The Imperial Priestess of the Lake Visited the Local Land Deity Part 3

MIKOTO The next day, for another unknown reason, Tomoe isn't in the kitchen when I woke up so I decided to do the cooking. "Ohaiyo!", Nanami cheerfully greeted me when she entered the kitchen. "Ah, good morning. Did you slept well?" I asked, half surprised. She's unusually woke up early despite staying late last night to accompany our guests. "Yes, very well!", she replied with a smile. I gave a glance at her face. "She doesn't show any signs of fatigue. That's good." "Please wait for a few minutes. I'll finish preparing our breakfast soon", I happily continued cooking. I looked for some turmeric and gingers since they are known for powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help you start the day on the right foot and wake up your senses. I decided to make a turmeric latte or tea instead of coffee, her beloved beverage since I am one of those people who believes too much consumption of coffee is bad for the health. It might not be a perfect substitute but I do hope it might just make her miss it a little less. With a taste and feel more like a spicy chai latte, a turmeric latte is also a perfect soothing morning beverage. Nanami waited patiently at the dining table while drinking the latte I made. At first, she didn't want it but eventually, I think she actually liked it. Quickly, I finished 3 dishes of sweet potato hash browns with poached egg and avocado. One for me, one for Nanami, and one for Tomoe in case he wants to have a taste of my cooking even though I know Yokai doesn't need to eat human foods. "Thanks for waiting", I served the dish on the table. "I'm sorry, I know it is incomparable to Tomoe's usual cooking of heavy breakfasts but this Whole30, gluten-free breakfast is high in beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in the body. It also has complex carbohydrates to keep you full longer and help keep your energy levels from peaking and crashing while the poached egg and avocado add healthy fats for staying power", I passionately told her every detail. "Thank you Mikoto", she said. "I can't understand but I liked this. It's delicious". Her comments quite confused me about whether I should feel disappointed or glad. We enjoyed our time and not long, the sun is already shining bright on the horizon. "By the way, where's Tomoe?" the land deity asked after looking around and noticed the length of time we spent. "Oh, come to think of it", I thought loudly. "He didn't show up himself since Himemiko and her attendants left last night." Nanami gave a worried look. She's easy to read. Or maybe it's just because I've seen her thought through the anime. Oh! Speaking of the anime. "Hmm... this is "that" day where "that" happens...so...hmm", I racked my mind if I could remember something from my memory. "What is it Mikoto?", Nanami poked my cheeks. "Ah! What is it Nanami?" She pouted. ('ﾟ зﾟ )  "You seem not paying attention and you were mumbling something so I thought there's something wrong." "Ahahah, sorry (⌒_⌒;). I guess I was speaking my thoughts again", I assured her before giving my advice to her. "You wanna look for Tomoe, right? Maybe try checking his room first". (⁀ᗢ⁀) "Of course that's the normal thing to do. I'll see you awhile later then", Nanami waved before leaving the room. But if I remember correctly, Tomoe isn't in his room. But it's alright, Kotetsu and Onikiri are there to assist her. I wonder where he originally went after Himemiko left? I stepped outside in the front yard to sweep after I washed the dishes when a deep voice called me from behind, "Good morning Mikoto". "Good morning too, Tomoe. You seem unusually late today", I greeted back while looking at his sleepy face. Something is off. He broke our silence with a yawn. Something's really wrong. "Where were you earlier?" I tried to ask a question to clear my suspicions. "The moon was beautiful", he replied. "So I watched the moon while drinking wine on the roof. I was drunk so I just slept there like that. By mistake." "Ehh?" I can't help but sweatdrop. "Don't worry, it's just a light case of escaping reality", Tomoe explained while he took a step closer to me. But it makes me more suspicious of him. I stared at his enigmatic gazes, trying to figure out if he's telling the truth or not. I'm in doubt, honestly. This yokai fox right now is bound to Nanami. As her loyal familiar, it's likely impossible that Tomoe would slack on his work just because he got drunk. He doesn't smell like wine too. "Huh? Smell?" Before I realize it, the said familiar's face is just a few inches away from mine. *push*   *stares* ﾉ\__ﾉ\ (＃￣0￣)// (￣︿￣) ↑ "What are you doing?" Mikoto I pulled a poker face to hide my shyness. I don't want him to see my blushing cheeks and misunderstood. "I'll go back to work", is what I want to say next but my lips failed me when Tomoe unexpectedly pulled me and lifted my chin to face him again. "Last night", he started to speak. Oh, no, is he also suspicious of me? "Last night you used Nanami's clumsily made talisman", his piercing purplish eyes gaze focused intently on me, but at the same time, he's looking through me. "Wha-?" My heart is beating fast, I can hardly breathe and I'm too afraid to look away. "What's this? It's creeping me out!" His captivating smile formed on his lips. "It was a splendid work", he hoarsely uttered between us.