Kamado Inn.
Business today wasn't as booming as usual, but there were still many guests willing to stay here.
Why was that?
Firstly, it had a hot spring that couldn't be found in many nearby towns.
Secondly, this inn was very luxurious!
It was even comparable to some luxury inns in large towns!
When construction began, they got the town mayor's help, contributed some money, and rallied several hundred people to work together.
Back then, everyone in town who had nothing to do came to help, and Kie generously paid them well.
Because of that, the Kamado Inn's reputation spread from that time on.
Later, with the help of professionals, they followed the blueprints to rapidly complete the inn.
Then, they transplanted and moved various trees and stones for decoration, and sent trustworthy people to town to buy various ornaments, finally perfecting the inn.
It could be said that thanks to this inn, this small town had come to life.
Foot traffic slowly increased, and even local people would come to enjoy the hot springs.
It was fortunate that Kie listened to Akina's advice.
Either don't do it, or do it to the highest standard. She got the blueprints for the inn building, set up various hot springs, and luxury hot springs.
Besides first-class service, they focused heavily on the hot springs.
She bought large quantities of pearl powder and other hot spring products from Akina. They advertised that bathing in their springs would improve skin and make one feel more comfortable.
Consequently, whether local, passing through, or even from other towns, people would come specifically to enjoy them.
Although the advertising was a bit exaggerated, compared to ordinary hot springs with no additives, this place truly was a delight.
Especially the couples' luxury suites with their private rose hot springs; wealthy couples would exclaim in enjoyment, then engage in romantic poetry recitation within their rooms.
"Good morning! Mrs. Kamado! I've brought my daughter along!"
The first to arrive were Misuzu and Mikoto.
Appearing in the backyard of the Kamado Inn, which was the garden of the Kamado Family's residence, Misuzu arrived with a large backpack, holding Mikoto's hand.
"Welcome, Mrs. Misaka, and little Mikoto."
Kie warmly welcomed their arrival. After accepting the gifts Misuzu took out from her backpack, she invited the mother and daughter to be seated.
Meanwhile, Kamado Tanjiro and Kamado Nezuko were curiously watching the mother-daughter pair who had appeared out of thin air, nervously looking on from outside the living room.
It wasn't until their mother signaled for them to come and help that they came in to busy themselves with preparing tea.
"By the way, were we the first to arrive?"
"Hehe, yes! Perhaps Mrs. Sawamura and Kaito will arrive shortly."
"I see. That's fine."
Misuzu wasn't particularly restrained, but Mikoto, despite appearing tomboyish, was actually sitting properly and quietly, observing her surroundings without a word.
"Yahoo~ I'm here! I brought lots of gifts too!"
Within ten minutes, Sayuri also appeared, with Eriri in tow.
Upon arrival, Sayuri first thrust her large backpack directly into Tanjiro's hands. As Tanjiro looked on in bewilderment, Sayuri laughed and patted his hair.
"Alright, these are all for you! This backpack is mine~"
After speaking, Sayuri, without needing Kie to come out and greet her, walked straight inside.
It was the attached tea ceremony room adjacent to the garden. She took off her shoes and sat down right next to Misuzu.
"Oh, you brought your daughter too?"
"Yes, and so did you. By the way, your daughter isn't wearing a kimono like you?"
"Ahaha... my daughter isn't used to it, so I just had her wear casual clothes."
Like Mikoto, Eriri barely dared to make a sound after entering. When Nezuko came in carrying a steaming hot kettle, Kie took it to start brewing tea, introducing her children in the process.
"He's so slow. I thought Kaito would be the first one here."
Everyone chatted happily for a while, fascinated by the various aspects of this underdeveloped world.
But as time passed, Kaito's absence began to make Misuzu and Sayuri lose their patience.
"Oh, you're all here?"
Speak of the devil.
Kaito had arrived!
He wasn't carrying anything, but as Kie stood up to greet him, she saw Kaito reach into a golden ripple, pull out a gift box, and hand it to her.
The box wasn't large but looked very precious.
Kie could even sense that the gift Kaito was giving her wouldn't be something ordinary.
Unsure whether to accept it, she hesitated until Kaito actively took her hand and pressed the box into it. Only then did Kie reluctantly accept it and guide Kaito to sit in the tea ceremony room.
"Nezuko, please boil another kettle of water. Tanjiro, go to the inn's kitchen and let the chefs know that we have guests here!"
"Okay, Mom!"
Tanjiro and Nezuko acknowledged and left.
After sitting down, Kaito watched Nezuko until her figure disappeared before turning his gaze to Kie.
Perhaps due to the booming business, Kie looked a bit thinner than when Kaito had seen her during the parent-child activity over the past few days.
However, her expression was full of hope, clearly showing she was enjoying this life.
"I knew Mrs. Sawamura would bring Eriri, but I didn't expect you to bring Mikoto too, Mrs. Misaka. What, no classes?"
Kaito drank the tea Kie had personally brewed and spoke with a smile.
This tea, well, it naturally wasn't to his taste, but Kaito could tell that Kie had spent a fair amount to buy the best tea leaves available.
"Speaking of that, actually, my daughter encountered something recently and needs your help, which is why I brought her along."
Misuzu answered directly, while Mikoto beside her looked down shyly, occasionally glancing at Kaito before blushing and lowering her head again.
"Oh? What is it?"
'Could it be about the Misaka Sisters?'