ACT 16

"What's he up to?"

Another man chewed his lip and hummed like he tried to accumulate the answer out of a piece of fact. He just had no clue. Long and delayed. It added another doubt to Obanai.

"Tell me, Rengoku-san" Obanai added, insisting in his voice while another man nervously looked back to him. It's certain to conclude that he had something behind it. Clearly.

"Hmm..it's mission" was his answer enough? Wasn't it kind of an answer to bail out the kid to distract them from crying over it? Wasn't it some kind of joke to him? Obanai felt his brow twitching, annoyed at this short answer which didn't resolve his curiosity. At very all. He's grumble.

"I knew it's a mission. I'd already heard it" Obanai resisted and stood firmly "but what I want to know is what's his mission to do?" He swore he saw a drop of sweat over Kyojuro's face, as if he was trying to cover some dirt there. Staring intently, Obanai started to lose patient.

It even made him curious when another man tried to avoid his eye contact. He hated it why he had to get in on the other issues. He's not that kind of person at all. If that person wasn't Kanroji. So he felt at very obliged to know what's about this.

Pointing toward two hashira talking under the large tree "Joint mission between them?" He meant Sound and Love Pillar.

"It's classified as confidential! We cannot tell each other from a rule! It's a mission entrusted by the master!" Obanai grunted and rolled his eyes in annoyance. He tried to suppress an urge to throw a tantrum. He swore that the way Kaburamaru hissed showed how dissatisfied he was. Did he ever know he acted so strange? Someone or no, everyone could even tell he looked really suspicious. Unlike the signature of Rengoku Kyojuro.

"…you just don't know, do you?" Obanai read his friend like a book. If he'd not miss, he should be in this way, or similar circumstances like this one.

Kyojuro tried to straighten his composure, scratching the back of his head fretly "well, haha no way! How can I forget such an important deal. My only student going out to mission" He sure made it up.

It was so him. He bet that Ninja could have brides him with a lunch treat to ask for a favor. And that favor was her.

Obanai felt unsettled by this incident. He felt like he was afraid she would encounter the danger in the mission. Apart from the fact, on the day she's appointed as a Love Hashira. Mitsuri has been striving for the best non-stopped. He tracked her record, almost knew every detail because of their interactive letter. Nonetheless, this time, the letter might not be enough to settle his uncomfort. He needs to know what's about her mission and That Sound Pillar. He felt the whirlpool of heat in his chest. He didn't know how to deal with this emotion or it could be called a symptom. He even didn't know his true self. But he could answer that he wanted to make sure she will be safe on the mission. Clearly, Tengen's one of the caliber of fellow Pillar member, however, his mission had a tendency to be more extreme, dangerous and hazardous as his experience and age told it.

Urgh… he hates this unsettled feeling. On her. On that girl. At least, he had to squeeze the detail out of her mentor. In order to formulate the next plan. Oh..why do I have to get in on her issue?

"Then please tell me, please where are they going to"

"I can't!"

"Yes you can Kyojuro-san. Who says you can't"

All of the conversations from these two men occured in whisper, afraid their targets would hear it from afar. Unfortunately, what they called whispering was well-heard by audible sense of Ninja.

Grumping, Tengen rolled his eyes to them and shouted "Oi you two over there. My ears are well used. I can hear every word from you. Nahhhh what's the big deal? We are gonna have so much fun, right? Kanroji. You are party-bomber! No taste in fun and excitement" Uzui talked back with a frown on his brows.

Obanai was pissed by his demeanor but he cannot voice any things back, let alone Kaburamaru hissing him back. He can't tell openly he's not entrusted her to go out on a mission alone with this man. His face scrunched before softening when he collected himself.

"Where are you up to?" Obanai asked.

"Who's gonna tell you!" Uzui threw a joke back and mocked him by making the same facial expression like him. It earned a laugh from Mitsuri. Obanai suppressed an urge to punch this tall man. This man's such a pain.

"Kyojuro-san, you know, do you?" Obanai tried to pull it though.

"Actually ha-ha! I forgot the details. I was obsessed with food, sorry for that, because Uzui-san took me out for a free meal to allow Kanroji to accompany him to the most flamboyant mission.. yeah yeah he said the most flamboyant mission" With the pause of silence, Obanai exhaled and massaged his temple to relieve his headache. He's pissed off, slightly under the circumstance that he can't control or predict what's going on. Including himself for not know why the hell he wanted to meddle with her work.

"Al-right alright" Tengen signed and made a disapproving glance to them "we're going to Red Light district" a lot more silence than last time with a heavy atmosphere. Except, Mitsuri made a happy and gleeful yippy.

"Hell no…." Obanai gulped, tried to imagine it's some kind of prank they're pulling to him . Yes! because they were always teasing his patient and this time as well.

"Hell yes, please Iguro-san, we're going to Red Light district" Tengen gave a friendly nod to him. His posture strangely told he's serious and not meaning any jokes.

Why he need her to be in Red Light? why her? why on earth has to be her? His eyes darted back and forth between them. his head thought on Red Light. It's a place for adults. Obanai lost in words. Isn't it a town of adult activities seeping every inch of town?, doing canal expression, dwindling in sexual pleasure and experiencing intercourse, he was thinking intently, Obanai was certain how this town was, plus it's an particular area for this Ninja to hold an accountabability on the survey and investigation. Why he can't take Rengoku instead of her?

An idea popped "As I am her company on previous mission, I must say she should take a rest for sometimes" Obanai chuckled lightly as he's still capable of finding the excuse to say. It earned a long consideration sound among them, mostly with a worried look on her face telling she's listening to him and thinking on it. Of course, she would believe him and act on his suggestion.

Folding his arms over chest, Obanai felt completely confident. He's sure persistent and determined on his focus and this time he will find the proper solution. To pull her out of this matter for sure.

"Well I don't have any objections on that" Tengen shrugged calmly with a slight smile "but what will about Kanroji say? Because master also had entrusted this mission to her" Obanai could hear a crumbling sound beneath his feet as his confidence slowly shuttled. As the name of master brought up by this man as if now, this ninja hold the upper card over him with an invisible smirk.

"I think I can handle it, everyone," Mitsuri said in a serious tone. Her face showed how focused she was. At least, master has entrusted me to do this mission. I should get it through and I shouldn't fail either"

Obanai hummed deep "If you say so, I hope you a good luck then Kanroji" They gave a nod and approving smile to each other.

It's not his loss to be ridden by the argument of Ninja. To his surprise, he never expected Kanroji to grow this much. Upon his eyes, after hearing her aim, she now was a grown-woman who stood up and took responsibility on duty in prudent. How long she's with Demon Slayer Corps? She, in the past, had always been strong but now stronger. Especially her compose looked rigid, he liked it and has always been, unlike the past she would act fretting, shy and teetering when she had to take a lead. Ah time flies, she has grown more than he expected and envisioned. It's a good sign tho, why should I have to worry?

Okay, this time he thought he should respect her. Her decision, aim, goal and commitment. Seeing her eyes, it reflected that she really meant it.

"Thank you Iguro-san, I will do my best! I will give more than a hundred percent plus plus!" She threw her fist into the air.

"Mnn don't overdo yourself" Obanai turned to Tengen "I hope everything will be fine on your mission"

They exchanged a nod toward each other before departing. He wished he could spend more time with her after the mission. Even so he owned that right from a previous mission with her. Kyojuro also gave her a thumbs up at the same time and patted Obanai's shoulder in friendliness.

"Of course, it will be then let's prepare Kanroji. You are our best hope here, the number one here and I believe you will be our most beautiful person" by the way, Obanai felt giddy on his praise, Ugh..he gave a slight sneer on this "we will have a long way to go..oh right it's called Red Light district"

Oh wait..

Kyojuro asked innocently "I've never been there, what's that place about? I think I heard this name somewhere I'm not sure but this town is.."

"Festive! Yes festive! We can say that. It's a town of fun, recreation and hospitality for adult where they can let loose and have some fun"

"Wha-wha-what the hell!" He blurted out, "what're you saying? You're not telling any tru-" Obanai was snatched swiftly by Tengen. He grabbed and closed his mouth before spilling the actual detail on this town. Obanai felt veins popping around his forehead. He can't be serious to take a girl on that adult land.

Tengen sent a questioning signal to him. "What da ya mean?" but his hand still stifle the riot from Obanai He hates that nonchalant look and boredom expression covering his face as if someone's hindering his work. "I'm having a mission there and Kanroji's kind enough to help this great Sound Hashira so please excuse us sir Obanai.."

"That town!" He pointed to some random point in anger "why that town? It's not proper!" He can't squeeze out the definite word in front of her.

"Why? Tell me man" Tengen ordered casually. He bet he sensed a smug from his face as if he's waiting for that answer

He can't do it. Obanai slumped his face down on a surrender. How she viewed him afterward if he says it out loud about that town. There she looked at him, slightly cocked her neck in doubt of his words.

"It's a place for entertainment" Obanai said finally.

"Oh I love entertainment and fun!"

"No! Not like you think, Kanroji!" Obanai uttered sourly. Her statement earned a stuffle laugh from Ninja.

"Well, thanks Iguro-san. Let's say it's an entertainment place" added a wink to Obanai. "I have an important mission there and Kanroji is also willing to help me, would ya? She's a part of mission, not a part of entertainment you referred to man, Kanroji tell him" He patted her shoulder friendly. Kanroji responded to them with a shy smile

"yeah if there's something I can help, I'm willing to help. Oh and by the way, I feel like I should help because Uzui-san used to help me and train me on previous missions. Don't worry Iguro-san, it would not take a troll on my body! I just rest one day and I can do my job" She ended up posing with her body, flexing arm up with a determined smile.

"Rengoku! Say something"

Flame Pillar provided a wild smile instead, turning to everyone blankly. He just didn't know what to do and what it was.

"Well well oh… ummm let's say"

"Rengoku!"

"F-fine..um you have to be careful Kanroji-kun, follow Uzui's san order strictly as he has more expe-"

"No! Not like that!" Obanai threw a tantrum on the scene.

"Come on man, seriously? You're gonna hold us back, ya know what I mean? So excuse us" Tengen said and pulled Mitsuri to his own accord. Damn it. He hated how that white haired man acted casually around her, took her out from a scene and left him agap. Only the wind alone whizzled.

He earned a hard pat on shoulder "Alright we have to believe in them. They're gonna pull it through successfully there"

"I know ..don't you think they should have a back up?" His opinion raised orange brown frowned upward. He may be interested in this. There, he will finally get it through. He can smelll the tiny victory in his plan. To interfere, let's put it as to back them up.

"Well..I also slept on it as well but I feel like we should beli-" his sentence was cut by a sudden refusal groan "it might be a dangerous mission"

Obanai won the argument, instructed him to not tell everyone on his involvement, and had him shut his mouth by a promise of lunch treat after the mission. God why did he have to put so much efford? This guy should be willing to accept the trea and it burdened his wallet instead, that's his annoyance. However, at very least and ironically, he could get a look on her mission. No their mission in a correct term.

"Iguro-san.." Obanai halted his pace when a drop of Flame Pillar voice changed the mood.

"You are a considerate Pillar fellow. Your decision moves my heart! So I will be in your company as well" Kyojuro clenched his fingers into the fist and placed on his chest.

"Wait what?" Let out a shaky claim, Obanai huffed the air our of his lung and nodded to him.

At first, he prefered working alone, for keeping a watchful eyes on her on that twiling land of adult, which was his prime reason, still he could not let any of them know it. If it was revealed, they could make a fuzz on his personal life and what's about her response? More he thought about her reactions, more he was afraid to imagine. Let it aside, do what you want to do when you have the time, he decided and resolved.

"Up to you then"

The unexpected couple of Pillars, one with higher energy and another with reserved persona, went to master's estate to ask for permission. It's granted easily for the fact to help the operation run smoothly that Obanai conjured up toward master as his proposal with the excuse 'there's no need to appoint a number of slayers to run the operation as it will expose their intention', luckily master and Kyojuro bought it. It worked. Finally it's done. Even though it was exchanged by having Flame Pillar into his sub and secret mission as an eye, no, as a spy on their mission.

Then the next problem..

While Kyojuro talked about how excited he was now, he stopped as Obanai slapped his own face. His brows furrowed upward in question.

How can I appear to her? Seeing her at Red Light district and said 'what a coincidence' what she would consider him? 'Have you traveled here so often Iguro-san?' She would totally see him as a kind of fuck boy? Oh god what should I do now. Obnai walked in a circle in front of the master's estate. It gained lots of eyes from the bypasser.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm thinking," Obanai answered with a stern voice.

"Of what?"

"How..how can we do this mission..I mean our secret mission"

"I have an idea" Kyojuro pointed to his head as if some idea was popping out with an optimistic and confident smile. He didn't know what it was but demanded to hear it.

"Mnnn..I think you just follow me then" Kyojuro replied and started walking, uttered the sole reason to snap his glare "when you think more and know more, you will make it a big deal. I want to keep it simple and make it double!"

Obanai winced at his action. How can this man think of something that's worth more than his good. He also can't demand much either as he still was trapped in his dilemma on how to see her. "Are you sure it's a good idea? I don't mean to not respect you but..you see mnn…I have a reason"

Kyojuro's face showed the question and slowly lightened "believe me!"

"Hey! Believe me is not the guaranteed answer. I need a protocol or your plan because I have a reason there, please let me know" Obanai pleaed which was the least side that everyone rarely saw him. Pulling, he clutched his hand to stop his pace. "Let me know first before we are heading off"

"Nah I say believe me and I know your reason! Don't worry!" Kyojuro sent a understandable nod to him "I know her well and I know how to handle this. Don't worry Iguro-san"

Her, was he referring to her? Mitsuri? Was he referring to Mitsuri? Why he knew it? Why he knew his concern was about her point of view toward him.

"Follow me Iguro-san I have a lead and plan to start this mission"

The wind swayed multiplied lamps on the street idly. The magnitude of colors drew every eye and soul in this city. The horizontal twilight welcomed everyone there. The scene before eyes was magnificent yet mysterious at the same time.

Most of the buildings had been built in order, well-constructed, and decorative in spatacular style. This town has been known for women and pleasure. There were a bunch of geisha walking around the street, welcoming and making their service attractive toward customer's eyes in many ways. They were adorn in an expensive fabric and silks, put onto beautifully make-up and accessory on their head. The buzz on the street. The conversation among people. The sound of music.

Welcome to Red Light district. Where is the town of adult, fulfillment and relaxation. Where adults will let their mind and body wander in paradise. And where there were two men trolling like a tourist and another walking like a stick. They obviously never visited here before, thus their first time however, they used to patrol just outside this town in the past.

Kyojuro led Obanai to one of the street, less crowded and seemingly only the local living in this quarter here. It looked dull and desolate here. The big pile of garbage and waste at the corner of one house, several crack potteries, dried plants. As if someone forgot to renovate this lane to be modernized like the main street. It's like a scene behind the curtain.

Kyojuro stopped on one building, look down to see some information on a small crumbed paper and knocked a door carefully while his face still wore the optimistic expression since they had entered into this territory. Looking at a piece of paper in his hand, Kyojuro sent a smile as if to console his friend, every thing is okay and under control while Obanai was fretting about what in the hell are they doing now.

They were greeted by one woman. Her hair was tied in pony tail, her skin was like porcelain, her face was beautiful in fact: it turned lowly from a surprise to normal as she noticed their uniform. Looking from head to toe. her lip parted into a soft smile.

"I guess you maybe co-worker of Uzui-sama, am I correct?" They both nodded easily.

"Hai I'm flame Pillar Renguku Kyojuro!" When he turned to another man, "Iguro Obanai" simply and shortly introduced himself.

That woman exhaled, folded her long sleeve up as it loosed down. It seemed she's on doing something like a chore in this house because her hand was covered by a fragment of color and her face also was dipped in sweat.

"Come on in, come on Uzui-sama you have a guest here.. sorry to inform you we're on mission so he maybe is in a bit of an unwelcoming mood however make yourself at home. Quite a long time, Uzui-sama has a guest" She gave a small chuckle with a wink before leading the way in.

"Wat's there, Hinatsuru?" There's a step sound coming down from 2nd floor of this house, the wood carpet cracked along the pace and revealed white-haired man in a casual purple and red yukata, parting wildly on chest to show his muscular and strong chest. His hair was untied and sloped with his face and made him look younger and fleshier than usual.

His eyes widened and his mouth gaped "oh hey hey man! What're you doing here? Don't tell me you're gonna rock Red Light tonight? Oh gosh! Hinatsuru Hinatsuru! Bring these two flamboyant fellow pillars of mine to your best place, please! Treat them well!" He shouted in glee and snatched both of them in a tight hug.

They both stuttered to refuse as Tengen was the one to dictate. Later on, they learnt this fine and dedicated woman was one of his wife. Yes the quality of words 'one of' because this man had three wives. She settled in different places separately around this town. She's kind enough to bring normal hot tea for everyone, giggled at the joke of Tengen and seemingly put up every insane action or overacting demeanor of this Ninja.

"By the way, what're you doing here actually" his tone went rigid and showed his seriousness after they had denied spending their 'First time' here.

Obanai heaved "We're called for you back up if there's something dangerous happen around" gulped hor tea once and continued "with the discovery of high moon and Muzan, demon activities seemed to be double and triple so we're here if you need a help"

"Ooh man what the help" with this sarcastic comment, Tengen tried to stifle his laugh. As if he knew it would occur with this particular reason. This man predicted this. Obanai felt a heat over his face. He's lured to the trap perfectly. Until Tengen couldnot hold it anymore, he bursted his laughing loudly and slapped the floor so satisfyingly while his wife hit him softly, warning him to act properly in front of the guest, not doing childish behavior. Oh man, what the balance, his wife's so well-mannered

Obanai heaved and straightened himself, trying to repress his stutter "we got an official request from the master.." He stopped when Tengen waving his hand with a sly smile and playful look.

"Nah you're here for her, am I right?"

The room and surrounding went silent till they can hear every inhaling and exhaling at the same time. Even when Hinatsuru blinked her eyes, the movement on her long lash could be cause the sound around the room. His head went shut and out of circuit, hearing the hollowing sound of flabbergasting.

For Tengen, no reply meant yes, "I mean that girl. Pink haired girl I took to you for dressing". Then Hinatsuri added "Oh you meant Mitsuri-chan right? She's so cute and she looks really good on the kimono I gave her" Obanai pretended to sip a tea of tea for a coverage while listening closely to a pair. "Yeah that girl, she's his….." Tengen flicked his little finger, pointing to Obanai.

"Oi Uzui what's it" Obanai asked nonchalantly.

"Ah really! This's really super cute!" His wife clapped her hand over her chest with a delightful expression on her face.

"O-oi what's it" He started to feel insecure and awkward in front of this pair giggling and elbowing each other. He felt unsettled among them. What were they up to, he couldn't tell.

"I have to say she looks beautiful tonight. You will be surprised definitely when seeing her for sure by the way, Uzui-sama" She turned to her husband "please wait for me a bit, I'm gonna dress and put on a make-up for tonight patrol" He nodded in an agreeance then he excused herself into her room.

"So…" Obanai asked.

"So? So we're gonna see her. As you wished, Iguro-san" Tengen lift his sound, to imiate the way she calls him normally, chuckled and elbowed him friendly and earned his snare back.

"How you do it. You just took her for a kind of entertainment mission, didn't you? She's our fellow pillar, don't you bear this fact" Obanai lectured with a snort when Tengen rolling his eyes, waving his hand.

"Come on, man you don't read the situation. It's not an entertainment mission like you thought" from this line, Obanai and Kyojuro sat straight from the seat to listen to this man because, out of blue moon, he could show the seriousness in his action and tone like this.

Before heading to the place where Mitsuri present, Tengen explained in detail on his intention. He deliberately made this as a cover mission with an attempt of disguise. He himself was well known as a sound Pillar so he resolved finding someone could blend in easily in this town. First okay, it down to his three wives who have been the caliber in Ninja world whom he could trust the most but they also have been in spotlight by her duty as the Oran. By this point Hinatsuru came out of her closet in an strikingly gorgeous look and fabric, she giggled when her husband compliment and gave her a courtly slap to her ass one time. Obanai cleared his throat as a sign to fucking continue the story.

Both separated unwillingly. Tengen explained that. He had a demand to find someone who's capable of defending own self, outside this work and easily blending in. Nonetheless, how he had tried to search for that person in the corps, it ended up with Mitsuri.

Along the way to the place she resided, as Sound Pillar told them, he also invited both Obanai and Kyojuro to work beside Mitsuri. They both agreed but Obanai refused instantly when Hinatsuru picked out two colorful Kimonos for them with a plain reason and deadpan face as well as nonchalant tone from Tengen that 'then if that, you need to dress like a woman'

Obanai scowled and snear in a hiss from their prank but learned it's actually their real plan. He chose to wear the normal yukata that Hinatsuru provided. At first Kyojuro had bought their idea and wanted to try to dress in women's apparel and did the mission. But Obanai pulled him down 'Oi Rengoku, you will make the plan fail, who will want to hire a muscular woman in their place..' finally he just wore another simple Yukata as well as Tengen.

They were heading to a certain place. Hinatsuru walked ahead of them with full confidence and grace in her action, unlike when she's with them an hour ago. It made Obanai wanna know what Mitsuri will look like, what her persona be like when she dresses like this.

"Iguro, you still exchange letter with her?" Once, Ten gen launched a sudden question that made Obanai almost trip down on the ground.

There's no reason to lie there, Kyojuro also knew this very fact "o-of course why?"

"Hmm nothing, just want to know and why don't you tell her?"

"Tell her what, don't interfere with my life" He admitted his question made him surprised and fidget. Trying to recompose his demeanor "stop asking bullshit" Obanai waved hotly and tried to change the topic. He felt unsettled when That ninja mentioning on why don't tell her. Tell her what? his feeling? man… he can't. He knew he don't have enough courage, the proper right and esteem to face it like a normal young man.

"Oh man, not bullshit, it's important for a girl, ya know" Tengen senese a turmoil in this little man's head so that he giggled again and earned a deadful glare from Obanai. Before they started to have a brawl again, Kyojuro walked in between them as a pillar to separate them from each other. Suddenly, they all needed to stop when Hinatsuru informed them they're at the place now.

They were entering a fancy decorative building that was made from wood, similar to other building in this area, Obanai made an attempt to find a pink-haired girl as much as he can.

Grunted, he started to lose patience because he couldn't find her while walking behind them. They didn't even know how worried he was. It showed on his face and eyes vividly. The fear slowly crept into his mind, the light in his lift begun to fade when he thought there'd be danger awaiting for her in this place. The thought of losing someone dear to your life had a taste like this, it's not good, not delicious, not bitter, not near any edible flavor, it may call the hopelessness. As if the light went off, wind taking it away in a blink of an eye. He could imagine life without her, it crept into his head as a form of fearness. It would be dull, blank-white, colorless and lightless like his child's experience. He didn't want it. At all. At any costs.

"Hey, I don't see Kanroji"

"So do I! Maybe she's in some of these rooms" Kyojuro answered casually while Obanai look fidget.

"There are lots of rooms. We can't find her that easy. Kyojuro what should we do" apart from her exterior calm and collected demeanor, however, his voice showed clearly how nervous he was.

At some points of walkway, a door was opening by the one who governed that room. Some women in beautiful kimono went out, closed her mouth and snickered at the joke of guests inside. Obanai could not catch any words from them.

"Hinatsuru-san" at opposite side of that certain room, it's private room in the small garden outside the building like a small shelter with a decoration of private pond, lantern and set of furnitures which showed how wealth that guests could be to book this private room.

Obanai narrowed his eyes because of the dim light and the shadow from the lantern that dampened the scene before him, plus, one of his eyes also is bad at function normally. Nonetheless, he thought that sound was familiar.

"There! ah there! Mitsuri-chan! Look who I found after you left my estate!" Obanai almost gulped at her response. It was her. A girl he's looking for and worrying to his bone. He could see her waving her hand back to them cheerfully and it's her signature.

"Iguro-san, Kyojuro-san! I don't know Uzui-san and Hinatsuru-san brought you two there! I'm so happy to see you all there " They approached her with the greeting as usual. Listening to her sound and posture, he could tell she's safe and sound, maybe still happy as always, a happy girl with a cheerful smile.

"I'm embarrassed to see you guys today. I think I'm a bit overdressed now haha" Mitsuri said and played a rim over her kimono in shyness while her face painted with pinkish bashfulness.

"Kanroji-kun my student! You look really beautiful today! My most precious student's the most beautiful woman today!" Kyojuro exclaimed with a large posture that his arm hit Obanai so often. He groaned and tried to push his hands out if his sight in order to get her sight.

"Kyojuro! Out of my way" his attempt was in vain because Flame Pillar rushed toward her hurried. Then he could get a glimpse of her.

"Awww you flattered me! Don't do that I feel embarrassed now!" She hit his arm shyly and giggled. He felt a pang of dissatisfaction as Kyojuro stole her attention solely. When her eyes met him, ah…how can he be idiot like that he should not be jealous. Her eyes were shining like a valuable jewelry of jade shade, it bore into him attentively with a shy smile. She still gave attention to him as away even though, she's in the graceful royal floral pattern. She looks very like a doll, a lively doll. Her lip was painted in soft red which enhanced how beautiful her lip was. Oh god her lip is so frustrating, it drove him crazy, he can't take his eyes out of her, even her face.

"Iguro-san" She called him, he's startle a bit and nodded to her.

"Kanroji" He admitted she looks refined and more magnificent than last time he even saw her wearing a kimono to a temple with him. He proved the work of Hinatsuru on Mitsuri was beyond the word 'great' because she's totally damn gorgeous. She's now like a lady of high status from an upper royal family.

"Stay alert Kanroji, you should not let you guard down either on a mission" Obanai said

"Sure I am! And um…" She faltered at her speech shyly, he still waited for her "Am I look beautiful?" Her voice dropped a little "To you?"

Obanai gulped, a hard one and his lip went dry in an unanticipation of her abrupt question to her, directing solely to him. He heard a sound of oh and woo from the rest of group but how can he respond to them while her waiting for his answer.

"Yes you are..totally" his answer injected the redness on her cheek.

"Oi Kanroji, what does sesame taste like?" Tengen interjected bluntly, Obanai snorted softly as he took away Mitsuri's attention while making a specific gesture on his finger around the mouth.

"It tastes so great! I think it might be better without..Without the rice and sake" She waved her hand quickly, tried to concentrate on something. It sure look as if she's accumulating some thought before expressing out.

He knew it could be their code. A specific one. To communicate secretly within the mission, Tengen sure was prudent on this. Obanai could grasp the idea that they might fail to see any traces or evidence there. As the message and gesture signified the rejection. Tengen exhaled and tsk his mouth.

"Alright.. I think it's a wrap for today. You can go back now Kanroji. It's getting past so late now. I don't want to get on your time"

"It's very okay! You can count on me next time. I'm ready to help you and Himatsuru-san" two women threw a hug to each other. At that particular moment, a door was slided off by a man inside the building.

"Sorry, I don't know you have a conversation here. I insist with my name, I don't herby eavesdrop any words from you all" with his accent, manner and jargon, this man certainly is a nable one. He's in a casual yukata but the fabric looks very expensive and high quality. He gave them a clean and friendly smile.

His eyes stopped at Mitsuri "Oh there, Mitsuri-chan also here, we're doubtful where are you heading out"

"I'm out for my company, sorry sir haha" She answered shyly and gave a sheepish smile to him "everyone this's Hideyo-sama. He's the oldest son of the landlord from the west" they exchanged with a mannerism and usual greeting.

"How do you do, may I ask, sorry my curiosity. You're all her friend?" He asked openly with a glint of question in his eyes. He scooted closer to the group, his act was humble and down on earth.

"No they are not! Ah yes oh no!" Mitsuri obviously blurted wrongly. She attempted to make a good answer within her disguise and image of 'a newly appointed oran from a merchant family but she love the work of dancing, playing a instrument and singing'

However, she made a damn mistake.

A nervous sweat was on her face, her lip agap blankly as she realized she may have blown up her cover.

"Of course sir, I'm her friend since we're young," Tengen replied "and this is my wife. We alway meet up and reminisce about our youth together when we threw ourselves to the pond and caught the fish" He laughed and, oddly enough, his face's redden and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"How do you do, my lord. Honey! You don't have to say that in front of my lord! It embarrassed us! By the way, sir, Mitsuri-chan's a bad swimmer so she would sit on the bank with a long face when we caught a fish haha but she climbed a tree very well like a monkey!" A pair laugh and hit each other closely. Obanai's taken away by their act, as well as Mitsuri and Kyojuro.

"Ha-ha h-hey! Don't you dare bring that up again" Mitsuri pretended to give in a story and tried to make an angry sound and make a pouty mouth to them. It never made her look scary. Apart from her attempt to snarl on them, it made her even cuter and more charming.

Obanai felt a heat on his face by watching her act to be more feisty. She is totally destroying cute then he couldn't take his eyes away from her. Her normal cheerful persona have always been great but her trying-to-be angry made a new flavor on her persona. She looked different but still cute. He never saw this side of her. First time and first impression.

"It's very nice to know her story haha. Great to know you all. You have a wonderful friend, Mitsuri-chan!" Hideyo said, his eyes showed how much he's impacted by her charisma.

"Actually I'm her brother! I mean I'm her big brother!" Kyojuro suddenly wanted to blend in the story. It started to be out of the sea now.

"Nice to meet you, sir. I had a wonderful time with your little sister. She's a good oran and good heart" He gave a compliment clearly to her and it made that girl bashful. His eyes trailed to a next man. A shorter man with a neck-length raven hair.

"And what's about you, sir"

Obanai stepped back. He didn't plan the story at all. Earlier, he tried to watch this man attentively because he looks kind of flirty to her. When he shifted to him, he didn't know how to get with the flow. He stuttered and nervously taken aback so vividly.

"I - I am… I am…" Hideyo smiled and waited for his answer.

"Her…"

"Her…"

"Her son!" The answer was from Hinatsuru. "He's her son, sir. He will take her home after her work time. And rest assure, my lord, he's not under-age so we allow him to enter here"

"Oh..ahh I see sorry I don't expect you to have a son Mitsuri-chan. Then you suppose to have a spouse and perfect family" Hideyo signed in regret but still kept a smile on her. "I'm terribly sorry if my earlier behavior inclined to be a bit flirting to you. I don't see you have a ring either. Oh what am I babbling about ha-ha" Hideyo scratched his head in shy "By the way, delight to meet you all and Mitsuri" He omitted the -chan out of her name as an indication to respect her as a full-grown woman who had a son in this age. "I hope in another world with a right time and fate, I hope we can see each other and get to know you more. Excuse me, I will not bother your time here, everyone." He bowed and walked out silently, his face slumped clearly as if, he was disappointed to know this particular fact on this very woman.

His words shot to her ear and were replayed on her head slowly. It made her heart go wild and raced her blood in every vein to be more vigorously.

While the others tried to stifle a laugh, Obanai gripped his fingers into a fist to suppress his urge to throw a tantrum and it would blow the cover.