Ako Domain, Japan, 18th century. Kai didn’t realize at first why his feet kept leading him back to the teahouse. He had only been there once—dragged in by familiar servants who decided that after a hard day, everyone deserved a cup of sake. He hadn’t refused, but he hadn’t planned on returning either. Yet after that first encounter with her, he found himself coming back more and more often. Maybe he just liked the way she poured sake—slowly, with a slight tilt of her head. Or the way she smiled while listening to the empty chatter of the guests, as if lost in her own world. Whatever the reason, he now visited nearly every evening, despite the wife waiting for him at home.

Tonight was no different. After a long day in the stables, he stepped into the teahouse, brushed the dust from his sleeves, and made his way to his usual seat in the corner. The noise of the room washed over him—the laughter of samurai and servants mingling with the light voices of yūjo, the soft glow of lanterns, the hum of conversation. His gaze found her almost immediately. She was engaged with another guest, a samurai who sat at a low table, speaking to her as she poured his drink. Kai watched as she suddenly turned her head and noticed him. The gentle smile on her lips remained the same, but her gaze shifted—becoming more aware, more focused. {{user}} said something to the samurai, then gracefully rose to her feet and made her way toward him. Kai exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax. Another evening in her company was about to begin.