I stood frozen for a few seconds in the garden, eyes fixed on the house.The chime of the doorbell still rang in my ears.
I hadn't really recognized the voice, but it sounded oddly familiar. A friend of Rei's?
I headed for the entrance and slid the door open to see who it was.
I slipped back inside in silence, my steps muffled on the polished wood.I followed the hallway to the front entrance and slid the panel aside.
The morning light streamed in at an angle, revealing the silhouette already waiting on the threshold.She didn't even wait for me to say anything.
— Rei! Finally!
She stepped in with one fluid motion, as if it were perfectly normal.I barely managed to step back, surprised, before she threw herself at me.
— You were really going to make me wait even longer?
I blinked, frozen.
She was looking at me with a grin that could light up the room.Her face, her sparkling eyes...
I snapped back to myself when she rubbed her face against my chest.
— Oh? You're not pushing me away today? You've really mellowed out, huh?
I blinked again, completely thrown.
— Ayaka...?
— Oh! Three days and you've already forgotten me? That's hurtful.
— Uh...
— I mean, I get it. Leaving your family behind, getting a husband...She tilted her head, mock-thoughtful.— Is it just me or have these gotten a little bigger?
Her question left my mind completely blank for a moment before I noticed her grin turning even more mischievous as she kept rubbing her cheek on my chest.
I finally shoved her away roughly.
— Enough! Keep your hands to yourself. And you smell like sweat!
At my outburst, she backed off, bursting into laughter.
— Aww, come on, missy. How are you feeling? Not even inviting me in? That's not how a good priestess or a good wife behaves...
I froze a bit after yelling, but judging by her reaction, this wasn't unexpected.
It seemed Rei hadn't always been as calm as I'd imagined.
Ayaka kept laughing, completely unbothered.
Meanwhile, I was digesting the memories returning to me about her.Ayaka was one of Rei's oldest friends. Unlike her, she was a kunoichi.
Regaining my composure, I stepped aside and invited her in.
When I turned to lead her in, I heard her trotting along behind me.
That shouldn't have been possible, unless—
— Shoes off, Ayaka.
— Yes, yes! We're not even at the temple and you're already so uptight. Usually it's harder to get you riled up. Is something wrong, Rei?
— No, no, Ayaka. Please, just behave.
I picked up a broom to sweep away the sandy footprints she'd left after barging in with her shoes on.
Once I was done, I headed toward the sitting room.Not hearing her anymore, I turned around...
...only to see her standing right behind me, wearing a grotesque mask on her face.A grimacing demon, painted horns and red fangs.
I jumped so hard my heart nearly exploded.
Realizing what was happening—or maybe because everything had been piling up since I woke up—my patience finally snapped.
I squeezed the broom handle so hard my knuckles turned white.
A sharp crack echoed.The handle split clean in two under my fingers.
Ayaka jumped so badly she dropped the mask on the floor.Her eyes went wide.
— I... I didn't know you were that strong, Rei. Is that the secret power of a housewife?
My stare turned black.
— Shut up, Ayaka.
— Yes, ma'am.
I took a deep breath to calm down.That was the second thing I'd broken in less than 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Ayaka darted ahead and started wandering through the house.When I tried to stop her, she was already heading toward the back area, moving like she knew exactly where she was going.
— Ayaka? How do you even know the layout of this house?
— I don't, not at all. Aren't you going to give me the tour?
With a sigh, I gave in, guiding her through the house—except for the private areas.
In the back courtyard, when we reached the pond, she knelt to fill a canteen before starting to wander everywhere like a child.I stopped, watching as she spread a cloth on the ground and began unpacking scrolls.
— What are you doing now, Ayaka?
— Didn't you notice? This house is missing essentials. Your mother asked me to deliver some things.
— That's why you're here?
— Of course! But mainly, I came to see my dear Rei.
— Didn't my mother tell you something like "don't overstay and don't bother Rei"?
At that, she turned her head and started whistling innocently.
Figures. In such a traditional world, it's not normal to just barge in like this the day after a wedding.
I watched her spread out the cloth on the ground.She started unrolling the scrolls one by one.
Objects tumbled and rolled all over: bowls, plates, kitchen utensils, a few clothes—creased from her haphazard packing—and even a small hand mirror.
— What the...
— Special delivery! she announced proudly, hands on her hips.
She picked up a badly tied package and plopped it in front of me.
— Your mother told me to bring EVERYTHING. She made a list, but I took some liberties and added my own gifts.
I sighed as I watched toiletries spill out onto the cloth.
— Ayaka... you call this a delivery?
Then I saw a certain garment that made my face go red.
— Ayaka, there's no way I'm wearing that.
— Oh come on, Rei. You always used your priestess duties as an excuse before, but now you're married. You'll need it.
— That's exactly why I can't wear it.
— Nonsense. I've used similar things to "motivate" Ashi. You'll see, it's very effective.
That reminded me Ayaka was actually older than Rei.Ashitaka or Ashi was her fiancee.He was also a shinobi.They'd been together for quite a while and would probably marry soon.
— You're taking this back with you, Ayaka.
— Fine, fine... but look! Kitchen tools?She held up a ladle and a knife.— Clothes for madam?She shook a light under-kimono.— And even a mirror to admire your pretty face!
I ran a hand down my face, exasperated.
— You couldn't just give me the package so I could deal with it myself?
— No! she chirped happily. It was way more fun this way.
She started folding more like dumping the clothes into a messy pile, still grinning in triumph.
— Come on, this will break you out of your old priestess vibe. You'll feel more at home, right?
She held up some more relaxed clothes she'd obviously picked out herself.
I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my cool.
— You realize I'll have to clean all this up now.
— Yup! But it'll keep you busy. And since I'm helping, you can't kick me out.
I rolled my eyes.
— You're impossible.
— I know.
She puffed out her chest proudly.
— But you can count on me. I'll teach you everything about married life.
Then she gave me a sly look.— There are so many techniques to try.
I stayed silent.
She burst out laughing and dropped onto her heels, vaguely sorting the items.
— Come on, don't make that monk face! Look, I'll help you tidy up... well, a little.