The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 4.2
“Tonight is the Summer Solstice Festival.”
As Keigetsu returned from working in the fields, her mother, who was mending her father’s travel clothes, spoke to her.
Keigetsu nodded, took a sip of water, and sat down on a chair.
“It’s going to get even hotter from now on.”
Once the Summer Solstice Festival ends, summer lasts until the autumn harvest festival.
Hot days are ahead.
Harin is one of the regions in the Ryuu Kingdom where the temperature difference between seasons is not too extreme, making it a comfortable place to live. Summers don’t get unbearably hot, but it’s not so cool that you don’t sweat at all.
In Haso Village, which is in the mountains, the mornings and evenings are pleasant, but today, with a clear blue sky and high temperatures, it felt like the middle of summer.
Looking at her sunburned arms, Keigetsu sighed with a wry smile.
“Did you get sunburned again?”
Noticing Keigetsu looking at her arms, her mother frowned slightly.
“You should be careful. Unlike Gekka, your skin is sensitive.”
Keigetsu’s skin was particularly weak against sunlight. It would quickly become inflamed and swollen. Surprisingly, Gekka, who had fair skin, was resistant to sunburn. Even when exposed to the sun, she would turn slightly red, but it would fade quickly and never darken. Keigetsu envied her for that.
She had been careful, but instead of arguing, she simply nodded.
Her mother cut the thread and set down the needle before standing up with a smile.
“While you’re cooling off, you should also wash off your sweat. I’ll fetch some water, so get ready.”
“Eh? That’s not necessary…”
She had indeed sweated, but not enough to smell. She had planned to wipe herself down before changing into her nightclothes, so it felt too early to do so now.
Seeing Keigetsu hesitate, her mother grinned playfully.
“Don’t be silly. Just get ready. Then, you can go to the festival.”
Keigetsu stiffened at those words, furrowing her brows slightly.
Her mother tilted her head at Keigetsu’s lack of enthusiasm.
“You’re not going?”
“Because… Gekka…”
She started to say something but stopped. It felt like she was just making excuses.
As she sighed and looked away, her mother gently touched her cheek, making her lift her face.
“You don’t need to worry about things at home. What do you want to do, Keigetsu?”
“Mother…”
“If you truly don’t want to go, that’s fine. But if that’s not the case, then take a break and enjoy yourself.”
Keigetsu had always been a responsible daughter who helped around the house. Over time, she had become so skilled that she was practically running the household. While her mother appreciated the help, she also worried that Keigetsu would never find time to meet someone and get married.
She had also taken care of her younger sister for so long, shouldering many burdens. Her mother wanted her to find a good partner and live happily.
Understanding her mother’s feelings, Keigetsu hesitated for a long time before finally nodding in agreement.
Her mother, delighted, went to fetch water. Meanwhile, Keigetsu prepared a screen, a washbasin, and a fresh set of undergarments. She sighed as she took off her robe and let down her hair.
She wasn’t in the mood for a festival. But if going would ease her mother’s worries, then perhaps it was worth making the effort.
Just as she sighed again, her mother returned. Keigetsu thanked her and crouched beside the basin.
“Your skin is really red.”
Her mother muttered while looking at her arms and neck. Keigetsu nodded.
“Is the water too cold?”
“No, it feels nice.”
“You must have really overheated. And it’s not even midsummer yet…”
Her mother sighed, and Keigetsu could only smile wryly. It was an unusually sunny day, after all.
As Keigetsu cooled her arms, her mother helped wash her back. Once she was refreshed and dressed, her mother hurried to the back of the house.
Keigetsu wondered what she was doing, and soon enough, her mother returned, smiling brightly. In her hands was a deep blue kimono, reminiscent of a summer meadow.
“You should wear this, right?”
Keigetsu blushed.
On the day she escorted Enshou to the town of Harin, she had run some errands at the Fuyourou and the herbal shop. When she went to pick up a decorative cord she had left for repairs, this kimono had been prepared alongside it.
It was too expensive, and Keigetsu had initially refused to accept it. However, the shop owner and his wife insisted they had already been paid, making it difficult for her to refuse.
When she brought it home and explained everything, her parents also had mixed feelings.
Accepting such an expensive gift from someone outside the family wasn’t ideal.
But since Keigetsu had already given her festive attire to Gekka, her mother had laughed and told her to keep it. Her father had said nothing.
“The color is beautiful,” her mother said as she helped her dress.
“Since you’re petite, bold colors like this help you stand out in a good way.”
“I don’t want to stand out.”
Keigetsu disliked attention. When she was with Gekka, all eyes were on her younger sister, allowing Keigetsu to stay comfortably in the background.
“But you should stand out tonight. It’s a festival, after all.”
Despite knowing Keigetsu’s reserved nature, her mother smiled brightly. The kimono suited her so well that she would surely attract attention.
Seeing her mother so happy, Keigetsu smiled shyly.
“Come, sit. I’ll do your hair.”
“I can do it myself.”
Her mother playfully pointed to a chair, smiling.
“No, no. Since you’re wearing such a lovely kimono, your usual simple hairstyle won’t do.”
She urged Keigetsu, who had no choice but to sit down.
It had been at least ten years since her mother last did her hair.
“This decorative cord matches so well.”
As she tied Keigetsu’s braided hair with a string adorned with blue beads, her mother beamed.
Keigetsu agreed. She wondered if Enshou had chosen this kimono color to match the bead.
Once everything was ready, her mother had her stand and examined her from all angles before nodding with satisfaction.
“You look beautiful, Keigetsu.”
Even when it came from family, compliments made her blush.
“I would have liked to meet him,” her mother said as she poured out the leftover water.
“Why?”
Keigetsu was surprised. Her mother usually disapproved of helping strangers, as it had caused trouble before. She had even made Keigetsu promise to bring her father along when aiding travelers.
Her mother gently touched Keigetsu’s cheek.
“Because you look so much like a young woman in love.”
Keigetsu blinked, then quickly turned away, blushing.
“It’s not like that!”
Her mother laughed.
“But he was a wonderful person, wasn’t he?”
“I… I don’t know!”
As Keigetsu’s cheeks grew hotter, the sound of firecrackers signaled the festival had begun.
With her mother’s warm smile sending her off, Keigetsu made her way down the mountain.