"Thank you," I said, accepting the cup from Miss Hazel.
We had retreated from the dining area, as though the conversation itself had needed fresh air. The tea was dark, fragrant—Earl Grey, sharp with citrus and something older beneath it. Comfort pretending to be harmless.
"You get warm milk with honey," Miss Hazel said, crouching to Zinnia's level. Zinnia raised her hands solemnly, as if receiving a sacred offering.
Sparkle was a cat again. Apparently this had been explained to us earlier, with great seriousness.
"So," Miss Hazel said lightly, pouring milk into her own cup, "you're saying it's better if we do nothing."
"That is correct," Miss Li Hua replied, sliding a shogi piece forward. Click.
Miss Hazel paused. "And you were fine not accompanying Heiwa to her registration?"
"She said it was fine," I answered, stirring honey into my tea. "She went with Dōngzhí."
"Did she now," Li Hua murmured. She dipped a biscuit into her tea with surgical precision. "Is Dōngzhí a cultivator?"
"Yes. Apparently she and Heiwa are the only ones in the shrine." I frowned. "I thought there were more."
"So did I," Li Hua said, then stole a biscuit from Zinnia's plate.
Zinnia gasped in betrayal.
"How are they?" Li Hua asked, face innocent.
"They're better," I replied. "But Mr. Mumei-shi insisted they stay in bed."
A silence crept in—not hostile, just watchful.
"Is Heiwa going to have to fight someone?" I asked finally.
Li Hua studied me, then smiled.
"No," she said. "It's exactly what it sounds like. A registration."
"I see."
"But it's never just what it looks like," Miss Hazel said, softly.
I turned. "What do you mean?"
"She's Gold Core now," Li Hua replied. "That comes with… attention. And restrictions."
"Who are the White Shade?" I asked.
Li Hua stroked Sparkle absently. "Special forces. They keep cultivators obedient. Among other things."
She peeled an apple, the knife whispering.
"They're who the police call when matters turn inconvenient. And why cultivators don't walk publicly with swords anymore."
"Where's Mr. Mumei-shi?" she asked, biting into the apple.
"He went to the market," I said. "Said he needed a plant."
"They must be strong," I said, fishing.
"They are," Li Hua replied, eyes lifting to the sky. "Their blade is called The Humming Bird. Vibrates fast enough to cut without resistance."
She paused.
"And that's not even their most impressive weapon."
Her voice flattened.
"If you ever meet them due to poor timing," she said, "fight with everything you have."
"I understand," I said. And I did.
"I'll put Zinnia to bed," Heiwa said, already lifting her.
A little later—
"Check," Heiwa announced, returning to the board.
"You're terrible at this," she added.
Li Hua said nothing.
Not long after, Heiwa and Dōngzhí returned, both in hakama and hakamashita. The sun peeked from behind the clouds, curious but cautious.
"Welcome back," I said, hugging Heiwa. "Our registered Gold Core cultivator."
"It was fine," she said, holding up an official-looking document.
"Miss Hazel made apple pie."
"You're just looking for an excuse to eat," Li Hua muttered, caught mid-cheat.
"Oh—welcome back," Mr. Mumei-shi said, arriving with a bonsai cradled like a newborn. "Apple pie—"
The hill shuddered.
A concussive boom tore through the air. Cups rattled. Birds fled. The ground answered back seconds later.
"What was that?" Heiwa asked.
"A gas explosion?" Miss Hazel said, already moving.
Mr. Mumei-shi clutched the bonsai.
No one laughed.
The tea had gone cold as well.