[Part 4/4]
"Oh, right..."
As if remembering, Iruka swung her tail and took something out from behind her. She revealed a small clay pot.
"What's that?"
"A clay pot."
"I can see that... Why?"
The answer to Suzune's question was steam. As Iruka lifted the lid of the clay pot, a steamy aroma filled the air, revealing a bowl of porridge mixed with various ingredients. It was a mixture of ingredients meant to warm the body, including ginger.
"I heard mixing ginger and other things can keep the body warm. Anyway, you can't fight on an empty stomach. Here."
She then took out two bowls. Suzune understood Iruka's intention. Clearly, she had brought dinner.
"You don't have to put so much. ...I don't have much of an appetite."
She didn't really want to eat. But she couldn't dismiss the meal that had been prepared for her. She knew that being able to eat was not something to be taken for granted.
"Hey, hey... You're still such a light eater? You won't grow if you don't eat when you can."
"What are you talking about?"
"Huh?"
There probably wasn't any ill intent. She was sure Iruka didn't have any ill intent. But Suzune, already the smallest among the three, couldn't help but feel Iruka's words as a slight insult. Witnessing the confusion in Suzune's eyes as she struggled to understand the meaning of the response only irritated her further.
"End—this—topic!"
Holding back the rising anger, Suzune took the bowl that was offered to her. She forcefully grabbed the porridge with her chopsticks and chewed on it, swallowing quickly. Chewing, swallowing, and then thinking. Was this one bigger just because it was taking up more nutrients for its head?
"Thanks for the meal!"
"That was quick!?"
With a proud "hmph!" and a snort, Suzune declared she was done. Iruka, surprised by the lightning speed, watched in astonishment. Suzune's behavior resembled her childhood, when she used to eat rapidly and got scolded by her family for not chewing properly.
Her true self, without any masks...
"I'm going to step out and enjoy the night breeze for a bit. I'll be back soon, so don't worry."
"Sure thing!?"
With that, Suzune stood up and left the room, making her way down the hallway with purposeful steps. It was an act unbecoming of a maid. Iruka couldn't even call out to stop her, left to watch her departure. It was a good thing, though. Suzune had been in a jumble of emotions that even she herself couldn't comprehend, and she needed some time to cool her head.
Now, as Suzune left the corridor, she felt the cold air on her bare skin. The importance of this place lay more in its location than its spiritual veins. That's why, even though boundaries were in place like in the capital or Shiro'oku, it was still not as warm inside. The spring in the Northern region was still cold, and the fact that she exhaled visible white vapor was due to the altitude of the mountain road. She couldn't help but be reminded of her hometown's cold village.
"It's actually quite calming, though..."
Suzune murmured to herself as she walked down the dim corridor lined with windows. The third floor of the inn was sparsely populated. Most of the nobles and innkeepers were probably at the banquet in another building. Alone, Suzune continued down the chilly hallway, gazing out of the window.
"...Such a lively sight."
After a while, she commented on the sight of Shiromoku's kan-city illuminated through the window. Considering the bustling nature of the city's entrance and exit, it seemed rather natural.
The city on the way here was similar, but Suzune continued to gaze in wonder at the bright lights and the distant voices of people coming from the entertainment district. Her hometown's cold village, Hotoya's village, and Onitsuki Valley's village had never been bustling like this even during the night. With the curiosity and fear of a country youth, Suzune's gaze was fixed on the city.
"Huh?"
It was a coincidence. Suddenly, she saw a figure as she glanced ahead. A silhouette that blended into the darkness, standing in the inn's garden. The figure wore a servant's attire, and the Hannya mask. It's the back of that servant.
"T-Tomobe-san...?"
It was the figure of someone she should apologize to and be grateful for. The person she had inadvertently sent into danger once again was now wearing a coat, making his appearance vague. If Suzune hadn't been conscious of the recent events, she might not have noticed his presence at all.
No, that's fine. The problem is...
(At this time...?)
Unconsciously, the sun had completely set. The evening transitioned into night. In this context, seeing him leaving the inn like this...
"They say curiosity killed the cat..."
The person was from another family, an experienced exorcist who was different from an amateur like her. However, was this...
"Actually, I haven't thanked him yet..."
More precisely, it was both gratitude and an apology. After the incident at "Mayoiga," too much had happened. Like the strained relationship with Tamaki. So, there were times when she couldn't find a chance to talk with him, but regardless, Suzune still hadn't said it. And she wasn't ungrateful enough to let it go unresolved.
Now, as Suzune thought so and watched the servant's back heading towards the city at night, she hesitated for a moment... but then finally made her decision.
"Wait..."
The murmur she unconsciously uttered gave her the final push she needed. She went down the inn's stairs and followed behind him, breathing heavily.
It was truly a reckless move. Leaving her master, turning her words to her friend, and not even telling anyone about her impulsive action. She was deserving of scolding, but she pushed forward driven by impulse.
As if she had been inspired by something.
"Wait... please wait!"
Surely, his back in a coat and the blurred outline felt familiar, which was why she pursued him.
In the depths of her memory, his back resembled that of his brother...
"Wait, please, brother...!!"
A shaky voice, rushed and spun in a hurry. The person saying it didn't fully grasp its significance, let alone comprehend it.
The maid kept chasing the man through the city at night...
'It's quite exasperating. Can't she even tell the difference?'
Watching the maid following the shadows, who was heading towards the entertainment district, from the inn's rooftop, a shikigami said with a sigh. It wasn't just the girl;s recklessness, but more than that, they were annoyed by the overly nostalgic behavior and the fact that she showed it while trying to hide. She was getting involved in a world outside human boundaries. At the very least, they wished the maid had a better sense of observation... but they couldn't afford to be carelessly exposed.
'...Is anyone watching?'
The hummingbird looked around to make sure. There might be someone skillfully shadowing her. He knew several who could do that. But...
'I can't get close to that guy, and there's no need to stay idle, right?'
A quiet sigh, followed by a decision.
'I'll at least keep an eye on the surveillance.'
Presumably, that man would want that too...
A gust of wind blew. In the next moment, the hummingbird's figure disappeared...
Fan Art Introduction:
Title:Tomobe's Illustration - Main Character (Servant)
URL: Link to Illustration
Title: Onitsuki Kochou (AI)
URL:Link to Illustration
Title: Young Onitsuki Hina (Imagery from the first chapter) AI
URL:Link
Title: Korishiraki (AI)
URL:Link to Illustration
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