The sliding door of the guest wing moved with a silent, practiced ease as Retsu entered the room.
Seijirou opened his eyes to find her already sitting by his futon, the soft morning light casting a halo around her ash-blonde hair.
Her smile was as perfect and inscrutable as ever.
"Good morning, Seijirou-kun," she said, her voice a calm ripple in the morning air.
"Morning," Seijirou grunted, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
The stiffness from yesterday's "sparring" with Retsu still lingered in his joints, but it was overshadowed by a sharp, electric hum in his chest.
"Breakfast is waiting," Retsu informed him, standing up with fluid grace. "Eat well. Once you are finished, go directly to the mountain-side training field. Grandfather has concluded the morning's business and is waiting for you. He does not appreciate tardiness."
Seijirou nodded, his gaze hardening into a look of cold determination.
