Yushiro held the token up to the moonlight and examined it. There were special patterns inside it, something Lady Tamayo had mentioned before.
The token was real, and so was his urge to punch this guy.
He shot Hiruma a glance, casually tossed the token back, and said irritably:
"Let's go!"
"You brain-damaged swordsman!"
Yushiro strode ahead without looking back, while Hiruma followed behind with a grin.
"My bad!"
"Give me another chance, Mr. Yushiro."
"Hmph!" He snorted, turned to glare at Hiruma, then continued leading the way.
As they walked, he suddenly said, "You Tendo whatever, aren't your senses supposed to be strong? Keep watch. Don't let anyone follow us."
"Oh, oh, oh!" Hiruma nodded like a pecking chick and thumped his chest. "Of course! I'm super strong, okay?"
And so, Yushiro led Hiruma toward their residence by a route far more complicated than he had imagined.
The two moved like sewer rats through dim, damp alleys. This path was a hundred times more convoluted than the one Yushiro had used to mislead him.
Hiruma seriously doubted anyone could actually follow them through this.
He looked up, and a pale golden disk entered his sight—the bright, shining moon.
Pale moonlight spilled down, gently bathing a small Western-style house. Its bluestone courtyard stood far from the clamor of bright lights and revelry, peaceful and serene.
Beneath the moon stood a woman who looked like a young girl, more beautiful than the moon itself. Yet her temperament possessed a maturity and wisdom wholly at odds with her appearance.
The gentle grace of a married woman mingled with the elegance of an aristocratic young lady.
If the woman beneath the moon were wine, she would be a rich, mellow vintage aged for centuries.
Tamayo, Yushiro's creator, was also an extraordinary woman