The New Winds

Sakura's instructions were clear; you can wander around this district, but don't go too far. Also, be back before curfew. There were some other rules, but the girl had stopped listening about partway through, and ended up just nodding along until she was finally allowed out. She had been so restless throughout the journal to Otosan Uchi, so finally getting to explore a district known as the Emperor’s Road district. She'd been told a few things about it, but seeing the wonders on display were more than even her parents could describe. The best shops! Perfect artistic displays! Entertainment venues!

...Although looking at the guards on duty, the entertainment venues wouldn't likely allow someone of her age in. Sadly.

Still, she was like a kid in a candy store. Even more so when she came across a candy store! She looked in, trying to decide which sweet to have first! So many choices....

If this was the experience of being a monk, Aiichiro knew sure as Jigoku he did not want to be one. Two or nearly three weeks of traveling, most of this time on foot, he had to thank Crab clothing for being very stocky - instead of the fabric looking like it could be a ronin's, it just looked like it could be a Crab's. To be fair, those two weren't that far.
He was tired, yes, but most people of his clan did not visit the imperial capital more than a few times in their life, if they ever did. This could be an unique opportunity indeed.
Time to explore a city he did not knew. Perhaps he got a little too lost in the way, but he knew it was at least a noble area - full of unnecessarily decorated shops and tea houses. Until he found a girl. Obviously, on this part of the city, it had to be a Crane. He approached, the sound of wood sandals tackling in the road, and drew the fan from his obi, bowing.
"Have you eaten your portion of rice today, Crane-san?"

Sakura was so engrossed by the sweets on offer, she entirely missed the approaching boy until he spoke. She spun on the spot, Looking up at the muuuuch taller boy before grinning and bowing.

"Hello! Want some sweets? I've had rice but daifuku is so much nicer, and they've got a fresh batch here. Look!"

She pointed into the shop.

"I'm Doji Sakura. You're a..." she peered at his clan mons "Crab right?"

"Have heard of them but never tasted. But aren't candy too expensive? I... I wanted to buy materials, too."

He only had a handful bu, indeed. Worrying about money... Travelling with Yasuki really changed him a little.

"Yes, a Crab." He noticed she looked at the mons and could not identify the family one. "My name is Kaiu Aiichiro."

"Sensei gave me some funds to get some" Sakura held up a little bag, smiling brightly "for important things. Sweets are important, how often do you get sweets from Otosan Uchi?"

She bowed again.

"Hello Kaiu Aiichiro-san! Maybe if we ask them nicely they'll allow us to try some before we buy?"

"That's the same thing the Yasuki told me!"
He said, remebering the travelling days, answering the bowing with another bow, unsure of exactly how to answer.
"But your idea is really good, Doji-san!"

"Of course it is" Sakura nodded, entering in to talk to the person serving.

"Um, excuse me" Sakura bowed deeply "we have only recently arrived and are not sure what is best, do you have any recommendations?"

What followed was a short discussion about many different sweets, with Sakura using her natural Crane skills to navigate the conversation carefully until she managed to convince the serving woman to allow her and Aiichiro to get a few tries of some before spending the money she clearly showed that she had.

They were given small pieces of strawberry mochi and a red bean one.

"Mmh, try these. So good, I want all of them!" she said to Aiichiro, nudging them towards her friend.

He watched the conversation rolling out, how the Crane spoke. That was really smooth, almost as smooth as the Yasuki when they were trying to sell mochi. The Crab looked at Sakura with a slight smile.
"Amazing! Thank you" He said whilst taking a single piece of the strawberry mochi. Finally he would get to taste it. They were trying to sell it all trip, so it must be very good.
Oh no.
"They are too sweet!" That was the entire point of the food. He exclaimed, trying to look (at least to his eyes) more mature by saying that, whilst his fingers reached for a second small piece.

"They're not too sweet! Have you never had mochi at all before?"

Sakura tried the Strawberry one, then then red bean one.

"Mm, so good. The strawberry one is sweeter than the red bean one though, maybe that will be better for you?"

"No!' He answered. "The Yasuki kept try to selling me it, though. I think I preffer those rough bars I forgot the name, though."
He said, taking the red bean one.

"I'm sorry you've not been able to enjoy such wonderful treats before" Sakura said, genuinely looking quite sad "it might take some getting used to then, if you've not had food of this level of quality before. Otosan Uchi has some wonderful things though! Let me know what you think of that one" she motioned to the sweet Aiichiro was holding now.

"Why are you apologizing if you did nothing wrong?" Aiichiro asked. Most people where he lived didn't ask for pardon very often. "Please don't get sad." His voice softened, noticing the change on her expression, and biting the red bean one.