[Part 4/4]
* * *
"...He's gone."
Towards the departing benefactor, Tamaki murmured.
For Hotoya Tamaki, that household mber treated as a servant was truly her benefactor. A benefactor to her, to her family, to friends, and to her hotown. He was a senior to whom she owed a debt of gratitude that she could never repay, and she should respect.
"If it were Tomobe-kun, could it have been done better...?"
This is about the aftermath of the disturbance in the Seki city. Tamaki did her best. But there were certainly sacrifices, plenty of sadness, and above all, her efforts turned out to be in vain. The white wolf's child was taken away, Ezo's princess looked at the giant wolf's corpse from a distance and definitely cried. After crying, she expressed gratitude and even defended against suspicions about Yukine. Tamaki couldn't say anything.
For Tamaki, it was all too unwilling, unable to give up, and an unresolved outco. Realizing one's own lack of strength, the admiration for him grew even more.
"...I want to beco stronger."
Tamaki murmured again.
"Could I have beco stronger... Would things have gone well if I had?"
What she embraces is sothing swirling within her chest. Perhaps a glimpse of the power she used during that commotion. It was said to be so kind of supernatural ability. Tamaki realizes this and tries to wield it on her own. But it's terrifying. It's sothing she can't possibly control.
It is said that, like the head of the servant group' assistant, there are often cases of one's supernatural ability going out of control within their inexperience. In so cases, causing injuries to those around them or even taking lives. Considering that, it's not sothing that can be easily trained. But she wants to beco stronger, but she can't beco stronger this way. And if she can't beco stronger... Tamaki becos gloomy.
Yes. If she can't beco stronger, she might lose soone. Soone might end up doing sothing reckless. And the most likely possibility is...
"...!!"
A sensation of tightness swirled in her chest. It was a mixture of fear, a sense of loss, and helplessness. As she looked down at a future that might resemble this tomorrow, her clear expression from a mont ago transford into a tragic one.
"What should I do..."
It is not about anyone else. It's a question that confronts oneself. It's a call. It's a cry....
"Ah. Miss Tamaki. Were you here?"
"Huh?"
Tamaki cos to her senses at the sweet cat-like voice. She quickly wipes her eyes with her sleeve, and turns around. And she sees that person in her sight.
"Miss Tamaki. Please co here?"
"Eh, ah...yes!"
The Advisor of Onitsuki, who is her teacher and also helps her like a mother in her daily life, along with the Lady. Tamaki hurries to the hand gesture from that person. She could not keep her waiting because of her position and gratitude.
"Madam Advisor! And... Shirowakamaru-kun?"
The madam, who is the forr head of the family and does not look like an old woman. She notices her younger senior disciple by her side, and her eyes widen. Of course, because his appearance was that of a shrine maiden.
Shirowakamaru had even put on makeup and rouge, and his adorned figure was exceedingly beautiful. Normally, he looked more like a girl than a boy. Looking at him now, it was hard for anyone to imdiately classify this young man as male at first glance. Even the mbers of the Onitsuki family's Joraku (visiting capital) squad, who were staying at this Oumi mansion, recognized this household mber as a girl, and since the person in question and his master (advisor) did not deny it, it seed to Tamaki that a misunderstanding was spreading. Although Tamaki was trying to dispel misunderstandings she noticed around, she couldn't help but be evasive in the face of Shirowakamaru's slightly sharp inquiry.
"What?"
"Oh, no. It's nothing..."
Tamaki brushed off Shirowakamaru's slightly prickly question, aware of the gaze. Despite feeling that he had narrowed the distance a bit during his recent job in the city, perhaps it was inevitable given the commotion and the clandestine actions Tamaki had attempted.
"I've already asked you not to be so prickly... I apologize, Miss Tamaki. I am paying attention, though."
Advisor has a troubled look on her face. But her manner is gentle. A little after the incident in the city, Tamaki thought that this old woman seed to be in a good mood for so reason.
Tamaki felt uneasy about scolding the adorable wolf. She was worried that her actions might have hurt it. Tamaki realized her mistake and couldn't feel happy about it.
Still, there is a punishnt for sin. No matter what reason there is, if you ignore that reason, you might cross the important line that you should protect soday...?
"Miss Tamaki...?"
"Uh, no, nothing... Rather, what do you want, Madam Advisor?"
Did she notice her dark presence? Tamaki changed the topic when she was asked. To be precise, she moved to the main point.
"Oh? Yes, yes, I'm sorry? That's right, I have to start with the most important talk first, right?"
And then she coughed once, and Kochou told her again.
"Miss Tamaki. You have a letter of invitation. From the Miyataka family, from the princess of the main family. ...What will you do?"
It was an invitation to a poetry party from Miyataka Shinobu, the main family's shrine maiden of the Miyataka family. Hotoya Tamaki had no choice but to be stunned by the unexpected invitation....
* * *
I move through the gaps in the waves of people. The capital of Fusō-kuni, Nakatsu, is full of people. Flocks of refugees from the four directions of the land... many of them went to the new city, but that didn't an the old city surrounded by walls was fine.
The population had probably increased by ten percent compared to a year ago. That was the case in the old city, which had strict regulations. The new city would be worse. Outsiders increased, and if they worked hard, it was good, but in reality, so of them beca thieves, gamblers, swindlers, or bandits without getting a job. To crack down on them, the court sent more troops and Kebiishi (police and judicial chief) to patrol the city.
In the front Rashomon Gate, people and carts crowded. The security guards seed unable to control them completely.
"Well, this is troubleso. The countryside is in chaos, and so is the city... Hmm. It's better to sneak in. I should return before the sun sets. The gate will be closed at night."
With the guard's approval, I passed through the gate. From the neatly organized old city, like a checkerboard, I stepped into the new city, lively and more chaotic in a sense.
"...The promise seems impossible to fulfill."
I muttered, recalling the ti I first stepped into this place. The idea of showing my face to Azuma Hibari was discussed as a possibility, but unfortunately, it's difficult now. Will I be killed by the curse?
"...But, who knows?"
Children may find her sweet, but she is the forr head of the Omnyouji Bureau. Would I really be okay? Wearing the inhibitory Coat (Haori), I proceed through the city. Dodging rchants and reaching into my pocket with a nonchalant mud-covered arm, I advance through the streets lined with shops.
I then venture deep into the hinterlands, purchase several skewers of Dango from a seemingly clean establishnt along the way and satiate my hunger nearby. Three Mitarai Dangos in total.
"..."
I ate one in silence, chewed the second, moistened my throat with the bamboo water bottle, and reached for the third.
"It looks delicious. Would you give one?"
"...Can I request paynt at your ho?"
Suddenly, without warning or even a hint of his presence, an old man who stood beside , asked . At the sa ti, a piece of cloth swam from the old man's pocket, blocking my view.
"It's a blindfold. Also, wouldn't you sweep away the bugs before you go? The books could be ruined."
The angry old man's sneer. He was probably stroking his beard, but I no longer felt intimidated, so I shrugged my shoulders and agreed.
It was a direct reunion with Matsushige Dōgen, forr head of the Omnyouji Bureau's Saigūken Rikyū (Research) Institute...
Fan art:
Title: A three-year anniversary Christmas illustration of Kayo-chan in a Santa costu. She seems truly innocent!
URL: [Link]
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