Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 25

Chapter 25 - Going out is a source of disaster

Going back in time a little.

"Miyo-sama, are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I'm coming now."

Miyo went out to the entrance as Yurie called for her.

Last night, due to work matters, Kiyoka stayed overnight at the military base and did not come back. He must be tired from that, therefore, she decided to bring him some food to hopefully help him, even just a little.

"I'm sure Bocchan will be very happy."

"It'd be nice if that's the case, but..."

She held the food packaged in nice wrapping cloth and checked that there was nothing strange with her appearance.

The kimono Miyo wore today was sky-blue.

It wasn't until later that she learned that the cherry blossom coloured kimono wasn't the only thing Kiyoka had purchased when "Suzushimaya" delivered the items one after another.

It was kimonos perfect for the coming season, along with obis and accessories to go with. She was taken aback when she saw that mountain of goods piled up in the house that wasn't all that big.

Just the thought of the cost of all these sent shudders down her spine.

"Now then, Miyo-sama, please take this as well."

"It's lovely..."

What she received from Yurie was a lovely white parasol. It was another expensive item that matches well with both Western and Japanese clothing.

If she went out with it, she would definitely appear like an elegant lady from some distinguished household.

However...

"The sun has been getting stronger lately and Bocchan would surely want you to use it."

"...Danna-sama has spent too much money on me..."

The assets owned by the Kudou family were more than enough to begin with and Kiyoka was also working as an officer himself. Even though she knew it was unlikely that they would ever be short of money-well, that was quite impossible unless something happened-she was still worried.

Even though it was plenty to have gotten her the kimonos, lately, even food, household necessities, and sundries were all taken care of for Miyo.

If she was a typical lady from a prominent family, she would accept all these as a matter of course, but unfortunately, that was an experience Miyo was not associated with in any way.

Which was why she couldn't help but feel like she was doing something wrong.

"Oh, Yurie doesn't know much about that either, but it's okay. Bocchan doesn't spend much in the first place. Come on, let's get going."

"Y-Yes"

Then, they slowly went on their way with Yurie gently pushing her from behind.

She had no problem recalling the directions to the military base of the Anti-supernatural Unit. It did help that he told her the address beforehand, although they had gone there to drop-off his car previously. Thinking back, perhaps Kiyoka had already opened his heart to her then.

Despite her will, going out to town brought back memories of her encounter with Kaya. Even today, Miyo could not help but wonder what she would do if she were to meet her again. No matter how peaceful her life was now, the damage the treatment of her half-sister and stepmother had done over the years did not disappear from her memories so easily. If they were to meet again, she would certainly be scared witless once more.

Even so, compared to the time when she was with the Saimori family, she felt that she would be able to manage it somehow. Now, she had people who were a source of strength in her heart; people who would definitely be on her side. Just thinking of that washed away the fear and anxiety that always tormented her.

"Hello."

She greeted the guards standing outside the base and they proceeded to ask them details such as their identity and reason for visit.

Miyo stuttered a little as she replied saying that she was Kiyoka's fiance and Yurie was her chaperone; they were there to deliver refreshments to him.

"Fiance... I see, I'll verify it right away."

The guard was clearly baffled when he heard that Miyo was Kiyoka's fiance. After all, it was a well-known fact that Kiyoka was "allergic" to women.

After a while, Kiyoka came out looking a little flustered. For someone who usually had an indifferent expression, he rushed out looking unusually anxious.

"...Miyo, and Yurie, what brings you here?"

"Otsukaresama, Danna-sama. I don't mean to inconvenience you but... well, I was worried if you were having your meals properly so I brought you some food."

Miyo made the conscious effort smile while holding out the cloth package in her hands.

"I see. That... really helps."

For some reason, Kiyoka appeared hesitant to speak as he accepted the package with a wrinkle between his brows, seemingly troubled.

Perhaps, for those who did not know him well, they would have mistaken that he was in a bad mood, but for Miyo, she now knew that he was really just embarrassed.

Anyhow, Kiyoka's demeanour and expressions were often easily misunderstood.

"Since you walked here, do you want to go inside to have a little rest?"

"It's alright, I’m fine. How about you, Yurie-san?"

"This much is nothing."

Yurie puffed out her chest proudly, looking all reliable; as expected, she seemed to have quite a lot of stamina. This was the result of working as a servant for many years.

Although it was a rare offer from Kiyoka, Miyo decided to decline it and take her leave.

It must've been her imagination but he looked slightly bored. He was probably busy, so Miyo shouldn't interrupt him too much.

Suddenly, Kiyoka asked her with a serious look on his face.

"Miyo, do you have the amulet with you?"

"Oh yes, it's right here—"

"Taichou! Do you have a minute?"

Miyo replied to his question while pointing to the drawstring bag in her hand and Kiyoka was about to nod when a voice suddenly called out to him from behind and he turned back instead.

By the time he replied to that member and turned to Miyo again, he already had the face of a soldier in a position of responsibility.

"I have to go now. It's good that you have it with you. I really wanted to send you back if I could, but I'm sorry, this isn't something I can walk away from."

"It's alright. I apologise for taking your time. Please do your best at work."

"Yeah. Both of you take care of yourself on your way back."

"Yes."

When she replied, Kiyoka gently placed his hand on Miyo head with a smile before heading back into the building,

"Fufu, Bocchan is so shy."

"Y-Yes...j

On their way home, while chatting with Yurie, Miyo checked the contents of her drawstring bag and tilted her head to the side.

"What's the matter, Miyo-sama?j

"Eh, ah... yes, um..." 

Even when she searched all the way to the bottom of the drawstring bag, she couldn't find it anywhere.

Did she drop it somewhere? Oh yes, come to think of it—.

"Despite what I told Danna-sama, it seems I left the amulet at home."

"Oh dear! That's bad."

She had changed her purse to match the kimono. The amulet was in the previous old purse that she used and it had slipped her mind to transfer it. She never thought she would do such a careless thing, and as a result, she ended up lying to Kiyoka.

"Even though I promised to always carry it on me..."

(I really can't do anything right, huh)

Without the amulet, Miyo suddenly felt unsettled all at once as the presence of Kiyoka's protection seemed to fade away. Even if she seldom left the house, that's no excuse.

She had unintentionally broken her word and she couldn't help as her heart sank.

"lf that's the case, Miyo-sama, let's promptly head straight home."

".. .Right."

She nodded at Yurie's words and hastened her steps.

While Miyo didn't know what effect the amulet itself had, it's something that Kiyoka was very concerned about whether or not she had it with her, so it had to mean something. She couldn't just ignore that and go playing around with no care.

After walking-with few words exchanged between them-for a while, the two of them were about to safely get through the city. Once they reached the less densely populated country roads, there weren't too far from home anymore.

Just as they heaved a sigh of relief, the thunderous sound of an engine could be heard; a car was stopped nearby.

At first, she thought it was Kiyoka who had caught up to them, but it wasn't.

"Miyo-sama!"

Yurie's cries echoed through the air. Miyo was so shocked by the sudden turn of events that she didn't even react in time.

"...!? Yurie-sa-aah!"

Before she could turn around, someone got out of the car and pulled her hand so hard it hurt. With an indisputable force, any movement from her body was blocked.

"W-What, urgh!"

Who would do this? She couldn't even find out as a cloth was pressed against her eyes and mouth-she lost her ability to see and to speak,

(I'm scared... Danna-sama!)

Just like that, Miyo's body was picked up and roughly shoved into the car and soon she helplessly lost her consciousness to the suffocation.