Yamiyo no Hotaru

Volume 6 Epilogue

　Hotoya Tamaki walked along the veranda of the house, feeling gloomy and melancholy.

　It would have been inevitable, but confirming it was terrifying beyond words. Tamaki was afraid that everything she had known up until now would crumble beneath her.

　So she hesitated to open the sliding doors that stood at the end of the corridor. Her feet do not move, and she stands there in a daze.

　"Miss..." The younger maid by her side called out to her, her voice laced with concern.

　Tamaki tries to act strong, but it is in vain. It was futile, because a fearful thought came into her mind.

　If all her doubts were true, would this friend really stay by her side? Tamaki couldn't shake off that fear, even though she understood that it was a rude question to ask.

　So there was an awkward silence as they avoided each other's gazes...

　"Ah!" Tamaki let out a sudden gasp as she felt a warm hand on hers.

　Fearfully, she turns her gaze to her friend. There she was, looking straight at her with a strong-willed gaze that born from her strong will.

　"Don't worry. I am on your side, Miss ," her friend said reassuringly, her words as comforting as her unwavering gaze.

　With just those words, Tamaki felt her heart lighten. She felt a gentle yet strong push on her back.

　"...Then. I'm off." The young lady of Hotoya's face, once shadowed with doubt and fear, now beamed with confidence.

　She walked along the corridor and stepped into the room beyond the sliding doors, her footsteps echoing down the hall...

　...

　...

　...

　Tamaki entered her father's study, which was neat and tidy. It was not a small place, but it was not wasteful, and the furnishings were well-arranged.

　Tamaki looked around the room, which was well-harmonized and showed that her father had an eye for aesthetics. She had been in this room many times since she was a child and remembered it vividly.

　But from now on, she would probably never be able to see it again.

　"...I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Tamaki. I had a document that needed to be finished," her father said, putting down his brush and turning to apologize to his daughter.

　"No, it's okay. I know you're busy, Father," Tamaki replied, shaking her head. She knew her father and brother were busy because of the recent turmoil, and she was partly to blame.

　Recalling everything that had happened made Tamaki feel dizzy with guilt. There were too many problems to solve, such as finding a replacement for the shrine maiden role in the Harvest Festival, sealing off the secret passage, sweeping up their remaining forces, mourning the dead exorcists, negotiating with the Tachibana Trading Company, the Onitsuki family, and the higher-up (governor)... Most of these issues would have to be resolved by borrowing help from other families, meaning the Hotoya family's position would be greatly weakened.