Long Way Home

Six days, seven days... It's been over a week since Miss Brown left on her business trip.

No response to my texts or calls... When she'll be back?

No, I must cheer up! While the boss is away, I need to contribute even more to Yorozuya!

Maybe this time the boss will bring me a gift as a reward!

Hello!

Welcome to Yorozuya! How can I assist you?

I'm an acquaintance of Miss Brown's. I have a commission that requires her attention.

A new face. One moment... Please present your membership badge; I need to verify your identity.

I'm not a member of Yorozuya.

I'm sorry, but Yorozuya operates on an invitation-only membership basis. Only members can book appointments with the boss...

Well, my commission is rather urgent... Please look at this token. I am indeed an acquaintance of Brown's.

[Soft Feather]... This is indeed my sister's token, and it's only used for the most important tasks.

(Though, technically, I'm the one who gets hired...)

Please, come in. Though the boss is away today, I will do my utmost to assist you.

Miss Brown is currently away on a business trip...

The heads of every household have been so busy lately... Did something major happen?

I heard there was a major explosion in Bifrost recently, and it seems some Yorozuya affiliates were caught up in it.

An explosion in Bifrost? No way... Where did it happen? Was it in Trachberg?

They say the explosion was in a military zone far from the city, and it even triggered an avalanche on Kamus Mountain.

That's a relief... As long as my client is safe.

You always think of your clients, Miss Mitsuha... I too hope all our friends at Yorozuya stay safe.

What brings you here, Mochizuki? Though the boss is away, we will do our best to assist you.

I'm here to ask you guys here to take on a commission...

Please forgive my poor explanation, but that's the gist of it...

Please, have some tea. There's no need to be nervous; you have our full attention.

Excellent tea... This is Jade Dew from the Thousand Ruins Mountain, isn't it?

This tea evokes the spring rains of a decade past, yet it's clearly a fresh picking.

You do have excellent taste.

In my youth, my family also instructed us in the Way of Tea...

So, to sum up, you wish for our help in bringing your client back from Bifrost?

Yes. Also, since the client was born in the Thousand Ruins Mountain, I still need to pinpoint her hometown address...

Here is her Joint Council residency card, along with a photograph of her from her youth.

And I'm at a loss as to how to conduct the funeral.

*Hmm, this is indeed an interesting commission. I'm very familiar with the Thousand Ruins Mountain, so I can take on the task of locating her hometown.

There is a shrine upon the Thousand Ruins Mountain. The shrine maiden there may be able to advise you on the funeral rites.

As for transporting the remains... what are the procedures in Bifrost?

The remains are currently held in the hospital's morgue. Due to Bifrost's legal statutes, we've been unable to find an embalmer for the client.

*Hmm, traveling from Trachberg to the Thousand Ruins Mountain could take three to four days, given the road conditions.

In that case, we have to request that Miss Kuri make the journey herself.

Miss Kuri, where did you study medicine?

I'm merely an ordinary maid. I have no medical expertise.

Then why were you assigned to transport my client...

As a pastry chef, I naturally had to learn magic for preserving ingredients!

Oh... so it's for keeping ingredients fresh...

Miss Kuri's magic is one of the signature services at Yorozuya.

I see... so that's why this tea tastes like childhood memories...

*Guli Guli! Let's add a little magic of love to the Master's tea cakes!

And the spell is complete!

...*Uh, it's just thinking about what you have to do next, it's hard to keep a straight face.

Even with spring on the way, Bifrost is as cold as ever...

Miss Kuri, aren't you cold dressed so lightly?

Not at all. I'm quite skilled in thermal magic, you see?

Let me warm you up too, Miss Mitsuha!

No, thank you!

*Eh? Why not?

Just thinking about you using that same magic on our client later... Never mind!

We're almost done. This journey has been quite tough.

Yan, let us take you home...

Hello, Doctor! I'm here to collect the remains of a deceased named [Yan]...

Yan? Let me check the records... Remains from over a fortnight ago? Are you family? Why the delay in claiming her?

My apologies, I'm not family. I've been commissioned to bring her home, here is the letter of authorization.

*Ah, never mind. It's not unusual for the deceased to go unclaimed around here.

We had a major explosion nearby recently. To make room for the casualties, the earlier remains were transferred out.

*Huh? Where was Yan sent?

Don't worry, we follow procedure here; we don't lose people. Take this death certificate to the suburban funeral home.

The funeral home?

Yes, the deceased has likely been cremated by now. You may go collect the ashes.

No, no way!

What's wrong?

Cremation... it's against the custom...

But according to Bifrost law, remains are to be promptly cremated.

Uh... This is a disaster!

Miss Mochizuki, you're here! Where is our client!

...Over here.

*Huh? I don't see her. Is she in the car?

Our client is in this box... We were too late.

*Ah, so she was cremated in the end...

Well, such being the case and we're already here...

*Buli Buli! Shining Maid Love Magic, make our honored client fresh and appetizing!

I can feel my client's body warmth... Does this mean the magic worked?

Well, I suppose so...

Then let's set off now and take my client to Eastrise... All those preparations we made are unnecessary now.

Sis, look! Those two over there are playing with an urn!!

Don't say such things... Perhaps they're not in their right mind from grief.

Really, I've been such a fool...

Miss Mitsuha, don't be so dispirited!

*Buli Buli! Shining Maid Love Magic, bring some energy to our Mitsuha!

Excuse me, are you shrine maidens from Eastrise?

Huh? we've been found out! Was my disguise not good enough?

Well, it's just that we Bifrostians don't typically cast spells on urns...

Well, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I am from Eastrise, but I'm not a shrine maiden!

So, please don't report us...

No, of course not! We're all one family, really. I've always been interested by Eastrise culture!

8Oh?

Back when I lived in the Dark Road, an auntie in my neighborhood was from Eastrise. She always told us about the delicious cuisine of Eastrise.

Seriously...

So, ladies, would you please join me in sampling the new menu at the Oriental Hotel? I've been wanting to try it and would value an Eastrise perspective!

(That name doesn't sound authentic at all...)

*Hehe, this is my specialty!

Wow! It's perfect in every way... Miss Kuri, you're incredible!

*Heh, the head chef here was practically begging to become my apprentice earlier! But my secret recipes? Those will never be shared!

About that secret recipe... I've suddenly lost my appetite...

So, the two of you plan to leave Bifrost with the urn?

For something like this? There's no need for smuggling or stowing away.

I'll just pop over to the office and get your papers stamped after the meal.

...

Why are you so quite, Miss Mochizuki? Are you upset?

*Waaah... Mom...

Miss Mochizuki! Wait, don't worry, I won't fight you for the food! I-I...

*Sigh... She's recalling something painful. Let her be for a while.