The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 2.6
The sound of eyelids gently opening.
The blurry vision slowly settled, revealing an unfamiliar ceiling.
“…I feel sick…”
A hoarse voice escaped her lips. As she murmured, an unfamiliar face suddenly appeared in her view, making her flinch in surprise.
“You’re awake?”
Before she could scream, the girl smiled brightly and spun around, raising her voice.
“Brother! She’s awake!”
Her voice was so unexpectedly loud that she instinctively pressed both hands against her ears, causing her head to spin.
(What… What is happening?)
She couldn’t grasp the situation. The ringing in her ears was unbearable.
Who was this girl? Where was she? And most importantly, who were these people?
“Brother—”
“Enough.”
Just as the girl was about to shout again, another voice cut in and stopped her. This time, it was a young man’s voice.
“You shouldn’t be yelling so loudly next to someone who’s been bedridden.”
The voice, carrying a tone of mild exasperation, drew closer. Just like the girl, the young man leaned over, looking down at her.
“How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”
His voice was gentle, matching his delicate and refined appearance. He looked about the same age as Seishin.
Gekka slowly nodded while observing him, then carefully sat up.
She found herself on a bed with intricately carved pillars and a beautiful silk canopy.
The bedding was luxurious, likely high-quality silk, and even the nightwear she wore felt smooth against her skin.
“Sorry for changing your clothes without permission. They were dirty.”
“It wasn’t my brother who changed you, so don’t worry!”
The girl quickly interjected. Gekka tensed for a moment but relaxed upon sensing no ill intent.
“Do you remember collapsing on the road?”
The young man gently pushed his sister aside and looked at Gekka as he asked.
“Yes. I don’t know who you are, but thank you very much.”
She knew she had to appear as a polite and well-mannered lady, so she lowered her head respectfully.
The young man nodded in relief.
“That’s good. Do you remember who you are? Some people hit their heads when they collapse and forget everything.”
“Yes. My name is Gekka. Haku Gekka.”
“I’m Junkei Jo. And this is my sister—”
“Koji! Nice to meet you!”
Once again, the girl interrupted. Gekka was momentarily taken aback but quickly composed herself and smiled.
“Thank you so much for saving me. Thanks to you, I’m alive.”
She bowed deeply once more, expressing her gratitude.
Junkei nodded. “You have a slight accent. Where are you from?”
The question startled Gekka. She thought she was speaking normally, but could he tell she was from the countryside?
She hesitated for a moment but quickly decided it didn’t matter. This was likely a fleeting encounter, so revealing her origins wouldn’t cause any trouble.
“Have you heard of Harin Mountain to the west?”
“Ah, yes. Hunters often go there. It’s well-known. The town at its base is famous for its comb-making, isn’t it?”
“I come from that town.”
Junkei looked surprised.
“Harin?”
She nodded, and he seemed even more shocked.
“It’s not too far, but still quite a distance. Did you walk all the way here?”
“Yes.”
“Wow! That must have taken more than a couple of days, and you traveled so lightly…”
His words made her realize that carrying only a change of clothes wasn’t considered proper travel gear. She should have at least packed some dried meat or other portable food.
Gekka lowered her gaze and let out a small sigh.
Seeing this, Junkei seemed to sympathize, assuming she had endured a difficult journey.
He, too, sighed lightly.
“Anyway, the doctor checked you and said you have no injuries or illness. He told us to feed you once you woke up. Do you think you can eat?”
At his words, Gekka suddenly became aware of her intense hunger. As soon as she realized it, her stomach growled audibly.
Hearing that, Junkei smiled in relief and stood up.
“I’ll have some porridge prepared. I don’t know how many days you went without food since leaving Harin, but at least for the three days you were unconscious, you haven’t eaten.”
Three days?!
Gekka was shocked by Junkei’s casual remark as she watched him leave.
Then, suddenly, a thought struck her.
(My belongings… Mother’s hairpin! The letter!)
Panicking, she looked around. Just then, Koji returned, carrying a tray.
“Um, my belongings…!”
“Your bag is there, and the things from your chest pocket are over there.”
Koji pointed to the foot of the bed and a small shelf beside her pillow.
Seeing the worn letter and hairpin resting on the shelf, Gekka quickly grabbed them. After confirming they were intact, she hugged them to her chest in relief. Losing them would have been devastating.
Watching her, Koji held out a teacup.
“Here, drink this. It’s herbal tea to settle your stomach before eating.”
Gekka was surprised. Herbal tea? She had never heard of drinking something so luxurious just for a mild fast.
“Just drink it,” Koji insisted.
Taking the cup, Gekka sipped it cautiously—and immediately regretted it. The taste was indescribably bad.
She grimaced, and Koji burst into laughter.
“Hey, Gekka, how old are you? I’m fifteen!”
Koji sat lightly on the edge of the bed, chatting enthusiastically. Her easygoing manner reminded Gekka of her childhood friend, Yuurin.
“…Fifteen.”
“Really?! That’s great! My brother is twenty.”
“I see…” Gekka nodded, remembering that Seishin was also twenty. As she suspected, they were about the same age.
“He’s weirdly serious, like an old man, isn’t he?”
“Not really. He seems mature.”
“No way! He’s stubborn and always nagging.”
Koji sighed dramatically and pouted. Gekka couldn’t help but chuckle, which made Koji tilt her head in curiosity.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Gekka apologized and explained.
“I had an older sister too. She was always telling me what to do—do this, don’t do that…”
“Really?!”
Koji leaned forward, excited.
“My brother does the same! He’s always nagging—eat properly, practice writing, don’t climb trees…”
The last part seemed like her own fault, but Gekka chose not to comment.
As they laughed and talked, footsteps approached. Turning around, they saw Junkei.
“Sounds like you’re having fun. I could hear the laughter.”
He smiled and placed a tray of porridge in front of Gekka.
The delicious aroma made her stomach growl again, but she maintained her manners, taking small bites.
“Gekka said she had a sister!” Koji eagerly reported.
“Oh? Then did you get separated?”
Gekka froze.
Having a sister but traveling alone was suspicious. She had made a mistake.
Lowering her gaze to appear sorrowful, she put down her spoon and looked up.
“My sister… passed away.”
Koji gasped. “Oh… I’m so sorry.”
Junkei looked uncomfortable as well.
“She wasn’t my real sister, but the daughter of a family that took me in when I was young.
She was very kind and treated me like her real sister. I loved her very much.”
Koji’s expression softened, and she gently hugged Gekka’s shoulders.
“Did you come here to find relatives?”
Gekka nodded and held up her hairpin and letter.
“This is my mother’s keepsake and a letter from my long-lost father.”
She met Junkei’s eyes, her own glistening with tears.
“Do you know someone named Enki?”