Volume 2 Chapter 11 Fighting Daughters Result： Dead Or Alive
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Tono Mifuyu.
That was the name of the girl Naoshi and the others rescued from the belly of a giant snake in Umeda.
After the incident, she was alive but kept going in and out of consciousness, so they couldn’t ask her anything.
They heard that she was originally brought here by Ako’s mother, Kazuramichi Mizuho, as a servant. Her family was gone, and she was living with distant relatives of Mizuho.
She didn’t have much skill as an exorcist, just barely above average.
She looked good, but besides the loyalty she showed in Umeda, there wasn’t much else to note. There were doubts about her abilities to serve as a direct servant to the Kazuramichi family, but maybe she was chosen because she matched well with the proud Yoshitada.
That was Ako’s opinion, and Naoshi agreed.
Mifuyu was in a room in the Kazuramichi house, with just a futon and some care supplies around her, along with a family member who was watching over her.
Sitting up in her pajamas, she looked really worn out, and when she looked up at Naoshi and the others with a worried expression, it was heartbreaking.
Naoshi suddenly noticed that she reminded him a bit of Ako and Mizuho.
He wondered if Yoshitada had noticed it too.
”──Acting head, Ako-sama.”
”Ah, it’s okay. Just stay still since you’re still recoverin’ from dat fall.”
When Mifuyu tried to get up after noticing them, they stopped her. After hesitating for a moment, she straightened up on the futon and bowed deeply.
”Thank you for saving someone like me.”
”No need ta be all formal about it. We just helped ya out ’cause we were there at da time. Don’t go thinkin’ ya gotta pay us back or anythin’.”
Naoshi waved his hand lightly while sitting cross-legged next to the futon.
When Ako sat down a step back from her cousin, the family member who was taking care of Mifuyu whispered something to her and left the room.
”Um──”
”But, well, it’s true dat it was tough with 2 first-class and one second-class exorcists. I’d be happy to hear a story worth da effort.”
”Yes. Um, I’m really sorry, Delegate. But before that, where is Yoshitada?”
”Oh, haven’t ya been told yet? He’s missin’. Well, I tink he’s probably at his okaasan’s family home. I don’t know if he went wit’ her or was taken.”
”I see. He’s safe, then… that’s good.”
Mifuyu sighed in relief, not caring about Naoshi’s sarcastic tone.
(Gratitude is first, Yoshitada-kun is second──dis doesn’t look good.)
Naoshi noticed Ako’s annoyed vibe and smiled wryly.
She didn’t seem like she could think on her feet, and he doubted she could act, but she probably wouldn’t say anything that would hurt Yoshitada.
In fact, it was unclear if she knew anything at all, which made things harder.
”Now, first, let’s talk about why ya were in Umeda.”
”Well, Yoshitada-sama doesn’t usually explain things to me in advance… I heard it was originally a request from the Shiun family.”
”Oh, really? So what happened when ya encountered da Great Youkai?”
”Um, it happened so suddenly. We came out of a narrow passage into a wider area──and then I felt a bad vibe, and suddenly, the giant snake was right in front of us. I remember stepping in front of Yoshitada-sama, but…”
”Din’t Yoshitada-kun push ya away?”
”Y-Yoshitada-sama wouldn’t do that! ──Oh, I’m so sorry! That was rude to you, acting head!”
”Exactly, be careful.”
”I’m really sorry, Ako-sama…”
Her cousin’s voice was as cold as ice.
Mifuyu didn’t seem to notice, but it felt like she was sometimes gathering spirit energy, almost ready to attack.
That wasn’t a good sign.
”Come on, Ako-chan, if ya make sucha scary face, dis girl won’t be able to talk.”
”──If my cousin says so.”
”Ya way of speakin’ is so stiff.”
Anyway, it seemed like what Yoshitada told him was true: this girl got involved to protect him.
Maybe his cousin is really liked, or maybe this girl is just too easy to fool.
”One last ting. Dere’s a woman who seems to be da main culprit, an exorcist. Well, she’s already dead, eaten up, but before da incident, did Yoshitada-kun meet anyone?”
”I’m sorry, but I don’t have any idea.”
”Oh really?”
That was a smooth denial, like she had prepared it beforehand.
”Okay, thanks for ya time. Sorry to bother ya so early. Take it easy and rest.”
Naoshi stood up, and both Mifuyu and Ako looked up at him, surprised.
”Uh? Um, is it okay?”
”You don’t know anyting, right? So dere’s no point in askin’ more.”
”Uh, yes. That’s true, but…?”
”If ya’re hidin’ somethin’, it won’t help ya.”
”N-no. I don’t know anything…!”
Like a good cop and a bad cop, Naoshi felt more sure about Ako’s reaction.
It seemed clear that someone had contacted Yoshitada before the incident.
Thinking about how to step back, he wanted to suspect Mizuho’s family, but the motive was weak. It could just be a case of a mother’s love going too far, which was frustrating.
”Um, Can I ask you for a favor…?”
”──Ako-chan, ‘wait’.”
Naoshi felt the room get colder and raised his voice to stop her.
”Yes, cousin.”
Ako’s voice, usually hard to read, was even colder than the room temperature.
What surprised Naoshi was that Mifuyu didn’t back down at all.
”I want your permission to go to Niigata. If Yoshitada-sama is there of his own will, I’ll definitely convince him to come back.”
”Can’t you think a bit more before you speak? You’re just going to let my brother──.”
”Sure, go ahead.”
”Cousin?”
”Oh, I got to see Ako-chan’s surprised face.”
”Um, Is it really okay?”
”I said it’s fine, but did ya want me to say somethin’ else?”
”N-no, not at all…”
Naoshi snorted at the girl’s confused expression.
”Well, I got other options too. Like force-in’ ya to tell da truth, usin’ ya as a hostage to drag Yoshitada-kun out, or just goin’ over dere and causin’ a scene until he comes out──.”
”Please make sure the third option is really the last resort after discussing it first.”
”Yeah, yeah.”
Naoshi shrugged at his cousin’s cold warning.
”Wonderin’ why I don’t do dat, huh?”
”Yes. Well, I…”
”It’s not a trap or anyting. It’s just dat ya guys aren’t worth goin’ dat far for.”
”Not worth it…”
”I get dat ya don’t know much. Yoshitada-kun might know somethin’, but it’s not everyting. It’s pretty clear he was just used. And now dat he ran away, he’s basically dead to Kazuramichi’s family.”
”──.”
”So, for example, if ya lie and leave here, it wouldn’t be a big deal for me if ya two decide to run away together.”
”I-I’m not thinking about that!”
Her denial was a bit weak.
She didn’t seem good at hiding things either.
She probably really wanted to convince Yoshitada, but if he suggested running away, she wouldn’t be able to refuse──she must have thought that herself.
”Well, if ya really can bring him back, dat’d be great. If ya go and somethin’ happens over dere, dat’s good too. If ya bail, I’ll just come after ya as soon as I find ya.”
”I might get blamed for some mistakes…”
”Then just bring Yoshitada-kun back. I can’t keep dealin’ wit’ you complainin’ about things ya can’t do. Or are ya against it too, Ako-chan?”
”No, if my cousin isn’t actively using this, I think it wouldn’t be bad to throw a stone and see how you react.”
”Well, da assistant has given da okay, so what should we do?”
”Please let me go. I’m sure Yoshitada-sama will change his mind.”
It’s very possible that her mother is keeping her locked up, but the fact that this isn’t mentioned makes me wonder if Yoshitada doesn’t trust her or if he’s overestimating his mother’s love.
Anyway, this girl has no second thoughts.
That’s why she’s perfect for causing a stir, and honestly, losing her wouldn’t be a big deal.
Without showing any of these thoughts, Naoshi keeps his usual sarcastic smile.
”Well, if ya see him, please tell him dis: ‘If ya cut ties wit’ your foolish mother and come back, I’ll make sure ya stay alive’.”
”Understood. I will definitely bring good news.”
”I’ll wait without expectin’ too much.”
Ako stands up, following Naoshi as he waves his hand.
”Mifuyu-san.”
”Y-yes, what is it, Ako-sama?”
”I know it’s late, but I want to thank you for risking your life to protect my brother. Thank you very much.”
”N-no, it’s nothing. I was just trying to do my job…”
Mifuyu waves her hands and shakes her head as Ako bows her head.
When Ako lifts her head, she continues with a calm expression.
”I hope your dedication won’t be in vain──be careful of my mother.”
”Y-yes…? I will do my best…?”
But after that, Mifuyu never returned to Osaka.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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