[Serialized Novel] Iroha ni Hoheto Vol. 2 'Which Capital'

https://note.com/tibihime/n/na7864bee49ed

A bedroom with a bamboo blind hanging. The futon was hard and heavy.

When I looked at the pillow, to my surprise, it was a wooden base with fabric sewn onto it. No wonder my head hurt.

And I was even more surprised when I looked at the clothes I was wearing. Before I knew it, I was wearing a yukata.

Feeling like I was no longer myself, I looked for a mirror.

The mirror was in a wooden box placed above my head.

I look into the mirror.

Thank goodness, it's me as usual.

Just as I thought that, someone called out to me from beyond the bamboo blind.

"Lady Aya, are you awake?"

Aya... Lady? I thought to myself, and then I replied.

"Yes, I am awake."

Excuse me.

As she said this and entered, she let out a gasp and looked at me.

Huh? What? Is there something on me?

Lady Aya, your hair...!!

My hair? My hair? What about my hair?

With that, the woman left while letting out a scream.

A while later, several women entered behind the bamboo blinds.

Truly, your hair...

Lady Aya, please stay strong!

We have already sent for an onmyoji!

Not understanding what they were talking about, I touched my hair.

What is wrong with my hair?

Then, one woman whispered to the woman next to her,

She has lost her mind from the shock of losing her hair.

as if to say that.

No, I can hear you.

A long time passed, and a man called an onmyoji arrived.

A super handsome man with fox-like eyes.

At first, we were talking through a bamboo blind, but he asked if he could come inside, saying there was something he needed to confirm.

Even though I told him it was fine, he made a big show of it as he entered behind the blind.

Seeing his appearance, I was surprised all over again. He was wearing a court cap and dressed just like someone from the Heian period.

Come to think of it, the women were all wearing kimonos too.

The onmyoji entered and suddenly began chanting a spell.

The women were prostrating themselves as they surrounded me.

"Lady Aya, I have now removed the ominous energy! As for your hair... unfortunately, even the arts of yin and yang cannot do anything about that..."

"Oh, Lady Aya!"

I could hear the voices of the women around me lamenting.

I took a deep breath and asked.

"Excuse me, what era is this?"

"Now? We are currently in the reign of Emperor Keitoku."

Emperor Keitoku...!! A name I've heard in history!

"Could it be... the Heian period?"

"Indeed. We are currently in Heian-kyo, but why do you ask?"

"Wait... hold on... just a moment ago, I was at school, wasn't I! This is a dream, it has to be a dream, right?"

"It seems the princess has had her memory tampered with. Was that monster from earlier the culprit..."

Huh? Did this person just say monster? Are they sane??

"For now, I have lifted the curse, so please let me know if anything else happens. Your memory should return in time."

I won't be fooled by such a casual remark!!

The women were told to leave the area for the time being, and a lady-in-waiting was assigned to look after me.

"Goodness, what a terrible monster that was."

She said that while brushing my hair.

"What was so terrible about it?"

"To think it would take away your hair, Princess. It was so beautiful..."

"Is hair really that important?"

"Yes, they say even gentlemen choose women based on their hair."

I see, so that's why they say my short hair is no good.

Still, it was quite a commotion over just some hair...

The lady-in-waiting's name was Momo.

"So, will you be taking care of me from now on, Momo-chan?"

"That is too kind an honor, calling me Momo-chan. 'Momo' is quite sufficient."

"No, no, I should at least be able to add '-chan' to your name."

"No, if you were to call me that, my lady, it would create a disparity with those around us, and I would have no place left to belong."

"I understand. Momo, then."

I said this to Momo, who covered her mouth after finishing her sentence, realizing her mistake.

"My lady... may I retract that last statement?"