My mother's love song

"You haven't changed, it's my mind that has changed."

At this time of year, Rod's only remaining hobby was catching insects in the mountains.

Japan has had a very strong culture of beetle worship since ancient times. Samurai called the traditional Japanese armor "beetle [kabuto]" and made it to imitate the posture of beetles. Local children are also keen on catching various kinds of beetles.

but……

"This is the first time I've seen a young lady go up to the mountain to catch beetles."

The insect catching boy Rod carried the net bag on his shoulder and looked at the big tree in front of him.

On the tree, a girl with long black hair pulled up the sleeves of her kimono, completely ignoring the exposure under her skirt, and climbed the tree as nimbly as a monkey.

She was the girl Rhodes met in the mountains a few days ago, her name was Qingzi.

I heard that she was a girl serving a noble in the Forbidden City, and the men in her family seemed to also serve in the court.

She has beautiful black hair that is no less beautiful than Fujiwara Kaori's, and a cute face that is pure and pretty.

Her skin is delicate, her lips are red and her teeth are white, her limbs are slender, healthy and full of vitality, and the fabric she wears looks like high-end goods.

Moreover, even though she was wearing a thick and conservative kimono, Rhodes could tell that the girl was very well-endowed. Even though she wasn't as attractive as Xiangzi and Laikou, she was definitely not something that a poor family could easily raise.

Rod had to believe that what she said was true and not just bragging.

However, such a young lady would actually go to the mountains to catch beetles, and was trapped on a tree and unable to get down.

If Rhodes hadn't happened to pass by and rescued her that day, Kiyoko would probably have become a laughing stock in Kyoto because she broke her leg while wearing a kimono.

For example, there are rumors that the girl from the Shonagon family is the reincarnation of a cat demon and that she climbs onto other people's roofs every night... and so on.

"Light dear! Look, I've climbed up!"

Qingzi stood on the branch with one hand on her waist, waving at Rhodes under the tree in a proud manner.

"I saw it... Tsk, I told you not to call me Light's dear."

Rhodes waved at her with a smile. If you ignore the appearance, the scene would be just like a college student taking care of a relative's naughty kid.

In fact, from this angle, you can just see the bottom of the kimono skirt.

As long as there is a slight breeze in the forest, you can see everything you should and shouldn't see. After all, there is no such thing as panties in this era.

Oh, oh, that's dangerous.

Fortunately, Rhodes is a gentleman, otherwise he would have spread rumors that not only her personality is like a cat, but also that some parts of her body are similar to those of some albino feline with genetic mutations.

Well, tell Xiangzi about it at the dinner table tonight.

Rhode decided to eat with the cute image of a literary girl blushing and whimpering because of a vulgar joke.

Although I won’t talk about it everywhere, it doesn’t mean I will keep my mouth shut, right?

"Light dear, why are you just standing there watching!"

Qingzi spread her legs wide and urged the boy below, "Don't just stare, come up too!"

"No, I won't go up. I'll just watch over Miss Kiyoko from below."

"What~ Hikari no Kiss is so boring~"

Kiyoko puffed up her cheeks and muttered, "The kids these days are so lifeless and act like old men. Japan's future is over~" while immersing herself in her bug catching business.

"Oh, the shape of your butt is perfect, too."

Rhode stroked his chin and sighed: "As expected of a young lady from Kyoto, it looks like she will give birth to a very healthy baby."

Time passed like this, and in the evening the two of them went home together.

“Huff, huff… Today is another big harvest. I’m the one who caught the biggest rhinoceros beetle. Wahahaha, the Dark Knight loses again!”

Qingzi was walking happily on the road holding a rhinoceros beetle, completely ignoring the strange looks from others.

Rhodes and Qingzi had only just met and become playmates in the past few days, so he didn't know Qingzi's real age.

Judging from his appearance and figure, he is probably 17 or 18 years old, but mentally he feels only 7 or 8 years old.

What a strange woman.

"Look, look, this huge horn full of tension is so cool!"

Rhode said disdainfully: "What's the use of being big? What's the use of being handsome? The most important thing is only one thing, and that is being strong!

Qingzi, your rhinoceros beetle is no match for my Ortus!"

By the way, Ortus was the name of the stag beetle that Rod kept.

In addition to Orthos, Rod also has Ouroboros, Shoggoth, Behemoth, and Tiamat, which just died last week.

Hearing the boy say this, Qingzi frowned: "This child is not for fighting, it's too much for the Light Parent to use him for such a thing!"

Rhode laughed and said, "You obviously enjoyed fighting me. You said something like that after you lost. Qingzi, what a jerk."

"That, that is... Later I realized my mistake! After all, beetles are our friends... They should not be used in battles! I will never fight insects again!"

The tragic scene before the love insect's death, with its handsome horns cut off by Rhodes's Orthodox pincers and its body fluids twitching and constantly leaking, seems to have left a deep impression on the girl.

"I will keep it until it dies in a few years. I will then make it into a specimen and keep it with me forever."

"By the way, Qingzi." Rhodes stared at her face and grinned.

"Um, what?"

"The life span of an adult rhinoceros beetle is only three months."

"Lie, lie."

"Really. Its actual lifespan is about a year, of which three-quarters are spent in larval form. When it turns into a handsome beetle, it only has three or four months left to live."

"…………"

The girl looked like she was about to cry.

"Light No Kiss, you devil! I don't want to play with you anymore! We're done! We're done!"

Qingzi frowned angrily, distanced herself from him and walked quickly in front of him. The boy could only follow behind with a helpless smile.

"Hmm...what's going on? It's so lively."

She discovered the location of the anti-warning sign on a street corner at dusk, which was now crowded with a mixture of warriors and civilians.

Then, just as Rod had a bad feeling, Qingzi grabbed his wrist.

"Hey, aren't you going to break up with me? You should keep your word. You are embarrassing your master, okay?"

"Let's go! Light's dear! Let's go check it out!"

"Wait, I want to go home..."

The girl grabbed Rhodes' hand, ignored his complaints, and ran towards the crowd with excitement.

"Ohhhhhh! That's amazing!"

Qingzi's eyes lit up as she read the content on the notice board.

Although he was used to this guy's sudden surprise, Rhode still looked at the sign curiously.

"In one month, Kyoto will hold the [Genji Festival], which will be presided over by the leader of the Genji clan, Minamoto no Mitsunaka, and the young master Minamoto no Raikou.

This is a competition to determine the strongest samurai in Heian. All strong men in Japan are welcome to participate. The winner will receive 100 taels of gold and 30 famous horses..."

"boring."

Rhodes sneered, it turned out to be a copy of Nero Festival.

It's obvious at first glance that this wasn't Raikou's mother's idea. It must have been her father's.

Who on earth would participate in such a boring competition...

"I want to participate! I want to participate!"

The girl next to him pulled his hand excitedly, jumping and shouting.

Rhodes frowned: "Qingzi, you know swordsmanship?"

Qingzi turned around and shook her head: "Huh? No, I'm not the daughter of the Wu family."

"So you know Yin-Yang magic?"

"No."

"Then why are you participating?"

"This is a festival! And it's a festival to decide the strongest in Japan! Wow~~~ it's awesome! I have to participate! I absolutely have to participate! If I'm late, I won't be able to catch up!"

"........."

Rhodes said: "After hearing what you said, I also want to participate."

"Really? Great!"

Kiyoko crossed her arms over her chest, nodded earnestly and said, "Higurashi, although we are friends now, I will not show mercy to you on the battlefield! Please be prepared."

"I want to cut open your head during the Genji Festival and see what substance is inside."

"Hahaha! Hikari-sama is saying terrible things again!"

Finally, Rhodes was able to get rid of Qingzi's entanglement. After saying goodbye to the girl who stayed there to queue up for registration, he set out on the quiet journey home alone.

"Well, women should really choose those who are quiet and dignified like Miss Xiangzi."

……

……

……

Fujiwara residence.

Fujiwara Kaori knelt on the tatami, rubbing her hands nervously on her knees, her face full of anxiety.

On the tatami in front of her, a huge man was sitting carelessly.

Huge is a very appropriate word to describe this man.

Although Fujiwara Kaori is considered tall among women, she can be described as petite compared to the young man in front of her.

It would be fine if he was just tall, but he also seemed to be made up of muscles.

He has a muscular torso and strong chest muscles, and his arms are almost as big as Xiangzi's thighs. It feels like he can blow Xiangzi and the house away with just a wave of his hand.

His naturally long golden hair and bright blue eyes reminded people of the southern barbarians who only appeared in records, or the legendary son of a demon.

Xiangzi actually knew the name of the guest who suddenly visited her home.

Sakata Kintoki, one of the four famous kings of Raiko in Kyoto.

"Hey, hello! I'm Sakata Kintoki, Sister Xiangzi. We met before at the Taoist priest's place. Do you still remember me?"

"Of course I remember!"

Fujiwara Kaori thought that anyone who saw your presence would never forget it. She trembled and said, "Excuse me, is there anything that caused you to visit me so suddenly today? I don't think I have done anything illegal!"

It had been two months since she last visited a brothel, and she still couldn't break her habit of trembling when she saw law enforcement officers.

"No, no, no, I'm not here to look for Sister Xiangzi. Is the kid who lives in your house here?"

"...Hmm? Are you talking about Genji?"

Fujiwara Kaori's heart sank.

Oh no, the Lord of Light must have caused some big trouble outside!

Otherwise, why would the Four Heavenly Kings of Raiko suddenly come to the door?

Living under the same roof with Rhodes every day, Xiangzi knew very well how much of a troublemaker this beautiful boy could be.

Did he beat up the son of a samurai? Or did he flirt with the daughter of a rich man?

No, the Lord of Light should be seducing someone's wife...

In short, since the Four Heavenly Kings of Raiko would go out in person, the Lord of Light must have committed a serious crime!

"Can you let me go inside and wait?"

Of course not! Who would let you capture my Lord of Light?

Xiangzi roared in her heart.