𝙻𝚘𝚌𝚔 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔 || Hyakkimaru

•|| skirmish ||•

I am never fond of noise, which basically explains why I dislike having to go to crowded public areas. Being one who would die when locked inside a room while a teenage house party is being held, I had always preferred to stay inside my room – away from people. Although in a few circumstances, I would leave the house, but only for the sake of school or messing with my best friend because I am hella bored.

And, if you were supporting this book for quite a while now, you could easily tell that the current scenario happens to be the complete opposite of what I draw comfort from. We all know how reality is a bitch.

Witu loud chants of various vendors clashing through my ears along with the incoherent chatters of the sea of crowd engulfing me in their riptide, I cannot help but grumble curses under my breath. It had incredibly irked me to bump shoulders with a random stranger for each passing second, leading me to spouting every profanity I know mentally towards Dororo, my mind drifting to our earlier conversation.

“Onee-san, Aniki and I will go hunting as a requested job to kill off a demon.” Dororo informed, staring at me with nonchalant coffee eyes. “Since it’s just plain as day there’s a ninety percent chance you’ll die, we’re leaving you behind.”

“A fine choice.” I nodded my head a bit too eagerly; agreeing not even after a second had passed. I am no fool and I am no Jackie Chan. I would rather sit out than trip miserably at the scene and get swallowed alive. Besides, the last time I messed up from these missions, Hyakkimaru seemed quite pissed off at me. And, we wouldn’t want that now do we; I had just gotten to his good side after all. “I’ll just take a good nap under the shade of this big-ass tree while you two go act like badasses.”

“At times, I wonder what language you speak, Onee-san.” Dororo pointed out bleakly, while I had stiffened up as I had realized my manner of speech just a while ago. Shaking her head dismissively, she continues. “Anyways, don’t think you’re gonna get off free without anything to do. You’re in need a bit of exercise now, don’t you think so?”

“We walk miles everyday, Dororo.” I claimed with a pointed look. “And, I just earned us a whole wad of cash not too long ago.”

“Do you want me to weigh out what I do and you’ve done?”

“Oh great Dororo-sama, please do enlighten me what I duty should I fulfil in the middle of your short absence.” I said exaggeratedly, batting my eyes as I raised my voice for an octave, purposely imitating Pansy Parkinson’s manner of speaking. Just after the short act, I rolled my eyes, stating in a cynical tone. “Just spill the tea, Dororo.”

“As much as I would like to do so in your face, tea is expensive and we’re not particularly of status to waste any money.” The chestnut-eyed boyish female remarked as a frown tugged down my lips from her witty remark, feeling quite defeated. Noticing my scowl, she grins triumphantly, reminding me of the face my brother looks every time he manages to get me into trouble with our parents. In simpler terms, they’re both brats I would hate to love and love to hate.

“Just tell me what I need to do.” I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest.

“Fine.” Dororo giggles. “Buy ingredients for a hot pot if you please. Since we have quite the money to spare, and it has been especially cold lately, we’re having hot pot to warm ourselves up tonight.”

What the hell is a hot pot anyways? And, as much as I love Master Chef and Kitchen Nightmares, I have zero skills that can be put off use into cooking. The fact that I could burn rice from a rice cooker is enough proof.

What should I do? Chant a spell from Charms?

Should I say hotpotus foodolopolis and then the ingredients would magically show up?