Mob Yandere

[Part 2/4]

I caught it, deflected it, but my elbow strike to the side was blocked.

I landed and was swept off my feet.

I couldn't respond in time!

"Ugh!?"

"This is the end. ...What a shame. It's not acceptable to let your mind wander from the match in front of you, is it?"

A fist stops just short of my face as a warning.

Then, the hands come together in a respectful bow.

I lower myself as well, offering an apology.

"...By the way, would it be better to catch you off guard here?"

"Hahaha! No, that's quite alright! After all, there's no end to this! Just that thought is enough!"

In high spirits, the head of the family bows again and leaves.

I still don't understand why he's in such a good mood, but I decide not to dwell on the thoughts of the head exorcists.

There's no point in trying to make sense of it, so I stop.

I shake out my outfit and let myself unwind.

A wave of exhaustion washes over me as I glance down──

Sweat drips, my breathing's heavy, and the sharp tang of iron lingers in my mouth.

It's that intense, fleeting aftermath of a hard workout...

"Would you like something to drink?"

"As long as you haven't put anything weird in it."

I glance at the teacups (fruit juice) lined up on the tray and respond, and it is silently withdrawn.

"Hey, wait a minute! The drinks!?"

"Nyahaha... no, that's impossible. I'm not joking."

"What were you trying to make me drink...?"

I raise my face and make an additional request, and the girl, who has been lively for the first time in days, answers with a serious expression.

No, seriously, stop it; it's genuinely scary.

"I'm fine. I'll taste it."

I point to a different teacup, stopping Hana's hand that was about to drink from the offered tray.

"I'll use this one. They're all the same, right?"

"..."

"I can't let my guard down, can I!?"

With Hana's obviously silent attitude, I could only scream.

How much do you guys love drugs!?

It was only natural given their background!!

"Ahahaha! Just kidding! I'm just adding a little medicinal herb for nourishment! Come on, come on!"

Laughing heartily, she takes a sip from the teacup.

She drinks it all and shows the bottom of the cup to prove it's safe.

Hana follows suit and drinks as well.

She swallows and shows me her mouth.

What kind of play is this?

"...I can't help but think, but you guys aren't secretly taking healing medicine beforehand, are you?"

"...I hope it's not the case that we're the only ones who took medication beforehand, right?"

"Oh, I've been taught that technique. It's a given when killing with drugs, isn't it?"

"The classic way to get rid of oni. Kill them by sleeping with medicinal alcohol from Onitsuki Valley"

When I pointed it out, Kaya responded with a surprisingly carefree attitude.

As for Hana, she even mentioned the legends of the Onitsuki family.

"The drugged sake sleep kill of Onitsuki Valley"... The brutal slaughter of the evil onis in the valley was said to be carried out by those who had trained their stomachs in advance and took neutralizing medicine to suppress the effects of the deadly poison, allowing them to gain the upper hand against the onis. Hmm, typical exorcist thinking.

"Or rather, isn't that essentially a confession...? Huh? Tamaki-sama?"

I cut the conversation short.

Noticing Tamaki—who had just wrapped up a mock battle with a wooden sword against someone from the Juuyaku family—heading my way, I turned my attention to her.

She looked quite exhausted and drenched in sweat.

By the way, she had barely managed to win one point.

It was quite impressive.

"Phew... Hey, are you taking a break too?"

"Well, something like that? I shouldn't get too carried away; we leave tomorrow. We can't afford to be fatigued, you know?"

There could be an ambush before we reach the next location.

Going all out in training isn't advisable.

It's important to keep it light and prepare for actual combat... that's the golden rule during missions.

"I know that. But I just got a bit too heated... Oh, Kaya-san. Can I have that?"

"Ah, that is..."

Before I could stop her, Tamaki gulped down the juice from the teacup.

I braced myself for the ensuing situation.

But....

"Ahh! It's sweet and delicious! Thank you, Kaya-san!"

"Oh, you're welcome!"

"Would you like a refill?"

As if nothing had happened, Tamaki took a sip and expressed her gratitude.

Wait, what?

Why are the 3 of them so close...?

"Huh? Oh, I asked the head of the Juuyaku family for a favor... Just a little time with the two of them, you know?"

"So it's a tea time just for the ladies?"

"A conversation that men can't hear."

"W-wait! Don't say things that could be misunderstood, Hana-san!?"

Tamaki panicked while the other 2 teased her.

They say 3 women are noisy, but judging by their closeness, it seemed they had deepened their bond despite having only a few opportunities to interact.

I wonder if it's because the other party is good with words or if the protagonist is just charming...

"No, it's not that... um, are you okay?"

"Huh, okay... what do you mean?"

I was about to veer off-topic, but I pulled myself back to check on Tamaki's condition.

Tamaki tilted her head in confusion at my gaze.

There were no signs of anything unusual about her...

"...Are you really okay?"

"Um, was there something...?"

Tamaki asked me, looking somewhat perplexed as I closed the distance and observed her body from various angles.

Well, but...

"It's terrible, isn't it? I have to be cautious that the drink you prepared for me isn't poisoned?"

"A full stomach of suspicion, the occupational hazard of exorcists. How pitiful."

"Hey, hey, hey..."

The obvious attitude of suspicion is your fault, isn't it?

What? Is it me? Am I the one at fault?

"Ahahaha... At least there's no change in my body, right? Ah, but I did notice a slight herbal taste among the sweetness?"

"I dissolved a special tonic for nourishment! With this, fatigue will recover after a good night's sleep!"

"Boosting energy for the next job, full of vigor!"

With a wry smile, Tamaki shared her thoughts on the juice, while Kaya and Hana posed for emphasis.

Despite her seemingly reasonable words, the presence of suspicious terms made me uneasy.

Really?

Will it really just make you energetic?

Or rather, what does "energetic" even mean?

"I'm energetic!"

"Want some? There's plenty more."

Kaya smoothly brushed off my doubts and offered the teacup again, while Tamaki looked confused with a perplexed expression.

Oh, you should stay pure and innocent just like that, okay?

"I don't need it. If you want to make someone drink it, how about Iruka... no, maybe that's not a good idea."

I caught a glimpse of the wolf girl enjoying the Miso balls she had brought along, and I withdrew my opinion.

"Well then, if you want it, just let me know anytime, okay? ...Tamaki-sama, I'll take my leave now."

"Always ready! ...Tamaki-sama, excuse me."

"Uh, yeah. See you later?"

"When that time comes"

Those 2, along with me and Tamaki, are heading to another place with a tray after receiving an order from someone else.

That was our conversation at parting.

Honestly, just when I thought I had wrapped up a discussion with the head of that side, this happens.

Or rather, could it be because the conversation was wrapped up? Nôv(el)B\\jnn

That's going too far with the jokes.

I'd like them to feel a little more gratitude.

"That fruit juice was cold and sweet, wasn't it? I wonder if there was sugar in it? You should have had some since it was such a shame."

That was Tamaki's opinion after seeing Kayo and Hana off.

She seemed slightly exasperated with my attitude.

"Cold things aren't good for the stomach, you know? ...But I was surprised. You seem to have deepened your relations with those 2 more than I noticed."

"Well, maybe... Oh, could it be a problem if I got friendly with them on my own?"

Tamaki's question seemed more like the playful curiosity of a mischievous child rather than anxiety or concern.

She squinted her eyes and smirked, looking for my reaction with a sly glance.

"...From my position, I can't really say anything. Since Tamaki-sama is the representative. I did realize that strengthening your communication is necessary."

"Hmm.... It would have been better if you had been a little more anxious, though?"

Tamaki acted somewhat sulky, perhaps because my reaction was different from what she expected.

Huh?

"Why's that?"

"...I heard you were consulting about changing jobs, right? I heard it secretly from the two."

"Ah, I see."

I understand what Tamaki is trying to say.

At the same time, I realized that she hadn't heard anything about the breeding.

If she had listened, her reaction would have been more feminine.

"That head of the family is mean, isn't he? It's not an arranged marriage, but it's a honey trap! Well, as expected, it didn't work on Tomobe-kun."

Maybe she heard that Kaya-Hana's attack was meant to invite me to change jobs.

The truth is much more complex, but... well, she doesn't need to know that.

I mean!

"As expected... I don't know if I should be happy about that. I should point out that I'm not homosexual or impotent."

"Well, I know that."

"...?"

Then, in response to the light-hearted remark, she gives an indescribable response and becomes hesitant.

Look down and look away.

What?

"...Ah, but honestly, I was a bit surprised."

Did she notice that I was suspicious?

Tamaki hurriedly changed the subject.