Mother?
After clothing up our bodies, Aunt Reina for short Rei and I walked together to the center square of the village. The Park is just 5 minutes walk to the square, So instead of rushing. We are walking rather slowly and enjoyed the view around us.
Rei clung on my arm happily. She didn't talk or utter words on the way. She was acting spoiled. Why does the women of Chikushodo family act like girls?
Kana is still 28 yrs old so acting like a young girl is still reasonable but Kana acts like an older sister instead of a young maiden.
The problem is those who already matured, Like Sona Kiyoko, Kimoko and even though she acts like an older sister, Rei is a bit spoiled. I don't get why they act like this? Or am I missing something.
The walk came to halt when we we're near the square, Rei let my arm go and change her personality suddenly. She now have the expression of an older sister. I'm a bit stunned and look at her blankly.
When She saw my reaction Rei teasingly said "Shido-kun, Why are you staring at Rei? Let's go Shido-kun, Everyone is waiting for you."
I shook my head and follow her, We walked shoulder to shoulder. 'Women are really mysterious' I thought.
In the center of the square, I can see many people or to be exact Many females gathered. I saw the young'uns happily talking to each other.
Why can I feel a vibe like these people are here to see the Emperor or should I say Empress? Just like the historical movies I watched where the Emperor announcing his order to all citizens. Is Chikushodo family is following this practice? Wow, as expected of an Old noble family.
"Rei, Why are we gathering outside the palace? Can't we just go inside?" I asked Rei on my side while walking together to the crowd.
"Well, We can Freely go inside the palace but, this time it's a bit special. From time to time our family would gather like this to show our respect to our ancestors. This type of practice is a bit old fashion but Mother, your grandma, didn't want to stop it, Since this type of announcement is the one she got used to." Rei carefully explained to me.
"Hmm, Is that so. But still it's really kind of outdated" I said, I didn't notice the eyes of Rei flashed.
"Un, Yes it is" She replied and smiled peculiarly. I didn't know what she was thinking cause I didn't really focused on her.
My attention was on the door of the palace above. Rika, daughter of Rei came to us.
"Mom, Onii-chan you're back" She gave me tight hug and then goes to her mother. Rei patted her daughters head and only smile.
Aunt Kiyoko, Aunt Kimoko and Aunt Fuuka follows suit. They gathered around me. I'm a bit familiar with these Three Aunts of mine because they proactively gets close to me, unlike the other Aunts who is not really close to me but still they are rather awkward to talk to. It's not because they discriminate me but they don't have much history with the previous owner of the body.
After the three gathered around me, All the young girls and maidens follows suit, followed by their motheirs. They started talking to each other, A really young girl whose age is 11 years old grab the hem of my shirt, She is Fuumi, you can easily guess the mother, Aunt Fuuka's cute daughter. They have the same Green flowing shiny hair. Instead of Emerald eyes, Fuumi had the Darkest Black Eyes of Chikushodo family.
"Shido"Fuumi called out lightly.
Her voice is too small to be heard because of the noisy crowd, but because of my special body, I can easily hear her voice. Lilke mother Like daughter, They talk less.
"Fuumi, What is it?" I asked, For an 11 years old, Fuumi was not tall, She is so small just like a 8 years old girl instead. It's not because of malnutrition but, according to Aunt Fuuka, it's because of her family's gene.
Fuumi spread her arms and look at me with cute hopeful dog eyes. Un, I want to kidnap this girl and gave her a cuddle time.
Aunt Fuuka who saw her daughter's action smiled. She put her hands close to her mouth and chuckles. Like mother like daughter, Cute creatures.
"Up we go" Putting my hands on Fuumi's armpit causing her to squirm a little, Oh she is ticklish. Hmmm, I look at her mother, Maybe is too. Carrying Fuumi on my embrace causing the women look at us with admiration, As for the young ones, they look at us with envy or more like they look at fuumi with envy. They started to blame themselves inwardly for overlooking the good opportunity.
Fuumi is really clever. They thought.
The palace door opened, Women and girls came out, I see Sona and Shina dressed in beautiful black kimono. When they saw me, Shina wave her hands at me. I also wave my hands, Sona also followed her daughter. But this time, She gave me a wink and flying kiss. I smiled wryly.
The women formed a horizontal line above the stair, So we looked up. There is a space on the center, I believe it's for the Empress? Lady guards positioned themselves like a Imperial guards.
This is type is really a bit old fashioned but still it's slightly interesting.
So where is my Mom? I wanted to ask Rei but the lady guard shouted.
"Her Majesty! Have arrive!" Then suddenly a fanfare sounded. What the hell.
Behind the door, A shadowy figure slowly walked out. Then she came out.
Dress in Imperial robe, A red large red kimono or Junihitoe, A twelve layered robe. Dragging the cloth along the way. The figure stopped at the center, What I see made me stunned, What I see made my mouth opened wide, What I see my brain malfunction. There she stands, She proudly stands at the center. The focus was on her. The Empress of Chikushodo family, Have the height of a 9 years-old girl, look like a 9 years-old girl, Looking like an innocent girl, A very very cute girl smiling at the crowd below her, She saw me turned agape but she gave me an adorable fluttery eyes.
She have dark hair like mine, Dark black eyes, pouty rid lips, young smooth skin. Long eyelashes, Sharp little nose and shiny smooth milky face.
I turned to Rei, who coincidentally turned to me, I gave her a questioning look. 'Is this some kind of a joke' is what written on my face. But she only gave me a wide smile, showing her white teeth. She shook her head and said.
"That's the Empress of Chikushodo family, She is the leader of the family, She controls everything everything in the family but she needs the permission of the empress dowager to do so. She can order the people of the family. She is Empress Shizue of Chikushodo Family, Also the one who mother's the living man." She stops, looking at me" It Also means, She's your Mother"
"....Mother?" Staring at the small cute stature who was also looking me, giving me a look full of affections.