Chapter 8: Family History

Natsuki did not believe a word of it until midnight.

She made Haruna repeat the story three times over cold pastries on a park bench.

She asked if Haruna had been sleeping, if she had been eating, and if anyone had put anything in her tea.

At eleven the next night she took a day of leave, put on her good coat, and stood beside her sister in the dead-end alley with her arms folded.

"If this is a prank," Natsuki said, "I'm going to hit someone."

At midnight exactly, the brick wall had a door in it.

A round paper lantern lit itself beside it.

Natsuki said a word that nurses are not supposed to say in front of patients, and then she said it again.

"After you," Haruna said politely.

The shop smelled of ginger and cedar.

Tsukumo was perched on the counter eating dumplings, and she waved a chopstick.

"Is this the sister?" Tsukumo said. "She looks scary."

"I am scary," Natsuki said. "Where's the boss?"

"Back room. She's been nervous since lunch. She cleaned the counter twice."

Kuzunoha stepped through the curtain with her hair tied back neatly and her haori straightened.

She was flushed and sweating, and she stood with her hands behind her back.

"Natsuki Sakamoto," she said. "Thank you for coming. I'm Kuzunoha."

Natsuki looked her up and down, from the bare feet to the amber eyes.

"You're the one who kissed my sister at the back door," she said.

"Yes."

"On purpose?"

"Haruna kissed me first," Kuzunoha said. "I kissed her back, and then I kissed her again. I would like to do it more."

Haruna covered her face with both hands.

Natsuki blinked.

"She doesn't lie," Haruna said into her fingers. "She can't. It's a rule. I told you."

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