The Shogun

Chapter 29 : Interlude 2

Now

"With those words of encouragement, Eri's trauma didn't vanish overnight, but she had taken her first steps toward the light," Seiran said, a wide, almost proud smile spreading across her face.

Reina nodded thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing as she double-checked her notes. "It's been quite the rollercoaster, hasn't it? So many twists and turns... It's hard to believe, but Izuku, who started as an innocent kid in this story, now has fifteen lives on his conscience." She paused to make sure she had the numbers right, the weight of the statement settling in.

Seiran sighed, her expression turning a little wistful. "Such is life. You never know when you're going to get hit by a curveball. Sometimes, all you can do is swing."

Reina gave a small smile, acknowledging the truth in Seiran's words. "And speaking of swings, what happened next?"

Before Seiran could answer, Inko, who had been quietly sitting nearby, spoke up. "I believe it would be best if we stopped for today. It's time for dinner, and we've prepared a nice spread. Also, Seiran-sama, Bochan would be cross if he found out you've been skipping meals and making our guests do the same."

Seiran's eyes widened in mock horror as she looked at Inko. "Oh no, we can't have Nao-kun upset with me, can we?" She shivered dramatically, placing a hand over her heart.

Reina chuckled at the exchange, her mood lightening. "Naoki-kun doesn't exactly strike me as the type to get angry easily."

Seiran grinned and leaned back in her seat, stretching her arms out. "He's like his grandfather in that regard. Calm on the outside, but a storm brewing inside. When he's upset, you can feel it, even if he doesn't show it."

Inko smiled warmly as she rose from her seat, gesturing toward the study door. "Well, come on then, let's make sure we don't upset him even more by keeping everyone waiting. The food won't eat itself."

Reina closed her notebook, signaling to her crew to stop recording. The atmosphere shifted from the intense recounting of Izuku's journey to a more relaxed tone, but the underlying weight of the story still hung in the air, lingering like a heavy fog.

The dining table was enormous, clearly designed to accommodate more than fifteen people. The surface gleamed with a mix of elegant dinnerware and carefully arranged dishes, each more mouthwatering than the last. Inko, with a gesture of quiet authority, directed Seiran to sit at the head of the table, while she gently nudged Reina to sit at her right side. The warmth of the room was almost tangible as the food, freshly prepared, awaited to be served.

When Inko had mentioned a "nice spread," Reina hadn't quite expected this. Traditional Japanese cuisine filled the table: golden, crispy karaage, soft, rolled tamagoyaki, steaming bowls of udon, bite-sized gyoza, fragrant curry, and perfectly steamed rice. To complement the savory dishes, an assortment of colorful salads offered a refreshing contrast. The meal was a work of art—each dish presented with care, speaking volumes of Inko's culinary expertise.

"Don't be shy. Help yourself," Seiran said warmly, her smile inviting everyone to indulge in the feast before them. One by one, the crew began filling their plates, taking in the array of flavors with appreciative murmurs. But Reina's mind was elsewhere, quietly observing the absence of the maids who had been present earlier that morning.

As if sensing her thoughts, Inko spoke, her voice gentle yet matter-of-fact. "Our other helping hands only work until six in the evening. Their tasks include everything from cleaning the house to handling laundry. Usually, I take over the cooking after that."

Reina nodded, but curiosity still lingered. She couldn't help but wonder. "But if Inko-san was in the study with us all day, then who cooked our dinner?" she asked.