[Part 1/4]
Hotoya Tamaki was confused. She couldn't keep up with the changes happening around her.
Tamaki had a lucky childhood, whether she realized it or not. Her adoptive parents and siblings loved her deeply, treating her as family. Her hometown was rich, free from hunger and poverty. Everyone lived comfortably. Sharing, helping each other, and being grateful was normal. The social barriers were low; people were respected but no one acted submissive. She had never felt the danger of youkai at all.
Because of this upbringing and education, Tamaki had a somewhat unusual way of thinking. She didn't like to give orders or make people follow her. She even respected those below her... while noble people looked down on others like they were strange creatures, Tamaki did this naturally.
"Hey, hey? Is it true that Tomobe-dono was originally a servant?"
"Household Member Coordinator, that's what it is now for me."
"Then, then. Do you get excited? Because before, you were just a nuisance to this girl! But now she's acting all sweet, right? Doesn't that spark a bit of excitement?"
"Not really."
"...Hey, Hana. Am I not that charming?"
"...Try harder. Change your approach and try again."
"Before changing your approach, shouldn't you change something else, you two?"
So, Tamaki was puzzled by the conversation happening in front of her and the distance between them. She was also thinking, who are these people?
They were leaving a town to patrol the area managed by the Juuyaku family. The first step of their journey was to visit the Juuyaku family's main house in the district and several other towns. Suddenly, 2 unfamiliar girls had joined their group. Before she knew it, they were sticking close to her partner (Tomobe) and acting overly familiar...
She knows that getting involved in other people's relationships, even with someone lower in status, is not good. But still, Tamaki felt a strong discomfort, like a thief had barged into her home with dirty shoes.
"Who are those people──"
"They are young members of my clan."
"Wow!?"
Tamaki was shocked by the sudden answer from the side. When she turned around, she saw the head of the Juuyaku family, who had visited him a few days ago. He was also riding a horse and cheerfully bowed before continuing.
"They are called Kaya and Hana. They may not be perfect, but they have been working together as exorcists. Please forgive any small mistakes."
"Uh-huh."
Tamaki could only respond like that to the head of the family's words. Actually, that wasn't what she wanted to know.
"...But you didn't introduce them to me, did you?"
"I didn't think they were important enough to meet the representative. Instead, I introduced them to the Household Member Coordinator. You will likely meet them often due to your position."
Calmly and without any guilt, the head of the family answered. With such a clear and bold statement, Tamaki couldn't really argue back. However, she still felt something was off. Curiously, Tamaki opened her mouth again.
"Um. It feels like they're too close, doesn't it...?"
"I have instructed them to interact actively. ...Unfortunately, it seems they are not very friendly, as you can see."
"Actively..."
The head of the family sighed deeply, looking genuinely disappointed. Tamaki tried to understand his intention.
For some reason, the head of the Juuyaku family seemed to like him. Well, that was understandable and something to be proud of. But that meant...
"It's not an arranged marriage or anything, right?"
With a hesitant question, the head of the family's eyes widened, and then he burst into a hearty laugh.
"No, no, that kind of thing is not allowed. It's rude to set up a matchmaking meeting for someone else without permission, right?"
Household members are like half-owners of the exorcist family. They have more rights than servants and are kind of like a privileged class, but still, getting married without permission is totally unacceptable. The same goes for how household members are treated. If they want to do that, they need to talk to the head of the Onitsuki family first. And that's not happening. So it's impossible... The head of the Juuyaku family seemed to speak the truth without any hesitation.
"Oh, is that so..."
Tamaki felt secretly relieved. But at the same time, she was confused. She wondered why she felt that way. There shouldn't be any problem since the misunderstanding about Iruka from the onsen was cleared up...
(Brother, is that so?)
He might think of her and her friend like siblings. Or maybe she was being influenced and really saw him as an older brother. After all, it's not easy to see his family back home anymore. Maybe she was directing her feelings of missing family towards him, like a brother or sister. So, could this be jealousy about losing a brother?
"..."
"Hotoya-dono?"
"Oh, no... yeah. I appreciate your concern. But I would have liked an introduction, you know?"
She didn't forget to be polite, but she added a little sting as she made her request: "I think it would help to get along with them better if we could clear up this awkwardness." The head of the family nodded respectfully and replied, "I'll make sure they're aware of your wishes.
Perhaps a more formal introduction will ease the tension."
"It seems like you're doing a good job patrolling. I'm impressed."
"We're covering this area together, just the two of us (the girls)!"
"...That's good to hear."
Riding on horseback, I compared a copy of the district map borrowed from the district magistrate's deputy with the actual geography while exploring the area under the jurisdiction of the Juuyaku family. Along the way, I praised the place, but I quickly realized my careless words had drawn attention from the cute, busty girl riding beside me. She was eager to show off. It was exhausting. So tiring.
(But, the work is solid)
The praise was half polite, but on the flip side, it was also half genuine.
Among all the lands I had checked, the Juuyaku's area was particularly well-kept. I hadn't even encountered a single youkai, not even a young one. That alone could mean they cleaned up beforehand. However, looking at the records I requested from the district office and listening to merchants and travelers in the town, it was clear this was normal. The Juuyaku family seemed to be doing more than enough in managing their territory.
More than enough. There was no doubt about that. But... there are things unseen within.
"Is there a problem?"
"...What about the patrol on the other side of that mountain?"
As I looked down at the map, I noticed the other girl had gotten so close that her cheek almost brushed against mine. I sighed for a moment and asked the slender girl, who seemed a bit gloomy and quiet. I pointed to a corner of the map while gazing at the scenery, inquiring about the duties.
In front of me, a mountain range popped up on the horizon, crossing the boundary between the Juuyaku family's territory and others... There were no roads or villages marked there. It was a remote area.
"...Unauthorized entry into other territories is strictly forbidden."
"So, you haven't really been there?"
"..."
The slender girl answered my question with silence. I clenched my teeth at the feeling of foreboding, feeling like I had bitten into something sour.
The boundaries of the area... they say that, but since the technology for surveying is not very good, and there are tough mountains that make surveying hard, we can't draw precise lines. In fact, if you look at the map, you can see that the lines in the area crossing this mountain range are drawn pretty randomly. Unclear geography, and unclear boundaries... plus, if you check the houses on the other side, they belong to a family that is higher in status than the Juuyaku family. It seems like they also want to avoid trouble, as I couldn't find any mention of towns, streets, or even logging huts.
As we look at the map, it's clear that both sides are trying to stay far apart and avoid fighting. And if the Juuyaku people are like that, then the other side probably is too. They don't want to send people over and cause a fuss. In other words, it's a blind spot for patrols.
"Ah, I see. They do say to be careful around here."
Before I knew it, someone leaned in closer to peek at the map. I narrowed my eyes under my hood, but that's that. This is a different matter. Anyway, I have to take my job seriously.
I could just slip through the area without pointing it out, but such careless work could end up getting someone killed. Or maybe even cost me my life, or the lives of my friends and family.
"I need to ask the head of the family."
I put the map away, pulled the reins, and turned the horse around. I rode back through the line, heading towards the Juuyaku family head's horse. I ignored the feeling of someone following me from behind.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation... is it okay?"
As I got closer, I noticed that the head was talking to Tamaki. I looked down at Iruka, who was there as a guard. From her reaction, I understood that there was nothing troubling being discussed, so I bowed. I asked both the head and Tamaki for their attention.
"...Is there a problem?"
Tamaki nodded in response to the head's glance, asking back. I got off the horse and spread out the map to explain.
"I'm sorry for being rude, but..."
I carefully chose my words to express my thoughts. Even if the meaning is the same, the way you say it can change how the other person feels about it. There's no need to embarrass the other person and make them dislike you. I praised the work of the Juuyaku family while getting to the main point.
"...So, there are concerns in that area?"
"It's just a possibility."
I suggest that we should discuss with the other house and maybe do an investigation...
"Please forgive my rudeness. Pointing out concerns is part of my duty this time."
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