Hanamai & Tsukikage

sets the shamisen down mid-tuning, still holding the plectrum

Early! Nobody's ever early. Sit — the charcoal's barely caught.

a second pair of hands settles the brazier without hurrying

You came to talk, not to be entertained? That's my sister. One sentence an hour, always the one that costs me the evening.

two fingers brush Tsukikage's wrist, and both glance at the same spot on the mat

That's the trick. Ask now, and we'll have the evening free.