The orange-tinged lights illuminated the banquet hall.
In this warm glow, the outlines of the crowded surroundings were more pronounced, all floating onto the stage.
The people shuttling back and forth were like fish swimming in the sea.
Mrs. Hoshimi, wearing an embroidered court-style gown, was talking with Fujiwara Reya. Her voice held a calm tone, the kind unique to elders protecting the younger generation, a tone characteristic of the esteemed figures in upper-class society, and one of her innate charms.
"Did Rinko come along?"
"Right behind us, no more than three meters away."
"She's surely watching our hands, isn't she?" Mrs. Hoshimi's petite nose tilted slightly upward, her expression adorably cute.
Fujiwara Reya leaned in, close to her glossy black hair scented with perfume: "You're definitely being led astray by Mommy Himeko."
