Considering that she had her own normal life to maintain in the neighboring town, and that there might be situations where she couldn't come here to stake out at night,
Mitsuba felt that she could perhaps appropriately rely on the help of the adorable geisha before her.
"V-very well, but how should I notify you, Master Yoriichi?"
"To be honest, I actually live in the town next door. When the time comes, Amei, you simply need to send someone to the Butterfly Clinic in that town.
Then tell the doctor at that clinic that you're looking for a young lady named 'Mitsuba,' and I'll handle the rest."
"Mitsuba... could she be Master Yoriichi's wife?"
Amei asked almost instinctively, not even realizing that her tone carried a faint hint of disappointment.
"Oh, no, not at all. She's my younger sister—the most beautiful, gentlest, and cleverest person in this world! And also someone far more excellent than myself—the best younger sister under heaven! Someone even more important than my own life!"
"I-is that so?"
"Yes! Exactly so!"
In response to Amei's question, Mitsuba shamelessly added quite a few modifiers for herself.
She would never let slip any opportunity to praise herself using her elder brother's persona.
"Anyway, as long as you're willing to help, Amei, once this matter is concluded, I can grant you one small wish."
Mitsuba began to paint a rosy picture.
"Any wish at all?"
Amei was startled, then asked tentatively.
Her mind suddenly drifted to her husband... that husband of hers who was addicted to gambling.
"Of course."
Mitsuba nodded gently, replying with full confidence:
"Any wish whatsoever, for my capabilities are quite formidable..."
"..."
"So, Mitsuba, where did you run off to rampage about last night?"
The next morning, having gone to the Butterfly Clinic early to help sort medicinal herbs before dawn broke, Mitsuba suddenly heard Sumire's inquiry from beside her.
Still sitting casually on the counter, Mitsuba fiddled with two unknown herbs covered in soil in her hands as she replied offhandedly:
"Just went out for a stroll, that's all. What's wrong, Little Butterfly?"
"Hmm~ Just went out for a stroll?"
Letting out a drawn-out, meaningful sound, Sumire glanced at her, her tone carrying a subtle undertone:
"I've detected quite a few kinds of rouge and powder scents on a certain someone... and it's been going on for several days now, hasn't it, Mitsuba?"
"Huh? Really?"
Startled by these words, Mitsuba quickly raised her arm and sniffed carefully.
"Strange, do I actually smell? Why didn't I notice it myself?"
"Don't bother. Those scents are very faint—I can only smell them because I was born with a better nose than normal people..."
Looking at the flustered person before her, Sumire shook her head and let out a soft sigh.
She continued asking:
"So then, Mitsuba, what exactly is your situation these past few days? How did you end up with so many miscellaneous scents on you?"
"Oh well, you see..."
"Not convenient to say?"
"It is indeed a bit inconvenient..."
Twirling her fingertip around her hair, Mitsuba's brain worked at lightning speed.
"It's just that, a few days ago I told you, Little Butterfly, that I needed to investigate some matters these past few days~
And well, when investigating, sometimes one is inevitably forced to frequent places that aren't exactly proper, and then forced to meet with people who aren't exactly proper either.
So naturally, one ends up being forced to pick up some strange scents~ Yes, that's right, that's exactly how it is!"
Facing Mitsuba's explanation that she had wracked her brains to come up with, Sumire simply turned her back to her, crouching on the ground and focusing on the pile of medicinal herbs before her.
"I was just asking casually. Why are you explaining so much to me? How strange..."
"Ahaha, I was just worried that my good friend might misunderstand me as an improper person..."
"Pfft, full of lies."
Muttering this very softly under her breath, Sumire said nothing more. She glanced back at the sky outside the clinic, then urged:
"Alright, it's about time. Stop disturbing me here and hurry back to your dojo."
"Yes~ Then I'll be going. See you later~"
Responding with a smile, Mitsuba immediately hopped down from the counter, picked up her black umbrella nearby, and turned to leave.
"Mitsuba."
But at this moment, Sumire behind her called out to her once again.
"Hmm?"
Meeting Mitsuba's puzzled gaze, Sumire hesitated briefly, then spoke with an extremely serious tone:
"You need to be careful yourself."
Looking at her suddenly serious expression, Mitsuba blinked rapidly. She was first startled, then a brilliant smile spread across her face.
"Don't worry, Little Butterfly. Nothing could possibly happen to me."
"..."
"Good morning! You mischievous little things! Pick up your bamboo swords and prepare to start class!"
"Good morning, Sister Mitsuba!"
"Sister Mitsuba! Please marry me!"
"Ugh~ Little brat, do you feel uncomfortable if you don't say that line every single day?"
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