Chapter 423: Yuuka Kazami's Grievance and the Shameless Maiden
Ren had been on his way to fetch some fruit when he felt a subtle shift in the air, a presence that hadn't been there a moment before. He reached out, and two strange new items materialized in his hands.
A voice immediately echoed in his mind, crisp and clear.
[Precious ingredients have appeared: Almond Cabbage and Bacon Leaves.]
[These two ingredients will be produced once every hour on Fridays. They can be stored and will not spoil if left unharvested.]
Before Ren could even react, detailed information about both items flooded his consciousness.
[Almond Cabbage: Though technically a vegetable, its taste and texture are remarkably similar to almonds. It possesses the high protein content and subtle sweetness of the nut, combined with the crispness and refreshing quality of cabbage. While an excellent garnish for salads and appetizers, its calorie content is also comparable to almonds. Attempting to use it in a diet meal would cause one's weight to spiral out of control.]
For some reason, Ren found himself wondering what it would taste like if he juiced it.
[Bacon Leaves: A yellowish-green vegetable with a fat content comparable to high-grade beef. It is naturally very salty. While delicious on its own, its savory flavor is dramatically enhanced when paired with other ingredients.]
Ren gave a lazy stretch and casually tossed the new ingredients into his storage. He had no immediate use for them. Besides, given how things were going, he had every reason to believe that even better ingredients were just around the corner.
Meanwhile, before the endless expanse of the Sunflower Field, Yuuka Kazami sat sipping flower tea. She watched the sea of golden heads swaying gently in the breeze, a rare sense of perfect contentment washing over her.
This was her life. Staying at home, tending to her flowers, drinking tea, and sleeping. Then, when she awoke, she would visit Ren's little shop to enjoy exquisite food and a deep sense of peace, all while observing the fascinating guests that came and went. She had no desire for conflict or competition; she was perfectly happy reigning over her own quiet corner of the world.
"Mmm, that was a truly comfortable nap," she murmured to herself, stretching gracefully. "Ah, the sun is about to set. I wonder who will accompany me today?"
As she spoke, a single, perfect sunflower detached itself from its stalk and floated toward her. Yuuka Kazami nodded in satisfaction and whispered, "The convergence of day and night... I don't know when it became so interesting. Even the evening brings a certain tranquility... Hmm?"
Her serene expression faltered.
"That's right, that's right! I think so too!"
Hearing that cloyingly sweet and familiar voice, Yuuka's mouth twitched. Gods above, that old hag actually showed up?! She had specifically planned to leave early, but it seemed this woman had sensed her intentions and woken up early as well. Waking up when dusk was already bleeding into night—what a ridiculous creature!
Yuuka watched in mounting irritation as a thin, dark line sliced through the air above her pristine Sunflower Field. The crack widened, tearing reality asunder, revealing a chaotic space filled with countless staring, disembodied eyes. From this impossible rift, a beautiful, blonde "maiden" emerged, holding a small parasol. She wore an elegant Western dress and a white mob cap, looking for all the world like a noble lady out for a stroll.
The moment she saw Yuuka, the "maiden's" lips curved into a playful, infuriating smile. She produced a fan from thin air, hiding the lower half of her face as she let out a light, musical laugh. "Oh my, it seems I made it just in time. Yuuka... judging by that flower in your hand, you weren't planning on leaving me behind and going all by yourself, were you?"
"Tsk..." Yuuka clicked her tongue in annoyance.
Seeing Yuuka's discomfort, the "maiden" was immensely pleased. The smile hidden behind her fan was so wide she could barely contain her laughter. She'd been lurking here for days, patiently waiting for this very moment.
Of course, she had been wracked with guilt the entire time. Hiding out here day after day, leaving all her duties and responsibilities to her poor shikigami... the guilt was simply overwhelming! It was so overwhelming, in fact, that she was forced to sleep in the next morning just to cope. In her mind, only a long, deep sleep could possibly alleviate such a heavy conscience. This was her own unique form of self-reflection.
A certain kitsune, miles away, felt a sudden, deep sense of injustice, but knew better than to voice it.
Yuuka's voice was low and dangerous. "You are truly persistent."
"Of course! I slept for five minutes and thirty seconds less than usual just to be here!"
Yuuka gritted her teeth. What should she do? The urge to simply strike this woman was becoming difficult to suppress. She took a deep, calming breath. "And what makes you think I would take you with me?"
The "maiden" froze, her playful demeanor vanishing for a split second. Seeing the unyielding coldness in Yuuka's eyes, she snapped her fan shut with a sharp crack. Her gaze turned serious, her presence suddenly immense and ancient. A gentle breeze stirred their hair, carrying the heavy fragrance of sunflowers and damp earth. For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy, charged with unspoken power.
And then, in the very next moment, it shattered completely.
"I don't care! I don't care! I'm going!" the "maiden" wailed, her entire demeanor changing to that of a petulant child. "If you don't take me, Yuuka, I'll tell everyone! I'll go get Yuyuko right now and we'll both come!"
"Tsk... Are you threatening me?" Yuuka's blood pressure spiked. She should have known. This ancient crone's integrity was utterly worthless.
The "maiden" looked at Yuuka with wide, serious eyes. "Yuuka, if you don't take me, I'll pester you all night long! You won't get a single moment of rest!"
"Are you a first-grader?"
"I'm seventeen!" the "maiden" declared with absolute conviction. A moment later, her eyes widened in theatrical surprise. "No... Wait! Yuuka! You actually know how to talk back now!"
Yuuka's fists clenched at her sides. Had this creature truly forgotten what the title 'Tyrant of the Flower Fields' signified?
After the "maiden" continued her shameless display for another minute, Yuuka finally gave in, her patience worn to a thread. She glared at the figure floating lazily in the sky and commanded in a deep voice, "Get down here."
"Does that mean you'll take me, Yuuka?"
"Yes! Now get down!"
"Yay! I knew you were still a good person, Yuuka!"
As she watched the "maiden" drift gracefully to the ground, Yuuka swore she could feel a vein throbbing in her temple. The urge to punch that smiling face was almost unbearable.
"Yuuka!" the "maiden" chirped happily. "Did you tell me to come down because it's time to go?"
Yuuka shook her head, her expression flat and devoid of emotion. "No. I just don't want your shattered integrity to fall into my Sunflower Field and contaminate the soil."
"Yuuka! You're retorting again!"
"Tsk... We'll leave when the sun has fully set."
"I'm really quite interested in this place you've been visiting," the "maiden" mused, her tone shifting back to one of genuine curiosity. "For it to be able to change you, even a little..."
Yuuka simply closed her eyes, refusing to engage further. She was afraid that if she spoke to this woman for one more minute, she would lose control and finally resort to violence. It was too infuriating!
'It seems my youthful beauty is no match for this crone's shamelessness,'Yuuka lamented internally.'I'm clearly at a disadvantage due to my age.'
For a fleeting moment, she considered the idea of simply letting Ren deal with this old woman directly. But she dismissed the thought just as quickly. As annoying as she was, this being was a special existence, not someone to be trifled with lightly.
Sighing, Yuuka opened her eyes again—and her eye began to twitch violently.
Gods above, she was already drinking her tea?!
"Mmm, delicious!" the "maiden" hummed, taking another delicate sip from Yuuka's personal cup.
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