Chapter Sixty-Three

Orario was awash with colours and noises, a true sensory carnival.

But as Muichiro wove his way through the labyrinthine streets, it wasn't the festival's clamour that held his attention, but a distinct voice layered with anxiety.

Following the sound, he found himself in an alley where May, the cat-girl from the Hostess of Fertility, was pacing back and forth.

Her long feline tail swished agitatedly behind her, mirroring the anxious darting of her eyes. The usual playful glint in those eyes was replaced by shadows of worry.

Spotting her familiar figure, Muichiro called out."May? What's troubling you?"

"Kyaaaaa!!!!..."

Caught off guard, May yelped for a split second before her amber eyes locked onto his, a mix of surprise and unmistakable fondness evident.

"Oh! Muichiro, it's you," she stuttered, her cheeks betraying a faint blush.

Muichiro observed her closely, noting the fine tremors in her hands and the way her ears lay flat against her head. "Is there something wrong?" he inquired, his voice gentle but firm.

May attempted a facade of nonchalance, but it soon crumbled as she spoke of the upcoming bread-making competition, the pressure of representing the Hostess of Fertility, and the devastating loss of her secret ingredient - the Celestia Spora.

Her voice quivered with a blend of frustration and despair as she described the precious yeast and its unmatched qualities.

Muichiro listened, absorbing every word. The intricate details of the yeast brought to mind his own memories of the Wheat Manor's storeroom.

He distinctly remembered the otherworldly glow and ethereal aroma of the Celestia Spora. An idea began to form in his mind.

May, momentarily lost in her woes, hardly noticed Muichiro's characteristic head tilt – an unconscious gesture he made when deep in thought.

Yet, despite her distress, a soft "cute" was whispered under her breath, unable to resist.

Seizing the moment of silence, Muichiro's voice cut through, clear and reassuring.

"I think I can assist. Demeter possesses a stock of Celestia Spora. I'll retrieve it for you in time for the competition."

May's eyes, wide and shimmering, searched his for any hint of deceit.

But finding none, her overwhelmed emotions took charge, and she lunged forward, encircling Muichiro in a heartfelt embrace.

The embrace lingered for a moment, two souls finding solace amidst the festival's frenzy.

Returning to reality, May whispered her gratitude, her voice thick with emotion.

"Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou...oh I need to get ready then, I'll see you at the bake-off Muichiro-Nyaa,~"

As she dashed towards the competition venue, the weight on her shoulders visibly lighter, Muichiro stood still for a brief moment, letting the warmth of their interaction sink in.

With a newfound determination, he made his way towards the Wheat Manor." I better quicken my pace."

....

(Location:Wheat Manor)

The Wheat Manor loomed ahead as Muichiro briskly approached it. The grandiose structure was a testament to the prestige of the Demeter Familia.

As he entered the manor, his senses were met with the gentle scent of Wheat and the faint hum of diligent work.

The first order of business was the Celestia Spora. Retrieving the exquisite yeast, he carefully placed it in a protective container, ensuring its safety. Next, he sought out the members of the Ganesha Familia who were present.

Approaching them, he began, "I encountered something odd on my way here. An overwhelming sense of bloodlust. It was fleeting, but palpable."

One of the guards, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, frowned, "During the festival? That's concerning."

"I couldn't locate its source," Muichiro admitted, "but I thought it best to let you know. Stay alert."

The guard nodded, "We'll spread the word among our ranks. Thanks for the heads-up."

Recounting to them the unsettling bloodlust he had felt earlier and emphasizing the need for vigilance.

Their nods of understanding, although subtle, reassured Muichiro that the message was received.

With the yeast secured and the warning conveyed, he moved on to consult Cuthbert, the butler of the Demeter Familia.

"Master Muichiro," Cuthbert greeted, his posture straight as a rod, "how may I assist you today?"

"Just checking in, Cuthbert," Muichiro replied. "Any changes to the schedule? Are my services needed?"

Cuthbert scanned through the day's itinerary on a polished silver clipboard. "You're not required until late afternoon. Lady Demeter has everything under control."

"Thank you," Muichiro nodded, "I have an errand in town, so I'll take my leave."

Cuthbert bowed slightly, "Of course. Please be safe."

.....

After confirming that his services wouldn't be required until the late afternoon, Muichiro took his leave, eager to make his way to May's competition.

Navigating through the bustling streets proved challenging. He realized that the main roads were swamped with festival-goers.

The urgent need to get the yeast to May pushed him to consider alternative routes. Remembering a shortcut, Muichiro turned into a narrow alley.

As he delved deeper, familiar voices echoed around him. Emerging from the shadows were a group of thugs, their smirks unmistakably bearing traces of past confrontations with Muichiro.

Their leader stepped forward, chest puffed out with misplaced pride. "Well, if it isn't our old friend," he sneered.

Yet, true to his nature, Muichiro peered at him, genuinely puzzled, and remarked, "Do I know you?"

The alley was blanketed in silence, broken only by the distant festival music. The gang leader's face contorted in anger and embarrassment. "You dare forget us?!" he shouted.

The thugs, feeding off their leader's indignation, drew out an assortment of knives and swords.

But the sheer ineptitude of their stance gave away their amateurish intent.

Without missing a beat, Muichiro took action. But instead of the brutal efficiency one would expect, he chose to match their comic ineptitude.

Using swift, calculated moves, he managed to disarm, defeat, and hilariously humiliate each thug in turn.

It was a dance of prowess as the thugs tripped over each other, accidentally knocking out their compatriots, or getting caught in their own trousers.

The result was a pile of comically positioned, unconscious thugs.

With the trash dealt with, Muichiro continued on, leaving the helpless gang behind.

The boss, the only conscious member left, seethed with fury.

Just as he was cursing Muichiro, two passersby peered into the alley, their faces registering a mix of disgust and regret at seeing the ludicrous sight.

"My god, in broad daylight."

"I've heard rumours of this kind of stuff happening, but only in the entertainment district."

"*Gag* No matter how many times I wash my eyes this image will forever be ingrained in my memories..."

This was the last straw for the boss who, in a fit of rage, spat out a mouthful of blood and promptly fainted.

Somewhere in the background, the soft chimes of festival bells continued to ring, adding an ironic touch to the mayhem that had just transpired.