To his credit, Keitaro did not scream like a little girl. Nor did he suffer from a weak bladder.
"Ah, Tsu-tsu-Tsuruko," he stuttered in shock.
"I'm glad to see you are well. May I come in?"
Blushing furiously as he remembered his duties as a host, Keitaro nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment.
As she took her sandals off to enter the building he noticed that she was carrying in contrast
to her last visit what appeared to be a large traveling bag in addition to her ever present sword.
The bird that had been with her last time was nowhere to be seen either.
Odd, that. Keitaro filed that bit of information away to think about later. More importantly, he needed time
to recompose himself after being left standing on the edge of Nirvana and then denied reentry.
"I'll just go make some tea," he mumbled before fleeing towards the kitchen.
Tsuruko eyed his retreating form thoughtfully.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"They're all gone for the summer then? You're staying here to watch over the dorms by yourself?"
"Ah, yes. But it's no real bother. I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my studying."
Keitaro made a good effort to look positive about his situation.
Unfortunately for him, effort was not the same thing as skill.
"So my sister is not here either?"
"I-I believe she's at her kendo club's training camp for the summer."
"How...convenient."
"Oh no, I'm sure Motoko wouldn't try to run away from meeting you like this, " Keitaro nervously replied,
completely missing the speculative tone in her voice.