The New Winds

Haruki sets up in a corner of the Inn, feeling keenly aware of how this day's events went. He waits for someone, a certain future cousin.

Said cousin-to-be arrives and, with a bow, says "Kaito-san, I trust the day has treated you well so far."

She seats herself.

"It could be better, but I won't complain about it. Kazuko-San was a fine competitor. I figured you understand since you also faced a Kakita today?"

"Asako-san had warned me, and I believed him, but it still did not suffice."

She shrugs.

"Still, as I said to Miya-sama earlier, being here is enough in itself. I do well enough to earn gempukku, and that will meet any expectation had of a Minor Clanner."

"Considering what all is happening right now, I guess I could see why. Would you like some tea?"

"That would be lovely, Kaito-san. Please."

(WHYYY Trolokos)
The stress of the Topaz Championship is starting to get to him. He could make the tea, but it wasn't clean enough.

D4 LA: Tea Ceremony (Void Recovery)/Void TN 15: 5d10o10k4 13

Oof. I've had that happen before enough times, thinks Sasaiko.

She accepts the tea and drinks stoically.

Once the tea is drunk, Haruki pauses for a second before speaking. "Perhaps this tea is representative of what happened today, I did my best, but it was still not enough."

She nods.

"It happens to us all, Kaito-san. I have erred in this so very, very many times."

"What do you do when ,the one time you tell yourself you can't fail, you do?"

"You go on. There is nothing else."

"Thank you. These words are important, but I know we aren't finished in Tsuma yet. Enough of this dire talk though, anything interesting you want to share?"

"Oh, nothing much, really. I've not been taking in much of the local color, I admit, though I hear there has been quite a bit of hubbub about one Hitoshi."

"It's inevitable when there's such a drastic change in points in one day. There wasn't anything in the rules explanation at the opening ceremony that someone could even lose that many points at once."

"It is curious, is it not?

"I have not interacted with him, but I do not understand why he is here if he is under such opprobrium."

"He was given an invitation to the Topaz Champion. Those cannot be given away freely, and I doubt his lord was going to waste an opportunity like this."

"I do not question that. I am simply confused by the reasoning that would have led to it."

She shakes her head.

"I would seem still to have much to learn."

"Well, it takes many lives to truly learn the Tao. I guess the better question would be where to start."

"The 'proper' answer would be 'here,' of course." Sasaiko grins. "Not that that's necessarily helpful.

"Perhaps, though, with what we know. As I note, I've not met with him; have you?"