"...Is something the matter?"
Perhaps Mari found my odd silence perplexing. Suddenly, she spoke, tilting her head as if peering into my thoughts.
"No, it's nothing significant..."
Trying to brush off my unease, I inadvertently let my gaze linger in a certain direction, only to quickly avert it out of a sense of morality.
As usual, it becomes quite challenging to maintain eye contact when Mari becomes enthusiastic. Well, to add a note, her figure is also quite appealing. It's incredibly disrespectful to say this about someone who's often unwell, but it's hard to resist shouting out how perfect she is both mentally and physically.
(Before talking about what she wants, I should get her some new clothes.)
It's not appropriate for her to expose her skin, not just at the neck but even down to her cleavage. Although she lacks a strong sense of shame due to her blindness and slightly childlike personality, I can't just leave it be.
I mean, with someone like Iruka, who breaks through all barriers and is completely transparent, I eventually become accustomed to seeing her nudity, but with someone like Mari, it's a different story. Even if I've seen her naked, vivid images of her body continue to emerge in my mind.
...I suddenly feel an inexplicable urge to apologize to Magoroku.
"Tomobe-sama...?"
"Well then, I should probably head back now!! I can't keep people waiting!!"
I unintentionally shouted in order to divert Mari's second question. It was indeed a diversion. Before she could read any guilty and impure emotions from me, I had to stand up and make a quick retreat. To flee.
But that was a major failure.
"Huh!?"
With a foolish sound, I slipped. It could even be described with the onomatopoeic word "whoosh." I couldn't help but recall Mari's floor cleaning. Each time, it became so smooth, as if it had a shine. And now, I slipped on that floor, falling forward in a tumbling motion.
"Watch out!"
Mari, who was on her knees, was right in front of me. The blind girl tilted her head, unaware of what was happening right before her eyes.
Realizing that I would fall on top of her, I understood the situation and instinctively stretched my legs forward, barely maintaining my balance. Hold it... Did I make it!?
*THUMP*
"Ggh!?"
Letting out a cry of agony, I hit my little toe against the go board. And the tension thread snapped right here. This time, I completely tumbled over.
Tumbling toward Mari's body.
"Ah... Kyaa!?"
Though visually impaired, she must have sensed something through her other senses. Mari reflexively widened her arms and braced herself. I crashed into her, and we both fell onto the floor. On a floor that didn't even have any mats, not even a rug.
"Tsk...!?"
I could say with certainty that it wouldn't lead to anything good if a frail girl were to fall forcefully onto the floor. And if it was due to my stupid mistake, it should be unacceptable.
"Ow!"
Reacting quickly, I grabbed Mari's body and tried to change our positions. As a result, I slammed my back hard against the floor. Immediately after, Mari collapsed on top of me.
"Ah..."
"Kyaa!?"
Before I could say anything, my field of vision was blocked by Mari's body. But at the same time, a soft sensation enveloped my face.
"Um, um... Tomobe-sama, right? I-I'm sorry! I'm moving right now... Kyaa!?"
"Pufa!? Fugu!"
In a panic, Mari tried to move away, but instead, she tumbled even more, once again covering my face. And it was a soft sensation.
"Mmm!? Nnnn!"
"Mmm!? Hya, kuh, it tickles!"
Trapped under Mari's body, I tried to slide my head out from beside her, but perhaps due to that sensation, Mari unintentionally let out a squeal.
"Puha.. Haa... haa, sorry. I was a bit rough..."
I regretted looking in her direction while saying that. Due to my movement, her collar and chest area, which were already slightly revealing, became quite daring. With her slightly flushed cheeks and heavy breathing due to her delicate health, the scene had quite an impact. As strange as it may sound, I thought it was fortunate that she was blind. I didn't want anyone to witness where my gaze was directed.
"Oh, Mari, are you there? I found a treasure!"
...But then, the d*mn dog showed up at the perfect worst timing.
"Hn? Where... Oh, so you were there? Nihihi, don't be surprised! I found this in the mountains, you know..."
She probably found it somewhere in the Onitsuki Valley, hugging a beehive (the resistance bees has been eliminated) brimming with honey in her wolf-like arms. When Iruka spotted Mari's figure and our eye contact, silence filled the air...
"...In the middle of something, huh? Sorry for interrupting."
"Wait!"
Desperate, I screamed in terror, pleading, and explaining to Iruka as she seemed to misunderstand and was about to leave...
* * *
As I supported Mari, allowing her to sit, I glanced at Iruka, who look at me like I was lying. Desperately, I tried to explain myself while still receiving dubious glances from behind. Anyway, I grabbed a bottle of sake and quickly left the hut, as if I was running away.
But still, it felt strange, like I was a guilty lover rushing to escape when the husband comes back. It's hard to understand why I felt that way.
"In this world, results may be everything, but..."
Undoubtedly, it all because from a foolish mistake, like slipping on a banana peel, which make people cast suspicion upon me. However, I never intended to take advantage of my position to harm Mari in any way. My character isn't that rotten. ...So, please spare me from the soft touch I repeatedly felt on my face.
"I feel reluctant to return home later..."
When Iruka adds something to Magoroku, as if whispering with a fish tail, I can't be confident that I won't be met with his suspicious gaze. Or rather, the atmosphere grows heavy. I can only hope Mari will come to my defense.
"What a tough joke..."
Sighing, I leave Gorilla-sama estate, including the hut where I currently reside. I pass through the gate divided by mud wall, heading towards Sarujirou's blacksmith shop and residence.
And then, I encounter her.
"Ah..."
"Eh...? M-my apologies, Hina-sama!"
At the corner where I turned after passing through the gate, I unintentionally almost collide with her, and I'm taken aback. Startled, I quickly pull back my body to avoid the collision. Immediately, I kneel down and bow.
"No... I'm relieved that you're unharmed. Moreover, it's fortunate that we meet at this moment."
Responding with a smile to my apology, the girl with dignified black hair nods slightly. Following her words, I raise my head involuntarily.
"Is it truly fortunate, I wonder...?"
In response to my reply, Hina displays a solemn expression and nods gently.
"Yes. I was trying to inform you..."
Speaking up to that point, Hina's gaze shifts as if she senses something. I, too, turn around belatedly, sensing a presence behind me.
From the depths of the gate, the peach-colored princess comes towards us.
"Oh my, my dear sister. Do you have some business on my estate?"
Despite her haughty and mocking tone, Hina's expression remains unchanged. She responds calmly, only slightly chilling her eyes.
"No, you have nothing to do with this. I have business with this person alone."
Then, Hina looks down at me once again. Looking down and making an announcement.
"I have been entrusted by the clan's head to lead the overall command of the first expedition to 'Mount Hōraku' scheduled on February (Kisaragi) Month. I will also be in charge of your supervision, servant group's Yun-shoku. ...I count on your support on site."
With a dignified and serene manner, the first princess of Onitsuki declares this in front of us.
…
…
...In the background, the faint sound of a folding fan creaks.
