Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 125

　Shiromoku city's gate, where the sun has set, was aglow with colorful lights.

　People do not gather here without reason. Thriving cities have their own reasons. Just like prosperous cities on trade routes, the characteristics of Shiromoku's gate have been established.

　Warehouses sprawl to store the influx of goods, and nearby, financial merchants like money changers and lenders line the street for the convenience of visiting clients. Laborers are required to transport goods, and caretakers for the horses and oxen pulling carts, as well as guards for protection, are also necessary. These intermediaries are likewise essential. They keep their shops open day and night to accommodate requests from traveling merchants.

　The presence of individuals with various skills naturally leads to the prosperity of inns. Ranging from upscale inns rented by Onitsuki and Tachibana's family to simple lodgings with just enough space to sleep, the city is teeming with such establishments. Inns are always in short supply, and a situation where they're deserted has never occurred.

　Due to the constant flow of people, the entertainment industry in the city has also flourished. Aside from eateries, wholesale businesses that supply them with ingredients are thriving. Theatrical troupes and other forms of entertainment are also doing well. In the summer, the city's wealthy merchants even commission artisans to hold fireworks festivals to attract crowds.

　"Hey there, miss! How about dropping by our shop?"

　"Oh, no. Thank you for your offer... I apologize!"

　Merchants are shrewd. They can quickly discern whether someone is a sophisticated city girl or a naive country girl. The street touts frequently call out to Suzune, who scans the bustling city with curiosity. Each time, she evades their advances and moves away. Moving away, she continues to look around. Searching for that person. Searching for his back. But...

　"I've lost sight of him..."

　The maid muttered, taken aback. She hadn't been distracted by something else. However...

　It happened in an instant. The flow of people filling the street, the back that disappeared for a moment. She hurriedly pushed through the crowd. The figure vanished as if it were an illusion. Still, she searched desperately here and there for that figure... But it seemed futile to continue searching any longer.

　"..."

　In silence, the maid stood on the main street. Amidst the surrounding commotion and the flow of people, Suzune felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. It seemed as if she had been abandoned.

　Yes, just like that time...

　"Ridiculous..."

　Suzune denied the emotions that came to her mind. The confusion she had experienced since waking up from a nightmare had finally subsided. It was utterly foolish. What was she thinking? Whom was she associating with him? It was an insult. Not just to her brother. It was a severe insult to him as well.

　An act of compensation... an imposition. It was a denial of her memories. A denial of the personality of that servant. Despicable. An utterly shameless act.

　"I have to go back..."

　Having made up her mind, Suzune turned on her heel. She would apologize to him tomorrow... She was about to hurry back, driven by her impulsive desire to leave the inn without permission, when she realized...

　"...Which direction was it?"

　Standing alone in the midst of the bustling main street, the maid murmured with an ominous premonition.