Hearing Luna and Snow sound all happy makes me think they’re almost done, but then it gets quiet all of a sudden.
“What happened?”
Then the sliding door opens, and Sakuya comes out.
“Thank you for waiting, Arata.”
“Y-yes.”
I thought for sure Snow and Luna were coming out after her, but after waiting for a while, neither one appears.
I loosen up for just a second, and Sakuya laughs a little, probably because she saw through me.
“They started running around when they put on the kimono, and they came loose.”
“And it actually made them behave…”
“They’re docile girls.”
I guess they are, but I think their childish instinct to run around supersedes that…
It’s amazing how she got them to behave.
“…You really do have a nice body. That kimono fits you very well.”
“Thank you very much. Aka and Ao put it on me.”
“Fufu, they are good at this, even for demon gods.”
Maybe it’s surprising, but the way she said that with a little playfulness feels strangely graceful too.
Now that I have one on too, I’m noticing that the way Sakuya wears her kimono is really beautiful.
There’s no part of her white kimono that’s worn out of shape. It’s tight, or like there are no gaps.
And looking at her silver hair, it’s in a sort of perm that’s rolled into a ponytail, with a red flower hairpin. It feels pretty intricate.
I don’t know anything about hairstyles, so I don’t know how to express it very well, but it gives me the feeling that it takes a lot of trouble.
Having that said, no part of it is untidy, and it goes very well with her outfit.
In comparison, when I tried it on by myself, it looked sloppy. I’m sure it would still be looking like that if it wasn’t for Aka and Ao’s help.
“Fufufu, you’re all looking good.”
“Can Luna go in?”
“Yes, please do.”
“Yay! Let’s go, Snow!”
“Yes!”
I can hear Luna and Snow from the other side of the sliding door, and they come into this room while holding hands.
“Ta-dah!”
“Daddy! Look look!”
Both spread their arms to show off the patterns.
Luna is wearing not her usual miko outfit that’s mainly white and orange, but a mostly black kimono with patterns of intricate red flowers blooming and a few small foxes.
Snow’s is mostly white with light blue crystals.
Luna’s hair is the same as always, but Snow’s is tied back to match her kimono, with a snowman hairpin.
They happily show off their backs as they explain their kimono. It looks like they really like wearing them.
Both are childish and adorable.
“You both look cute.”
“Yay!”
“Sakuya did it!”
Both smile even brighter after I compliment them, and their charm goes even higher.
And as we watch them brag, Sakuya also has a soft expression on her face.
“Oh?”
Suddenly, she turns to the other side of the sliding door.
That’s right, what about Reina? Just as I’m thinking that, Sakuya walks over to the other side.
“But, but… Mommy is even prettier.”
“Yes! She’s so cute!”
“Eh…”
I sound indifferent, but I can’t help it. I mean, I’ve been waiting for it since the moment I heard she was trying on a kimono.
“Come on Reina, don’t be shy.”
“Hum, well, really…?”
“It’s all right. I said it suits you very well.”
Suddenly I hear Reina’s voice, and get a little nervous.
And then she comes out, with Sakuya pushing her back.
Her kimono is red with flower patterns of different colors, like white and gold, and a black sash around her waist.
Her long hair is tied to the side and flowing forward from her shoulder, but it’s a little wavy, and feels different from usual.
And on the other side, she has a flower hairpin.
The way her wrists peek out from the soft long sleeves is alluring too, and all that along with her eyes makes the whole thing look like a work of art.
“…”
“…Arata?”
She’s looking a little down, with her eyes pointing up, and unlike the usual dignified air around her, her expression is like a mixture of some anxiety and embarrassment.
“Cute.”
“Heah!?”
“Ah, no… That just… Sort of came out.”
To put it bluntly, it captivated me, so I blurted out exactly what I was thinking.
“…Hum, thank you…”
“Yes…”
What am I a middle schooler!? Is what I tell myself, but that’s how beautiful and cute she looks.
I end up staring at her, and she looks a little embarrassed, but still meets my gaze.
“Hum, I’m going to get embarrassed if you look at me like that…”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Fufufu, they really fit just right.”
““…!?””
I quickly realize that Sakuya is talking about the kimono, but the way it sounded like we were just right for each other only ups the embarrassment.
“He really is just looking at Reina!”
“Snow too!”
That finally cools my head, and I look at Luna and Snow again.
“Yes, you’re all cute and beautiful.”
“Yay!”
“Yes!”
They both laugh innocently at what I said. And Reina also has a calm smile on her face.
“Let’s go walk around the village some more now that you are dressed like this.”
Says Sakuya while giving me a light tap on the shoulder, and the kids raise their arms with joy.
I have no complaints, and neither does Reina.
We put on zori Sakuya got for us, and leave.
The scenery is the same as before, but just the fact that I’m wearing something different makes it feel like I’ve come far.
I hear the sound of the water flowing, smell the hot spring air in the distance, and hear the wind.
All of that feels calming, and just walking feels nice.
Luna looks like she’s feeling good too, as she walks and hums.
She’s holding hands with Snow, who sees how happy Luna looks and starts humming too.
“They’re so cute.”
“Snow copies everything. She copies you a lot too, Reina.”
“I was really surprised when she copied my magic the other day.”
She did something similar to her when Reina was practicing her magic.
She did it in one try too. Snow is small, but she really is a great spirit.
“Well, liking to copy things reminds me of a certain someone.”
“…”
“Could it be your influence that makes her like copying others?”
“…”
I quickly turn away.
I bet it doesn’t feel good to have the power she has been diligently honing be copied by a cheat.
“Fufu, I’m joking. It’s because of you that I have such a fun time living on this island, so I can’t complain.”
“I could say the same about you.”
If it wasn’t for her, I’m sure life here would be a lot more difficult.
I won’t lose to monsters, but who knows if I would be getting along with all kinds of people like I do now. That’s why I’m so thankful to her.
“You two really do fit just right.”
“…”
“…”
I get quiet, because this time the meaning is very clear.
And so does Reina.
“I really envy your relationship.”
“Eh?”
Sakuya said that not with her usual gentle tone, but with some sadness.
But when I turn to her, she already has her usual expression back on her face.
“All the male demon gods are out, including my brother, but they should be back in the evening. And then we will all eat together.”
“Dinner!?”
“Dinner!”
Sakuya didn’t speak very loudly, but the two girls walking in front react and turn around. Now they only have food on their heads.
“Yes, I will take the opportunity to show what I can do.”
Both the divine beast people’s and the alfar’s were pretty rough, but how will it be here?
Their way of life seems to be pretty close to humans’, and they feel a little different compared to the other races I’ve met.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what this village that reminds me of Japan has to offer in terms of meals.
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