Reincarnation of Villainess Noble Lady (Ch. 143-299)

REIKA-SAMA -255

The day of the zazen and takigyou, I'm driven to the closest train station to the temple, and Ikoma-san was waiting.

"Ikoma-san, sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Reika-sama! Good morning!" greeted me with a perpendicular bow while holding a huge bag.

"Good morning. Has Fuyuko-sama not arrived?"

"No, but it's still not time, yet."

"Yes, I guess we got here a little early. Shall we wait for each at that bench?"

"Yes." She followed me after shifting her bag.

"You're carrying an awful lot."

"Oh, this contains my towels and change of clothes and such that the pamphlet recommended."

"Oh, right. The takigyou would require more preparation."

"Yes. Reika-sama isn't performing it, right?"

"No, I'll be waiting." I don't want to get my curls wet and have them squashed. I'd need a dryer, hair iron and styling agent to redo which is too much trouble. I'd be embarrassed in front of the spectators, and wouldn't be able to display my reduced hair in front of the gallery.

"Takigyou was Fuyuko-sama's interest, so please accompany her.

"Yes. But is it all right? Fuyuko-sama is also of the Pivoine. Is it all right for an external student like me to be with both of you? I don't wish to cause any discomfort…"

"Don't worry. I've already spoken with her, and she doesn't mind. Fuyuko-sama was actually thankful that somebody would accompany her." For good or ill, Fuyuko-sama is strange and other-worldly, so lacks much of the elitism characterizing some of the Pivoine.

"I see. Then it should be all right…"

"By the way, how did your work at Takamichi-san's go?" She was to help the cake shop to make up for messing up Wakaba-chan's uniform and shoes.

"I went for the first time the other day, and her parents were told of what happened, so I was anxious of what they might say to me. But after I apologized, they let it pass as long as I wouldn't repeat my mistakes."

"I see. That was nice."

"Yes. And I worked in the store after that, but Takamichi-san and her mother dealt with the customers, and I only did some miscellaneous busywork, but I'm working hard to give back their kindness." Ikoma-san spoke about being given leftover cakes and stated, "I felt badly, but it was delicious," smiling. Glad it's going well. She then looked around and then whispered, "By the way… while I was working, the Kaburagi-sama came to the store."

"Eh!?" That was my biggest worry while Ikoma-san was working at Wakaba-chan's place, but to think it would happen on her first day!

"So that surprised Reika-sama, also. I was stunned to see him there, I was dumbfounded."

"Oh, I see. I guess so…"

"You understand! And he came to buy some cake. Well, obviously that's what they sell, but I didn't think that someone like Kaburagi-sama would come to an ordinary, I don't mean that as an insult, but a regular cake shop for the masses. That he would come there himself!"

"Yes…"

"And it wasn't his first time, and her mother was telling him that Takamichi-san had just stepped out. I won't tell anyone, because I'd have to say the reason I'm working there. But I thought Reika-sama needed to know. I want to be of help to you!" Ikoma-san declared, clenching her fist.