The Japanese Tutor (PART I-II) [ONGOING]

XII: Unravel

The meeting ended up well, which was unexpected to Aya as she felt sweat on her face during the entire session. It was quick that they only tackled British imports of locomotive vehicles, cultural exchange, and the status of Japan as of now. What Aya widened her eyes the entire meeting was Astor was truly the eloquent man in both subjects and her tutor got to speak the Prime Minister—showing her skills that were once dormant for years.

After the meeting, Aya was the first one to walk away from the session room. Her thoughts were messed up regarding the events that happened today. As she was about to exit the building, someone called her name with rushing footsteps behind her.

It was Yui Tanaka, her mentor, asking about her well-being.

"Aya, I am joyful that you are still safe—"

"I have to go. I need to attend my personal affairs," Aya looked back and responded politely to her fellow diplomats, including Astor. Yui's eyes widened in shock as she watched her student walked fast from the building, not facing at her.

Aya got to go down safely despite rushing and saw Jeanne at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for her with their carriage behind her.

"How's the session, Aya?" Jeanne asked, "did you successfully show your agendas?"

Aya nodded. "It is successful. I'm going to submit my reports to Mr. Binosty before he returns to Japan for his delegation matters. It will be sent by mail that I already wrote them last night."

"Very terrific to hear that, Aya. You are truly the most responsible person I've ever met," Jeanne opened the door and held Aya's small hands as she endured with the shortness of her kimono. Once Jeanne entered the carriage, its door was closed by a ground assistant of the palace and the horses began to move.

"I want to go home. There's something I want to talk about," Aya eventually spoke when they were already out of the Westminster Palace. She looked at the English streets as the shopkeepers were about to prepare for evening entertainment. The view of London through Thanes Bridge astounded the young Japanese, but the sides of her lips curved as she witnessed the change of colors of the sky.

"Sure, go ahead," Jeanne replied as she caressed the package beside her, reminding her of her husband's task to her.

"I saw a familiar person and I believe it's my mentor," Aya brought up. She watched the lushes of green complementing with upcoming twilight hours as they were closer to the border of Bucks, "I wonder why she's around."

Jeanne raised her eyebrow."Maybe because she is a diplomat who went late?"

"I am the last diplomat sent by the Emperor," Aya told her, "it's very suspicious that a woman, who is also a diplomat, will be around at late days... and your husband knows her."

Jeanne speculated that it was someone who gave her husband the box beside her. She took a short glance at it before she looked at the wondering woman. "I will ask my husband about it then."

When the carriage stopped in front of the manor, Aya got to peak at the package beside Jeanne that contained Japanese characters on the notes. She didn't read them clearly as she was too far to read them. Jeanne noticed her action and prepared the script on her mind of what she would say.

Once they finally entered the private quarter and walk to the private living room, the housemaids greeted them. Jeanne was about to go to a hallway that led to her room when she spoke Aya, with the package on her hands.

"I think this is for you, Aya," Jeanne gave the package to Aya. Aya got to look at the characters written on the card and she gulped. She watched the younger strode away from her to the bedroom, wishing that she would eat lunch after she opened the box.