A shadow cast over Hinagiku’s expression as she hung her head.
“…Hinagiku is…sorry.”
“There is no need for you to apologize. Besides…that’s why we’re here.”
“……Right.”
“Lady Hinagiku, you will see many places like this moving forward. Don’t try too hard to take in the sights. The bright snow could damage your eyes, after all…so don’t stare. If you must focus on something, let me be the center of your attention. That would be best. The snow is too dangerous.”
Sakura spoke playfully, but Hinagiku shook her head.
“Hinagiku can’t…just…rely…on you. Even if…it’s…too bright…Hinagiku…will…look. This…is Hinagiku’s…job.”
“Are you sure?”
“…Yes.”
It was February 10, Reimei 20.
Rumors of a goddess and her retainer visiting Ryugu soon spread throughout the island.
Sakura phoned the biggest town hall on the island, and, five minutes later, a government employee drifted to the station in a private car. The pale-looking employee took the two young girls to the town hall. As they arrived, the person in charge seemed to be desperately looking for someone to blame in case anything went wrong with the visit, the poor thing.
“Lady Spring! To think we would be receiving you today. I mean, we are exceedingly grateful the Agents make use of our island every year, but we are just so surprised, since we received no notice from the Four Seasons Agency… Oh, I see…Lady Hinagiku wished to travel incognito… No, I—I am not complaining… It’s just, the visit is so unexpected, we weren’t prepared to receive you… Oh, but you didn’t need our support? I understand… Yes, I will issue permission to enter the mountains right away.”
Sakura, annoyed by the implications of blame, cut the talk short.
Insect.
Irritated, she walked back to the room in which Hinagiku waited.
Right outside the door was a crowd; it seemed the rumors had made their rounds, and people coming to the town hall to submit a form or request a consultation were now trying to get a look at her. An employee was attempting to keep them away, but some of the gawkers were pressing against the door. Most of them were elderly, although some youngsters had their phones at the ready, waiting to get a glimpse of Hinagiku. Sakura rushed in.
“Lady Hinagiku! Lady Hinagiku!” She pushed her way through the crowd but still couldn’t reach the door. “Everyone back off! It’s not a circus in here!” Sakura yelled, and the people finally opened a path for her.
She barged into the plain reception room and found her lady huddled in a corner, holding her knees.
“Lady Hinagiku! Are you all right?!”
Hinagiku had curled in on herself like a pill bug. She got to her feet again only once Sakura was close enough to lay a hand on her shoulder.
“Sakura… Strangers… They’re…coming in…”
She was pale in the face, and her hands were shaking terribly.
“Oh, Lady Hinagiku…I’m so sorry. You must’ve been frightened. Did you give them handshakes or photos?”
Hinagiku shook her head. A town hall employee had come to protect her from the crowd after they got in.
“I’m sorry… Your position simply draws all kinds of attention…”
Hinagiku looked truly worried at the sound of that. Silently, she dove into Sakura’s jacket.
“Lady Hinagiku…are we playing hide-and-seek now?”
“Hinagiku…wants to…be by…your…side.”
“I’m glad to have you so close, but wouldn’t you find it hard to move around?”
“Hinagiku…wants to…be by…your…side.”
“Lady Hinagiku…”
Sakura caressed her trembling lady’s back.
She was already the kind to turn heads, and now…
Sakura observed her lady again.
Her beauty really was fit for a goddess. Her voluminous hair was the color of amber, and it undulated as though she were standing at the bottom of the ocean, and with her every move, it danced and swayed like a jellyfish. She carried herself like a fairy-tale princess come to life. A white flower ornament and ribbon graced her head, while a single braid fell by her right cheek. Every element of her appearance was overwhelmingly clean and pure. Were an experienced artist to create their masterpiece depiction of a “spring girl,” the result would be not far from this.
Her graceful body was wrapped in faint cherry-colored hakama pants and pure-white kimono, with a high-neck undershirt. Lavish ornaments covered her entire outfit, ranging from ribbons to cloth flowers to embroidery; the butterfly knot, like a large flower on her waistband, stood out the most. Her feet were covered by understated short leather boots, which tightened her overall look. She perfectly balanced the traditional garments of Yamato with a foreign flavor and modern twist.
She has a magnetic charm, even if she doesn’t want it. Time to swat these flies, I suppose.
It was Sakura who had dressed her lady up to this bewitching state, but no use worrying about that now. She had to act.
“Don’t worry. We have a taxi waiting for us out back. We can keep out of sight. I will be with you all the way, so no degenerates will approach you.”
“We’re…going…to the…mountains…already?”
“Yes, Lady Hinagiku. I’ve seized permission.”
“Seized? Is…permission…something you…seize?”
Sakura gave an awkward smile. “Well, that’s the best word for it. We forced our way here today, after all. Maybe I should apologize to the locals.”
“Hinagiku didn’t…think…things…through… Sorry.”
Sakura shook her head, then spoke carefully to ease her lady:
“No, this is nothing. Lady Hinagiku, think only about what it is you must do. Do not let any of the noise around you inside your head. That’s your duty.”
Having earned permission to enter the mountains, they took a taxi to the foot of Mount Ryugu. The driver offered to take them farther up, but Sakura declined.
We can’t have him follow us and post videos online.
There was a reason why they didn’t involve themselves much with the common folk. What this odd pair was about to do was to remain entirely confidential. The view outside the car window was nothing but snow; there was hardly any color at all. On the other hand, the mountain trail had a tourist attraction for the island at the end, Ryugu Shrine, so the snow was kept off the path.
It’s about forty minutes walking.
Sakura carefully checked the map on her phone. She was on top of everything for the trip. Her face didn’t show it, but inside, she was a bundle of nerves and fear.
It’s okay. There haven’t been any problems so far. It’s all going off without a hitch.
She whispered encouragement to herself before putting on the smile that was only for her liege and calling to her. “Lady Hinagiku, I will carry you to the ritual spot. Is that all right?”
She was trying to be considerate, but her lady seemed startled and refused.
“N-no. No.”
“You will walk all the way? But…”
“Yes. Hinagiku can…do the job.” She nodded, and it was so cute that Sakura couldn’t react for a few moments.
But soon she came to her senses. “No, we’re here without support from the Four Seasons Agency and without the litter. I will take on the role myself.”
“Li…litter?”
She didn’t know the word. The litter was a wooden box with wooden handles on the front and back that people would hold up to carry the person inside. It was an ancient vehicle commonly seen in period pieces.
Hinagiku’s eyes went wide at the explanation and refused even more vehemently.
“No…Hinagiku…will…walk. Hinagiku…needs…no…litter. That’s…embarrassing.”
“Even if you find it so, it’s important to keep up your strength. And we don’t have one, so I suggested carrying you. And it’s not all about fatigue. It’s cold, and if I carry you on my back…”
“Hinagiku has…heat…packs…under the kimono. And…if you must…mention fatigue…then what about you? Weren’t…you…going…to protect…Hinagiku?”
“I will protect you no matter what.”
“But you can’t…if you’re tired.”
Her delicate, pale fingers flicked Sakura’s nose, leaving her blushing silently for a few seconds.
“…Are you worrying about me?”
“Why…not? Hinagiku…loves…you…Sakura.”
“Oh, Lady Hinagiku… Those words are too good for me.”
“How about I take you up there, then?” the taxi driver interjected into the beautiful pair’s lovely conversation.
Of course, the conversation was taking place inside the taxi, but still, Sakura shot him a murderous glare.
“No. And don’t interrupt us. I’ll throw you out this window if you do it again.”
Sakura was acutely alert of anything that could disturb her and her lady’s little world.