雨と共にきたる
In with the rain...
Seeing as Tsudzura-chan's were out of the question, and my clothes didn't look likely to fit her, we decided to search the house.
Sakuya: Now this is a nice change of pace, huh?
Kei: It is, isn't it?
As a result, what we found was this yukata.
Though it's called a "yukata," it's not one of those proper ones you wear to festivals, but the one that doubles nicely as pajamas, having one thin layer of cloth.
It has a good, dry sound, no evidence of being moth-eaten, and was in a great preserved condition, so......
Kei: Also, with these, you can wear them even if you can't put on traditional clothes. (TN: Yukata and kimono have a practiced, traditional manner of fitting every time you put it on that apparently takes LOTS of practice to master. The ones they're wearing now can basically be worn like a bath robe.)
......so that I wound up changing into one, too.
With an old mansion that isn't in decay, tatami that aren't rotten, and futon that aren't moldy, it's like we've recently hit a big sale on miracles.
Kei: I wonder whose yukata this is. Maybe my grandmother's, do you think maybe my mom's?
When I give the sleeve a *kun kun* sniff, it even has a faint scent of flowers, and I can't help but feel happy.
Kei: Ahaha, it's like we're staying at a traditional inn, isn't it?
Tsudzura: But Onee-san, this is your house.
Kei: I've always been living in a tiny apartment, so the last time I ever stayed in a place this big was my middle school vacation.
Sakuya: You haven't had your high school trip yet?
Kei: Nope, not yet.
And so, clothed in our yukata, Sakuya-san and I relax on the tatami.
Kei: By the way, Tsudzura-chan, are you okay staying like that?
Tsudzura: Tahaha, if there was one that fit my size, I may have been in inclined to borrow it, but...
Kei: Hmm, I guess you can't wear my size, huh......
Basically, it's all one sheet of cloth, so it should be wearable if you just fold it right, but if it's too big, I suppose it would be a pain just to walk around in.
Kei: Do you think there's one in Tsudzura-chan's size?
Sakuya: Well, there were always the ones you and Haku*------shoie! konchiksho---!*
After an amazingly big sneeze, she gives her nose a somewhat fake sounding sniffle.
Kei: ......Are you okay?
Sakuya: Fine, fine, it's nothing at all.
Kei: That's good then, but Sakuya-san, there's something that bothers me about that sneeze just now......
Sakuya: W-what about it?
Kei: That sneeze just now was really weird------ kind of, like some old grandpa from somewhere.
Sakuya: Well, I'm so sorry I sounded like some old man, but I don't wanna be told so by you, when all you watch are comic shows and period drama.
Kei: Wah, that's cruel, and really one-sided. You should apologize right now to all the fans of comic shows and period drama in the world, me included.
Sakuya: Yeah, yeah, I have done such an awful thing.
Here we have one very flippant apology.
Sakuya: Anyway, I wanted to say that the one you used as a kid is probably here.
Kei: In that case, you think we might find it if we look a little more?
Tsudzura: No, no, you need not go to such trouble. The clothes I have now are enough.
Kei: ......Really?
It's almost like we're excluding her, so it feels a little awkward.
Tsudzura: Unlike kimono, I seldom have the chance to wear clothes like these where I live, so I might as well use them while I can.
Kei: Hmm, that's okay, then......
So, seeing as the explosively wet Sakuya-san has now managed to get comfortable...
Kei: Tsudzura-chan, this is Asama Sakuya-san. She's a friend of my mother, so there's no need to worry. She isn't anyone suspicious.
First of all, seeing as I am the mutual friend of both people, and basically, the owner of the house, thinking it would be fitting to be the go-between, I introduce Sakuya-san.
Sakuya: ......Tsudzura?
Tsudzura: Asama------
Kei: ......What? By any chance, do you mean you two know each other?
Sakuya: No, for me it's nothing special. Sometime in the past, a person helped me out, and I think they had a successor with a name like that.
Tsudzura: Yes, yes, and for me it was that, you see. When you hear "Asama" you think of Chuushingura.
Kei: But in Chuushingura, the name was Asano.
Tsudzura: Tahaha, how very true---
*shii˜n*
Now this is a slightly awkward silence.
This brings up a whole bunch of things I'd like to delve into when Sakuya-san and Tsudzura-chan's connection is concerned, but maybe I should leave that alone for now.
Although, with this bewildering air billowing around, what could we possibly talk about?
Sakuya: Well, more importantly...
As you might expect from the wisdom of age, or maybe just a lack of sensitivity, the one who cuts the fuse is Sakuya-san.
Sakuya: What were you two thinking about for tonight's meal?
Kei: Dinner?
Sakuya: If we were going into town to eat, my car is parked pretty far from here. Going there before the rain stops could be trouble.
Kei: Ah, as far as food goes, we're pretty well......
Tsudzura: Yes, yes, there is a whole lot to choose from˜!
Tsudzura: They are nutrition supplement foods, so the balance is perfect. There are plenty here, so please take what you like˜!
Sakuya: ............
Kei: If you want something sweet, we have manjuu. I know you like spicy things, but you liked that regional kind where I live, right Sakuya-san?
Sakuya: Ha......
Kei: ......Sakuya-san?
Tsudzura: ......Sakuya-san?
Sakuya: Haha...... hahaha...... you mean you two intend to nourish your growin' bodies with this?
Sakuya: Don't stuff yourselves with this crap!!
Two youths of the junk food generation together incurred their elder's wrath.
Though in the end, she gave in and settled for what we had.