Volume 5 Chapter 3 The Great Villain of the World, Welcomed by the People of Hokurin
"Well then, I will return to the town of Toukaku."
As soon as we arrived in Hokurin, the guard Shuu-san said.
"Platoon Leader Kou, please take care of the young lady. The young lady should listen closely to what the unit leader says."
"Are you leaving already?"
"That's because I'm worried about Brother Heki."
Shuu-san is more like a younger brother than a subordinate to Heki Nei-san.
So, he wanted to go back to support Heki Nei-san, who became the vice unit leader of Toukaku.
"There's nothing I can do in this town. However, there are things I can do at Toukaku. I want to fulfill that."
"That's admirable, Shuu-san."
"I've only just settled down at this age. It's embarrassing."
Shuu-san shrugged his shoulders, looking a bit shy.
"Until I met the young lady's parents, I pretended to be a decent hero. But I failed spectacularly and was helped by the young lady's parents. After that, I became Brother Heki's subordinate... and after catching the enemies of the young lady's parents, I finally feel like I've become a proper human."
"...Shuu-san."
"I was able to think like this thanks to Platoon Leader Kou. I can't thank you enough."
Shuu-san said, and gave me a clasped hand.
"Whenever you need my life, just tell me. I no longer pretend to be a chivalrous man, but I still want to sacrifice my life for those to whom I owe a debt."
"Your kind words are enough"
"You too, young lady, feel free to call out to me anytime"
"Then, Uncle Shuu wants you to support Uncle Heki."
"...I understand. I'll be off then."
"Be careful on the road. Please give my regards to Uncle Heki."
"Understood, young lady!"
And so, we parted ways with Shuu-san.
Shuu-san walked toward the Hokurin barracks, waving goodbye several times.
It seems he'll receive a change of horse and return to Toukaku.
"Well then, I will take you to the Kou family, Kō-san."
"Yes, Kou Tenhou-sama."
Fuu Senkou (Kō-san) and I started walking side by side.
It's been a while since I was in Hokurin town.
The main street is lined with shops.
There are a lot of people.
As expected of the capital.
I wondered if Fuu Senkou, coming from Toukaku, was surprised... and then I thought... huh?
Not here?
When I looked back, she was stopping in front of a stall.
She was gazing at the merchandise from one corner to the other, seeming satisfied as she moved on to the next shop... wait.
"...um, Kō-san."
"Y-yes!"
"If you look at every shop, you'll never finish."
"But, but, there's a book stall in front? It's not just a fragment, it's a whole book..."
"I understand your feelings, but..."
"Oh, ah! There's a store selling birds! Not for food... for pets? And these feather colors are from the book my late father gave me... the type of bird is..."
"Where are you going, Kō-san? You're on the other side of the road!"
"......Ah, here is some cloth! I read about this dyeing method in a book...Ah, this is an ornament made from bird feathers..."
The voice of Fuu Senkou becomes farther away.
There were too many things on the main street that caught Fuu Senkou's interest.
Fuu Senkou is always going here and there and is restless.
Soon her petite figure blends into the crowd and disappears from view.
Oh dear.
Can't be helped.
"'Beast Body Guidance'Form of the Snake──'Snake's Pathway (Snakes like narrow spaces)'"
I'm pretending to be a snake and slipping through the crowd.
I caught up with Fuu Senkou and grabbed her shoulder.
"Kō-san, Kō-san"
"Huh!? You sell even things like this!? The city is an amazing place. Oh, over there too──"
"Kō-san, stop... I mean, calm down!"
"......Huh?"
Fuu Senkou finally looked at me.
"I-I'm sorry, Kou Tenhou-sama! W-what is the rainbow..."
"I understand getting lost in it. It's your first time in such a big market, right?"
"Y-yes..."
"But you don't want to get lost, so..."
I looked into Fuu Senkou's eyes and tried to convince her,
"I'm in charge of taking care of Kō-san from Heki Nei-san. I have a duty to return you safely to Heki Nei-san. So please, don't wander off or get lost."
"I-I'm really sorry."
"I just need you to understand."
"By the way,"
"Yes?"
"The accessories being sold at that stall──"
"...Kō-san?"
"Yes!"
"I'll show you to the Kou family first. We'll do other things after we've settled down. Is that okay?"
"Ok, I understand"
...Oh, she's looking around again.
There are probably too many things to choose from.
This place is.
It can't be helped.
"Excuse me. Kō-san"
I held Fuu Senkou's hand.
"This way you won't get lost. Let's go."
"......"
"Kō-san?"
"Huh?!"
"Was it wrong to hold hands? It would have been better to grab the sleeve..."
"No, no. There's no problem. It's fine the way it is."
"Really?"
"Y-yes..."
"Okay, let's go."
"I'll accompany you..."
Fuu Senkou walks obediently next to me.
Maybe she thought I was angry, because she stopped looking around.
Still, her hands are hot.
Fuu Senkou, who looks like a child, seems to have a high body temperature.
"Please follow me closely. Kō-san"
"Yes...Kou-sama"
And so, I headed towards the Kou family with Fuu Senkou.
* * *
"Welcome back! Big brother!!"
The first to greet me upon returning to the Kou family was Seirei.
I had already informed them in advance about returning to Hokurin in a letter.
This was necessary so I could talk to my mother about taking care of Fuu Senkou.
I didn't mention when I would be back in the letter.
I couldn't determine how long the handover of work would take.
But, the fact that Seirei was waiting outside the entrance means....
"Seirei... have you been waiting here every day?"
"No, no, I wouldn't do that. Big brother."
"Really?"
"......Really."
"I see."
"More importantly, can you introduce me? That girl over there is Fuu Senkou-sama, right?"
"Yeah. Thanks to the recommendations of Master Raikou and Shuu-sensei, I'm scheduled to meet Ryougen-kun."
"She seems adorable."
Seirei's eyes are sparkling.
"Welcome! I've always wanted a little sister. A younger one... a cute little sister like this..."
"Is that so?"
"Now, let me say hello"
Seirei crouched down a little and met Fuu Senkou's gaze.
"I'm the adopted member of the Kou family, and my name is Ryuu Seirei. Nice to meet you."
"My name is Fuu Senkou. I am the niece of Heki Nei, the Vice Captain of Toukaku's defense."
"Please treat me like a big sister and be kind to me."
"Yes, thank you!"
"Fuu Senkou, your talent was recognized and you came to Hokurin..."
Seirei took Fuu Senkou's hand with a calm expression.
"Even though you're younger than me, to have the talent to be recommended to His Highness the Prince... That's amazing. Fuu Senkou-sama is still about 10 years old, right? And yet..."
"...Um..."
Fuu Senkou looked at me as if seeking help.
Speaking of which, I didn't mention Fuu Senkou's age in the letter.
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