Due to their lack of cookery skills, Chōjirō sent a letter to Kandō Ueno to ask him to bring Kasumi here, so that they could guarantee their food quality.

They were all very happy and surprised to see Kasumi here. Kasumi had cooked them breakfast after her arrival, which was ochazuke and soba with tempura.

"Wow this is A LOT OF food for a breakfast! I am glad you're here, Kasumi!"

Ennosuke's face lit up with glee.

"Hehe, I must boost up everyone's energy by my meals! I hope everyone enjoys and does the investigation smoothly today!"

"Thank you for the meal Kasumi!"

Enju thanked.

After finishing Kasumi's delicious breakfast, everyone started to carry out their investigation again.

I will go to Bukemachi today and investigate more about Goemon.

Enju thought as she headed out.

While heading towards Bukemachi, Enju walked pass all the different small shops located separately along the street.

"...Kotomi-chan...?"

Enju smelt some really nice perfume as she turned around. She remembered her fake name.

"Oh, it's... Shigure-san!

Enju smiled as she looked at the woman.

"Kotomi-chan! I'm glad you didn't forget me!!!"

Shigure smiled innocently as she let her arms out and hugged Enju.

"...!"

Although Enju was shocked by the sudden hug, she hugged Shigure back with a smile. Shigure was taller than her, Enju's height was up to her neck. The smell of perfume became even more obvious due to their close distance.

Shigure finally let go the hug and smiled brightly.

"Oh right! I just bought some really nice snacks, I'll give some to you. They got the best seller award this month and I definitely would like you to try it out too!"

Shigure reached her hand to her bag which seemed expensive, then took out a small paper wrap.

"This is curry bun! It's still really warm!"

"Oh..! Thank you Shigure-san, but I just ate some very heavy breakfast! Also, I need to do some errands now, so you can have it instead! Thank you for your thought though."

Enju politely refused.

"I see, sorry for disrupting you! It was such a shame though, I thought I could spend some more time with you today... Kotomi-chan."

"I'm sorry! But maybe after I have finished doing my errands, we... can meet..."

"R-really?! That would be great!! T-then! Let's meet right here, outside this bakery shop after you have finished doing your errands! How many hours later would you be free?"

"Mm... I'm not sure... but, maybe around four to five hours later..."

"That would be great! Let's meet after five hours then! I'm so glad that we saw each other today!"

"Me too, Shigure-san. See you then."

"Bye bye~!"

After Enju's investigation in Bukemachi, she went back to the bakery place Shigure told her.

Shigure-san is a really pretty woman. Maybe due to her purple hair and green eyes, she reminds me of niisama. Speaking of niisama... I wonder how he is recently... he doesn't tell anyone about himself, so I'm thinking whether he has been actually sleeping well these days... and what he would be doing right now. Maybe he has returned to the estate already? It is now dawn after all.

Enju felt a gentle force on her shoulders.

"...!"

"Kotomi-chan~!"

"You frightened me Shigure-san!"

"Hehe! Your face was so gloomy just now! You must have been thinking something difficult."

"Did I... make such a face?"

"Yes, you did! So! Now let's get some refreshment to make you feel better!"

She smiled brightly again.

Shigure happily took Enju's arm and led her into the bakery shop. She helped her pay for the curry buns.

"Thank you Shigure-san. I'll try it now."

"Go ahead!"

"Mm... wow."

"Do you take a liking to it?"

"Mm! It's hot and tasty! The curry isn't too spicy as well!"

"Glad you like it, Kotomi-chan."

Shigure smiled gently.

"You're such a nice friend, Shigure-san."

Enju smiled and grabbed her hands gently out of reflex.

"...!"

When she unconsciously touched her lower arms, Shigure hissed as her arms shook a little.

Enju immediately let go of her hands after noticed her light shivering.

"S-sorry, did I hurt you..?"

"...N-no of course you didn't! I was just surprised that you like me as your friend that much!"

"That's great then..."

Enju smiled, but in an apologetic way. After all, she made her feel shocked.

Shigure smiled too.

"I shall head back soon, Kotomi-chan. Thank you for meeting up with me today, I had fun!"

"Me too, thank you for the curry buns, Shigure-san! They were really tasty...!"

Shigure turned around after bidding goodbye to her friend, then she walked towards the direction of Bukemachi.

It might have been normal to ask where she lived. However, since she was afraid to reveal more information about herself as a shinobi, she didn't ask her. And she was glad that Shigure didn't ask her any personal information as well.

"You've returned, Enju."

This was the most calming voice she heard once she had stepped into the headquarters.

"Yes, niisama. I am home."

Enju greeted her teacher as she took out something.

"Niisama, while I was on my way back home, I got a little something for us to eat. I ate one and it was delicious, so I wanted everyone to try it out too."

"A bun...?"

"It is curry bun niisama. Please, try it too. It's better to eat it when it is still hot."

Enju handed the bun to him with a small smile.

Observing Enju's gentle smile, Chōjirō's lips curved upwards a little and grabbed the bun.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome! Actually, I made friends in Kyō... and this bun was recommended by her. I- I was really careful about not leaking any information about myself though! I also told her a fake name of myself, so do not worry."

"I see. You need to be careful, from what you told me, it seemed that you were quite cautious though, which was good. This bun was from a bakery shop, right? So it should be no problem as well."

"Yes... that's what I thought. Although I feel a bit sorry for her that I did not tell her my real name, I am really happy that I made a friend here."

"I'm glad so. But you won't be able to see her long because we'll leave here after we've accomplished our mission... you know that, right?"

"Yes, I understand..."

"Mm... this is quite delicious."

Chōjirō commented as he had his first bite of the curry bun.

"I am glad you think so too niisama!"

"Enju-neesama, welcome back!"

Kasumi came out from the small kitchen while holding a soup ladle in one of her hands as she was preparing for dinner.

"Oh Kasumi! You should try this out too!"

...

After everyone else returned, Enju gave each of them a curry bun and they all loved it.