Renko tapped at the door to Shota's room. Shota was at school, Otohime and Azuki were with Noriko and Tsuruko working on ikebana arrangements for the house, the village school and dojo, but she had something for Akira-san she had made in her calligraphy practice.

"May I come in?" she called, sliding the door open.

"Yes, please do, Renko-san," the boy said, pushing his body erect against the cushions. He'd been working on his human manners, so he remembered to ask, "Shall I send ...