Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 211 : Kitsune-sama Sings a Lullaby

After dinner came bath time. With the press of a single button, the fine bathtub automatically filled itself. During the brief time they ate, it was already finished, a voice politely announcing: “The bath is ready.”

“Oh, perfect timing. I shall wash the dishes, so thou mayest take the bath first.”

“Eh? No, I couldn’t possibly go ahead of you—”

“What foolish restraint is this? Refuse, and I shall carry thee and scrub thee down whole.”

“Ah—yes, I’ll go at once!”

Pressed down by the serious look in Inari’s eyes, Eru hurried into the bath, while Inari washed the dishes. Meanwhile, Atsuage had changed the channel and started watching a card-battle anime.

“These rules seem rather complex… Children these days truly have quick wits.”

Inari recalled that the last time she had played games with children, the rules had been quite complicated too. Buying starter packs, enhancing decks with booster packs, keeping up with new and changing special rules… All of that was a bit much for Inari. But that aside.

After a proper bath and brushing teeth, it was time for bed. Atsuage remained glued to the TV, so they left it there.

“Um… Is it alright to just leave Atsuage like that?”

“’Tis fine. It seems to enjoy the television much. Best not to interrupt.”

Unless Inari was watching baseball, Atsuage was usually the one using the TV. It was even more skilled than Inari with it, having figured out how to record shows. Being a golem, it seemed not to need food or sleep… though it ate magic stones, nibbled on cooking, and otherwise behaved much like Inari herself. But that aside.

“There’s a guest futon. I’ll lay it in my room.”

“Thank you. I’ll go set it somewhere free, then—”

“Nay, nay. Thou shalt sleep in my room.”

“Eh? But… No, you’re right.”

“Aye. Since assassins may come, though not tonight, most like—it is safer thus.”

It was far too early for assassins anyway. If Echigo had truly sent any, they would have attacked while she was still at the Samurai Corps. Still, caution cost nothing. It was better to tap the stone bridge lightly than risk falling.

After laying out the futon, they turned off the lights. In the darkness, Eru opened her eyes and glanced toward Inari lying on the bed.

“There’s no sound of breathing… Is she asleep? Awake?”

The correct answer was “neither.” But Eru’s imagination went too far—”What if she had been killed?” That dreadful thought drove her to rise, intending to check Inari’s breath.

“Surely she wouldn’t… But what if…?”

As Eru reached her hand toward Inari’s face, Inari’s eyes suddenly snapped open.

“Mm?”

“Hyah!”

Eru fell back onto her rear with a thump, while Inari tilted her head, looking puzzled. What on earth was she doing? Yet Inari soon nodded knowingly, lifting the futon.

“Well, thou must feel uneasy. Surrounded by strangers, hunted by assassins, and in an unfamiliar place. With no certainty whether I can be trusted… aye, it must weigh heavy.”

“Ah, no, that’s not—”

“Come. Lie here. If we sleep together, thy fears may be eased somewhat.”

Eru could not possibly admit she had only meant to check Inari’s breathing. Flustered, she slid into the large bed. It was a fine one—though the futon had been high-quality, this bed was better still. She nearly drifted off at once, when suddenly, Inari’s gentle voice reached her ears.

“Sleep, sleep, little one, wrapped in the veil of night.

Go forth, go forth, into dreams, a small journey awaits.”

“…A lullaby… I’m getting sleepy…”

“Sleep, sleep, in the cradle small, upon the great ship.

Sleep, sleep, beneath the familiar ceiling, beneath the unknown sky.

Simply in happiness, simply in peace—sleep, sleep…”

Eru surrendered to sleep, her breathing turning soft and steady. Inari smiled tenderly at the sound. The song was an old lullaby once sung by mothers in the mountain village. Like the hamburg steak at dinner, it reminded Inari of the greatness of a parent’s care.

“She lives ever so tense… How sorrowful. No doubt her caution is a rightful survival skill—but since when has she lived so? At least while here, I would have her relax.”

Though Inari doubted it would be so simple. Whatever kind of parent–child bond Takemoto and Eru shared, both seemed unsure how far to step into the other’s heart. From both sides, Inari sensed that hesitation.

“Well. Slowly, gently, we must unravel it. Such things cannot be rushed.”

Closing her eyes, Inari thought absently—”Ah, I forgot to make breathing sounds again.”

Her “sleep” was only an imitation, unlike a human’s, so such details slipped her mind at times. This time, she let herself breathe properly. And thus, the peaceful night passed.