Kusuriya no Hitorigoto

With the ending of cicada songs, the sounds of crickets could be heard.

(There are probably cricket fights in town.)

Cricket fightinga pastime that pits two crickets against each other. Similar to cockfights, it wasnt unusual for it to involve money, but the hubbub in town was located a little further away. Maomao was sitting by Yaos bedside in an estate within the capitals suburbs. They were at Yaos home.

I want to return to work soon. ;Yao looked outside while clad in sleepwear. Over ten days have passed since her food tasting. Her consciousness was murky for a time, but she was probably fine by now.

Enen will be delighted if you return soon, Maomao said.

Enen was working. Though she had stepped down from serving Jinshi and was working at the medical office, she was probably still absent-minded. She had been dismissed upon her constant slacking off ever since Yao collapsed. It seems she had been nursing her the entire time, but Yao had chased her out, Maomao was told.

I felt that I couldve made it even without Enen, though, ;Yao muttered to herself.

I dont think that couldve been prevented.

Maomao too?

;She inadvertently went silent. Maomao had a disposition where she would stuff poison she was interested in her mouth. She already had an experience with the destroying angel as well, she had spat it out before it was absorbed by her digestive system.

(That time, the madam also punched my gut.)

As if she was used to courtesan aborticides, the madam showed no mercy. Maomao thought that even her stomach would be vomited out.

And so, she learnt of the taste and texture of mushrooms. She might have noticed it from retaining the model of mushrooms.

Am I really inexperienced? ;Yao combed her bangs up. Due to the poison, she had lost all her fat. Her breasts were still in good health.

Maomao passed Yao the medical broth Dad had entrusted her with. She had crossed the mountains to recuperate in her own home, but Maomao tilted her head a little when she saw the estate.

The estate itself was splendid but had a somewhat lonely atmosphere. Even the servants who came to greet Maomao were few for the size of the estate.

Im sorry that we dont have many servants, Yao said.

Maomao should reply with Not at all, but she couldnt do flattery well.

This is supposed to be a secondary residence. My uncle had seized the main residence.

Is that how it is? ;So thats why she was living in such a quiet place. Maomao had known that Yao had good parentage, but why did she try to become a court lady who assisted court physiciansMaomao felt she understood her excessively high aspirations.

Enen was also dismissed once, but she came back. Having her serve me didnt erase my desire to succeed in life, though.

Apparently, Yaos father had passed away. She had an inheritance, but the entire family was passed down to her uncle. According to Riis customs, women followed men. When her uncle took over, Yao would have to marry in accordance with her uncles wishes.

(Also where she tried to get skilled at her job.)

The brave girl might have used this as a way to rebel against that fate.

Enen even did something wasteful. It seems the Prince of the Moon had taken quite a liking to her.

I guess so, Maomao said. ;

Its not like she doesnt understand why he had taken a liking to her. Maomao wasnt one to talk, but Jinshi was quite twisted. Rather than someone who pampers him, hes probably more at ease with someone who maintains the minimum contact necessary with him.

Even though I think Enen would be fine wherever she goes.

Actually, I feel that Enen can display her true capabilities since shes by Yaos side. ;

The part where she displays to the extent where its troubling is scary. Yaos chest in particular, she had no doubt raised her while always keeping in mind the nutrients she needed.

(I want her to pass me a list of the things she made her eat.)

Maomao found herself making grabby hand motions.

Yes. Thats why even though I tried to make her leave, its really, no good. Its not that only I am no good. Enen also said she really needed me, so it cant be helped, Yao said.

How to put it, could the part where Yao is ;tsunand occasionally ;derea bulls eye for Enen as well? Maomao looked forward to seeing how she would react if Yao were to get married.

(T/N: It was easier to translate with tsundere as is, but for those who dont know what it means: ;this explains it in better detail than I can.)

Since it really cant be helped, ;Maomao said, glancing at Yao.

Only allowed on

It seems Maomao carried out a number of jobs that we didnt know about.

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About what? ;Here she feigned ignorance. She felt guilty. Although it helped out, Maomao had made use of the criminal who had served lethal poison to Yao. And, officially, Yao had failed her food tasting, and besides, she suffered a stigma where she let an important person die.

(There arent any good points.)

By all rights, I shouldnt be treated this courteously. All I did was fail the food tasting. But Im treated respectfully and will still get a job even hereafter. Im not a child who thinks of the world as a forgiving place, Yao said.

ngh.

You dont have to say anything, Im just talking to myself. Maomao can just drink tea while zoning out, ;Yao continued speaking animatedly. ;Its not only that Im not getting punished, everyone around me is being nice. Only that, I know, at least, that Im not taking people seriously. Since I feel that it wouldnt be smart to complain at this point, all I say here is just childish proof, but I want you to let me say this much. Yeah, Im only speaking to myself.

It appears that Yao had vaguely noticed that the incident ended differently to how it did in public. There were probably many people aside from Yao who also found it suspicious. However, as it was best to pretend as though nothing happened, everyone was staying silent.

If Enen were to know about it, I dont know what she will do. Even if I understand, she might not listen to me. Thats why I want you to never, ever let Enen realise this.

Its definitely true that Enen would suspect this matter. If she becomes aware of who the true culprit is, and that they are still alive, she might take revenge for Yao.

The weird things Enen does for my sake, I dont want them to influence my future prospects in this life. Im done. Thats all.

It indeed felt like ;tsunand then dere.

This incident ends hereas long as its what the higher-ups decided, Maomao was happy to follow their lead.

It wasnt good to stir up things clumsily.

My hearing is poor so I couldnt hear properly. Are you okay with that? Maomao asked.

Oh my, what a pity, ;Yao replied with a hint of playfulness. After discussing with Yao her return to her former professional duties after a couple of days, Maomao left the estate.

Since she had a day off today, the usual carriage wasnt here. It was a little far, but shell walk home.

She looked to the sidechildren were running along with insect cages in their hands. The bustle of the festival was gone, and the atmosphere felt lazy and calm.

Everyone in town will probably only be talking about the foreign priestess death for some time. ;The lingering memory of the festival was also gone, reverting back to ordinary life.

Breathing in the slight chill in the wind, Maomao headed for home.

-

Shaou END