As Aoi was abducted away from me, I decided to look after her and get her and Ginji back. I packed clothes and things for Aoi that she might need, changed into travel clothes, and travelled to Orio-ya.

When I got there, I asked a fishmonger for work, which they gladly did.

Meanwhile, Ginji wrote to me saying that Aoi was shoved around, and he tried to protect her. However, she was still taken and thrown in jail. He wrote that Ranmaru had told her if she wanted freedom, she had better hope on my love for her."
While I was coming, I appreciated the rough sentiment given to her.

The next day that sentiment had changed as Ginji reported that he had nearly broken her arm. He mentioned that he was set up to do fireworks for the big event.

Aoi was about to be thrown roughly into the cell again when Matsuba-Sama arrived, saw it, and went on a rampage to stop Aoi from being hurt. Aoi stepped in to stop him, which worked... but there was a problem...he then decided to leave. Then he chased around Hatori to beat him up when Ginji stepped in and suggested Aoi cook for him. He liked that idea, so Aoi was protected a little by having to cook for a famous guest once a day. I am glad he did that for my precious bride.

Ginji also reported that Aoi was being bullied again like she had been at Tenjin-ya when she first arrived.

Episode 16
I arrived at Orio-ya and hid. If I were discovered, it would cause trouble for Tenjin-ya.

I saw Aoi soaking her foot and muttering about food and the lack thereof. Luckily I had bought mackerel with me, so I spirited it up to a room in the old inn. I was making enough noise for Aoi to hear it.

I wrote her a note "You might want to cook something with this wing mackerel. I like them cooked in miso." I was a little surprised that she recognised my handwriting, though.

Byakuya reported to me that he found everyone trying to keep Moonflower going. He lectured them about the importance of keeping Tenjin-ya going too and to get back to their posts. I tend to rely heavily on Byakuya when I am absent.

I got up early to bring Aoi food from the market. I didn't see her there, so I started preparing the stove for her. I was wearing a fishmonger yukata and an ogre mask.

I see a drenched Aoi. After, she asked, "Whose there?"

"Oh, Aoi. What happened to you? Don't tell me you got bullied."

"What?" She said in surprise at my deduction.

"Your hair and clothes are all wet. Come, I'll dry them."

Aoi looked at me. "The way you speak... Could it be... Master?"

"Bingo!" I say, removing my mask. And grabbed the towel from around my neck to dry her.

"W-wait." She said objecting

"What's wrong? Does it have a fishy smell? Should I use a fresh towel?"

"No, that's not it. Are you really the master?"

"Hm? Is something wrong?" Looking down at my clothes which say fish as a logo.

"No, nothing is wrong. But you look like a college student and have no horns."

"There is no way that I can come to Orio-ya looking like my usual self, right?" I say, smiling." In the apparent realm, too, I always disguise myself. Actually, I'm good at it." Thinking of all the times I had been with her without her knowing and chuckling.

"I see..." looking unimpressed.

"Well, that you know it's me, just stay put." And start drying her. I then noticed that the hair ornament I gave her was gone.

She must have seen my concern as she said, "Ah... Ranmaru took the hair ornament. But I will get it back for sure."

"You being ok is enough for me. " I say, smiling at her.

"No! I like that hair ornament." She said assertively.

Her statement made me blush. "You do?"

"It's not fair." Said Aoi blushing at my nearness.

"Aoi. I brought some spare clothes along with the ingredients, so go ahead and change."

"What? You brought things like that too?"

"I want you to be comfortable," I say and go and get her clothes.

"Thank you. Since you took the trouble to bring them, I'll borrow them."

"Sure!" I say, smiling.

An awkward silence fell. The next thing I knew, Aoi said, "Leave."

"You're telling me to leave? That's an ogre bride for you. " I say, teasing her.

"You're a fish peddler right now..." she reminds me. "Wait, that's not the point. I'm going to change, so..."

"But if I run into Orio-ya employees...deceiving the executive staff would probably be hard." I object.

"Then turn around and stay like that." She says, turning me around.

"I can help you change. " I say hopefully, but she walks me away.

"How's everyone doing at Tenjin-ya? Were they okay?" Asked Aoi as she changed.

"Since Orio-ya deceived us, some were upset, but there's no problem. After having a meeting, we decided that I should come to the southern land."

"In short," she said dryly, "you were the one who had the freest time, huh?"

"Tenjin-ya is in Byakuya's hands, so no worries. "

"I see," she says. "Okay, done!"

So I turned to see. "oh, that kimono is charming and suits you well. You really look like a newly-wed wife."

"I now know very well what kind of taste you have."

I laugh. "I need to get going. There are things I need to deliver to the kitchen and dining hall. "

Aoi looked disappointed at that and answered, "I see...I will walk you out."
Though when she went to step down, her sore ankle troubled her. I guided her to sit down. I looked at it and said, "it's swollen."

Aoi looked flustered, but she assured me, "It's ok. It'll get better soon.

"You shouldn't bear it like that, Aoi," I say, grabbing a first aid ointment and bandage. I then wrap her foot.

"Thank you. " She says.

I look at her "Aoi. I can take you out of this place and escape."

Aoi replied, " I can't escape alone and leave Ginji-san behind. I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon. I wonder if he's eating and sleeping properly. I hope that the Orio-ya employees aren't bullying him and calling him a returning traitor."

She sounds like his mother. I tell her so and remind her that he Orio-ya's employees now.

"You are colder than I thought. I thought you two trusted each other more. Or is there a reason why you can't bring him back to Tenjin-ya?" Aoi retorted

"Well, that's..."

"Say, what's this fireworks event about? I keep hearing about it. Something about it feels unsettling." Aoi asks

"I can't bring Ginji back because... there's something he has to do here... for the fireworks event that will be held soon by Orio-ya," I say

"That's quite a common event." Says Aoi, not understanding.

"Yes, in other places. But it has a different meaning in this southern land. They carry out an important once-in-a-century ceremony during the fireworks."

"Ceremony? Come to think of it, that time, too..." Aoi muttered.

I say seriously, "They have to successfully carry it out no matter what... because this land is cursed."

Aoi nodded. "Is there something I can do?"

"You've already started doing it. " I say, smiling.

"You mean stopping Matsuba-Sama from leaving?" Aoi asks.

I nod.

"I see. Then that's all the more reason why I can't go back to Tenjin-ya," said Aoi determinedly.

"Ginji probably didn't to drag you into this. But Orio-ya is having such a hard time preparing for the ceremony that they have to ask for your help." I say, still kneeling in front of Aoi.

"Is it that much work?" Aoi asks

"Even I would have a hard time," I admit " They have to gather several things that are like national treasures. "

"Things like national treasures..."

I reach out and touch her face and then stand up. "I'm glad that you are an early riser. We can meet secretly early in the morning like this. "

Then walked outside. Aoi followed me.

"Will you be passing by here on your way back?" It seemed like she was asking, hopefully.

"I will... but there'll be a watchman by that time. "

"Then I'll hang a bucket with ice in it on the pine tree out front, so check it. To say thank you for treating my foot, I'll put a Bento in it with wing mackerel cooked in miso." Smiled Aoi

"To think that I'd get a Bento in such a way..." I said happily, "I will look forward to it. It was worth becoming a fish peddler."

It seems I made Aoi annoyed again. "I'm going to make it ice cold with the icicle woman's ice."

I laugh. "That's fine... since I can reheat it with my ogre fire. Oh, that's right. Aoi, pull out your pendant."

"What? This?" She asked, pulling out the pendant.

I touch the pendant and recharge the ogre flame in it to combine with her spiritual power to make an ayakashi child at some point.

"What'd you do?" She asked

I smile and don't answer, "See you later, Aoi."

"Thank you for coming by... Master..."

Matsuba-Sama really loved Aoi's cooking.

I dropped off oysters to her the next day, and Matsuba-Sama rolled around in joy at Aoi's cooking of them.

The twin chefs of Orio-ya approached Aoi to cook for the rain woman to ensure her happiness. So, she cooked with them.