(T: This chapter has too much licking and glazing mc...)
Even though he was carrying someone on his shoulder, Yōsen acted as if she weighed nothing.
Nishimura looked at his thin arms and legs, not expecting him to be able to carry her.
The more Nishimura looked, the more satisfied he became.
If possible, he wanted to play matchmaker for the two.
He could tell Yōsen was definitely not a bastard.
Komatsuse had grown up with her grandmother since she was a child. Her parents had died young, and she usually made a living through her tailoring skills.
The neighbors were also quite willing to help out. Having a man in the house would make many things easier.
Moreover, bringing such a man home would even give her something to brag about to other villages in the future.
Komatsuse was too tired for even trying to resist, so she could only try to hide her embarrassment.
'Does he think I'm heavy?'
She hadn't had a full meal lately, so she must have lost some weight. She really hope it did...
Following behind the villagers, who were more familiar with the terrain, they took a shortcut and soon reached the foot of the mountain.
They arrived at a village that wasn't very large, with only about twenty households. Even though it was late at night, every house still had candles lit.
A few villagers who heard the commotion opened their doors.
Seeing that everyone had returned, they immediately asked if Komatsuse had been found. Relieved to see she was fine, a woman pulled Komatsuse close and checking her over several times before letting go.
"Matsuse, I'm so glad you're okay. Everyone was worried sick about you."
She suddenly took a deep breath, channeled her energy to her core, puting her hands on her hips, and shouted.
"Komatsuse has been found!"
The voice was deafening, startling flock after flock of birds in the forest.
The once quiet village became lively as every household came out to gather. They were all talking at once, rejoicing that Komatsuse was safe.
"Thank you for your concern, everyone." Komatsuse bowed deeply to them. "This is Yōsen; he is my savior."
In an instant, the noisy crowd fell silent, leaving only the sound of breathing. Yōsen felt a bit uneasy and avoided everyone's gaze; this was his first time seeing so many people.
Someone in the crowd whispered something.
It was like a drop of water in a hot pan of oil, stirring up a thousand waves.
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Komatsuse hurriedly said, "Sorry to disturb everyone, please go back and rest. I still need to go back and see my grandma; she must be waiting anxiously."
Komatsuse pulled Yōsen and left.
It did was already late, so the crowd get back to their home one by one after knowing that she still alive just fine.
"I'm sorry, Yōsen-san."
"It's fine."
"That house up ahead is my home," Komatsuse said, pointing to a small house in front of them.
As they approached the house, they saw an old woman sitting under the eaves.
Seeing Komatsuse, she stood up excitedly and walked over with a limp, leaning on a cane.
Komatsuse immediately went to meet her, and the old woman hugged her tightly.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... good child."
She didn't ask her what had happened.
She was afraid of making Matsuse remembering it. To her, it was enough that she was safe and alive... enough that she had returned to her side.
"Grandma, I'm sorry for making you worry." Komatsuse wept as she hugged the old woman's thin, hunched body.
"Good girl, don't cry."
A wrinkled hand tremblingly wiped away her tears and brushed away the dirt on her face, looking at the injuries on her body with heartache.
"Quick, let's go inside!"
Yōsen watched this scene quietly.
Is this what family affection is?
Will there be someone waiting for me to return too?
"Brother!" A tender girl's voice suddenly came from behind him.
This familiar yet strange voice made Yōsen freeze, and he immediately turned around, but there was no one behind him.
'Did I hear wrong?' Yōsen lowered his head in thought.
In a daze, he seemed to see a boy with an indistinct face standing beside him, looking at him with a smile. It was a gentle voice...
"Yōsen-nii! Let's go home!"
Facing the hand with slight calluses that the boy reached out, Yōsen couldn't help but reach out his own.
But at the moment they were about to touch, it vanished.
Yōsen stared blankly at his hand; even though he hadn't touched anything, there was a warm sensation in his palm.
Who were they? Why did they feel so familiar?
For some reason, he cold all over his body, as if he were in the middle of snow. A bone-chilling cold pierced through his spine, yet his palm was pulsing with heat, as if a hand were tightly gripping his.
That gentle voice and that warm smile... who was he to me?
...
"Yōsen-san?"
Komatsuse waved her hand in front of Yōsen's eyes.
'Why had he suddenly spaced out?'
"What... is it?"
Yōsen snapped out of his state.
'Thosee memories...'
"Let me introduce you, this is my grandmother."
"Grandma, this is Yōsen. He's the one who saved me."
Hearing this, the old woman immediately took Yōsen's hand, her kind voice filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, thank you!"
"It's... nothing."
It took a while for the old woman's emotions to calm down.
Komatsuse pulled her grandmother and Yōsen into the house. As soon as they sat down, a distinct growl was heard.
He followed the sound and looked at Komatsuse.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, covering her growling stomach, not daring to make an eye contact.
'Gagh you stupid belly, you make me embarrassing myself!'
While she kept blaming her innocent belly.
Her grandma stood up with a smile and patted her head.
"You haven't eaten, you must be hungry, right?"
"Grandma will cook for you."
"Matsuse, go wash yourself first."
"Okay~ Yōsen-san, come here."
Leading Yōsen to the backyard, there was a small well in the modest courtyard.
She turned the handle, and with a creak, she scooped up water with a wooden bucket. Setting the bucket on the ground, she finally saw her face in the reflection of the moonlight.
"Eh?"
Her hair and face was in a terrible messy state.
She had fallen during her escape, and mud was stuck to her face, making her features barely visible.
She felt as if the sky had fallen.
'Had I been with Yōsen-san and everyone looking like this?'
Why didn't anyone tell her!