Shiratomi rchants, but also the desires of people, seed to know no bounds.

"In general, it's not wise to hoard excessive amounts in the storehouses unnecessarily... Well, this kind of discussion isn't relevant to either of you, so let's end it here. If I may voice my concern, can I assu that I can rely on various forms of your support if I need them?"

Realizing that delving into overly technical discussions would be pointless, Kayo promptly cuts it short and asks for a straightforward confirmation. The two Shikigami gracefully lower their heads in response.

'Hehehe, that's reassuring to hear.'

The second princess lets out a laughter that rolls like a tinkling bell. While laughing, she also expresses her gratitude.

It's easy if everything can be resolved with money. However, in this world, there are so things that money can't fix, albeit rare. And dealing with such things is particularly troubleso because rational negotiation doesn't work.

Kayo is well aware that her power is aningless when it cos to dealing with humans and youkai driven by emotions, and ultimately, violence can only be countered with violence. That's why she genuinely appreciates the promise from Onitsuki's won.

(Well, that's all there is to it.)

...However, she couldn't help but feel repulsed deep down by the peculiar preferences of the Madam Advisor who commands the egret shikigami.

Although she didn't know all the background circumstances behind the Madam Advisor's inclinations, she had received so information from the second princess, with whom she had ford an alliance. And what she had heard was deeply unsettling. In fact, it was quite disgusting.

It's only natural. What a sha for an old woman to beco infatuated with a distorted first love... What is she rambling about while being a married woman with several children? When she heard from the second princess, "Maybe she's making up excuses and trying to seduce him with aphrodisiacs," she felt disgusted, and when she heard, "Undoubtedly, during the act, she must regresses into childish behavior and calls him 'big brother' and acts all spoiled," she even got goosebumps.

The interruption was most likely a staged act during the clothing presentation from Kayo, which she does to gauge her mood.

As a hobby and for practical purposes, Kayo also designs clothing and fashion. She regularly showcases so of her creations to the second princess of Onitsuki, and recently, to the Madam Advisor as well. However, she was left speechless when asked for a 'Bunny Hostess Reception - With Bunny Ear Accessories' as a hidden nu item. Furthermore, when the Madam Advisor demanded a tightly fitted black-dyed outfit with smaller fabric adjustnts, Kayo couldn't help but secretly criticize her in her mind, urging her to consider her age.

She even made a compromise with her by including a white-dyed fishnet tights, for heaven's sake!

"Your consideration, both from the princess and the Madam Advisor, is truly helpful."

Of course, she doesn't ntion any of that. Kayo humbly bows her head, showing respect to the aging woman who mistook her age. After all, she had thrown away all her sha and dignity when she pleaded with the second princess.

'Hehehe, so honest and lovely. ...And clever too. I feel relieved that you're not headstrong. Quick-tempered girls tend to do whatever they please, don't they? It's quite a hassle to clean up after them. In that regard, I can trust and rely on you because you're cautious.'

Kayo accepts the complints from the Madam Advisor with a cheerful deanor, even though she wanted to call her a d*mn old woman who exposes not only her back but even her pubic area. She knew well enough that it was just a formal exchange on the other side.

'Oh, my, such harsh words from my dear grandmother. It's as if I'm making outrageous demands'

The second princess playfully questions her grandmother. She pretends to be playful while putting up a defense. However, the Madam Advisor, being her grandmother and an Advisor at that, is well aware of such things, and the Egret Shikigami covers her mouth with its feathers, smiling.

'That's the truth, isn't it? I thought you must have had so insurance prepared. I can understand that, but using that jade... Isn't it too flashy for your own good?'

'It can't be helped. Even if he transforms into any form, I can love him, but isn't it better for his sake not to undergo such a mutation, even if only temporary?'

The Second Princess's shikigami tilted her head in a sowhat impudent manner.

'Even if I were to clean up this ss? Surely, you must understand the value of that jade.'

'Even if he were to transform into a youkai, the aftermath would be troubleso. Besides, isn't it my dear grandmother's role in the first place?'

'...'

The egret shikigami wore a smile that seed friendly. She smiles and remains silent. Kayo, as well as the second princess of Onitsuki, responded with equally amiable smiles.

They knew. They knew the widow's intentions. They knew why she forcibly pushed that child (Shirowakamaru?) into this position. It was rely a ans to crush him, the one who would beco a monster, and return him to humanity using that thod.

The true aim was to violate and crush that wretched child, to use the pretext of being his master to approach him. Bound by guilt, he wouldn't refuse. And afterwards, she would gradually manipulate his disturbed and defenseless emotions... Truly befitting the na "Black Butterfly Woman." Cunning.

However, that plan was ultimately thwarted by her own choice.

'Hehehe.'

'Hehehehe.'

"Hehehe."

Recognizing the unfavorable odds stacked against them, Kochou smiled, and the other two followed suit, almost as if disappearing into a haze. Their laughter felt hollow, devoid of genuine joy. Kayo couldn't help but think that they made quite an indecent trio of won.

(If I recall... was it 'Prisoner's dilemma'?)

She suddenly recalled a passage from a philosophy book she had read to improve her negotiation skills as a rchant. It argued that if everyone distrusted their counterpart and pursued their own optimal solution, ultimately everyone would lose.

Fortunately, at present, the three of them in this place were facing the sa direction. They were progressing toward the sa goal. Therefore, internal strife would be a waste of ti and resources. By focusing on their single-minded love for him, they were freed from the ugly competition. It was truly remarkable. Love was a magnificent emotion.

...Although she couldn't just shelf it and forget about it.

'...By the way, I never expected that child, Shisui, to be so proactive in his actions.'

And to break free from the disadvantageous situation, the advisor brought up a change of topic. However, as ntioned earlier, questioning it would be futile, and Kayo and Aoi both shared the sa sentint.

"Lord Shisui... is he Tomobe-san's superior?"

'Yes, indeed. This ti, he made quite a remarkable move. I never expected him to be so proactive.'

Kayo took the lead in addressing the topic. Then Aoi's expression seed skeptical. It bore an air of caution and doubt.

It seed that the actions of the head of the servant group in this incident appeared unnatural and peculiar to the second princess.

"If I recall correctly, he was originally the head candidate of the Onitsuki family?"

'Yes, that's right. But he easily gave up that position.'

'Could it be out of fear of the head of the family? Is there a possibility that he viewed the risk of being entrapped like ?'

'That's unlikely. If that were the case, then even more so, he wouldn't make any moves now.'

Indeed, how many years had it been since Aoi's father, Yuusei, lay on his deathbed? To stir him into action after he had awakened... it only served to raise unnecessary suspicions.

'Rather, it was surprising how easily he accepted his nephew's proposal.'