[Part 1/10]
In the outskirts of Fusō-kuni, the country's largest metropolitan area commonly referred to as the "Capital" due to its location directly above the great spiritual vein, the facility was being built.
"Hmm... The growth this year is quite remarkable. The fertile soil certainly makes a difference."
Observing the vegetables grown in the snow-covered field, the woman murmured to herself. Daikon radishes, Napa cabbage, Nozawana, and Shungikus... The so-called winter vegetables, known for their resilience to the cold, were thriving even in the harsh winter winds.
"With this, we should be able to get through the winter just fine. The problem lies in the harvesting... Well, I can't concentrate like this."
"Kyaa!"
"Waah!"
In the midst of December, in the heart of winter, the woman who served as the director of the orphanage was about to begin the final harvest in the vegetable field adjacent to the facility. She kept an eye on the older children who had voluntarily come to help but were playing around instead.
"Hey, you kids! Don't run around so much. You might slip and get hurt."
Lightly scolding the children running through the thinly snow-covered vegetable field, the woman's words fell on deaf ears. Despite their playful nature, they refused to listen to her. Even though they had offered to help, they ran around the field, laughing and playing tag. It seemed like they were in the middle of a chase. Desperately running around, the children.
"Ah...!?"
...And as expected, one of the girls who were playing tag tripped and tumbled headfirst into the ground.
"Huh? Ugh... Uwaaaaaa!?"
For a moment, she was dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what had just happened, and then she burst into loud tears. The children who had gathered around, worried and anxious, had no idea what to do next.
"Goodness, you little brats. Didn't I tell you not to run?"
Feeling exasperated by their behavior, the woman reluctantly approached the crying girl, unable to leave her alone.
"Come on, stand up. Hey, stop wagging your tail!"
As the woman tried to help the girl stand up, she was hit by the girl's flailing "tail" with a sound. Annoyed and disheartened, the woman retreated.
Yes, if someone looked closely, they would have noticed that the other children around also had something inhuman about them. Everyone, without exception, had organs that clearly did not belong to humans. Not to mention the tails, some had various ears on their heads, wings on their backs, or even fur, feathers, and scales. Their claws and teeth were unusually sharp as well.
They were undoubtedly beings who carried the blood of both humans and youkai... Half-youkai children. And the woman who diligently cared for them was no different.
If someone skilled in illusion magic were present, they would have witnessed the fox-like tails and ears growing from the woman's body. A half-youkai tanuki... That was the woman's true form.
"Come on, stand up. Don't worry, the injury isn't too deep. It's just a little scrape."
"Uuu..."
Comforting the sobbing child who was wiping her tears, the tanuki woman cleaned the wound.
"Let's go back to the orphanage for now. We'll wash the wound with clean water there. It needs to be disinfected too."
Children are said to be the children of the wind, and especially since the child was a half-youkai, such a minor injury would not fester if she simply spat on it. Nevertheless, the woman decided to take extra precautions and treat the injured girl's hand, holding it as they hurried back home. She called together the other children and decided to temporarily retreat.
"No!! I won't go back!!"
The crying girl protested loudly without considering the situation.
"Hey, listen to what the adults say. It's because you're being stubborn that you fell, right?"
Pulling the girl's hand and even wagging her tail reluctantly, the woman scolded her. She couldn't afford to let the children in the orphanage, especially this stubborn one, have their own way. Despite the environment is better than before thanks to the support, this world was not kind to half-youkai, children, or the weak. They didn't know what could cost them their lives. So, the woman scolded the girl not out of emotional reasons but for the girl's own sake.
"No, I won't go back! I won't! Sniff... I want to do my work! I want to help Mama!"
Still, the girl persisted reluctantly, expressing her will with her whole body. The woman knew well that this child, among the rascals raised in the orphanage, was particularly stubborn. She was at her wits' end. However, she couldn't compromise as an adult.
"No, it's not allowed. We'll all go back together. ...If the bleeding continues like this, we might have to amputate your leg, you know?"
"Eek!?"
Threateningly saying so, the girl's tail that had been energetically wagging around drooped as if deflated. The girl's face turned pale with fear.
"You won't be able to play chase anymore. Of course, you won't be able to go out either. It's tough and scary, isn't it?"
"No way... I'll go back! I'll go home!"
As if acting, the girl announced her agreement to go back home. No need to stoop to cheap tactics. Young children often don't understand even with logical reasoning. Sometimes, it's better to appeal to their emotions instead.
"Alright, that's good. ...Well, work can be done another time if you're willing to help. You shouldn't worry about others when you're struggling yourself."
Indeed, children shouldn't be concerned about adults' worries. Children are beings that devour adults and grow.
"Now, shall we go?"
"...Yes."
And so, reluctantly, but still holding the woman's hand, the girl obediently headed back home. However, she suddenly stopped along the way as if remembering something.
"What's wrong?"
"...Sob, you know? Even though I'll go back, I'm not a strange. I'm your child."
Crying, the girl declared, emphasizing that point. She pleaded with all her might.
"Oh, right. I forgot. I apologize."
For a moment, the woman was taken aback, but then she smiled and apologized. The girl blushed shyly.
...Immediately, all the other rascals around also declared that they were her children, launching a simultaneous attack. The woman felt exasperated once again.
Amidst all this, the woman and the children walked the not-so-long journey back home. As they engaged in the incoherent conversations of the rascals, the woman stopped at the front gate of the orphanage.
"That person..."
She tensed up at the faint presence of hidden spiritual energy and youkai aura. But she soon understood who it was. Almost simultaneously, one of the two figures on horseback dismounted and turned towards them, bowing.
"...Mama?"
"It seems we have a guest. ...An old friend."
In response to the girl's teary-eyed question, the director of the orphanage, Azuma Hibari, the former head of the Omnyouji Bureau, murmured in reply.
In the reception room of an orphanage and temple built with support from the Onitsuki family, or more precisely from the Second Princess. Azuma Hibari welcomed the guest, Kirisou Gensei (霧草厳正), the Head of the Omnyouji Bureau in Fusō-kuni.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. A young girl got injured while I was working in the field, and I had to attend to her injuries."
"No, I should apologize for this sudden visit. I hope I didn't inconvenience you."
The guest's voice was muffled, and it gave the impression of someone in their thirties or forties. Wearing a black coat (Haori) even indoors, it was difficult to discern his facial features. At first glance, he seemed somewhat eerie, but this strangely forgettable presence made an impression that faded quickly.
However, Azuma harbored no fear towards this enigmatic individual. She knew him well enough. Instead, she expressed gratitude.
"I never expected such a generous gift. It will be a great help. We have support, but we can't afford to be extravagant with the children. We're grateful to have a delicious New Year's feast," Azuma said, referring to the items the guest had brought as a token of appreciation. The gifts included salted herring roe, kombu, miso, and Kagami mochi (Decorative stacked rice cakes traditionally displayed during the New Year period), all of which were essential for nourishing the orphans.
"No, it's nothing like that, but I'm glad you're pleased."
"Oh, don't be modest. Humility is a virtue, but if you overdo it, it becomes mere sarcasm. Here, please accept it."
Azuma cowered her shoulders at the guest's attitude and held out the tray to him. On the tray was a cheap wooden cup. Steam rose from it, but it had no color. It was a translucent, whitish clear liquid—essentially hot water.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any fancy tea leaves in our humble abode. Would hot water be acceptable?"
"Yes, thank you very much for your kindness."
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