Sena's father continued laughing heartily for a few seconds, until his wife turned a pointed gaze upon him. His expression instantly hardened, and he cleared his throat awkwardly, attempting to restore a semblance of decorum. Sumire turned her gaze back to me, pinning me in place with eyes colder than winter frost.
"The academy is clearly slacking when it comes to etiquette lessons," she remarked coolly. "You may address me as Sumire-sama. That is the correct form of respect."
Then her eyes shifted to Sena, who visibly wilted under the weight of her gaze. "Young lady, given your poor display of etiquette earlier and his behavior, it seems you require additional lessons. Clearly, the Academy is neglecting this important aspect of your education."
"Yes, honorable mother," Sena murmured in resignation, eyes lowered in defeat. When she finally glanced back up at me, her expression practically burned with annoyance, as though I had personally condemned her to hours of endless etiquette training.
I coughed quietly, deciding to take a page from Hirotaka's book and deflect. "This place is incredible," I said sincerely, glancing around in genuine admiration. "It's easily the most impressive home I've ever seen."
Hirotaka nodded proudly, clearly pleased by the compliment, while Sumire barely reacted, her calm expression implying that my praise held about as much weight as the air I was breathing.
"It's all thanks to the lady of the house," Hirotaka said warmly, casting an affectionate glance toward his wife. "Her efforts have made our home the talk of the village nobles. Even the Daimyo himself frequently praises it on the rare occasions when he visits Konoha and honors us with his presence."
My eyes widened in surprise. For the Fire Daimyo to personally visit meant that Sena's parents were far more influential than I'd initially thought. Sumire's expression subtly brightened at the mention of the Daimyo's approval, pride shimmering behind her otherwise composed facade.
"So," Hirotaka continued, his eyes sparkling with genuine curiosity, "I've wanted to meet you since I first heard of your remarkable achievements during your first year at the academy. Ranking higher than the Senju and Uchiha children, even defeating the Hyuga girl. Initially, we thought it might just be a lucky streak. But you proved yourself again this year, clearly demonstrating your talents are very real, and that you have a bright future ahead."
I felt pleased at his praise, though from Sumire's expression, I was fairly certain she was the one who'd initially believed it was mere luck. Hirotaka struck me as a remarkably savvy merchant type, a perception honed from my own frequent bargaining and deal-hunting interactions in Konoha's marketplace. Still, something about his demeanor felt genuine. Honest people respected honesty in return, and I instinctively trusted him. Sumire, on the other hand, felt completely different, careful, calculated, controlling, elegant to the extreme, and exceptionally graceful in every subtle movement. A deadly combination. No wonder Hirotaka had fallen for her. Though, knowing rich families, their marriage had likely been arranged. If that was the case, then whoever had chosen her had impeccable taste.
Sumire spoke then, her tone precisely measured. "How exactly did you accomplish this, overcoming all those clan children with their generations of talent and resources? Given your company, was it perhaps the Nara clan that assisted you?"
Hirotaka's gaze sharpened instantly, his jovial demeanor replaced with a startling, almost predatory focus as he awaited my answer.
I answered honestly, shaking my head lightly. "Not really. Apart from the occasional rice balls that Shizuru brings and her parents' warm moral support when I needed it, the Nara clan itself has never approached or offered me anything substantial."
Hirotaka raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And why didn't you approach them yourself?"
I answered immediately, my voice bluntly honest. "They're depressing. If I spent too much time with them, I'd probably end up napping all day instead of training."
His serious expression shattered, returning to hearty laughter. "Yes, indeed! The Naras are notoriously difficult to motivate. Still, there's no one better suited for record-keeping and ensuring numbers add up precisely. They are absolutely essential for managing large-scale businesses."
At that moment, my stomach betrayed me, growling fiercely enough to echo in the silent room. My eyes widened in embarrassment, and I glanced downward as if accusing my body of treachery.
Hirotaka chuckled warmly, effortlessly easing my embarrassment. "How about we proceed directly to the feast we've prepared for your visit? Afterward, we can continue our conversation comfortably in the tearoom."
I nodded eagerly, excitement clear on my face. Hirotaka seemed amused by my enthusiasm, while Sumire's expression remained unreadable. Sena and Sumire requested to be excused to change their outfits, something that made little sense to me. Personally, I wore the same clothes for nearly everything. Sleeping, training, and going out, yet these two were changing after less than ten minutes. Hirotaka smiled affectionately at Sumire, saying warmly, "I'll miss you."
Sumire almost smiled back, guiding Sena away gently, though Sena herself looked thoroughly defeated by the inevitable extra etiquette lessons."
As they departed, Hirotaka turned to me. "Shall we head to the dining area?" As if summoned by his words, the butler appeared out of nowhere, leading us onward.
The butler moved with silent grace, guiding us smoothly from the reception room along polished floors, gliding ahead like a shadow. We passed through a sliding door of lacquered wood adorned with delicate sakura patterns, and the air seemed to shift subtly, stepping from the freshness of spring into the warmth of summer.
The corridor we entered felt almost like a carefully curated art exhibit. Wide and airy, translucent wall panels filtered golden sunlight, framing a small inner garden on one side. Beneath our feet, sections of glass flooring revealed glimpses of a koi pond, its tranquil surface occasionally disturbed by the lazy flick of a tail or gentle ripple of a fin. These transparent panels alternated with bridges of carved cedar, each soft step resonating through the tranquil hallway.
To our right, niches in the walls displayed delicate seasonal calligraphy scrolls alongside flower arrangements so flawless they might have been carefully crafted illusions. Even the slight breeze seemed deliberate, carrying a subtle fragrance of bamboo mingled with the distant murmur of trickling water. The whole corridor was silent, but not oppressively so, it felt like a hush carefully preserved out of respect, where noise was only permitted if absolutely necessary.
Awed once again by the incredible decor and ambiance, I hardly registered Hirotaka's warm voice beside me. "You haven't visited many clan homes before, have you?"
I nodded slowly, distracted by the surrounding beauty. "Only Shizuru's parents' house, really. Besides that, just the orphanage and my own flat. Non-depressing clan compounds are completely new to me."
Hirotaka smiled gently. "Well, I'd be honored if you could consider our home a second home to you, Noa-kun."
His words instantly sharpened my focus, pulling me from my distraction. Glancing at him, I caught the serious, purposeful look in his eyes. He wasn't merely being polite, he was deliberately hinting at something significant. Before I could respond, the butler halted, standing in front of a set of impressive double doors painted rich crimson and detailed with subtle gold leaf. The handles were carved into dragon shapes, so detailed and lifelike that I half-expected them to bite if handled incorrectly. The butler opened the doors smoothly, revealing the next stunning room.
The dining area unfolded dramatically, prepared like a stage for a seasonal festival. The entire space breathed summer. Pale blue walls lined with soft white paneling evoked an open, cloudless sky. Light filtered gently through tall, paper-screened windows, casting subtle silhouettes of swaying bamboo and the shadows of cicadas outside. A soft breeze wafted through a hidden vent, carrying a refreshing blend of citrus and mint.
In the room's center sat a low rectangular table of polished hinoki wood, so reflective it resembled still water. Cushions in calming ocean tones were arranged precisely around the table, inviting yet dignified. Above us, delicate glass wind chimes hung at varying heights, gently ringing with each subtle air current, their sound reminiscent of distant temple bells echoing on a quiet summer afternoon. Even the ceiling panels featured paintings of cranes gracefully flying above serene blue waves. It was less a dining room and more a space to taste summer itself.
The soft rustle of fabric announced Sena and Sumire's return. Sena had transformed entirely, her kimono now flowed in shades of white and aqua, embroidered with dragonflies and silver lilies. Her hair had been subtly loosened, adorned now with a blue ribbon and a single silk camellia flower.
Sumire entered next, a vision of summer's grace. Her kimono was deep ocean blue fading gently to pearl, adorned with silver waves and morning glories. A golden obi, styled like a rising sun, accented her waist, and a butterfly-shaped pin kept her immaculate hairstyle in place. Her mere presence commanded attention far beyond any noble procession.
I marveled at their swift transformation, secretly certain they must have an army of hidden attendants to achieve such immaculate beauty so quickly. Sumire offered the slightest nod, like a summer breeze acknowledging my existence, and Sena shot me a warning glance that clearly meant, "Behave."