POV Zenzen and Ju Lan
— Hoshino-san, can you give us a few minutes? — The words were spoken in Japanese, with a slight, barely perceptible accent.
At one of the castle's intersections, I almost ran into the Chinese women. The sisters looked slightly surprised at the unexpected but welcome encounter. Their green and black eyes burned with life and confidence. The golden hands of the clock were not happy with their ruthless precision, but the girls could not be ignored. Too much delay in solving problems and simply incomprehensible situations is not worth it.
— Not for a long time. — I manage to hold back a heavy sigh.
— Of course. We haven't been formally introduced. My name is Lan Zenzen and this is my cousin Lan Jue. Nice to meet you. — The girls bowed.
— Hoshino Sora. — I bow in return.
— Our mentor, my mother and Aunt Ju, the head of the Third Petal Martial Wing of the Great Lan Family, Lan Yusheng, sends her sincere greetings and this message to you. The mentor expresses her hope to meet the last elder of the late Hoshino Clan.
With outstretched arms and a respectful bow, I was handed a heavy green stone case decorated with a golden bird and dragon. I accepted the case, a small bow of respect.
— Was it not your mentor whom I had the honor to meet in a certain Ayakashi village? — The spicy scent of the girls' magic reminded me of something from the beginning, and only now did I realize it.
— Yes — the girl nodded gracefully, the bells in her hair jingling for the first time. — Mentor was pleased to meet the descendant of the Ancient Blood, and equally surprised to meet you. — Zenzen smiled sweetly and wiggled her shoulder slightly, causing her uniform robe to open slightly, revealing an emerald green qipao embroidered with gold thread. There was a mischievous twinkle in her black eyes. I couldn't help but smile, which seemed to give the girls an incomprehensible pleasure.
— Their mentor's skill amazed me in every way. — A hot wave ran through my veins from the mere memory of the woman's power, from the desire to meet her again in battle. My mother's demeanor in training was quite different. The Chinese woman was like a tigress: strong, confident, unyielding, playful. She wasn't trying to subdue, to conquer, but to see the reactions, the skill. — I will let you know this week when I can meet with Mrs. Yusheng.
— We will pass on your words to the mentor, Hoshino-san. — The girl bowed, and her sister repeated the bow. — We wish you a happy feast! — The Chinese bowed again.
— And may the flames of the stars shine brightly for you this night! — The words literally burst out.
I was so surprised by my own words that I barely noticed the expressions on the girls' faces. On the other floor of the castle I met the Minhe sisters. The girls were very reserved and dry. A diplomatic greeting, introductions, handing over a letter from their father and saying goodbye. All in two or three minutes. Nothing, after the vacation I'll have time to deal with everything.