Kyoto's streets were quite bustling.
The Divine Dogs and I wandered along, stopping here and there, and saw all sorts of novel things.
The outside world seemed so much more vibrant than the stagnant life in the Zenin Clan, and I was very pleased.
As we turned onto a busy street, I suddenly spotted some exquisitely crafted little desserts in a shop window.
I was just a teensy bit tempted. A billion teensy bits.
After eating traditional food in the Zenin Clan for so long, I had even begun to wonder if I had lost my sense of taste.
Now that I had finally found some normal food, I was dying to try it!
I excitedly pushed open the door to the Dessert Shop.
"Welcome! What would you like, sweetie?"
The young woman behind the counter gave me a gentle smile.
I ran over to the display window and pointed at the pretty little dessert.
"I'd like this one. Is that okay?"
The shop assistant looked a little hesitant. "Of course, but this one's rather expensive. Did you bring enough money, sweetie? Would you like to wait for your parents to come pay?"
Their Dessert Shop was in Kyoto's busiest district, so naturally, the prices weren't cheap. That went double for the desserts in the window.
I felt a little embarrassed. "I snuck out without telling my family."
The shop assistant understood. So she had snuck out to buy sweets because her parents wouldn't let her...
"Then how about coming back another time if you haven't brought enough money?"
I rummaged in my pocket and took out the Black Card I had swiped from my father in name only the last time I visited him.
"Will this work?"
The shop assistant's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "Won't your family be upset with you for taking out a card like that, sweetie?"
I thought about the Zenin Clan's fanatical reverence for jujutsu sorcerers, then about my own jujutsu.
...Hmm. My father in name only probably wouldn't blame me.
So I said, "It's fine. They won't."
The shop assistant looked at the little girl before her in a whole new light.
How had I not noticed before?
That understated kimono was clearly made from very expensive fabric. An ordinary family could never afford it!
So she's a rich family's young lady! If she can casually carry a card like that around, her family must be incredibly wealthy.
The young woman suddenly became very enthusiastic toward me.
Besides that dessert, I bought several others at her fervent recommendation.
My father in name only's card was actually that useful. That was a relief.
After I finished eating, I was in a wonderful mood.
The dessert I had picked out really was delicious. The only flaw was that it was too sweet. Next time, I would ask them to use less sugar.
With my belly full, it was time for a walk.
Kyoto's streets were still bustling. Even at noon, plenty of people were out shopping.
It was winter, and it had snowed not long ago. Now that the sun was shining, the snow had begun to melt, making it even colder than before.
I walked in the sunshine, feeling its warmth, and suddenly thought again of those eyes that looked like the blue sky.
-They really were beautiful.
So utterly clear.
"Woof! Woof, woof! Woof, woof, woof-" The Divine Dogs walking beside me suddenly began barking furiously in one direction, then ran straight toward it.
"Black! White!"
Alarmed, I hurried after them.
Before long, I saw a huge black dome around the corner. It looked a little like the barrier at the Zenin Clan.
Despite my abysmal stamina, I somehow managed to catch up with them. I could sense how agitated the Divine Dogs were.
The moment I stopped, they darted straight into the pitch-black barrier.