Having contemplated all this, I let out a small sigh and ask for the bill.
"It was quite delicious."
"Yes, of course! The taste of our house is a traditional and historically renowned flavor passed down from the birthplace of confectionery, the Kamigata (上方) region!"
The poster girl proudly declares with a touch of bravado. I chuckle at her attitude and hand her the copper coins along with a piece of paper.
"Yes? Um... What is this?"
"I happened to visit the Kamigata region. The contents of this paper are about a cooking method I learned there. It seems these types of sweets are popular there."
That was a blatant lie. Although I did visit the capital city years ago during the Joraku (an imperial journey from the capital to the provinces), the contents written on the paper were ideas for confections based on my past life's memories, which have not been invented in this country yet. ...Of course, there's no guarantee it will work.
"That is..."
"It may seem like meddling, and it could be difficult for confectioners due to traditions and rules. However, it's frustrating to see a good shop like this not thriving... Please, consider it."
Momiji, who took the paper from me, reads it carefully and then looks up at me with a smile.
"Oh, no! That's... Thank you so much!"
"No, well then, thank you for the meal."
"By the way, you're not familiar around here, right? Are you an outsider? I will try to make the items written here by the time you visit again. Please taste them. I'll treat you for free!"
"Hahaha. I'll look forward to it."
After expressing gratitude to her multiple times, I show my appreciation and leave. Due to the visual distortion effect of my coat, she can't recognize my face. And she doesn't even realize that fact or question it. As a result, she must have assumed I was a traveling merchant or something and I can only laugh.
If she were to discover my true identity, her gaze would undoubtedly become disdainful.
I suppose I'll have to face that when the time comes...
I wave my hand and leave the shop. Suzune, who had already left her seat, looks at me with a puzzled expression.
"What did you do?"
"Oh, I just said the dango were delicious. And I shared a few opinions. But more importantly, let's hurry and find Miss Tamaki."
I convey this to Suzune and we wander through the village. Suzune is occasionally captivated by the items displayed in storefronts, but as soon as she notices my gaze, she resumes walking without a trace of interest.
(Cosmetics, hairpins, hand mirrors... This girl who loves playing in the mud and eating fast seems so different now.)
Observing the items that catch Suzune's interest, I am inwardly surprised. Considering my sister's behavior in our hometown, it's only natural. She has become quite refined. She will probably become a good bride.
(By the way, it's almost time... I should buy something for her before the Joraku.)
Remembering the customs of my hometown, I suddenly think of that. It's not like it's dowry items or anything, but I don't know when I'll die. While I'm alive, I wanted to give something to my sister. Maybe I can arrange for Iruka to relay it to her...
"What's wrong? You suddenly stopped..."
"Oh, it's nothing. Let's find young lady quickly."
Suddenly, Suzune is in front of me, peering into the depths of my coat. I answer her calmly and then move away from her as naturally as possible. Even though the surface and visual distortion effects may prevent it, I didn't want her to look into my face too much psychologically.
...And after that, even though it wasn't a large village, due to the timing, we only managed to reunite with Tamaki and the others after a while.
"Oh, perfect timing. Here, it's your job. Carry these!"
...Immediately, Iruka pushes a handful of packages into my hands.
"Hey, wait a minute! You have to carry one too...!!"
"It's your job, isn't it? ...I bought Suzune's outfits and accessories too. Isn't that okay?"
"..."
If I were told in a whisper like that, I had no choice but to surrender completely.
"I-I'm sorry! I can carry some too...!"
"No, it's no problem. I would feel awkward having you carry the load, Miss."
In reality, if it were revealed that I was making the village head's daughter carry packages, it wouldn't be a laughing matter.
"...Should I carry them?"
"No, please don't worry. Since I'm a man too, let me look the part. So, Iruka, are we still going around?"
Ignoring Suzune's suggestion, I spit out my words at Iruka. Iruka puts a hand on her chin and ponders.
"What do you think, Tamaki?"
"Well, I do want to look around a bit more. But... I don't want to burden Tomobe-kun too much."
Tamaki looks at me with a somewhat complex expression, even though she wears a slightly unsatisfied expression.
"If it's just this amount of luggage, it's no problem."
"But... well, it's fine. We can always come back and visit again."
Tamaki, with a tinge of reluctance but resolute in cutting off any lingering attachment, nods and responds.
"I see..."
"But you're cunning. You've been playing with Suzune along the way, haven't you?"
"Please forgive me, Miss. Because..."
"Well, that was..."
Tamaki, who was pouting slightly, received a troubled expression from Suzune, and I followed suit. Yeah, because there was no way we could escape the attitude of the poster girl.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"I'll explain on the way back..."
Tamaki tilted her head, and Suzune responded with exasperation. Understanding from that attitude that something must have happened, Tamaki wore a perplexed expression but decided not to pursue it further.
"Well then, let's go back."
As soon as the conversation subsided, Iruka declared, and everyone naturally followed suit. Just as we were about to proceed and head back to the Onitsuki residence along the village street, a large cart blocked our path from a side road.
"Whoa!?"
"Are you okay?"
Iruka, who was about to be run over, stumbled in surprise. I instinctively called out to her, but as soon as I noticed, I held my breath upon realizing that the cart was adorned with cherry blossom crests and accompanied by a group of doll-like attendants.
...and I had a terrible, terrible feeling.
"...Oh, well, greetings, Miss Hotoya."
Immediately, a voice with a familiar mischievous tone echoed from the window of the cart. I almost reflexively knelt down. Following suit, Iruka and Suzune also bowed. However, the two of them were next to Tamaki.
"Um, the second princess of the Onitsuki family?"
"Oh? Does it look like anything else?"
"N-No... I didn't expect to meet you here..."
Tamaki, who should be younger, responded meekly to the imposing voice of Gorilla-sama figure. It seemed that the difference in temperament and their respective positions played a part, but it appeared that the difference in presence was creating this dynamic.
"I was just going around the valley... If you happen to pass by this road, do you on your way back to the house?"
"Y-Yes, that's correct!"
"I see..."
With a clattering sound, Gorilla-sama pondered while clapping her palms with a fan-like object. Then, she lifted her bewitching lips and made a suggestion.
"As a family member and a guest, Tamaki-san is also a guest. I would have preferred you to ride in the ox-cart if possible..."
"I... apologize."
"I'm not blaming you. I just want you to consider it in the future. Making a guest walk on foot is a disgrace for our family. Please, come inside."
When she made the offer, the attendants surrounding the cart opened the curtains and invited Tamaki inside.
"Um, I'm..."
"Your maid and your attendant there can ride along as well. We need someone to take care of you, don't we? I have one person riding with me too. I won't complain."
Presumably, she was referring to Shiro. Gorilla-sama confidently declared that it was acceptable.
"Y-Yes... Thank you for your kindness."
Tamaki hesitated to get on the cart, but she understood that refusing further would be impolite after being urged this far. Expressing her gratitude, Tamaki boarded the cart. Following suit, Suzune and Iruka did the same.
"Oh, you're not allowed. Stay by the cart. Your load shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Understood."
In response to the last order from Gorilla-sama figure, I had no choice but to respond immediately.
In the end, I ended up carrying a large amount of luggage and standing by the cherry-colored cart as we headed back to the residence. It goes without saying that my appearance became a spectacle for those around me. D*mn it...!!
* * *
After that, I returned to the Onitsuki residence, bidding farewell to Tamaki and the others... and as a bonus, I received an apology from them... Finally, after enduring Gorilla-sama's relentless sarcasm, I closed the door with a sense of weariness.
"Big bro, welcome back!"
As I opened the door, Magoroku, who was preparing the meal, hurried over and bowed.
"Ah, I'm back—"
"—Oh! Have you prepared the bath? I was out for a while. It's cold in winter, and I need to wash away the dust and sweat."
"..."
Interrupting my homecoming greeting, Iruka slipped in from the side and entered the house with her audacious remark. This guy, I'm really tempted to punch her for real this time.
"Oh, big sis. I can prepare it right away..."
"I'll go first, alright? Using the leftover water from a girl is a reward, right?"
"After you, that's a penalty."
