Well, what did he think? He thought that he wasn't sure that he wanted to go all the way back to the store and have a chat with the confusing girl of the pretty smile. He also thought of the nice memories that the place had brought him while he'd been there.

Neither thought was of relevance as to his associate's question.

So he answered 'Yeah, sure, tomorrow?'

Mikage smiled. 'Why not. Tomorrow would be perfect. And do ask if they work with any online banking system…'

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Much to Mikage's disappointment, the Sengoku Jidai store did not offer any kind of online banking facility to customers. They said it was to keep conducting business 'the customary way', thought Tomoe felt more inclined to believe it was just that they had never actually meant to take the trouble of opening a decently modern bank account.

Anyway. Tomoe had been to the store the following day. His stay there seemed to him much longer and tedious than the last time he had visited, but it was surely due to the fact that the shop assistant was another woman. The girl he had been hoping to see had a soothing aura around her, that made him feel like he was wanted around, even looked up to; whereas this woman was all business and practicality- delicately rimmed yet rectangular glasses sat on her nose, and made her look older than she probably was.

Very professionally, Tomoe introduced himself and succinctly explained to the woman the purpose that had brought him (and his associate, obviously) to consider that their products accurately suited their present needs.

Through their talk, Tomoe learned that he was speaking to the owner of the shop, Yukiji Suzuki, and that, as the shop's name suggested, her family had (impressively) been in the trade for many centuries. That lent some weight to her no-internet-selling policy, although, she conceded with a sigh, she foresaw that she would probably have to forego the old system in the not-so-distant future.

He liked Yukiji, in the most aseptic sense of the word 'like'. He liked that she was straightforward and appeared reliable, which was more than he expected from a provider.

What he didn't like was that, very much despite himself, his eyes insisted on straying from their conversation about measures and quantities and prices to the barely-visible back door at the end of the shop, the counter, or the places where he had seen the other girl linger when he had been there before.

He didn't like it at all that his mind insisted on trying to be nostalgic and dwell on the little villages embroidered on the tapestries that hung on display and that were precisely not what he was there for.

He absolutely did not like his body and thoughts trying to betray him when he needed to be focused on not buying an extra 'three meters just in case' as Yukiji poker-facedly tried to convince him to. He had to stay on track. No, he said, his associate had been very precise in his calculations, they only needed what he had just detailed to her.

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When the time to pay for everything came, Tomoe's hand reached for the discount coupon, but decided against using it in the last minute. His and Mikage's business had accounted for the cost of the materials, and was very well able to pay them, anyway. He willed himself not to have a conversation with himself about what the hell that gesture was supposed to mean, but instead he offered a sleek, practiced smile to Yukiji and took out his wallet.

'I don't remember when I saw this much cash together,' he commented, counting the notes over again despite having already counted them back in the office, just in case.

For a change, Yukiji chuckled slightly. 'You are not the first to say that, Mr. Ayakashi. Like I said, it will have to change soon.'

He gave her the money, and she put it away and bowed slightly in thanks. An employee began to carefully roll the fabrics, putting a large, yet surprisingly thin sheet of rice paper over the embroidering, to protect them.

While she oversaw the packaging process, Yukiji addressed Tomoe.

'See, I personally know the people who wove these fabrics. My family has worked with them for a long time now. There is one request I always make my customers,' she said, '… that they send me some pictures of the hanged tapestries, or the fabrics in context. Because, that way, when I go back to the artisans' village, I can take those photos with me and show them where their work goes. Their faces light up with happiness. Could you do that, plese, Mr. Ayakashi?'

Slightly surprised, Tomoe looked at her. He wouldn't have thought that the cold, serious woman had it in her to be so… what? Compassionate? Somewhat touched, he smiled a little.

'I will, you have my word' he promised, easily. And, knowing how the business worked, he added 'The tea house will hold an opening reception, probably in a month's time. You're welcome to take the pictures then yourself, if you wish.'

The woman smiled openly, for the first time.

'That is very kind of you. I would like that very much.'

'Very well,' he said, 'We'll be in touch.'

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That night, Tomoe came back to the apartment very late, with a splitting headache and dark rings around his eyes, and only sleep in his mind.

As he turned the key in the keyhole, a fleeting image of the night he'd brought in the girl from the street made him groan quietly in discomfort. It was about the fifth time her face had popped at random after he had left the shop, as if he'd somehow subconsciously been expecting her to be there, or something. It was highly unprofessional of him for his mind to stray so.

It's because I'm so damn tired, he thought, distractedly, as he made a point to ignore his loud roommate, who was not being loud now because he was too busy smooching with that curvy girlfriend of his who was decidedly too good for his snake-ish friend. As they were in the kitchen, and Tomoe preferred to stay clear from them and the small talk that may ensue, he went straight to his room. And, although he had plans to drink some sake and catch up on the novel he was reading, as soon as his back touched the mattress, he fell asleep.

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Hi dear readers!

I apologize for the short and delayed update. I was having a major writer's block, but I'm glad I'm through with this (kind of) filler chapter. But now you know a bit more about Tomoe's past, and Mizuki's girlfriend is (vaguely) introduced!

I'd like to hear your guesses!- Who is she?

(It mightn't be too hard, if you've read my other story... haha)

Anyway. I'll try to update again ASAP! Comments are greatly appreciated :)

See you!