[So tired…]

Eventually, after several hours, Kotori had finally fed the crowd. Her body was covered in a light sheen of oil that gave her skin and face a glossy look. She was drench in sweat on account of the hot sun and being forced to work near the griddle. Eventually, Kotori was forced to stop because she realized the only customers, she was getting were repeat customers.

Well, to call them customers was not correct. It was not like the sailors were paying her anything to make the pajeon.

Kotori stopped once she could see no more new people coming to eat. What had been a small trip to the deck to make some food had become a massive undertaking to feed the whole crew.

The crew also had to stop because they needed to prepare for docking so the number of sailors had thinned out considerably.

Many of the sailors seemed to have a happy expression and Kotori’s karma had gone up so she couldn’t complain about the sequence of events that had happened.

Kotori felt something cold and soothing on her forehead. She thought it was odd until she realized that Umi was using her water skills to cool her down. A water bundle was planted directly on her forehead.

Umi was sitting on a bench nearby beckoning with arms towards her lap. It was the first time she had taken her full form in a while.

Kotori gratefully took the offer.

Umi’s lap was delightfully cool. Since it was made from water a lap pillow from Umi was the perfect way to cool down.

Kotori heard a voice behind them

“Hey! Who said you  were allowed to pamper Kotori!"

She sat up to see a pouting Layla in the background.

Suddenly she felt her head being swept up and held by Layla. Her face was nestled in between Layla’s chest and it was unbearably warm.

Layla was a fire spirit after all. She had naturally quite a high body temperature.

[So stuffy] Kotori thought

“Kotori’s took my offer to give her back!"

Suddenly Kotori felt herself being snatched by Umi and clutched to Umi’s chest.

Umi of course, was a water spirit and thus very cool and refreshing.

[That’s nice, so coooool] She thought while melting into Umi’s embrace

She suddenly felt herself being pulled in two directions. It was painful and felt like her joints were being separated.

“OW!” She said, and suddenly the pulled sensation stopped. Layla and Umi were quite strong spirits after all. Although, Kotori was quite sturdy herself if she was suddenly pulled on both ends by them it would hurt quite a bit.

Kotori looked up at both Layla and Umi who seemed to be glaring at each other.

“Can’t you see Kotori-sama prefers me!” Umi said

“You’re absolutely wrong! You dumb otter!” Layla shouted

“Dumb otter? You’re an idiot fox!” Umi shouted back.

Kotori could see several sailors gathering around and exchanging money between it seems like they were making bets on which of the spirits would win in a catfight.

[Ah Mou, this is going to turn into trouble] Kotori thought. She did make them compete for her affection after all this was the result. She did it initially to take the heat of her but now she wanted to nip the problem in the bud.

“You both can be the first wife ok!”

“Eh?” Umi and Layla both looked at her with a surprised expression

Both of suddenly started blushing

“The first wife, that means I’m a fiancé” Umi said looking down and shuffling her feet.

Layla similarly was also doing the same motion while holding her face which was beet red

“First wife ufufufu, is this a proposal?” She said.

“I’m tired of you two fighting. If you’re both the first wife that solves it no?” Kotori said.

For one, there was no reason why she had to have a first, second, third wife. Or even if spirits could be wives after all. Regardless Kotori didn’t mind the thought of staying with Umi, and Layla for the rest of her life in this world.

The word “wife” maybe a little more serious than she intended but she wouldn’t have much intention of cheating on them after all.

Both of them turned towards her

“I don’t accept this!” They said in unison

It was now Kotori’s turn to be shocked. She thought she had elegantly resolved the issue.

“Why?”

Umi spoke first.

“Well, this is a woman’s battle you need to respect it! You can’t just brush it away, you need to take responsibility!”

“Umu!” Layla agreed to nod her head and crossing her arms.

[Don’t tell me the one time they agree on something it’s this!] Kotori thought.

Layla and Umi were like water and oil, but for some reason this seemed to be an area where they were particularly adamant about and agreed upon.

This time Layla spoke.

“I will fight a fair battle with Umi for first wife, I don’t want to share it!”

Umi nodded along this time.

Both suddenly shook hands in a sudden truce.

Kotori watched the scene with ever-increasing dread. On one hand, she was happy that the rivalry was less venomous than she thought, but on the other hand, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to physically survive being fought over by these two Oujo-samas.

[Someone save me!] She internally pleaded

Kitsura

Romantic development, in my novel?

 

Preposterous!