Mob Yandere

[Part 4/4]

 In the end, she was taken away in a near-captive state by the former boy and Ako's youngest daughter...

 "...Do you think that if you achieve merit, your request for investigation will be granted?"

 "...There is that possibility as well."

 Hotoya Tamaki, with a brooding aura that seemed to drink in the darkness, had more on her mind.

 Certainly, she had ulterior motives.

 She thought that if she achieved enough merit, she could go to help someone she owed a favor.

 She couldn't help but hope that if she searched, they might still be alive, and she genuinely wanted them to be.

 But that wasn't the only reason.

 And she couldn't forgive the state of the world.

 She thought it was her weakness and foolishness that led to that situation.

 And she was dissatisfied with how things were handled afterward... it accumulated within her, this dissatisfaction that needed to be resolved.

 Reputation.

 Rumors.

 Gossip.

 Money.

 Honor.

 Scandal.

 The ways of the imperial court and the exorcists' families were unpleasant to Tamaki for various reasons.

 People are suffering.

 People are dying.

 She couldn't stand how the imperial court covered things up with trivial self-preservation, and she had had enough of it after the recent incident.

 She had to become stronger.

 She had to become wiser.

 She needed power.

 She needed achievements.

 If she didn't... she would lose everything, just drifting along.

 She would keep losing.

 Everything she held dear would be taken away from her.

 (I don't want that...!)

 She clenched her teeth.

 She pushed down her fear and anger.

 She felt unreasonable rage.

 Tamaki craved "power" in every sense.

 The "power" to correct mistakes, protect what is important, and reclaim what was lost...

 "...Then, I would like to ask for training, please. I hope to learn even a little of your skill, Master."

 Unfortunately, after returning to the city, the tasks Tamaki received were all petty and malicious.

 They were solved in no time, leaving him feeling bored.

 There were no chances to gain merit.

 So, she wished for training with Madam of the family, who was much more skilled than her.

 But...

 "I'm sorry, but it will be difficult for a while."

 "Why is that?"

 "At the recent ceremony, Hina gained quite a reputation. As her mother, I must respond properly."

 The presentation of Onitsuki's first princess at the ceremony in the city went very well.

 By the next day, there were already offers for tea and performances from several samurai and exorcist families.

 "I can't turn everything down. Eventually, we must arrange a marriage, right?"

 Taking care of her daughter is the top priority, so training cannot happen... that's how it is.

 "You have been busy with tasks, right? You should take a break for a while. Pushing yourself is not good for your skin."

 "Ugh...! I understand."

 She felt frustrated inside at her calmness, but no matter how much she complained, nothing would change.

 Everyone has their own circumstances, and one cannot only prioritize their own desires.

 Even Tamaki understood that much now.

 She disciplined herself and swallowed her dissatisfaction.

 "...Let me show my concern. Well then, I will give you this too."

 With a smile that was hard to read, Sumire pulled a shelf and handed Tamaki a pouch filled with coins.

 And then, one more thing...

 "What is this... a ticket?"

 "It's a ticket for the theater from Adachi house that I received the other day... It's for a modern play run by the Tachibana trading company~desuwa. Hina says she has no interest, so please use it."

 It was one of the gifts from the wealthy merchant Adachi house, who had business ties with the Tachibana trading company.

 The ticket was a 2-person all-day pass with a bento and sweets included, and it was about to expire.

 "You're traveling with the other girls on your mission, and you have 2 of these. If you're just going to throw them away, you might as well use them, right?"

 "Iruka..."

 At first, she thought it was just another one of these things, but Sumire's words make her reconsider.

 One friend can't come because they can't fight, but Iruka is different.

 She has been aware that she has been causing Iruka a lot of trouble by leaving them to accompany her like this.

 (Will they watch the show? ...Or will they eat the bento?)

 Looking at the ticket, it seems to be for a premium seat.

 Then the bento provided should be top-notch too.

 Is that why they came here?

 Thinking that, she take the ticket.

 ...If he were here, she'd invite him out of daily courtesy, wouldn't shr?

 She pushes such thoughts to the back of her mind and pretend not to notice.

 "...Thank you very much."

 "Hehehe, enjoy yourselves."

 Hesitantly, but surely out of a sense of gratitude, she says her thanks, and Sumire responds with her usual smile.

 It feels like she's being treated like a child, and her pride takes a hit.

 "Then...excuse me."

 Suppressing her unease and discomfort, she quickly leaves with a bow.

 It's irritating, but at least with Iruka, she can watch the show and shake off this feeling...

 ...

 ...

 ...

 The eastern market of the city was as bustling as ever.

 People and cars passed each other, and the market was overflowing with goods.

 While here, there was a sense of peace and safety, with no sign of trouble.

 "Is it just a facade of prosperity?"

 Someone who knew would say it was out of place, regardless of its beauty or ugliness.

 Iruka teases while wearing a delicate-colored Ichimegasa.

 Incidentally, she has got a valuable axe hidden in her sleeve.

 If a half-youkai from Ezo with such treasures tried to enter a high-class theater, they'd definitely be turned away.

 Thus, there was a need for such a noble appearance.

 No one would dare to check the contents of a sleeve when the kasa hat is removed.

 "Iruka, behave."

 "I know, I know. I'm supposed to be a low-ranking samurai's girl now, right? Sorry for the act."

 Tamaki spoke carefully, hiding her face, while her friend laughed like a wolf from behind the silk curtain.

 With a light touch of makeup, she looked more like a beautiful woman than a princess, and Tamaki couldn't help but stare a little.

 "...Geez. You're so greedy."

 Even though she was the one who invited them, Tamaki was truly amazed when her friend, who had been snoring during their lunch break, suddenly sat up.

 In fact, she had secretly stuffed her clothes with snacks beforehand.

 By the way, Tamaki was paying for everything.

 After eating it all, her friend probably planned to just fall asleep right there.

 "...False prosperity, huh?"

 Tamaki repeated her friend's words in her mind and recalled their recent shopping trip.

 There were so many things.

 It was lively.

 But the prices were clearly rising.

 While Iruka was buying snacks, she overheard other customers and shopkeepers complaining.

 It's fine because it's the city.

 But what about outside the city?

 When she was working in the Gai-Kyou (Outer Area), she saw poor people from the countryside building shabby houses.

 The outlaw exorcist Tamaki caught on her last mission was selling illegal drugs to uneducated villagers and brainwashing them...

 "...That's why I..."

 Inside the silk curtain, Tamaki clenched her teeth with a serious expression.

 Starting tomorrow, she would train again.

 She would protect everyone.

 She would do what is right.

 She made that decision.

 Even if it's just a little, every bit adds up to a mountain.

 She wanted to grow and be useful by the time he came back...

 "Hey, Tamaki! Hurry up!"

 "Eek! Come on, Iruka!"

 Iruka's loud call echoed, not very lady-like or princess-like at all, and Tamaki was shocked as she tried to catch up.

 She had just warned her about this!

 "So! You need to act more... Whoa!?"

 As Tamaki rushed toward Iruka, she almost tripped.

 She wasn't used to the heavy outfit that made her look good.

 In a panic, she leaned forward and wobbled to keep from falling.

 "Whoa, whoa!? Whoa!? ...Ugh!?"

 She feels like she's going to fall face-first, but she holds on.

 Thanks to grabbing onto something with both hands, she manages to stay up.

 "Phew... that was close!"

 "That's good. It would be a shame if your beautiful outfit got dirty."

 "Huh?"

 A voice responds to Tamaki's sigh of relief.

 Tamaki stares in shock at the front.

 She realizes she has been holding onto someone's arm for support.

 She had pulled on the sleeve so hard that it wrinkled.

 The fabric stretched.

 "I'm so sorry...!! W-What!?"

 "Whoa there. Please calm down."

 Embarrassed by her rudeness, she quickly lets go.

 As she steps back, she almost falls again, but someone supports her back.

 "I-I'm sorry...! Who are you!?"

 Feeling even more embarrassed, Tamaki looks up at the person's face and gasps.

 The old gentleman raises a finger to his lips, asking for silence before she can say anything.

 "Did you come to see the performance? It's a special occasion. May I join you? We couldn't talk last time."

 The old Minister, dressed in a rich merchant's outfit, smiles warmly at Tamaki, inviting her...

 Fan art:

- April Fool's illustration by xin. What about this Pop Team Epic-like white fox...? -> here