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After the tea ceremony, Koume excused herself to prepare for the final performance of the evening, the highlight of the entire gathering.
Kai and Erika wandered the garden paths, taking in the serene landscape. When the time felt right, they made their way to the performance stage set up within the courtyard.
This was the main event. The performance by the Kimono Sisters.
Renowned for their graceful artistry, the sisters rarely performed this close to the public. It was no surprise that this moment was the most anticipated part of the tea gathering.
Soon, a crowd of nearly two hundred had gathered every guest who had attended that day. Kai and Erika blended into the audience. They couldn't find front-row seats but settled for a spot in the middle, which gave them a clear, full view of the stage.
The sound of murmuring voices surrounded them, but visually, it was perfect.
As the music began, the five sisters took the stage.
Now dressed in their performance attire, their faces adorned with light theatrical makeup, each one held a decorative parasol.
As they moved into position, Kai noticed Koume scanning the crowd briefly until her eyes met his. When she spotted both him and Erika, she offered them a soft smile before focusing once more.
The music shifted, and the parasols opened in unison.
Their movements were measured, flowing umbrellas twirling, opening, closing, each step matching the rhythm with elegant precision.
Unlike the night before, there was no narrative performance, just the dance itself. And without the distraction of a story, Kai could simply enjoy the art.
His gaze drifted over each of them.
Beautiful, all of them. Different styles, different energies, but equally captivating.
From what he'd learned, the sisters were ordered by age: Sakura, the eldest at 23; followed by Satsuki, Tamao, Koume, and finally Sumomo, the youngest, just 15.
All of them, in the prime of their youth, blooming like five different flowers.
That thought made Kai pause.
'Wait… I'm only 18. Why do I sound like a nostalgic old man?'
The music ended. The dance concluded. Applause erupted around them as the five sisters bowed together at center stage.
As they stepped offstage, the audience began to disperse. Praise filled the air:
"That was even more stunning than last time!"
"Miss Sakura is pure elegance."
"Tamao was flawless again!"
"And Sumomo didn't drop her umbrella this time!"
Kai and Erika remained seated as the crowd cleared, leaving now would've been difficult.
"We should get moving, too," Erika suggested softly.
As they walked away, Erika glanced back toward the emptying stage and said, almost wistfully, "Koume and her sisters are all so beautiful. They shine up there. It's… dazzling."
Kai blinked. He couldn't quite read her tone. Was that admiration? Jealousy?
Just in case, he replied instinctively, trying to lighten the mood: "Really? Well, I think you shine brighter. They might dazzle under the spotlight, but your domain is the battlefield. Watching you lead your Pokémon… now that's a real performance."
Erika turned to him, her expression surprised—and maybe a little flushed.
She hadn't meant it that way. Her words had been a casual observation, not an expression of envy.
But Kai's compliment had clearly caught her off guard.
Before she could respond, a quiet cough echoed behind them.
Both turned quickly.
Tamao was descending the stage steps, her kimono swaying gently with each step.
Expression unreadable, she passed by them without a word… though her gaze lingered on Kai a moment longer than necessary.
A soft scent of perfume followed in her wake.
Kai's stomach dropped.
She heard that!?
He shifted awkwardly.
Sure, he hadn't said anything bad. But having the subject of your conversation overhear you, even if it was mostly praise, was awkward. Especially since she'd just hosted them with such grace during the tea ceremony.
He replayed his words in his head. I only said Erika was prettier… It's not like I insulted anyone… right?
Still. For a woman as composed as Tamao, even a casual comparison could leave an impression.
Please don't hold grudges…
As she disappeared from view, Kai and Erika exchanged a glance, and footsteps approached again from behind.
Turning around, they saw Koume returning, this time with Sakura, Satsuki, and Sumomo in tow.
They were smiling, clearly unaware of any earlier awkwardness.
Koume beamed. "So? How was the performance?"
"It was incredible," Erika said earnestly. "The whole audience was full of compliments!"
Koume's eyes lit up. Then she looked at Kai.
"Are you alright, Kai? You look a little pale."
Before he could answer, Erika gave a small laugh and said, "He's fine. Just feeling a little… off."
Kai nodded weakly. It wasn't worth explaining.
The group made their way back into the courtyard. Koume, still glowing with post-performance excitement, insisted they stay for dinner.
Caught between politeness and hospitality, Kai and Erika had no choice but to accept.
Back at the main house, the tea gathering had officially ended. Guests were filing out, and the estate was settling into a calm, quiet evening.
The other sisters bid farewell to the remaining guests at the front gate while Koume stayed behind to host the two travelers.
Dusk painted the garden in shades of gold and gray. The sounds of laughter and chatter faded, replaced by the soft rustling of servants cleaning the grounds.
By nightfall, the five sisters had changed into simpler kimonos, their stage makeup washed away. Inside the main room, dinner was served.
Each guest had their own tray: delicate appetizers, small ceramic cups of warm rice wine, and the soft glow of lanterns casting warm light across the room.
Kai sat surrounded by one man, six women. On the surface, it was an idyllic scene.
But under Tamao's calm exterior, Kai swore he saw a flicker of something.
A sideways glance.
A faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
He had a bad feeling.
Something's coming…
----
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