どうやら、昨晩のうなされた件を気にしているみたいだ。僕も彼女に、どう接しようか少し困っている。里へはいつ頃行こうか？と僕は話題を切り出す。「うぬ？・・・・そうだな、我はいつでも大丈夫だが・・・。その、お主に任せてもよいか？」と質問されたのが不意だったのか、一瞬驚いた顔をして、布都ちゃんは答えた。うん、いいよ。我にお任せを。と僕が答えると、「ぬぅ、我の真似するでない。何を得意げな顔をしておるか？」とぷぅと布都ちゃんは頬を膨らませて笑った。食卓には気まずさが無くなって、僕らは、(主に布都ちゃん中心に)会話が盛り上がった。もしかすると、彼女も、会話の切り口探していたかもしれない。暫く時間を経て、僕らは里に降りた。出店があって、繁華している所に行くと、布都は「おおっ」と感嘆の声を上げた。「ここは賑やかであるな。」と出店に立ち並ぶ物に興味津々の様子だ。僕らはその辺りをぶらぶらと寄っては店の中を冷やかして、渡り歩いた。布都ちゃんはあたりの物や、人等が物珍しいそうな様子だった。最後に僕は、外から流れてくる物を取り扱っている店に寄った。そこの店主はやや変人臭いが、そこに並ぶ品物は、珍しい物ばかりで、僕が好きな店でもあった。そこでも、布都ちゃんは、感嘆の声を上げた。それはそうだろう。僕ですら、珍しく感じるものばかりなのだから。なかでも、布都ちゃんは、小さな化粧箱に興味を示した。漆塗りで、金色の金具のつき、僕の知らない文字が印されている化粧箱だ。店主は「それを目に留めるとは、目が肥えているね。お安くしますよ」と布都ちゃんに話しかけた。いつものセールストークである。「いや、我は・・・。」と慌てる布都ちゃん。僕は、いいよ。買ってあげるよと言うと、布都ちゃんは「いや・・・、お主に迷惑をかける訳には」と申し訳なさそうに答えた。僕らの様子を察してか店主は安い値段で売ってくれた。今後とも当店をご贔屓にと言葉を残して。次は高値を吹っかけられそうである。店を後にして、「有難う「」殿・・・」と布都ちゃんが僕にお礼を言った。僕は、大した値段ではないよ。と答ると、「いや、お主には、世話になりっぱなしだ・・・。」と少し寂そうな顔をした。もしかすると負担だったかもしれない。僕は困っている人を世話するのは当たり前さと言うと「そうか・・・。有難う。大切にするぞ」と化粧箱をぎゅうと布都ちゃんは抱きしめわっふるわっふる

Somehow, it seems she found out about the noises she was making last night. "I'm a bit fuzzy on the details of our little trip. When should we go?" I asked, trying to ease the tension. "Hmm? Oh... I am fine with whenever you want," she replied with a startled expression, as if she wasn't expecting a question. "...May I entrust it to you?" "Leave it to me!" I answered, to which she pouted and said, "Do not mimic me!" puffing out her cheeks and smiling. With the atmosphere eased I started up some conversation, focusing on Futo-chan. Perhaps she was also trying to find a way to break the ice. After some time passed, we went into town. As we passed some food stands heading into a bustling area, she let out an amazed, "Ohh...." "This place is rather busy," she said while gushing with curiosity about the things lined up at one food stand. We wandered around leisurely, chatting about the contents of the various stands. Futo-chan was quite curious about all of the things and people around her.

Finally, we came to a shop filled with things that had come from all sorts of places. The owner was a bit odd, but there were so many interesting things lined up that it was my favorite as well. There, Futo-chan let out an awe-struck shout; not surprising given how varied the things in there were. But she had her interest focused on a small vanity case. It was lacquered, had various gold studs, and was imprinted with characters I had never seen before. "Ah, you must have a good eye to have taken an interest in that. I'll sell it to you cheap," he told Futo-chan. He was as aggressive a salesman as ever. "No, I..." she objected while panicking. "It's fine. I'll buy it for you," I offered. She declined in an apologetic tone, "No... I can not allow myself to burden you any further." Sensing the kind of situation we were in, the owner let us have it for a very cheap price. For that, I told him how much I loved his shop and how I would come again; I'm sure he'll overcharge me a good bit next time. "Thank you, my lord," Futo-chan said afterwards. "It wasn't a lot of money," I replied. "No, I am truly indebted to you..." she trailed off with a sad expression. I guess it really bothered her. "It's just my nature to help people who need it, so don't worry about it," I reassured her. "Is that so...? Thank you. I will treasure it," she said, clutching the box tightly... to be continued