The day was nice that last week of January. Feathery snow fell from the sky, painting the landscape white.
In the Homura House, the sliding panel that was made of translucent paper in a wooden frame facing the zen garden was opened wide, exposing the elegant tatami room within.
Inside, a handsome, but solemn-looking young man wearing a black kimono, sat by the kotatsu, a low table with an inbuilt electric heater covered by a heavy futon blanket, with his legs under the mantle for comfort. Behind him were elegant sliding panels, painted with golden dragons and clouds. For an outsider, this youth looked like a Japanese feudal lord, in this place that seemed to be frozen in time.
A servant had brought him tea, and some traditional sweets earlier to enjoy as he watched the snow-covered garden outside. This was his typical afternoon whenever he was at home.
TIP TAP TIP TAP
