Faced with this question, I could have used “It doesn’t really have much to do with you, does it?” or “I’m not too sure myself” to evade and deflect; after all, I certainly didn’t have any obligation to answer.
But looking at his inexplicably, extraordinarily earnest eyes, I actually…
I felt incredibly guilty, and with a mix of weakness and a touch of coyness (?), I said “Not yet.”
Damn it!
I walked along the country path, plucking a white, innocent wildflower blooming by the roadside and shredding it petal by petal without thinking. I wandered aimlessly, thinking that things had come to this; reflecting on it gave me a sense of stifling frustration, as if I had lost somewhere along the way.
Was it even worth it? Even though I had made a mistake, it shouldn’t mean I’d be wrapped around his finger from now on, right? I was the one providing his food and drink, although it seemed he was the one doing most of the work lately, and I was the one taking advantage… but, but, but at the very least, I had given him a home!
I had even specifically expanded the house! I had done a lot, too!
I lifted my head again, feeling a sense of triumph, and took a confident step forward.
After what just happened, I really couldn’t manage to be alone with him naturally right away, so I took the opportunity to come out alone. I admit, there was a slight suspicion of running away!
But I really did have business; it had already been agreed that I would borrow a donkey from a kind neighbor to carry the weight of the items we were buying tomorrow.
Successfully leading the donkey out from the neighbor’s house, I waved goodbye and turned back. Everything went well at first, but as we moved further away and the owner was gone, and since it wasn’t familiar with me, it gradually started to become uncooperative.
It would stop every now and then. I used nice words, coaxing and deceiving it, grinding along the whole way. It could be said that I half-dragged and half-pulled it all the way back to the front of my house.
I felt exhausted internally, deeply understanding why people said someone “stubborn as a donkey” referred to a donkey’s temper. It was a real donkey! I even had the thought of just returning it.
After going to great lengths and seeing that we were almost at our destination, it actually started backing up!
“Hey, hey, hey! I’m not trying to make you into a ‘donkey roll’ snack, so just be obedient!” All my patience for the journey had been consumed. It ignored me completely, let out a loud “hee-haw,” raised its hooves, kicked up dust, and threw a temper tantrum at me.
The dust on the ground covered my head and face.
“Pfft, cough, cough, cough!” But I couldn’t wipe it off, nor could I let go, so I gripped the rope tightly with both hands.
If I let it run away, where would I find a donkey to compensate the neighbor?
But this animal was incredibly strong; I was dragged forward, and even though my feet were almost grinding out sparks, I couldn’t stop its direction.
“Stop right there!” Afraid the rope would slip from my hands, I wrapped it around several times, and it dug into my skin.
Just as I was in an anxious state, someone behind me reached out, their hand crossing over mine to grab the reins. Their round, protruding knuckles were like jade, and their worn, frayed sleeves slid down, revealing a stretch of fair-skinned wrist, with blue veins appearing on the back of their hand due to the exertion.
Even without looking back, I knew who it was. Their other hand rested on the donkey’s neck, stroking it.
A miracle happened!
“Hee…” The stinky donkey’s singing was cut short.
I saw the donkey, which had completely ignored me and been restless and temperamental, turn its head. Once it changed hands, it quickly became well-behaved, obedient as if the one spitting, twisting its neck, and blowing air at me on the road—the one who had the “bad temper” written all over its donkey face—wasn’t it at all.
Moreover, it lowered its head, rubbing its nose against Yoriichi’s palm like a very small, docile lamb.
I was dumbfounded.
I mean,
You don’t even know him! I was the one who borrowed you from your owner, right? Isn’t the difference in treatment a bit too obvious?
Once the donkey stopped its riot, he looked at me with concern.
Me: …
“I’m fine…” Seeing it was under control, I let go of my hands. Although there were a few red marks left on them, they would likely disappear after a while.
After saying that, I looked skeptically at the donkey that had transformed into a rabbit.
How should I put this? This kind of differential treatment was genuinely hurtful. Was this the “child of destiny”…? I recalled my own painful experience of being pecked until I bled just trying to feed the chickens.
And he? At home, he was surrounded by chicks, and even when he just opened his hands, birds from the sky would fly down to peck at the food in them. Now, even a little donkey listened to him! Is that reasonable?
I only want to say…
Invincible Swordsman.
Disney Princess.
Covering my heart slowly, I was speechless; there really was a reason why some people were envied!
“Yoriichi, could you please help me hold it?” I rubbed my temples, suffering from a headache. That stubborn donkey, relying on him, practically wanted to transform into a bleating lamb; it was pure, liquid tenderness. Heh, I was truly a bit “amused” to the point of anger.
Green-tea donkey!
Yoriichi nodded at me, his expression not changing much.
I put my hands on my hips and looked at the sky.
I’m not angry, I’m fine, the world is at peace!
Just as I finished comforting myself, I looked down, and a neatly folded cloth, emitting a faint scent of soapberry, was handed to me.
I blinked. If I remembered correctly, this should be the cloth he used to wrap his most treasured possession.
“It’s alright.” I wiped the dust off my face casually with my sleeve, planning to endure it for a while.
He hung his hand, clutching the cloth.
Why did it feel like he was losing his color?
I took it, “Thank you.”
After wiping it clean, I returned it to him, and he meticulously wiped away the remaining dirt on my face for me.
This… I couldn’t help but hold my breath. I didn’t dare let my gaze linger on his face, turning my eyes away to see a small, worn bamboo flute tucked into his collar.
“This bamboo flute…”
“It was a gift from my brother.” He answered softly.
“Oh.” I remembered; that was the “six-eyed lemon” guy!
Unlike Yoriichi, his brother would eventually betray the Demon Slayer Corps due to his craving for great power and a long lifespan, becoming the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji’s strongest subordinate.
—The legendary Upper Rank One, Kokushibo.
I sighed, so that’s what was wrapped in the cloth?
I quietly lifted my head to look at his calm, unruffled face. He sensed it immediately and turned his eyes away.
Ah, caught peeking.
I felt inexplicably flustered, pretending to look ahead. It wasn’t like I peeked on purpose; I had just recalled a bit of the plot!
“Ahem.”
I coughed to cover it up, keeping my hands behind my back and deliberately walking two steps ahead. That way, I couldn’t look at him, and he couldn’t see the expression on my face, either.
As I walked, I suddenly remembered there was one more thing I hadn’t explained clearly. “Right, actually, my father wasn’t a gambler; that was a lie I told you earlier. Sorry.”
“I know.”
“I know it was a bit excessive… wait! You knew?” I turned my head when I heard that, my eyes full of shock.
He looked up and said, “Mm, Mrs. Tomoda told me.” His gaze rested on my face, and the color of his pupils in the sunset was like sea and sky merged into a golden-red. “Megumi’s parents passed away from illness.”
So breathtaking! Wait, no, now wasn’t the time to think about that!
I couldn’t help asking, “Since that’s the case, why did you still…”
“Because Megumi wanted me to believe, so I believed.” He paused, lowering his eyes slightly. “Besides, thinking of that image made me feel angry uncontrollably.”
“I see…” Perhaps the sunlight was too intense; I felt my face burning hot. I pursed my lips and turned around, my shadow stretching out long.
Night arrived, and all was quiet.
I tossed and turned in my room, trying my best not to make a sound.
How could I possibly sleep! Once my mind was idle, I touched my lips again. At that moment, was that how I kissed him?
It was too fast; I hadn’t expected it at all, and I hadn’t even felt it carefully.
I really am… a pervert!
I pulled the quilt over my head, feeling restless and stifled to the point of being unable to sleep. The only thing I could be glad about was that Yoriichi had moved to the side; otherwise…
What if I lost control and turned beastly?
Just thinking about it was scary. It was a good thing he didn’t have a sword in his hand, otherwise, he definitely would have hacked me into 888 pieces, right?
I turned back and forth in the room…
But, his attitude was so calm! Or rather, he had always been like that. Was he truly not angry? It was impossible to tell. If he really didn’t care, that would be wonderful…
But how could he not care? Had I already been hated? That behavior was too shameful. We weren’t a couple; judging by myself, I would definitely be disgusted!
The more I thought, the more desperate I felt. Forget it, at least on the surface I was forgiven. I bit the corner of the quilt and fell into a gloom.
Looking out the window, I realized the darkness of late night had transitioned into a deep blue without me noticing. I had been exhilarated and sleepless for the whole night!
Seeing this, I closed my eyes quickly: Better treasure the dog’s life saved by Yoriichi’s generosity! Don’t stay up late and die of sudden cardiac arrest!
Once I relaxed, I fell asleep very quickly…
And woke up even faster!
“Morning.”
The next day, I had dark circles under my eyes and yawned as I said to Yoriichi.
Then, looking at the dark teal sky in the distance, I wondered if I had even slept for three hours.
I could usually make up for lost sleep, but today we had to go to town.
“Is Ya not coming?” He looked outside.
I yawned again and said listlessly, “He doesn’t live at my place, why would he go with us? He kept coming before just because of his competitive spirit; don’t pay attention to it.”
I was truly too sleepy; my upper and lower eyelids were clashing.
“Alright, then I’ll go get the donkey.”
“Mm.” I rubbed my face, trying to gather my spirit. Why did I feel like his tone was a bit lighthearted?
After we set off.
“Are you very sleepy?”
“A little.” He had asked because I had been yawning non-stop the entire way.
“Then you should ride on it.” He stopped and said.
Actually, I had wanted to for a while, but I felt a bit bad about leaving him to walk alone. Since he suggested it, I nodded repeatedly.
He helped me mount the donkey.
I had a shadow of a doubt. “Um, if you want to leave, you have to tell me…”
“I’m afraid that if you leave, it’ll bounce me onto the ground.”
It would absolutely do that! I hadn’t forgotten the true face of this green-tea donkey!
He agreed.
The town was very far from the village. I rode on the little donkey, while Yoriichi walked along the front side, leading the rope.
Early morning was enveloped in a dim ink-blue halo. The air smelled of fireworks and nameless wild grass. The crisp sound of the bell tied with a red rope was melodious and pleasant to the ear.
The rustling sounds made by crickets, birds, and unknown animals played a hypnotic symphony.
I was almost closing my eyes, looking hazily at the youth with dark red hair beside me. The arc of his profile was beautiful, and the stray hairs falling on his forehead were stirred by the wind.
It was as beautiful as a dream beyond reach.
He didn’t seem to notice I was looking at him, so I thought:
This height is so perfect, his hair looks thick and soft, I want to ruffle it!
Pfft! Today I want to ruffle it, tomorrow who knows what I’ll want to do!
I dismissed the urge and immediately withdrew my wandering gaze, focusing on my nose.
Not long after, I was so sleepy from pulling an all-nighter that I fell directly onto the donkey’s neck and slept.
In my final moment of consciousness, I heard it snort impatiently, but because Yoriichi was right beside us, I felt very reassured.
I dare it to buck me off!