Ayakoji Chiyoko briskly descended the stairs and found the landlady on the first floor.
"Ah, you're up early," the landlady, who was arranging a vase of flowers, turned her head and said with some surprise.
Ayakoji Chiyoko had no interest in such cheap pleasantries and eyed her with suspicion, stepping forward to ask, "Last night or this morning, did anyone come to look at the room records?"
"Are you referring to the ledger, guest? I always put it away after closing; I wouldn't show it to others."
"Really?"
"Of course, we would never expose our guests' privacy."
The landlady's words didn't seem false, so Ayakoji Chiyoko could only frown and turn to leave.
After she left, the landlady's little daughter came out from behind the curtain, carrying sake and small cups.
"Mom, did a guest come to see you?"
"It was just a trifle, don't mind it, go ahead."
"Uh, which room was I supposed to take this sake to again?"
