The Bride Of The Sacred Forest God
Chapter 50. Two Guards That were so Attentive. 2

“The merchant wants to find a problem apparently.” muttered Kuroto with annoyance

“Try approaching briefly.”

Both of them walked towards the merchant. Of course when the two tengu came, the merchant looked happy.

“Ah, welcome sir. Please please.” So friendly the merchant peddled his wares. But it didn't seem to make Kuroto's mood happy.

“Oi, the little fox wanted to buy which bowl?”

“Little change just now? Oh, this bowl.”

“How much is it?”

“The price is 10 coins. They only have 8 coins. Of course I can't give.”

Hearing that, Kuroto seemed unwilling to hold back her emotions anymore.

“Only two coins less and you're still calculating, you stingy merchant!”

“Hey, sir! If you do not intend to buy do not insult ya! We are business people, where we can lose! One coin is valuable. If you can't afford it, just go there!”

“Hoo, great also your mouth that. How long have you lived in Higashi no Mori? Where are you from, stingy demon?”

“What do you mean? I've been here a week! Who are you to act like that?!” the merchant looked even fiercer than Kuroto. But it didn't last long.

“Listen, my name is kuro no tengu (black tengu), Kuroto. The servant of the Guardian God as well as the ruler of Higashi no Mori, Aragaki-sama. I'm the border area security guard of this place.”

“A–what?!”

“And a little information, the one you just expelled was our master's beloved little fox, Ryuunosuke as well as our master's new servant. Great also you still dare to be here without knowing all that.”

“A–I can't believe it! You can't lie to me!”

Just talking like that, there was a resident who came to the merchant's stall and greeted the two tengu at the place.

“Hakuren-sama, Kuroto-sama, we rarely see you guys.”

The residents paid respect to both. Seeing the resident salute, the merchant turned pale.

“We just stopped by, but it seems we just got kicked out by this merchant.” Hakuren said with a casual smile

“What? That's bad, sir! Then I won't buy!”

“Do not go, mistress!”

The buyer saluted respectfully to the two tengu then left just like that. Kuroto's face looked so satisfied now.

“So? Hows it? Want to leave Higashi no Mori even faster? I can make your business ruined here. How dare you make a little fox cry like that!”

“Tu–tu–tuan, ja–ja–don't kick me, sir! I beg! I was wrong, I was wrong!”

“Sorry is not enough! You have to give me something.”

“Ba–how about this bowl? Here, the two of you can take one.” each

Hakuren shook his head while saying, “I don't want that one. We both want bowls with patterns of tree paintings and cherry blossoms that you hold. Don't worry, we will buy it.”

“Alright, this. I'll give you a special price of 8 coins for mr.”

“Hah?! Special price 8 coins you say? No kidding. I want that bowl without taking out a dime of my coin!”

Kuroto immediately issued a statement that contradicted Hakuren.

Hearing that, Hakuren initially wanted to stop his friend. But it seems the reason Kuroto made Hakuren undo his intentions.

“You have kicked me out, have said I am a liar and most importantly you have chased away the little fox until he cried even though he bid 8 coins for your bowl. Very funny.”

“You think I'm stupid? I want the bowl to be free or you're leaving Higashi no Mori now.”

“...” the merchant is pale. Not a lie, the ceramic bowl is indeed nice and antique. He still didn't seem willing to take it off.

“But sir, if it's free–”

“Then go. Get all your stuff done. We'll wait for you to tidy it up now.”

“…!!”

In an instant, they became a spectacle. Finally, out of embarrassment and fear, the merchant gave the bowl the little fox wanted for free.

Hakuren and Kuroto left the merchant's stable. They walked towards Reda and Ryuunosuke left.

“Then this is from the beginning, we do not need to be a spectacle.” said Kuroto satisfied while holding his bowl

“You surprised me, Kuroto.”

“You're stupid too, Hakuren. Why did you offer to buy it? He was clearly wrong. Already so gave us the price that the little fox had previously bargained for, he thought we were what?”

While listening to Kuroto speak, Hakuren pulled Kuroto's hand back.

“What's up?”

“Kuroto, lower your voice.”

Kuroto looked in the direction Hakuren was heading. He sees Reda and Ryuunosuke stopping at one of the other bowl sellers.

“How about this one alone, Ryuunosuke?” ask Reda

“Tapi–”

“Come, Reda-sama..”.

Ryuunosuke held onto Reda's hand and walked home. Seeing that, the two tengu immediately flew rapidly upwards. They hid behind the roof of the house and watched the two men.

“They are heading to Aragaki-sama residence. We're back now, Hakuren.”

“I agree. I'm sure, we can give this bowl as a gift.”

The two of them immediately returned first to Aragaki-sama's place.

Along the way, Ryuunosuke looked glum. It made Reda so sad to see him.

“One-time love Ryuunosuke.”.

As they were on the straight path leading to Aragaki-sama residence, Reda stopped walking. That made the little fox stop.

“Reda-sama, what is it?”

The girl knelt down and hugged her little fox.

“My sweet little fox, don't be sad like that. Later we find another bowl that is better than that huh.”

“Hiks...” the little fox cried, “Ryuunosuke likes that one. Aragaki-sama loves cherry blossoms. Aragaki-sama will definitely be happy to see the bowl. It was for the gift of Aragaki-sama. Hiks..”

“Do not cry. I also apologize for making you buy this hat and cloth for me. I should have brought it from home myself. I'm sorry yes.”

“Reda-sama is not wrong! If anyone finds out that Reda-sama is human, they will hurt you!”

“But, because it's our money so less.”

“It's okay, it's okay. Ryuunosuke has improved.” The little fox tried to look cheerful and smile again. But Reda knew it was just her best effort.

Not wanting to make her dissolve in sadness, Reda simply gave her a smile and a swipe on her face to wipe away her tears.

They walk home.

Arriving at the large entrance, they saw Hakuren and Kuroto who greeted them first.

“Welcome back, you two.”

“Hakuren-sama, Kuroto-sama. Thank you for the welcome.” Reda said with a smile

The little fox had a face full of smiles. Not long after, Kuroto who was hiding both her hands gave something wrapped in cloth to the little fox.

“Small change, this. You forgot something on the market earlier.”

“Eh? Forgot what?”

“No know. Just try looking at.”

Ryuunosuke was confused and opened it. How surprised he was to see the contents of the cloth package.

“Kuroto-sama, why can?!”

“I don't know. There was a merchant who called both of us while we were patrolling the market and said there was a little fox who forgot about his shopping. Isn't that right, Hakuren?”

“It's true. Because the little fox we know is only Ryuunosuke so we thought this must be yours.”

“But...but Ryuunosuke cannot buy this because the money is less!”

“We don't know., it's none of our business. Since we are the ones called, who else is the name of the little fox that others know?” Kuroto was still evasive and lying

“Kuroto-sama..no lie, right?” the little fox seemed hard to believe

“Ryuunosuke, we are not lying. If you doubt Kuroto, will you doubt me too? I went with Kuroto on patrol. Am I the one who lies?”

“...” now Ryuunosuke is speechless

“Well, let's just say the merchant is sorry. Maybe he regretted that he kicked you out and yelled at you earlier. Already ah, I'm going!”

Kuroto flew first. After giving his smile, Hakuren flew away leaving the two behind.

Ryuunosuke's reaction was riveted for a moment. Then he looked happy until he ran around Reda.

“Reda-sama, look at this! That beautiful bowl! Glad, thrilled! Huwaaa~”

“Thank God, Ryuunosuke.” Reda laughed and smiled. At first glance, he recalled Kuroto's last sentence.

[Well, let's just say the merchant is sorry. Maybe he regretted having kicked you out and yelled at you earlier.]

“…”

Reda. “Kuroto-sama lied. It turns out that Hakuren-sama and Kuroto-sama saw everything that happened to us in the market.”

But, Reda saw her little fox was too happy and forgot her important fact.

“It seems that Ryuunosuke was unaware of the lie. Let it be, the important thing is that she doesn't cry anymore. Thank goodness, God. Thank you very much.”

Both of them entered with a feeling of pleasure. The two tengu who saw that from above smiled happily.

****