139 5.28 Dinner, Supper and Breakfast and A Burst Of Emotions!

Soon an oden seller was pushing his yatai and stopped right at our district. Hiko-sama quickly explained how the rotation of these sellers would be like.

"Izumi-chan and Riko-Chan, the order for these sellers would be as follows. The yatai be serving dinner first, then followed by supper and then some other foods to accompany those merry making residents of Kitakata village. These people I believed would end up last in the marketplace, right?"

"Yes, but we don't have enough money to spend because we only earn 2 coppers per day which is equivalent to 3 silvers per month only," Riko answered earnestly as the thought of buying such foods from those sellers were considered as a once in a lifetime luxury.

Riko's words sank into me as I reflected how it seems that even I, had taken many things for granted without much appreciation. Sometimes blunt words could really strike deep into the hearts of others.

"Usually dinner would be Oden, Ramen or Gyudon and even Yakisoba. So decide on one first."

"Onee-sama, I would like to have Ramen. It's been so long since I had eaten it. How about you, Onee-sama?"

"I would like to have Yakisoba, please."

"OK, it's done. So how about you, kid? I'm taking Gyudon. You want to order the same as me or you have any other ideas?"

"Ah, Sensei. I'd settle for Oden this time. Last time I saw Mr Director was eating the Oden, but I have forgotten the actual term for it. I just remembered it and we used to call it 'Yong Tao Foo' since there was an egg, tofu, fishcakes, squid balls and other vegetables, am I right?"

As the oden seller was the first to arrive, I went ahead and placed my bowl on his yatai. Soon the rest followed and Izumi and Riko placed their bowls and placed Hiko-sama's bowl too for the Gyudon seller and returned back to the terrace.

They simply followed my actions and when the food was served to each individual, I paid up using the silvers from my coin pouch and the change I got back I placed them on my sides.

The moment Izumi and Riko saw the bulge of the coin pouch hanging from my obi, they can't help but watched it with bulging eyes. Thoughts racing in their minds that may be working as a housekeeper would reap in more rewards than being at the flower shop.

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They had simply forgotten about Karada Soap or maybe had slipped their minds. Because of them, I was like a young master while Hiko-sama was a grand master or something. Since there were the two of us, it seemed that eating out would be the best option, or so they thought.

As soon as our dinner was ready, we greeted our thanks to the food and soon dug in. Our dinner was simple but yet sumptuous for the four of us and those who appreciated these simple foods were our guests.

They had not eaten such foods which were considered as a luxury to them and only depended on home cooked meals. Even home cooked meals could sometimes be considered as a delicacy too.

After we had completed our dinner we graced and I carried the empty bowls back to the kitchenette and it was the norm for me to wash them immediately after meals. I had taken back the bar of soap, cutting board and knife and replaced them where they should be. The bar of soap that had been wrapped up was placed on the kitchenette countertop.

I joined them and a new seller was calling out his sales and we had never noticed him before. He was calling out "Ramune...ek ek". Hiko-sama summoned the seller and he came forward carrying a clear glass bottle.

"Ah, we have lemon-lime carbonated water here produced locally here in Kitakata village, dear sirs and madam. Would you like to try one? It's cheap and it costs only 4 coppers each."

The thought of 4 coppers per bottle of drink made Izumi and Riko gasped in horror as it was worth 2 days salary.

"Give us 4 bottles, please. Here are 1 silver and 6 coppers for you. Thank you."

"No, thank you, young master. Please wait a while I get you the drinks and show you how to drink it."

A while later he returned with 5 bottles and the 5th he was holding was for his demo. He pointed at the tip, and it showed a clear marble and since the tip was shaped like a funnel.

He tipped the bottle down and no liquid came out, but if he tilted slightly, the marble moved and allows the liquid to flow out. It acts something like a purge valve. The demo bottle was filled with plain water and not the actual drink. After showing the demo, the three of them were holding to the bottle and was somehow sucking on the tip rather than tilting it.

To me, it's a simple purge valve method and it got to with gravity and the angle of the tip. However, there were many years ahead of its time and wondered how the cost of manufacturing these bottles affect the overall nett profit. At a cost of 4 coppers, even Izumi and Riko considered it like an investment.

I showed them how to drink this as I held the bottle almost horizontal to the floor and the liquid flowed smoothly.

"Wah... This is the first we buy this kind of drink in a glass bottle, and you already know how to expertly drink from it."

"Ah...Sensei, it is called Physics. What we are doing was to allow the liquid to flow without disrupting the gravitational flow and push of this marble. If it moved to the tip, it acts as a stopper and prevents outflow and if the marble flows back, it prevents inflow."

"I don't know what you mean by Physics, kid, but yeah, I can feel the liquid flowing out and into my mouth already."

"Himura-kun, you seemed to be smart but you told me you never attended school. How did you learn so many things at the same age as my niece? She seemed quite hopeless and since she was this young, the flowers shop owner only pays her 1 copper per day only."

I looked at Hiko-sama and he gave me a slight nod which signals that I could open up part of my life story. By this time the sellers selling supper came and I took the opportunity to break from continuing the discussion but changed the subject.

"Alright, Supper is now here. We do not have to eat them immediately since the preparation for each yatai would take from 3 to 15 minutes. So we would wait for our turn instead."

"As for your questions, actually there was no relationship between me and Sensei. He was a samurai, who happened to pass by at the South Side of this village, about 3 days travel by foot. I was an adopted child, and I was self-taught in many trades. Suddenly a group of bandits came, and pillage our village. All the men and male children were killed, while the women and female children were bound and gagged, and was taken away to the bandits' lair. Sensei here found me half dead, and half buried in the snow, and decided to take me in as a disciple."

They nodded in apprehension and said that both Izumi and Riko were not related to each other too. They started off as acquaintance. When they wanted to continue to speak, Hiko-sama raised his hand and said, "We order supper by the number of us, OK?"

"Since there's 4 of us, so every supper would be bought for each one of us. Since there was quite a number of sellers passing by, our supper and our discussion can continue as long as we have something in the middle of us."

In the end, we had bought the following for our supper and the rest could be kept for breakfast instead:

4 sticks of Yakitori consisting of several marinated chunks of chicken served with a savoury sauce and was for each one of us.

2 servings of Yakiniku consisting of an equal portion of squid and fish balls with a serving of 2 dipping sauce with a sprinkle of spring onions on it. There were some wooden skewers and Hiko-sama mentioned about a single dip policy. Once you dip and take a bite, you can't dip it again as we shared the dipping bowl.

1 portion of Senbei that was made of fish crackers that we all shared and Riko was the one happily munching the crackers.

4 servings of Okonomiyaki, a type of Japanese pizza on a soft round bread and topped with meat and vegetables and was baked on their portable charcoal oven on their yatai.

4 pieces of Yaki imo that we had reserved for breakfast each. As we have the raw ones, the 4 pieces would be brought home by the girls.

8 pieces of Taiyaki which were a dainty bite-sized piece of waffle-like baked cake filled with red bean paste. Both Hiko-sama and I took a piece each and gave the rest to Izumi and Riko to bring home for breakfast.

4 pieces of Kare pan that were steamed bun filled with curry and potatoes. It was quite savoury and it is quite bite-sized so it went down easily.

4 pieces of Gyoza which were a version of steamed bun that was fried instead and filled with sweetmeats.

4 pieces of Korokke which we gave to Izumi and Riko to bring back and they could it on their way home.

2 pieces of Tomorokoshi which were a type of grilled Japanese sweet corn that had been boiled first and then the ears had been removed before grilling over hot embers. We have the raw ones so it was for both Izumi and Riko instead.

4 pieces of Kushikatsu, a type of fish fillet that had been soaked in batter and fried with bread crumbs. These were enjoyed by the four of us as it was considered as a light snack.

With each arrival of foods presented before us, Riko never ceased to be amazed, and she never stops tugging at Izumi's sleeve before the former gave her head a nod, and the latter would fetch the food for her aunt and then for her.

"So how was it like being with us? I mean, look on the bright side. Both of you would have your own lodgings, a place to call your own, protected from the sun, wind rain and snow."

"You can also cook on your own and the expenses to buy your own groceries you can take from the house's funds. Later I will tell you about the house's funds in detail."

"You would be supplied with 5 sets of clothing such as 5 kimonos and 5 hakama of different colours and designs, 2 yakata, 2 zori and 5 tabi. As for the niceties, you can take the money from the house's funds."

"On top of that, breakfast you need to make your own for yourselves but lunch, dinner and supper would be borne by us. A different set of lunches would be delivered here daily at midday so you would not have to worry about it."

"However, if you intend to cook your own dinner and supper once in a while, you may do so at your own discretion. We would not stop you, if you were to cook for us, as we treat each other as a family, is that right, Sensei?"

Hiko-sama listened and never objected to what I had said and he agreed when I mentioned treating each other as a family.

"As a precautionary, we both men are not allowed to enter your quarters, unless it's not occupied, AND, both Onee-sama and Riko-Chan are also not allowed to enter ours too, AT ALL TIMES."

I emphasised on the entry to their private quarters so we won't be caught unawares if they happen to be changing or doing about their business.

"If there is a need to discuss anything in the future, we can always call out to each other and we can have an open discussion here in the front yard. A set of garden furniture would arrive in a few days and that place would be our dining and discussion area."

"There is a catch for all these privileges as well, you may need to start your tasks the moment the rooster's crow which means you start to do your daily activities and prepare your breakfast. Once you are done, you are to assemble here in the courtyard."

"Riko-chan will help out Onee-sama, but once the new school term starts, we would like you to have an education. It's free here and won't cost you anything. Would that be OK, Riko-chan or you would like to be self-taught by your aunt here and learn the ropes ok how to be a tradeswoman?"

"Senpai, I would like to go to school and learn new things, make new friends and be with my age group, but I also want to help out Onee-sama as well."

"Senpai, would you be joining me in school also when the new term for school starts?"

"No, Riko-chan, I won't be in school when the new term starts. With my ideology and my skills that I acquire, I am more suited to be in the business and workforce industry."

"Oh... I thought we could go to school together and be my friend in school too. It is alright..."

I can sense some disappointment when she voiced her views and accepting me as a friend to her as her same age group. However, it seems I'm really not cut out being in school and may end up being a teacher instead.

Furthermore, I do have a lot of projects that may or may not revolutionise and improve the lives of people in Japan. I have to think of an alternative answer quickly!

"Since I won't be in school, maybe you can show me what you had learnt. Earlier you said you wanted to help Onee-sama, right? Helping me would also be helping Onee-sama too."

Phew, that was close. At least if I'm not her school friend, I'm also her friend at home. Maybe getting her to help to fold some papers, or to help stamp the labels or wrap the soap... Whichever I see she could excel, then it would be the case then.

"Sensei, would you like to add something?" I looked at Hiko-sama and he was silent most of the time and was nodding his head only in approval. Which means there's no objection of any part from him.

"Ah... Yes. You forgot about the salary. Does the work after breakfast consist of one trade or several trades?"

"Oh yes... About the salary. I can't be paying Onee-sama the same salary as the one offered at the flower shop. What I could offer is 2 gold coin per month. I will draft out a workable plan towards the sales proceedings. I think, its best I draft out the whole employment contract."

The moment Izumi heard 2 gold coins her jaw dropped and Riko happened to straighten up and exclaimed aloud, "Onee-sama, you heard that?! Senpai is paying you 2 gold coins per month! Right now we are just earning 3 silvers per month! Is it true, Onee-sama?"

"Pinch me... Riko-chan, pinch me now!" Izumi was saying to Riko, as she cocked her head sideways to look at me, partly disbelieving that what she heard was true or part of a dream.

"Ouch...! Ara ma...! That really hurts! So it was true that Himura-kun was saying, that you would be paying me, 2 gold coins a month?" Izumi rubbed vigorously at the pinch mark that was left by Riko on the softest part of the upper arm.

"In that's the case, from today onwards, since you do not wish me to call you a young master, please do allow me to call you Senpai, even though you are as young as Riko-Chan here. Please accept it Himura-senpai."

I looked at Hiko-sama and he just nodded his head towards me.

"Alright, I accept and I will still call you onee-sama as a sign of respect due to the age difference."

Izumi bowed her head and I bowed back as a sign of mutual agreement and understanding.

"I would address you as Hiko-dono from today onwards too." and both Izumi and Riko bowed together and Hiko-sama bowed back. Using a Dono as an honorific for Hiko-sama was considered of the highest stature. Of course, since he was the Head of the house as well so it is befitting to be called Hiko-dono instead of Hiko-sama.

I still haven't got the hang of using honorific even after 2 series and now in writing of this 3rd Japanese series.

"Since Senpai had told us where he had originated from and has no blood relation with Hiko-dono, then let us tell you who actually we were before coming to Kitakata village."

Hiko-sama and I sat closer to listen as I poured another round of green tea. Before Izumi continued about her past history, the flood gates had opened as talking about it was like scraping at the newly healed wounds from the heart.

"We both were slaves and were being sold since we were orphans. I had to perform hard labour for just a handful of food to survive. I... I was sold from one slave trader to a...another. I ended up b...being a...a...s...sex s...slave a..at one period o...of time. When I... I was t...travelling with o... one of the c...caravan, I met Riko."

Izumi and Riko were trying hard to control their emotions and was sobbing as Izumi continued with Riko literally grabbing on to the sleeves of Izumi.

"S...suddenly the c...caravan was a...attacked a...and masked bandit s...started to kill e...everyone. The o...other s...slaves were taken a...away by the bandits a...and we managed to e...escape. I a...and Riko we walked u...until we reached here. We a...asked for help a...and a...after a few days we...we managed to get a job at...at the flower shop."

"As your Senpai had mentioned, just don't need to carry the sack of stones behind you anymore, drop it and move on, ok? Hold your head up high and move on. Anything that you need you can consult us."

Hiko-sama explained to them and emphasises that their future would soon begin with us as a family.

I reached over and held Izumi's and Riko's hands and told them that they are going to be protected either by me or Hiko-sama when suddenly both of them burst into tears and grabbed me close in an embrace. It was like a dam had broke and there was no way to stop the flow of emotions that came gushing out until it was totally drained. Their shoulders shook violently as their outburst turned into uncontrollable dobs and I'm sure their icky yucky snot would flow from their noses and stain my newly bought gi.

I looked at Hiko-sama desperately for signs of help and he just shrugged his shoulders. Omagai...! Such a typical person who would not be bothered by emotions or of ill-treatment by others or society.

"Shuu... Shuu... It is ok to cry and let all your boxed up emotions out. Nobody is going to hurt any of you and will ill-treat you anymore. I patted their heads and both of them looked at me.

"Please forgive us, Senpai, all through my life, I had not met a person like you. The way of your thinking is almost twice or thrice your age and you are a broad business minded and your knowledge is almost as wide as the horizon. It is like as if you are a well knowledgeable person despite your age."

"Yes, Senpai... If you to school with me, you could protect me too from bullies. I have a sharp mouth and my words could be blunt at most times. So I would definitely make more enemies than friends."

I smiled and patted their heads. I looked down and saw my gi was covered with snot and tears and Riko was using my gi to rub her nose with it... Haiyo... This little girl.

Both of them soon recovered their composure and released me from their embrace. They wiped away their tear-stained faced with their kimono sleeves and drank some green tea.

"Senpai can we start working here as soon as we can?" Izumi asked with hopeful eyes and expected the answers to be positive.

I looked at Hiko-sama and he shrugs his shoulders and spread out his arms. This signals that the ball is now in my court.

"Yes, you can work and stay here once your house is ready," I replied and the response I got was totally out from what I expected.

"Yehey...!! We can be with Senpai every day, and eat yummylicious supper and snacks... I like it very much here!" shrieked Riko in delight as she hugged Izumi's arm.

"Don't forget Hiko-dono here is with us also..." I explained as I do not want Hiko-sama to be taking things to heart because he was not mentioned anywhere.

Izumi and Riko both bowed to Hiko-sama and the latter bowed back. The two girls stayed a while longer before they finally decided to head back to the flower shop. By then, the timekeeper was chiming his bell and hollering that's its 9 pm already.

As soon as they left, and passed a few houses, I quickly cleaned up and informed Hiko-sama that I'm going to the Realm of Mind soon. "Wait for me too." came the reply as he too was anticipating on the process of the perfume distiller and the mixers.

Soon, we entered into our meditative state in my little bedroom and entered the Realm of Mind.