Mob Yandere

Chapter 187-2

[Part 2/4]

As I cracked my stiff shoulders, Magoroku continued. He has sharp ears. ...Grilled chicken with salt sounds delicious.

"Well then, it's been a while... if it's not too much trouble, may I play the koto?"

Since we've been on the move constantly, I hadn't seen Mari play her koto in a while. It seems she thought that if she didn't practice for too long, her skills would dull. She wanted to play as a way to practice.

"Of course. Feel free to play as much as you like."

"If it's okay with you, I'd love to."

"Alright. It's settled then. Magoroku, want to listen together later with some drinks and snacks? I'll share my good stuff with you."

"Haha, I'd be happy to join! But... should we not tell Big Sis Iruka? Won't she say something later?"

"Is it okay if she take all the drinks and snacks?"

"Got it!"

As we joked around, I pulled out one of the bottles of imported sake that Kayo had given me to relax, while taking off the heavy gear I had on. Magoroku went off to look for a maid to ask for some side dishes. Then he opened the shoji paper door and was taken aback by the elderly innkeeper waiting there.

"Whoa!? W-What's going on?"

"...Where is the Onitsuki family's' Household Member Coordinator?"

The response to Magoroku's blinking inquiry was the old woman's heavy bow and her hoarse voice.

"...It's me. What do you need?"

I stepped forward, pushing Magoroku back. She glanced at me, slightly furrowing her brow... probably because I looked like a servant... and then she bowed again, trying to compose herself. Then she answered.

"It's a guest. Please come quickly. The representative of young lady, has already arrived."

At the unexpected statement from the innkeeper, I furrowed my brow this time...

* * *

"Could it be that the head of the family is personally here to greet us... I'm truly sorry for the trouble, along with Tamaki."

In the finest guest room of the inn, I stood beside Tamaki, speaking on our behalf. I bowed sincerely and humbly. It was definitely necessary.

"No, no, no. If it's a delegation from the renowned Onitsuki family, then it's an honor to welcome you! There's no need for such concern!"

"Hahaha! No, no, don't worry about it. It's rather embarrassing that someone of my name is known! ...And you are the young lady summoned from Hotoya, right? I've heard rumors about you!"

"Eh!? Oh, yes!? ...Rumors, you say?"

Tamaki is surprised by the sudden mention and confused by the talk of rumors. No one is happy to be talked about like that.

"Indeed! Your fighting in Hieda district and the defeat of 'Mayoiga' at Mount Hōraku! I don't know the details, but I've heard you've been active in the town as well. Wow, for your age, you're quite brave. I'd like our young ones to learn from you!"

"Uh, uh...?"

Overwhelmed by the loud praise, Tamaki can only respond in a daze. She seems to be struggling to keep up with the energy.

(In a way, this is a hassle...)

People who lack motivation, those who are clingy, and those who flatter can be annoying, but having someone like this man show enthusiasm and try to win favor is troublesome too. When someone is watching, it makes things difficult. If they start acting all high and mighty, it would be unbearable. Both Tamaki and I have our own burdens to carry.

"Oh, I almost forgot. This is a small gift from my family. Please, accept it!"

Unaware of my worries and Tamaki's confusion, the head of the Juuyaku family continues the conversation. He unwraps the furoshiki he had beside him, revealing a lacquered tiered box. He opens the lid of the expensive box.

And what he presents is...

"...Huh, what's this?"

"What do you mean? It's a sparrow."

"A sparrow?"

"Yes. It's a sparrow."

The head of the family calmly responds to Tamaki's question. Tamaki looks at the contents of the bento box with a strained expression. Packed with ice, there's a large amount of sparrow meat (over a hundred whole birds) with their feathers plucked. If it were just one or 2, Tamaki, having grown up in the countryside, might be okay with it. But seeing so many of them, looking like little chicks, that have been brutally killed is quite hard to take.

"...By the way, how do you eat it?"

"Whole, of course?"

"Whole..."

"Yes. You eat it whole, starting from the head."

"..."

Tamaki slowly looks over here. With slightly teary eyes, she seems to be asking for help.