Firestone Hot Springs kutsurogi no jikan

he speaks now of women.

does he believe her a lady? or does he believe her fallen? kaede finds she can no longer tell. it will matter, but later. it can matter another time.

she will keep his boastings, and says at much with a pleasant look aimed in shinjou's direction.

he asks of her mind. she thinks this inquiry a gambit.

the lady bows her head.

"the reading of character i leave to masa-sama. if the boy is loyal, that is what i find most interesting." kaede resolves then to help lorroakan, if only because shinjou has spoken so poorly of him.

her shoulders straighten.

"i will leave you to your thoughts, samurai." she does not ask his leave, for she is not a servant.