When Hanako brought more tea and food, she formally met Tsuruko. Tsuruko-san would require a room, Yuta told her, but might not use it every night. Hanako-san was not to worry about that. She also might not join them for every meal, though she was welcome to do so, and Hanako-san was not to worry about that, either. Hanako-san also needed to know that there would be a crane about the property who was to be given every courtesy.

Hanako bowed deeply. If Sensei wanted her to ...