"Where have you been?" Yuta asked as his niece, late, bowed as she took her place in the dining area of their house.

"I apologize for being late." Uncle was angry and that happened so seldom that Azuki felt a clench in her heart. "I did tell Hanako-san where I was going."

"Eat your dinner now," Yuta said. "You can help Hanako-san clean up and do your Buddhist practice with her afterwards."

With a smile, Hanako-san served Azuki with a bowl of hot miso soup and ...