[Part 4/5]
Having contemplated all this, I let out a small sigh and ask for the bill.
"It was quite delicious."
"Yes, of course! The taste of our house is a traditional and historically renowned flavor passed down from the birthplace of confectionery, the Kamigata (上方) region!"
The poster girl proudly declares with a touch of bravado. I chuckle at her attitude and hand her the copper coins along with a piece of paper.
"Yes? Um... What is this?"
"I happened to visit the Kamigata region. The contents of this paper are about a cooking thod I learned there. It seems these types of sweets are popular there."
That was a blatant lie. Although I did visit the capital city years ago during the Joraku (an imperial journey from the capital to the provinces), the contents written on the paper were ideas for confections based on my past life's mories, which have not been invented in this country yet. ...Of course, there's no guarantee it will work.
"That is..."
"It may seem like ddling, and it could be difficult for confectioners due to traditions and rules. However, it's frustrating to see a good shop like this not thriving... Please, consider it."
Momiji, who took the paper from , reads it carefully and then looks up at with a smile.
"Oh, no! That's... Thank you so much!"
"No, well then, thank you for the al."
"By the way, you're not familiar around here, right? Are you an outsider? I will try to make the items written here by the ti you visit again. Please taste them. I'll treat you for free!"
"Hahaha. I'll look forward to it."
After expressing gratitude to her multiple tis, I show my appreciation and leave. Due to the visual distortion effect of my coat, she can't recognize my face. And she doesn't even realize that fact or question it. As a result, she must have assud I was a traveling rchant or sothing and I can only laugh.
If she were to discover my true identity, her gaze would undoubtedly beco disdainful.
I suppose I'll have to face that when the ti cos...
I wave my hand and leave the shop. Suzune, who had already left her seat, looks at with a puzzled expression.
"What did you do?"
"Oh, I just said the dango were delicious. And I shared a few opinions. But more importantly, let's hurry and find Miss Tamaki."
I convey this to Suzune and we wander through the village. Suzune is occasionally captivated by the items displayed in storefronts, but as soon as she notices my gaze, she resus walking without a trace of interest.
(Costics, hairpins, hand mirrors... This girl who loves playing in the mud and eating fast seems so different now.)
Observing the items that catch Suzune's interest, I am inwardly surprised. Considering my sister's behavior in our hotown, it's only natural. She has beco quite refined. She will probably beco a good bride.
(By the way, it's almost ti... I should buy sothing for her before the Joraku.)
Rembering the customs of my hotown, I suddenly think of that. It's not like it's dowry items or anything, but I don't know when I'll die. While I'm alive, I wanted to give sothing to my sister. Maybe I can arrange for Iruka to relay it to her...
"What's wrong? You suddenly stopped..."
"Oh, it's nothing. Let's find young lady quickly."
Suddenly, Suzune is in front of , peering into the depths of my coat. I answer her calmly and then move away from her as naturally as possible. Even though the surface and visual distortion effects may prevent it, I didn't want her to look into my face too much psychologically.
...And after that, even though it wasn't a large village, due to the timing, we only managed to reunite with Tamaki and the others after a while.
"Oh, perfect timing. Here, it's your job. Carry these!"
...Imdiately, Iruka pushes a handful of packages into my hands.
"Hey, wait a minute! You have to carry one too...!!"
"It's your job, isn't it? ...I bought Suzune's outfits and accessories too. Isn't that okay?"
"..."
If I were told in a whisper like that, I had no choice but to surrender completely.
"I-I'm sorry! I can carry so too...!"
"No, it's no problem. I would feel awkward having you carry the load, Miss."
In reality, if it were revealed that I was making the village head's daughter carry packages, it wouldn't be a laughing matter.
"...Should I carry them?"
"No, please don't worry. Since I'm a man too, let look the part. So, Iruka, are we still going around?"
Ignoring Suzune's suggestion, I spit out my words at Iruka. Iruka puts a hand on her chin and ponders.
"What do you think, Tamaki?"
"Well, I do want to look around a bit more. But... I don't want to burden Tomobe-kun too much."
Tamaki looks at with a sowhat complex expression, even though she wears a slightly unsatisfied expression.
"If it's just this amount of luggage, it's no problem."
"But... well, it's fine. We can always co back and visit again."
Tamaki, with a tinge of reluctance but resolute in cutting off any lingering attachnt, nods and responds.
"I see..."
"But you're cunning. You've been playing with Suzune along the way, haven't you?"
"Please forgive , Miss. Because..."
"Well, that was..."
Tamaki, who was pouting slightly, received a troubled expression from Suzune, and I followed suit. Yeah, because there was no way we could escape the attitude of the poster girl.
"What's wrong? Did sothing happen?"
"I'll explain on the way back..."
Tamaki tilted her head, and Suzune responded with exasperation. Understanding from that attitude that sothing must have happened, Tamaki wore a perplexed expression but decided not to pursue it further.
"Well then, let's go back."
As soon as the conversation subsided, Iruka declared, and everyone naturally followed suit. Just as we were about to proceed and head back to the Onitsuki residence along the village street, a large cart blocked our path from a side road.
"Whoa!?"
"Are you okay?"
Iruka, who was about to be run over, stumbled in surprise. I instinctively called out to her, but as soon as I noticed, I held my breath upon realizing that the cart was adorned with cherry blossom crests and accompanied by a group of doll-like attendants.
...and I had a terrible, terrible feeling.
"...Oh, well, greetings, Miss Hotoya."
Imdiately, a voice with a familiar mischievous tone echoed from the window of the cart. I almost reflexively knelt down. Following suit, Iruka and Suzune also bowed. However, the two of them were next to Tamaki.
"Um, the second princess of the Onitsuki family?"
"Oh? Does it look like anything else?"
"N-No... I didn't expect to et you here..."
Tamaki, who should be younger, responded ekly to the imposing voice of Gorilla-sama figure. It seed that the difference in temperant and their respective positions played a part, but it appeared that the difference in presence was creating this dynamic.
"I was just going around the valley... If you happen to pass by this road, do you on your way back to the house?"
"Y-Yes, that's correct!"
"I see..."
With a clattering sound, Gorilla-sama pondered while clapping her palms with a fan-like object. Then, she lifted her bewitching lips and made a suggestion.
"As a family mber and a guest, Tamaki-san is also a guest. I would have preferred you to ride in the ox-cart if possible..."
"I... apologize."
"I'm not blaming you. I just want you to consider it in the future. Making a guest walk on foot is a disgrace for our family. Please, co inside."
When she made the offer, the attendants surrounding the cart opened the curtains and invited Tamaki inside.
"Um, I'm..."
"Your maid and your attendant there can ride along as well. We need soone to take care of you, don't we? I have one person riding with too. I won't complain."
Presumably, she was referring to Shiro. Gorilla-sama confidently declared that it was acceptable.
"Y-Yes... Thank you for your kindness."
Tamaki hesitated to get on the cart, but she understood that refusing further would be impolite after being urged this far. Expressing her gratitude, Tamaki boarded the cart. Following suit, Suzune and Iruka did the sa.
"Oh, you're not allowed. Stay by the cart. Your load shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Understood."
In response to the last order from Gorilla-sama figure, I had no choice but to respond imdiately.
In the end, I ended up carrying a large amount of luggage and standing by the cherry-colored cart as we headed back to the residence. It goes without saying that my appearance beca a spectacle for those around . D*mn it...!!
* * *
After that, I returned to the Onitsuki residence, bidding farewell to Tamaki and the others... and as a bonus, I received an apology from them... Finally, after enduring Gorilla-sama's relentless sarcasm, I closed the door with a sense of weariness.
"Big bro, welco back!"
As I opened the door, Magoroku, who was preparing the al, hurried over and bowed.
"Ah, I'm back—"
"—Oh! Have you prepared the bath? I was out for a while. It's cold in winter, and I need to wash away the dust and sweat."
"..."
Interrupting my hocoming greeting, Iruka slipped in from the side and entered the house with her audacious remark. This guy, I'm really tempted to punch her for real this ti.
"Oh, big sis. I can prepare it right away..."
"I'll go first, alright? Using the leftover water from a girl is a reward, right?"
"After you, that's a penalty."
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