He felt uplifted, and was light on his feet without drinking a drop of alcohol. That night was like a dream. However, the night of the festival wouldn’t continue for much longer. Leaving the crowd, Kusamakura and Shunshou returned home. As the two of them walked along the path at night, Kusamakura thanked Shunshou. He thanked him for giving the mask, and taking him out to the town. He also felt guilty for doubting him at one time.
“&h.e.l.lip;&h.e.l.lip;don’t mention it, you don’t need to thank me.”
“But, I was able to go out among people.”
Wearing a mask may be unnatural any other time aside from a festival. That was fortuitous enough to Kusamakura though. All Shunshou could do was make an ambiguous expression at Kusamakura’s thanks.