Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi Vol 1 Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Old Tengu

113 . “Atatata . This is normal . ” Looking in the distance, I sat in a seat looking at my face in the mirror . There was blood travelling down my forehead going along my right cheek and between my eyes . Although it is bad, it was a little amusing and I could not help but laugh . Since I have no other way to treat my wounds, I take out the ointment I was carrying around . I put some of it on a piece of paper . The bloodshed starts to stop, I tried very hard to treat it . I cannot hear the conflict going on, the only thing I can hear is the sounds of the lively festival music . “The Master seemed to handle that situation well…” I said to myself . Although, perhaps I may be kicked out of this place tomorrow? There was such a sad feeling . The Master, First Hostess and Young Hostess all looked so angry towards me . “Alright, what to do now? I made so many side dishes and I can’t eat them all by myself…”

114 . I go around the counter and check the previously prepared dishes that have been laid out on a large plate . There are a few side dishes . Stir fried pork, Japanese radish fried miso eggplant and other goods . Theres also miso soup and freshly cooked rice . I was thinking about freezing it and cooking it for lunch tomorrow . I feel as if all this cooking was in vain now . For now, I may serve them in a bowl and eat alone for tonight . Ginji-san is surely being chased by work at the moment . The heat of the oven starts to warm the room . Outside there was a sound as if something had crashed into the ground . I was scared but none the less I went outside, a black lump had fallen against the willow tree . Several of the tree branches had broken . I hurried over to get a better look at the lump on the floor . I know that it was an Ayakashi, but it seemed he was having a hard time and looked like he was suffering . “A Tengu?” It was a nice looking Tengu with black wings on his back, small and light . They looked like they were on the verge of falling off . Perhaps he was one of those Tengu’s going on a rampage back at the front? It seemed he was drunk, when I was growing up I’d see my grandpa like this a lot .

115 . I arranged some cushions and let him lay on them . “Why am I remembering something delicious…” My Grandfather would also go out drinking a lot with an old friend, he would often come home drunk . As he made his way home I guess his friend felt they had no choice but to help him get back as he would become quite drowsy . As I was indulged in memories the old Tengu’s eyes started to flutter open . Both our eyes met . “What is this place? I, ouch ouch ouch . ”

“Mister, mister, are you alright? Would you like some water?

“Who are you?” The old man lifted the upper half of his body and I handed him the water . Even though his nose seems injured he manages to get up by himself and falls forward,

“What is this place?”

“Ah, this place is separated from Tenjin-ya . ”

“What? Tenjin-ya?” The old mans eyes seem to get red when Tenjin-ya is mentioned .

116 . He must have been one of the Tengu who had gotten into that big fight . It totally went over my head . In a panicked voice I added . “Ah, but it’s only me here! This place was abandoned by Tenjin-ya . ”

“What?”

“Hey, Mister are you hungry? I prepared a lot of dishes earlier but might need to cook more rice . ”

“…… . ”

“Did you not eat at Tenjin-ya?” The old man’s stomach made a growling sound, I suppose that was his answer . I started to laugh harder and harder and the old man seemed to seem confused in his sleepy state . “Is something wrong?”

“No, no . My Grandfather also got hurt when he was drunk so he’d sleep . I’d make sure he wasn’t hungry or sleepy . ” What a story . My grandfather would get hungry when drunk and then would fall asleep on the spot crushing things . He’d then be very hungry after waking up . However this Tengu spread out on the cushions on the floor reminds me greatly of him . “I suppose I am hungry but I can’t eat food made by a little girl!”

“Is that right? Even the cuisine at Tenjin-ya didn’t suit your tastes . ”

117 . “……”

“Well, I’m going to set up the counter, so feel free to pick up some chopsticks if you want some supper . ” With that said I head towards the counter and stepped inside . I washed my hands then prepared the chopsticks and chopstick rests . I also set out a bowl of rice seasoned with pickled burdock, putting it closest to where the old man was sitting . I then return to the counter to warm up the simmer pork and radish, as the pot begins to boil a pleasant smell comes out . I dip my finger in slightly to have a small taste . The seasoning has gone into the radish and it tastes very good . “Oi, girl . ” After I had a taste of the dish, the old Tengu calls me over with an impatient voice . I pulled my finger out from the pot thinking he may have thought me as rude eating this way . As I step out from behind the counter I see the old man is still lying down on the cushions . “Oi, please help me to get to the counter . ” In short, he wants this, ‘little girl,’ to carry him on my back . Why did this old man have to be injured? I take him over to the counter seat . “Good, set me here . ”

118 . The old tengu took a seat, he immediately asked for a cup of hot tea, I poured one right away . I returned to the inside of the counter careful in handling the food . He made a groaning sound . I had realized the old man was looking at the vinegar burdock root .

“Mister? Would you like some simmered pork and radish?”

“……”

“I can prepare a little if you’d like to eat something . ” He seems to be in an eccentric like dazed state, although I may be a good thing that this old man is quiet, so I may do as I wish . What a tame refusal . From inside of the counter I place out bowl full of simmered pork and radish in front of the old man . Pork and radish is made by roasting ingredients in sesame oil then simmering it with soup stock and soy sauce . In this new world even Ayakashi enjoy the tastes of things sweet and light whilst being stupendously delighted . Since this is not a dish that can be accompanied with sake I set out a bowl of white rice and miso soup . I stood inside of the counter for a little while before I heard a voice call out “Hey,” followed by a chuckle .

“This isn’t enough, isn’t there anything else I can have?”

119 . ”There’s stir-fried meat, eggplant and miso but it may be a little heavy . ”

“Good, bring it all out!” I wonder if he was really hungry? It’s like he has the same habits as my grandfather who also ate quite a lot .

“I’m sorry, because of the limited ingredients I had here I didn’t plan to make anything great, only enough to fill my stomach . I wish I’d prepared it differently since originally I had intended to eat alone…” Whilst preparing the food and chattering to myself the old Tengu asked me a question .

“You, what’s your name?”

“Aoi, Aoi Tsubaki . I’m a human . ”

“Tsubaki? Human?”

“Oh, I suppose a human being in the Hidden Realm would be quite a funny thing… But please reframe from eating me since there’s food here . ” I set out the warmed meat, some freshwater, eggplant and miso in a small bowl . The old tengu stared at me from the counter .

“Eh, is what’s up? Is there something on my face?”

“You, well are you the daughter of Shiro Tsubaki?” I blinked a few times in shock . Of all places I certainly did not think my grandfather’s name would be brought up here .

120 . I also gaze at the old Tengu . Unlike the eyes that I’ve been cautious of, it seemed like eyes that were looking at something nostalgic . Suddenly, a smile slipped through .

“Almost . I’m Shiro Tsubaki’s granddaughter . ” 

“Oh, his granddaughter, huh . ” 

“Yes, do you know my grandfather?” 

“I do . Yeah, I know him very well . ” 

The old Tengu looked up at the ceiling as he was immersed in his memories . For a moment, he fell silent . And in a big voice followed by a laugh, he let out a “gahahaha . ” 

“I see . At last, a granddaughter . Ahahahaha”

“M-mister?”

“My name is Matsuba . Call me Matsubsama, Aoi . ” 

I can’t help but say it obediently when he states it so clearly .  

Certainly, this man seems to be quite a remarkable Tengu . No, just being a Tengu alone may be remarkable .

Without thinking, Matsubsama filled his mouth with rice and gulped it down in front of me, along with a side dish stretching his cheek out .

As I watch this grandpa eating the food so energetically and deliciously, I end up remembering my grandfather .  

121 . “How is it, does it suit your taste?” 

“Oh yes, it reminds me of my mother’s cooking . ”

“You have a mother, Matsubsama?” 

“Of course . Even ayakashi have mothers who give birth to them . ”

So that’s how it is, I can’t really imagine that .  

“For an excellent tengu like Matsubsama, this kind of home cooking must be boring to you . ”

“No . . It’s good to have occasionally . ” 

As Matsubsama held the bowl with a side dish, he was absorbed in deep thought . Did this person really go on a rampage at the front desk at Tenjin-ya?

“Hey, did the food at Tenjin-ya not suit the taste of tengus?” I tried asking him boldly . Without knowing what Matsubsama was thinking, he curved his mouth and distorted his face .  

“Hmm, I simply got tired of it .

“We, who are regulars at Tenjin-ya, got tired of the same food that is always served here . ” 

“Is that so . ”

“The head chef is a stubborn guy . He won’t even listen to any requests . He has the attitude where we have to consume it gratefully since he serves us . ”

“There is a traditional taste . . ”

122 . “However, you can’t help but get tired of it . I’m just saying it honestly . ”

As Matsubsama states that he isn’t in the wrong, he raises his chin up . ‘Well, things like that could happen,’ as I thought to myself . Anyhow, I am just an outsider .

“However, Aoi, your food is nostalgic rather than disagreeable . It’s all food that is passed down from the present world . Not only that, but it is also the taste that Ayakashi like . ”

“Have you been to the present world before?”

“Of course, because tengus like human girls . There have been many occurrences where young girls from the apparent world would be whisked away to become brides . ” 

“What . . ” That would be kidnapping… Matsubsama spoke as if it was a normal thing, but as expected after hearing something like that, I became hardened . Even if they are rotten, they are still ayakashi .  

“My mother was also a human girl . Her home cooking was simple, yet gentle . Just like food from the apparent world . ”Around Matsubsama’s eyes filled with wrinkles, just for a little bit, began to become less tense . A grandpa as feeble as him also remembers the taste of his mother’s it seems .  

Even I, for a little bit started remembering my mother . But as expected, I stopped myself . Just by remembering my mother’s taste, my body starts shivering . It’s not that I don’t know my mother’s taste, but by no means is the taste of love free . Even if I wanted it, it’s something that would never be given to me .

123

After looking at my facial expression, Matsubsama spoke slowly .

“Aoi, you resemble Shiro . ”

“Really? A lot of Ayakashi say that, but I wonder if I resemble him that much . ” I lifted my face and for some reason, pinched my cheeks . When I’m told that I resemble my grandfather, I have just a bit of a sense of discomfort . But since we’re connected by blood, it’s not like we wouldn’t be similar to each other .  

“Your faces might be similar but it’s also the same vibe that you both give off . ” 

“Is that so? I always thought that I was more calm than my grandpa . ” 

“Hahaha . No, no . You two have similar spiritual powers . ” 

“Spiritual powers…?” I have no idea what that means . Besides being able to see Ayakashi, I never felt that I had any other special powers .  

“Shiro was a wild human . He came to the hidden realm by himself and would cause havoc with a lot of Ayakashi . Because of that, a lot of Ayakashi also were after his life . ”

“Haha, that sounds like my grandpa . ”

“There has been a time where I’ve also been helped by Shiro before . It’s been 50 years since then . It was around the time when he was still a boy . After getting drunk from sake, I fell into the Daikanro River, a river that crosses the hidden realm . ”

124

“Oh my . ” I wonder how many times this grandpa has told this story . . Even though I think that, without words, it touched my heart .  

“I may be a great tengu who has lived for over a hundred something years, but at any rate, my iron clogs were heavy . As I was drowning, I ended up sinking too easily . My wings have also gotten wet, so they were too heavy for me to fly . ” 

As if Matsubsama was making fun of himself, he laughed abruptly .

As if Matsubsama was making fun of himself, he laughed abruptly .

“Fishing at the Daikanro River is prohibited, but like as usual, Shiro was fishing there . When he found me drowning, with that fragile human body, he jumped into the river and pulled me up to the sea bank . ” 

“Well, my grandpa is the type of person who did humanitarian actions . ”

“No, no . He pestered me for a reward for saving my life . He was a shameless fellow . ”

“Oh . . I see . . ” As expected, grandpa was a useless grandpa back then too .  

“So, what in the world did you end up giving to my grandpa?” As I was getting curious, Matsubsama looked away .

“At that time, I didn’t have anything on me . Later on, I promised to give him a treasured fan .

125

Shiro nodded in agreement, but he ended up not showing up before me for a while . ”

“Hmm, I wonder if that was when he returned to the modern world . ” 

“I wouldn’t know . He was a carefree, happy-go-lucky guy . He doesn’t keep his promises, but he’s unable to ignore what’s happening in front of him . He was an irresponsible person who lived for the moment .

“That is absolutely true . ” Living in the moment, or rather, my grandfather’s haphazard way of life was expressed so wittily that for some reason, made my chest burn up . ‘This ayakashi really knows my grandfather,’ I thought once again .  

“Since then, after time passed by, I’ve met him many times . But it seems that he forgot the promise . He never accepted it in the end . ”

“Yeah, he probably really forgot . ”

“It seems so . He’s that kind of person after all . ” It’s not a seat for liquor, but Matsubsama still continued on about stories of the past .

Perhaps, it was as if his flood of memories was starting to overflow . If he didn’t talk, he wouldn’t be able to sort everything out .  

“I liked Shiro . The majority of the ayakashi in the hidden realm would call him a good-for-nothing human, or a lowlife, worse than ayakashi . But even that was amusing and exhilarating .

126

“Ah, a lowlife, worse than ayakashi…” It’s not mistaken . Even in the modern world, ayakashi have also said that .  

“I heard a rumor that Shiro has a big debt at Tenjinya . He’s a good for nothing fellow . ”

Matsubsama sipped some hot tea and let out a long breath .   

“Nevertheless, your cooking is exquisite . It’s the taste that ayakashi like . My mother knew this taste but had a hard time with it . ”

“The taste my grandpa liked and what the ayakashi like are similar . Sweet, light seasoning, and plain flavors . ”

“Oh? That’s strange . Back then, he used to say that the food in the hidden realm was too bland to eat . ”

“What?”

“Well, his taste must have changed . ” Before I could think, Matsubsama came up with this conclusion . It’s true that as you get older, your taste could change . Could it be that my grandfather’s taste gradually changed to an ayakashi’s . Or did he miss the hidden realm’s food . .

 

127 . I became confused at such a thing .

“Where is Shiro now? If his granddaughter is here surely, he is coming as well? How is he? Is he well?” The look in Matsubsama’s eyes is fun, filled with the excitement of a small child, almost shattering . I shake my head .

“No . He’s dead . He wasn’t that old, but he fell down a flight of stairs and died . It wasn’t a pleasant thing . ” The sad sunken expression on Matsubsama’s face after finding out that my grandfather had died felt strange . Everyone else seemed pleased with my grandfather’s death but it seems the opposite for Matsubsama .

“I see, he was a generous man . He was respectable even amongst Ayakashi . ”

“……”

“Human beings are such fragile creatures . Most can’t even live a hundred years . ” His voice was lonely . Matsubsama sipped his tea with a sad look on his face . After that Matsubsama had tried to get drunk, however a cold expression came over him when I told him there was no sake here . He stood up in silence uttering, “I’m going to go drink . ” He then left, I watched from the bottom of the willow tree as he flew overhead sending the pine wood flying .

128 . Ships still soared in the night sky and the festival has not yet stopped . Matsubsama who was also flying amongst them slowly got smaller and smaller . He was a strange visitor but thanks to him I recalled the unlucky events that had happened to me . According to Matsubsama’s stories my grandfather has travelled in and out of the Hidden Realm alone . No matter how much I think about it I can’t help but wonder if he was not lonely, if he wasn’t scared . No matter how hard I think about this person that is no longer here no answers manage to come out . He was deeply loved and respected by some people here, but even in this world some things have not changed . When I think about my grandfather being the person he was it is nostalgic and unavoidable . My grandfather who tried to make his own granddaughter an ogre’s bride and a debtor . This feeling of sadness is something that I cannot do anything about . There’s nothing I can do about it; my grandfather’s debt is also my own burden .

129 . The next day I got up at dawn, after rearranging some of the surrounding furniture I ate a lot of the leftovers . Yesterday Matsubsama the old Tengu had eaten a lot of it, so there wasn’t too much trouble . I washed the cooking utensils and dishes after eating cheerfully . This is a lovely place, it’s sad that it’s going to be destroyed but it does belong to Tenjin-ya . Now it looks the same from before I used it, it can’t be helped .

“Alright . ” It was about noon when I had finished with all of the work . If I cannot work in this inn I have no choice but to find work on the outside . I put on the matcha kimono for employees that Ginji-san had given me . In this world the trend of a light blue flowy dress is nonexistent . Instead everyone wears kimonos, they are still thin, light and they cover your whole body .

“Oh, right, hair ornament . ” I remember the camellia ornament that was given to me by the Ogre God and take it out of my bag . I miss those pleasures of standing under the Torii bridge, overlooking the face of a demon who turned out to be the Master of Tenjinya . Thinking back on those times are almost hilarious and the hunger in my stomach ceases .

130 . ” Well, looks like I’m selling this to a pawnbroker . ” Even if it is pretty I attempt to put the hair ornament into the depths of my bag then stop, placing it on the counter . If I’m going to venture out of Tenjinya then I will leave this here . I walk the distance towards the door . Alright, let’s do our best to find a job .

“Aoi-san!” At the moment Ginji-san came out from the back door of the main building and passed through a corridor . He is now in the form of a young man wearing a Japanese half coat .

“Oh, Ginji-san! Great timing . Could I look for a job outside?”

“Outside? What? Why on Earth… No, you can’t . Aoi-san please come here . ” Ginji-san seems as if he’s in a hurry, what could be making him like this? I follow him across from the courtyard, hurried along the corridor and went to the front desk . At the front of the main building all the work has stopped and all of the Tenjinya employees are lined up . The first lady, the young snow woman, the Tsuchigomo and the chief daruma . Other than that I don’t know anything about the others and for some reason there seems to be a large dog that was rampaging yesterday .

131 . When I walked in everyone’s attention seemed to land on me, I thought that something must have been wrong . Cold sweat runs down . The Master came over to me with a sublime look on his face . Looking into his red eyes is worrying .

131 . When I walked in everyone’s attention seemed to land on me, I thought that something must have been wrong . Cold sweat runs down . The Master came over to me with a sublime look on his face . Looking into his red eyes is worrying .

“Aoi, did you cook a meal for the tengu?” I was thrilled, I wonder if this is all about Matsubsama, however I wonder if I had done something that I shouldn’t have . The thought of them being angry at me and kicking me out was chilling .

“Aoi, Aoi! I was looked after last night . ” At that time Matsubsama was wearing a kimono with the pattern of a mountain on it as he spoke to me through the crowd of Ayakashi . The Tengu were lined up side by side amongst the Ayakashi, they all made way for Matsubsama . Matsubsama walked over to me cane in hand at the front desk . Could Matsubsama possibly be a respected person? A great Tengu? Yesterday he was just a miserable old man who fell under a willow tree covered in branches .

“Aoi, Aoi you helped me who had fallen and served me delicious food, you are also Shiro’s granddaughter, so I will care for you . ”

“Well thank you for that . ”

“Therefore, I will give you this this Tengu fan . ”

132 . Matsubsama presented me with an eight-leafed fan . I thought of rude things such as to why I’d need such an object . The Ayakashi employees of Tenjinya all made surprising sounds when they saw it .

“Ehhhhhhh?” Their eyes raised as they all jumped up . Even the Master has an unbelievable look of surprise in his eyes .

“Here, this was originally meant for Shiro and for that reason you, his granddaughter will inherit it . ”

“Huh? But is that okay? By the looks of everyone’s reactions this must be really precious . ”

“It’s alright, it’s okay . ” Matsubsama is in a completely different state from yesterday, he’s in a good mood and can look after himself . I look at my hand in puzzlement as he gives me the fan .

“From what I’ve heard you seem to be staying here at Tenjinya as a way to pay off Shiro’s debt, as his debtor . What a waste . What a pity . If you don’t want to work in a place like this come to Mount Shumon, there you will be treated with hospitality . If anything, you could even marry one of my sons . Then you will be my relative and we will pay off the debt . The Tengu will take care of such a human girl . ”

As a result of Matsubsama’s outrageous proposal the Tenjinya employees once again stare at me in shock, I hold onto the eight-leafed fan .

133 . The Master says nothing but only narrows his eyes . However, Ginji-san seems to be in a rush as he kneels at the feet of Great Tengu lowering his head .

“We cannot do that Matsubsama . We cannot do that . ”

“Why not, nine tails?” Ginji-san continues to bow to Matsubsama although, I can understand Matsubsama’s reasoning and position .

“Aoi-san is also the Masters fiancée . ”

“Ha . Fiancée? And he drove her to a place like that? A granddaughter of Shiro is my granddaughter as well . ”

“Haha, yes well, that’s right, I suppose…” Matsubsama continues to scold Ginji-san . I rush over and stand in front of Ginji-san .

“Matsubsama, Ginji-san is my savior so please to not scold him so harshly . ”

“Well alright, if you say so . But Aoi, please come with me . ”

“Aha, Matsubsama I’m sorry but I cannot accept such an offer . ” Matsubsama the Tengu standing to his side and all of the Tenjinya employees all let out gasps of surprise at my quick decision . A few voices of shock surface here and there . I can feel the Master staring at me with his red eyes, I do not know what he’s thinking .

134 . Well, it doesn’t matter, I turn to face Matsubsama again .

“The thing is I can see that you care about me but Matsubsama if I go with you I know I will regret it . ”

“Aoi, why?”

“Shiro Tsubaki is my grandfather and I want to fix what he’s done . ” This may have been a foolish choice, but I feel as if I should clean up after my grandfather . It was for that reason my grandfather took me in after all .

“Besides, I told that Ogre over there I’d work off the debt and I can’t break that promise without his permission, and I know he’d rather I pay it back quickly instead of me bothering the Ayakashi working in the inn . However, I try not to listen to such mean things . ” Matsubsama looks sad and disappointed, I can’t bear to watch .

“I’m sorry, I can’t accept this fan either . ” I hold out the eight-leafed fan to the Great Tengu but Matsubsama but he slowly pushes it back towards me .

135 . “Okay, but you keep that . I promised it to Shiro a long time ago, but he forgot about the eastward fan and did not accept it . Since you, Aoi, are supposed to be handling Shiro’s debt this eastward fan has been passed down to you . ”

“Eastward fan…” It’s breathtaking . What does it mean eastward? Matsubsama stubbornly insisted that I keep it . ‘If you say so,’ I thought to myself as I hold it thankfully . However, it is difficult to think of a use for it in the first place, I have no idea what it’s supposed to be used for . Perhaps it’d look cool under a dish of some sort?
 

“Ogre God . ” Matsubsama stands in front of the Master, before he was treated with great respect but now the Master smiles at him in a businesslike manner .

“What is it, Matsubsama?”

“If Aoi is your fiancée take care of her more . I know that you and Shiro have some history but that does not mean his grandchild is to blame . ”

“Haha well, I don’t especially remember mistreating her . ”

“Oh, you’re playing dumb . ”

136 . The old tengu turned his back to the Master and the rest of them .

“Well good because after the incidents of last night I was thinking about not using Tenjinya for a while but after Aoi’s delicious food I’ve decided to let it slide . ”

“Thank you very much . ”

“Well we did go a little overboard and will cover half the cost of repairing the inn . ” The Master bowed his head to Matsubsama, other employees follow with looks of relief . It seems that I am one of the only people left upstanding . To me Matsubsama lowers his head .

“Aoi, because I ate your dish I became full of energy . When I eat your food, I feel powerful . You should open up a small restaurant and invite me to it . ” Matsubsama leapt up on the spot .

“Ha? My food is just home cooking it’d be impossible for me to prepare a proper meal, let alone a restaurant . ” I laughed at Matsubsama’s idea, however Ginji-san spoke up for me .

“Aoi, because I ate your dish I became full of energy . When I eat your food, I feel powerful . You should open up a small restaurant and invite me to it . ” Matsubsama leapt up on the spot .

“Ha? My food is just home cooking it’d be impossible for me to prepare a proper meal, let alone a restaurant . ” I laughed at Matsubsama’s idea, however Ginji-san spoke up for me .

“Yes, that’s right! Aoi-san should open an eatery in that place . Please rethink your decision to break it down and let it belong to Aoi-san so she can be a chef . It’ll be a new start!”

137 . “Ha?” Even Ginji-san thinks so, how strange . What are they thinking? I was about to laugh but I cover my mouth in a hurry .

“W-wait a second . What are you talking about? I can’t do that!” The cooking from here is a lot different from my cooking, I can understand that much . I try to refuse them . I’ll just find another job . However, Ginji-san begins to talk with Matsubsama about it .

“That’s right . If you do decide to please let me visit you at that place when I come to Tenjinya . If you want, you could even give it a name . ”

“Thankfully, Matsubsama is one of our most esteemed guests . So, all of the Tengu would visit, it’d be extremely busy . ” Ginji-sans business skills are a little terrible . The Ayakashi around me seem to be in a fuss about it, especially the Daruma standing in the shadows who have sour looks on their faces .

“Um, um . I don’t think I could make a very delicious meal though . ”

“No, Aoi-san! You told me you’d listen to anything that I’d ask . ” Ginji-san gripped my shoulders firmly and smiled at me . Eh? No, I told you to ask if you ever needed anything .

138 . “That’s why you should cook at that place . This is also an opportunity for you to repay your debt . ”

“…… . . ” I can’t get out of this, I can’t get out of this . I can’t refuse, I have to pay back my debts . The inside of my head goes blank . At that time the Master speaks up .

“Please wait . ” He said with a low voice, ending the flow of the conversation .

“Do not decide this on your own, I will decide . Understood? Ginji . ”

“Yes Master, understood . ” Ginji-san stiffens a little bit and bows his head to the Master .

“We will think about what to do with it, but for now let’s wait . For now, we have to get the inn up and running again . We can’t let it remain this way . ”

I try not to panic, in that moment the Master puts his hand on Ginji-san’s shoulder, they both give me a passing glance before they stand to go before Matsubsama .

“Matsubsama, I apologize for how rudely we conducted ourselves yesterday . Please continue to use our services in the future . ”

“Hm . While we’re talking about apologies for being rude I suppose we should too . Well, thanks to Aoi we accept your apology . Only for Aoi’s sake, and you remember that well . ”

139 . “Yes, of course . ” After the interaction, the Tengu were rushed into a large conference room called, ‘Enma,’ by the first lady . The Tenjin-ya executives are also sucked into a working spree far and in-between . Whilst holding the treasured Tengu fan I watch the movements of various Ayakashi .

“Aoi . ” The Master passed by and called out to me . I think worriedly to myself .

“I don’t know where you were going but know I will not allow you to leave Tenjin-ya . ”

“But I thought I could look for a job outside?”

“Wait awhile, okay?” The Master grabs my hand and puts it to my head, it feels a little obscure . A black sleeve brushes my cheek and his arm passes by . I’ll wait as he says, I feel a little tired anyway .

140 . “Don’t feel bad human girl . ” The front desk Tsuchigomo says as he passes me . Although I don’t entirely get what he’s trying to say . With uncertainty in my mind I step into the dark corridor and sit down on the unused steps . The raccoon room hostess girl calls out to me, she sits down as she eats Manju buns .

“That old man Tengu seems to be quite fond of you . ” The raccoon girl throws me a manju bun that I catch .

“Although because of it Tenjin-ya will be able to resolve the problem easily . ”

“Ha?”

“Last night the Master tried to entertain the angry Tengu on one of our luxury ships ‘Kukakumaru,’ but the drunken Matsubsama who was not in a good mood drank too much and fell off the boat . The Tengu finished up the feast and searched frantically for Matsubsama but they couldn’t find him . It was a pretty big deal . ”

“I see . That’s why Matsubsama was in that place . ” Matsubsama must have remembered the sight of falling under the willow tree . Although it must be bad practice for a Tengu to fall from such a height . The raccoon girl continues to eat the Manju .

141 . “At that point in time it had already been said that it was impossible to restore ties with the Tengu of Shumon Mountain since Matsubsama is the head Tengu . The Tenjin-ya executives had a meeting in the conference room this morning while everyone else was repairing the front desk area . Guests are leaving out the front gate and tonight Tenjin-ya is in temporary repair mode . Most guests have cancelled . ”

I thought that no customers other than the Tengu would have been in the front anyway .

“Well then the Tengu came over and started yelling about letting go of Shiro Tsubaki’s granddaughter . ‘Bring Aoi Tsubaki to the front . ’ Because of it the front desk could not be fully restored . ”

“Wow, that happened?” Although it is said that leftovers are often better I didn’t know that such good things could come out of my cooking . Perhaps I hadn’t even realized it myself?

“I feel kind of blurry . I don’t even know what your position is . ”

“I don’t get what you’re saying?”

“The executives are jealous that they’re taking care of a human girl like you . Especially the daruma in the kitchen which is where most things are taken care of . You better be careful . ”

“It could be worse . ” I only thing I’ll get worried if it becomes an extremely troublesome matter .

142 . “Ahaha, but there could also be good things . ”

The raccoon girl jumped off the stairs, her brown her brushed passed me . She turned to leave .

“Hey, what’s your name?” I asked for the name of the raccoon girl .

“It’s Kasuga!” Cheerfully she rushes to the brighter side of the hallway . Now I’m familiar with the situation although I thought it would have been a stupid reason that I couldn’t have understood . I nibble on the Manju . After that I went back to the small building, I sat inside in the quiet . I lie down ready to sleep in spite of the stillness of the afternoon . The smell of tatami mats is new, in saying that it’s also relieving, giving me peace of mind . I closed my eyes . I’m thankful that I have time to just simply breathe in silence accompanied by the smell of tatami mats . I fall into a short sleep .

Chapter 4: The Old Tengu.

113 . “Atatata . This is normal . ” Looking in the distance, I sat in a seat looking at my face in the mirror . There was blood travelling down my forehead going along my right cheek and between my eyes . Although it is bad, it was a little amusing and I could not help but laugh . Since I have no other way to treat my wounds, I take out the ointment I was carrying around . I put some of it on a piece of paper . The bloodshed starts to stop, I tried very hard to treat it . I cannot hear the conflict going on, the only thing I can hear is the sounds of the lively festival music . “The Master seemed to handle that situation well…” I said to myself . Although, perhaps I may be kicked out of this place tomorrow? There was such a sad feeling . The Master, First Hostess and Young Hostess all looked so angry towards me . “Alright, what to do now? I made so many side dishes and I can’t eat them all by myself…”.

114 . I go around the counter and check the previously prepared dishes that have been laid out on a large plate . There are a few side dishes . Stir fried pork, Japanese radish fried miso eggplant and other goods . Theres also miso soup and freshly cooked rice . I was thinking about freezing it and cooking it for lunch tomorrow . I feel as if all this cooking was in vain now . For now, I may serve them in a bowl and eat alone for tonight . Ginji-san is surely being chased by work at the moment . The heat of the oven starts to warm the room . Outside there was a sound as if something had crashed into the ground . I was scared but none the less I went outside, a black lump had fallen against the willow tree . Several of the tree branches had broken . I hurried over to get a better look at the lump on the floor . I know that it was an Ayakashi, but it seemed he was having a hard time and looked like he was suffering . “A Tengu?” It was a nice looking Tengu with black wings on his back, small and light . They looked like they were on the verge of falling off . Perhaps he was one of those Tengu’s going on a rampage back at the front? It seemed he was drunk, when I was growing up I’d see my grandpa like this a lot

115 . I arranged some cushions and let him lay on them . “Why am I remembering something delicious…” My Grandfather would also go out drinking a lot with an old friend, he would often come home drunk . As he made his way home I guess his friend felt they had no choice but to help him get back as he would become quite drowsy . As I was indulged in memories the old Tengu’s eyes started to flutter open . Both our eyes met . “What is this place? I, ouch ouch ouch . ”.

“Mister, mister, are you alright? Would you like some water?.

“Who are you?” The old man lifted the upper half of his body and I handed him the water . Even though his nose seems injured he manages to get up by himself and falls forward,.

“What is this place?”.

“Ah, this place is separated from Tenjin-ya . ”.

“What? Tenjin-ya?” The old mans eyes seem to get red when Tenjin-ya is mentioned

116 . He must have been one of the Tengu who had gotten into that big fight . It totally went over my head . In a panicked voice I added . “Ah, but it’s only me here! This place was abandoned by Tenjin-ya . ”.

“What?”.

“Hey, Mister are you hungry? I prepared a lot of dishes earlier but might need to cook more rice . ”.

“…… . ”.

“Did you not eat at Tenjin-ya?” The old man’s stomach made a growling sound, I suppose that was his answer . I started to laugh harder and harder and the old man seemed to seem confused in his sleepy state . “Is something wrong?”.

“No, no . My Grandfather also got hurt when he was drunk so he’d sleep . I’d make sure he wasn’t hungry or sleepy . ” What a story . My grandfather would get hungry when drunk and then would fall asleep on the spot crushing things . He’d then be very hungry after waking up . However this Tengu spread out on the cushions on the floor reminds me greatly of him . “I suppose I am hungry but I can’t eat food made by a little girl!”.

“Is that right? Even the cuisine at Tenjin-ya didn’t suit your tastes . ”.

117 . “……”.

“Well, I’m going to set up the counter, so feel free to pick up some chopsticks if you want some supper . ” With that said I head towards the counter and stepped inside . I washed my hands then prepared the chopsticks and chopstick rests . I also set out a bowl of rice seasoned with pickled burdock, putting it closest to where the old man was sitting . I then return to the counter to warm up the simmer pork and radish, as the pot begins to boil a pleasant smell comes out . I dip my finger in slightly to have a small taste . The seasoning has gone into the radish and it tastes very good . “Oi, girl . ” After I had a taste of the dish, the old Tengu calls me over with an impatient voice . I pulled my finger out from the pot thinking he may have thought me as rude eating this way . As I step out from behind the counter I see the old man is still lying down on the cushions . “Oi, please help me to get to the counter . ” In short, he wants this, ‘little girl,’ to carry him on my back . Why did this old man have to be injured? I take him over to the counter seat . “Good, set me here . ”.

118 . The old tengu took a seat, he immediately asked for a cup of hot tea, I poured one right away . I returned to the inside of the counter careful in handling the food . He made a groaning sound . I had realized the old man was looking at the vinegar burdock root

“Mister? Would you like some simmered pork and radish?”.

“……”.

“I can prepare a little if you’d like to eat something . ” He seems to be in an eccentric like dazed state, although I may be a good thing that this old man is quiet, so I may do as I wish . What a tame refusal . From inside of the counter I place out bowl full of simmered pork and radish in front of the old man . Pork and radish is made by roasting ingredients in sesame oil then simmering it with soup stock and soy sauce . In this new world even Ayakashi enjoy the tastes of things sweet and light whilst being stupendously delighted . Since this is not a dish that can be accompanied with sake I set out a bowl of white rice and miso soup . I stood inside of the counter for a little while before I heard a voice call out “Hey,” followed by a chuckle

“This isn’t enough, isn’t there anything else I can have?”.

119 . ”There’s stir-fried meat, eggplant and miso but it may be a little heavy . ”.

“Good, bring it all out!” I wonder if he was really hungry? It’s like he has the same habits as my grandfather who also ate quite a lot

“I’m sorry, because of the limited ingredients I had here I didn’t plan to make anything great, only enough to fill my stomach . I wish I’d prepared it differently since originally I had intended to eat alone…” Whilst preparing the food and chattering to myself the old Tengu asked me a question

“You, what’s your name?”.

“Aoi, Aoi Tsubaki . I’m a human . ”.

“Tsubaki? Human?”.

“Oh, I suppose a human being in the Hidden Realm would be quite a funny thing… But please reframe from eating me since there’s food here . ” I set out the warmed meat, some freshwater, eggplant and miso in a small bowl . The old tengu stared at me from the counter

“Eh, is what’s up? Is there something on my face?”.

“You, well are you the daughter of Shiro Tsubaki?” I blinked a few times in shock . Of all places I certainly did not think my grandfather’s name would be brought up here

120 . I also gaze at the old Tengu . Unlike the eyes that I’ve been cautious of, it seemed like eyes that were looking at something nostalgic . Suddenly, a smile slipped through

“Almost . I’m Shiro Tsubaki’s granddaughter . ” .

“Oh, his granddaughter, huh . ” .

“Yes, do you know my grandfather?” .

“I do . Yeah, I know him very well . ” .

The old Tengu looked up at the ceiling as he was immersed in his memories . For a moment, he fell silent . And in a big voice followed by a laugh, he let out a “gahahaha . ” .

“I see . At last, a granddaughter . Ahahahaha”.

“M-mister?”.

“My name is Matsuba . Call me Matsubsama, Aoi . ” .

I can’t help but say it obediently when he states it so clearly .  .

Certainly, this man seems to be quite a remarkable Tengu . No, just being a Tengu alone may be remarkable

Without thinking, Matsubsama filled his mouth with rice and gulped it down in front of me, along with a side dish stretching his cheek out

As I watch this grandpa eating the food so energetically and deliciously, I end up remembering my grandfather .  .

121 . “How is it, does it suit your taste?” .

“Oh yes, it reminds me of my mother’s cooking . ”.

“You have a mother, Matsubsama?” .

“Of course . Even ayakashi have mothers who give birth to them . ”.

So that’s how it is, I can’t really imagine that .  .

“For an excellent tengu like Matsubsama, this kind of home cooking must be boring to you . ”.

“No It’s good to have occasionally . ” .

As Matsubsama held the bowl with a side dish, he was absorbed in deep thought . Did this person really go on a rampage at the front desk at Tenjin-ya?.

“Hey, did the food at Tenjin-ya not suit the taste of tengus?” I tried asking him boldly . Without knowing what Matsubsama was thinking, he curved his mouth and distorted his face .  .

“Hmm, I simply got tired of it

“We, who are regulars at Tenjin-ya, got tired of the same food that is always served here . ” .

“Is that so . ”.

“The head chef is a stubborn guy . He won’t even listen to any requests . He has the attitude where we have to consume it gratefully since he serves us . ”.

“There is a traditional taste ”.

122 . “However, you can’t help but get tired of it . I’m just saying it honestly . ”.

As Matsubsama states that he isn’t in the wrong, he raises his chin up . ‘Well, things like that could happen,’ as I thought to myself . Anyhow, I am just an outsider

“However, Aoi, your food is nostalgic rather than disagreeable . It’s all food that is passed down from the present world . Not only that, but it is also the taste that Ayakashi like . ”.

“Have you been to the present world before?”.

“Of course, because tengus like human girls . There have been many occurrences where young girls from the apparent world would be whisked away to become brides . ” .

“What ” That would be kidnapping… Matsubsama spoke as if it was a normal thing, but as expected after hearing something like that, I became hardened . Even if they are rotten, they are still ayakashi .  .

“My mother was also a human girl . Her home cooking was simple, yet gentle . Just like food from the apparent world . ”Around Matsubsama’s eyes filled with wrinkles, just for a little bit, began to become less tense . A grandpa as feeble as him also remembers the taste of his mother’s it seems .  .

Even I, for a little bit started remembering my mother . But as expected, I stopped myself . Just by remembering my mother’s taste, my body starts shivering . It’s not that I don’t know my mother’s taste, but by no means is the taste of love free . Even if I wanted it, it’s something that would never be given to me

123.

After looking at my facial expression, Matsubsama spoke slowly

“Aoi, you resemble Shiro . ”.

“Really? A lot of Ayakashi say that, but I wonder if I resemble him that much . ” I lifted my face and for some reason, pinched my cheeks . When I’m told that I resemble my grandfather, I have just a bit of a sense of discomfort . But since we’re connected by blood, it’s not like we wouldn’t be similar to each other .  .

“Your faces might be similar but it’s also the same vibe that you both give off . ” .

“Is that so? I always thought that I was more calm than my grandpa . ” .

“Hahaha . No, no . You two have similar spiritual powers . ” .

“Spiritual powers…?” I have no idea what that means . Besides being able to see Ayakashi, I never felt that I had any other special powers .  .

“Shiro was a wild human . He came to the hidden realm by himself and would cause havoc with a lot of Ayakashi . Because of that, a lot of Ayakashi also were after his life . ”.

“Haha, that sounds like my grandpa . ”.

“There has been a time where I’ve also been helped by Shiro before . It’s been 50 years since then . It was around the time when he was still a boy . After getting drunk from sake, I fell into the Daikanro River, a river that crosses the hidden realm . ”.

124.

“Oh my . ” I wonder how many times this grandpa has told this story Even though I think that, without words, it touched my heart .  .

“I may be a great tengu who has lived for over a hundred something years, but at any rate, my iron clogs were heavy . As I was drowning, I ended up sinking too easily . My wings have also gotten wet, so they were too heavy for me to fly . ” .

As if Matsubsama was making fun of himself, he laughed abruptly

“Fishing at the Daikanro River is prohibited, but like as usual, Shiro was fishing there . When he found me drowning, with that fragile human body, he jumped into the river and pulled me up to the sea bank . ” .

“Well, my grandpa is the type of person who did humanitarian actions . ”.

“No, no . He pestered me for a reward for saving my life . He was a shameless fellow . ”.

“Oh I see ” As expected, grandpa was a useless grandpa back then too .  .

“So, what in the world did you end up giving to my grandpa?” As I was getting curious, Matsubsama looked away

“At that time, I didn’t have anything on me . Later on, I promised to give him a treasured fan

125.

Shiro nodded in agreement, but he ended up not showing up before me for a while . ”.

“Hmm, I wonder if that was when he returned to the modern world . ” .

“I wouldn’t know . He was a carefree, happy-go-lucky guy . He doesn’t keep his promises, but he’s unable to ignore what’s happening in front of him . He was an irresponsible person who lived for the moment

“That is absolutely true . ” Living in the moment, or rather, my grandfather’s haphazard way of life was expressed so wittily that for some reason, made my chest burn up . ‘This ayakashi really knows my grandfather,’ I thought once again .  .

“Since then, after time passed by, I’ve met him many times . But it seems that he forgot the promise . He never accepted it in the end . ”.

“Yeah, he probably really forgot . ”.

“It seems so . He’s that kind of person after all . ” It’s not a seat for liquor, but Matsubsama still continued on about stories of the past

Perhaps, it was as if his flood of memories was starting to overflow . If he didn’t talk, he wouldn’t be able to sort everything out .  .

“I liked Shiro . The majority of the ayakashi in the hidden realm would call him a good-for-nothing human, or a lowlife, worse than ayakashi . But even that was amusing and exhilarating

126.

“Ah, a lowlife, worse than ayakashi…” It’s not mistaken . Even in the modern world, ayakashi have also said that .  .

“I heard a rumor that Shiro has a big debt at Tenjinya . He’s a good for nothing fellow . ”.

Matsubsama sipped some hot tea and let out a long breath .   .

“Nevertheless, your cooking is exquisite . It’s the taste that ayakashi like . My mother knew this taste but had a hard time with it . ”.

“The taste my grandpa liked and what the ayakashi like are similar . Sweet, light seasoning, and plain flavors . ”.

“Oh? That’s strange . Back then, he used to say that the food in the hidden realm was too bland to eat . ”.

“What?”.

“Well, his taste must have changed . ” Before I could think, Matsubsama came up with this conclusion . It’s true that as you get older, your taste could change . Could it be that my grandfather’s taste gradually changed to an ayakashi’s . Or did he miss the hidden realm’s food .

 .

127 . I became confused at such a thing

“Where is Shiro now? If his granddaughter is here surely, he is coming as well? How is he? Is he well?” The look in Matsubsama’s eyes is fun, filled with the excitement of a small child, almost shattering . I shake my head

“No . He’s dead . He wasn’t that old, but he fell down a flight of stairs and died . It wasn’t a pleasant thing . ” The sad sunken expression on Matsubsama’s face after finding out that my grandfather had died felt strange . Everyone else seemed pleased with my grandfather’s death but it seems the opposite for Matsubsama

“I see, he was a generous man . He was respectable even amongst Ayakashi . ”.

“……”.

“Human beings are such fragile creatures . Most can’t even live a hundred years . ” His voice was lonely . Matsubsama sipped his tea with a sad look on his face . After that Matsubsama had tried to get drunk, however a cold expression came over him when I told him there was no sake here . He stood up in silence uttering, “I’m going to go drink . ” He then left, I watched from the bottom of the willow tree as he flew overhead sending the pine wood flying

128 . Ships still soared in the night sky and the festival has not yet stopped . Matsubsama who was also flying amongst them slowly got smaller and smaller . He was a strange visitor but thanks to him I recalled the unlucky events that had happened to me . According to Matsubsama’s stories my grandfather has travelled in and out of the Hidden Realm alone . No matter how much I think about it I can’t help but wonder if he was not lonely, if he wasn’t scared . No matter how hard I think about this person that is no longer here no answers manage to come out . He was deeply loved and respected by some people here, but even in this world some things have not changed . When I think about my grandfather being the person he was it is nostalgic and unavoidable . My grandfather who tried to make his own granddaughter an ogre’s bride and a debtor . This feeling of sadness is something that I cannot do anything about . There’s nothing I can do about it; my grandfather’s debt is also my own burden

129 . The next day I got up at dawn, after rearranging some of the surrounding furniture I ate a lot of the leftovers . Yesterday Matsubsama the old Tengu had eaten a lot of it, so there wasn’t too much trouble . I washed the cooking utensils and dishes after eating cheerfully . This is a lovely place, it’s sad that it’s going to be destroyed but it does belong to Tenjin-ya . Now it looks the same from before I used it, it can’t be helped

“Alright . ” It was about noon when I had finished with all of the work . If I cannot work in this inn I have no choice but to find work on the outside . I put on the matcha kimono for employees that Ginji-san had given me . In this world the trend of a light blue flowy dress is nonexistent . Instead everyone wears kimonos, they are still thin, light and they cover your whole body

“Oh, right, hair ornament . ” I remember the camellia ornament that was given to me by the Ogre God and take it out of my bag . I miss those pleasures of standing under the Torii bridge, overlooking the face of a demon who turned out to be the Master of Tenjinya . Thinking back on those times are almost hilarious and the hunger in my stomach ceases

130 . ” Well, looks like I’m selling this to a pawnbroker . ” Even if it is pretty I attempt to put the hair ornament into the depths of my bag then stop, placing it on the counter . If I’m going to venture out of Tenjinya then I will leave this here . I walk the distance towards the door . Alright, let’s do our best to find a job

“Aoi-san!” At the moment Ginji-san came out from the back door of the main building and passed through a corridor . He is now in the form of a young man wearing a Japanese half coat

“Oh, Ginji-san! Great timing . Could I look for a job outside?”.

“Outside? What? Why on Earth… No, you can’t . Aoi-san please come here . ” Ginji-san seems as if he’s in a hurry, what could be making him like this? I follow him across from the courtyard, hurried along the corridor and went to the front desk . At the front of the main building all the work has stopped and all of the Tenjinya employees are lined up . The first lady, the young snow woman, the Tsuchigomo and the chief daruma . Other than that I don’t know anything about the others and for some reason there seems to be a large dog that was rampaging yesterday

131 . When I walked in everyone’s attention seemed to land on me, I thought that something must have been wrong . Cold sweat runs down . The Master came over to me with a sublime look on his face . Looking into his red eyes is worrying

“Aoi, did you cook a meal for the tengu?” I was thrilled, I wonder if this is all about Matsubsama, however I wonder if I had done something that I shouldn’t have . The thought of them being angry at me and kicking me out was chilling

“Aoi, Aoi! I was looked after last night . ” At that time Matsubsama was wearing a kimono with the pattern of a mountain on it as he spoke to me through the crowd of Ayakashi . The Tengu were lined up side by side amongst the Ayakashi, they all made way for Matsubsama . Matsubsama walked over to me cane in hand at the front desk . Could Matsubsama possibly be a respected person? A great Tengu? Yesterday he was just a miserable old man who fell under a willow tree covered in branches

“Aoi, Aoi you helped me who had fallen and served me delicious food, you are also Shiro’s granddaughter, so I will care for you . ”.

“Well thank you for that . ”.

“Therefore, I will give you this this Tengu fan . ”.

132 . Matsubsama presented me with an eight-leafed fan . I thought of rude things such as to why I’d need such an object . The Ayakashi employees of Tenjinya all made surprising sounds when they saw it

“Ehhhhhhh?” Their eyes raised as they all jumped up . Even the Master has an unbelievable look of surprise in his eyes

“Here, this was originally meant for Shiro and for that reason you, his granddaughter will inherit it . ”.

“Huh? But is that okay? By the looks of everyone’s reactions this must be really precious . ”.

“It’s alright, it’s okay . ” Matsubsama is in a completely different state from yesterday, he’s in a good mood and can look after himself . I look at my hand in puzzlement as he gives me the fan

“From what I’ve heard you seem to be staying here at Tenjinya as a way to pay off Shiro’s debt, as his debtor . What a waste . What a pity . If you don’t want to work in a place like this come to Mount Shumon, there you will be treated with hospitality . If anything, you could even marry one of my sons . Then you will be my relative and we will pay off the debt . The Tengu will take care of such a human girl . ”.

As a result of Matsubsama’s outrageous proposal the Tenjinya employees once again stare at me in shock, I hold onto the eight-leafed fan

133 . The Master says nothing but only narrows his eyes . However, Ginji-san seems to be in a rush as he kneels at the feet of Great Tengu lowering his head

“We cannot do that Matsubsama . We cannot do that . ”.

“Why not, nine tails?” Ginji-san continues to bow to Matsubsama although, I can understand Matsubsama’s reasoning and position

“Aoi-san is also the Masters fiancée . ”.

“Ha . Fiancée? And he drove her to a place like that? A granddaughter of Shiro is my granddaughter as well . ”.

“Haha, yes well, that’s right, I suppose…” Matsubsama continues to scold Ginji-san . I rush over and stand in front of Ginji-san

“Matsubsama, Ginji-san is my savior so please to not scold him so harshly . ”.

“Well alright, if you say so . But Aoi, please come with me . ”.

“Aha, Matsubsama I’m sorry but I cannot accept such an offer . ” Matsubsama the Tengu standing to his side and all of the Tenjinya employees all let out gasps of surprise at my quick decision . A few voices of shock surface here and there . I can feel the Master staring at me with his red eyes, I do not know what he’s thinking

134 . Well, it doesn’t matter, I turn to face Matsubsama again

“The thing is I can see that you care about me but Matsubsama if I go with you I know I will regret it . ”.

“Aoi, why?”.

“Shiro Tsubaki is my grandfather and I want to fix what he’s done . ” This may have been a foolish choice, but I feel as if I should clean up after my grandfather . It was for that reason my grandfather took me in after all

“Besides, I told that Ogre over there I’d work off the debt and I can’t break that promise without his permission, and I know he’d rather I pay it back quickly instead of me bothering the Ayakashi working in the inn . However, I try not to listen to such mean things . ” Matsubsama looks sad and disappointed, I can’t bear to watch

“I’m sorry, I can’t accept this fan either . ” I hold out the eight-leafed fan to the Great Tengu but Matsubsama but he slowly pushes it back towards me

135 . “Okay, but you keep that . I promised it to Shiro a long time ago, but he forgot about the eastward fan and did not accept it . Since you, Aoi, are supposed to be handling Shiro’s debt this eastward fan has been passed down to you . ”.

“Eastward fan…” It’s breathtaking . What does it mean eastward? Matsubsama stubbornly insisted that I keep it . ‘If you say so,’ I thought to myself as I hold it thankfully . However, it is difficult to think of a use for it in the first place, I have no idea what it’s supposed to be used for . Perhaps it’d look cool under a dish of some sort?.  .

“Ogre God . ” Matsubsama stands in front of the Master, before he was treated with great respect but now the Master smiles at him in a businesslike manner

“What is it, Matsubsama?”.

“If Aoi is your fiancée take care of her more . I know that you and Shiro have some history but that does not mean his grandchild is to blame . ”.

“Haha well, I don’t especially remember mistreating her . ”.

“Oh, you’re playing dumb . ”.

136 . The old tengu turned his back to the Master and the rest of them

“Well good because after the incidents of last night I was thinking about not using Tenjinya for a while but after Aoi’s delicious food I’ve decided to let it slide . ”.

“Thank you very much . ”.

“Well we did go a little overboard and will cover half the cost of repairing the inn . ” The Master bowed his head to Matsubsama, other employees follow with looks of relief . It seems that I am one of the only people left upstanding . To me Matsubsama lowers his head

“Aoi, because I ate your dish I became full of energy . When I eat your food, I feel powerful . You should open up a small restaurant and invite me to it . ” Matsubsama leapt up on the spot

“Ha? My food is just home cooking it’d be impossible for me to prepare a proper meal, let alone a restaurant . ” I laughed at Matsubsama’s idea, however Ginji-san spoke up for me

“Yes, that’s right! Aoi-san should open an eatery in that place . Please rethink your decision to break it down and let it belong to Aoi-san so she can be a chef . It’ll be a new start!”.

137 . “Ha?” Even Ginji-san thinks so, how strange . What are they thinking? I was about to laugh but I cover my mouth in a hurry

“W-wait a second . What are you talking about? I can’t do that!” The cooking from here is a lot different from my cooking, I can understand that much . I try to refuse them . I’ll just find another job . However, Ginji-san begins to talk with Matsubsama about it

“That’s right . If you do decide to please let me visit you at that place when I come to Tenjinya . If you want, you could even give it a name . ”.

“Thankfully, Matsubsama is one of our most esteemed guests . So, all of the Tengu would visit, it’d be extremely busy . ” Ginji-sans business skills are a little terrible . The Ayakashi around me seem to be in a fuss about it, especially the Daruma standing in the shadows who have sour looks on their faces

“Um, um . I don’t think I could make a very delicious meal though . ”.

“No, Aoi-san! You told me you’d listen to anything that I’d ask . ” Ginji-san gripped my shoulders firmly and smiled at me . Eh? No, I told you to ask if you ever needed anything

138 . “That’s why you should cook at that place . This is also an opportunity for you to repay your debt . ”.

“…… ” I can’t get out of this, I can’t get out of this . I can’t refuse, I have to pay back my debts . The inside of my head goes blank . At that time the Master speaks up

“Please wait . ” He said with a low voice, ending the flow of the conversation

“Do not decide this on your own, I will decide . Understood? Ginji . ”.

“Yes Master, understood . ” Ginji-san stiffens a little bit and bows his head to the Master

“We will think about what to do with it, but for now let’s wait . For now, we have to get the inn up and running again . We can’t let it remain this way . ”.

I try not to panic, in that moment the Master puts his hand on Ginji-san’s shoulder, they both give me a passing glance before they stand to go before Matsubsama

“Matsubsama, I apologize for how rudely we conducted ourselves yesterday . Please continue to use our services in the future . ”.

“Hm . While we’re talking about apologies for being rude I suppose we should too . Well, thanks to Aoi we accept your apology . Only for Aoi’s sake, and you remember that well . ”.

139 . “Yes, of course . ” After the interaction, the Tengu were rushed into a large conference room called, ‘Enma,’ by the first lady . The Tenjin-ya executives are also sucked into a working spree far and in-between . Whilst holding the treasured Tengu fan I watch the movements of various Ayakashi

“Aoi . ” The Master passed by and called out to me . I think worriedly to myself

“I don’t know where you were going but know I will not allow you to leave Tenjin-ya . ”.

“But I thought I could look for a job outside?”.

“Wait awhile, okay?” The Master grabs my hand and puts it to my head, it feels a little obscure . A black sleeve brushes my cheek and his arm passes by . I’ll wait as he says, I feel a little tired anyway

140 . “Don’t feel bad human girl . ” The front desk Tsuchigomo says as he passes me . Although I don’t entirely get what he’s trying to say . With uncertainty in my mind I step into the dark corridor and sit down on the unused steps . The raccoon room hostess girl calls out to me, she sits down as she eats Manju buns

“That old man Tengu seems to be quite fond of you . ” The raccoon girl throws me a manju bun that I catch

“Although because of it Tenjin-ya will be able to resolve the problem easily . ”.

“Ha?”.

“Last night the Master tried to entertain the angry Tengu on one of our luxury ships ‘Kukakumaru,’ but the drunken Matsubsama who was not in a good mood drank too much and fell off the boat . The Tengu finished up the feast and searched frantically for Matsubsama but they couldn’t find him . It was a pretty big deal . ”.

“I see . That’s why Matsubsama was in that place . ” Matsubsama must have remembered the sight of falling under the willow tree . Although it must be bad practice for a Tengu to fall from such a height . The raccoon girl continues to eat the Manju

141 . “At that point in time it had already been said that it was impossible to restore ties with the Tengu of Shumon Mountain since Matsubsama is the head Tengu . The Tenjin-ya executives had a meeting in the conference room this morning while everyone else was repairing the front desk area . Guests are leaving out the front gate and tonight Tenjin-ya is in temporary repair mode . Most guests have cancelled . ”.

I thought that no customers other than the Tengu would have been in the front anyway

“Well then the Tengu came over and started yelling about letting go of Shiro Tsubaki’s granddaughter . ‘Bring Aoi Tsubaki to the front . ’ Because of it the front desk could not be fully restored . ”.

“Wow, that happened?” Although it is said that leftovers are often better I didn’t know that such good things could come out of my cooking . Perhaps I hadn’t even realized it myself?.

“I feel kind of blurry . I don’t even know what your position is . ”.

“I don’t get what you’re saying?”.

“The executives are jealous that they’re taking care of a human girl like you . Especially the daruma in the kitchen which is where most things are taken care of . You better be careful . ”.

“It could be worse . ” I only thing I’ll get worried if it becomes an extremely troublesome matter

142 . “Ahaha, but there could also be good things . ”.

The raccoon girl jumped off the stairs, her brown her brushed passed me . She turned to leave

“Hey, what’s your name?” I asked for the name of the raccoon girl

“It’s Kasuga!” Cheerfully she rushes to the brighter side of the hallway . Now I’m familiar with the situation although I thought it would have been a stupid reason that I couldn’t have understood . I nibble on the Manju . After that I went back to the small building, I sat inside in the quiet . I lie down ready to sleep in spite of the stillness of the afternoon . The smell of tatami mats is new, in saying that it’s also relieving, giving me peace of mind . I closed my eyes . I’m thankful that I have time to just simply breathe in silence accompanied by the smell of tatami mats . I fall into a short sleep

Chapter end