Ichiro could see that Kumiko's mood had fallen again as they walked the market together. He feared that he had somehow offended her earlier, so he waited until she turned away from the nearby trough of cabbage to address her.

"I haven't said anything undesirable, have I?" he asked before remembering the role he was supposed to play. "My lady?"

"Not at all," she said with a glum expression. "The problem lies solely with me. You wouldn't understand."

Ichiro knew that it would be polite to avoid questioning her further, but at the same time, he couldn't have her continue being unhappy when they were travel companions. He decided to persist while maintaining the pretense they had agreed on.

"That may be the case, but I am your servant. It is my duty to make you comfortable in any way I can."

Kumiko frowned and turned her back on him. "What would make me comfortable is if you set your mind on something else. We came here to buy food, didn't we?"

Ichiro observed the numerous stalls around. "Right you are, my lady. We can't have you going hungry." He approached one that was selling labeled jars and smiled at the heavily built woman behind it. "Greetings. May I ask what is inside those containers?" he asked with a tip of his hat as the woman revealed her crooked front teeth.

"Dried fish to last the rest of spring. Does that catch your fancy, darling?"

Ichiro blinked, for not even his mother called him that anymore. "I beg your pardon?"

"You're such a fine-looking young man," the woman said in a doting voice. "And that girl is so beautiful. You both deserve the best dried sardines around, and let me tell you, these ones will prevent wrinkles while keeping your hair shiny and black."

Ichiro felt inclined to ask the woman why her hair was graying if that was the case but managed to hold his tongue long enough to look back at Kumiko. She was a sight to behold even when in a sour mood. He waved to get her attention.

"What do you think, my lady? Shall we buy some?"

Kumiko crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. "Whatever you think is best. It doesn't matter to me."

Ichiro sighed and decided to humor the woman behind the stall. "I would like to purchase a jar on behalf of my mistress. How much will it be?"

"Ten mon," the woman replied with a wink that surprised Ichiro again. He averted his gaze and reached into his bag for the string of coins while she resumed talking. "So, you're her servant, eh? I suppose times must be desperate if her family has trusted you to accompany her."

"What do you mean?" Ichiro unstrung ten of his coins and held them out for her to take.

The old woman's brow frounced as she laughed. "I saw your face earlier. You did not look at her the way a dutiful servant should."

Ichiro feared that she had already seen through his act. He reached for the nearest jar of fish, but the old woman's hand came down upon his. 

"No, that was a look of affection, and dare I say it, blossoming love. Tell me, is my guess correct?"

"You're mad, old woman," Ichiro snapped while his ears grew hot. He pulled his hand free. "I would never transgress with my lady like that." He grabbed his jar of choice in haste and ran back to Kumiko's side as his pulse raced. "Let us go. That vendor is a strange one."

Kumiko followed him without question, and they hurried away together. She glanced at him, then spoke in a grave tone. "I heard what that woman said. None of it was true, was it?"

Ichiro tried to disregard the pleasure that stemmed from being in her presence. He shook his head. "Of course not. I have no such feelings for you."

"Good. Neither do I."

The firmness with which Kumiko stated those words left Ichiro in dismay, but he could not complain. There was a chance that his fondness for her would prove fleeting, and perhaps it was best to keep his heart distant the way she had chosen to do today.

I can do this. I need only to focus on my true purpose.

Ichiro scanned the contents of his bag and realized that while he had been lucky to gain a hundred mon from selling the oni mask yesterday, it would run out faster with a second person traveling by his side. He swallowed and tapped Kumiko's arm to get her attention.

"Yes, Ichiro?" she muttered with just as little passion as earlier.

"We'll have to find a way to earn more money soon, lest we end up like beggars."

"I see." Kumiko came to a sudden stop that almost caused him to knock against her. A trace of a mischief became apparent on her face. "I have some ideas, but I think they are best discussed in private."

What little relief Ichiro felt disappeared immediately. If her ideas could only be shared behind closed doors, then did that mean they were corrupt or unlawful? He became suspicious once more, and the next words to come out of Kumiko's mouth only fueled his fear.

"We could also consider finding something to transport goods in. It would eliminate the need to carry things ourselves, among other benefits."

Ichiro forced a smile as several unpleasant possibilities danced through his imagination. "You're beginning to frighten me, Kumiko. Is this the sort of thing that was commonplace when you were a child?"

She tilted her head and blinked ever so innocently. "Not really. This is just my way of helping you. I'm certainly not planning to hide a body, if that's what-"

"Kumiko, you mustn't speak of such things in public," Ichiro interrupted, knowing that they were within earshot of other marketgoers. "We could find ourselves in deep trouble."

"Right you are. You'll just have to be patient and trust me tonight." She turned and resumed walking, unaware of the stares that came her way. "What do you plan for us to do after this?"

Ichiro took it upon himself to glare at every man who dared to look at Kumiko for more than a moment. "I have to travel to Wazuka village to collect tea bricks. It should be easier getting them home with you by my side."

"I know," replied Kumiko. "I was thinking more about where we'll stay next."

"Oh, that." Ichiro smiled to himself in embarrassment before remembering some useful advice he had once received. "There should be another inn along the way. My father used to travel a lot, and he says that they are desperate for boarders these days. If we're lucky, they'll lower the price to make us stay longer."

"That's a relief," Kumiko said as her mood lifted. "I have just one request, though. Could we visit the Fushimi Inari shrine before we leave? That place means a lot to me."

Ichiro did not wish to be distracted from his journey again, but Kumiko sounded sincere, and he didn't want to crush her hopes. "Of course. I suppose I could pray for our safety."

Kumiko's expression grew brighter, and she took his hand. "I'm glad you understand. You're a really special person, and I wish we could stay like this forever."

"Let's not think about that now," Ichiro could only bring himself to say as they continued searching for more food to sustain them on their journey. "There is still so much that could go wrong before we return to my hometown."

******

Author Notes:

- The Fushimi Inari shrine is perhaps the most famous place of worship in Japan. Located in the southern part of Kyoto and dating to the early Heian period, it is dedicated to the god Inari and among its attractions are statues of foxes and the hundreds of torii gates along the main path.