What sort of attitude should a drunken immortal display?
A flushed face and unsteady steps were naturally not the best choice. She needed something more refined. As she had just said, a drunken immortal was an immortal closest to the mortal world. As long as she conveyed that elusive, half-detached feeling, it would be enough.
Hoshino looked straight ahead.
"Oh, someone's here."
She stepped forward and examined Ch'en, who held a sword. Her gaze traveled from top to bottom, making Ch'en feel as though she had been seen through. The other woman seemed to know her very well, yet Ch'en did not even know her name. This inexplicable situation left Ch'en uncertain of what to do.
"Are you Little Fox's friend?"
She nodded.
"You're very young. If you lived to be Little Fox's age, you could probably crush her in swordsmanship."
"..."
"No, that's not right. You'll have lived five hundred years, and Little Fox will be a thousand by then. Your swordsmanship will definitely be different from what it is now. You people really improve quickly. Every year brings a new look. It's truly enviable."
What kind of tone was that?
Ch'en did not relax, her eyes scanning the inside of the shrine.
She did not see that annoying figure.
"Where's the shrine maiden?"
"You care quite a lot about her. You keep resting your hand on your sword too, which is very much her style. Don't tell me you're Little Fox's disciple?"
"Huh?"
"Who's whose disciple?!"
Hoshino nodded and did not dwell on the matter.
Ch'en finally realized something and asked with a serious expression:
"Who are you?"
"I came looking for Yae Sakura, but when I arrived, Yae Sakura hid away in fear. I suppose I'll have to temporarily take on Yae Sakura's duties. A shrine maiden...