Author's Note: Hello once more, its me Honest, back at it again with a second chapter. Apologies if it took way too long, I have no excuses, Genshin Impact has consumed my life. But I appreciate the reception so far, and I hope you can bear with me with the upload schedule, as I have not set one but I hope you are patient.
Thank you for everyone who faved and reviewed, I promise to try better next time. Keep sending in your ideas and suggestions, I'd love for more ideas, but maybe make it more lighthearted and simpler. This was what the series was made for anyways.
This unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own.
-0-
We Looked For A Castle In the Forest
I watched as the fan turned its head towards me once more, the cool air practically grazed my face and I let out a relaxed sigh as it turned away from me and to cool another corner of the living room. Komachi, who sat on the other side of the chabudai, is too busy watching whatever it was playing on the TV today. I myself wasn't paying attention to it, too relaxed watching the view of the outside through the terrace outside.
My mother's childhood home was a two story traditional Japanese home, fitted with everything you could see in a traditional house such as this, from the tatami mats, sliding doors and shoji windows, even a kamidana on the first floor. It even had a long corridor fitted on the outside that led around the house and the gardens on side, which was gratefully open to let the cool morning air in. It was inherited by my Aunt and Uncle after my Grandparents had moved to a more simple and smaller house on the other side of town, and raised a family here, even extending a second floor for extra rooms.
Honestly, I liked this place, it had a very authentic and old style ambience as opposed to the more urban houses and apartments in the city. Besides, this had a more cool and natural ventilation due to it being more open, something that helped with the usual summer mornings such as this one. For now, we were in the living room, sat on the cool tatami floor, watching TV, letting the general laziness of today settle in.
I let out a yawn as I decided to lay down on the floor, the fan turned its head my way again and I let out a small chuckle as the cool air hit me once more.
"Mou, onii-chan, you're looking so lazy just lying there on the floor you know", Komachi commented.
"Let your dear onii-chan be as lazy as he wishes Komachi", I replied, not even opening my eyes as I faced the ceiling with my arms spread out. "After this summer he won't even get a chance to breathe, let out alone get to be lazy".
I can hear a sigh in her voice, "Already referring to yourself in the third person, it seems you're already hopeless".
"I think he's been hopeless since the beginning Komachi-chan"
The voice of Saori was enough to stir my eyes open and I sat up, turning behind me, she's standing by the doorway of the living room, grinning down at both of us.
"I take offense to that notion Saori-nee, I'm just relishing this moment before it passes, mono no aware and all that", I defended myself as I sat up, she merely rolled her eyes at me.
"You looked dressed up, where are you heading off to Saori-nee?", Komachi asked.
I didn't even notice she was dressed up, but she was in a pantsuit, minus the blazer, wearing a white buttoned blouse with the sleeves rolled up. She even had a small shoulder bag slung over her, she looked like an office lady if I was being honest, the type to tease her senior mercilessly and have a crude sense of humor. So maybe not far off to who she really is.
"Ah, I got a few home parent-teacher meetings around town", Saori replied. "That's why I came down here before I left actually, you guys mind babysitting Ryoto and Fuyumi in the meantime?".
I shrugged, "We don't mind, how long are you planning to be out?".
"I'll try to make it back before dinner, but in any case, Mom should be back home after lunch", Saori answered as she began walking to the door.
"Where are Aunt and Uncle? I haven't seen them since breakfast", I asked as I followed her out into the hall.
She was already putting on her shoes as she answered me, "Dad had to work out in the fields early and Mom came with him to help".
"Oh right", I could mumble, forgetting the fact that the Aragaki family were farmers.
It was a backbreaking and exhausting line of work, but it seemed to be a deep passion for our Uncle and it was something he had also inherited from our Grandparents. It seemed that they were already used to him not being home at all hours of the day, coming back dead tired in the evening and then doing it all over again the next day.
I have to admit, I respected my Uncle more, the life of a farmer is not an easy one.
"Sorry for dropping this one you out of the blue Hachiman", Saori apologized as she laced up her sneakers. "I was going to ask Ayumi but she already left for work".
I waved it off, "It's fine, it's not like we were going to do anything today anyways".
"Alright, I'm off", she said as she walked to the door and slid it open, glancing back at me with a cheeky smile and glint in her eyes. "Maybe invite Yukino-chan over, but don't go dancing the devil's tango with the kids in the house".
"Oi, what kind of perv – "
"Don't burn the house down while I'm gone!"
Sliding the door close behind her, any retort I could have said was left stuck in my mouth and I hear her quickening footsteps disappear. Realizing this, I merely let out a sigh, seems no matter how much time had already passed between when we were kids to adults, somethings would never change. I couldn't help but smile a little at that, a tad relieved that Saori and Ayumi were still the same kids we grew up with, though I wish Saori would dial it back sometimes.
Though, inviting Yukinoshita over doesn't seem like a bad idea…I thought as I walked back to the living room.
When I arrived back, the two mentioned twins were already there, sitting on the floor by the TV. Fuyumi and Ryoto were sitting closer to the TV, it seems like Komachi had stumbled upon some dated variety that was doing reruns and it was enough to entrance the two to sit down and be quiet for a while. I praised the wonders of technology as I walked up behind them and sat down.
"Oh? Onii-chan? What do you want to do today?", Komachi asked as she glanced back at me.
"What do you mean? We're already doing something", I replied as I gestured around us.
"Saori-nee left us in charge of the twins", Komachi began before nodding towards the two. "Are you seriously going to just stick them in front of the TV all day?".
I put a hand under my chin, "Well, that doesn't sound like a bad idea".
"Fuyumi, Ryoto, what do you guys want to do today?", Komachi immediately asked them, ignoring me completely.
That managed to break the two from the spell that the TV had pulled them in. Ryoto, realizing this, suddenly turned to his sister. There was evident excitement present in the kid's eyes, something I was sure was going to be tiring, and I mentally prepared myself for it.
"Fuyumi, I think we can finally show them the plan", Ryoto encouraged.
"The plan?", she wondered.
"The plan!", he replied.
She gasped, "The plan!".
"The plan?", I questioned, thoroughly confused over what was happening.
"The plan!", Fuyumi excitedly declared before bounding out of the room and up the stairs.
"Hey, don't run around too much or you'll get hurt!", Komachi called out.
We heard her footsteps run around above us, hearing something get pulled and clothes being rustled. Before we heard her once more, running down the steps, carefully this time and re-entering the living room, this time, a small book in her hands. She practically slammed it on the table, I was careful enough to move the small bowl of sweets out of the way as she sat down, Komachi and Ryoto huddling closer around her.
"Mom bought me this book for our birthday last year", Fuyumi explained as she showed us the cover, it was a simple childish drawing of a princess, a dragon and a castle.
"It's really good,'' Ryoto added as Fuyumi flipped the book open and skimmed through the thick cardboard pages that it had, filled with crude drawings that were meant to imitate a child's art style with the words printed on the sides of each page.
"So what's the story?", Komachi asked as she rested her head on her hands.
"A long time ago, there was a princess named Anna…", she began to explain. "And one day a precious gem ring of hers was stolen by a greedy dragon. So she and a brave knight decide to go look for it, and on their way they find a secret castle in the forest where the dragon hides". She pointed to a crude drawing of a typical castle tower surrounded by trees and mountains.
"And they attacked it, but then the dragon reasoned with them, saying it was a gem that was given to her by her Mother but was stolen by humans. The princess and the knight felt bad for her and they decided to leave her with the ring…".
That sounds pretty wholesome…I thought as I watched her flip the next page.
"But then they were betrayed, the dragon was executed and the princess and the knight were forcibly exiled and branded as traitors", Fuyumi said as she showed us the depiction of the dragon being burned at the stake and the princess and knight, in tears, leaving the kingdom. "That's where the story ends".
"Ok who wrote this?", I said as I grabbed the book and skimmed over who the twisted writer was for writing such an ending.
"So what's this got to do with the plan?", Komachi asked as I continued skimming for the name.
"When I asked Saori-nee if there was a castle in the forest, she said yes and that there was even one here in Hagakure", Fuyumi replied.
"Me and Fuyumi have been trying to find it ever since", Ryoto said.
There was a childlike wonder from the two that I secretly envied, and gave me a bit of nostalgia, but at the same time I've admired it. The pure innocence and endless curiosity that comes with being a kid, having been one myself long ago, I can see the pure joy and excitement that can come from reading something as simple as children's storybook or watching a superhero cartoon.
"And how's that going along?", I pipped in after giving up and pushing the book.
Ryoto shook his head, "No luck, we can't go out in the forest on our own and Saori-nee and Ayu-nee are too busy to take us".
"The farthest we've been is the stream", Fuyumi said, a little downtrodden by the experience, before immediately beaming a smile. "But now Koma-nee and Hachi-onii-chan are here, we can go out and look for the hidden castle in the forest".
"Ah crap", I softly muttered under my breath, already feeling tired just thinking about it.
"Yeah!", Ryoto exclaimed as he shot up to a stand. "We can go deeper into the forest if we want, we can even look for a dragon".
"Please Koma-nee, Hachi-onii-chan", Fuyumi begged as she bowed her head in a prayer, even clasping her hands together over her head. "Help us find the castle in the forest".
"Oh no…", Komachi weakly said, clutching her heart at the sight of it.
"Please, Komachi-nee-chan, Hachi-onii-chan", Ryoto joined in, bowing his head and clasping his hands together as well.
I was conflicted at the moment, wanting nothing more than to enjoy the rest of the day lazing around the house, and silently cursing Saori for implanting such an idea into their impressionable heads. It's not like I wanted to turn them down, but it feels too dangerous to just wander around the forest aimlessly all day. Heck, I don't even think I'm a suitable babysitter and adult in case anything happens while we were out there exploring.
But I gazed up at the two once more, seeing their faces crunched up in excitement and anticipation for a possible exciting adventure. I recall the same expression on my face when I asked for something, only to be met with the crushing disappointment when it got turned down. It may not seem like a big deal to an adult, or when you're older, but that feeling is crushing to a kid, especially one as young as these two. And so, as much as I didn't want to and just be a lazy bum sitting in front of the TV all day, I sighed and caved in.
"Fine, let's go on an adventure", I said and the two cheered, Fuyumi jumping up and joining Ryoto as they bounced around in joy.
"Thank you so much Hachi-onii-chan", Fuyumi thanked as she jumped and hugged me, nearly knocking me back but I balanced myself.
I can see Komachi give me a smug, but relieved, smile. Knowing full well my often lazy attitude to turn down certain invites, especially something that sounds tiring as this one. But hey, it seems like I've grown a bit of a soft spot for these two in the past few days.
"Can we invite Yukino-san too?", Fuyumi asked as she pulled back.
I titled my head, "I don't think we should, she might be preoccupied with other stuff".
"Then let's call her and ask", Komachi suggested. "It might be fun to have Yukino-san tag along with us".
"I guess but – ", that's when I realized something and snapped my head towards Komachi. "Hey, since when did you start calling her Yukino-san?".
"I've always called her Yukino-san", Komachi answered.
"But in the last chapter you kept referring to her as – "
"La la la, enough of that meta chit chat Onii-chan", Komachi interrupted, flailing her arms as she stood up. "Go call Yukino-san and invite her over".
"Yes, please, it won't be as fun without her", Fuyumi said.
"Besides, she's like our princess or something", Ryoto chimed in.
"She is!", Fuyumi happily agreed.
I gazed up at all three of them, feeling a bit of dread knowing that if Yukinoshita didn't come along it would seriously sour the day for them. Secretly, I wanted to hang out with her again as well, but I was being a realist and reasoning that she may not always have the free time for us due to staying with her relatives for the whole time.
Huh…why did thought make my chest wince all of a sudden...
I sighed, "Fine, but don't expect her to come along…"
-0-
"I can't believe you came along"
I gazed at the raven haired companion at my side as we walked down the road, the trio were a few feet ahead of us, as we began to head back to the path we had taken before when we went firefly watching. She merely returned a pleased smile my way, clasping her hands behind her and letting the breeze softly blow her hair. Even in her most casual of clothes, there was softness and beauty that seemingly wrapped itself around her.
"I was doing nothing at home anyways", Yukinoshita replied. "I am quite surprised you agreed to something like this, I would assume you'd turn it down the minute you heard we would be heading outside".
I chuckled, "Yeah, I was just going to spend the whole day lazing in front of the TV".
"I'm not surprised", she admitted.
"But hey, a good excuse to get out of the house I guess", I shrugged.
"Breathe in some fresh air once in a while", she replied.
That I did, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath and let out a sigh. There was a freshness in the air today, not too obnoxiously hot like earlier, but just warm and cool enough to have a fun day outside. We were still wandering about Hagakure, seemingly on this impromptu tour of the town. The more back part that seemingly headed to the wooded parts of the town, the whole place was filled with open fields, small stone canals on the side of the road and various gardens with houses perched on small hilltops.
We came upon a fork in the road, one on the left was headed straight and the other was curved upwards on a small hill. Fuyumi, who had seemingly become our de facto leader, took the left hand one and we continued walking. There was a calmness to this leisurely walk, nothing but the sounds of flowing water and crying of the cicadas around us being our only company as we headed on an adventure.
"So what's this about a castle in the forest again?", Yukinoshita asked once more.
"Fuyumi and Ryoto are convinced there has to be a castle in the forest around here somehow", I replied, giving a casual shrug at the idea of, despite how insane it sounded. "And now that we're here, they have an excuse to venture about supervised".
"I see…"
"Mou, don't let Onii-chan's boring details put you off Yukino-san", Komachi interjected as she slowed down to walk in front of us. "This is just a good means to go about and explore the town you know".
Yukinoshita chuckled, "I guess so, I didn't really get to properly explore Hagakure when I arrived".
"Same here, who knows, we might see something exciting while we're at it", Komachi excitedly said.
"I just hope I can find somewhere to sit while doing it", I muttered.
Komachi stuck her tongue out, "Such a lazy person as always Onii-chan".
That's when Fuyumi called us out and we quickened our pace to meet her, she and Ryoto stood at the mouth of a small dirt path that headed into the forest. It didn't look as dense wooded as the one we walked through before, but the whole vibe of the forest was present, from the rotting smell of wood, to the sound of insects wailing and the sun's rays breaking through the canopies.
Fuyumi took hold of Yukinoshita's hand as Ryoto and Komachi led the way, I decided to stay back and keep a watchful eye from behind as we entered.
"Have you've been to this part of the forest Fuyumi-san?", Yukinoshita asked.
Fuyumi shook her head, "Not really, Saori-nee doesn't really let us wander around these parts and Ayu-nee is too busy to take us anywhere".
"How about your Mother and Father?", she wondered.
"Dad's always out in the field and Mom does a lot of housework", she answered. "Sometimes she goes out and helps out Dad and leaves us at the house all day".
"Must be lonely then…"
"It was for a time", Fuyumi admitted, before looking up and beaming her a smile. "But now we have Hachi-onii-chan and Koma-nee here, it's not as lonely anymore and having Yukino-san with us makes it a whole lot more fun".
Such a compliment caused the Ice Queen to practically melt, and blush at her words before looking away in embarrassment. If I had my phone out, I would've taken a picture of the sight but I instead closed my eyes and seared that look into my brain, treating it as a keepsake that I will dearly hold on to for a long time.
"Besides, we get to go on all of these fun adventures now", Ryoto commented from up front, seemingly eavesdropping on their conversation.
"Only when the mood hits Onii-chan", Komachi jabbed at me.
"I can be adventurous if I want to be", I argued.
"That is true", Yukinoshita agreed. "He would venture for hours just to buy a volume of those light novels".
Komachi chuckled at that, but the twins were seemingly confused at that jab. Ryoto even turned to Komachi with a curious look.
"Is it one of those eroge titles Saori-nee tells us about?", he asked.
Komachi visibly stiffened as Yukinoshita did as well, I could only silently curse at their often insensitive and foul-mouthed older sister for teaching them such things at an early age.
"What's an eroge Yukino-san?", Fuyumi asked.
"Uh, well…um…how do I explain it…", Yukinoshita stuttered her reply.
I sighed, "It's not something that either of you should learn this early".
"Eh? Why not?", Ryoto questioned, glancing back at me. "If it's an adult thing, I want to learn it too".
Fuyumi nodded as she looked back at me as well, "Yeah, we're going to grow up someday you know".
"Yeah but for now, just be kids doing kids stuff", I answered, before glancing to the side and nodding towards it. "Besides, don't we have a castle to find?".
They all stopped and turned to where I nodded towards, through the tree line to the side, there seemed to be a roof just peeking through leaves and trunks. Excitedly, Ryoto ran through the bushes and trees with Komachi following right behind him. I was careful, stepping over the roots and helping Fuyumi and Yukinoshita as they crossed over.
On the other side was a small field, the trees that surrounded it formed a small circle around the place. It was full of colorful flowers on one side and overgrown weeds on the other, but what's more interesting was the structure that sat near the middle on the bottom of a small hill. It was a small traditional house, with white walls and black tiled roofs, but on the side sat a giant wheel, affixed to a small stone canal that seemed to run further up the hill and downwards, but looked to have long since dried out.
The whole house looked abandoned by the looks of it, with overgrowth clinging to the walls and even the dangling off the sides of the roof, and even weeds sticking out of the small stone pathway that led up to the front door.
"Is this supposed to be a castle?", Fuyumi questioned.
"If it is, this is one terrible looking castle", Ryoto commented.
"It's an abandoned water wheelhouse", Yukinoshita answered.
"Look, this canal even has frogs", Komachi called out from where she was crouched over the stone canal.
All 3 of them walked over to where she was as I merely walked along the pathway, taking out my phone and taking a picture. I know it might sound lame, but it looked cool enough to post online. I mean, it's not everyday you get to stumble upon an abandoned house in the middle of the woods like this. Though, this setup does sound like an opening to some badly made horror film of some kind.
"I have to admit, it is not something I was expecting to see when we went out here", Yukinoshita marveled at the sight of it.
"I know, the most I thought we'd find was some animals and a cave or something", I admitted. "What do you think something like this is doing out in the middle of nowhere?".
"Must've been used for irrigation around this area", she answered, I knew I could trust her extensive knowledge of everything. "But I guess plans changed and it was just left here".
"Sounds kind of sad", Fuyumi said as she walked up to us.
"Such is life", I half-heartedly said before getting elbowed in the back by Komachi as she made her way back to us.
The five of us stood there and stared at the house, realizing now, it looked kind of out of place in such a peaceful and green forest such as this. And it seemed like the forest was making a part of itself as well, I was about ready to tell to head back to the trail and continue walking but Ryoto shot up a suggestion.
"We should go in it and see what's inside", he excitedly said.
"Yeah, maybe there's something cool in it", Fuyumi agreed.
I scratched the back of my head, not really feeling up to going inside and much rather continue on our merry way.
"I don't know, it seems dangerous considering how old it looks", I argued.
Komachi nodded in agreement, "Onii-chan's right, who knows what could be inside".
"Come on", Ryoto whined as he walked in front of us. "I just want to take a quick peek, I'll even go in alone if I have to".
"Ryoto-san, it might be dangerous going in there alone", Yukinoshita warned.
"Yukino-san's right Ryoto, you might get hurt by yourself", Fuyumi said.
"I guess so…"
Seeing Ryoto's downtrodden look, I sighed and walked up to him.
"Fine, I'll go with, but only to act as a bodyguard", I said.
Ryoto's face lightened up immediately and nodded his head, I turned back to the trio. Komachi was giving a proud smile as well as Yukinoshita, I guess you can say I've grown a weakness for both of them. Besides, Saori is going to skin me alive and drag me across the street if anything happened to these two while under our watch.
"You three stay and keep watch outside, I'll yell if anything happens", I said as we began to turn and walk towards the house.
Komachi stepped in front of the two and puffed her chest, even flexed her arm.
"You can count on me Onii-chan", Komachi reassured. "I'll protect these two if anything happens".
The two in question were in an adorable position, Fuyumi standing in front of Yukinoshita, who was seemingly hugging her from behind with her arms draped over Fuyumi's shoulders, and Fuyumi holding unto them. Honestly, if this was the last sight I was ever going to see, then I wouldn't mind it all.
God I wish I hadn't said that…I thought as I turned and headed to the water wheelhouse, Ryoto trailing along beside me.
"You think there's like a cool weapon inside, Hachi-onii-chan?", Ryoto asked.
I shrugged, "Who knows, can never be too sure with these kinds of places".
"Maybe there's a monster in it"
"I hope to God there isn't…"
A foreboding feeling began to pierce me as we got closer to the house, despite it being the middle of the day, there was eeriness that it possessed that gripped as you got closer. Suddenly, the shadows casted by the thick overgrowth and roof made the darkness inside seem a whole lot deeper even though I was still outside. Unconsciously, I gulped and pulled at my collar, feeling a sudden tightness around it for some reason.
We reached the front, a white tatami door is what greeted us as we arrived, I stepped on the small wooden step towards it. I swear I could imagine a shadow behind it beginning to move and close in on us, that idea made my heartbeat even faster and my chest to tighten. Nervously, I reached out and grabbed at the door handle, ready to slide it open and walk inside its abyss.
"Mou, it's almost like Onii-chan is going to be the first victim in a slasher movie", Komachi commented from far away, so loud that I could hear it.
I snapped towards them, "Oi, don't be setting off flags like that".
Komachi apologized and that interruption gave me a chance to gather up my courage and take a deep breath. I grabbed the door handle, closed my eyes and flung it open. For a few seconds, all I could hear was the door slamming against the side and noises of the forest around us. Cautiously, I opened my eyes, half-expecting to see a person or a shadow-like figure standing in the room or even bodies, but there was nothing of the sort.
The inside was a simple single open floor, lined with tatami from the small living room to the kitchen on the right hand side. The plants and overgrowth had snaked their way inside, occupying any and all crevices of the place and a few cobwebs hung above the rafters. It was definitely dusty, I even had Ryoto cover his mouth with his shirt collar as we entered.
"This looks creepy", Ryoto commented.
"Tell me about it…", I said as I looked around, the holes from the ceiling allowed the sunlight to stream through, so we could see the decrepit and abandoned state in all its glory, despite shadows still in the corners of the toom.
This place, despite the state it was in, still looked pretty intact. The walls weren't rotten, the windows seemed functional and even the door still worked, the holes in the ceiling can easily be sealed up. The place itself was as big as one of those 40,000 yen apartments in the inner city, heck, it looked even bigger.
"Though fix this place up, I wouldn't mind living here", I commented as I walked about to the living room.
"Seriously? You have weird tastes Hachi-onii-chan", Ryoto noted, before glancing down the small hallway. "I'm going to check the back!".
"Don't run okay? This place looks like it's about to fall apart", I warned him as he walked down the hall.
There was a closet in the living room, it was vacated but it was big enough to hold a futon or two, so I guessed this living room doubled as a bedroom, seeing as how big of a space it took up. I walked to the small cabinet in the corner and opened its small wooden double doors and let out an impressed whistle.
"Surprised you got left behind", I said, marveling at the vintage TV, it was those old massive ones that were stored in wooden cabinets with doors on the front.
I glanced behind me, to the closed window and walked towards it. Swinging it open, I waved off some of the dust that rained on my face before waving at the girls who were still standing there, eagerly watching the house.
"Is it safe inside Onii-chan?", Komachi shouted.
"Safe enough I guess", I shouted back.
I heard footsteps behind me and saw Ryoto return from his little venture from the back.
"Find something interesting?", I asked him.
He shook his head, "Not really, just a bathroom and a backdoor, pretty boring actually", sighing at disappointment at the place.
I patted his head, "Can't win all of them Ryoto, now let's go, I'm sure the rest are eager to leave as well".
Before he could even reply, we heard a rustle and then a clanging noise coming from the kitchen on the right hand side of the entrance. We both turned to it, the kitchen was in full view, the window that was there was closed so only slivers of sunlight gave it light, but we could barely see what it could've been.
"Did you hear that?", I asked him, hoping it was just my imagination.
"I heard it", he replied, before pointing to the cabinet below the sink. "I think it came from there".
I felt the fear creep up on me once more. Ryoto was clinging to my pant leg as we slowly approached the kitchen, specifically, the cabinet where the noise came from. You remember those moments in horror movies, where you'd be practically screaming at the stupid characters for checking out a random noise? I never thought in a million years that I would be doing the same they were doing, knowing inevitably, it could lead me towards certain death.
But it's not like I could just ignore it or anything, besides, I had to save face in front of Ryoto and show how cool and collected of an older cousin I was. Not wanting to show a cowardice approach, the type who'd run to the hills at the first sign of trouble, I bravely led the two of us towards the noise.
We finally reached the kitchen and crept to the cabinet. I was crouched in front of it, Ryoto behind me, wanting to keep a safe distance between him and whatever it could be inside.
"I'm about to open it", I said before glancing at him. "You ready?".
He nodded, "I'm going to miss you Hachi-onii-chan".
Don't say those words, do you have any idea the death flags that could trigger!?...I mentally scolded him, before turning back to the cabinet.
Taking another deep breath, I gathered my courage and opened the cabinet. The inside was pitch black, I could make the shape of a few pots and pans but nothing. I peered in closer, hoping to see nothing and it really must be our imagination. As I slowly ducked my head in closer, I saw it, a pair of glowing eyes in the dark.
Before I could shout something, it lunged, using my arm, I pushed Ryoto back and used it as a shield in case it came for him. But the small figure scurried past my legs and headed for the door. It stopped as it reached it and looked back at us, in the light of the outside, I could see it properly and I let out a massive sigh of relief.
It was a tanuki, a relatively big one from the looks of it. It sniffed the air around, before bolting outside and leaving us inside the house after giving me possibly the biggest scare of my life. Ryoto looked relieved at the revelation of it as well, even chuckling as I stood up and dusted myself off.
"You okay Ryoto?", I asked him, my chest still heavy and my heart still rapidly beating.
He nodded, "I'm fine, thanks for that Hachi-onii-chan".
"No problem let's just get out of here before we stumble upon more woodland creatures", I said, before letting out a giant sigh, feeling my chest loosen.
"How could a tanuki even get in there?", Ryoto wondered as we began to head to the door.
"Maybe it was looking for food and got itself trapped in there", I replied as we stepped out.
For the first time, I'd say I relished the feeling of the sun on my skin as we walked away from the house and that damn jumpscare tanuki behind us. We returned to the trio on the outside, who were gazing at the stone canal, seemingly unaware of the tanuki incident that had just occurred.
"Is something the matter Hikigaya-kun?", Yukinoshita asked as we got closer. "You look shaken up".
"Yeah Onii-chan, did something happen?", Komachi questioned.
"Nothing much, just got jumped by a curious tanuki who decided to go looking for snacks in the kitchen", I replied.
"You should've seen Hachi-onii-chan!", Ryoto happily declared as he appeared in front of them, raising his arms. "He was shielding me from it and was so brave, he was like a hero".
"Really?", Fuyumi excitedly said as she ran towards me. "I wish I could've seen it".
"Yeah, he was like facing down a monster in the dark", Ryoto recounted, making it sound more epic than it was. "And when it jumped for us, I pushed me back and acted as my shield, it was really awesome and-and…"
As Ryoto droned on and on about me being a brave hero and stuff, I could merely lightly smile at his words. It was nice to hear someone praise me so innocently but hearing it from my kid cousin was something special, enough to warm my heart a bit. Yukinoshita must've noticed it as she walked up towards, even leaning in a bit to get a closer look at my face.
"Your bravery must've been a sight then, hero", she teased.
I chuckled, "Hey, all in a day's work".
"Onii-chan", Komachi said as she turned to me from where she was, crouched beside Fuyumi listening to Ryoto. "Brave work back there".
"Yeah, Hachi-nii's a brave knight!", Ryoto proudly announced.
"Wow! We have a brave knight!", Fuyumi beamed.
Ah please, you're making me blush…
-0-
"Huh, where are we?"
Komachi wondered as stood ahead of us, having been the first to walk out of the forest we had been walking around for a few good hours. Somehow, we had managed to end up on a dirt path along some rice paddies, at the end of it, was the road. Ryoto followed suit and Fuyumi and Yukinoshita just behind him, with me being the last to leave. We took a good look around, it seems like we were in a different part of Hagakure entirely, though the scenery itself was practically the same.
We followed the twins out of the dirt path and onto the road, Fuyumi was surveying the road as we walked down it, hoping to find any sign to where we were. That's when we came upon a seemingly familiar site.
"Oh, it's dagashi!", Fuyumi called out, pointing ahead of us.
"Dagashi?", I wondered.
Fuyumi nodded her head, "Look it's the place that sells the best dagashi".
Ahead, on the bend of the road that stretched out heading to the more houses up a hill, was a dagashiya. It was a big two story house, with various posters and banners strung up along the side of it as we got closer, it was a tad of a relief to hear them recognize a landmark at the very least.
"The dagashiya? Then we must be near the southwest part of the town", Ryoto said as we walked towards.
"Seems like my understanding of the town's structure is a bit skewed", Yukinoshita muttered under her breath.
"That forest seemed so dense, I thought we'd get lost or something", Komachi shuddered at the idea.
"Must've been a long walk if we ended up all the way out here", I said.
"Not really…", Fuyumi replied, pointing to the hill where the path beside the dagashiya laid. "Just up there, you can already see the shrine".
"Man…I really need to take a good walk around this place once in a while", I decided, might help me when I get lost around here.
We arrived at the front of the store, at the foot of the hill and beside another road that led to a tunnel further ahead. The place looked like an old traditional one you would see in passing through these types of towns, black wood walls and black tiled roof, with banners and flags on the sides and front, there were a couple of gashapon machines on the front as well as a gumball machine. A deep freezer filled with ice cream sat by the sliding door, right next to the deep freezer, was a small green bench.
"Breaktime?", Komachi tiredly asked.
I shrugged, "I don't mind".
"I don't either, all this walking has made my feet a bit sore", Yukinoshita said, lightly feeling for her toes by tapping them.
"You guys want to rest for a bit?", Komachi wondered as she turned to the twins.
"Let's buy some dagashi before lunch!", Ryoto excitedly suggested.
"I want to eat dagashi!", Fuyumi happily agreed.
"I don't think that's a good idea…", Komachi argued.
I was busy sitting myself down on the bench and ignored what was going on, my feet and legs were tired and I could almost feel them about to fall off. I let out a relieved sigh as I sat down and rested my back against it, I felt a weight beside me and saw Yukinoshita sitting herself down beside me. The bench was big enough for 3 people and I sat down on the far left with Yukinoshita sitting in the middle beside me. She gave me a relieved smile as well, it looked like she was exhausted by the hours long walk around the forest.
I was about to open my mouth and start up a conversation, when Komachi walked up to us, tired and jabbing a thumb at the two behind her.
"Onii-chan, help me with them, they really want to eat dagashi", Komachi begged.
I looked over at the two, "You guys, we'll have lunch soon, you shouldn't spoil your appetite".
"But we really want one, we promise we won't tell", Ryoto insisted.
"Still guys, we'd get in trouble if Chinatsu-oba-san found out", Komachi reasoned with them.
"Koma-nee…", Ryoto mourned, hanging his head down.
"But Hachi-onii-chan…", Fuyumi pouted.
The look of Fuyumi's face slowly becoming sad pierced a part of my heart that was reserved when Komachi pulled the same expression on me. Except in this case, it was double effective with Fuyumi's doe eyes and cuter face. I can feel my resolved break, like the great stone walls being chipped away, but I promise myself I will not break. I was going to be a responsible babysitter if it's the last thing I do.
"You promise to have just one?", Yukinoshita interjected.
I felt my mouth agape when I heard those words come out of her mouth, for this was Yukino Yukinoshita, possibly the most diligent and no nonsense person I have ever met. Komachi was equally shocked as I was at the sudden turn of events, but the twins were happily cheering.
"Yukino-san…are you sure about this?", Komachi questioned.
"No harm in just one", she replied as she sat back down and let out a tired sigh and muttered softly to herself. "Besides…I don't ever want to see that look on Fuyumi's face ever again".
I see…I then begin to wonder how much I can bribe Fuyumi to keep pulling off that look of hers so Yukinoshita can easily be putty in her hands. I decided to merely smile at the idea of it, the Ice Queen herself growing such a deep fondness for Fuyumi that she was willing to break her own rules for her.
I sighed, "Fine, like Yukinoshita-san said, just get one and keep this between us".
The two nodded and headed inside, Komachi let out a tired sigh of her and sat down at the other side of Yukinoshita. The three of us were lazing in front of the store, backs against the bench and resting our tired legs and feet after the long morning we had put behind us. I let out a relaxed sigh myself, it really was a cool day despite it being bright and sunny without a single cloud in the sky.
I began thinking if I could sneakily crack open the deep freezer to let out the cool air out, when I began to feel a sharp and heavy gaze land upon me. I turned to see my two other companions on the bench merely staring at me, Yukinoshita was a sharp beckoning one while Komachi's was a disappointed one.
"What? What're you staring at me for?", I questioned, genuinely wondering why they were staring at me.
"So uncool Onii-chan", Komachi commented.
"I would assume some initiative on your part, Hikigaya-kun", Yukinoshita added.
"Oi, oi, what's that supposed to mean?", I asked.
"Lazy. Inconsiderate. Beast. Hachiman", Komachi said.
"How many times do I have to tell you? My name is not an insult", I argued.
"A little consideration on your part would be deeply appreciated", Yukinoshita said.
I sighed, finally realizing what they wanted, and stood up and shoved my hands into my pocket.
"Fine, I'll buy you both something", I said as I walked towards the open sliding door, sparing the two a glance before I went in. "What do you guys want?".
In an instant, their faces perked up and gave me big smiles and I could only roll my eyes at them for their underhanded tactics. These two, possibly two of the most cunning users of psychological warfare ever, I feel bad for anyone who crosses their paths.
"Anything cold Onii-chan", Komachi requested.
I turned to Yukinoshita, who was seemingly thinking about it before turning back to me and answering.
"Get me an ice pop", she replied.
With a two finger salute, I entered the store. The inside was a bit small, cramped on the sides and the middle were various sweets and confections. One side by the register was lined with small sachets of various candies, as well as toys that hung on the ceiling. Obnoxiously written posters hung all around, blaring in huge numbers and letters the prices and the names of displays in different colored markers and pens.
Fuyumi and Ryoto were running about, having a hard time choosing which one they would have.
"Don't run around too much, you'll hurt yourselves", I warned them as I walked to the counter.
Behind the counter sat a girl with short black hair, it was a little mussed up and unruly but her eyes bored and tired, almost like mine but less creepy. She had her face nose deep in a book, judging by the cover, it was some modern dystopian fantasy novel aimed at young teenagers that was a trend that began to die down as the years moved on and people realized, almost all of them are the same, but I'm not one to judge too harshly in one's taste of literature. Unlike a certain raven haired Ice Queen just sitting outside, speaking of Yukinoshita and my reason why I walked in here.
I cleared my throat, realizing she wasn't paying attention to me at all. Instantly, she looked up and her eyes widened and she immediately threw her book down, stood up from her seat and bowed her head.
"I-I'm so sorry sir, I-I didn't no-notice you", she apologized, priding myself that my loner skills of becoming hidden still worked.
The way she began to fidget when she stood up straighter started to make me feel bad, she was sparing my glances but was unable to look me straight in the eye. Well, given how bad they must've been to a typical person, I would not blame her for her reaction. Somehow though, with her reaction and fidgeting, she reminded me of Totsuka when we had first met
I decided to shrug the concern off, "Yeah, I'd like to buy a couple of ice pops".
She nodded, "Um, that is-um-200 yen? I think-wait…"
She ducked her head and began rifling through a small notebook from underneath the counter. I could tell she was nervous and panicking a bit, given how much of a sweat she was building. But that's when Fuyumi suddenly appeared beside me, peeked over and watched the girl as she skimmed through the pages.
"Calm down Ho-chan, my Hachi-onii-chan doesn't bite", she said, seemingly to ease the girl's nerves.
"Fu-Fuyumi-san?", she said as she stood up.
Fuyumi smiled as she stood back, as if she was presenting me in front of a live audience, even raising her hand towards me.
"I forgot to introduce you to him Ho-chan, but...", she began. "This is my older cousin, Hachi-onii-chan".
"Hachiman Hikigaya", I said, waving a hand at her.
"Ho-Honoka Tadakoro, nice to meet you", she nervously replied, bowing once more.
"Ho-chan runs the dagashiya with her grandmother…", Fuyumi said before turning to Honoka. "By the way, where is your grandma?".
"Baachan had business in town and left me to run the store for today", she replied.
When Ryoto came up to negotiate the price of his dagashi, Fuyumi pulled at my pant leg and I had to crouched to meet her level. She leaned in closer and ever cupped her mouth with her hand.
"Ho-chan is very shy, she moved here a couple years ago and still hasn't made any friends besides me and Ryoto", she explained to me in a hush tone.
"Does she go to your school too?", I asked.
Fuyumi nodded, "She's in first year of middle school".
I understood her situation fully, being a social outcast at such a young age can do that to a person, the ability to recognize the same situation and being able to empathize with it. Honoka seemed like a socially awkward person, easy to panic but very polite, I knew she was a good kid at heart, just very nervous around new people it seems, seeing how easy she was talking to Ryoto and Fuyumi.
"I think I got this", I said to Fuyumi, reassuring her that I wouldn't be too intimidating to Honoka.
Fuyumi smiled, "Thanks Hachi-onii-chan, I knew you'd understand".
I stood back up and walked back to the counter, deciding to make her feel at ease and maybe cut the conversation short since she might still feel uncomfortable speaking to complete strangers.
"Sorry about jumping you earlier Tadakoro-san", I apologized.
"It's fine Hikigaya-onii-san, it was my fault for being absent minded", she accepted my apology, even bowing again, which seemed to be a habit of hers. "Umm, so you wanted two ice pops?".
"Make it three", I replied, realizing now that I wanted one as well.
"It's 600 yen", she said and I gave her the money, surprisingly cheap, but we were out in the sticks so things aren't as pricey.
When she had given me the receipt, that's when Fuyumi practically jumped in and leaned towards her.
"Hachi-onii-chan is pretty nice right?", Fuyumi began to rattle off. "You have to meet Koma-nee too-oh! -also Yukino-san, you'll love her, she's the prettiest and nicest person you'll meet Ho-chan".
"She is and Koma-nee is pretty awesome", Ryoto agreed.
"By the way Ho-chan, what're you reading?", Fuyumi asked.
"Ah, my brother sent this to me from abroad, it's about an intergalactic war and romance…"
As I left the trio to converse amongst themselves and rejoin Komachi and Yukinoshita outside, I began to remember my own childhood of being an outcast, before shrugging it off. Somehow, looking back on it, that time of my life felt like a lifetime ago.
-0-
The dying streaks of the sun began to bleed over the sky above us, covering it with vibrant but fading colors of orange, white puffy clouds rolled on by as the darkness of the night began to creep closer. The streetlights of the road where we were walking on had begun turning on, meaning that night was already fast approaching. We were still searching for the proverbial castle for what seemed like hours now, having decided to walk around the roads by the forest instead.
Fuyumi was still searching the tree lines, the rest of us were pretty tired. The day felt so long and so hot, just wandering around the town and down dirt paths, searching for some imaginary castle. I sniffed my arm and I had already smelled like the forest I've been immersed in all day, looking forward to a bath once we got home. Komachi and Ryoto were looking pretty tired, having already lagged behind me for the past few minutes. Yukinoshita was the only one by Fuyumi's side in the front, with me situated behind them, gazing up at the colors of the setting sun.
"Ne, Onii-chan, how about we head home now? Komachi's feeling pretty tired", Komachi requested, already referring to herself in the 3rd person, that means she really was exhausted.
"Komachi-nee-chan's right, I'm feeling tired too Hachi-nii", Ryoto added, letting out a yawn.
"I think it's best to suspend the search for today, it's already getting late", Yukinoshita agreed, having already stopped herself a few ahead of us.
"But, we still haven't found the castle", Fuyumi reasoned, running back to us. "I'm sure it's around here somewhere".
I sighed, already tired myself, "I think we should stop for today Fuyumi, your brother and Koma-nee seem pretty tired already".
"But…"
"I'm feeling quite exhausted myself Fuyumi-san", Yukinoshita admitted as she walked beside her, giving her a soft but pleading look. "Maybe we can hold off looking for it today".
Fuyumi looked up at all of us before letting out a sigh, I can feel the disappointment yet understanding in her tone.
"Okay, I'm sorry for dragging you all out here for nothing", she apologized.
I waved it off, "It's fine, beats being cramped in the house all day".
"Yeah, and exploring the town was fun", Komachi assured her, wanting to cheer her up.
"Yeah that water wheelhouse and that tanuki were so awesome to find", Ryoto recounted with glee.
"I don't ever want to enter a place like that ever again though", I sighed out, remembering the fright that tanuki gave me.
Yukinoshita crouched down and patted Fuyumi's head, an attempt to comfort her and ease her disappointment over today's prospects.
"Don't fret Fuyumi-san, there will still be plenty of times", she said to her.
Fuyumi nodded, "I know, but with summer not being too long, I thought we'd find it fast and move on to more fun stuff…".
In the noises of the night that slowly consumed the town, we began making our way home. Fuyumi and Ryoto were at front, Komachi just behind them as she stretched her back and raved on how she was so excited for our Aunt's dinner, the long day having made her hungry. Me and Yukinoshita at the far back, which seemed to be a common formation at this point. Lights of the front of the houses had also begun to turn on, an occasional tractor would appear on the road, tired farmers heading home after a long day in the field. There was something strangely relaxing about all this, a calmness settled on my chest and I merely let out a happy sigh.
"Say Hikigaya-kun", Yukinoshita suddenly spoke up.
I turned to her, "Yeah?".
"You mind meeting me tomorrow morning?"
"Sure, but what is it?", I asked her, feeling my chest tighten at the idea of it, not like I was expecting something.
"There's something I'd like to do, and I need your help…"
-0-
I laced up my shoes before letting a yawn, the sunlight streamed through the front door and I could hear the soft chirping of birds outside. Given, it was early in the morning and not a soul woke in the house, it was all pretty peaceful. I was headed to the shrine, a good middle ground between mine and Yukinoshita's place for us to meet.
Despite the fatigue from the day before, I felt somewhat energized to undertake what Yukinoshita had planned for today. Which was strange, I would shrug it off and say I'd rather not do something that is both physically demanding and somewhat troublesome, but it's for a good cause, and it helped that it was Yukinoshita who had asked me. I chuckled to myself, wondering if I had really become whipped.
"And where're you sneaking off to so early in the morning?", a voice behind me questioned.
I turned to see Saori as she descended the stairs, her hair was mussed up and she was still wearing her pajamas.
"I'm just heading out to meet with Yukinoshita for a thing", I replied.
"Oh?", she said before giving me a sly expression. "A little early morning rendezvous with Yukinoshita-san to start the day?".
I gave her a deadpan expression, to show that I was not amused by her at the slightest.
"Get you head out of the gutter, it's a thing we're doing for Fuyumi", I told her off before turning and heading for the door. "I'll be out for a while but I'll be done before lunch".
Saori yawned, "You got it…".
"Also, you mind taking Fuyumi and the other two out later?"
"Huh? What for?"
I smiled, "It's a surprise".
-0-
"Ne, Onii-chan, how far is it?"
"Not that far, trust me"
"Hachi-nii, is it going to be cool?"
"Super cool Ryoto"
"Hachiman, I swear to God, if this ends up being something stupid, I'm going to deck you"
So violent… "Its fine, I promise it's going to be worth it"
The group of five that consisted of me, Komachi, Ryoto, Fuyumi and Saori, were currently walking through the forest, the same we had walked through the day before. It was already late in the afternoon, which meant the sun was out and bright, with such hot weather, I would've opted to stay in but another matter called and I cannot just ignore it.
Fuyumi pulled at my hand, I looked down at her, she still seemed a little sullen. Possibly still down from the fruitless endeavor the day before, but I hoped Yukinoshita's plan would help brighten her spirits up.
"What is it that you are going to show us, Hachi-onii-chan?", she asked.
"Something great, I promise", I answered her.
"Really?", she wondered. "I wish Yukino-san was here, she would've loved to see it too".
"Oh, I'm sure she's already excited for it"
"Huh? But -"
"We're here"
We had arrived at the destination to where the path headed, it was in a small clearing a few feet away from where the road was. It was a good place, patches of flowers and some flat grass. But in the middle was the true centerpiece, a cardboard cutout of a castle. It was a stereotypical looking castle, three stone towers jutted out of a stone building with wooden double doors in the middle, even a couple of bushes drawn on the side that were coated in green paint. It was a crudely made one, painted with whatever paint we had and drawn and lined with visible black markers, standing on wooden stilts that supported it so as to not fall over and get knocked down.
Yukinoshita appeared behind, clearing her throat before repeating her rehearsed lines.
"Welcome travelers, you seem to have travelled far", she started before bowing. "Please, take leisure at our castle in the meantime.
Fuyumi seemed shocked for a moment, her mouth hanging open before turning to me, Yukinoshita, at the castle before turning to me once more. The trio that accompanied us were also quite surprised by it as well, or maybe on the character Yukinoshita was playing at the moment. Honestly, in my case, it's both.
"Hachi-onii-chan, what's this?", she questioned.
"Exactly what it is, it's the castle from the story", I casually replied, nodding towards even.
"Bu-but how? I mean, why?", Fuyumi wondered once more.
"It was Yukino's idea", I immediately tossed the attention to her.
"Yukino-san?", Fuyumi asked her.
Yukinoshita seemed a little embarrassed by the prospects of having to explain it, but let out a sigh, seemingly wanting to be honest about her intentions about it.
"I wanted to cheer you up after yesterday", Yukinoshita confessed, putting her hands behind her back as she did. "I thought if we couldn't find the castle, we'll just make one for ourselves, I even asked Hachiman for help".
"Is that where you were sneaking off too early?", Saori inquired and I merely shrugged in reply.
"I know it isn't as good as you had hoped but-"
Whatever words Yukinoshita was about to say were cut off when she was tackled into a hug by Fuyumi, who had ran up to her and began hugging her waist. She was practically burying her face in her legs, it was sight that was enough to warm my chest. Yukinoshita looked back at us and we merely replied with smiles, Komachi even giving her thumbs up and Ryoto marveling at our creation.
"I love it, Yukino-san, thank you so much", Fuyumi gushed as she pulled back.
Yukinoshita merely smiled down at her, "It's nothing, besides, it was fun making you castle".
"Can I get a closer look?", she asked and Yukinoshita merely nodded.
Fuyumi ran up to it excitedly, Ryoto following behind her. Komachi let out an impressive whistle as she walked past me.
"Nice work Onii-chan", she complimented.
"Thanks, it was a chore but the end result was worth it", I replied, nodding towards Fuyumi and Ryoto as they played about the front of the "castle".
"Well, this just shot up so much Hachiman points", she said as we walked towards, joining the two as they played pretend together.
I felt a slap on my back and an impressed Saori appeared beside me, she looked thoroughly impressed by the work. Even admiring it from afar, I have to say, that look on her face was a compliment enough.
"Nice handiwork there Hachiman", she praised me.
I shrugged, "It was nothing, just spent all morning drawing and painting it and making the stand and dragging it out here".
"It still nice to see all the same", Saori said. "Fuyumi has been obsessed with the castle thing since last year, I'm glad she got what she was looking for".
"Yeah, but it's still crude work", I admitted.
"Crude but it was made with heart, that's all that matters", she replied before walking towards it and joining the trio.
I walked beside Yukinoshita, who stood to watch our small project finally take form. It was honestly exhausting work, with all the drawing, painting, cutting, sawing and nailing it took to put the thing together. Even taking it out here to set it up was tiring but seeing Fuyumi's smiling face was worth every agonizing minute of it.
Yukinoshita's thoughts seemingly rang the same, having truly grown a fondness for her so deep that it pained her to see Fuyumi's sad expression from the day before. Going out of her way to help her, making this makeshift castle just to cheer her up. But this was Yukinoshita I was talking about, she'd drag the moon from the night sky if someone had asked her to.
"Seems like it played exactly how you wanted it", I said.
Yukinoshita chuckled, "I guess, I wish we could've made it better though".
"Eh, I doubt we could have", I assured her. "But you got what you wanted, you made Fuyumi happy".
The girl in question was busy "knighting" Ryoto and Komachi, fully engrossed in what was going on from the get-go. I admit, it was fun to see them enjoy themselves so much from such a simple looking, but, everything was great when you're having so much fun.
"Yes, all parties are satisfied so it seems", Yukinoshita declared, smiling to herself, feeling proud that she had managed to accomplish what she had set out to do.
"Yeah, I have to admit, making a castle is sort of fun"
"While I agree, its very tiresome work"
"But if it's for Fuyumi, it's worth it right?"
"Very"
I couldn't but laugh a little at that, but Yukinoshita didn't seem to take it that way. Seemingly glaring at me for my reaction, but I immediately calmed down and put her at ease.
"Sorry, I'm just surprised how caring you are to Fuyumi", I admitted.
Yukinoshita softened up at that before turning back and watching them.
"It's strange, when I saw her feel let down, I immediately wanted nothing more than to lift her spirits and make her happy", she confessed. "Just something about making a child like her so happy…I don't know how to explain…".
"I get you mean", I understood.
"Is it weird for me to do?"
"Not one bit, it's a very you move after all"
Yukinoshita chuckled, "It would seem so".
"Yukino-san! Hachi-onii-chan! Come on, let's play castle together", Fuyumi called out, waving her arm at us.
"Yeah, come on Hachi-nii, we can be knights together!", Ryoto said as he raised a small stick he picked up from the ground.
"Yukino-san, you can be our princess", Komachi suggested.
"She can be a queen!", Fuyumi happily declared.
"I'm so showing this to Ayumi for later", Saori said as she began taking pictures of it.
"Oh! We should invite Ho-chan to play with us too…"
I turned to Yukinoshita, as she did too. I smiled as I bowed my head and raised my hand towards her, a gentlemanly gesture I've seen countless times on period dramas on TV.
"Milady", I said, offering my hand closer to her. "Thy castle awaits".
"Milord", she replied, taking my hand in return.
We walked up to them and spent the whole day playing in a castle in the forest.
Note: Apologies if it wasn't an exciting or fluffy as the first chapter, wanted to add some more scene but I didn't want to drag the story more than necessary, still experimenting on what to do. But thank you for the support so far, I really appreciate it. Hope to see you all in the next chapter, later.
A glossary of the words I used (if you're interested):
chabudai - is a small short legged table used in traditional Japanese homes, people who sit on typically use cushions or the tatami instead of chairs. It's around 15 to 30 cm tall, collapsible and easy to move around and is usually replaced by a kotatsu during the winter.
kamidana - are miniature household altars, used to enshrine a Shinto kami (God). It houses a shintai, which is an object used to house a kami, thus giving it physical form and allow worship. The kami enshrined can either be a deity of the local shrine or of one's own profession. Worship of it consists of prayers and offering of food, water and flowers, and families are ritually required to clean their hands or mouth beforehand.
mono no aware - is a Japanese term meaning "the pathos of all things" or the "transience of things", the bittersweet realization that all things in life are not permanent. It was term that originated from Heian period literature but wasn't used until the 18th century by scholar Motoori Norinaga in his criticism of Heian period Japanese literature, specifically The Tale of Genji. (Personally, I love this term and had to include it somewhat)
dagashiya - are shops that sells dagashi (Japanese sweets).
Source: Wikipedia.