Chapter 172-3

Chapter 172-3

[Part 3/4]

Shiro nodded in agreement with my concerns, and our hearts became one. Our bond grew stronger. ...I shouldn't think about how unpleasant it is.

Anyway, I just want to get through the remaining days safely.

"...Ah, sea urchin is delicious."

I muttered to myself, trying to take a break. When I looked up, I saw a girl playing with a sea urchin-shaped snack on her mouth, making a silly face.

I felt really, really annoyed....

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For Shiro, Azuma Hibari's orphanage was a place filled with memories.

Although the time she spent there was short, the memories and records from back then were vague and unclear. But the orphanage that took her in was incredibly precious. When she think about what her "true self" did, it's even more so.

Even after what happened, Azuma and the kids still accepted her, which made her really happy... That's why Shiro is determined to repay that kindness, and to fulfill the wishes of her benefactor, by keeping an eye on the suspicious people lurking around the orphanage.

But...

"Ah, I win!"

"Eh!? Why? Why can't I win?!"

"I'll do it next! I'll definitely do it next!"

"Do it again! Do it again!!"

But when she saw the woman playing tag with the kids in the courtyard, she couldn't help but question the meaning of her actions.

After finishing breakfast, Miyataka's young lady, who had been scolded for having a watermelon seed-spitting contest in the courtyard as a sweet treat, was playing with the younger kids while she is doing household chores like cleaning and laundry with her benefactor. To be exact, Miyataka's young lady was playing with the energetic and impatient younger kids, matching their level of excitement. Of course, it was a game suitable for their age.

You could say, isn't this girl too strong? She's taking this kids' game way too seriously. She's unbeatable. Her strength is on a different level, like she's always enjoying games with kids.

"Big sis, you're too strong!!"

If the kid keep losing, they'll eventually say something like that. The boy's face turns red as he shouts, puffed up like a balloon. The Miyataka's young lady smiles calmly at the kids' reactions.

"That's right. Then let's all hang up with the boys. We'll all come together and rub each other, and if there's even one person left, we'll make it everyone's win."

"Really? Then let's all go for it We'll crush them, yeah!!"

Shinobu, who was listening, thought the content was a bit indecent and unpleasant. But the kids who were listening took it in with pure and innocent hearts, and they eagerly accepted the challenge.

...But the result was a crushing defeat.

"What's going on?!"

"Cheating! You're cheating!! You're totally cheating!!"

The kids who lost started crying and accusing the older kids of cheating, waving their arms and legs wildly.

It was a luxury to be able to play because you're a kid. In the middle class or above, or even in rural areas or cities, kids were a labor force. Once you reached a certain age, you started helping out with family business and household chores. But this girl was different ―― her behavior didn't match her age. She was enjoying playing with the younger kids.

Her childish behavior was unbecoming for her age...

"Oh my, that's harsh. You're the same, aren't you?"

"Same...?"

The criticism that came out of her mouth was not what she meant to say. Before she could even realize it, Shiro tilted her head in confusion. The Miyataka's young lady's smile, which was both loving and mocking, was directed at her....

"Are you kidding me? Or... are you seriously saying that? You fox spirit!"

"!"

Shiro's expression twisted as she finally understood what the woman was getting at. She clenched his jaw, enduring the humiliation. If she retorted, it would only make things worse. If she said something careless, she or the second princess, or even Azuma, might get blamed.

As the Onitsuki family's servant, Shiro was the root of the calamity youkai Korishiraki... Even if she was secretly aware of the truth, she couldn't bring herself to acknowledge it.

"..."

So she endured. She kept her mouth shut, neither denying nor affirming, and simply remained silent. By doing so, she protected everyone's honor...

"What's with the self-satisfaction?"

"Huh?!"

Before she knew it, she had crept up behind her. Her whispering voice sent shivers down her spine. She felt her breath on her ear, and her dark, dark purple crystal-like eyes pierced through her.

The various curses Azuma Hibari had placed in the orphanage wouldn't activate since they didn't meet the conditions...

"Are you saying you'll put up with unfair treatment to protect everyone? Ha! That's ridiculous. ...Don't you think your self-conceit is a bit too much?"

"Self-conceit...?"

Her voice demanded agreement, but Shiro couldn't help but look down on herself. However, she couldn't avert her gaze.

"But isn't that true? ...Don't you think your split selves are separate from each other? That can't be, right?"

Split selves were a result of soul division, and no matter how far apart they were, they were still the same existence. They were herself. Her own extension. Even if they were made up of fragile memories and spirits from her childhood, they were still herself.

"You chose the path of evil yourself. You killed people and ate them yourself. You destroyed the village and the men for your own amusement yourself. And you decided to abandon your foolish, naive self yourself. That's your choice, isn't it?"

The woman whispered sweetly and coldly in her ear, speaking, questioning, and pursuing her like a fox in a fox's skin, a Youkai.

"Your pure, beautiful self from back then? But didn't you choose that path yourself? Didn't you walk the path of becoming a Youkai yourself? Your nature hasn't changed. Because you're still yourself, after all."

"Th-that's...!"

The woman coldly and mercilessly drove the fox into a corner.

"Such a thing doesn't exist, does it? It's even worse. You know you're a being that dirties your own hands. It was a rushed job, and you didn't even separate your memories and records completely. You must remember at least a little, right? About your adult self's deeds?"

"Ugh..."