[Part 3/4]
Gorilla-sama, in the first place, doesn't trust people easily. She was almost paralyzed and thrown into hell in her childhood due to her father's plot of poisoning her. Considering her background, it's no surprise. Despite her arrogant and overconfident attitude, she surprisingly owns a significant number of curse-detecting tools and even goes as far as using shikigami to cook and taste the food herself. She often utilizes a taster.
And it seed that her suspicion had intensified even more since the awakening of the clan's head who had trapped her.
She also could not trust the people in the inn, and apparently she was doing the sa thing everywhere she went. And Shiro had been fed the leftovers. Or perhaps, she feared that her usable pawns would be poisoned...?
"So, yesterday, there was more leftover food than usual, so I thought I'd bring it for Tomobe-san... I-Is that... not okay?"
The little white fox girl, gazing up at with a worried look in her eyes. I didn't have the courage to say no to her innocent gaze that seed devoid of any ulterior motives.
"No... Well, yeah. Since I just finished a job, I'm hungry too. Shall we eat?"
In response to my acceptance, Shiro's face lit up with unmistakable joy. I hurriedly prepared a table and chairs for her. I placed two bento boxes on the table and set up a teapot and teacup with hot water. I didn't forget to bring a basin for washing hands. I cautioned Shiro, who was urging to hurry, and had her rinse her hands with water from the water jar. Finally, I completed the preparation of the al.
"Now, let's open them... This is amazing."
As I opened the bento box, which was not particularly expensive but had a large size, I couldn't help but admire its contents.
The main dish was fish, yellowtail to be precise. It was a thick-cut, glossy grilled yellowtail with a rich layer of fat. There was also marinated herring with rolled olet and vinegar and kelp-marinated sliced herring. Chicken and taro stew were also part of the ensemble.
There were various side dishes such as simred burdock root, black soybeans, seasoned greens, and pickles, totaling seven dishes.
The rice was a savory dish of mountain vegetables and chicken cooked together with a side of fragrant vegetables. The broth had soaked into the rice, making it so delicious that one could keep eating endlessly.
"It's an impressive assortnt... But I'm sure there are still many complaints from the princess."
Although it was a feast that made one's mouth water just by looking at it, it was not a top-notch ingredient considering that it was made with ingredients that could be found in a rural inn. From Gorilla-sama, who had expensive tastes, it might be considered as ordinary food.
"Hahaha..."
Shiro let out a dry laugh, her expression indescribable. Oops, this is not the ti to complain to the person when I'm about to eat.
"...Well, there's no mistaking that it slls delicious. Shall we start eating?"
And so, Shiro and I began eating our respective bentos. Oh, d*mn, this is seriously tasty.
(Kayo usually treats to Western or Chinese cuisine.)
Well, those aren't bad either... but the food that truly satisfies my body is different. I an, I'm not in an environnt like in my previous life where I could eat universal cuisines anyti and anywhere as a matter of course. So, traditional Japanese cuisine, Washoku, seed to suit this body the best.
"Mmm, it's tasty... Hey, Shiro, how about your tea? Do you want a refill of hot water?"
As I noticed that I had finished my tea, I poured so more from the teapot and asked Shiro. While pouring lukewarm water into Shiro's teacup, I suddenly realized that the flavors of the bento seed slightly intense.
"...Did you add salt or soy sauce when you packed the bento?"
"? No, I didn't."
I couldn't help but ask Shiro, who tilted her head in confusion, and she denied it with a perplexed expression.
"I see... well, it's fine."
I quickly dismissed the thought and took a sip of the lukewarm water, then resud eating. While eating, I wondered about it in my mind. Well, Gorilla-sama, who doesn't sweat the small stuff, might have thought to make the seasoning milder... well, it doesn't matter.
I quickly pushed aside the fleeting doubt that crossed my mind. There's no way it was poisoned or anything. For , who was tired after finishing a job earlier, the slightly intense flavors were actually a blessing. I refocused my attention on the bento in front of and... that's when my hand stopped.
"...? Tomobe-san, what's wrong?"
"Oh, sorry... I just rembered sothing. Wait for for a mont."
I stood up, put on my attire, and explained to Shiro that I had sothing to take care of. Then I walked out of the tent, guided by an inexplicable instinct, through the camp...
And I arrived there. In a corner of the forest covered with trees and bushes, with limited visibility.
In a small corner of the hill where I could overlook "Mayoiga."
"..."
In the cold winter wind, I trembled slightly. For a mont, I caught a glimpse of the majestic and unsettling exterior of "Mayoiga," and then I waited. I waited for the visitor...
"For suddenly summoning, did I disturb you?"
Without much ti passing, she appeared. With the sound of rustling grass, a cold voice echoed from behind .
"...You surprised . What wind brought you here? Did you really co here in person?"
I turned around and asked her while expressing my surprise. This was truly unexpected. If she had whispered into my ear using her shikigami as usual, that would have been one thing, but to call in this way...
In front of my eyes was a weak and exhausted girl, held in the arms of a large bear-like yokai (Onikuma)...
* * *
At a glance, I understood that sothing was wrong with her. Her complexion was unnaturally pale, lacking any trace of color, and her eyes looked tired and dull, indicating accumulated fatigue. Her already slender figure seed even more emaciated, as if it had been carved out with a saw. Each breath she took seed to strain her chest, and even breathing appeared to be a struggle.
But there was one thing that remained the sa—her gaze, cold and indifferent as always. Paradoxically, that was the only thing that reassured . I involuntarily held my breath, struggling to find the right words to say.
"...It's been a long ti since we directly faced each other, servant. But please refrain from rudely staring at people. It's extrely impolite, you know?"
Botan, held in the arms of the Onikuma, spoke with a contemptuous tone while cradling the small body. However... unlike the usual coldness I witnessed through the hummingbird, her words now seed to carry a sense of strong tone. Perhaps due to the awkward atmosphere, I was montarily dumbfounded. However, I quickly opened my mouth.
"W-Well, I apologize... It was an unexpected..."
"Unexpected, you say? ...No need to put on an act. I can imagine the reason for your astonishnt."
As I tried to hastily explain myself, Botan sneered. It seed almost self-deprecating. A complex smile curled up the corners of her mouth.
"I, too, apologize for demanding this sudden eting without considering your circumstances or position. I didn't have much ti either."
"Ti...?"
"Yes, that's right."
Botan's cold laughter resurfaced, followed by a bout of coughing. With each cough, she grimaced in pain, as if her insides were rupturing and her bones cracking.
"Botan-sama!?"
"Don't move from there!"
As I tried to rush over, a sharp command and the growling threat from the Onikuma stopped in my tracks. I took only a few steps toward them and froze in place.
"Cough... Cough... For the sake of both of us, please don't co any closer... Haah, are you an idiot? You shouldn't be near soone who's suffering so much."
Botan's words were the natural common sense of an exorcist. Whether she was cursed, possessed, or had her identity swapped, it was possible. Even if she was in pain right before my eyes, that's precisely why I shouldn't approach her recklessly.
"That was... careless of ."
"Indeed, it was incredibly careless of you. It's about ti you learn why you're in such a terrible state."
As I apologized, Botan scoffed with disdain. After delivering her cold remarks, she made a bitter face and clicked her tongue as if rembering sothing.
"I've lost control..."
"Huh?"
"I made a foolish decision out of my own stupidity."
As I tilted my head in confusion, Botan gave a scornful look and then whispered sothing to the Onikuma. The bear made a troubled expression, bringing its free hand to its mouth. It glanced back and forth between Botan and a few tis.
"Just follow my orders. Do your part of the equation."
'Oh, oh, did you change your mind at the last minute? It's not good, you know, procrastinating on unpleasant matters.'
A hoarse voice sounded, seemingly denying Botan's orders. A hummingbird appeared above my head, but then, '(. ･`з･)ﾉ That's my place!' How could that be?
"...Grandfather, what do you want?"
'Hahaha, I ca to impart so wise advice to my stubborn granddaughter, serving as a guide in life.'
"Aren't those just the stubborn ramblings of an old man?"
The hummingbird spoke in a nonchalant tone, irritating Botan with its displeased expression.
'You say so, but... do you have any alternative solutions? If you were not an idiot, you should have understood the situation by now.'
"...Silence."
As Botan ignored the hummingbird's words, the hummingbird continued to point out.
'How many pills do you have left? How much ti doe you have left?'
"I said silence, didn't I?"
Ignoring Botan's words once again, the hummingbird persisted. Botan warned once more.
'How many days did it take from the city outside the capital to get here? How much precious ti was wasted? Finally, you've co this far, and yet you hesitate before ? Such a pitiful tale. If only there had been such consideration, the current situation would not be as it is now...'
"I told you to be silent!!!"
The girl shouts, interrupting the hummingbird's words. Her eyes widen, her voice grows harsh. It was a sudden transformation as if she had touched a raw nerve. Instinctively, I brace myself.
However, it seems that such energy does not last long. She quickly distorts her expression in agony, and in the arms of the Onikuma, Matsushige's granddaughter becos limp, as if drained of blood. Desperately taking deep breaths and trembling, her body shivers. Even so, her gaze imdiately turns to , to the hummingbird. She glares with sharp eyes. The atmosphere becos heavy.
"...Please stop. I can take care of myself. Isn't that your greatest concern? ...I don't need any pretense of concern for a fake family mber."
In a voice that sounded exhausted, Botan speaks, her voice trembling. This ti, the hummingbird says nothing. Silence fills the air. Only the faint sound of leaves rustling and rubbing against each other can be heard...
"Botan-sama..."
"I've shown my unsightly side. Please forget about it."
"Are you referring to your very existence?"
"As I said before, it's better to refrain from ddling in other people's affairs recklessly. Ignoring matters that don't concern others is the wise way to navigate life."
Botan muttered, exasperated by my remark. She sneered.
"That's quite a joke. If sothing were to happen to you, I'd be troubled as well, you know?"
"If my grandfather is around, it wouldn't be much of a problem. It would simply reduce the frequency of our interactions."
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