When Yuko called Xian Di away, his expression said no, but deep down, he was clearly happy to go.
"Kamo, let's go." Yuko's voice was as clear as a summer wind chime.
Xian Di glanced at her, then turned to look at Zhiyan in the courtyard.
Zhiyan sat beneath the veranda, a case file in his hands, his expression calm.
"Go on," Zhiyan said. "Don't cry if you lose."
The corner of Xian Di's mouth twitched.
"Me, lose?"
Zhiyan thought about it.
"You've lost to me about twenty times, haven't you?"
The corner of Xian Di's mouth twitched again. He said nothing more, turned around, and followed Yuko out. Their figures disappeared through the courtyard gate, their footsteps gradually fading. Yuko's voice drifted back from the far end of the corridor-"Kamo, I'm going to checkmate you today"-and Xian Di did not answer, but Zhiyan saw the tips of his ears turn red.
Suguru Geto left that afternoon.
Having packed his luggage, he stood at the courtyard gate and gave Zhiyan a slight bow.
"Thank you for your hospitality these past few days."
Zhiyan put down the case file and stood.
"You're welcome. Have a safe trip."
Suguru Geto nodded, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard. The pine tree, the stone stool, the bluestone paving, the low table beneath the veranda, the open case file on it, the pen in Zhiyan's hand-everything was just as it had been when he arrived, yet somehow different. He could not say what had changed, but he felt that this had become a place he could visit whenever he liked.
"I'm off," he said.
"Mm."
Suguru Geto turned, took two steps, then suddenly stopped and looked back.
"Oh, right. Where are Satoru and Wana?"
Zhiyan's expression grew a little peculiar.
"They went out for dessert."