Story:

By the time they reached Tensho Jinja, Peach had inspected enough of the contents of Violet’s bag to regret asking.

Neat bundles. Far too many of them.

She requested one bundle of the ten-thousand-yen notes, drew out a single bill for the fare, and held the rest on her lap as though it might explode.

“This is not approval,” she whispered.

“We gathered that,” Kicho murmured.

The taxi stopped beside a broad stone approach. After paying the driver and carefully accepting the change, Peach stepped out—and forgot the banknotes for a moment.

The shrine stood at the heart of Tokyo, beside the imperial palace grounds.

Beyond the pavement and passing cars, trees enclosed a stretch of unexpected quiet. Stone lanterns marked the approach.

Behind them, an imposing gate rose above a flight of steps, its dark timber catching the late-afternoon light.

Peach looked back toward the familiar city streets. Then toward the shrine again.

“I didn’t know this place was here.”

Violet adjusted her school bag. “We have become quite familiar with it.”

“Particularly the downstairs accommodation,” Kicho added.

Peach barely heard her.

Somewhere beyond that gate were Ai and Mai. She tightened her grip on her own bag and started up the steps.

Behind her, Violet’s money-filled bag rustled.