Volume 1 Chapter 21 The Great Villain Of The World, Visits His Senior Disciple's House
"Brother and Sui Kaou-sama are really close, huh?"
A few days later.
At home, after finishing the evening 'Beast Body Guidance,' Seirei said.
Seirei has completely recovered.
Every day at home, she helps her mother and Hakuyou. To study, she has also started reading books by herself. When she comes across words she can't read, she goes to ask her mother.
Seirei is serious and smart.
From now on, she plans to learn manners and help with the Kou family's social events.
I hope she makes good friends.
"Recently, brother only talks about Kaou-sama."
Seirei is sitting on the bed, staring at me.
"'Kaou-shikei's swordsmanship is beautiful' and 'Kaou-shikei is better at snake guidance than cat guidance.' That's all you talk about."
"That's because Shikei is really amazing."
He easily mastered the 'Seiryuu Four Swords' technique of 'Four Divine Swordsmanship.'
He's getting good at 'Beast Body Guidance,' and his 'Form of the Snake' really looks like a snake.
"Especially Shikei's 'Prey Entangling Snake Form' was incredible. It wrapped around my body perfectly."
"I can do that much too."
"Girls shouldn't do things like that."
"...Hmph."
Seirei puffed out her cheeks.
Looking at her face, I said,
"...So, what do you want, Seirei?"
"I want to do guidance with you again, big brother."
"Yeah. Well then, until dinner time."
"Thank you. Then, I'll allow you to talk about Kaou-sama."
"It's a permission system, huh..."
Indeed, I've been talking about Kaou-shikei a lot lately.
But I don't know anything about Kaou-shikei.
All I know is that he loves martial arts and came from the southern Souma Country.
I wonder if I'll ever get to know more about Shikei.
Thinking about that, I continued 'Beast Body Guidance' with Seirei.
The next day.
"Hmm. It's the first time Kaou hasn't come."
Even when the time came, Kaou-shikei didn't show up at the training ground.
We're supposed to contact each other on days off, but it seems that didn't happen either.
"What happened to Shikei...?"
"I wonder. More importantly, Tenhou, what will you do?"
"Huh?"
"If Kaou is taking a break, that means you have more time to learn the 'Four Divine Steps.' Do you want to spend the whole day learning the walking technique? Or do you want to go check on Kaou?"
"Me, check on Shikei?"
"Well, you seem restless, don't you?"
"Is that so?"
"It's called being distracted. You can tell just by looking."
"Master."
"Yeah?"
"After I go to call Shikei, if I have time, could you please teach me?"
"Of course."
"Then, please tell me where Shikei's house is. I'll just go check on him for a bit."
That's how it was decided.
Kaou-shikei's house was on the outskirts of Hokurin.
It was an area where government officials and mid-sized merchants lived.
Following my master's map, I found a house surrounded by earthen walls.
There was a wooden gate at the entrance. There was no gatekeeper.
So I knocked on the door and called out.
"Is Sui Kaou here?"
There was no reply... but I could sense someone on the other side of the gate.
It felt like someone was holding their breath. Maybe it was a family member.
"I'm Master Raikou's disciple, Kou Tenhou. I've come on my master's orders. I request an audience with Sui Kaou-shikei!!"
"Yes, yes. I'll open it now."
There was a response. The gate creaked open.
On the other side was an elderly man.
"Kou Tenhou-sama... yes, yes. I've heard about you. That person always talks happily."
"You must be a relative of Kaou-shikei. Nice to meet you."
"Being just a gatekeeper, I don't usually get greetings."
"I can't be rude to someone from Kaou-shikei's household."
"You are just as I heard. Hohoho."
The old man chuckled.
"It seems that person has found a good younger disciple."
"How is Shikei doing? I was worried because he took a break from training without notice."
"That person is... a bit busy right now."
"He's not unwell, is he?"
"They are in excellent health. Their growth is remarkable, and I couldn't be happier."
"There's a southern accent, isn't there? Could it be from Souma Country?"
"Yes. I've been taking care of that person since they were young. That person... Kaou-sama is honest and a good person. Please take care of them."
"Of course. I respect Shikei."
I bowed toward the gate and said,
"Sorry to interrupt you while you're busy. Please give my regards to Shikei."
"Understood. Well then──."
"──Wait a minute!!"
Suddenly, a voice came from the mansion.
Looking over, I saw a woman with her hair tied up coming toward us.
She was wearing what looked like expensive clothes. However, they were frayed in several places. Her tied-up hair had ornaments like hairpins and jewels. It looked like she was dressed up, but something seemed off.
The woman's eyes were bloodshot, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. There was a faint smell of alcohol.
"Madam, I thought you were resting..."
"I heard the name of that child's friend. Kou Tenhou-sama. The 'General Skybear's' child, and that child's junior disciple, right? That's you! Isn't it!?"
"Madam!!"
"Answer Shikei's mother's question!!"
The woman was looking at me with bloodshot eyes.
This person seems to be Shikei's mother.
"Nice to meet you. I am Kou Tenhou, Kaou-shikei's junior disciple."
I was surprised by the suddenness, but I quickly clasped my hands together.
"What's going on with your promise to Ryougen-kun!?"
Interrupting my words, Shikei's mother said.
"If that child fulfills their duty, Ryougen-kun will lend his power, right!?"
"...Huh?"
"Oh, if that child... if Kaou wasn't like that, I could have stayed in Souma Country. I could have been by the side of the one I love! Why do I have to be in this distant country? I want to go back. I want to return to that person!"
The woman clung to my clothes with trembling hands.
"While I'm away from the country, another woman might catch his attention. I can't stand it! If Kaou... if that child were the legitimate heir... if that child..."
"────Mother!!"
I heard a familiar voice.
Looking over, I saw Kaou-shikei running from the mansion.
He was wearing his usual robe. But, his braid was undone.
With his long hair flowing, Shikei's face looked pale... almost like a stranger to me.
"Mother! Ah... I thought you finally fell asleep."
"I'm sorry. It seems Madam secretly got some alcohol from the merchant."
"I know. We need to change merchants again..."
Shikei grabbed her mother's shoulders and pulled her away from me.
Surprised by the strong grip, her mother turned to look at Shikei.
"...Why?"
Shikei's mother's fingers touched Shikei's face.
They were bony hands. Her skin was beautiful, as if she hadn't done any hard work.
Her skin was pale, lacking color.
As she stroked Shikei's face with those hands, Shikei's mother said,
"Even though you look just like him... your face... it's exactly like your father's, so why were you sent out as a hostage!?
"...Mother."
"It's your fault! Because of you, I had to leave my country and come to a place like this! It's all because of you, you, you!!"
A bony hand struck Shikei's chest.
Shikei didn't say anything.
The old gatekeeper didn't either, nor did I.
And so, Shikei's mother continued to hit Shikei's chest for a while──
──eventually, she grew tired and fell asleep.
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