Yamiyo no Hotaru

Chapter 147

 "Father, who are we meeting exactly?"

 "Well, that is..."

 Walking alongside his father, Onitsuki Ayaka, at the veranda of the main house, Onitsuki Yajima asked with a slightly clumsy tongue. Though not a young child anymore, Ayaka's still youthful appearance caused her to tilt her head in genuine curiosity. With her makeup and hair styling, dressed in formal attire, she looked enchanting like a celestial being.

 ...At least, Yajima was convinced of that. He couldn't help but gaze down at his beloved daughter and remain speechless, lost in a dreamy smile. He was, in other words, a doting parent.

 "...Father?"

 "Hmm... Ah, yes. Well, wait a moment. We're almost there... Here it is. This is Yajima from the Kinugasa Onitsuki branch family speaking. Please excuse us."

 As if trying to hide his excitement, coughing slightly, Yajima stopped at a corner of the veranda. Then, he respectfully recited his greetings before sliding open the shoji paper door in front of them.

 "What is this place...?"

 Following her father's guidance, she stepped into the room just like before. It was a small tea room that also served as a reception area, and at its center, there was a buddhist nun. An elegant elderly woman smiled kindly. This person...

 "Enmei-sama...!?"

 "Oh my, Ayaka-san. You've grown again, haven't you? And you've become quite lovely... that ceremonial attire, it suits you beautifully, doesn't it?"

 "T-thank you very much...!?"

 Ayaka's response to the address from the elderly woman was slightly flustered. It was because she held a higher position and, more importantly, it was quite rare.

 Enmei, who serves as the acting head of the Kakita Onitsuki branch family, is Onitsuki Touya's grandmother, one of her childhood friends, but she rarely leaves her designated territory. She only accompanies her grandson Touya during New Year's and ceremonial occasions. In fact, Ayaka and her friends met Touya only during the New Year's greetings. (T/N: Touya first appeared in Chapter 45 and possesses 'Purifying Fire,' a technique slightly inferior to Onitsuki Hina's 'Annihilation Fire.')

 In other words, if past experiences were to hold true...

 "Yo. Long time no see, Ayaka, isn't it?"

 From the shadows of Onitsuki Enmei emerged a mischievous young boy with a hint of mischief in his eyes. He was a childhood friend whose face was familiar to Ayaka. She let out a satisfied smile at his adorable features, which his father often boasted about.

 "Touya! Long time no see! ...I mean, it's been a while!"

 Ayaka responded cheerfully, forgetting about their respective positions just like in the old days. But she quickly remembered the presence of the adults around her and panicked, looking at their faces. Her father seemed slightly troubled, while the buddhist nun smiled warmly. Curiously, when she looked at Touya, he averted his gaze. She didn't understand why.

 Giggling, the old woman watched this interaction with amusement.

 "Oh, it's alright. No need to put on airs. My Touya here is quite unruly, you know? Oh well... Come, please have a seat. Shall I make some tea? We have plenty to discuss."

 "T-thank you very much!"

 Ayaka exclaimed, surrendering herself to the offer of sweets and beckoning. Yajima, who had missed the moment to scold her as she ran towards the offering, sighed and shrugged his shoulders in resignation. With a sigh, he entered the room and bowed. And so, the tea ceremony began.