Thank you for reviews, faves and follows!
Thanks to Crimson for edits!
Here is next chapter, don't forget that the point of view keep changing between Niko and Maki.
I can't believe this…
That was the first time I saw someone actually kill others right in front of my eyes…
And what's scarier is that someone was killing for my safety.
Not that I didn't expect that, but…
I feel bad for that little girl.
What was her name again? Yazawa Niko?
She said she is 17, but I really doubt that. With that kind of body, I swear she must be 10 years old or so.
But….for a 10 year old to see that kind of thing and to be used to it,
She must be some kind of kid that is really familiar with other's deaths…
Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she is a yakuza….
"Hey..Umi…" I called my guardian who held my stuff, such as the Dragon skin, fangs, the horns and some dragon bones which she said to be a good material for the weapon that she is going to make.
She turned at me; her face seems to be relaxed.
"How tough is a yakuza?" I asked.
"It depends, if you're talking about the members of the Yazawa clan—then you probably have to know that they are not quite an aggressive organization, but most of them are escape artist which makes them the best thieving guild in this location… they also tend to deal with member's deaths every day, because not many of them are skilled with the battle itself." she replied.
"Oh…."
"Then, if you're talking about the Hoshizora-clan, they are great at martial arts. Their speed could be a trouble, but it's not that dangerous once you know their pattern…"
"I see…."
"But…Hoshizora-clan is at their down age at the moment, just like Yazawa-clan who just lost their master…"
"You know a lot…." I said.
"I'm part of the law enforcement…" she replied.
"Oh…"
"I work for the peace of this place…" she continued again.
"…and yet you look like a merciless person…" I said.
She nodded,
"Yes…I am…" she replied in all seriousness.
She must be proud to be called like that… or so I think.
"There's no mercy to they who break the law—and it's better that way than they trying to steal what they are not supposed to have…." she replied. I can sense a hint of grudge in her voice, I wonder if she has a bad past with them….?
"Just a little question, though… is it right to kill them immediately…? I mean… I believe, not all of them are doing it at their will?" I asked.
"Do you mean like they are getting an order?"
"No...More like, they are in a pinch…and forced to do what they don't want to do?"
"An action is more valuable than an idea …I have my own reasons as to why I do not listen to them…" she said.
What a troublesome person…
But I guess….
I can't actually complain since she is on my side right now…
I wonder how close she is to that butler…I mean…Kotori Minami….?
For some reason, I can sense that they actually know each other.
Maybe I should ask her later when we reach back home.
Hopefully, I was right about my feeling.
When I got home,
I saw Umi heading right into her post, said that she needed to take care of the loot before I can use it. I left her be.
At the time like that though, I wonder what that little girl will do with the share that I gave her. Hopefully, she knows someone who can take care of it.
As I landed my feet in front of the gate, I realized that everything seems to be a lot cleaner than before. It's like Kotori is working with magic. Or perhaps she was just finished with this area. I need to go further in to take look.
I placed my shoes on the rack—a little muddy but I hope Kotori will not…..
w-wait….
I just placed my shoes on the rack…
And then my shoes suddenly became clean like I've never went out from the house at all.
Th-this is amazing.
I really need to talk to Kotori now!
I walked in faster and started to look for her.
Though I looked in every corner of the house, I couldn't find her…
Maybe she has gone outside?
I decided to look outside—but just before I headed to the door. I could see a black feather falling from above and slowly land on the ground. I picked it up and started to examine it.
It's a crow feather…
But maybe it's a little too big for a normal kind of crow.
"A-aah!" exclaimed a high pitched voice,
I turned to look back,
Kotori stood behind me and quickly snatched the feather away from my hands.
"I-I'm sorry! Mistress!" she said.
"Huh?" I raised my eyebrow.
"It fell, uhm… I will make sure to not let it fall again…" she added.
"Where did that coming from?" I asked.
She averted her eyes,
"F-From…above…." She replied.
"From…above?" I'm confused.
"A-Anyway… Mistress…. How was the trip?" she asked me in panic.
I wonder why—I mean… I know she is hiding something, but I guess I'll just play along for now.
"It was nice; I've never gone out from my place so… it was sort of exciting…" I said.
"A-ah…nice to hear that…" she twiddled her fingers as her eyes were nervously looking at me,
"By the way, how much do you know about Umi?" I asked.
"O-Oh…You want to know about Umi-chan?"
"Yeah…" I replied along with a nod.
She took a moment to think, before she eyed the place that my mother often uses to relax and have a cup of tea.
"I…I will feel bad to make you listen to me without serving you, why don't you take a seat?" she requested,
"That's fine with me…" I replied.
"Great!" she smiled cheerfully.
I sat on the sofa as Kotori served me a cup of warm tea and a jar of butter cookies,
These foods are incredibly made—I'm sure Kotori is an expert about this. The sweetness of the tea and the crunchy cookies perfectly blend with each other. I have never eaten this kind of food before.
"About Umi-chan…." Kotori started as she poured tea in my cup.
I lifted my sight to her.
"I'm sure you are scared of her… because she has those murderous eyes, right?"
"Honestly, I think everything about her screams 'murder' to me…" I said before I carefully sip my tea.
Kotori chuckled at my response,
"She is not a bad girl…she is just strict…" she said.
"I can see that somehow, but…what I'm not quite sure is… for some reason, I feel like her past is a lot darker than her looks…" I said.
"Well…." Kotori paused for a moment,
"…she has been through a terrible past. Not quite about her family, but it's about herself…" she continued again.
"What about her?" I asked.
"Mm…Assuming you are new to this place, I believe you don't know about the Sonoda Family. They always give birth to a noble powerful samurai…"
"Heh—I can see the 'strong' one… but the noble one…. I'm not quite sure…" I said.
She giggled,
"You just met her today, you have no right to say that about her…" she said with a wry smile.
Huh? Did I offend her?
"Umi-chan is a lot noble than what people say about nobility… you just have to get to know her more…" she continued.
"I don't get it…" I said.
She nodded,
"An action is a lot more valuable than an idea. Thus an idea has to be born to create an action…" she said.
I remained quiet, trying to understand what she meant by what she said.
"I can't actually explain how it is, but… to give you a clue…."
She paused,
"…..it has something to do with the pile of criminal organizations around this region… they are the ones who created almost every single misfortune in this area…"
"Huh…. Alright…."
"And perhaps… you will have to get to know them by yourself once you're able to hold your own wish maker…" Kotori continued again.
Now that she mentions….
"How much do you know about the wish makers?" I asked.
She smiled at me sweetly,
"As much as I know about myself…" she replied.
"Huh?"
"hehe… put that aside though…" she giggled,
"It's easier to lie from an idea than to lie from an action…" she continued.
"I don't get it…" I said.
"You're not worthy enough to understand yet…. So I'll leave you be…" she replied with a somewhat sad smile.
Tsk…
Fine.
She bowed to me politely and left.
The next day,
When I got up from my bed, I spotted my red box neatly placed on my dresser. I wonder if Kotori placed it there because I swear, I was holding onto it last night.
I quickly jump off from my bed and pick it up.
I wonder if I could check what's already inside it.
I tried to open the box…
It's….empty…
It's amazing that this kind of box can absorb even big things.
I mean…this is so small..
Hmm…
I wonder… if I could get absorbed in too if I open this?
I doubt it.
But…
For some reason…. I feel like I'm getting somewhat dizzy when I look into the empty space…
I couldn't move myself…
Am I…. getting absorbed in?
W-what…what is this feeling?
Suddenly, my mother came in and she closed the box immediately while I fell to the floor.
"Ah—Maki-chan…good morning…." She said somewhat a little too cheerfully.
"M…mama…." I took a deep breath,
"Good morning…" I replied to her greeting.
"Are you going to browse around the market today?" she asked.
"Huh?" Why is it so sudden….
"I believe you want to look for something, right?" she asked again.
Well… yes… I want to look for a few other ingredients…
"Yes…." I replied.
But how did she know?
"You have a guardian with you; I believe you won't have any trouble going outside…. So… just go on. But…make sure you leave after we are gone, ok? Your father might still not agree to it…" she said.
"Alright…." I replied.
"Take care of yourself, ok?" she smiled sweetly before she left.
The marketplace;
Today, I went with Umi again. Surprisingly, the marketplace is not as crowded as yesterday—though the shops are not piled with goods either. I probably came too late for the goods…
But anyhow, I hope I can still find decent fabric today… and maybe something else to complete the ingredients.
From what I remember…
I have already completed gather the leather and fruit…
Then Umi also said that the weapon should be finished by today after we get another ingredient,
I wonder how she could craft a weapon in a day…
Either way, that's a good thing so I can't complain.
We walk through the shops and stopped for a while whenever we saw anyone selling fabrics, most are not any decent than the usual ones. As we browse through again,
I noticed…
The same little girl currently walk on her own—in her traditional dress which looks somewhat expensive with the fluffy furs around her neck. She looks….
Really cute….
I could hear my heart race as my eyes landed on her…
W-w-wait a minute!
I feel like I'm such a pervert. I know she might be only 5 years younger than me… but still!
Why am I getting interested in a little girl?
She is a damned brat too!
I can't believe she can make my heart race like this…
Maybe it was all because she ran into me that time…
I think I got addicted by the feeling of holding into her small body…small fingers…and….
Argghghgghghhhhh….
This is….
Insanity!
I shouldn't be attracted to a little girl!
Why can't I be attracted to a man or maybe an older girl?
It sounded more normal—wait….
Is it normal to be attracted to a girl?
Maybe it is since I might adore them as an older sister… or maybe, just as a role model. I can take Umi as an example. Maybe not so much for now—but, I do want to be a strong woman like her. To be able to swing swords as quick as her… it's mesmerizing.
I probably will need a lot of years to be able to do that… unless I can wish it—
Oh…
Maybe I can wish for that later when I managed to get my Wish maker.
"Mistress…." Umi snapped me out of my day dream.
"Yes?" I replied.
"You have been staring at that little girl for a while now, are you interested?" she asked.
"W-what?! No! No way! There's no way I'm interested in her…" I retorted,
"What I mean is, are you interested in talking to her?" she asked again.
"H-huh?! That's a big no too! We're done with our business yesterday!" I yelled—and that seem to have taken that little girls attention.
Damn it.
"Oi—Maki-chan, isn't it?" she said like there's nothing wrong with doing so.
"H-huh? Y-yeah! We just met each other yesterday; don't act like you're a friend…" I said.
"What? You're not making any sense, just because I know your name doesn't make you my friend…" she said.
Good point...but…
"The way you call me is too intimate!" I said.
"Huuuhh….. So you want me to call you…what? Mistress?" she asked.
"N-No! g-geez… just Maki is fine…"
She raised her eyebrow,
"Fine… Maki it is…." she said.
"G-gh…. What the hell are you doing here anyway…?" I said.
"Shopping, of course, is there any other reason for me to come to marketplace…?" she replied.
"Stealing…." Umi said coldly.
"W-what? Come on! I'm the Lady! I don't do the dirty work…" she said.
Argh… these two will fight again…
"E-either way, what are you shopping for…?" I asked.
"The same as you…." she said.
I tilted my head,
"I'm also looking for ingredients, you're looking for ingredients too, right?" she asked.
"H-How did you know?!" I asked.
"You've been holding that red box around, so of course it's easy to figure out…"
"Sadly, the red box is supposedly special to one individual, it's impossible to know what item they got unless you're stalking…" Umi said.
"W-what?! That's ridiculous! I just happen to have the same thing, ok? I'm also looking for the ingredients for it!" she said.
Umi seems to be somewhat surprised.
"Impossible. You got the same red box as her?" Umi asked.
"Yeah, here… take a look…." She took out her red box.
It really is the same as mine!
Umi looks slightly angry, though I really wonder what was making her so angry.
She remained quiet as she bit her lips, I still don't get why but anyhow…
I hope she doesn't mind if I keep asking.
"W-wow…. Did you fill that one already?" I asked.
"Just a few things… and…. Uhnm… what did you put in there?" she asked.
"Euh…just managed to put in a pair of fruit…." I said.
She lifted her eyebrows, and then she smiled…
"Ohh…so that's a female…"
"Y-yeah…what about yours?" I asked.
Niko was quiet for a moment, then she sighed weakly,
"There's only a soul in it…." she said.
"A-a soul?"
So she did get someone in!
Expected from a Yakuza!
I bet that must be the easiest one for her.
"I haven't put in anything else… the leather is still being prepared and all…" she continued again.
"W-wow… I wish I could get a soul… but I have no idea what to get…." I said.
She smiled—I can hear a hint of mischievous chuckle for a second, but then she composed herself again…
"Well, why don't we trade?" she asked.
"W-what?"
"Just call it as an apology from me because I messed with you yesterday… I understand that you might not be someone who can just take a soul…" she said with a gentle smile, though—for some reason…I feel like she is tricking me.
"Heh—is that really the same box? I feel like there's a hint of lie in your voice…" I said.
"W-what?! I didn't lie! It really is the same kind of box with yours. We just have a slightly different content in it…" she said.
Fine….
I'll bite that.
No…
No wait…I need to prove it.
"Let's prove it…." I said.
"How?"
"Get a fabric, and show me that box can actually swallow it…" I said.
"Alright…" she said.
We walked to the shop nearby.
"Which one?" she asked.
"I'll get that one…" I pointed to a gold fabric. That's the only fabric that caught my eyes, honestly.
"G-Gold fabric? Are you insane? My budget is not that high!?
"I'll pay since that box will be mine… you buy your own later…" I said.
"The heck? You're saying it like the fabric is a cheap thing…"
"Heh—it is…" I said.
"J-Just how rich are you, damn it?!"
"S-shut up! Just get it and prove it me!" I said.
"F-Fine…." she said hesitatingly.
"E-Excuse me…." she called the shop keeper.
"Yes?" the shop keeper approached us,
"I..I want to buy that gold fabric…." Niko said.
"That will be 500,000 Yen…." She said.
"500,000?!" Niko's jaw dropped.
It's only 500,000 yen….
It's not that expensive….
"Yes, 500,000 yen. It's pure gold fabric…" the shop keeper said.
"C-Can't it be cheaper?! I mean… that's a fucking fabric!" Niko yelled again.
Sigh…
I have to remember how uncouth her mouth is.
"I could buy a home with that price! Damn it! You're a rip off! Besides, you can't even prove that fabric is pure gold! I bet if I scrape that fucking fabric on a stone, it will leave a black marking!" Niko yelled again.
"Well—go on then. This fabric is guaranteed to be made with pure gold and pure silk. You can even see the details right here…" the shop keeper handed over the fabric. Niko snatched it rudely as she put her eyes closer to it.
Then, the shop keeper handed a brown stone bowl to her,
Niko seems to be flustered,
Hmm…is it that special to touch a gold fabric? I got plenty of them at home… but they're all decorated with pictures, not as plain as this one.
After a while…
Niko seems panicked,
Then she turns her eyes towards me…
"M…Maki…. Are you sure you are going to buy this? It's….it's pure gold…" she said.
"Fine by me… I'll take it…"
"W-what the heck?" She said.
"That's a deal, may I know your name, young lady?" the shop keeper asked.
"Nishikino Maki…" I said.
"Oohh! The Nishikino family, one that just moved in a while back! Then I'll make sure to deliver your bonus item in a few days…"
"Huh? Bonus item?" I tried to confirm.
"Yes, the seller told me to give a bonus to whoever buys this. It means a lot to them!"
"Uh...Alright…" I said.
"Oi-oi, doesn't that sound a little fishy?" Niko asked.
"What does? Isn't it quite normal to get a bonus when you buy something higher than 100,000 yen?" I asked.
"Urgh…you're right…" Niko replied.
"This is new information for me, I really though Yazawa is a rich organization—now I kind of see how it is…" Umi said.
"O-oi! Oi! Don't just judge me!" Niko yelled.
"But then, you probably never buy anything because you just happen to get it by force…" Umi said again.
"Hey! I told you! Don't judge me!" Niko yelled again.
Sigh… can't these two stop being so hostile with each other?
Not that I feel left out. I just think that it's unnecessary to fight over small things…
But…
Hmm…
I find it kind of fun?
Maybe I should've joined her to do that?
Anyway though….
"Hey—let's go somewhere else. I need to look at it…" I said.
"Huh?! What is 'it' in your context?" she asked.
"Of course the main purpose of why we are buying this fabric! Did you forget?!" I said.
"Ohh…right… uh…let's…let's go…." She replied.
We headed to a nearby empty field,
Said that it doesn't belong to anyone yet. This place kind of provides a good lone time for anyone. With the faint sound of the crowd from the city then combined with the relaxing sound of nature near it, I believe I could fall asleep longer than how I usually do in a boring day.
Maybe I can try convincing papa to buy this lot?
That should be my homework for later.
So anyway, Niko seems to be troubled, but she is here anyway.
She placed down the fabric on the rock that she cleaned with her handkerchief, and then slowly opened her own box—but then she quickly pulled it down again.
"M-M-Maki! Are you sure about this? Th-This is 500,000 yen worth fabric! This is expensive!" she said.
"Huh? Well…. I bought it for that purpose, so why not?" I said.
"Y-You could have sold it again, you know…" she said.
"For what? I don't value the money, I value the beauty of that fabric and I want to use that for this…" I said.
"G-Ghhh! I..If you say so…." She said—somewhat a little hesitant.
Then she began to slowly place down the box near the fabric—and as she opened it….
Nothing happened…
Weird….
"Nothing happened?" I asked.
"You need to have the will to be able to get that fabric in…" Umi said. Ah..right…she has been following me around.
"Oh…" Niko raised her eyebrow,
"If you're hesitating, the item will move in slowly….. And if you don't want to do it, the item will not move… and if you are sure…then it will get in so quickly." Umi explained again.
"I…I see…" Niko replied.
"Hey….come on, put that thing in… you need to prove me that it really is the same kind of box…" I said.
"I-I know! I know! Sheesh! I'm just having a hard time with it…this is really expensive, you know!" she said.
"It's not like you are losing anything… that's mine…" I said.
"I got it-I got it!" she said as she opened the box and it just absorbed in so quickly.
"See? It's a real box!" she said.
"Alright…" I nodded,
"So… trade now?" She asked.
"I guess so…" I said.
I decided to hand her my box while she handed hers too.
For some reason, I feel something slightly different from her box.
I can feel something is changing and a little hint of sparks coming from the box. It's like… the box is trying to tell me something…
Though I have no ability to understand it…honestly…
Who could?
When she took the box off me, she seems to have slightly changed her expression as well. Did she feel what I just felt?
"Interesting…" I could hear Umi mumble.
I turned my sight to her,
"What's wrong, Umi?" I asked.
"It's nothing of your concern…" she replied
I crossed my arm,
"You said something suspicious…" I said.
"If you insist to know, I just find it interesting to know that you can trade ownership as well…" she replied.
"Huh? You are talking like you know something else with this ownership-thing…" Niko said.
"Well, you can take someone's Wish maker… that's all I can tell you…" Umi replied.
"So…you did that before?" Niko said—somewhat with a teasing smile.
"I beg your pardon, but I have never. That will most likely to be your doing… not mine…" Umi replied politely yet coldly.
"How, though?" I asked.
Umi remained silent, and then she turns her eyes away from me,
"I'll give you a clue… it's by making the owner stop wishing…" she said.
"That's it?" Niko asked.
"Yes. As simple as that…." she replied.
We both are quiet as we wondered if she had any further explanation—which she really did have.
"The existence of a Wish maker is born from a wish from a human being… even though they may not act according to your wish…." She continued.
"Hey, when you said—by making the owner stop wishing…. Doesn't that mean to kill them?" Niko asked.
"Not quite… but that's one way…" Umi replied as she closed her eyes, for some reason, it feels like she has experienced something like that before.
"Ridiculous, humans will always keep wishing as long as they live…." Niko said.
"Then you may have never run into someone who fell into despair— or someone who is over excited and being too happy for themselves…" she said.
"Can you tell me more about it?" I asked.
She shook her head.
"There's nothing that I want to tell… sorry… at least, not now…." she said.
Niko seems to be somewhat bothered, though she sighed,
"I'm curious about that too, but…since you don't want to cooperate, then I guess I'll just leave you be…" she said,
"It's not like I have the time either, I need to get back soon… I'm busy." Niko continued again before she started to walk away.
We returned to the estate,
Kotori prepared my lunch and it seems that we're eating my native food again—not the local food. She prepared a sandwich with a lot of tomatoes in it. How does she know that tomatoes are my favorite?
Either way, I really enjoyed the food.
Umi is in her post, she said she is going to check on the items that she wanted to give me for my box. That would be Leather, Weapon, and the sheath… I already asked Kotori to pick up the gemstone that I asked her to polish and a pair of new fruits.
Then… the gems, supposedly, I should have the sapphire that I got from that cave. Hmm…I wonder if that little girl already put in the turquoise that I gave her?
But she said she only added a soul in, so she haven't put it in, I guess? Did she polish it first just like what I did to mine?
Probably…
Kotori returned with a tray and a pair of….. Melons….on top of it…. Then the polished sapphire is right next to it. These are pretty decent materials; I hope I could make a good-looking Wish maker with them.
She placed it gently on top of my table, and then picked up the dirty dishes before she left.
For some reason, I feel like she is a little cold to me….
Did I actually offend her with the previous topic?
"Kotori…" I decided to call her before she actually left to another room,
She stopped and turned to face me, her face seems to be normal.
"Yes?" she replied lightly.
"Did I offend you?" I asked.
"uh…what?" she tilts her head,
"About the previous conversation…" I said.
"Ah… that…." she smiled sweetly,
"No… I'm fine with that. It's not a weird thing… I've gotten used to it…" she continued.
"What do you mean?" I asked again.
"Hehe—a lot of people are complaining about her attitude, but she is just doing what the law says… to tell you the truth, though, Umi-chan might look strict and scary, but she is actually a really shy and kind girl…" she said.
"You just have to be a little closer and cuter towards her…." she continued.
"Huh? The hell with that. I'm not going to act cute… I can't act cute!" I said.
"But you're cute…" she smiled at me
I swear I think I could feel my face burning by her bluntness,
"Y-You're so blunt!" I said
"See? You can act cute after all…" she said.
"I-I don't get it!" I yelled at her.
"That's cute, Maki-chan…" she said.
"N-now you're calling me by my name…" I said as I crossed my arm at her,
"Oh—oops…. I mean… Mistress…" she said,
"Heh—I don't mind, actually. I'd rather be called as that anyway, it feels less tense…" I said.
"Alright, Maki-chan it is…" she replied again.
I sighed at her.
A moment later, Umi came in with a sheathed sword on her back and a roll of dragon skin leather in her hands.
"Sorry for the wait, Mistress, here is your ordered item…" she said as she placed it down near me.
The sheathed sword here….
It looks…. really cool and awesome. It's huge and long too… it might be as sharp…
"Wow…this is…really looking good…." I said.
"I also collected enough sapphire to make it glow in the dark…" Umi replied with her gentle smile.
"Awesome…" I said again.
"Hehe…this looks better than your previous sword, Umi-chan… I'm tempted to try it!" Kotori said.
"You can't, this one is for Mistress…" Umi said.
"I know! I'm just complimenting your skill…" Kotori giggled.
I really can't wait to see how it will turn out!
I feel like I want to put everything in immediately!
I decided to open the box and everything that I want to put in just suddenly fly inside.
I could feel the box starting to gain some extra weight,
Then a light began to shine and a chain suddenly appeared, locking the box.
Does that mean I managed to get it?
Kotori and Umi seem to be worried though….
"Uhm…I don't know what side effects, you could get from putting all the items in at once…" Umi said,
"Uh…I don't know about that either, I just hope it will turn out fine…" Kotori said.
"Huh? Is there anything wrong with that?" I asked.
"Not really…it's just that… it might be a little messy if you don't specify what you're putting in for what, when you put them in. Your wish is not delivered to the box perfectly." Kotori said.
Damn….
"Well—what's done is done…" Umi said.
"Let's just hope it doesn't turn out into a mess…." Kotori smiled wryly.
"To begin with though, we never know what kind of personality you're going to get… that Yakuza gave you the soul, right?" Umi said.
Uh..right…there's that too…
"Hehe—I'm not worried though, everyone's personality can be changed through times… if they are bad, then we will make sure to discipline them! Right Umi-chan?" Kotori said cheerfully.
Umi sighed at me,
"Good luck… your Wish maker should appear tomorrow…" she said before she left.
"Yup…. Good luck…" Kotori smiled before she left too.
Huh?
Did I screw up?
Did I do something wrong here?
Why are they acting like it's hopeless to fix it?
Give me a break!
Ok, see you next chapter again!
