CHAPTER 72: 65. KAWASHIMA MIKI’S CONFIDENCE

"Puh~puh~"

The clay pot was boiling, and steam was coming out from under the lid.

The aroma of the food began to permeate the air as a cat’s meow came from deep within the courtyard.

Kitahara Takashi looked towards the meowing, noticing three kittens poking their heads from the bushes to observe them. After watching for a while, he sighed and said, "A master is truly a master."

"Why do you have that impression?" Fujiwara Reya opened the lid, picking out the mushrooms and cabbage that had cooked first, and placing them onto a plate.

"Looking at the master’s courtyard, at first glance it’s quite desolate," Kitahara Takashi said, gazing into the distance, "Initially, I thought it was an abandoned shrine. But after meeting the master, a unique sense of tranquillity arose, which is quite calming. It’s incredible!"

"Haha, it’s just because I don’t need the Mountain God’s protection." Fujiwara Reya divided the food and handed half to him, "Please have your meal, Mr. Kitahara."

The two sat cross-legged, starting to enjoy breakfast.

The pot was still full of meat, and there was sauce on the side, which they occasionally dipped the meat into to enjoy.

"By the way, what did the master just say?" Kitahara Takashi asked while sipping his sake, "The Mountain God’s protection?"

"Oh, the shrine here worships the Nagano Mountain God," Fujiwara Reya said leisurely with a sake cup between his fingers, "By helping to build a shrine for the god, one can receive the deity’s protection. But I personally prefer a quiet environment, and given my modest ability, I don’t need the Mountain God’s protection."

Not needing the deity’s protection... Kitahara Takashi was completely stunned.

He stared dumbly at Fujiwara Reya, whose young and handsome face showed not a hint of arrogance or pride.

It was the composure and calm from having absolute confidence in one’s own abilities.

Without acknowledging the dazed Mr. Kitahara, Fujiwara Reya picked up a piece of beef, dipped it in sauce, and handed it to the Snow Woman: "Snow Princess, would you like to eat?"

The Snow Woman slightly opened her mouth, blowing on the steaming beef to cool it down.

Then... the cooked beef turned into an icy piece of beef as she chewed it, her mouth continuously making the crunching sound of chewing on ice.

The taste of frozen beef wasn’t very good.

The Snow Woman spat out all the beef, wrinkling her little face.

Her crystal-clear, beautiful face showed a look of grievance, as if blaming the master for giving Snow Treasure such unpleasant food.

"Who’s telling you to have such a cold mouth," Fujiwara Reya ruffled her head, coaxing, "Only cold things for you in the future."

"Um, Mage..." Kitahara Takashi looked at the master and servant pair, hesitantly asking, "I have a request, if it’s possible..."

"Please go ahead," said Fujiwara Reya, picking up a piece of mushroom with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth.

The cooked mushroom had absorbed the broth, and with a bite, its rich flavor flooded his mouth.

"May I," Kitahara Takashi cautiously asked, "help to build a shrine for the Mountain God?"

"Oh?" Fujiwara Reya looked at him with a half-smile.

"Forgive me, master," Kitahara Takashi appeared slightly anxious, "Mainly because after these events, I’m a bit afraid of retaliation. If I could get the Mountain God’s protection..."

"Understandable." Fujiwara Reya nodded with a smile, raising his cup, "Cheers."

The two continued eating and drinking without further discussing the matter.

Once they were slightly tipsy, Fujiwara Reya refilled Kitahara Takashi’s drink, muttering softly, "Put effort into making a design for me to review. Once the shrine is completed, the Mountain God will protect you."

He wasn’t lying.

After all... he himself was the Mountain God.

"Understood!"

Kitahara Takashi, filled with excitement, drained his cup in one go.

After placing down the cup, he eagerly excused himself, grabbing his shoes and hurried back to the company to draft the design.

"Snow Princess," Fujiwara Reya held a sake cup between his fingers, squinting happily, "We’re going to have a new house soon."

The Snow Woman didn’t hear him.

She was curiously staring at the sake in the cup.

As she watched, she couldn’t help but lean forward, her soft little tongue licking the sake in the cup.

Ugh...

So bitter.

Snow Treasure didn’t like it.

"Haha~" Fujiwara Reya knocked her head gently and drank the sake in the cup himself.

A gentle breeze blew.

The bellflowers in the grass swayed gently.

※※※※※

Yoshiwara, Empress’s bubble bath.

The nine-story building’s top floor was exclusively occupied by Kawashima Miki.

In this area belonging to the Empress lay various functional areas such as an office area, relaxation area, gym area, and resting area. The Empress was currently in the gym area, doing exercises on the carpet while listening to Janáček’s ’Sinfonietta.’

Following the rhythm of the music, she awakened all the seldom-used muscles in daily life, thoroughly working them through the routine. Until those muscles silently screamed, sweat glided over her tender skin, dripping onto the floor.

Listening to music and stretching her body to its limits is one of the habits Kawashima Miki developed since coming to Tokyo.

In the process, her mind would miraculously calm down. She could be the interrogator or the interrogated; the oppressor or the oppressed.

After about twenty-five minutes, the turntable on the record player stopped, and the tonearm automatically returned to its original position.

"Phew~"

Kawashima Miki took a long breath, her body coated in fragrant sweat.

After thoroughly exercising her muscles, she now felt like a wrung-out rag, too tired to even move a finger.

Just then, her phone started ringing.

Upon answering, Fujiwara Reya’s voice came through the receiver.

"Madam, I have some free time today," he said, "If convenient, I could drop by and see you."

"Sure," Kawashima Miki replied.

The moment she hung up, a strange thought flashed through her mind.

If, just if... if that little rascal were to see her now, drenched in fragrant sweat and nearly exhausted, would he be unable to restrain his desires and attack her regardless of consequences?

Kawashima Miki felt very confident in herself.

If she just teased him a little more, there was at least an eighty percent chance.

Getting up from the floor, she took off her clothes and went to the bathroom for a comfortable hot shower, washing away the sweat.

After washing, she dried her body with a towel and examined herself in the mirror embedded in the door.

Her slender waist, well-toned muscles, and beautifully shaped bosom drew attention.

Every part was perfect, but the proudest features of Kawashima Miki’s body were undoubtedly her long, straight legs and her lively, peach-like derriere.

No man could refuse such temptation.

After surveying her body, Kawashima Miki confidently raised her head to check her face.

Plump, sexy lips pressed into a straight line, revealing a character that wouldn’t be easily tamed by anything. Her elegant nose and slender eyebrows all added to this inclination.

Only her smooth, oval face, ever so slightly soft, made her appear intellectual and shy, like a graceful Yamato Nadeshiko.

A bit contradictory.

Like her personality.

Graceful when still.

But once disturbed, her face could blend with various opposing emotions like happiness or bad mood, malaise or full of fighting spirit, laziness or full of desire.

This elusive character trait was what Kawashima Miki believed to be her greatest charm as a woman.

Humph!

The little Fujiwara Reya.

He absolutely couldn’t resist my allure!