Chapter Text
Koharu was unfortunate to find a job in a village after she graduated. She is a fresh graduate of Oxford in education and her first job is to go to Kumade village as a part of project to develop the village. Right now, the Empire is rigorously want to develop the villages to compete with the Western. Kumade is one of the under developed village and very isolated. Koharu was disheartened to find her new workplace is very far from town.
She arrived at the village with a carriage. She stopped in front of a house. The house is plain like other houses in the village. A woman appeared and approached Koharu.
'You must be the new teacher, right? Come inside.'
Koharu was pleased by the warm welcome of the woman. 'My name is Ayame. Please sit. Here is your tea.'
The woman was really well prepared. She showed Koharu her room. The room is simple and tidy. She has little desk, a bed and wardrobe. It was comfortable. Koharu was grateful and said thank you. They heard the front door knocked. Ayame went to greet the new guest. He was a young man in his early 20.
'Yoshitaro. Come in. She is already inside,' then Ayame called Koharu.
Koharu went to the living room. The young man is average looking and quite pleasant. 'My name is Yoshitaro, written as 'good son'. Nice to meet you, Koharu-chan.' Koharu hoped that this guy is not a pervert. 'I'm going to show you around the village. Would you come a long, Ayame-san?'
'Oh, I can't, I have a lot of things to do.' Yoshitaro and Koharu walked outside. 'Have fun! Please come before dinner!' said Ayame as she waved. They waved back.
'Where we go first? Maybe your school? Ah, probably a market first,' Yoshitaro walked to the east of the village. 'Well, the market was in a small town near the village. Following this path, you will arrive soon. Next is the school.' Yoshitaro led Koharu to the biggest building of the village. 'We only have elementary school. Middle school students went to the town school. Good morning Asato-san,' Yoshitaro greeted a middle-aged woman. The woman greeted back, 'Oh, Amayadori-san. Is this the new teacher.' Koharu politely greeted back. 'Yeah she is our new teacher, Matsuyama Koharu. Koharu, this is Asato-san, the head of Women's Association.' Koharu wondered and asked what is Women's Association. 'Well, we can say this is the most powerful organization led by amazing women. Right, Asato-san?' Koharu thought that means this Women's Association is feared by every villagers men. Asato-san flushed and hit Yoshitaro back, 'You praise us too much. Well, if you want to join, you are welcomed.' Asato-san excused herself.
Koharu heard some chanting. 'That's our shrine, Amayadori. They were holding ritual.' They climbed the stairs to the shrine. Koharu could see a group of old villagers, sitting in front of a bear statue. Beside the statue, a young girl sat in miko garment. Then the bear started to talk. Koharu listened in disbelief.
'That's the head of Kumai family, Yamato. Right now he is being possessed by mountain god. The old geezer gather to hear the mountain god talk.'
But the bear talk about nonsense like the old geezers should eat more calcium and water their plant regularly. The old geezer were sleeping soundly and the miko just scribbling. Koharu is curious about the miko. 'That is my cousin, Omachi. She is 14 years old. Isn't she cute?' Koharu sensed incest tone in Yoshitaro words. She stepped away from him. 'Isn't it wrong to say my cousin cute?' But the one who said that is you.
The tour is over. 'If you need anything just come to the village office or shrine. See you!' Yoshitaro walked away. Koharu realized two bears cub behind her. They were watching her. Koharu's heart jumped but looking at the toys, she came to the conclusion that they were Ayame's pet. Koharu realized she hasn't seen Ayame's family. Koharu went inside the house while the cubs eyes following her.
'Welcome back, Koharu-chan, how is the tour?' Koharu thought the tour went well. Yoshitaro is probably not a good guy but he is okay. Koharu helped Ayame preparing the dinner. Koharu arranged five bowls and five pairs of chopsticks. Ayame went outside and shouted, 'Haru, Fuyu, dinner!'
Koharu was sitting when two bear cubs entered. Koharu asked if they were her pets. 'No, why I got often asked of that? They were my kids.'
Koharu thought she was joking. Ayame ordered them to greet me. 'She is your new teacher. Say hello and be good kids, okay.'
'Hi, sensei. I'm Haru and this is my brother, Fuyu!' The bigger cub squeezed the little one. The little one was struggling. Koharu wanted to think this is a joke prepared by the villagers. They were kids in costume. Ayame ordered them to sit. Then the front door opened. It is the bear from the shrine. 'Ayame, why you cook veggies again? I'm a carnivorous bear for fuck sake. Hm? Who is this?'
The bear overshadowed Koharu and almost stepped her. Koharu was shaking in her place. 'This is the new teacher, Koharu-chan. Koharu-chan, this is my husband, Yamato...Koharu-chan?'
Koharu could not hear Ayame talking. Yamato felt this is the chance to greet the new guest. 'Raaawwrrr!!' Yamato rose ready to maul her and growl loudly. Koharu fainted.