The courtyard was calm. Too calm.

Gyomei stood beside the newly appointed female Hashira, hands folded, beads clicking softly as he spoke.

“It is an honor to—”

“KRAAA!”

A Kasugai crow swooped down and landed on the railing above them.

“CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MARRIAGE!” it screamed.

Silence.

Gyomei froze.

“…Marriage?” he repeated carefully.

The crow puffed its chest. “THE LARGE ONE STANDS CLOSE. THE SMALL ONE DOES NOT FLEE. CLEAR SIGNS.”

Hashira across the courtyard slowly turned to look.

Gyomei’s ears went red instantly. He straightened, flustered. “I believe there has been a—”

“SHALL I INFORM THE MASTER?” the crow yelled.

“No,” Gyomei said too fast.

The crow tilted its head. “DENIAL. NORMAL FOR NEWLYWEDS.”

Whispers spread. Someone laughed. Someone else gasped.

Gyomei clasped his hands together like he was about to pray himself out of existence. “This is a misunderstanding of the highest order,” he said, voice strained. “I have not proposed. I have not considered proposing. I was merely standing at a respectful—”

“THE BEADS WERE MOVING FASTER.” “LOVE CONFIRMED.”

Gyomei audibly inhaled.

“…I will speak with the crow trainer,” he said weakly.

The crow flapped its wings. “WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT POSTPONED.”

Then it took off, screaming it across the entire compound.

Gyomei stood there, mortified, shoulders tense.