Once again, I wake up, back at the Butterfly Estate. The mission was completed successfully, and Mitsuri and I went our separate ways, with me delivering the flowers to a Kakushi alone. Now it's another day, but with the same recurring nightmare. I'm starting to find it strange. Kanae, when will you forgive me?...
I get up from my futon and follow my usual routine: washing up, changing into my uniform, and having a simple meal. Finally, I sit on the balcony of the main hall, looking out at the garden and thinking about the mission I had with Mitsuri. That mission served more to show me who Mitsuri truly is. Well, she showed me that I was wrong about my thoughts... Anyway, it's already happened; I don't know why I'm still thinking about Mitsuri. It will take a while to see her again.
-"Kocho-San," I jump slightly in surprise as a voice calls me from right beside me. I let out a sigh and turn my head to see who it is.
-"Are you okay? You were standing there, looking surprised that I appeared... Seriously, you didn't notice me?" says Aoi, one of the caretakers of the estate. When I see her, I focus on calming myself, reorganizing my thoughts, and I smile.
-"...I'm fine, just lost in thought," I say, not showing that I was flustered.
-"...Okay then. By the way, there's a girl in front of the mansion looking for you. She has pink hair with green streaks... quite eye-catching hair," Aoi says with a slight hint of envy. Could it be Mitsuri? I think to myself, getting up immediately. I thank Aoi for the information and calmly make my way to the entrance of the mansion.
When I arrive, it turns out my suspicions were right. There she was, with the same hairstyle as always, wearing the same clothes, and now with suitcases... Suitcases? That's strange, but I approach her with my usual smile. Mitsuri, upon seeing me, smiles back and waves in my direction.
-"Hello, Kanroji-san. Can I know the reason for your sudden visit?" I was close enough to have a conversation. When she hears my question, she looks confused.
-"Haven't you seen the letter sent by Oyakata-sama?" I didn't understand at first, but after thinking for a moment, I ask her to wait. I step away from her and call my crow, who quickly comes at my first whistle.
-"Did a letter from Oyakata-sama arrive?" I ask, slightly stressed.
-"Yes, it did. I tried to wake you up to deliver it, but you were sleeping deeply. I shouted and shouted, but you didn't wake up." How did I oversleep? I wonder, feeling a bit shaken. The crow hands me the letter and flies away. In it was written:
-"Dear Kocho, forgive me for the sudden announcement, but Kanroji's residence has been delayed in its construction. I humbly ask that you allow her to stay in your mansion for an indefinite period. I chose you because I feel that you both may get along better together than with others, and because you have spent more time together. I thought it would be more pleasant, and also, you are both girls. With love, Oyakata."
YOU ARE READING
The Flower and the Butterfly
FanfictionShinobu Kocho, an eighteen-year-old girl living in Japan, is a young adult who recently lost her sister to a man-eating demon. Due to this event, she has been plagued by intense nightmares about what happened, hiding all her pain behind a smile. Now...