A Story of How I Went to Commit Suicide, but Ended Up at a Mysterious House and Got Pampered by a Motherly Beauty - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

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“Oh my, oh my.”

The woman tapped her kiseru (a Japanese smoking pipe) pipe sharply, knocking out the ash. The metallic sound rang out with an oddly clear tone. A kiseru, huh. I’d only ever seen one in period dramas. I never thought someone would still be using one in modern times.

Just as I thought that, I realized she was staring straight at me. Her red eyes were strikingly beautiful.

“To think that you would come to this mayoi-ga twice. I have been the lady of this house for many years, but you are the first human to ever enter it a second time.”

“Ah. So this really was a mayoi-ga, huh.”

If she had said this house was something else, I’d have been even more confused.

“Indeed. This is the mayoi-ga that bestows fortune upon those who resist temptation and leave empty-handed. Since you brought nothing back with you, you should have received that fortune… You did, didn’t you?”

“Y-Yes, I did.”

The woman asked as if confirming it directly with me. She hadn’t appeared before me back then, but… Had she been watching the whole time? She tilted her head slightly, a hint of puzzlement could be seen in her expression.

“Hmm… Then why have you come back to the mayoi-ga? I know you are not here seeking more riches. Those with such greed would never see this place again. The fact that you found it and entered once more proves that isn’t your intention.”

Her crimson eyes studied me, as if looking straight into my soul. Caught in that gaze, I felt as though I could confess anything. Not that I had anything to hide, really. I might as well just tell her everything.

“Well, um…”

“Hm?”

“I came to… I came to return what I was given.”

“…What?”

The woman’s lips parted slightly in surprise. She was a peerless beauty, and yet even that dumbfounded expression was breathtaking. People always said looks mattered—and at that moment, I truly understood why.

“You came to return it?”

“Yes.”

“The fortune you worked so hard to obtain?”

“Yes.”

She asked over and over again, as if to confirm she’d heard me right, and each time I nodded firmly. A quiet moment passed as she thought it over. Then she clapped her hands together as though everything suddenly made sense.

“Ah, I see! You’re thinking that accepting it will bring misfortune later, aren’t you? Don’t worry, there’s no such curse. The only consequence is that you’ll never be able to reach the mayoi-ga ever again.”

True, if this were some malicious trick, I could imagine being given wealth only to have the price demanded from me later. It seemed she was trying to put that fear to rest, but that wasn’t really my concern. Honestly, if misfortune did come back to those who keep the fortune, it might’ve given me more reason not to return it.

“I see… Still, I’d like to give it back.”

“…You really intend to return it?”

“I do.”

At my stubborn insistence, the woman lowered her face and her shoulders began to tremble.

Is she angry?

It wouldn’t be surprising. After all, I was trying to return a gift freely given out of goodwill. But for someone about to throw his life away, gold and jewels meant absolutely nothing. So I waited quietly for her reaction.

“Ku… Fufu… Kufufufufufufufu!”

The woman laughed boisterously. A laugh from the depths of her heart. Still, it exuded refinement and elegance despite its mirth. She covered her mouth with her sleeve, her shoulders shaking. Her unnaturally pale skin flushed faintly red.

“Haah…Haah… Oh, I haven’t laughed like that in ages. How many centuries has it been?”

“Uh…”

I had no idea what to say to the woman as she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a slender finger. I just wanted her to take back what I came to return… And then, to find a place to die in peace.

“I see, I see… You came to return it. I understand now. That must be why the mayoi-ga appeared before you once more. So many have sought more riches and failed to find mayoi-ga again, but you, someone who came here just to return what was given… You are the very first!”

I see… The others must have had something to live for. But I…I had none of that left.

“Say, you… My dear one. May I know your name?”

“My name…?”

“Yes. Ah, but perhaps I should give you mine first, as manners dictate?”

The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated. The woman seemed to misinterpret my silence as a yes. She placed a hand lightly over her chest.

“My name is Nanaho. You may call me as you like. No need for formality.”

“Nanaho-sama…”

“Mm, that’s fine too. And you, my dear one. What is your name?”

Even though she said I could call her without honorifics, I simply couldn’t bring myself to do so. She gave the impression of someone far above me, in every sense. Thankfully, she didn’t seem offended that I added “-sama” to her name.

Still, I couldn’t keep her waiting any longer. It had been a long time since I’d told anyone my name.

“My name is IAkihito Isshiki.”

“I see. Akihito, hm… Though I may still call you my dear one out of habit, I look forward to our acquaintance.”

Nanaho-sama smiled—beautifully, serenely. Perhaps from that moment on… I was already captivated by her.

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