おもいでの 花咲く庭の緑陰で

[twomeals]

Yue: (...Ah.)

Yue: (...I heard this song at the festival.)

Yue: (...I know this song, I'm sure of it.)

Yue: (...I remember it.)

Yue: (...An important song, one I've heard many times before...)



..........

Yaa~awn. That was a nice nap......mm?

I was wondering why I felt so heavy--I'm totally covered in cushions. Actually, the whole room's a mess for some reason. ...It looks like a lot of stuff fell over.

.......????? Don't tell me, did Kurogitsune actually make and break something...?

...As if. I wonder what happened?

???: ...You're awake? Yue.

...Huh?



Fufu. If you're safe, that's all that matters.

Miko-sama...? Why are you...

...Wait, are you the one who covered me in cushions?

That's right. It would have been devastating if something were to fall on you.

Those cushions were surprisingly heavy, though. The shaking was already over before I could finish carrying them over to cover you with.

So that's what happened...I guess that means I should thank you, huh. Since you did all that for me.

Oh no, I'm just glad you're alright. And you were sleeping so soundly, too. I couldn't bring myself to wake you.

It's fine to wake me at a time like that. Sato-san will scold me if he finds out that I got you to run around the room like that.

Fufu, there's not much chance of that. He's soft on you, you know.

It feels kind of weird, hearing that from someone who's even more soft on me....Well, I guess that's not important.

Since you mentioned shaking, does that mean there was an earthquake?

That's right. A continuation from the night before.

Is something happening? ...To this mountain, and Utsuwa.

.......

...Miko-sama?

It is nothing to be concerned about. The mountain's energy is in a bit of disarray, but not to any worrying extent.

I do apologize for having worried you with my insufficient strength, however.

No, you don't have to apologize...I know these sorts of things can happen, no matter how much you protect the town from here.

The land's spirit has certainly been in a temper as of late. ...I can only hope it is nothing.

.......

Are you sure you're okay, Miko-sama?

Hm?

I was just thinking, if the land's in a bad mood, will you be alright all by yourself?

This town is Miko-sama's town, right?

.......

I am alright. As I said, it is nothing worth worrying about. Such a thing will have no effect on me.

...Oh, okay...

Rather, the one being affected is...

...Eh?

.......No, it's nothing. I am glad you did not meet your end squashed beneath a chest of drawers.

...Does this mean, you came over here specially because you were worried about me?

Fufu. I didn't get to see your face last night, after all.

Oh yeah. That's true, huh. We should eat together every once in a while, Miko-sama.

That does sound like a nice idea. It might be fun, to have a human meal on occasion.

...Okay, then. For now, I should put these cushions back in the center of the room...

You're right. Sato will frown again if he sees this mess, won't he? I'll help you.

You said you carried them all for me though, so I shouldn't make you work any more, Miko-sama.

I just want to move around a little, though!

.......But still...

Alright, let's do it together.

Mmhm!

I'll pick up these ones here, so could you get the ones over there?

Understood.

This one is under my jurisdiction then, correct? .................~♪

.......Eh...

...Mm? What is it?

That song...

Hm? Do you mean the one I was humming just now?

I heard that song in a dream a while ago. ...Does this mean, it was actually Miko-sama's singing?

Aah, well, I certainly was singing it. I learned this song a long time ago. It pleases me, so I often sing it to myself.

Ohh...Who did you learn it from?

That's a secret. ...Fufu, he was a good man.

...Huh...This sounds like a topic Sato-san wouldn't like...

...Hm? Did you say something?

Nope, not me. I've heard that song before, too. It makes me feel kind of nostalgic, somehow.

.......

...It's a pretty mysterious song, huh.

.......It really is mysterious. A song for human children, enticing us.

...Eh?

...It's nothing. Look at that, Yue - with the two of us together, we managed to finish tidying in no time at all.

Oh, you're right. Thank you very much for helping, Miko-sama.

Mmhm.

Well then, I should get back to the main shrine. Sato will nag if he discovers I snuck out.

.......

In that case, since we're together and all, why don't I go with you?

Would you? Alright then, let's go together.

Okay. Miko-sama, may I take your hand?

Hm?



Mikoto: .......

Yue: ...Is something the matter?

Mikoto: Nothing. ...Nothing at all.



Yue: The weather's nice today, isn't it~



Mikoto: ...It is.

Yue: If we're going out, it's much better for the weather not to be bad.



Mikoto: .......You really are alike.



Yue: ...Huh?

Mikoto: .....It's nothing. You've become a fine man, Yue.

Yue: Er, have I?

Mikoto: Yes, exactly as I expected.



Yue: It's kind of embarrassing, hearing you say that.

Mikoto: .......It was a very, very long time ago.



Yue: ...Eh...

Mikoto: There was a time long ago, I was held by the hand as we walked, much like we are doing now. ...It was my first time doing such a thing, so it surprised me.

Yue: .......Ohh...

Mikoto: That hand felt cold to the touch back then, as well. ...It's just something I remembered...

Yue: .......Did you like that person, Miko-sama?



Mikoto: ...Like?

Yue: ...Well...That's what it sounded like, to me at least.

Mikoto: .......



Mikoto: ...I see. That might have been the case.

Yue: .......



Mikoto: If I were to give it a human comparison, at least.

Yue: ............................



Well then, thank you for escorting me, Yue.



Ah, you're welcome. Good luck with work.

.......

Holding hands, as we walked...

...I don't have any memory of that at all...? Why is that...?