[Part 3/5]
The question that slipped out of my mouth might have seemed a bit intrusive, but Hisame hesitated for a moment before answering candidly. Whether it was due to her inherent personality, the hierarchical relationships, or her training as a servant, I couldn't quite tell. But...
"A get-well gift? ...Could it be for Kuchinasi Squad Leader?"
My guess, though shot in the dark, was met with a slow nod from Hisame...
...
...
...
"What's going on? Why the hell would you two show up together like you're leading a parade? Are you here to tear me limb from limb? Huh?"
The man who had finished digging up his assigned plot of land, taking twice as long as a regular person, faced us... the former servant squad leader, Kuchinasi. He directed his words at us like unwanted guests.
We were at a location outside the main Onitsuki family estate grounds, a small village beyond a mountain at the back where nameless graves were scattered. The population was just over thirty, and none of them were in good condition. In fact, Kuchinasi, standing in the middle of a field, had an abnormally twisted leg.
This was the fate of the former servants who didn't die during missions but were rendered incapable of further service. Assigned to fertile but difficult-to-cultivate land in the vicinity, they were given shabby huts and rudimentary tools for self-sufficient living. The surveillance system seemed abandoned, but it was still in effect, and if any signs of unrest arose, the curse snakes would bare their fangs once more.
The village was called Yasunaga Village, or alternatively, Yasunaga Institution as an organizational name. It was originally established as a branch organization for the welfare of servants, providing assistance for servants' well-being. Welfare, huh?
"Really, Squad Leader, isn't that a bit much? We came all this way to visit you, after all... Besides, I'm just here as an escort."
I laughed wryly at his usual spiteful words and looked at Hisame. The newbie servant beside me timidly held out her baggage.
"Um, this is... a small gift. Please take it!"
"Oh? What's this?"
The former squad leader stared at the package before him, wrapped in a furoshiki (wrapping cloth), with genuine wariness. Hisame, myself, and the package were compared over and over again. Then, as if he'd thought of something, he blurted out:
"Hey, Tomobe. You open it."
He spoke while tightly gripping the hoe-like staff in his hand. Truly, he was a person who was cautious to the core. ...That's probably why he had managed to survive until today.
"What's with that look? Creepy."
"Creepy... Alright, alright, I got it. Is it okay, Hisame?"
I sighed in response to Kuchinasi's words and sought permission from Hisame. He nodded in agreement, and I proceeded to open the furoshiki. Inside was a wooden box. I opened the wooden box as well.
The wooden box was filled with sweet potato candy. Not just any sweet potato candy, but sweet potato candy drizzled with honey. The sweet fragrance filled the air...
"...What the heck is that?"
"It's obvious, isn't it? It's sweet potato candy."
"I'm not asking what it is. I'm asking why the hell you brought that here."
Kuchinasi responded to my answer with considerable displeasure. His tone was dripping with suspicion, even more so than during his time as a servant.
"Do you know about Hanamizuki Teahouse? It seems the young lady there has started practicing making confections. Apparently, she's making a bunch of sweets with the focus on quantity over quality, fully expecting a fair share of failures."
Indeed, the contents of the wooden box were unevenly shaped, and some were even burnt.
"Well, thanks to that, even with our measly wages, we were able to buy plenty of the cheapest items."
"Hey, can you stop messing around already? Who's even asking about that?"
As I explained patiently, Kuchinasi stared at me with sharp eyes. Oh well, he's quite a difficult person.
"Um, um!!"
Perhaps sensing the unsettling tension between Kuchinasi and me, Hisame shouted to interrupt us. Both Kuchinasi and I turned our attention to her as she did. She took a step back, looking startled and shrinking in on herself.
"N-No... um, I mean, I received my first payment the other day... so I thought I'd bring a gift for Squad Leader... Um, did I inconvenience you?"
With a timid demeanor reminiscent of when we were on a mission, she managed to explain in a whisper that was almost too soft to hear. Both Kuchinasi and I continued to silently observe her naturally timid behavior. After a while, Kuchinasi clicked his tongue.
"I can prepare some hot water. Come in. ...If you're bringing gifts, the others won't be able to ignore you either."
With a bitter expression hidden beneath his face, Kuchinasi muttered. Hisame beamed, her smile visible even under the mask. She looked at me. I nodded. Together, we followed Kuchinasi...
The shack we arrived at under Kuchinasi's lead was, as expected, in shambles. Just like the cramped quarters where regular servant personnel were stationed, it was a rundown, drafty, small old building suitable only for sleeping in a pile. Kuchinasi pulled the rickety sliding door with a bit of struggle.
"Hey, get some hot water ready. And clear the way of anything obstructing. ...Hurry up and prepare it, or you won't get your share."
The interior was as messy and damaged as its exterior suggested. Kuchinasi yelled at the people who wear masks.
Everyone here had injuries or wounds of some sort. Some had limbs bent in odd directions, and the sight was almost gruesome. Some were missing one or more limbs, some had bandages over their eyes. And some... were missing all of the above. They all turned to stare at the intruders in unison, whether they were sleeping or engaged in some sort of game.
"...Kuchinasi? What's the sudden fuss about? And who are those two? Don't tell me they're new recruits already?"
"Like hell they are, Takasago. I've trained at least one of them. ...They brought food as a get-well gift."
Kuchinasi sarcastically declared in response to the one-armed man who was playing shogi in a cross-legged position. He then swiftly picked up the wooden box from Hisame and showed its contents. The sweet aroma caused a change in the attitudes of those in the room.
"Hey, hey, what's this..."
"I'll say it once more. If you want some crumbs, get moving already."
At Kuchinasi's renewed instruction, those who could move started bustling about.
"Hey, get some firewood ready. We need hot water for tea!"
"Pass me the dustpan! Clear away any dust here!"
"There should be some toasted barley, right? This is a rare treat. I'll use that too!"
Former servants bustling about, preparing for the afternoon tea party in a chaotic manner. Even though there was no tea to be had.
After a while, the former servants who had tidied up the room gathered around the wooden box, forming a circle. They held cups of hot water with toasted barley dissolved in it. Kuchinasi took the lead.
"Listen up, you lot. This feast is the result of my charisma. Right, Hisame?"
"Yes, sir!"
In response to Kuchinasi's semi-harassing call, Hisame nervously answered. Kuchinasi chuckled at her former subordinate's reaction and looked around again.
"That's the situation. If there are people who keep bringing food as gifts, then it's all thanks to me. Whether they get to monopolize it or share it, it's all in my hands. Don't you forget that!"
"Nothing's changed..."
I couldn't help but mutter at Kuchinasi's words. He had been like this even during his time as servant. I think he's someone who is relentless in boosting his own power, not incompetent but too ambitious for his own good. It was his ambition that led him to be excluded from the Yun-shoku selection process... I wonder how aware he is of that fact.
"That's the situation. Alright, let's dig in, everyone!"
With Kuchinasi's declaration, they started crowding around the wooden box one by one. While sipping their hot water, they began to make a ruckus.
"Well, you guys! You guys are very impressive. We don't have many people who give us gifts, do we? Thanks."
"That's right. We must respect our seniors. Even the younger ones have something to offer!"
Former servants spoke like they were drunk, nibbling on sweet potato candy noisily. Although there wasn't any alcohol, there was an oddly alcoholic air about them. Ah, someone brought out sake lees. Is someone secretly brewing alcohol here?
"Hey, keep it down, will you? This is one of the few pleasures we have. Can't stand it without a drink."
"Well, no one bothers to investigate us every time we come here. Thanks to that, we're free to do as we please."
Recognizing my understanding without me saying a word, the former servants spoke with a mix of mockery and sarcasm. It seems the final destination for these no longer useful former servants was this place, somewhat like a dumping ground, where they finally enjoyed some modest freedom. It wasn't easy by any means...
The commotion that could hardly be called a tea party gradually grew louder. Those who had finished their odd jobs early and had heard about it joined in, complaining as they did. They started chatting with a mix of gossip, and from somewhere, someone brought out an ancient musical instrument and began playing a tune that was far from musical. Hisame was surrounded by people who were listening to his complaints and serving as his sounding board.
Well, I guess I'm the same?
"Hey, c'mon, give us more! Got any cucumbers?"
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