The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 2.1
Tsukika hasn’t come back.
Usually, after two days, she would return as if nothing had happened, making selfish demands that annoyed Keigetsu but also reassured him.
Their mother pretended not to be worried, but since last night, her health had worsened again. Since she seemed to be sleeping peacefully now, Keigetsu decided to go to his father’s charcoal-burning hut as planned.
The charcoal-making process was already in its final stage. By tomorrow, they would be able to take the charcoal out of the kiln, and once it had cooled properly, it would be ready for sale.
Keigetsu’s father usually handled deliveries to the shops in town, but given the situation with Tsukika, Keigetsu considered going along if she didn’t return in time for the delivery.
(For now, I should go to town tomorrow.)
Since Tsukika had left saying she was going to see Meigyoku, she was probably still at Fuyourou.
That place wasn’t suitable for a respectable young woman, yet she kept visiting, drawn by its glamour, interfering with business. It was about time to put a stop to it.
With a sigh, Keigetsu called out to his father, who was raking ash in front of the kiln.
“I wasn’t too worried at first because this happens often, but Tsukika hasn’t come back since she went to see Meigyoku.”
Keigetsu apologized and explained, causing his father’s expression to harden slightly.
“How long has she been gone?”
“Since the day we helped Enshou… so, seven days.”
Along with the sternness, surprise and anger also surfaced on his father’s face.
“I’m sorry,” Keigetsu said.
“I thought she was taking longer than usual, but I kept thinking she might come back at night… and before I knew it, a whole week had passed.”
Tsukika running away from home was so frequent that two or three days barely seemed unusual anymore. She usually went either to Fuyourou, where Meigyoku was, or to the Son family, where her best friend Yourin lived, so there was never much cause for concern.
However, this was the first time she had been gone for more than five days.
Keigetsu let out a deep sigh.
“For now, I’ll go to Fuyourou tomorrow. I also have to deliver some herbs to Yomogi.”
“I’ll go.”
“If you go, Father, you’ll end up fighting. Tsukika has been there for seven days—it’s our family that has caused trouble, so we need to apologize, not fight.”
Keigetsu’s father and the owner of Fuyourou had a terrible relationship, largely because the owner had plans to take Tsukika in as a courtesan. If they saw each other, it would inevitably lead to a heated argument.
Holding back his father, who looked ready to storm off immediately, Keigetsu firmly explained the situation. Perhaps realizing the logic, his father exhaled heavily.
“Will you be coming home tonight?”
Observing his father, who was trying to calm himself, Keigetsu mentioned that their mother had fallen ill again since yesterday.
His father, looking worried, almost nodded but then shook his head apologetically.
“I can’t leave. He is here.”
Realizing what he meant, Keigetsu nodded.
There was nothing too valuable in the hut, but their charcoal and medicinal herbs were their livelihood. If lost, it would be a serious blow. More importantly, the hut was full of flammable materials—if a fire broke out, it would be disastrous.
Keigetsu didn’t think Enshou was a bad person, but he was still a stranger of unknown origins. Leaving him alone wasn’t ideal.
After thinking for a moment, Keigetsu clapped his hands together.
“Then I’ll stay here tonight.”
His father’s face darkened even more.
Keigetsu understood why. A young man and woman spending the night alone together wasn’t exactly proper.
But after spending the past few days with Enshou, Keigetsu had come to trust him in a strange way. There was no solid proof, but something made Keigetsu feel certain—Enshou wasn’t the kind of person who would do anything improper.
“I’ll be fine. I can stay awake until morning, and if I need to sleep, I can lock myself in the storage room.”
Even with this explanation, his father didn’t look pleased. He scowled and fell into stubborn silence.
Keigetsu understood his concern, but given their mother’s condition, it was best for him to return home quickly. Though usually distant, his father truly cared for his wife.
As Keigetsu tried to think of a way to convince him, Enshou returned from outside, using a stick as a walking aid.
“Enshou, where have you been?”
Keigetsu hurried over, worried about him moving around while injured. But Enshou casually lifted a bucket to show.
“I went to the stream nearby and caught some fish.”
Inside the bucket, four river fish swam.
“But your wound hasn’t healed yet…”
“I was just sitting and holding a fishing rod. It’s no problem. Staying in bed all the time makes my body stiff.”
Though still in pain, Enshou said he could now move around, and his wound had begun to dry and scab over.
Keigetsu felt relieved but then shivered under the weight of his father’s silent gaze.
(Does he not even want me talking to him?)
His father had never approved of Keigetsu interacting with Enshou. Even when checking on him, he would immediately find an excuse to send Keigetsu away.
It wasn’t as if Keigetsu was fawning over him—just making sure an injured person was okay. But for some reason, their father couldn’t accept it.
(Now that I think about it, he’s been cold toward Enshou from the start…)
Watching Enshou report his fishing results while their father listened with a sour expression, Keigetsu thought it was odd.
Their father had always been blunt, but he wasn’t usually this hostile toward strangers.
There was no point in overthinking it—Keigetsu had never been able to fully understand their father’s thoughts.
Instead, they focused on preparing lunch. Since Enshou had caught fish, it was best to cook those.
A simple salt-grilled dish or a steamed version with herbs would work. Trout was tasty no matter how it was prepared.
Their father preferred salt-grilled fish, but what about Enshou?
Just as Keigetsu turned to ask, Enshou approached.
“How do you like your fish cooked?”
“I’ll leave it to you, Keigetsu-dono.”
Keigetsu accepted the bucket and noticed that the number of fish had decreased.
“I gave some to Shugetsu-dono.”
Keigetsu tilted their head, and Enshou explained.
“Your mother isn’t feeling well, is she? I thought some nutritious food might help.”
“Thank you very much.”
“No need. Both Shugetsu-dono and you have helped me a lot.”
He smiled wryly, saying this wasn’t much of a repayment, but Keigetsu was simply touched by his thoughtfulness.
(He really is a good person…)
That thought led Keigetsu to another realization—if their father had taken the fish home, then he had left the hut.
Keigetsu turned to Enshou in surprise.
“Wait… did you just say I’ll be staying here tonight?”
When Keigetsu explained, Enshou looked conflicted.
“Yes, and I’ll also prepare dinner.”
Since Enshou didn’t seem to know how to cook, their father had been making all his meals. But with their father gone tonight, Enshou would have no one to cook for him.
Skipping one meal wouldn’t be a big deal, but proper nutrition was important for healing.
“But… a young woman and a man alone at night… that’s not proper, is it?”
His hesitant tone made Keigetsu blink in surprise, then chuckle softly.
(He really is a good person…)
Unlike others they had helped before, Enshou was clearly different—serious and honorable.
“If you’re worried about that, it means you don’t have any bad intentions, right?”
When Enshou frowned at being laughed at, Keigetsu smiled.
“Of course not.”
“Then it’s fine.”