April 17th - Clear skies, auspicious for visiting friends.
2:50 PM.
On the long slope, Luo Shu strolled upwards under the parasol Utaha had forced into his hands. Reaching the top, he turned left to see a European-style villa garden.
Peering over the wall at the distinctive blue-and-white residence, he approached the main gate and pressed the doorbell.
Ding-dong!
The chime echoed, followed by a click and a formal female voice:
"This is the Sawamura residence. May I ask who's calling?"
Luo Shu closed the parasol, glancing at the doorbell camera with a smile:
"My apologies. This is Luo Shu with a scheduled appointment this morning."
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
With a rustling sound, the long gate automatically swung open. Seeing this, Luo Shu raised his parasol, stepped through the entrance, and walked along the path to the front door.
There, a black-haired maid with neatly cropped short hair, slender eyes and a somewhat sharp demeanour stood waiting quietly.
"My apologies."
The black-haired maid bowed to Luo Shu:
"I am Kochiyo Rurukawa of the Sawamura Family."
"Please follow me. The madam is already expecting you."
Having said this, Rurukawa turned slightly as if to lead Luo Shu forward, only to catch his slightly surprised expression in that fleeting moment.
"Is something the matter, guest?" Kochiyo Rurukawa tilted her head in inquiry.
"Nothing, just a bit surprised." Luo Shu responded casually without explanation, merely adding, "What a shame."
Observing this, Kochiyo Rurukawa nodded without probing further about what he meant by 'shame'. Expressionless, she turned and guided Luo Shu onward.
They crossed the hall, passed through the corridor on the right, and came to a stop before the parlour.
Knock knock!
Kochiyo Rurukawa rapped on the door, then announced formally:
"Madam, Mr Luo Shu has arrived."
From within came the response:
"Please enter."
Kochiyo Rurukawa immediately opened the door and stood aside.
Noting this, Luo Shu nodded and entered the parlour.
Upon stepping inside, he saw Sayuri Sawamura seated on a khaki-coloured sofa, dressed in a simple red-and-white striped kimono. As she adjusted her hair, she greeted him with a warm, sweet smile:
"My, my, I never imagined it would really be you visiting, Luo Shu~ When I received your call this morning, I was quite startled."
"My apologies for the sudden intrusion."
Standing to one side, Luo Shu offered this apology.
Just as he'd anticipated, Eriri Spencer Sawamura had ultimately failed to mention his planned home visit beforehand.
Fortunately, he'd called ahead that morning to schedule an afternoon appointment, so no major mishap had occurred.
Before Luo Shu could finish apologising, Sayuri Sawamura patted the sofa beside her:
"Now, now, no need for such formalities~ Come, sit here~"
Having said this, she immediately turned towards Kochiyo Rurukawa, standing by the doorway:
"Kochiyo, please prepare afternoon tea for two~ Use the finest blend~"
"Yes." Kochiyo Rurukawa nodded before closing the door behind her as she withdrew.
Meanwhile, Luo Shu calmly walked over and took a seat opposite Sayuri Sawamura.
"Ehh~~"
Sayuri drew out the syllable, abandoning her sofa patting to instead prop her elbows on her knees, cupping her cheeks as she gazed at Luo Shu:
"So Luo Shu is actually such a stiff child, is he?"
Observing this woman who bore not the slightest resemblance to a proper elder, behaving instead like a complete mischief-maker, Luo Shu's eyelid twitched before he retorted:
"Does Madam truly have no idea why I've come?"
Though Luo Shu knew Eriri had likely been unable to bring herself to mention the home visit, he refused to believe Sayuri Sawamura couldn't have guessed.
Given Eriri Spencer Sawamura's capabilities, this woman before him had probably already extracted every last detail from the girl.
"I've no idea at all~"
Sayuri drew out the syllable with a lilting tone before continuing with a beaming smile:
"Since Eriri doesn't say anything, I wouldn't know what it means. You understand, Luo Shu-kun, don't you?"
"So that's how it is. You already know everything."
Luo Shu nodded in sudden realisation, as if confirming something:
"Of course. The Sawamura Family is one of the noble houses after all. It's only natural they'd have channels to learn about these things."
Compared to Yukinoshita, the local power of Chiba, the Sawamura Family could be considered a Tokyo local power.
There was still a difference between a local power in the capital region and a newly established prominent family in the countryside.
Seeing this, Sayuri Sawamura didn't refute, merely smiling:
"So, what brings you here today, Luo Shu-kun?"
After a moment's thought, Luo Shu replied:
"First, to apologise."
This was an apology for dragging Eriri into the mystic side without permission. After all, it had been Luo Shu's decision to recruit her for his own benefit.
"And second, to discuss how Eriri should proceed from here."
"Ohhh~~"
Sayuri's eyes widened slightly as she looked Luo Shu up and down before asking quietly:
"May I ask... in what capacity are you here today?"
"As her teacher?" Sayuri inquired cautiously, occasionally observing Luo Shu's expression. "Or... something more intimate?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu pondered before answering:
"More intimate than what you're imagining."
"If I may, I'd like to offer my apologies as someone destined to be entangled with her for life."
Sayuri's eyes now sparkled brightly, her expression resembling a hunter spotting a rabbit running into a tree, or a bird pecking at corn with one foot already in the trap - the joy of finally reaping rewards and impending liberation evident as she said:
"I~ accept your apology."
"Though... Luo Shu-kun seems to have deliberately used quite a misleading expression~~"
Sayuri spoke meaningfully, then paused before adding:
"Has my Eriri realised this?"
At this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched, hesitating to speak.
Sayuri, who had been closely watching his expression, immediately understood, sighing as she facepalmed:
"I see. Now I understand the situation. That child really is so careless."
Even with her son-in-law visiting, her daughter remained oblivious. This situation left even Sayuri, the architect of Eriri's personality, feeling helpless.
"Yes, it's truly quite frustrating."
Hearing Sayuri complain about Eriri, Luo Shu couldn't help but add:
"I clearly explained the risks of entering the mystic side, yet she remains oblivious. While I don't mind her enjoying a normal life, seeing her waste such talent is rather regrettable."
To awaken with an Excellent Rank ability without any training - such talent is already considered outstanding in mystic circles.
For ordinary martial artists or Onmyoji to reach the Excellent standard, they'd typically need to begin dedicated training from ages six or seven until thirteen or fourteen to achieve results.
And even then, the child would need considerable talent. With average talent, one might have to wait until their thirties or forties—the age when starting a family and career is often considered.
Perhaps because her power came so effortlessly, Eriri's personality had become rather lax, giving off a vibe of slacking off.
For Luo Shu, slacking off was a dangerous habit in the mystic side. Only the truly strong could afford such luxury.
After hearing Luo Shu's complaint—or rather, just the first part of it—Sayuri Sawamura seemed to have an epiphany and suggested:
"How about making Eriri your little canary, Luo Shu?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression instantly turned rather peculiar.
He glanced at the seriousness on Sayuri's face, his cheek twitching slightly:
"Madam, you're being a bit extreme!"
—I just wanted Eriri to realise she needs to stand on her own feet, but you're practically trying to kill her!!