4-39: The Children’s Burden (5/6)

4-39: The Children’s Burden (5/6)

You dont have to make such a big deal out of it. Were supposedly descended from him, but its actually suspect if thats really the case, Tomoe said.

They mustve expected this reaction.

Although a wry smiled appeared on her as she confirmed it, she dropped her shoulders and shook her head.

They were connected by lineage, but the authenticity of this matter was questionable.

One thing for sure was that they were connected to him through the Abe family as his descendants.

Thats pretty nice. Not being able to confirm the authenticity is plenty romantic too!

An unreliable story of being possibly connected to the famous onmyouji.

An unadulterated excitement not dirtied by any agenda.

And the possible revelation of that famed figures descendants not known by the public.

All of those factors tickled the little boy inside him.

And when he made a face brimming with innocence just like that of a little boys when listening to a tale of adventure, Ryou and Tomoes eyes swam.

How to put it? This guy really has a lot of sides to him, doesnt he? The more he talks, the harder it becomes to see the whole picture. Hey, Ryou said.

Intimidation, depression, admonishment, magnanimity, and now, this.

The series of interactions Shinichi has taken toward them was a complete surprise, leaving them confused.

Get used to it, Shinichi said.

But Shinichi just brushed everything aside with that curt remark, and Ryou found himself speechless again.

Acting like that with a face like that I knew it. Youre a scam, Tomoe said as she held her head as though it ached.

The gap between Shinichis face and actions was especially big because his face looked just like a friendly boys.

But of course, there was no point in pointing that out to Shinichi since he was aware of that and was intentionally taking advantage of it.

Unfortunately, the two of them would have no choice but to just get used to this.

They drank from their glasses to moisten their parched throats, but Shinichi expected that, so

Ahh, it just occurred to me, but had things turned out differently, the two of you wouldve become the exorcist clans young master() and princess(), huh, Shinichi said.

Bufu!?!? Ryou coughed.

Goho, gaha!? Tomoe coughed.

As the proclamation claimed, that ridiculous remark dropped with a smile when they werent expecting it.

And just as the boy had schemed, a burst of water sprayed out of their mouths.

As the young master and the princess repeatedly coughed, they asked with him with shock what he was talking about.

But I mean, that is the case, no? Your respective families were originally that sort of lineage, Shinichi said.

When they were told that such a situation couldve been possible if the coincidences lined up differently, they were shocked.

As realization dawned on them, the two childhood friends glanced at each other.

Uwaah, you dont look like a princess at all! Ryou said.

Shut up! I dont want to hear that from you, stupid young master! Tomoe said.

Impossible. They knew themselves that they didnt have even a smidgen of the makings necessary to fill such roles.

They could argue so familiarly with each other because theyd known each other ever since they were kids.

But while they may have been serious, Shinichi was having the time of his life watching them.

How could you possibly describe a good looking guy like me as a stupid young master, huh, Ms. Bully!? Ryou said.

Im still a girl you know! How about you start treating me like one and stop calling me that! Tomoe said.

Then how about you start acting like a lady for once! Just like aunt! Ryou said.

Hmph, well, excuse me Im not like her! Sorry for being an unladylike tomboy miles away from a princess! Tomoe said.

Well, we cant ask him, so its all left to our imaginations, but he never got mad when I called you a bully [1], right? You mustve grown up exactly as he wished, so he should be watching you with a smile, Ryou said.

As the memories flashed through her, she realized that her parents had always laughed at her tomboyish antics.

Although theyd taught her manners too, they were tolerant in situations that didnt call for them.

They always looked at her favorably.

I Tomoe said.

You should just be yourself. Im sure thatll make them happiest, Tomoe, Shinichi said.

He didnt read her name as (Tomoe), but as (Tomoe) with the appropriate soul of the word behind it.

As a warmth and gentleness unlike in any of his voices appeared, they wrapped around her, and for a moment, Tomoe saw her father.

At that, she finally couldnt hold.

Ah

The dams broke, and the water held tight broke free at long last.

In that moment, she could feel it. The feelings that her parents had for her that she thought she understood were pouring into her.

She knew the man before her was nothing more than an illusion, but it really felt as though it was her dad whod called out to her.

It was both joyous and heartrending, but despite that, she didnt want it to stop, so at the very least, she thought to turn around to hide her tears.

Hey, dont start cry Oof!?

Ryou was about to poke fun at her from the side, but a disposable hand towel stopped him.

When he turned, he saw Shinichi with an exasperated face and his arm sticking out.

W-What are you doing!?

Stupid, at times like these, a man is supposed to act like he didnt see anything, Shinichi said.

As he said that, he let out a breath and bent himself forward, then naturally swept her tears away with his fingers. He did that so naturally Ryou actually found himself watching in fascination.

Want some? Shinichi asked.

And then without broaching the subject of her crying, and without waiting for her response, he took his Shiratama Zenzai and placed it in front of her.

Hah? Ryou said.

Eat, Shinichi said.

Huh? Tomoe said.

While Ryou was looking at the exchange between the two in confusion, Tomoe reached out for the food to hide the matter about her crying.

At first, she just stuffed her cheeks, but before long, the sweetness of the desert made her cheeks slacken.

No girl hated being given sweets.

Of course, the only reason hed given them to her was to give her a way to change the topic.

This restaurant here is a chain store, but as expected from a restaurant that made it in Kutoria, its pretty good right? Shinichi said.

Yeah, moms was better, though, Tomoe said

with a tearful voice. There was pride there too despite her not being the one to make them.

That proud remark took Shinichi by surprise a little, but he laughed and shook his head.

Theres no way some chain store could win against your mom, now, is there? Shinichi said.

Of course, whose mom do you think she is? Tomoe said.

Thats true too, Shinichi said.

Tomoe threw out her chest, and Shinichi agreed naturally.

When she saw that, she threw out her chest even more and smiled.

Wow, Ryou muttered in honest praise.