Chapter 191: Seemingly There, Yet Not

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After buying the New Year’s ingredients and decorations like kadomatsu, they drove back to the inn. It was almost ten o’clock.

Ayako bought two new sets of clothes for Minamoto Kiyomoto and Shirako.

I don’t know if it was an illusion, but from his mother’s attitude towards Shirako, Minamoto Kiyomoto vaguely felt that she had misunderstood something.

She seemed to see her son as the type of person who wouldn’t even let go of a shikigami—there were so many girls in the world, yet they wanted a humanoid monster.

Minamoto Kiyomoto’s guess was not wrong. It was indeed so.

In Ayako’s eyes, her son had gone astray and was a somewhat perverted little lecher—he would even do things like kneeling and holding a woman’s leg.

Such a person had no reason to let go of the unique Shirako and Noi, but… as for Little Butterfly, it shouldn’t be, right?

Ayako was not sure. Just like before this, she had never thought that Minamoto Kiyomoto would kneel and hold a woman’s leg.

The ignorant Minamoto Kiyomoto was still humming a song on the way back, “I Was Wrong Last Night.”

When they got home, Minamoto Kiyomoto unloaded the goods. The shrine maidens came down from upstairs and helped with some light ingredients.

When he handed the shopping bag with eggs to Kamibayashi Miko, he said in a low voice, “I was just thinking about you on the street.”

“Thinking about me for what?” Kamibayashi Miko took the shopping bag and said with a slight smile.

“I remembered the first time you kicked me into the Sanshiro Pond, and the smile you gave when you ran away. No, it was a backward glance and a smile. You’re a beauty, so I should say it like that.”

“Ran away?”

“Miss Kamibayashi, it’s a shame you’re a student of the literature department. ‘Ran away’ is an adjective. The point is the ‘backward glance and a smile’ that follows…”

“The sentence ‘it’s a shame you’re a student of the literature department,’ isn’t your point the literature department?” Kamibayashi Miko asked.

“…You’re right.”

Minamoto Kiyomoto had a guess. If Kamibayashi Miko didn’t have the five-sentence limit, she would probably be a rather difficult opponent—verbally.

But, perhaps it was precisely because she could only say five sentences that she became so difficult.

“What are you talking about? Let me in on it,” Himegami Izayoi suddenly appeared from behind Kamibayashi Miko.

She wrapped her arms around Kamibayashi Miko’s waist, her chin resting on her shoulder, but her eyes were smiling at Minamoto Kiyomoto.

“Nothing, just talking about the feeling of shopping,” Minamoto Kiyomoto took the dried herring roe from the trunk and handed it to Himegami Izayoi.

Himegami Izayoi didn’t take it and still looked at him with a smile.

Minamoto Kiyomoto smiled and said, “What’s wrong? Are you not satisfied with my impromptu performance last night?”

“Shut up!” Himegami Izayoi was shy and snatched the dried herring roe from his hand.

Last night, the Lord of Kyoto had her eyes opened. Before this, she only knew the prescribed movements.

Although she didn’t know what ‘impromptu performance’ was specifically, it was definitely something that happened in bed. It was Kamibayashi Miko’s turn to be unhappy.

“He just said he was thinking about me,” she said faintly.

Himegami Izayoi was still smiling, but there was no smile in her smile.

“I was thinking about you too,” Minamoto Kiyomoto immediately said to Himegami Izayoi.

Himegami Izayoi’s smile still had no warmth.

As the Lord of Kyoto, if she was so easily perfunctory and even amused, how could she govern Kansai?

She was about to open her mouth to reprimand him when Ayako, who had just finished delivering a batch of things, came back.

“Kiyomoto, why are you letting them carry things!”

Before Minamoto Kiyomoto could say anything, Himegami Izayoi, with the same smile, said obediently, “It’s nothing, mother.”

“Dried herring roe?” Ayako looked at the thing in Himegami Izayoi’s hand and laughed. “Koyako, you can take this. In the New Year’s dishes, it means a prosperous family!”

“Is that so,” Himegami Izayoi’s smile was not only suddenly full of warmth, but also happier, and even overflowed into her eyes.

As the Lord of Kyoto, it was too intolerant to be petty about some small things, hmm.

Kamibayashi Miko shook her slender shoulders and pushed her away from herself.

At this time, Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t say that he had just taken it casually and didn’t know the meaning of a prosperous family.

Even if he had a way, he wouldn’t say it.

He not only wanted Himegami Izayoi to have a prosperous family, but also Kamibayashi Miko to have a prosperous family.

He just didn’t know what the meaning of eggs was.

“Mom, I can’t have children. Please give me a harmonious marriage,” the Hokkaido Miko said as naturally as if she was saying she hadn’t eaten breakfast today and asked Ayako to cook her a bowl of porridge.

“Okay!” Ayako laughed, extremely happy, as if all her children and grandchildren were paying her New Year’s respects.

“Mom!” Minamoto Kiyomoto shouted. Himegami Izayoi was right beside him.

“A harmonious marriage doesn’t necessarily mean marrying you. Don’t be so presumptuous!” Ayako pushed her son away and searched for ingredients for a harmonious marriage among a pile of ingredients.

Minamoto Kiyomoto spread his hands at Himegami Izayoi, showing a ‘I did my best, I can’t do anything’ expression.

“Hmm, I can’t be presumptuous, but I will definitely marry him,” the Hokkaido Miko nodded in agreement and then stated her point of view.

“No matter who you marry, Rikka, I wish you a harmonious marriage!” Ayako handed a bag of clams to the Hokkaido Miko.

Calling herself mother—Himegami Izayoi secretly mouthed this to Minamoto Kiyomoto, her face full of the kind of disgust that only family members would have.

‘Have a few more and let her take them!’ Minamoto Kiyomoto touched her lower abdomen.

Himegami Izayoi slapped his hand away and pursed her bright lips.

The Hokkaido Miko, holding the clams, and Ayako, holding the kelp and sweet dew, went upstairs together.

There were still ingredients like lotus root, sea bream, yellowtail, burdock, and shad left in the car. Minamoto Kiyomoto took them all in one go.

Closing the trunk of the car, he and Himegami Izayoi also entered the inn and walked upstairs.

“I want to hit someone,” Himegami Izayoi said.

“But you’re smiling,” Minamoto Kiyomoto glanced at her.

“Can’t I hit someone while smiling?”

“Of course you can,” Minamoto Kiyomoto nodded, then said, “Why aren’t you pregnant yet? Is there something wrong with one of us?”

“I’m definitely fine.”

“Generally speaking, the one who says they’re fine in this kind of situation is the one who has a problem.”

“If I had a problem, I couldn’t be the Lord of Kyoto.”

“That makes sense. No, it’s impossible for me to have a problem.”

“Generally speaking, the one who says they’re fine in this kind of situation is the one who has a problem.”

“…I guessed you would definitely say that, but I didn’t expect you to repeat it word for word!”

Himegami Izayoi smiled mischievously.

Minamoto Kiyomoto couldn’t use his hands, so he could only hit her face with his lips.

“Do you want to go and see?” Himegami Izayoi, regardless of whether this was a hit or taking advantage, teased.

“I have a premonition that last night’s battle will definitely hit!” Minamoto Kiyomoto said with a look of certainty.

“You medical students can even have premonitions about this?” Himegami Izayoi was obviously not convinced and said with a sneer.

“I had a premonition last night that today would be a good day for a walk, and today is indeed a good day for a walk.”

“A blind guess?”

“No,” Minamoto Kiyomoto’s face flashed with a hint of contemplation. “That feeling, to say it’s a premonition, is more like a deduction of the most likely future based on all the current information.”

“Isn’t your logical thinking already proven to be invalid, at the mahjong table?”

Minamoto Kiyomoto glared at her, “You’re not discussing things with me, you’re teasing me, right?”

Himegami Izayoi smiled and nodded, and even said “hmm.”

“I’m not joking,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said seriously.

Himegami Izayoi’s smile faded, and she put on a serious expression, “Really?”

“Hmm.”

“Can you control it?”

“No,” Minamoto Kiyomoto said. “But I think that through practice, or by continuing to fuse with the Coral Demon Moth, I will be able to master it sooner or later, because that’s not like predicting the future, but a deduction of the future based on the current information.”

“Then am I going to be a mother?”

Minamoto Kiyomoto turned his head and looked at Himegami Izayoi, who had stopped in her tracks.

Her face was filled with confusion, helplessness, happiness, and worry.

As the Lord of Kyoto, hearing Minamoto Kiyomoto talk about his upcoming powerful spell, the only thing she cared about was the upcoming—or rather, already arrived—child.

She held the dried herring roe and sighed.

“What’s wrong? You’re regretting it?” Minamoto Kiyomoto looked at her with amusement.

“I read a book that said it’s best to get pregnant in July, August, or September, and give birth in April, May, or June of the following year. The weather is not too cold or too hot, which is conducive to my recovery, and also to the feeding and care of the baby.”

“That’s for ordinary people. When you have a child, whatever weather you want, I’ll turn Hakusan Shrine or Kyoto into that weather.”

“That’s true,” Himegami Izayoi’s expression relaxed.

“You actually read that kind of book?” Minamoto Kiyomoto teased affectionately.

Himegami Izayoi gave him a white look, and while continuing to walk upstairs, she said, “The Lord of Kyoto has great power, but also many obligations. Having to have a child is one of them.”

“That’s true,” Minamoto Kiyomoto imitated her tone just now.

“This,” Himegami Izayoi suddenly handed him the dried herring roe.

Just as Minamoto Kiyomoto took it, she suddenly took it back.

“I almost forgot. This is for a prosperous family.”

“It’s the same whether I take it or you take it,” Minamoto Kiyomoto found it amusing.

“Is it the same?” Himegami Izayoi sneered. “My child will definitely be yours and mine, but your child may not be mine.”

“Uh,” Minamoto Kiyomoto had nothing to say. “What else did that book say? Is there anything I need to pay attention to?”

“You should be glad that your wife is me. The child’s intelligence is mainly inherited from the mother.”

“Thank you, wife.”

“Go away. We’re not married yet. By the way, since the child is here, you should propose quickly. I don’t want to have a wedding with a big belly. It’s too troublesome.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And, that book said that height also mainly depends on the mother.”

“Then am I useless?”

“Your eyes,” Himegami Izayoi was in high spirits, just like an elementary school student going on a field trip tomorrow. “It said that if the father has double eyelids, the child will basically have double eyelids.”

“Single eyelids or double eyelids, it doesn’t matter, right?”

“I want double eyelids,” Himegami Izayoi gave Minamoto Kiyomoto a white look. “And skin color. If the parents are fair, the child will also be fair and tender.”

“What if I get a tan?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked curiously.

“How dare you!” Himegami Izayoi even stopped in her tracks. It seemed this question was quite important.

“You idiot!” Minamoto Kiyomoto laughed. “You’ve already confirmed that you’re pregnant. I can’t affect the child anymore.”

“The child is fine. What about me? I don’t want to not be able to find you at night. I like a fair and tender husband.”

“Cough,” Minamoto Kiyomoto pretended to raise his head and puff out his chest.

“What are you doing!” Himegami Izayoi kicked him shyly.

“My lady, my wife, my lady, Your Majesty, take care of yourself. The dragon child is important!” Minamoto Kiyomoto became fawning again.

“Go away. The book said that you must exercise in moderation. By the way, you too.”

“Do I still need to exercise?” Minamoto Kiyomoto was very confident about this.

“Ah!” Himegami Izayoi exclaimed as if she had forgotten something and stopped for the third time.

“What’s wrong?” Minamoto Kiyomoto asked strangely.

“The book said that fitness is for the three months before pregnancy. I’m already… it’s all your fault! You didn’t say it in advance!”

“How could I have said this in advance?” Minamoto Kiyomoto was helpless and amused. “What’s the relationship? It doesn’t matter. As long as we’re both healthy, that’s enough.”

“Do you know who’s in my belly?” Himegami Izayoi was very dissatisfied.

“Our child.”

“No.”

“Huh?” Minamoto Kiyomoto was stunned.

“It’s the next Lord of Kyoto, and even the future ruler of the world. The innate conditions must be the best.”

“Oh.”

“You… don’t seem to care much?” Himegami Izayoi sized up Minamoto Kiyomoto with suspicion. No, at this time, it was more appropriate to use the suspicion of the Lord of Kyoto.

“You two, what are you talking about? Come up quickly!” Ayako’s voice came from above the corridor.

“Mom, Kiyomoto doesn’t love me anymore!” Himegami Izayoi quickly walked upstairs.

“When did I not love you?” Minamoto Kiyomoto quickly chased after her.

The two of them returned to the living room. Before Himegami Izayoi could put down her things, she said to Ayako, “Mom, Kiyomoto doesn’t love me anymore. He doesn’t care about me.”

Ayako looked at the two of them and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m pregnant, and he just said ‘oh’,” Himegami Izayoi pouted slightly.

“Sister, you’re omitting too much! I said that…”

“You shut up!” Ayako was like scolding a house dog that was disturbing her daughter.

“Koyako,” she looked at Himegami Izayoi, a little in disbelief and excited. “You’re pregnant?”

“Hmm,” Himegami Izayoi lowered her head shyly.

“Mom, let me explain. Strictly speaking, she’s still…”

“I told you to shut up. Can’t you hear?” Ayako, who said this, didn’t even look at her son.

“Koyako, quick, sit down,” she supported Himegami Izayoi and carefully walked to the sofa.

‘Strictly speaking, she’s not yet,’ Minamoto Kiyomoto finished what he wanted to say in his heart.

He had a premonition that from now on, he would no longer be his mother’s little Kiyomoto baby. She was going to have a new baby.

Kamibayashi Miko crossed her arms and stood in a corner of the living room, coldly watching Himegami Izayoi, who was being fussed over by Ayako.

Himegami Izayoi, who had been so lively and active in the morning, was now as delicate as a flower in a storm, beautiful and fragile.

Even when sitting on the sofa, she was still holding the bag of dried herring roe, as if it were her future bulging belly.

Until the Hokkaido Miko walked over, took the fish roe, and curiously touched her flat stomach.

“What are you still standing there for? Go pour some tea!” Ayako ordered her son again.

“I’ll go right away,” Minamoto Kiyomoto replied obediently.

Returning with a cup of tea, Ayako was already talking about what to eat during pregnancy, insisting on three meals and two snacks, eating walnuts, peanuts, fruits, yogurt, and so on.

She was also planning the daily dietary structure for the early stages of pregnancy, how many grams of staple food, how many grams of beans, how many grams of vegetables and fruits, 50-100 grams of meat, and at least 20 grams of vegetable oil per day.

Himegami Izayoi listened with relish.

There was no room for Minamoto Kiyomoto to speak.

Putting down the water cup and bringing some more fruits and nuts, Ayako didn’t even let Himegami Izayoi do it herself. She wanted to peel them for her.

Minamoto Kiyomoto came to Kamibayashi Miko’s side. Kamibayashi Miko looked at him with a cold look.

Although she had accepted the fact that the three of them were together, she was still in a bad mood.

Until Minamoto Kiyomoto whispered a sentence to her.

“Don’t look. You’ll be next.”

Boom! Like an arrow leaving the bowstring, Kamibayashi Miko lost control of her thoughts.

She began to imagine herself pregnant, the appearance of the baby, and herself holding the baby.

No, she’s only twenty. It’s too early. At least twenty-five, right?
Even if it’s not twenty-five, at least wait until she graduates from college. She’s still a student.
Compared to Himegami Izayoi, this fake college student, Kamibayashi Miko’s thinking still had a part of her being a student.
Most importantly, since she was going to get pregnant, she had to do that kind of thing.

The image of the baby faded from Kamibayashi Miko’s mind. The lewd words and lewd postures that that person had said when she took a bath with Himegami Izayoi last night appeared in her mind.

She lowered her head, and one of her hands, which were crossed, covered her beautiful face.

Shirako, who had been angry and swore to stand with Lady Miko, was now eager to try. She couldn’t wait to play with, no, raise Lady Miko’s child.

Little Butterfly blinked her big eyes, which only appeared in manga, completely unaware of what they were talking about.

The high emotions lasted until the evening, when everyone knew that Himegami Izayoi was not really pregnant yet.

Despite this, Ayako still treated her as a pregnant woman, and Himegami Izayoi, needless to say, had already entered the role of a mother. It would probably take some time for her to get out of character.

When taking a bath at night, Shirako deliberately took a bath with Kamibayashi Miko.

Kamibayashi Miko didn’t know if it was her illusion, but her gaze kept circling her stomach.

A virgin’s stomach, no matter how you look at it, won’t have what she wants.

Don’t look. You’ll be next—this sentence kept replaying in Kamibayashi Miko’s mind, and finally turned into a series of questions:

When will Minamoto Kiyomoto come to find her? Should she resist? Kick him into the river? Will it hurt a lot?

I’m sorry, everyone. I won’t read my own book before writing anymore.