[Part 2/6]
"Advisor? You mean that black butterfly lady?"
Onitsuki's Advisor, Onitsuki Kochou, was one of the heroines (?) of 'Firefly of the Dark Night (Yamiyo no Hotaru),' an old woman who appeared much younger than her age. She had inadvertently taken care of me during my laborer apprentice days.
"Yes, I was honestly surprised. That Advisor arranging for someone to look after you... I even suspected that you might be caught up in some conspiracy."
"Hahaha, well..."
It wasn't a laughing matter. At least, it was certain that I was getting entangled in some sort of conspiracy. However, Advisor...
(Surprisingly responsible? Well, I can't really imagine her having a good personality...)
Given her complicated and mysterious family's power dynamics, it was scary to act recklessly. ...More importantly, the punishment I just received was a prime example of that. Walls have ears, and shouji paper doors have eyes. It's not too much to say it again. This was only the first day. I couldn't predict how they would react if I made the next move.
"Then I suppose I should inform the acquaintances in the medic group. If I recall correctly, that girl is from a branch of the Yakushiji family, right? Given her position, they wouldn't handle her roughly all of a sudden."
The Yakushiji family, even within the regular exorcists' households, was known for their development and production of spiritual medicines and prohibited substances. The main family had declined and went extinct due to the conspiracy of the enemy force "Youkai Salvation" before the main story's timeline. However, before that, under the guidance of the Minister of The Right, the family's knowledge was passed on to the imperial academy of pharmacology and local exorcists' families under the guise of technical instruction.
The Dokusawa family is descended from them. Their skills and knowledge carried more weight than their status as household members. Serving as assistants or Yun-shoku for the Medic or Research group for generations granted a significant position. Especially for the Medic group. Those higher-ups have their lives on the line, and they can't oppose doctors. Even among Yun-shoku, it's different for the Medic group. Her father was a Yun-shoku for the Medic group.
"True, but... resting, huh?"
It hurts. It hurts a lot. Not in terms of physical pain, but the inconvenience. Asking me to rest now is almost like cutting off my options. Forget about planning, even training time... if my muscles become dull and weaken, I won't survive battles where survival is at stake. Unfortunately, the destination I'm being sent to doesn't seem like a place where I'll survive such battles.
(Maybe I could use my weakened condition as an excuse to decline... is that even possible?)
In a momentary exchange (?), I understood. If I throw a tantrum and refuse to go, that little brat will forcibly take me. Taking me, the one appointed by Father, is already a done deal for that loli Gorilla-sama. I can't escape anymore. Even if I plead with her, she might just bulldoze over me.
"...Spare me."
I collapsed onto my bed, looking up at the ceiling and sighing. If she know I'm just a pebble on the roadside, why can't she leave me be? Why does it have to be like this? Could it be that even this is within Psycho Father's expectations? How annoying.
"...Is it a bother? Do you need help or advice?"
"..."
Yun-shoku, who had been sitting beside me, asked while I was lamenting. I turned my silent gaze towards my superior and mentor, who genuinely cared for me.
Staring at that face, full of concern...
"No, if I'm bedridden for too long, my master will drown in a sea of paperwork... Ouch!!?"
My retort to the empty boast was met with a chop to the top of my head. No mercy...
With all of that, more than two days had passed since the short-term kidnapping incident.
In the end, perhaps as compensation for spouting such nonsense even in such dire straits, I found myself working on my bed. Yun-shoku herself had been burdened with additional tasks from above, keeping her extremely busy.
"Is this really the time for this...?"
Tired from the paperwork done while sitting, I cracked my neck. My shoulders were stiff.
"Sigh..."
Quietly moving the brush, I was consumed by impatience as the time relentlessly passed. But... it's not like I can explain the original story's knowledge and seek understanding. They wouldn't be understood anyway. Ugh, my head is starting to hurt...
"At least it's better than being attacked by the loli gorilla again..."
The moment I remembered the existence of the power-type pink gorilla who kept her distance and remained silent, a shiver ran down my spine. What can I do? I faced the desk placed by my bedside, leaning on it helplessly. I don't have time to complain about a lack of time. Complaining won't make the documents in front of me disappear. And if I let this slide, it will ultimately come back to bite me. There's no choice but to face it. Call it escapism, if you will.
"Well, I guess this is where I am. Stamp, stamp..."
What I'm currently documenting is a request for additional equipment, attire, and other consumables. Summarizing the requested items, stating the reasons, and finally stamping it with the seal handed down from Yun-shoku. ...But the higher-up probably just skim it and not fulfill the request as stated. It's a bit ironic that I'm the one stamping the seal instead of my superior, considering my lack of compliance awareness.
"Sigh... Ahh, it's awkward to be stared at too much, though."
I sighed at the loose management system that seemed typical of the medieval period, and incidentally pointed out that fact to the person who had been silently observing me from the side.
"Huh!? Uh, I mean... I'm sorry...!!"
In response to the sudden call, the person in question, a low-ranking member of the servant group, lowered her shoulders apologetically at my request. As if she remembered belatedly, she quickly bowed her head. Immediately afterward, there was a thud as she covered her face, then lifted her head, shrinking her petite body and showing a bashful upward glance. Astonishingly, this was neither a comedy skit nor an act. It was undoubtedly genuine.
A member of the former Kuchinasi squad, her name is 'Hisame.' This girl, with her somewhat neglected emerald-colored hair, probably in her mid-teens, directed a puppy-like gaze with upturned eyes towards me, who was watching her with a mix of bewilderment and exasperation.
"I heard from Kuchinasi... the squad leader, but you really are quite timid, huh? Well, if your role is scouting, I guess it's okay?"
Flinching at the slightest sound or presence, responding to a call without discrimination, and appearing frightened to the point of shrinking back, one would accurately describe this behavior as cowardly. However, given the nature of our work, it shouldn't be something to mock... though, in her case, I wasn't convinced her subsequent reactions would be smooth. She seems like the type who would sit there and freeze up, unable to run away even if threatened, just collapsing on the spot.
(It's understandable why Kuchinasi said she's likely to die young.)
Actually, due to her heightened senses, she might notice a threat first and then go straight into a daze. Talent being killed by personality, you could say.
"I-I'm sorry..."
Her apology came in a voice on the verge of tears. Is this due to fear? Or maybe because she had bumped her face earlier?
"No, it's not like I'm bullying you... but I get nervous when I'm stared at for too long too. If you're bored, feel free to find something to do."
While I'm taking care of office tasks, I'm plagued by the sensation of being surveilled as she kneels next to me, continuously watching me. Well, if I were actually being surveilled, that would be fine, but... I had noticed that the feeling of her gaze was different. It's not quite like that. It's kind of scattered and restless.
"No. It's not that I'm bored... it's just that I thought you were really amazing."
"...Amazing?"
I tilted my head in response to her unexpected answer.
"Yes. You've been writing and working with numbers so smoothly since earlier... I mean, it's so cool! I don't really understand the content, though!"
"Huh?"
Her straightforward, sparkling eyes, like those of a puppy looking up at its owner, left me utterly bewildered. No, even if I'm respected for something like that... Wait, could it be that I have a high literacy rate?
I occasionally forget, but being unable to read, write, or do calculations is not uncommon. Moreover, she had received Kuchinasi's stamp of approval, stating that her head and comprehension were not up to par.
"Didn't you say you were bad at reading, writing, and math?"
"Y-Yes... I'm ashamed to say..."
Hisame responded with genuine embarrassment to my pointing it out. Given her attitude, maybe...
"Could it be that you don't even know how to write your own name?"
"Y-Yes! Um, how did you know!?"
"Well, it's not like it's hard to guess..."
It was just a hunch... could it actually be true?
"It might be fine for someone at the bottom... but as you move up, you'll struggle, you know?"
If she becomes a squad leader, being illiterate and bad with numbers would be problematic. By that time, though, if she's still alive...
"Yes, Kuchinasi mentioned that too. But..."
Hisame's timid voice was hard to make out as she hesitated. Whatever I could manage to discern, the content was overwhelmingly negative. It seemed like she was aware of her poor comprehension and memorization skills and had given up on learning.
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