Vol 8 Chapter 2 (2/2)

The signboard was obvious to the eye.

'Maid Cafe - CurePure' 'Innocent Maid Tea House - Disruption' 'Maid Yum

Cha Chamber - Peerless Statesman' 'Maid Relaxation - Go To Heaven'

'Maid Dispatch Service - Plutonium Thermal' ...

Apparently they were all shops and businesses with the concept of maids.

G.o.dou then remembered his three cla.s.smates Nanami, Sorimachi and

Takagi. Those guys had suggested for the cla.s.s to do a 'school swimsuit

maid cafe' during the next school festival. Needless to say, the girls

rebuffed them.

”Could you tell me why we came to such a place?”

”Apparently the disciple of the great devil king, the campione, frequents

this place.”

Fuyuhime replied to G.o.dou with great emphasis in tone.

He didn't remember having a disciple, so what was this about?

”1-1 wonder, a disciple of the devil king would be a magic pract.i.tioner,

wouldn't he?”

”That's not what I heard. At the mere age of three, he made a splendid

display of his unarmed skills in front of a kungfu-type Campione who

proceeded to remark 'This child is truly a prodigy, most gifted and showing

great promise!' and thus accepted him as a disciple.”

Hearing Fuyuhime and Sakura's exchange, G.o.dou thought to himself.

He had an idea of the woman who would attach undue importance to such

lines.

Are they referring to that particular guy? Given that eccentric misogynist,

how could he possibly be a regular customer at a maid cafe... but before

his thoughts could finish.

A boy pa.s.sed before his eyes and entered the multi-tenant building.

Unmistakable. Staring at the profile of the boy's face, G.o.dou really knew

him. However, the shadow of obstinacy and arrogance disappeared from

his handsome features as soon as he spotted G.o.dou.

”If it isn't my Honored Uncle! What brings you to this place?”

The moment he noticed G.o.dou, the boy called out with a surprised

expression.

The only person in the world to call G.o.dou 'Honored Uncle,' his name was

Lu Yinghua. He was the young master of Hong Kong's Lu family and also

the personal disciple of the Demonic Cult Leader Luo Cuilian.

”The reason I am in j.a.pan, and Akihabara at that, is for business and

business alone.”

Lu Yinghua told them as he brought a cold oolong tea to his lips.

After their sudden reunion, he had led G.o.dou's group to the Maid Yum Cha

House 'Peerless Statesman.' With that, they occupied a table and began

the conversation.

Furthermore, once everyone had taken a seat, maids immediately served

drinks to them.

”My Lu family has already established bases in j.a.pan at s.h.i.+njuku and

Ikebukuro, you know. In order to expand into the prosperous district of

Akihabara, we started running this building.”

”...Could your family be behind all the maid-whatevers here?”

”Yes. We entrusted things to my boys stationed here and it ended up like

this. At the time, I mentioned it might be better to sell cheap PC parts or

doujins.h.i.+^ to attract customers, but my boys got all excited about the maid

theme park, so, yeah, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try and gave the okay.”

He sounded more like the boss of a new venture than the triads.

So that was the kind of business his family dealt with in such a place. And

apparently, people like the Three Idiots existed everywhere...

While G.o.dou was impressed by Lu Yinghua's explanation, Sakura

interjected.

”Hey, hey, G.o.doh-kun. This boy calls you uncle. Is he maybe part of our

clan? Although I've never met him at New Year's...”

The Kusanagi family had a custom to get together every New Year's to

catch up and renew old friends.h.i.+p.

Not only the main family, but even the branch families gathered there from

all over the country. This enabled one to remember the names and faces

of essentially all the relatives, whether by blood or marriage.

”There are all kinds of delicate circ.u.mstances. Please don't probe any

further, Sakura-san.”

”...Ah. I see. It must be Grandpa or Aunt Mayo or Uncle Genzou... Your

side of the family is also quite complicated, isn't it? Alright, I understand!”

Sakura accepted G.o.dou's half-baked excuse with a nod.

At times like this, G.o.dou was amazed he could actually feel thankful for the

notorious reputations of his grandfather and both his parents. On the other

hand, on hearing this exchange, Lu Yinghua turned to Sakura for the first

time.

”What, you're one of my Honored Uncle's relatives? Excuse my rudeness.

Hey, somebody, get some food over here!”

He had ignored the girls, Fuyuhime and Sakura, so far, but as soon as he

learned of Sakura's ident.i.ty, he immediately became extremely courteous.

Very soon, a maid came over with a tray carrying some dim sum.

Xiaolongbao^, shrimp dumplings^, pork dumplings^, mini-sized

steamed buns with pork filling, steamed peach-shaped buns filled with

custard cream...

These colorful and exquisitely shaped articles of food were laid out all over

the table. G.o.dou picked a shrimp dumpling as a test. Delicious. The fresh

and springy texture of the shrimp was out-of-this-world. In contrast to the

maid uniforms, the taste was authentic Chinese.

”G.o.doh-kun, he is such a good boy, right!”

Sakura was overcome with emotion from being treated to the superb dim

sum.

On the other hand, Fuyuhime was harshly glaring at Lu Yinghua all the

while.

”Enough of this trivial stuff, tell us where Kusasagi Goroh is! I already

investigated beforehand, you are that Campione's disciple, no doubt about

it!”

”...What?”

Lu Yinghua narrowed his eyes at Fuyuhime's domineering att.i.tude.

G.o.dou did not fail to catch the shadow of killing intent that flashed for an

instant.

”Miss, you said something strange right now. I am who's what? And with

that conceited tone of yours? Since you're in my Honored Uncle's

company, I'll let the first time slide. Should there be a second time, prepare

yourself for the consequences.”

”...Hya!”

The rather quiet warning sent Fuyuhime cowering back in fear.

Lu Yinghua relaxed his dreadful glare after G.o.dou casually winked at him.

”...Well, let's leave it at that. I have some mundane business to attend to,

so please excuse me. Honored Uncle, I hope to speak to you alone on a

separate occasion. I would like to rely on your extraordinary insight for a

certain matter. Now, take care.”

Lu Yinghua stood up from his seat and departed after performing a martial

arts salute.

After that, they waited for the s.h.i.+vering Fuyuhime to recover and left the

shop together.

Outside the building, the pet.i.te yet domineering girl finally opened her

mouth.

”H-He was more difficult than expected. Let's ignore this place and

proceed to the next destination.”

”Fuyuhime-chan, are you alright? Stay strong!”

Sakura directed words of encouragement at Fuyuhime who had set out

towards a new goal.

”O-Of course I'm alright! I am still the heiress to the Renjou family of

distinguished pedigree. As if I'd lose to that gangster from Hong Kong!”

Hong Kong's Lu family was reputedly in the business of heroic outlaws

(Chinese triads), and hence a clan who operated extrajudicially.

Fuyuhime's words revealed that she also knew his background. Right,

wasn't she also the one who had instructed Sakura in ancient German?

Equipped with such knowledge, should she be treated as a member of the

four families after all?

Blissfully unaware of G.o.dou's evaluations, Fuyuhime led the group to

Toranomon station.

Their destination was a shrine not far from there.

Entering the grounds of Nanao Shrine required a climb of 300 stone steps.

It was the place where G.o.dou's acquaintance worked as a miko -- Looks

like Fuyuhime really checked up on me beforehand.

Next to the nodding G.o.dou, Fuyuhime explained to Sakura:

”Located here are two miko that Kusasagi Goroh has made into his

playthings. Furthermore, they are sisters and the younger one is still in

elementary school! Can you believe that!?”

”Heh!? That's so dirty, such a thing! As a person, that is no, no good!”

Don't comment. Don't inject unnecessary emotions.

G.o.dou desperately tried to keep his feelings in check.

While complaining about the man-eating demon who wore the skin of a

man, the two college girls entered the grounds. G.o.dou followed wordlessly.

Along the way, Fuyuhime repeatedly tried to call out whenever they met a

s.h.i.+nto priest.

But the priests quickly left after greeting with a nod. Even when Fuyuhime

called them to stop, they did not stay.

”Th-th-the-th-the daughter of the Renjou has arrived! How can these

people be so rude!?”

Fuyuhime was angry, but her anger was ill-judged.

The priests were actually running away because they saw G.o.dou... In fact,

this was the usual reaction. Unless G.o.dou himself called to them, they

would never approach on their own initiative.

In the meantime, the group arrived before the oratory hall.

The precinct was entirely covered with gravel.

Two girls in miko attire were standing around. Naturally, they were the

Mariya sisters.

”Ah, Onii-sama! Welcome! What brings you here today?”

”Well, if you were going to come, you should have said so... I will prepare

tea right away.”

Mariya Hikari waved to him with a cheerful, dazzling smile.

Mariya Yuri welcomed him with a graceful, refined smile.

The sisters showed their affection for G.o.dou each in her own way. It was a

thing to be treasured.

Lately, the little sister Hikari often said 'One day, I will also join Onii-sama

by your side, so when the time comes, please love me like the others

without distinction.'

It sounded a bit strange, perhaps that was her own way of expressing

attachment?

When the older sister heard that, her face turned troubled, but remained

beautiful and gentle as always. Ever since the conclusion of the battle with

the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, G.o.dou felt the bonds between him and

Yuri had mysteriously strengthened.

The atmosphere was just right, or they had gotten used to each other...

Even without saying much, just by being in the same room, they felt

vaguely fulfilled. That was the feeling.

But, that aside, there was the current problem of his two fellow travelers.

”Oh? They are also friends of G.o.doh-kun's? Somehow the coincidences

keep continuing—”

”Ah, yeah. There are days where you meet friends one after another like

this, aren't there? I'm quite surprised too.”

When Sakura pointed it out, G.o.dou could only make a lame excuse.

His naive cousin innocently laughed 'Yepyep. Because you're always doing

good deeds, the G.o.ds must have rewarded you.' The beauty of her soul

was magnificent.

Renjou Fuyuhime, on the other hand, kept quietly shooting doubtful stares

at G.o.dou.

”Ahh... I'm not here today for anything in particular. These two said they

had business here so I'm simply accompanying them. Apparently, they're

looking for someone.”

The Mariya sisters nodded ”huh?” at G.o.dou's explanation.

With that, Fuyuhime recovered her original vigor and sharply declared:

”You are the Mariya sisters, huh? I am Renjou Fuyuhime. You should

know of me, right, the daughter and heiress of the Renjou family, a position

even higher than you hime-miko, right? Listen, I must meet that brutish

devil king, that campione, Kusasagi Goroh. Call him here at once!”

As always, her manner of speaking was meaninglessly self-important.

However, the Mariya sisters were not impressed. They simply inclined their

heads and looked at Fuyuhime in wonderment like some sort of rare beast,

then proceeded to glance at G.o.dou.

Indeed, the Campione in question was standing right beside them. One

would not normally make such a demand.

The sisters were probably perplexed as well. G.o.dou made a troubled face

and shook his head.

Thereupon Hikari instantly replied.

”Ehm... I'm sorry, but that is forbidden.”

Although she was in the sixth year of elementary school, she was

admirably smart. She had already grasped the situation.

I'm saved... Just as G.o.dou thought so, Hikari pressed on.

”And I'm sorry again. I believe the Renjou family has not yet named their

successor. Some time ago, Ena-oneesama from the Seishuuin said so.”

What? In that case, Fuyuhime was not a wizard related to the Renjou

family...?

G.o.dou was surprised. Fuyuhime on the other hand looked angry as her

lips began to twitch.

”Th-that's not true! I will become the next head of the Renjou family!

What's the deal with you anyway, just because that dirty campione has

been a tiny bit affectionate with you, you belittle others? Listen, the Renjou

are one of the four families, we're not someone you can make fun—”

Although she spoke faster and faster with greater intensity, she had lost all

momentum by the end.

With an awfully scared look on her face, she gulped down her jeers.

She looked as miserable as a dog with its tail between its legs. But she

was not the only one scared. Mariya Hikari was also looking in terror at the

elder sister next to her.

”The successor to the Renjou family - is that what you said you were?”

Mariya Yuri was whispering calmly, with the beauty of sagacity itself.

”Then I shall converse with you as if you were an informed descendant of

the four families. Your current behavior is an affront to the devil king whom

our nation has addressed as the Rakshasa monarch since ancient times,

as well as to those who serve him with reverence. Showing the appropriate

respect in regards to him is the foundation of manners, it is a custom. One

who cannot comply to that is not qualified to be a member of the four

families. Know some shame!”

As Yuri reprimanded, her beautiful face displayed the imposing intensity of

a yaks.h.i.+ni.^

G.o.dou reflexively ducked. Only Sakura was tilting her head in puzzlement.

Completely unfazed by Yuri's pressure, Sakura's inability to read the mood

was truly magnificent.

”Furthermore, your inability to show respect to us miko who have inherited

the t.i.tle of Hime const.i.tutes impudence unbecoming of the four families.

Leave. You are not qualified to stand on the holy grounds of Nanao

Shrine.”

She flatly deported Fuyuhime.

As expected of a Hi me- Miko. She possessed solemnity and sublimity

beyond any normal young lady.

At some point, Fuyuhime was on the verge of tears. Although she had

been so domineering in att.i.tude, she turned out to be not that courageous

after all. G.o.dou decided to step forward and offer her an escape route.

”I'm sorry for my companion's weird demands. She'll come apologize

another time, so we'll take our leave now. Come on, Sakura, let's take your

friend and go. See you later!”

The forcible goodbye brought down the curtains.

Patting his cousin on the shoulder, he prompted her to take Fuyuhime

along.

Along with the two girls, G.o.dou left the Mariya sisters behind. He decided

to send them a text message later to apologize and explain the situation...

”Fuyuhime-chan, if you ask the way you did earlier, anyone would get

angry-. You need to do it gently!”

”1-1 know! B-But those hime-miko earlier were just too rude!”

The group of G.o.dou, Sakura and Fuyuhime was on the move.

This time they were on the way to Aoyama.

”Could you tell me why we are going there?”

”Urgs. Since long ago there have been many magic pract.i.tioners near

Aoyama Doori. I heard lately an evil witch, an a.s.sociate and mistress of

Kusasagi Goroh, has been hanging around there lately. *Sniffle* I will

capture that woman and this time I will find that devil king for sure!”

Fuyuhime answered G.o.dou's question while sniffling.

She looked like she would cry if she relaxed. Apparently she was rather

incompetent. Standing next to her, G.o.dou thought: She had managed it

twice, a third time would certainly follow...

They entered a small side street a bit away from Aoyama Doori.

Street stalls and little shops sat in rows. It was the area where G.o.dou had

come with Sakura for her question one month before.

Fuyuhime was heading for the focus store [Kogetsudou] in one corner of

that area, explaining that the female shopkeeper there was like the

representative of the Aoyama neighborhood.

When they came to the shop, G.o.dou pressed his ear against the door.

He tried to hear what was going on inside. Fuyuhime and Sakura seemed

surprised by his suspicious behavior, but they still copied him.

They heard two women talking.

'In short, you are trying to get the latest scoop about the Committee from

me?'

'Could you phrase it more pleasantly please? What I want are details of a

personal nature rather than anything of crucial importance. Such as, which

girlfriends Sayanomiya Kaoru went on dates with last week, or that

Amakasu-san actually has a wife and kids, that kind of stuff. Of course, if

you come across any latest news, you can always tell me later.'

'You've already paid me for my services and you're satisfied with this little?

I love helping people, you know.'

Tm pleased by your offer, but your prowess is not sufficient to hide things

from the Committee. Even someone better than you would find them

difficult to handle... And all I want to know are those people's interests and

personalities. Whether as enemies or friends, knowing more can only be

beneficial.”

They were smack-dab in the middle of a clandestine conversation.

Earlier that morning, that particular girl had mentioned plans for a ”Round

Table.” Of course, the plan also included reconstructing their relations.h.i.+p

with the History Compilation Committee.

In accordance with that plan, she was gathering useful information in order

to conquer them?

G.o.dou was greatly impressed. Like Liliana had said, Erica was really

diligent when it came to matters she judged essential.

Then Renjou Fuyuhime took a deep breath before the door.

With a determined expression, she reached for the door k.n.o.b and

vigorously threw it open.

”I've finally found you, Italian witch who serves the devil king Kusasagi

Goroh! You might feel like you are something big because they call you

[Diavolo Rosso] or whatever, but to me you're as good as dead! Obediently

tell me where the Campione lives!”

Having finished this declaration in one breath, Fuyuhime was subjected to

the inquisitive stares of the people inside, the shopkeeper of [Kogetsudou]

and Erica Blandelli.

The Milan-born blonde beauty smiled with great amus.e.m.e.nt.

”...G.o.dou, I leave you alone for just a few hours and you already found

someone with such distinctive talents. What in the world is the idea here?

She is together with the Campione, Kusanagi G.o.dou, and yet she asks me

to tell her his address?”

Of course, Fuyuhime and Sakura heard her response loud and clear.

Part 4

”Hm, what do you mean by that?”

Sakura inclined her head, bewildered. G.o.dou's head was spinning about

how he should fix this, when...

His cousin suddenly collapsed to her knees and fell forward like a puppet

with its strings cut.

Hurrying before her, G.o.dou found her peacefully asleep, breathing calmly.

”Looks like I made it just in time.”

Someone spoke behind him. That husky and seductive voice belonged to

someone he knew.

He turned around to find Sayanomiya Kaoru standing there. Liliana, whom

he had parted with a few hours earlier, was also present.

”Letting the situation deteriorate any further would be troublesome, so I

magically put Koudzuki Sakura to sleep,” reported Liliana as she

approached.

”Fuyuhime, regarding your problematic behavior, you will be properly

lectured and punished accordingly.”

”Wan... P-P-Please forgive me, Kaoru! I'll definitely be a good girl from now

on!”

”No way. How many times have you tricked me with those words? Please

come this way, G.o.dou-san, and everyone else as well.”

Kaoru was speaking with a refres.h.i.+ng smile while Fuyuhime was cowering

in panic.

Fed up with the whole affair, Liliana sighed. G.o.dou and Erica blankly

exchanged glances.

Leaving Sakura to continue sleeping in the care of the [Kogetsudou]

shopkeeper, they went outside.

Since there was little vehicular traffic in these parts, it was fine for the

group to gather on the side of the road. G.o.dou, Erica, Liliana and

Fuyuhime stood around Kaoru as she started the conversation.

”I only became aware of the situation because Liliana paid me a home

visit. As you may have guessed, Fuyuhime here is indeed the Renjou

family's eldest daughter. Originally, she was meant to become the next

family head like Ena or me or Kuhodzuka's Mikihiko-san and work for the

History Compilation Committee.”

Kaoru brought up names of important people that G.o.dou and the others

knew.

Come to think of it, due to being controlled like a puppet by the witch

Asherah, Mr. Kuhoudzuka Mikihiko's mind and body had been severely

weakened, and he was currently being treated at a Committee-affiliated

hospital.

”Unfortunately, Fuyuhime's body has an exotic const.i.tution which cannot

store magical power. Unable to use spellcasting techniques , she was not

chosen as a hime-miko, naturally.”

G.o.dou recalled Salvatore Doni's past.

That man apparently suffered from the same condition before he became a

Campione.

”Well, it's actually not a requirement for a head of the four families to be an

excellent spellcaster. As long as she made a clean break and focused

herself on the duties of an organization head, it would've been fine.

However, Fuyuhime developed quite a complex over her dwarfishness and

inability to cast spells... Consequently, she always had difficulty getting

along with others and was thus unsuited for field work, resulting in the

current situation.”

The talentless Fuyuhime had put her all into studying and apparently

stockpiled a great amount of knowledge related to wizardry.

But what she desired were ”practical” techniques. It was such a sad story

that G.o.dou could not help but pity her.

”Well, she is a troublemaker who disclosed G.o.dou-san's information to his

relative sleeping inside there, so I'm not 100% sympathetic.”

”The one who made her mis-remember Kusanagi G.o.dou's name, must

have been Amakasu Touma after all.”

Liliana added as Kaoru shrugged beside her.

”Were Renjou Fuyuhime a normal wizard, she would likely regain her

memories. However, for someone on a layman's level, the probability isn't

that high. His measures were appropriate.”

Hence, Liliana and Sayanomiya Kaoru had decided to subdue the

out-of-control Fuyuhime directly.

Brought up to date on the situation, Erica nodded.

”...Looks like all sorts of amusing things happened. So Kaoru-san, how are

you going to punish this troublesome girl? You're not going to acquit her of

all charges, are you?

”Let's see... maybe we should call in a hime-miko specializing in the spirit

power of mental manipulation to give her amnesia...”

Kaoru's dangerous suggestion made Fuyuhime cower and tremble again.

”Oh poor thing, maybe I'll simply throw her into a nunnery to train for a

decade so she can spend all her time to reflect and improve her

character... How about that?”

”Ka-Ka-Ka-Ka-Kaoru! W-W-We are childhood friends, right? Are you going

to throw me to the wolves?”

”As one of the organization leaders, I have to prioritize discipline over

personal ties. Showing you leniency would set a bad example.”

Kaoru shot a glance at G.o.dou at this point. It was a meaningful look.

”Actually, she didn't cause me any real trouble, so can't she be forgiven

this once? About me being a Campione... The only one she told was

Sakura-san anyway.”

The whole commotion was like a farce. However, if they let Fuyuhime off

too easily, it might happen again.

Feeling he had more or less grasped Kaoru's intentions, G.o.dou had cut in.

”It's not quite fair for me to speak, considering I'm her relative and all... But

even if Sakura knew about devil kings or something, I don't think she'd be

able to do anything major.”

”The king hath spoken! In that case, she shall be granted a special

pardon.”

Kaoru bowed her head in reverence then turned around to Fuyuhime.

”That's how it is, so let us express our utmost grat.i.tude to the king. There

will not be a second time! You've also heard lots about how fierce

G.o.dou-san can be, right?”

”W-What's going on? Why are you bowing down to a commoner, Kaoru!?”

”That's because G.o.dou-san here is Mr. Kusanagi G.o.dou, the very one we

call the Campione. Hasn't Amakasu-san's [Derangement] spell worn off

yet?”

”HIHHH! l-l-l-ls that how it was?”

About to faint from shock, Fuyuhime fell on her backside. Her legs had

given out.

Nevertheless, she continued to look up at G.o.dou and stuttered as she tried

to say something.

”Uhhh-uhm, I didn't mean it, but c-c-c-corporal punishment or chastis.e.m.e.nt

is still in order, right? It must be something terrible, right!? Of course, as a

daughter of the Renjou, I will resolutely accept punishment, but p-p-painful

or scary things are a bi— ”

”It's fine already. Nothing is going to happen.”

She had become inarticulate and her choice of words was baffling. Still,

something resembling Fuyuhime's grat.i.tude made it across.

When G.o.dou nodded generously, Kaoru also made a wry smile.

”Well, this concludes the incident. G.o.dou-san, Liliana-san, Erica-san, sorry

for the trouble and thank you for your cooperation.”

”You're very welcome. I think it was a worthwhile opportunity for me to find

out what an open-minded person you are, Kaoru-san.”

The one who replied like the mistress of the house was Erica, naturally.

Despite having done virtually nothing, her att.i.tude was grandiose. She

freely showed off her subconscious talent for taking the spotlight, no matter

the time and place.

”No matter the kind of relations.h.i.+p, dealing with disingenuous people is

simply unpleasant. But with Kaoru-san and Amakasu-san, I should not be

bored, at least.”

”You're welcome. ...Ah, right, G.o.dou-san.”

At the end, Kaoru asked him with a sly smile.

”Why not simply add Fuyuhime to the ranks of your army of paramours one

day? It seems like the next step.”

”What next step!? Please stop joking around before this turns into another

weird rumor!”

A few days later in the Kusanagi residence.

Together with Sakura whom they had invited for dinner, G.o.dou and

s.h.i.+zuka were sitting around the dining table.

As a side note, their grandfather was away on some business. In the

master of the kitchen's absence, the siblings and the cousin had made dry

curry^ and salad, together with all kinds of oven-roasted vegetables for

just the three of them.

”After that-, Fuyuhime-chan has completely calmed down-.”

With a smile all over her face, Sakura reported her friend's recent state.

Because she didn't like spicy things, that night's curry was made especially

sweet for her.

”She says that thanks to talking things over and receiving care from her

distinguished childhood friend, she doesn't need to seek G.o.doh-kun's help

anymore.”

”I see. That's good to hear,” G.o.dou perfunctorily answered and put some

curry in his mouth.

After the events, G.o.dou had returned to [Kogetsudou] alone to wake up his

cousin.

He explained that Fuyuhime had been called by her family and had left

already. When Sakura wondered why she had fallen asleep, he simply

tricked her by saying it was probably anemia.

Now, as for Erica's statement she had heard just before falling asleep...

'Did that girl say something about G.o.doh-kun?'

'Nope, I think you misheard.'

Sakura firmly believed his arbitrary explanation.

Next to him, the shopkeeper of [Kogetsudou] was listening with a ghastly

pale face, but of course, she did not interrupt Kusanagi G.o.dou.

”Hmm. Looks like Onii-chan was a little useful to Sakura-chan.”

s.h.i.+zuka's self-important comment caused Sakura to nod with a big smile

on her face.

”Yep. G.o.dou is really reliable... Ah, right. Lately, Fuyuhime-chan frequently

furrows her brow in deep thought...”

G.o.dou had a bad premonition as he tasted the dry curry.

Too sweet! Just as he thought, he really should have spiced up his own

portion.

”Fuyuhime-chan said, you know, 'As I thought, maybe I should maximize

my charms as a woman to aim for the top. I need to use everything at my

disposal...' And she asked me to give this to you, G.o.doh-kun.”

With that, Sakura held out a letter.

”Somehow, Fuyuhime-chan wants to become penpals with G.o.doh-kun to

develop a closer relations.h.i.+p. And some day she must obtain a high

enough position surpa.s.sing that distinguished childhood friend, she said. I

don't really get what she means though.”

Sakura probably did not understand the true meaning of her friend's words

for real.

Smiling without a care in the world, she handed the letter over. G.o.dou

found her smile too dazzling, while s.h.i.+zuka's severe gaze looked like

trouble.

”What's this about, Onii-chan? I thought you were discussing things with

Sakura-chan, so how did it come to this? Explain the situation properly!”

Of course, G.o.dou had no intention of answering his little sister's request.

Carelessly muttering 'now what might that be about', he single-mindedly

munched his curry.

And then it struck him. His grandfather was strangely competent at playing

the fool when things got inconvenient. Surely, it had to be a skill honed

through one too many similar experiences.

References

1 . t trying not to step on someone's shadow: In (j.a.panese?) magic,

shadows have several meanings. One is the element opposing light,

but it is also viewed as part of the soul. As such, it is sometimes seen

as rude to step on the shadow of others, especially superiors.

Alternatively, it's a reference to a j.a.panese children's game where a

child, the it, needs to step on one of the other children's shadows to

make that child it, rinse and repeat.

2. t Replica Round Table at Winchester Castle: Ask

Wikien. wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Castle

3. t en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Djins.h.i.+

4. t Xiaolongbao: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiaolongbao

5. t Shrimp dumplings: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Har_gow

6. t Pork dumplings: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shumai

7. t Yaks.h.i.+ni: a broad cla.s.s of female nature spirits from Hindu

mythology, known to be beautiful but

vengeful. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaks.h.i.+ni

8. t Dry Curry:justhungry.com/j.a.panese-dry-curry

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