[D1 LE open Common Room] People watching

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"This one is Kaito Oubaihime, and my friend on my lap our host Renjiro sama." She shook her head. "The rice is quite good." The Kaito remembered the play and nodded. "It was interesting... sometimes minor things can lead to greatness."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Soyokaze pondered this for a moment, had he missed the point of the story entirely?

"I missed the very beginning of the play so I fear I missed something critical. The actors performances were wonderful but ...I am...less enthusiastic about the story."

Soyokaze gulped at his tea, feeling more than I bit nervous he would say something embarrassing or uncouth in the Shrine Maiden's presence.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Oh... would you want me to give you a brief retelling of the story?" She continued to pet the cat. "Perhaps that would clarify somethings."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

"Please"

[Kaito Oubaihime]

She gave basic explanation of what had happened in the begining of the play Where the Crane was at a loss. "It was such sad start..." She sighed. "One would think that the loss of love would break someone's heart."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Soyokaze closes his eyes as the Shrine Maiden speaks, remembering the play they had just seen.

"A beautiful retelling Kaito Oubaihime-sama, I indeed missed some details but the story still leaves me saddened, it seems to me that the character of Doji Yohachi doesn't really know what love is. He spends years pining for one woman, but when he has the chance to be with her he realizes he's instead in love with someone else? However that love is already based on a a massive misunderstanding due to the game of letters. Yet somehow this misunderstanding has no bearing on the result, they meet and marry. That doesn't feel like love to me, more like passion in the moment. i am no expert in either loving or being loved but this feels like it was meant as warning to us miai participants more than a touching story."

Soyokaze stopped, realizing he was doing a poor job explaining his point and rambling a bit. He felt comfortable in this place, and that made him feel uncomfortable.

[Kaito Oubaihime]

Oubaihime tilted her head quizzically and chuckled. "No worries sama this one is used to listening to people. You see it as perchance. I think it was somewhat romantic. How a simple game of letters granted Doji sama to heal his heart."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Soyokaze considered this. Maybe I just don't understand love.

"I envy your understanding of love, it is a difficult concept for me."

As soon as the words left his mouth he regretted it, intense embarrassment played across his features. This is a disaster, I have to get out.

"I beg your forgiveness Kaito Oubaihime-sama." Soyokaze said with a bow. "My outburst was uncalled for, I must be more tired than I thought. I should probably retire to my room."

[Kaito Oubaihime]

"Do not worry Crane sama. Perhaps it is just a different definition in your head. No need to apologize for speaking your mind." The girl sadden as the man wanted to depart. She looked down at her lap. "As much as great company Renjiro sama is, I prefer a companion who speaks back to this one."

[Asahina Soyokaze]

Soyokaze had meant to get up from his seat but the Phoenix's words and posture held him fast. He knew that posture, he spent most of life like that. With jolt he understood that his constant worry about screwing up had itself been the screw up, self sabotage.

"H-How did your meeting with Shika-dono fare? I had never met a Clan Champion before, he seemed incredibly gracious."

Soyokaze's day had been stressful but good, he was determined not to ruin it now.

Edit: clarity