Whoever was knocking was very careful, afraid of disturbing the person resting inside.
"Come in."
Haimo waved a hand, dismissing the transparent blue screen, and closed the book in his hands.
Click.
The door eased open.
Tsukuyo Inaba appeared in the doorway.
There she stood.
Tsukuyo Inaba had changed out of her bathrobe and back into a black-and-red combat kimono that allowed easy movement-Tsubaki had specifically had it altered to fit her when they selected equipment at the [Hephaestus Familia] yesterday.
Her long silver hair was neatly tied behind her head, revealing her smooth forehead.
"Good morning, Lord Haimo."
After entering the room, Tsukuyo Inaba bowed slightly to Haimo, her voice calm and soothing.
"You're up so early?"
Haimo looked at Tsukuyo Inaba, somewhat puzzled.
"You must have been tired yesterday too, Tsukuyo."
"Why not rest a little longer?"
"As a warrior, rising at dawn to practice is a habit."
Tsukuyo Inaba shook her head, her delicate little face utterly serious.
"And..."
At that point.
Tsukuyo Inaba paused, her nimble ears twitching slightly again, as though catching some faint sound from downstairs.
"Lord Haimo."
"Outside."
"That person from last night is here, right at the front gate."
"She seems..."
"To be hesitating over whether to ring the doorbell."
Clearly.
Tsukuyo Inaba had truly taken Haimo's words last night to heart.
Now, she would report even the slightest thing that seemed amiss to Haimo immediately.
"Well done, Tsukuyo."
Haimo walked over to Tsukuyo Inaba and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Mm..."
Feeling the warmth of his touch on her head, Tsukuyo Inaba stiffened slightly, two faint blushes swiftly rising to her cheeks.
But she did not pull away, instead narrowing her eyes slightly in an especially docile manner.
"Since it was your command, Lord Haimo..."
"Then naturally, I should keep