[Part 2/4]
Aoi rembered the ti she taught her grandmother about his wishes and demands, and how her grandmother reacted with madness, ecstasy, and sha. It was a vivid mory that Aoi didn't want to recall, but it remained etched in her mind. Her grandmother's reaction was so over-the-top that it was almost comical. Even now, Aoi couldn't help but burst out laughing when she thought about it.
It was already... really, really embarrassing... Even though she was a grown-up, the old woman in front of her was a woman.
"...Stop making fun of our noble family. I'm your grandmother, after all?"
"But what's with the foolish, lovesick expression on your face toward your granddaughter's husband?"
The granddaughter, caught in her grandmother's gaze. This wasn't a family conversation, but a conversation between won. Or, rather, a conversation between females, filled with restraint and intimidation... But to them, it was just a normal, everyday joke.
Compared to the intense emotions swirling inside, this level of banter was just a gentle breeze...
"Ah, I'm tired. I think it's ti for to take my leave."
Without looking at the clock or noticing the ti of day, Aoi sensed the mont and turned to leave.
"Wasn't there a singing contest scheduled for today?"
"Yes, it's not a big deal. It's not like I'm going to sing in front of him or anything."
This was the second ti Aoi visited the capital. The first ti, too, the na of Princess Onitsuki Aoi had spread far and wide. Her lineage, her beauty, her body, her talents... With all the previous rumors and gossip, there wasn't a single exorcist family or noble who didn't want her. Thinking about the relationships surrounding the next head of the Onitsuki family... it was even more ridiculous. There were countless 'good intentions' and thick-skinned demands coming their way, making Aoi want to vomit. The spittoon was going to be filled in no ti.
"Do Big Sister's suitors have fewer demands, I wonder? Maybe it's because she's not as talented and is a bit slow?"
Aoi spat out sarcastic remarks, but she understood the truth. For example, if the head of the family favored the eldest daughter, or if she achieved great rit in the imperial court, or if she whispered about fearing the leakage of her extraordinary abilities... But it was all just petty sches, and Aoi was fed up with the shallow cleverness of those n who chose her based on such trivial reasons. They were really, really foolish n, without any backbone.
Really, he's different....
"He's special."
"Accurately speaking, his heart is just a little stronger and kinder...but that small difference is incredibly deep and wide, huh?"
He's not good with words. He's not a stunningly handso man, nor is he a saint. The elder brother from Akō is far more noble and perfect. But what Onitsuki Aoi seeks is not that kind of thing.
"He's not fake, and he's not trying to stand out, but he's a regular person who can take one or two steps forward. There are many people who can't take those few steps, no matter how hard they try."
That's why he's great. He resonates with her heart. He's special, special, and special.
The woman in front of her is probably thinking the sa thing. Especially in this old lady's case, her past love and regrets probably take up a lot of space. It's impure. But she's different. Aoi secretly despise and look down on her.
...But, that's fine. If it's for his sake, then she's different from that detestable older sister. She can tolerate him. Their desired paths may not be the sa, but at least she's much closer than that older sister.
"Don't get wrong, I won't get tangled up in unnecessary conversations. I won't be like the ancient princess Kaguya, trying to test him with silly gas."
"I don't have such expectations. If you get mistaken and bring trouble, that'd be a hassle. Just play along properly."
No matter what, she won't let him get the wrong idea. With Onitsuki Aoi's extraordinary observational skills, which can even read people's hearts, it's an easy and necessary task.
She'll give him a good impression, and put the brakes on her rational thinking...it's also a way to gather usable pawns. Even if she can't do great things, she'll at least try to sway his heart...Aoi has calculated that subtle balance.
(It's unfortunate that he's not affected by my charms, though.)
For so reason, the fact that her charms don't work on him is charming and unintentional. If he would just abandon reason and push her down, she'd accept him no matter what...but it's a waste to use it on him, unlike with other n. Thanks to that, she's just accumulating debt with him.
Ah, really, it's cruel and kind....
"Well, I'll go then... can you clean my work for ?"
"Of course. I couldn't show it to anyone else. You wouldn't want to show it to anyone but him, would you?"
Kochou glanced at the scattered flowers at her feet and nodded in agreent. From behind, a figure erged with cleaning tools in hand, ready to erase any evidence.
"Yes, please. ...And your work, too?"
After coldly glancing at her grandmother's creations, Onitsuki Aoi swiftly left the room, planning to take a bath and perfu her clothes before attending the singing party. She couldn't bear the sll lingering in that room.
Isn't that right? The sll was so pungent, like rotten eggs and milk, unbearable. It would stick to her clothes and body, and people might misunderstand. She had to wash everything thoroughly.
"Frontal-like, huh? ...I wonder if she's saying that with a straight face?"
As she recalled the vibrant, red and white flowers of the horse-tooth amaranth, which she had fertilized with her own "things," she couldn't help but despise her grandmother's outrageous creations even more...
* * *
Azuma Hibari, a forr head of the Omnyouji Bureau who had incorporated the Tanuki's transformation factor, making her a half-youkai. In the original tiline, she was supposed to have been killed by Korishiraki's (the white fox) divided spirit before the main story began... but there was no need to dwell on that now. The question was, why was she still alive? And as one of the parties involved, I didn't need to wonder about it myself.
If I had any doubts, it would be about why she, who had left the Omnyouji Bureau, was here, and my emotions were a mix of discomfort and unease.
"Why are you... here?"
"It's not good to respond to a question with another question, is it?"
The words that slipped out were t with an openly dissatisfied response. The intruder was taken aback, and from behind, soone embraced her without warning. The gesture seed like a parent bird protecting its chick.
"Greetings are important. It's written in the Book of Etiquette and the Records of Rites. And as soone who's supposed to be a guardian, it's even more crucial. ...Is that wrong?"
The tanuki woman facing speaks in a calm, mature tone, but her words are laced with a sense of accusation and criticism. Her argunt is flawless, without a single flaw.
"...That's correct."
Excuses are pointless. I'll answer honestly.
"If we're adding to that, there's the curse I placed on you. It's already been activated, hasn't it? You promised not to hurt her, but what's going on?"
"That's..."
The tanuki's piercing gaze makes stumble over my words. It's not an excuse or a fabrication. The problem is even more serious.
The curse that was placed on when I was entrusted with the white fox. If I hurt the white fox, I'd be overco with intense pain... I know the circumstances under which it was triggered. And speaking about it would put my own safety at risk.
Isn't that right? If I were to talk about it here, I'd be courting disaster, especially with the Omnyouji Bureau head right next to . This is the Omnyouji Bureau's territory, after all. I could be dragged off to the experintation room at any mont.
"A-Azuma-san!! That's...!!"
"Be quiet for a mont."
"Hmm!!?"
The white fox's attempt to explain is cut off by a gesture, and I turn to look at Azuma Hibari again. Her enchanting gaze sees right through . At least, she's not lying.
"During the mission, I forgot about myself and..."
Aware of the Omnyouji Bureau head beside , I answer cautiously. But the tanuki woman won't let off that easily.
"...Why did you forget?"
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