The Healer in a Japanese-Style Game World: Mastering Healing to Save My Favorite Character in a Brutal World, Only to Find Everyone Around Me Becoming Obsessed - Chapter 27.5: The Maiden of Shiranui Honoring Suzaku

Side Story: The Maiden of Shiranui Honoring Suzaku

In the summer of 886 of the Divine Era, in the land of Suzaku in Tanba Province, a festival was taking place. 

The reason for the festival was simple: the daughter of the Shiranui family, Karin Shiranui, who was to become the next head of the family, had completed the inheritance ceremony and returned to this land with Suzaku’s blessing.

The good news arrived amidst the festival preparations.

“Is it true?”

Upon hearing the news, Ryoma, who was usually strict with manners and never showed much emotion, broke into a smile and eagerly questioned the maid.

“Yes, Karin-sama has successfully completed her duty and received Suzaku-sama’s blessing.”

“Ah, five long years… It was the right choice to abandon the cursed child.”

Ryoma’s voice overflowed with genuine joy, revealing just how much he had despised Yomi’s existence.

“So, Father, Yomi is finally dead?”

Rejoicing over something other than the good news was the third son of the Shiranui family, Taiga Shiranui. 

The boy, who hated Yomi more than anyone, was happier about his elder brother’s death than about his sister receiving Suzaku’s blessing.

“Ah, the fact that Suzaku-sama has bestowed blessings upon us again means just that.”

“So, does this mean I can also receive blessings?”

“Yes, ever since Suzaku-sama abandoned that one, the spirits and divine beasts have ignored us. But that ends now. If Karin has received Suzaku-sama’s blessing, surely we too will see the light of day again!”

“It’s been really long, hasn’t it, Father?”

“I’ve caused you trouble too, Taiga. Normally, you would have received the blessing by the time you were ten.”

“No, considering your hardships, Father, it’s a small matter.”

“You are indeed a well-behaved son. Unlike that one.”

With a smile he never showed to Yomi, he continued to speak ill of him. Taiga, who held no doubts about this, rejoiced along with his father, and at that moment, the mansion’s gates opened.

“―Karin-sama has returned! She has brought Suzaku-sama back with her!”

The main family and branch family members, who had gathered for the planned festival, greeted her. 

She was a girl with black hair and burning eyes, possessing an unmatched elegance. 

Loved by the origin of flames, she was the most talented woman in the history of the Shiranui family to obtain the direct blessing of Suzaku-sama. On her shoulder was a red bird with five-colored glowing feathers, radiating a strong presence.

“Oh! Welcome back, Karin!”

Ryoma greeted her as she stepped through the gates of the Shiranui family estate. 

Karin, who seemed a bit displeased while waiting for someone, changed her expression upon noticing her father.

“Yes, it’s been a year, Father. So, where is Yomi-nii-sama? I want to see him.”

“Oh, him? He’s been banished and is no longer here. He’s probably dead somewhere by now.”

“―Hmm, I see. So he’s dead.”

Karin’s expression changed slightly at this news. 

Ryoma, oblivious to this, continued as if seeking her agreement.

“Yes, with you inheriting, it means just that! You must be happy too?”

“…Yes, that’s right. Father, although I just returned, I need to stay in my room for a while. Suzaku-sama hasn’t completely settled yet.”

“…Ah, indeed, that can’t be helped. The festival lasts for two days, so join us when you’re feeling better.”

With that, the two parted. 

Taiga, the younger brother, also wanted to greet his sister but decided against it, seeing her quickly return to her room with Suzaku. He assumed she must be tired.

———

——

—

“…Suzaku, it was just as you said.”

In the luxurious Japanese-style room given to Karin Shiranui, the vast space was occupied by Karin and a beautiful woman with red hair who had previously taken the form of a bird.

“Well, humans are foolish creatures. It’s laughable that they actually threw him out—sorry, that was a joke. Please don’t get so angry; even I am trembling.”

“Stop joking, even if it’s a joke. It’s your fault for fearing my brother in the first place.”

“It’s impossible not to fear him. Yomi-sama has the capacity to handle all four divine beasts. He’s definitely not an ordinary human.”

In the soundproofed room, Suzaku tried to explain herself to her master, Karin.

Despite being exasperated, Karin glared at her, reflecting on the situation, and let her overflowing emotions and spiritual power loose. The room’s temperature skyrocketed, and flames that seemed like the fires of hell filled the space.

“―He was mine.”

“Ah, can I go back now? I really don’t want to face my master’s tantrum.”

“―He was my Yomi-nii-sama, mine alone. Those worthless insects… I’ll never forgive them.”

“Karin-sama? Ah, she’s not listening at all.”

Seeing that Karin had entered her own world, Suzaku reached a point of resignation and tried to vanish to avoid the fallout.

“It’s really your fault, isn’t it? You could have just given my brother the blessing, and it would have been fine.”

“No, it wasn’t possible—Yomi-sama is already marked by them. Also, it’s a bit late to say this, but Yomi-sama isn’t actually dead, see? If he were, this country would be doomed.”

“My brother would never die and leave me behind.”

“Yomi-sama really has bad luck with women. I mean, I like him too… well, that’s why you and I were able to make this pact, Karin-sama.”

“The phrase ‘mutual benefit’ is lovely, isn’t it? So, the plan going forward is as we discussed?”

“Yes, I’m going to make you the head of the Shiranui family, and then you’ll marry Yomi-sama. It’s wonderfully insane!”

Discussing their plan casually in conversation, Suzaku laughed cheerfully, imagining how the Shiranui family members would react if they heard this.

“Yomi-sama. He kept my shrine clean and prayed to me from the bottom of his heart every day—truthfully, I wanted to bless him. But his earnest devotion was so cute and endearing—it’s really the current Shiranui family that’s in the way. So, make sure to destroy it, okay, Karin-sama?”

“You don’t need to tell me. But really, it’s a good thing we’re so alike… I must get my brother back.”