"Mr. Sakumura."
Kanna was airing out the bedding outside when she turned around and found Sakumura standing behind her. Smiling, she gave him a slight bow.
"Thank you for your hard work, Kanna."
Sakumura wore a simple kimono and carried a plate in his hands.
"Souji made some Chestnut Kinton, so I brought some over for you."
"Miss Souji made them?"
Kanna's eyes lit up.
"I didn't have work at the patrol station today, so I bought a couple of sweet potatoes on my way back."
Souji, also dressed in a plain kimono, walked over to Sakumura's side and smiled at him.
"It's been a long time since we last had these, hasn't it?"
Sakumura smiled back at Souji.
Kanna: ...
She tilted her head, looking at Sakumura and Souji standing side by side, her eyes filled with a hint of confusion.
"Something feels off somehow?"
Shaking her head, Kanna shook away that strange feeling.
"The weather's nice, so I'll finish airing out the bedding first. Mr. Sakumura and Miss Souji, go ahead and eat. I'll be there in a little while."
She patted the bedding hanging up and busied herself in the courtyard.
A nameplate reading [Sakumura] hung on the courtyard gate.
The family of three living in the courtyard all bore the name "Sakumura."
Sakumura Anno, Sakumura Souji, Sakumura Kanna.
"Souji has some free time today, so why don't the three of us go take a walk on the west side of the village tonight?" Sakumura set the Chestnut Kinton on the table. "I heard a very impressive kabuki performer is coming to play the shamisen. For a little mountain village like ours, there are rarely such lively occasions apart from the Mountain God Festival."
"Mr. Takasugi must have invited them. Usually, he's the only one interested in