"Ah, I see him, Mitsuba. Mr. Keizo is over there."
Following the direction Sumire pointed, Mitsuba's gaze passed through the heavy crowds before her, precisely locking onto Keizo—who was standing alone by the riverside with hands on hips.
"Really, wearing his training clothes even at a time like this. No wonder he's been in this town for so long and still hasn't found a new wife..."
Making a slight jest, Mitsuba brought Sumire over quickly while calling out:
"Mr. Keizo, why are you standing here all alone? You really look quite pitiful like this?"
"Oh! It's Miss Mitsuba and Doctor Butterfly!"
Completely ignoring Mitsuba's harmless jest, Keizo turned around upon hearing her voice. He first returned the greeting with a smile, then looked puzzled at the empty space behind the two of them.
"Strange, isn't the old centenarian with you tonight?"
In Keizo's memory, in previous years' fireworks festivals, Mitsuba should always bring the old centenarian to stroll around together.
"The old man isn't feeling well, so he's not attending this year's fireworks festival."
"I see... well, after all, he is over a hundred years old. He truly does need to pay more attention to his health usually... Alright, enough of that. Miss Mitsuba, look ahead quickly."
As Keizo spoke, he extended his finger to point at Hakuji and Koyuki—who were currently walking on the grassy riverside below.
Whoosh—
At this very moment, the first round of fireworks for the festival happened to rise.
Blossom after blossom of gorgeous fireworks burst forth in the night sky one after another, rapidly falling after their brief yet ultimate blooming.
And under these exploding flames, the two young people walking side by side on the grassy riverside below also stopped simultaneously, gazing at each other, their lips moving slightly.
"Ha, so that's how it is..."
Looking at the two below who seemed to be saying something to each other, Mitsuba suddenly understood and smiled:
"I was wondering earlier what important matter Mr. Keizo mentioned to me before... so it was this...
What, you as their master are finally going to upgrade to being a father-in-law?"
The fireworks festival was a night for lovers' confessions.
Therefore even without using the Transparent World, Mitsuba could guess what Hakuji and Koyuki were currently saying to each other.
Nothing more than some sweet words of mutual affection and vows of eternal love.
"Boring, boring~ I thought it would be something important~ turns out it's just two young people being lovey-dovey~ truly boring~"
"Eh! Miss Mitsuba! This matter is very important, okay!"
Looking at Mitsuba beside him—who was vigorously shaking the rattle-drum in her hand while deliberately sighing—Keizo immediately said anxiously:
"This is my daughter and Hakuji's lifelong matter! Koyuki is about to get married! I'm about to become a father-in-law!
Soon that child will be with child! Then together with Hakuji she'll give birth to many healthy children, making me, as her father, suddenly become a grandfather!"
"Yes, yes, yes~"
Seeing Keizo's anxious appearance, Mitsuba stopped teasing him and asked with a smile:
"So then, have you set the wedding date?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the day after tomorrow."
Mentioning this, Keizo immediately scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
"After all, we're not those very wealthy families. We don't need to invite too many guests—just some usual friends will do.
We don't need to select an auspicious date or anything. It just so happens that Koyuki's birthday is the day after tomorrow, so Hakuji and I decided to set their wedding date on Koyuki's birthday as well..."
"Isn't that quite nice! Being able to marry the person you love on your own birthday—that child Koyuki will surely be happy for her entire life."
"Then Miss Mitsuba, when the time comes, you all..."
"Don't worry, don't worry! Sumire and I will definitely come! And the old man and my elder brother too—I'll bring them along as well."
"Haha! It would be wonderful if Miss Mitsuba and all of you are willing to come!
Speaking of which, where is Miss Mitsuba's elder brother? Why didn't I see him tonight?"
Seeing Keizo suddenly mention this, a meaningful smile immediately appeared on Mitsuba's face.
"Who knows, perhaps Elder Brother is currently working hard to take his own brand new step, who can say..."
"Huh?"
"..."
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Michikatsu was walking together with Amei through the bustling crowds.
"Master Yoriichi, look, the fireworks are rising! So beautiful!"
"Mm, indeed..."
"And that stall's rice cakes look so delicious. Why don't we buy some to bring back for Little Sister Mitsuba?"
"That would be good..."
"Wow~ it's goldfish scooping! Master Yoriichi, shall we go play together?"
"Alright."
Time slowly passed.
Although Amei was trying hard to enliven the atmosphere between them, for some reason, Michikatsu tonight was always somewhat distracted and absent-minded.
For her many suggestions, he was almost perfunctory in attitude.
[Miss Amei, tonight I have an important matter to tell you.]
In her mind, Amei once again recalled what Michikatsu had said to her this morning before departing for the dojo.
What could this important matter be?
Could it be... that Master Yoriichi had finally decided to leave?
"Miss Amei, there is something I have concealed from you for a long time. These days I have thought it over repeatedly, and still believe I should tell you as soon as possible."
Walking to a deserted section of the riverside, Michikatsu suddenly stopped his steps, turned around, and looked at Amei—who was currently filled with anxiety and unease.
"Y-yes! Please speak, Master Yoriichi..."
[Alright, it's fine, Amei, calm down... Master Yoriichi was only temporarily living with you at Little Sister Mitsuba's request...]
[Now that he wants to leave, this is only natural, isn't it?]
[It's fine, it's fine, calm down... During this time, you have already received much care from Master Yoriichi. You must not cry and make a scene next. You must bid farewell properly...]
Looking at Amei's nervous face, after another brief hesitation, Michikatsu finally spoke:
"Mitsuba and I are actually people born from the Sengoku era over a hundred years ago."
"Yes! Then I wish Master Yoriichi in the future also... Huh?!"
Hearing these words from Michikatsu that were completely different from what she had anticipated, Amei immediately let out a loud exclamation.
What?
What did Master Yoriichi just say?
Over a hundred years ago? The Sengoku era? Him and Little Sister Mitsuba?
"Mm."
Looking at Amei's shocked and somewhat stunned expression, Michikatsu merely continued in that consistently calm tone:
"Those past events Mitsuba once told you about were all true. We siblings were once children of a daimyo from the Sengoku period.
Approximately over ninety years ago, Mitsuba and I successively chose to become demons for different reasons, and have survived until today."
...
(It seems most are quite opposed to Michikatsu and Nakime. Though I feel two people who both failed in marriage might work out well together meow~)
(Then I'll change Michikatsu's later plot a bit. Don't worry, after all, Michikatsu's personal plotline can only be considered a small side branch. Even if changed, it won't affect anything—at most it will just change his final personal ending meow~)
---
Get ahead of the public release by subscribing on patreon.com/dzeref887 and unlock access to 100+ chapters in advance. Enjoy the story far ahead without waiting for weekly updates, and support the translation so new chapters can be released faster.