57. Bonfire and the Girls Dancing with Wolves
"Alright, time to summon her."
Karupana nodded.
"By the way, are there others wandering for the same reason?"
"Yes, we're known as the Ten Wandering Tribes. We haven't lost our loyalty to Lady Rakushel."
"...Loyalty, huh. That's reassuring..."
Nine more tribes begging me to call Rakushel? That sounds like a special kind of hell.
"We would never trouble you, Master Mash. We have our own networks. I'll pass Lady Rakushel's revelation to the other tribes."
She must have sensed my enthusiasm deflating, because Karupana hurriedly added that.
Fam sidled up to me—probably to support me in case I passed out after the summoning like last time. Mizuki stayed silent, but it was obvious she was still against it. Myra was holding her breath, staring at me. Cecily and Ira were expressionless—maybe remembering the duel.
"Okay then. Time to use my Special Skill."
"Yes, please do."
Karupana nodded.
"Goddess Summon!"
I shouted it with full focus, but nothing happened. A day and a few hours had passed since yesterday's summoning, but it looked like it wasn't working.
I'd built up the suspense for nothing. Super embarrassing. What now? I glanced at Mizuki. She was just staring at me, saying nothing.
"...What?"
"Nah, it won't activate."
"'Cause you're a total miss, right?"
Cold reaction. Guess I'd have to tough it out on my own.
"...Yeah, that's the deal. Sorry for getting your hopes up, but looks like she won't show today."
I pinned the blame on Rakushel instead of myself.
"I see..."
Seeing Karupana's shoulders slump made me feel bad.
"Tomorrow should be fine, though."
I blurted out the follow-up without thinking. Big mistake.
"Um, Master Mash... Could you take me with you?"
"Mash is fine. You wanna tag along with the caravan? Gotta ask Claire about that."
Traveling with thirty wagons? That'd be one hell of a sight.
"No, just me. I'd like to join your party."
"Can't do that. Levante's already at six members."
"Please, Master Mash. Won't you reconsider?"
Karupana pressed on.
"..."
Reconsider? I had no intention of swapping anyone out. Cecily and Ira were only in until Migurutto, but did I really want them to leave? I didn't even want to think about it. As those thoughts swirled, Cecily stood up.
"Sounds good to me. Then I'll step out. It's only until Migurutto anyway."
She headed for the tent flap.
"Wait. I'm not dropping anyone."
Either she didn't hear me or ignored it—she left. I stood to chase after her.
"She's your slave, right, Master Mash? Earlier, she even splashed water on you."
Karupana looked shocked. She probably thought I could just order her around with the Slave Crest.
"Sorry, gotta go after Cecily. Fam, hold down the fort."
"Yes, Master."
Fam nodded.
I followed Cecily out of the tent.
The area outside was like a full-blown festival venue.
Torches blazed like a summer night fair, with everyone drinking, eating, and making merry.
Instruments played, and some folks were singing along.
I scanned around but didn't spot Cecily. Aver called out to me.
"Heard these guys summoned you. You know 'em?"
"Nah, they knew me one-sidedly. More importantly, looking for Cecily. Seen her?"
"She went back to your tent."
"Got it."
I nodded and headed to the tent. It was big enough for six, but tiny compared to Karupana's gel-like massive one.
There she was, sitting cross-legged in front of it.
"Hey, your panties are showing."
"Hmph, that's the point!"
I thought about sitting next to her, but wanted a peek, so I sat in front instead. She switched to kneeling to hide them. No choice—I sat beside her. Cecily turned away even more.
"You add her?"
Cecily muttered.
"Nah, didn't."
"Why not?"
"Wanna stick with the current six."
Why? I'd never even pictured swapping members.
"After Migurutto?"
"Even after Migurutto."
Cecily sighed at my words.
"I'm leaving the party. That a problem?"
"Tell me why."
She might not have wanted to go to Migurutto in the first place, but she'd agreed. I thought of her as a real comrade on this journey. It was only day five, and the destination was still far off.
"No reason. We were enemies to begin with."
"Wrong. You guys were the first to help me when I got here. I haven't forgotten."
Come to think of it, it was the first time girls had been nice to me.
"And you stole that helper's girl anyway."
"Can't help it if I thought she was cute. Besides, you came onto me."
It was Cecily who'd pushed me by the pond.
"Didn't think you'd go after Ira too."
"That was Ira starting it."
That night was total chaos. Thinking about it, only Fam and Mizuki had come to me first.
"..."
Cecily fell silent.
"If you really hate it, I'll free you in the next town. But I don't want that. I want you to keep traveling with us."
"...Sigh."
Cecily sighed.
"Why do you make that gross face when I come to you? Or egg me on to prank Ira so she yells at me?"
She'd been hung up on that?
"Sorry about that. But you were interrupting."
She'd barge in while I was getting cozy with Myra or Mizuki.
"No. You slept with all of us. You're trying to love us all at once. But when I'm alone with you and another girl shows up, you act like I'm the bother."
"Isn't that normal?"
Pretty standard feeling, right?
"Maybe in one-on-one romance. But not for you. When I show up, you have to welcome me just like the girl you're with. You're supposed to love us all."
"...You're right. Never thought of it that way."
Mind blown. She nailed it. But could I really act like that?
Cecily turned back to face me.
She pressed her lips to mine.
"Just so you know—if we're alone and another girl comes, and you welcome her, I'll get mad. I want one-on-one romance!"
Cecily stood, pulling me up too.
"The wanderers are playing music and singing. Wanna go listen?"
She started walking.
I fell in step beside her.
So which was it? Would she stay in the party?
Cecily, make up your mind.
A circle of people formed around the central bonfire.
Some drank and ate. Others played instruments. Drums mixed with accordion melodies—probably brought or made by a transferree.
People danced to the rhythm.
There were Fam and the others. We joined them.
"Party over?"
"Yes. Tomorrow, Karupana's group travels with the caravan to the city."
Rematch for Goddess Summon tomorrow night, then.
I looked up at the night sky. Smoke from the fire swirled into the galaxy.
Strong moonlight dimmed the river's glow.
My gaze shifted to the bonfire.
The music sounded familiar.
"Oklahoma Mixer."
Mizuki said it. A folk dance tune. Another transferree import, probably.
"I thought it was Okra Beach Mixer."
"What beach would that even be?"
I quipped, and Mizuki shot back perfectly.
Everyone danced around the bonfire to the laid-back melody.
"Nostalgic. Danced it at the sports festival with everyone. Mash, join the circle—let's dance!"
Mizuki grabbed my hand.
"You... you're cool dancing hand-in-hand with me?"
"What kinda nonsense is that?"
"Maybe a fun memory for you, but for me, it's a sad song—no one to hold hands with properly..."
Another piece of my mysterious past revealed.
"No one's like that here!"
Mizuki pulled me in.
"Master, I wanna dance too. But I don't know this one."
"No worries. It's simple repetition—watch the person ahead in the circle, and you'll pick it up. Everyone, mix in!"
Mizuki answered for me. Myra, Cecily, and Ira joined the circle too.
Stepping to the beat.
Left hand to left at waist level, right over shoulder. Holding Mizuki's hands, we moved forward.
Shadows flickered with the firelight. Mizuki's face glowed and danced in the flames.
"Mizuki, you're seriously beautiful..."
"Don't say stuff that embarrasses me."
She turned away. Her cheeks might've been red, but the firelight hid it.
Then a spin—one phrase over. Time with Mizuki ended; she moved on.
Next up: Fam.
"Master, I'm nervous."
"You'll get it quick."
Her steps were stiff, robotic-cute. We jerked along.
Struggling through, a spin—Fam flowed back.
Next partner: Cecily.
Smoother than Fam.
"Not bad. You know it?"
"Nope, but this much is easy!"
Nearly bumped Ira ahead on a step.
Now Ira. Graceful steps.
"Like dancing?"
"Yeah. Singing too. Used to sing duets with Cecily as kids."
Wonder what songs. Gotta hear sometime.
"Got a question. You still hate stag beetles, right?"
"Nah. More than you."
"..."
Yeah, no more bug pranks.
Spin—Myra next. A bit clumsy.
"Finally... my turn!"
Her breasts swayed with the fire and steps.
"Meet Lady Rakushel tomorrow?"
"Unless something crazy happens."
"Something crazy... feels like it might. But I have so many questions."
"Think she'll give a revelation to the wanderers?"
"I believe in her. But I hope it doesn't spark a big war like the Holy War a century ago."
"These kids getting dragged in..."
No time for Myra's nod—our turn ended.
Aver ahead. She'd joined too?
Her shoulders higher than mine. Arm over hers felt strained.
"That outfit's chilly at night."
"Perfect to cool hot muscles. Try the boomerang panties I gave ya."
"Someday." Casual dodge.
"Promise. Goblin nest raid, just us."
Me in panties raiding goblins? Total perv.
Aver flowed back.
Palms with Claire. Arm brushed her small wings—harder than expected.
"Saw you join, so I did too."
Pretty good steps for that.
Glanced around—Mercedes two ahead, Beers before him.
"Knew folk dance?"
"No, but it's fun."
Step out, step back. Our time passed.
Night wore on leisurely.
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