Busy days

As he steps back outside, the bright orange of dusk greets him—as does Avery, who leaps to her feet with a dango stick clutched between her teeth.

"Hi, hi. How did the meeting go?"

A servant beside her offers a light dip before slipping away.

"Good," Atsunori says. "But I'm going to be busy the next few days, and I'll have to leave you here on your own."

"Leave me here? Well… okay. Not like I'm attached to my suite anyway. Will I at least get to play with the kids while you're gone?"

"You'll be training and practicing discipline with your powers instead."

"Oh, oh! So, like, you'll have me stand under a waterfall, or climb a flight of stairs carrying a giant rock, or defeat my own shadow in a mental battle?"

"No. You'll focus on mindfulness and restraint, starting tomorrow morning."

"Eeehh? Do I have to?"

"If you want to transform without growing a permanent snout or whiskers, then yes. You do."

She puts a hand on her chin, humming.

"Don't act like you're actually considering that," he mutters. She flashes him a teasing smile.

"So, where am I staying tonight? You have a spare bed?"

"We have guest houses. I'll assign you a servant as well, make sure to not overwhelm them with your endless energy."

"Sure thing, as long as they like to chat."

"I'll see what I can do."

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

"I've returned."

"Welcome home," his father calls from the living room.

No radio plays—only the scratch of a pen over documents.

As usual, dinner passes without a word, and Atsunori is so absorbed in his plans the meal leaves no taste in his mouth. Rising afterwards, he heads for the stairs when—

"Where have you been?"

The sudden question makes him pause, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

"I was given a new task expressly by the Elders."

A brief silence, then: "I see."

He's surely proud, but hell would freeze before he ever shows it.

Atsunori retreats to his room.

Taking out his new cellphone, he calls around a dozen of his relatives. Most pick up in under three rings—those who don't call him back within minutes.

Several of the family's top fighters agree to join him, some of whom he regards as his equals—or even superiors—in combat. The next day, he'll brief them in on where to search and what to watch for.

Another call goes to the investigation department. They haven't completed the results yet but provide him with an approximate date and time to check back.

Atsunori also contacts family members in some of their most prestigious businesses, ordering them to report anything unusual immediately: a sudden fire alarm, a blackout, even a new employee they don't recognize—he must be informed of any such occurrence within the minute. Similar instructions go out to the media branch, knowing they'll catch rumors or anomalies faster than anyone else.

The last few calls go to the shadier side of the family—port handlers, railway smugglers and other underground contacts. If the culprit's organization brought explosives in from outside the city, these people are the most likely to spot the trail. They, too, are to report any suspicious activity, keeping a close eye on unfamiliar faces.

If it comes to it, he'll sweep through the entire city—every resident and every corner—but he will find the culprit and whoever is pulling the strings behind them.

With a deep, relieved sigh, he drops onto his futon, finally freeing his mind from the day's burdens.

Only then does another thought push its way in: Avery's earlier reaction—the fear in her eyes…

I'll apologize again tomorrow.

Not enough.

I'll bring her a gift on my way back from the city, something money can't buy. I'll hire a private artist. A painter… or maybe a potter.

The thought of her eyes lighting up at the sight of it melts the lingering bitterness. It would feel just like giving a birthday present to one of the children.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

In the morning, he arranges for a servant to summon Avery and meets her in the backyard garden of her guesthouse after breakfast.

The sight that greets him is a drowsy Avery leaning against the servant's arm, eyes still closed.

"Good morning, Atsun," she mumbles.

"What's wrong? Trouble sleeping?"

"Oh no, no. I slept wonderfully." She pauses to yawn. "But it's way too early to be up like this."

"Yesterday you were ready to go at almost this same time."

"Well, yeah, yesterday we were going out to have fun and help. Today I have to meditate or something. If it were at least a cool training arc, that would be another story."

I'm not gonna bother.

"Listen, you're going to sit on that rock in the middle of the lake, hold another origami figure, and focus on making it levitate. Just lightly, like yesterday's illusion."

"Ah well, that doesn't sound too bad. By the time you're back I'll make sure I can—"

"Do even less."

"Eh?"

"We're not aiming for flashy illusions. You need to adapt your mind and body to magic in the smallest amounts to avoid side effects from the Yokai instincts. Do the weakest, tamest illusion you can. If you can lift the paper two centimeters, aim for one. Do I make myself clear?"

"Painfully so."

"If you go overboard, the servant will smack you in the head."

"She will?"

"I will?" the servant asks.

"Yes, and don't hold back."

"U-understood."

His gaze returns to Avery. "When you get a bit tired, enough to notice your breathing change, you'll switch to an hour of meditation."

"An hour!"

"Yes. After that, you'll be allowed to stroll around the estate for thirty minutes before returning to magic training. The servant will guide you so you don't trespass into restricted areas. Any questions?"

"Did I do something to make you upset with me?"

"No. I'm actually glad to have the chance to train a young apprentice again."

"Anyone's guess…" She rubs her eyes and finally looks at him properly. "By the way, aren't you missing something? Your little charm-thingy?"

"I leave it at home on work days so I don't risk losing it, like when we met."

"Uh-huh. On that topic, what does the inscription on the ring mean? A bond broken by loyalty."

"It's just what it sounds like: a lack of loyalty breaks bonds. It's a reminder to stay true to the people who matter."

"Weird way to put it, don't you think? To me it sounds like it's saying loyalty's what broke the bond."

His first response is a grunt, followed by, "That's a dumb interpretation. My father would never mean it like that."

"Yeah… I figured whoever inscribed it would actually be in favor of loyalty and all that. So it was your dad, huh."

"I'd rather you didn't ask questions."

"But if he inscribed that on the ring, and then gave it to you…" Don't go there. "Don't you think…?"

Avery lets the words die out and shakes her head—just in time, because Atsunori suddenly realizes his heartbeat has picked up.

"Sorry," she says. "Forget I asked."

"It's… fine."

But I really hope you don't bring it up again.

I don't want to keep snapping at you and scaring you… or worse.