"About a week. Once Sanae has finished competing, we'll head back."
"If you don't mind me asking, is this the recent calligraphy competition in Kawamori?"
"That's right. It's that competition."
He reached out and patted the little girl's head. He hadn't expected much, and now he was perfectly content just to have a place to stay.
"She learned calligraphy from me, and she's not bad at it. I was planning to let her meet her relatives, but I suppose that's out of the question now."
After saying that, he added,
"How has the old man been feeling lately?"
"He's in good health, though things have been a little quiet."
The butler pointed down the path in front of them and said no more.
"Please, follow me."
Seeing this, Amamiya Xingqiu had no choice but to follow him, leading the little girl into the mansion.
Although the butler had described it as "quiet," the mansion itself didn't seem all that quiet.
Maids moved through the corridors, cleaning the corners and putting things away. A few people came out of the rooms and glanced at Amamiya Xingqiu in surprise, then went back inside without a word.
In this atmosphere, the butler led the two of them to a room that had already been prepared.
"It was a bit rushed, but it should be livable. Please make yourself at home."
After showing them into the room, he took his leave.
Only after the butler had gone did the little girl, who had remained silent the whole way, finally come back to herself and look around the room.
Compared to a cheap motel, this room was far too luxurious. She even wondered whether she'd be able to sleep peacefully in a bed like that.
"Dad, are you sure it's okay for us to stay