"'Look forward meeting you' huh…"

Sensei sighed at those words as he opened his momotalk. On display were greetings full of formality, like a businessman approaching a future partner by speaking of the latter goodwill and achievement. It was followed by an invitation. This one, however, looked like something Sensei could not refuse. The reason was the person who sent it.

"Kisaki. President of Xuanlong Office. Shun and Kokona mentioned her name before, and I recalled she lent a hand during the chaos at Shanhaijing."

Xuanlong Office was the student council of Shanhaijing, which means Kisaki was also the student council president. He had not met her yet nor known her face, but since she invited him politely, it would be rude to refuse her.

"After all, it's a teacher's duty to listen to their student's needs."

He put his phone back inside his suit pocket as the train rocked away towards the Shanhaijing border. 30 minutes later, he arrived at the district. He often came to visit Shun, Kokona, or Saya, though, unlike the usual route where he made his way to Plum Blossom Garden, this time he went to the port area.

"Kisaki said she wanted to meet me at a teahouse port side. Interesting."

Sensei had seen the sea of Kivotos a few times, at that time on the beach with Trinity and Gehenna students and at the resort with Abydos and Hyakkiyako students. This one was not a beach, but a port city. He looked for information about it, and it was said that Shanhaijing's main income came from this port.

"This place was the location for trades, delicacies, hospitalities, and casinos. A bit different from what I had seen outside of this area, that's for sure."

Sensei walked towards the port as he admired the busy crowd of merchants, fishermen, stall owners, and shopkeepers. He tried to make sure he did not get lost, as he opened his phone again to look for GPS.

"Gonna look for the teahouse. Wait for a sec-OOPS!"

Someone grabbed Sensei's phone and took off.

"Hey! My phone!"

Sensei tried to dash through the bustling crowd, but the thief was faster and able to nimble through with ease. Rather than catching the thief, Sensei was catching his breath faster.

"Darn! This can't be happening…"

Just when Sensei thought the thief had escaped, a loud bang erupted, and the thief fell. From out of nowhere, a group of girls in black suits grabbed the thief and dragged them away. One of the black suit-girls took Sensei's phone and gave it back to him.

"Oh, thank you so much! I thought I was going to lose this."

"A word of advice from our leader, 'Keep your eyes peeled when vultures are flying by'. That's all."

Sensei didn't know how to respond to that quote so he simply nodded and bowed once more in gratitude. He decided to walk to someplace with less crowd before trying to search the location, but before he pressed the 'enter' key, a message popped out.

' Sensei, are you lost? Do you need a guide to escort you? '

Sensei did not expect a timely reply from Kisaki. At least this way he could save more time so he would not make her wait too long. He then asked for directions based on the place he was at. Kisaki then sent the address and description of the teahouse as well as the routes that need to be taken.

"Okay, let me confirm with the GPS."

Not long after, the GPS returned the results and Sensei looked relieved.

"Oh, it should not be too far. Alright."

Sensei went through a bridge that went above a beautiful river. On each side of the river, there were stalls of local delicacies. It was full of chatter and the fragrance of cooking that could make his stomach growl. Next, he went past a narrow alley that connected to several apartment blocks. A bit cramped but nobody was outside, so he needed not to be afraid of being robbed again. Then, he arrived in front of a statue of a black dragon. It was massive, and it seemed like a site where neighboring students and people came to take pictures. Sensei decided to take one as well to show to the girls next time. After what felt like a long trip, he arrived at the teahouse.

"Welcome!"

Sensei was greeted by a polite shopkeeper's smile. As soon as he entered, the fragrant tea invaded his nostrils, and his body felt soothed.

"Are you coming alone, sir?"

"Oh no, I am meeting someone here. Ehm…"

Now that he thought about it, he never asked what Kisaki looked like, so he could not describe it.

"Ah, are you perhaps the Sensei of Schale?"

"Why yes. How do you know?"

"People here talked about your achievements in helping our students. Also, your appearance does not give the impression of locals, sir."

Before Sensei spoke again, the shopkeeper whispered in his ear.

"Are you perhaps meeting Your Excellency?"

"Eh?"

The shopkeeper chuckled at Sensei's confusion. She explained that it was how the people of Shanhaijing called her, the president of Xuanlong Office, Kisaki. She told him that she was instructed to bring Sensei to meet Kisaki once he arrived.

"Please come this way, Sensei. Your Excellency had been expecting you."

They both walked past an empty hallway filled with antique vases and decorations which looked years old. Sense wondered if this place had been around since the district was built.

"We have arrived, Sensei."

They stopped in front of a door guarded by similar black-suit girls from earlier. Sensei then realized that it was Xuanlong Office who had helped him earlier.

"This way, Sensei."

The shopkeeper gestured for Sensei to go while the guards opened the door. Sensei went, and his eyes widened at the sight he saw.

He was standing on a balcony covered by a massive roof that blocked the sun, but down below, he could see all the port areas. The shops, the cramped alley, the place where he almost got robbed, also the beautiful river.

"It's captivating, is it not? For many years we have been doing our best to make sure that sight never changes. To ensure we can show what Shanhaijing is like, so both our residents and newcomers felt welcomed."

A small, authoritative, voice brought Sensei back to his senses. The speaker who was sitting next to the tea table rose from her seat and walked towards Sensei. The rhythmic sound of heels tapping on the ceramic drew his attention as his gaze remained on the approaching figure. Her black hair was tied into buns with a small part for each side forming a tail. A butterfly hairpin neatly folded those buns together. A porcelain white skin and petite figure resembling a doll. A sharp pair of eyes gazing at you, desiring not to be looked away. A pair of black gloves wrapped her delicate fingers. Her black cheongsam with dragon motifs hugged her tiny body as if protecting her from perverted eyes. Her legs were in full view as if making you bend your knees and let her rest them on your head. All of them stopped right in front of Sensei.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation to come all the way here, Sensei."

She bowed deeply with grace and a smile. It made Sensei's heart skip a beat. She looked so small yet acted so maturely.

"You already know who I am, but it is proper etiquette to properly introduce oneself when they first meet and to start building a bond of acquaintance."

She took off her right-hand glove, before offering the hand for a handshake.

"My name is Kisaki. The current president of Xuanlong Office from Shanhaijing Senior Secondary School."

Sensei grabbed it gently and shook it.

"Likewise, Kisaki. I am Sensei from Schale. I hope we can get along."