"I want to find out more about the Navy," Akira told Shota.

The boys left the breakfast table to go up to the dojo for their morning lesson. It was a nice day, although cold, typical of early winter. They decided to walk up the outside gallery.

Otohime and Tsuruko, who carried Kichiro-chan, shimmered into being on the porch to join Renko and Azuki just outside the dojo door. Azuki smiled. She thought it was good those two were becoming such friends. They weren't anything like ...