Chapter 93...No
Inside the house with smoke rising from the kitchen, the wolf picked up some sugar and sprinkled it on the steaming rice that had been cooked beside him, stirring it evenly. He then took out some and skillfully placed it in his other hand, gently adjusting the shape with his fingers.
Then he rolled the red bean paste he had taken out from somewhere into balls, placed them on the spread rice, held them tightly with both hands, and rolled them around in a plate filled with soybean powder.
One after another, a plate of steaming peony cakes was put on the plate by the wolf.
Just at this moment, Busei pushed open the wooden door and walked into the house. He happened to see the wolf walking out with a plate in his hand. His nose slightly raised, and the sweet smell of red beans made him look at the plate that the wolf was holding, and he was slightly stunned.
"Isn't this Hagi cake?"
As he said this, he picked up one and took a bite. The soft and delicious rice and sweet red bean filling, coupled with the sweet soybean powder as embellishment, made Busei unable to stop after just one bite and he finished it all in no time.
He closed his eyes and savored the experience carefully before opening them and looking at the wolf with disbelief.
"The Hagi mochi you made is really delicious!"
He reached out to take another one, but the wolf dodged him this time. Then he saw the wolf's complicated expression and thought he was going to say something, so he spoke calmly.
“…This is Peony Cake.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he stepped across the Undying River and walked out of the house.
Turning around, Busei looked at the wolf's back in surprise and muttered something.
“Isn’t that just a thing…”
But he didn't care. The name didn't matter to him. He followed the wolf out.
Outside the house, the Tokito brothers, whose atmosphere was still a little awkward because of their previous argument, were standing on the grass with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts.
When they saw the wolf carrying the plate out of the house, they all turned their heads to the wolf, stared at the plate in the other's hand, and thought at the same time in their hearts.
What a nice smell.
And the wolf was not vague, he placed the plate in front of the two of them and said softly.
“…Eat it.”
After saying that, he picked up one first and started eating it. Busei, who was following behind the wolf, was not polite either. He took one and said to the two of them.
"Don't be so shy. Besides, the peony cakes are made with your rice, so you can eat them without worry."
After hearing what Busei said, the two brothers no longer hesitated. They looked at each other and immediately separated. They each took one and started eating.
As soon as they put it in their mouths, they immediately tasted a flavor they had never tasted before. The sweetness and deliciousness made their eyes light up slightly.
Taking in all these subtle details, the wolf chewed rice expressionlessly and thought to himself.
This look... is the same as when I first ate it...
"…tasty……"
He whispered subconsciously, and the sweet taste made Youichiro's thoughts drift to the past, when his father made more money from logging and would always buy some candies for himself and Wuichiro.
I always give the candy to my brother who likes sweets, even though he likes it very much...
Thinking of this, Youichiro looked at Muichiro, who was eating the Peony Cake in small bites with his eyes slightly shining. He thought that the cheerful man would smile happily, but Muichiro just smiled faintly at the wolf.
“I don’t really like sweets, but this is delicious!”
The wolf shook his head slightly to indicate that he didn't mind.
But Ichiro on the side was slightly stunned, while Busei curled his lips and looked at Muichiro.
"Sweets are so precious, many people want to eat them but can't!"
Wuichiro touched his head and chuckled.
"I like salty food, like boiled radish with sauce."
"A brat with no ambition..."
"Hehe~"
"..."
After eating the Peony Cake, Muichiro was no longer silent, but Youchiro lowered his head so that no one could see his expression. When he raised his head again, the look he gave Muichiro became gentle.
Cook radish and mix it with sauce... Stupid brother...
Unfortunately, Muichiro did not notice his brother's eyes at this moment. He looked up at the sun which was no longer in the center. It was already past noon.
"Sister Tianyin usually comes here at this time and leaves before sunset, but Sister Tianyin didn't come yesterday... I don't know if she will come today."
As if to verify Muichiro's words, the sound of horses' panting and wheels crushing dead leaves could be heard on the forest path not far away.
After a while, a white-haired figure appeared in front of everyone, leading a carriage. When she saw Wolf, Busei and the Tokito brothers sitting together, a hint of surprise flashed across her face, and then she immediately reacted.
Did you come here in person?
Then a gentle smile appeared on his face, and he bowed slightly and spoke to the two of them.
"Mr. Fuzugawa, Mr. Hirata, long time no see."
As he spoke, he led the carriage towards the crowd.
When meeting his mistress, Busei immediately changed from leisurely to serious, half-kneeling on the ground. He also respected Madam Tianyin who was silently helping his lord.
The wolf watched silently without saying a word. Wuichiro at the side stepped forward to help pull the carriage over. Looking at the daily necessities pulled on it, a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face. He was about to turn around to share his joy with his brother, but his facial expression froze.
My brother... must still be mad at me...
Just as he was thinking this, Ichiro's voice sounded behind him.
"I apologize for my rude behavior towards you earlier!"
Then he saw his brother, who had spoken harshly to Sister Tianyin the day before, now bent down with a serious and apologetic look on his face.
Tianyin smiled faintly and walked forward to help Fuzukawa and Ichiro up.
"Everyone is well."
After saying that, he looked at Busui and Wolf and asked curiously.
"How did you two get here from the Butterfly House in just one day?"
Hearing Tianyin's question, Busei responded respectfully.
"We asked the soldiers from Hidden Team to drive us there for a whole day and night."
The wolf handed the last peony cake on the plate to the other party.
"…eat?"
Tianyin, who was talking to a wolf for the first time, took it subconsciously. After feeling the warmth on his hand, he came to his senses, smiled faintly, but did not eat it. He just wrapped it in a handkerchief and put it away.
"Please allow me to eat later."
Hearing Tianyin's words, Wolf nodded slightly.
"Can…"
But Tianyin then added.
"Then...please allow me to talk to Brother Tokito before setting off for the ancestral home. Please."
This is Yoya's wish... Sorry Mr. Hirata...
Thinking about her husband's request to her in great pain, Tianyin felt a little guilty and apologized to Lang in her heart.
The wolf saw the sincere and determined look, but this time he did not nod in agreement. He narrowed his eyes slightly, climbed up to his waist with his right hand, unsheathed the wedge pill, and said in a deep voice.
"…Can't."
He rushed here without stopping after receiving the message from Jiao Ya, not to wait for Tian Yin in another place.
Minako was still waiting for him. If the other party didn't cooperate, it wouldn't be a bad idea to be tough...
On the prosthetic hand, the red flames disappeared in an instant...