"Well?"
As Quan saw him, he also saw Quan. After staring at Quan for a while, the richly dressed man in hunting clothes awkwardly looked away: "What are you shouting for?"
He asked the little snow maiden.
"There."
Quan pointed to the wardrobe.
The distinguished guest walked to the corner, where an open wardrobe contained some items that had been forgotten for many years. Upon closer inspection, the wardrobe was covered in dust.
There was nothing there.
He looked at the spring.
Izumi carried the little snow woman to the wardrobe. The little snow woman grabbed the wardrobe handle and slammed it shut, then opened her eyes wide and said, "Open it now."
The distinguished guest glanced at the wardrobe handle a few times, then turned around and said, "Never mind, I'll give you a room. You can go upstairs to stay."
"Thanks."
With a smile, Quan followed the distinguished man up to the third floor, carrying her bundle. A fragrance of flowers wafted from both sides of the staircase.
"You live in the first room on the left. If you need anything, please go to the maid. I prefer quiet, so please don't disturb me."
The distinguished man yawned as he walked. Izumi put down the little snow maiden and took small steps to his side. "May I ask your name?"
"Ah... let's 'hunt'."
The man said nonchalantly.
"Fierce? Blazing fire?"
"Hmm, hmm? No, it's the 'hunter' in 'hunter'!"
"oh oh."
The distinguished man seemed rather unhappy after his name was corrected.
"Where did this bumpkin come from? He doesn't even know the character '烈' (lie), yet he claims to be a gentleman from Kyoto. Who knew he was..."
Halfway through his conversation, the man suddenly realized something and turned around to ask for clarification, only to find that the door to the first room on his left had closed.
Touching his neck, the man muttered to himself, "Never mind, I'll ask again next time. Ah... I'm so tired! I need to rest... yawn..."
The man entered the room.
-
the next day
During breakfast, a maid approached the distinguished man and asked if he wanted meals prepared for one more person starting today.
"Hmm... I can help her, but let's ask the person in question first."
That's what the man said.
Speak of the devil, and he appears. Not long after he finished speaking, Quan came down the stairs and sat at a table not far from him.
"Good morning."
Quan took the initiative to greet him.
"morning."
The man stretched lazily.
A maid approached Quan and asked, "Would you like your meals prepared?"
"certainly."
Quan agreed.
The maid left to make preparations.
"Could you sit here?"
"A man standing nearby asked."
Quan was taken aback, unsure if there was any rule against men and women touching each other at this time, but considering her special status, she did not refuse.
"Hello."
Quan looked somewhat flustered.
They were standing so close together...
"You're from Kyoto?"
The man said seriously.
"right."
"Then are you... an Onmyoji?"
The man asked in a very serious tone.
A flicker of unease crossed Quan's mind, but he nodded gently, "Yes."
"That's right, that's right!" The man slammed his hand on the table and stood up, excited for a long time.
Why are you so excited?
Quan wondered to himself.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
The maid then placed two deep platters in front of them.
"What is this?" Quan asked.
"This is a rich soup made by cooking broth and boiled crucian carp together. Please try it," the maid explained before leaving.
"I'm starting to eat."
Quan clasped his hands together, picked up his chopsticks, took a thick and delicious piece of fish, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.
"It's delicious."
She couldn't help but comment.
"Phew—it's so cold. We should eat something hot at this time of year. Give me a spoon."
"yes."
A maidservant handed a spoon to the man.
"Excuse me, what is the purpose of your visit here?" the man asked, taking the spoon and swirling it around in the dish.
"My travels have come to this point."
After saying this, the two fell silent. When only the broth remained in the bowl, the man asked, "Are you going back to Kyoto?"
Quan thought for a moment and nodded.
The snow-capped mountains were the furthest point on this trip. The rest of the map didn't show any routes, so it seemed like there wouldn't be any monsters around. Therefore, returning to the capital shouldn't be a problem.
"Okay, come with me."
The man replied.
What?
Izumi's smile froze. "It's too much of a burden for you, sir. I'd better..."
"It's alright, it's alright. Having another person on the journey should make it a different experience." The man put down his spoon and whispered in her ear, "Traveling with an Onmyoji must be very interesting, so don't refuse me."
His domineering voice made Quan feel uncomfortable. She put down her chopsticks and said respectfully to the man, "Thank you for your hospitality."
After saying that, she walked up the stairs, unaware of the fleeting slyness in the man's eyes.
Upon entering the room on the third floor, Izumi walked over to the Snow Maiden, who was playing with her flint and steel.
"How do I do this?"
The little snow girl's childish yet icy voice came from behind. Quan turned her head and continued to ask, "I've tried for a long time, but I still can't make a blue flame like you. Why?"
Quan smiled, and the tension in her heart instantly vanished. She walked to her side and tapped the flint and steel with her fingertips.
"Try again."
The Snow Maiden rubbed the flint and steel twice, and a blue flame appeared out of the gap in the flint and steel, landing on the candle.
"Okay~"
Little Snow Woman raised the corners of her lips.
"Alright, let's go."
Little Snow Woman turned around and found that Izumi had already packed his things and was standing at the door, seemingly about to leave.
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