[Part 2/4]
Unlike Otsuru or Leo expected, Kayo didn't bristle or dodge the words. She accepted the advice wholeheartedly. Sipping her tea, she smiled──a fleeting, fragile smile.
"Living simply, without desire... I don't disagree. Greed without focus is pointless. Strategy demands choice and concentration."
But... Kayo continued, resting her cheek on her hand by the window, lost in thought.
"It's about the process. Not the goal, not the ga──just the steps along the way."
"The process...?"
"Wishes need power, ans are just ans. Don't confuse them. And for my goal... I'll do what's necessary."
It sounded like a plea to those she trusted, a reminder to herself, an apology to soone unseen...
"My wish... just one."
Gazing into the distance, yearning, whispering faintly...
* * *
Walk. Walk. Walk... Around the garden, across the bridge, along the veranda, past countless roofs. Wandering endlessly, moving forward...
"Master, this pace can't be good for you..."
"No, the fresh air helps. The sunlight too, right?"
Kuzu's concern was brushed aside, as it had been so many tis today.
It's not unreasonable. Considering I was previously exhausted and collapsed into bed, today's early morning stroll, or rather, exploration of the Yashiki Estate, is bound to take its toll. Of course, I must consider her well-being. And even though we're taking breaks here and there, soone as pale and delicate as she might get tired. I might just want a rest myself.
...That black underkimono, reminiscent of a rabbit I saw the other day, seems to be struggling with the physical exertion. Is she alright? She doesn't look too good. Shouldn't she change into sothing a bit looser?
"No problem at all! ...I'm not fat, am I!?"
She denies it imdiately, then hesitates, almost flustered, as she defends herself──Kuzu's attitude made smile a bit. She shyly adjusts the fabric that overlaps around her waist and hips, straightening her posture, and I can't help but smirk at her startled expression as she pinches her flesh.
"It's fine. Being too thin isn't good either, you know?"
So might say I'm insensitive to a girl's heart, but Kuzu is rather slender with a bit of at on her bones. Amatsuru is the sa, but I think she could do with a bit more padding. It feels like she might break if I touch her too roughly.
"At least sothing other than the waist or belly... As a Master, the bust should be the most important, right?"
"Hm? ...Did I say sothing like that?"
As Kuzu adjusts her chest, I find myself asking with a hard-to-describe feeling. Certainly, my gaze has wandered there before, but did I really say that...?
"...Yes. Without a doubt. You ntioned it when you were drunk."
"Oh, did I..."
There didn't seem to be any lies in Kuzu's words. I don't rember getting drunk, but could it have been before I was injured...?
"Anyway... Master, it's about ti for the noon al. You should at least have so lunch, shouldn't you?"
Kuzu suggests, glancing up at the sky where the sun is beginning to dip past the zenith. She emphasizes the wrapped Furoshiki in her arms.
"I suppose that Furoshiki contains food, as expected. You're well-prepared, aren't you?"
"It is my duty as a maid to et Master's expectations, after all."
"Hm..."
I give in and sit down on a nearby veranda. Kuzu bows respectfully.
"I shall prepare it at once."
Unfurling the Furoshiki. Three water flasks and a 3-tiered box. Upon opening, the first tier reveals rice balls, the second and third, various side dishes. Tamagoyaki and Yakizakana, Nimono and Tsukemono... even sweets.
"Here, have so barley tea. The clear broth is on this side."
"Ah... you should eat too. Help yourself to sothing."
"...Then, allow to indulge in your kindness."
Following my suggestion, I fall silent for a mont. Grabbing a seaweed-wrapped triangle rice ball with chopsticks, I split it on the ready plate, pecking at the fragnts, perhaps filled with salmon.
"Is it to your taste?"
"Watching you eat makes overthink things."
It was a refined way of eating, elegant in its own right, save for the mismatch with my attire. It almost seed like a nobleman's dining manner.
"..."
"Are you satisfied?"
"No. I was just thinking it looks delicious when you eat. Don't hold back, just eat what you like. Well, it's not like it was my preparation..."
Despite the al being prepared right before my eyes by my own girl, I put on airs, which I internally acknowledged with a wry smile, glancing at the box filled with rice balls.
"Is this... grilled rice ball?"
The rich aroma of soy sauce emanating from between the seaweed layers stirs the appetite.
"I'm not one for formalities. Mind if I just dig in?"
I pick it up with a hand by a cloth and takes a bite. With a crisp sound, the sweet taste of rice spreads in my mouth, complented by the soy sauce's savoriness. And then...
"Oil?"
Like a fox, he narrows his eyes and examines the bitten end. This is...
"Tempura coating? Just a bit!"
A piece of the coating used for tempura. The flavors of various ingredients seeped into the oil it was fried in, complenting the soy sauce, rice, and seaweed perfectly. A satisfying fullness fills his stomach...
"Mm, tasty. This one... seems to be Chirin Sanshō, and this one... porkbelly sweet simred dish is quite the rarity."
One by one, I eat the rice balls, savoring the fillings. In no ti, I finish 3 and is handed a water flask. Taking it from Kuzu, I sip; the cool barley tea washes the grease from my throat. Before , tamagoyaki is presented.
"Aah, may I have so?"
Teasingly, she tilts her head and smiles──a tender, sweet expression rarely seen before the other maids, then silently chews and swallows, the taste of milk lingering....
"Indeed, this flavor is exquisite. Rich and deep."
"I'm glad to hear that. I was the one who expressed it this ti."
"Now now, don't go stealing Amatsuru's job, alright?"
"It's quite common to exchange a bit of help. Particularly popular, I'd say? I'm grateful for the ti spent with the girls, and I'd like you to appreciate it too."
A sly, almost otherworldly grin spreads across her face. For so reason, she seed more mischievous than before.
"I suppose... there is such a perspective."
Reflecting on my own shallowness, I take another sip of tea. As a 'master,' I feel rather ashad. I've realized that I've only ever understood their work superficially.
(Maybe talking about welcoming a hungry ghost isn't such a bad thing... it's not like we have an abundance of people.)
The service I normally take for granted is filled with their ticulous care, I bet. There must be countless unseen struggles. Perhaps it's a mistake to say we have enough people.
...And, denying the premise of coming into this 'estate' from the harsh 'outside' might not be right either.
"Master, would you like so Kombu Kelp Rolls... Master? Are you alright? Is sothing the matter?"
Kuzu furrows her brows in confusion as I continue to gaze at her intently. Hesitant, I ask her.
"Kuzu, why did you co here from the 'outside'?"
"...Why, such a question?"
In silence, Kuzu smiles back, her expression almost clinging.
"The other day, I was chatting with everyone. I heard about life 'outside.' It got curious... was it an unpleasant question?"
"...To be honest, it was not pleasant."
It was an unusual display of open disdain from Kuzu. Normally, she would needle people but never so openly mock them.
"So much that..."
"I was sold by my parents."
"..."
(Kuzu's words left silent. It took a mont to understand what he ant.)
"Sold out..."
"Yes. We were lucky to reach this 'Yashiki estate'. It could have been much worse... but it's not rare for the girls here."
There are many who have gone through worse, Kuzu says calmly. Clearly showing disgust, her anger seems directed at the outside world itself.
"I can't even imagine..."
"It's better if you can't. Everyone probably wants to forget it."
"Was my question a mistake?"
"If Master wishes, I will endure, but..."
Kuzu makes an unreadable face. She doesn't say outright, but it's clear she wants to be spared from more."
"Sorry... I did sothing wrong to you, Amatsuru."
"If you feel that way, please love us more. That will put everyone at ease."
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