Sayo. That was the cute name of Kon’s acquaintance. Hang on. I could practically hear the gears turning in my mind. A girl who’s Kon’s acquaintance… Could she be?
While I was deep in thought, Sayo bowed politely and greeted me. “It’s nice to meet you, Mister. I’m Sayori Ichishikishima.” Though her voice was sweet, it was also dignified and assertive. “I’m Konshironushi Sanmaya’s prospective marriage partner.”
Sayori gave me the impression of a levelheaded and self-possessed girl. After her introduction, she stared long and hard at Kon with a nervous expression.
I smiled at her. “Thank you for your courteous greeting. My name is Mikura Moriya, it’s nice to meet you too. I’m the owner of this house and the orchard farther down the path, and Kon, who works there, has been really nice and helpful to me. We’re good friends.”
Even after I returned her greeting, Sayori’s gaze remained fixed on Kon. Meanwhile, Kon’s expression transformed from flabbergasted to troubled. Fidgeting somewhat restlessly, he sent a pleading gaze in my direction.
Receiving his message, I glanced at Sayori, then looked back at Kon. I took turns to observe them as I spoke up. “Um, let’s see… Sayori, I heard that you’re going to have a marriage interview with Kon this Sunday. Just wondering, but is it all right for you to come see Kon ahead of time? If there’s any issues with it, I might have to call your parents and ask them to fetch you.”
My message was directed at both of them, and I was hoping for a response from either of these children, but all I received was silence. For some reason, a strange and somewhat terse stillness took over.
It stretched on. And on.
Feeling completely at a loss, I took out my phone from my trouser pocket, swiftly dialed Techi’s number, and tapped firmly on the call button to initiate my SOS signal.