Chapter 604 - 191: Aoto Makes Mukiwa Blush

Chapter 604: Chapter 191: Aoto Makes Mukiwa Blush

Tachibana beckoned lightly at Dodo, and the fearless Big Orange Cat immediately released its claws and dashed to Tachibana’s side, then lay on the ground on its side, exposing its belly, letting Tachibana rub its fur.

Mukiwa brewed tea rather quickly.

In less than ten minutes, Tachibana saw Mukiwa carrying a tea tray with two teacups back in front of him.

"Please have some tea. I just brewed it, be careful it’s hot."

After placing the two cups of tea from the tray at Tachibana’s side and in front of herself, Mukiwa set the now empty tray aside, then tucked her two small feet beneath her plump, peach-like bottom and sat properly beside Tachibana.

"Sorry to trouble you to brew tea." Tachibana picked up the teacup by his side and took a light sip of the tea Mukiwa just brewed.

Mukiwa smiled and shook her head, saying, "You’re welcome."

"Mr. Tachibana, please wait here for a bit, Mr. Kiryu should be back soon."

Tachibana nodded.

As Mukiwa’s words fell, Thousand Affairs House became quiet.

Only the sound of Tachibana sipping tea occasionally broke the silence.

But strangely, even though no one was speaking, neither Tachibana nor Mukiwa found the atmosphere awkward.

A peculiar tranquility lingered between the two.

Yet, someone didn’t quite want this serene atmosphere.

Mukiwa, with a peculiar silly smile on her face, kept playing with the interlaced fingers on her lap, her small feet buried under her bottom frequently twisting.

Every now and then, she would lift her gaze to sneak a peek at Tachibana beside her, only to hurriedly draw back her gaze the moment she made eye contact with Tachibana.

She didn’t want to waste this time alone with Tachibana.

She wanted to talk to Tachibana...

After pondering deeply for quite a while, she finally thought of a suitable topic to break the ice:

"Mr. Tachibana, it’s really nice," Mukiwa said, taking several deep breaths, suppressing the silly smile on her face and replacing it with a normal smile, "Not having to stay at Ren Medical Hall anymore."

"Indeed." Tachibana replied with a bitter smile, letting out a long sigh, "I’ve had enough of the smell of medicine there."

"It must have been quite boring staying at Ren Medical Hall?"

"Actually, not really. I had those novels Mr. Chokata and others brought me to read, and you and Miss Sazanoko visited often, so it wasn’t particularly dull."

At that moment, Mukiwa’s gaze and smile froze.

Frozen at the mention of "Miss Sazanoko" from Tachibana’s mouth...

Mukiwa was forced to recall.

A memory that she might never forget for the rest of her life...

...

...

Over 20 days ago, the night Tachibana faced off against the Anti-foreigner Group—

At the settlement—

After hastily arriving at the settlement, Mukiwa found a young lady, whose side profile alone suggested extreme beauty.

Tachibana and Mukiwa had made a pact: after rescuing Sazanoko, he would head to the settlement as soon as possible.

—Could it be...?

With bold speculation about the young lady’s identity in mind, Mukiwa approached her quickly from behind.

"...Excuse me, are you Miss Chiba Sonako?"

This absolutely beautiful woman... namely Sazanoko, slowly turned around, scrutinizing Mukiwa with wary eyes from head to toe.

Upon seeing Sazanoko’s face, Mukiwa instantly realized she really had asked a foolish question.

Mukiwa had only heard of Sazanoko by name before; she had never seen her in person.

Although she was unaware of Sazanoko’s appearance, at that moment, upon seeing the young lady’s full face, Mukiwa immediately, with 100% certainty, believed—this woman must be the renowned Chiba Sonako!

A face like this could only belong to Edo’s First Beauty, Chiba Sonako! There was no way it wasn’t her!

Looking at Sazanoko’s stunningly beautiful face, Mukiwa’s expression suddenly became complicated.

—So beautiful...

Mukiwa instinctively shrank her neck, wanting to hide her own face...

Her gaze uncontrollably moved downwards, looking at Sazanoko’s chest and waist.

At the time, Sazanoko was wearing a kendo skirt cinched under her bust, prominently highlighting her bust and waist in a female kendo uniform.

Moved uncontrollably to Sazanoko’s chest and waist, Mukiwa’s expression instantly became even more complex.

—Bigger than mine...

Mukiwa tightened her shoulders.

"Who are you...?"

Sazanoko’s questioning voice snapped Mukiwa out of her wild thoughts.

—Now’s not the time to be thinking of these nonsensical things!

After harshly scolding herself inwardly, Mukiwa quickly asked Sazanoko:

"I’m Mr. Tachibana... a companion of Tachibana Aoto! Do you know where Tachibana Aoto is?"

Hearing Tachibana’s name, Sazanoko was startled, then instinctively tilted her pretty face to look towards the distant battlefield.

Mukiwa followed Sazanoko’s gaze. Soon, she spotted a familiar figure amidst the throng of enemies.

In an instant, Mukiwa’s expression changed dramatically.

Without any hesitation.

The bright red yukata flapped.

Mukiwa dashed straight towards where that man was.

...

...

Although Tachibana had previously explained to Mukiwa why he referred to Sazanoko by her first name, Mukiwa still felt a kind of... peculiar discomfort in her heart.

Especially after seeing firsthand what kind of face Sazanoko had, what kind of figure she had, and now hearing Tachibana call out "Miss Sazanoko" in his usual tone, Mukiwa felt that strange discomfort in her heart becoming even more intense...