Here we go again.
A slow, genuine smile spread across my face. Ayanokouji was back, and I was suddenly very interested. Having been thrown into this strange yet familiar world, and now possessing at least some ability to protect myself, I was determined to do things that entertained me. That meant studying the folklore, magic, and twisted history of this place, yes, but it also meant playing a game from time to time.
A small-scale game, of course. The large-scale ones, like the political struggle currently gripping the capital, were the kind I was afraid of getting out of hand. Yesterday's trip to Ukyo was proof enough of that—land measurements and tax collection during a plague? Even a fool could see it was just a pretext for an internal power grab. The Fujiwara clan were the biggest landlords of the late Heian period; they were obviously using their power to seize more territory. For a moment, I felt a righteous urge to say something. Then I remembered that my own surname in this world was, inconveniently, Fujiwara. Better to keep my mouth shut.
My gaze drifted to the courtyard. Yukinoshita was still weeding, her delicate, feet pressing into the soft earth. A bit of dark mud clung to her slender heels, the contrast of black on white creating a wonderfully fresh sort of beauty.
I sighed, raised my hand, and summoned my paper shikigami.
Just like last time, the shikigami brought Fujiwara no Michinaga's envoy onto the veranda. This time, however, Ayanokouji was dressed in cleaner, better-fitting clothes. He looked less like a stray and more like a proper attendant. It was a marginal improvement.
"Master Kyosuke," he said, bowing respectfully from a safe distance.
I remained seated cross-legged on my straw mat. "Well, well," I said with a lazy smile. "Does Lord Michinaga wish to entrust me with another task?"
If Michinaga had sent a proper retainer in majestic robes, I would have been more polite. But this was still just a boy. Clothes make the man, as they say. In this era, if you aren't dressed for the part, you have no status. Why should you be respected?
"No, it's the same matter as before," he replied. "But this time, I bring more… important news."
"Oh? You're not just begging Lord Michinaga to give you a chance to prove your worth?" I laughed, my tone shifting to one of gentle inquiry.
I saw a bead of sweat trickle down his temple. He felt it—the sensation of being seen through completely. He was a toy, a plaything for powerful men like Michinaga and, apparently, me. He knew it, but he had to play the part of the happy little clown to satisfy us. The alternative was to be discarded, and in a world with supernatural dangers, a good identity was the only real shield.
"What are you bringing me this time?" I asked, not giving him a chance to answer my previous question. Frankly, I had no clue what Michinaga's full plan was. And given that I'd had to piece together my own identity in this world from scattered clues, my own actions were often confusing to others. I was a riddler by necessity.
"I wish I could come closer to speak…" he ventured.
I stared at him indifferently for a long moment, then nodded. "You may."
A visible wave of relief washed over him. He stepped forward cautiously, lowered his head, and spoke in a low voice. "I heard that after you left your post, a Vice Minister of the Public Prosecutions Agency and a Governor of a major province were both attacked by evil spirits while traveling."
I remained silent. And? Is that it? It was painfully obvious what Michinaga wanted. He was feeding me information, hoping I would use it to cause trouble for these nobles and, in the ensuing chaos, get my old position back. Did he really think I needed him to point that out? Besides, using such petty schemes was beneath me. It would only lower my own standing.
Resisting the urge to have my shikigami throw him out, I held out my hand. "Bring the paper here. Let me see it."
Finally, Ayanokouji let out the breath he'd been holding. He quickly handed over the paper from Michinaga. His mission was complete. He could keep his status, for now.
"A life of wealth," I said coolly, glancing at the paper, "but little fortune."
Ayanokouji's head snapped up, and he met my emotionless gaze. "…Master Kyosuke?"
"Leave."
"The two maids behind me," he said quickly, "they are here to serve you, my lord."
I shot a sharp glance at the identical girls standing nervously behind him. "Good folk or pariahs?"
"Good folk, my lord ."
"Leave them."
Without trying to retrieve the paper, Ayanokouji bowed respectfully and departed. The twin girls remained, their heads lowered, trembling slightly.
"Snow."
"Lord Kyosuke." Yukinoshita, who had discreetly washed her feet and put on straw sandals the moment she saw the visitors, walked over.
"Help them get familiar with the environment."
Yukinoshita nodded, but her expression was one of deep confusion. Good folk and untouchables. It was a distinction she couldn't seem to wrap her head around.
Later that afternoon, I called her and the twin girls over. They both had pink hair and blue eyes, and one of them had a rather prominent cowlick—an ahoge—that defied gravity.
"What are your names?"
"…Miku."
"…Satsuki."
"And how did that man convince you to come here?"
"…Help find our sisters," Miku said.
"…And food," Satsuki added.
"And you quit your previous jobs for this?"
A pair of hesitant nods. "Yes."
"I see," I said with a cold sneer. "So you let him sell you."
""—Ah?!"" Their heads shot up in unison.
"You're ryomin," I explained bluntly. "Good, free people. Which means you have to pay the head tax. If you live and work under a noble, you're exempt. But the moment you 'resign,' you're fair game. If I hadn't accepted you just now, I'd be very curious to know where you would have gone."
The twin girls stared, stunned into silence. Yukinoshita also looked dazed, the harsh reality of this world's laws hitting her like a physical blow.
Just then, a loud growl echoed in the quiet courtyard.
Gurgle~
I laughed, breaking the tension. Satsuki's face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
"Snow," I said, waving a hand. "Take them to dinner. Make sure they eat until they're full."
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