silent, his face an unreadable noh mask. She started to feel uneasy. What was she supposed to say? All of her Japanese suddenly drained from her head, save for the most basic thing she knew.

            “Hajimemashite, Reda desu. Douzo yoroshiku…” she trailed off. Feeling suddenly silly, but to her surprise he suddenly smiled. The entire room seemed to brighten.

            “Douzo yoroshiku,” he said. With his hands on his hips, he bowed his head ever so slightly. “Miyamoto Bennosuke desu.”

            "Miya… moto-san?" The name was meaningless to her, not givi...

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