"You jump from one topic to another without the slightest transition, especially when the person you're talking to is still waiting for an answer to the first one."
Tetsu no Sosuke sighed. "As for those two, they have nothing to do with you."
"So Master did tell you about them?" Shinobu Kocho nodded. "Does that mean you'll be in charge of everything here for the time being?"
"Surprised?" Tetsu no Sosuke smiled.
"No, not at all." Shinobu Kocho shook her head. "Master sees you differently. Maybe that started after the battle at the Hammer Hut, or maybe even earlier... You two exchange letters so often that you must discuss far more than he does with us Swordsmen."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're more than just a Swordsman," Shinobu Kocho said. "Master values your judgment. The rest of us exist only as 'swords.'"
"Isn't that playing favorites?" Tetsu no Sosuke almost laughed.
"It's not playing favorites... We have different abilities." Shinobu Kocho waved a hand. "Forget it. I'm done talking to you. It's exhausting."
With that, the young woman flicked her sleeves and walked away.
Tetsu no Sosuke nearly exploded. "What do you mean, talking to me is exhausting?"
After a pause, he added, "And don't think you managed to change the subject! I just don't feel like pressing you anymore!"
You couldn't wake someone who was pretending to sleep. And when someone didn't want to answer a question, there was usually no way to make them talk.
Unless... you could beat the answer out of them.
Tetsu no Sosuke sighed. "I've got a feeling that bastard lurking in the shadows is bad news. I need to talk this over with Kanae. We have to drag that bastard into the open!"
His spirits lifted, Tetsu no Sosuke strode