Volume 5 Chapter 21 The Great Villain of the World, Heading to Investigate Kiryou's Town (Part III)
"────A mysterious flow, bringing coolness to my beloved hometown"
Music was flowing through the teahouse.
A woman was playing a string instrument... a niqin, while singing.
The lyrics were praising Kiryou's town.
She kept singing, 'This town is rich in water, a beautiful place.'
Just like the song said, Kiryou is abundant in water.
From the teahouse window, you could see the waterways flowing through the town.
There were people resting by the riverside.
The one watering the horse must be a traveler from afar.
"Ah, beautiful Kiryou. A town where travelers and traditions gather. May its grandeur last forever."
The song ended, and the teahouse was enveloped in cheers.
The singer bowed and then started walking through the shop.
A girl selling goods was by her side.
She must be taking her reward for the song and doing some business on the side.
Me and Shouou are at a table in the corner of the second floor.
From here, we can see the whole teahouse.
If we sense danger, we can escape through the window.
Below the window is a deep waterway.
Falling wouldn't hurt us.
We could use the 'Five Divine Steps' to jump and escape, but I'd rather avoid that.
We're supposed to be merchant apprentices right now.
And──
"Riku-kun. It looks like there are martial artists in this teahouse too."
"...I see"
You can tell by their movements.
The way regular people and martial artists use their bodies is different.
For example, there's a person who just entered the shop without making a sound.
That one's probably skilled in stepping techniques.
And they're perfectly predicting and avoiding the movements of the other guests.
I'd say they're a martial artist who specializes in close combat──fist fights and leg techniques.
Then there's someone who, for some reason, has their index and middle fingers extended near their body.
That one must be a swordsman.
The martial artists here must also realize that their opponents are martial artists.
They're conscious of the distance, taking steps back, and occasionally glancing at each other.
Sometimes, they reach for their weapons.
It's like they're threatening each other.
Do they really believe all those rumors?
Like, they're rivals for the chance to marry Moukou's daughter... or something?
If that's the case, it's worrying.
Who started the rumors, and what do they want?
"After all, Shouou... no, Sui-san, it's good that you've taken on that appearance."
Me and Shouou walk normally, making noise with our footsteps, not hiding our presence.
I doubt anyone would mistake us for martial artists.
Besides, Shouou is in the form of a girl right now.
Wearing a robe made for women.
From any angle, they'd just see a beautiful apprentice merchant girl.
"No one would think that I, the one taking Sui-san, am trying to become the groom for Moukou's daughter. Sui-san making such a cute appearance was the right choice."
"Is... is that so?"
"What's wrong, Sui-san?"
"Um, yeah. Being called 'Sui-san' by Riku-kun makes me feel uneasy..."
Shouou looks around before moving closer to me.
"Also, it's been a while since I've walked around as a woman..."
"Now that you mention it, that's true."
The last time Shouou was in female form was when we went to Souma Country.
After that, it was always men's clothes.
So, walking around as a woman would make anyone feel out of place.
"Um, Riku-kun"
"Yes, Sui-san?"
"......"
"......"
"Why are you silent!?"
"I'm nervous too, that's why."
"Ah, I see. We're quite alike, aren't we?"
"Just the same."
"We're friends, after all."
"Like family, really."
"......"
"By the way, you were saying something earlier, weren't you?"
"...Oh, I forgot."
Shouou covers her cheeks with both hands and looks down.
Then, she lifts her face,
"I remembered. Um, Riku-kun"
"Yes?"
"How do you think people around us see us right now?"
"It looks like the two of us are here for tea, just like apprentice merchants would be."
"Y-Yeah."
"It's like I'm learning the tricks of the trade from my senior, right? At least, I don't think anyone suspects I'm after the Moukou's daughter. I mean, I've got such a beautiful woman by my side."
"Oh, I see. Yeah. That's good then."
Shouou nodded with a contented look on his face.
"Yeah. If people are looking at us like that, I'm happy."
"Ah, yes. I think so too."
"...I'm glad."
"...Excuse me."
Glancing to the side... there was a woman with a pipa and a little girl, right next to us.
Of course, I noticed.
Both me and Shouou, we're sensitive to the presence of others, you see.
"Huh!? Ah... sorry. I didn't notice you."
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