Sumi's house was quieter than Tobi expected.
Not empty—just… restrained.
It sat near the edge of the district, tucked behind a line of old trees whose roots had cracked the stone path leading to the gate. A small wooden torii stood at the entrance, weathered but carefully maintained. Paper charms hung beneath it, fluttering softly when the wind passed.
Tobi stopped for half a second before stepping through.
He didn't know why.
Something about the air felt different—thinner, like it carried rules he didn't yet understand.
"This way," Sumi said softly.
She slid the door open and stepped inside, removing her shoes with practiced ease. Mizumi followed immediately, already talking.
"Okay, everyone inside, don't just stand there like lost spirits," she said, clapping once. "We're studying, not performing a ritual."
Iruka muttered, "This place feels like a ritual."
Ren leaned close to Tobi. "If we get cursed, I'm blaming you."
Tobi exhaled slowly and stepped in.
---
The room they gathered in was simple.
Tatami mats. Low table. A scroll on the wall with ink characters he couldn't read. A faint scent of incense lingered—not strong, just enough to notice if you paid attention.
Books were already stacked neatly on one side.
Mizumi dropped her bag first and sat cross-legged like she owned the place.
"Alright," she announced. "I'm leading today. Because if I don't, Ren will derail us in five minutes."
Ren raised a hand. "Four."
Iruka sat properly, back straight. "We're here to catch up after the… incident. Let's take this seriously."
Tobi sat last.
The mat was cool beneath his palms.
Sumi poured tea quietly, moving with calm precision. When she set a cup in front of Tobi, her fingers paused for just a moment before pulling back.
Their eyes met.
Nothing dramatic.
Just awareness.
---
As they studied, something became clear to Tobi.
This wasn't just a home.
It was a boundary.
Every object had a place. Every movement felt intentional. Even the silence between conversations seemed… trained.
When Mizumi complained loudly, Sumi didn't scold her.
She simply waited.
And Mizumi lowered her voice on her own.
Tobi noticed.
"So," Mizumi said after a while, tapping her pen. "Explain this formula again."
Iruka did.
Ren half-listened.
Tobi tried to focus—but his gaze kept drifting.
To the charms near the door.
To the way Sumi sat perfectly still when she wasn't speaking.
To the river visible through the open window, flowing slow and steady beyond the house.
At one point, a woman passed silently through the hallway outside.
She didn't enter.
Didn't look in.
But Tobi felt it.
A presence—calm, heavy, observant.
Sumi's shoulders stiffened just slightly.
Then relaxed.
"She's your—?" Tobi began without thinking.
Sumi shook her head gently. "Later."
That was all.
---
The study session ended without anyone noticing when.
Mizumi stretched. "Okay, my brain's fried. That means we succeeded."
Ren nodded. "I learned nothing, but I feel accomplished."
Iruka packed his bag. "That's concerning."
They stood to leave.
At the doorway, Tobi hesitated again.
Sumi noticed.
"Something wrong?" she asked.
He searched for words—and found none that fit.
"This place," he said finally. "It feels… important."
Sumi looked at the floor.
"It is."
She didn't elaborate.
---
Outside, the sky had shifted toward evening.
Mizumi turned as they walked away. "Same time next week?"
Sumi nodded. "Yes."
Ren grinned at Tobi. "See? You survived. No curses."
Tobi smiled faintly.
But as they walked, his thoughts stayed behind—in that quiet room, under those rules he didn't yet understand.
Behind the woman who hadn't spoken.
Behind the faith woven into the walls.
And for the first time, Tobi realized something clearly:
This wasn't just about power.
It was about belief.
And whatever stood between him and Sumi—
It wasn't a person.
It was a way of life.