Once More, With Feeling

Chapter Two

Douma was able to learn about the siblings when he was with a few of his followers enticing others to join them back at his temple two days later. He had been given a well shaded house to temporarily stay in near the center of Yoshiwara and invited a few poor souls and their families to dine in for a late dinner. A show of his wealth and ability to provide for themselves was essential in getting others to join him in the mountains. Of course, he refrained from eating himself which just accentuated his selfless personality.

Ume's beauty was admired but Gyutaro was making a name for himself as a violent debt collector. Rumor had it his own boss was thinking of cutting ties with him but was terrified of what Gyutaro would do to him in response. All his guests advised him to stay away from them, even Ume since Gyutaro was so protective of her. He assured them he would be fine and that everyone deserved his kindness and an offer into Paradise.

Not that he intended to extend that offer to them. They were to be Upper Rank Six after all and he felt as though he was already messing up the timeline just by talking to them. It didn't stop him from considering taking food to them though. Gyutaro's funds were spent on their house. He decided against it, in the end. They had not starved in the original timeline.

His guests thanked him profusely for the meal and his followers offered him their prayers and praise as well. He patiently waited for them all to sleep before he slipped out to the poor district to check if Ume had been burned yet.

She hadn't, but she spotted him from a distance and quickly dragged him inside. Douma suspected this was just to get into his pockets rather than any real desire for his company.

"Eager, aren't you?" Douma asked teasingly.

Ume paused from retrieving the tea kettle, uncertain.

Douma smiled reassuringly and gestured for her to continue. As she did, she spoke, beginning the conversation on her own this time.

"I overheard that the Tsugumi family was invited by a visiting sovereign for dinner earlier tonight," she said. "Hers and other poor families. Some from the richer district too but mostly from this area."

"You wanted an invitation?"

"So it was you!" she said dramatically, pointing at him.

Douma blinked. "I, um, never hid that I was a sovereign."

She flushed. "You never said it either!"

"I suppose not."

Ume relaxed for a moment, then clenched her fists on her lap. "But yes. I want an invitation to the next dinner you have."

Douma considered this for a moment longer than he should have.

"Ume, the invitation is a prelude to an invitation to my village. It is not an easy journey. I don't invite children as they are less likely to survive the mountains without a guardian."

"I don't care about that!" Ume snapped. "I just want those rich bastards to see me! If I can start off in a well-known House, I can rise to Oiran status faster!"

Douma was surprised she didn't care that she insulted his cause to his face while asking to be invited to it. It didn't matter though, he couldn't risk bringing her. Before he could reply though, the sheet in the doorway was ripped open.

"Out," Gyutaro said.

Ume put her hands on her hips as Douma stood and brushed himself off. "Gyutaro, I'm in the middle of work!"

Gyutaro was glaring straight into Douma's eyes. Douma could swear he saw red tinging the whites of his eyes.

"Out. Now."