"Yes, it does." Jensen answered.

Kairi nodded before launching into a long string of questions.

As he answered her question Jensen took his time to scan his surroundings.

One of the major things he noticed was that unlike before, the number of guards had increased, and the tension was far worse that it had been when he first visited.

’It seems like everyone has been called back for his funeral,’ Jensen thought. He also observed the substantial increase in regular occupants compared to the last time he was here.

Their discussion lasted until they finally reached the end of the cart ride.

Kairi stopped in front of a different courtyard where they alighted. She opened the door and led Jensen inside.

The first thing Jensen did was scan the room hoping to understand the owner of said room.

The room had this quiet elegance to it. The evening light filtered through the shoji screen, casting a soft, diffused glow across the tatami mats below.

The tokonoma alcove held a hanging scroll depicting pale pink cherry blossoms drifting over a calm river, painted in soft ink wash.

A celadon vase held curved plum branches and white camellias. The low table gleamed deep crimson, and not the generic black, with mismatched cups painted with tiny sparrows.

The cushions were in muted rose and lavender silk.

’According to the design her...’ Jensen thought, ’Unlike Kairi... she does not seem to be a fighter.’

"Welcome, Young Master Jensen." A soft voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned left and came face to face with the lady who had just spoken and the first thing he noticed was her eyes. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

They were slightly red... most likely from mourning her grandfather but even that did nothing to diminish her beauty.

She had the ethereal, delicate beauty the Uesugi lineage was famous for. Her skin was fair and flawless with a soft, luminous glow.

She had a small nose, full lips with a gentle expression, and a graceful jawline.

Her hair was long, silky, and jet black as it flowed dramatically down her back and over her shoulders in soft waves.

She wore an elaborate traditional hair ornament (kanzashi) which featured a large black ornamental fan-like piece with silver floral details and dangling chains making her look every bit the rich heiress she was.

"My grandfather... he mentioned you a lot," she said. "And now I can see it was all an understatement."

Her voice paused a bit when she spoke about her grandfather, but she pushed on.

"Thank you," Jensen answered. "And I am very sorry for your loss... Your grandfather was a great man."

"In the short time I came to know him, I experienced the beauty of his soul... He will be greatly missed." Jensen lied through his teeth.

He felt Kairi and the man behind Aiko’s faces twitch.

He focused on the man and immediately linked him to the guard he had seen standing on the tree beside Daisaku.

"Thank you very much." Aiko smiled sadly. "Please have a seat." She pointed at the cushion in front of him.

Jensen smiled. "Thank you... Beautiful place you have here." He gestured at the room as he sat on the cushion.

A small, happy smile blossomed on her face as she blushed. "Thank you very much. I designed it myself."

’Indeed, women do love to be complimented,’ Jensen thought.

He could already tell from her expressions that the moment he complimented her grandfather, she immediately had a good opinion of him.

"I know you have met my sister, Kairi," Aiko began her introduction. "This is my uncle, Taro." She pointed at the man standing guard. "And I am Aiko."

Jensen nodded and smiled at him. Taro nodded back.

"Before he died, Grandpa told me to meet you if I ever ran into an issue," Aiko continued. "And I have run into one just now. Thankfully, you are here."

"Sister Aiko, what happened?" Kairi asked, alarmed.

"Father is back," Aiko answered softly. "And he is definitely here to cause trouble."

"Why do you not just arrest him... You have a good enough reason since he had a hand in your grandfather’s death?" Jensen asked.

"No. It is no longer that simple." Aiko paused. "Not to mention he brought some of his friends."

She hesitated.

"Also, he is trying to arrange a marriage between me and the son of another of his friends."

"You are still the legal heiress of the clan," Kairi said, trying to calm her down. "That should not be much of a problem."

Taro shook his head. "That will not matter much if he has the support of the majority of the elders. He can easily claim that she is not experienced enough and rule in her steed for now."

"His plan is to most likely kick her out of the clan through marriage while he gains control," Jensen commented.

"Indeed," Taro nodded in agreement. "Also, I doubt any of the elders would accept a mistress married to an unawakened man."

The room fell silent for a bit.

"When will the funeral take place?" Jensen asked.

"Tomorrow," Aiko said sadly. "Grandpa wished to be buried quickly before his body began to rot from the... injuries."

Jensen nodded in understanding. "Then we will wait until after the burial to decide on the action to take."

He focused his gaze on Aiko.

"I think it is best you go back and grieve properly for your grandfather. Once we put that out of our minds, we can truly focus on the next thing at hand."

Aiko nodded. "So, will you help us?"

"Yes. I am a man of my word." Jensen patted his chest righteously. "and I gave my word to your grandfather, who was like a father to me. I will keep it."

Taro’s eye twitched when he heard Jensen’s righteous statement.

’Boy didn’t you kill your own father?’ He thought to himself.

His research had shown that Jack had died to suicide, but he doubted that.

A simple ’interview’ with the neighbour revealed the years of abuse and neglect coupled with the timing of death... any smart person could immediately understand what happened.

"I believe it is time for me to go and rest." Jensen rose from cushion and gave a small bow to Aiko.

"Sister Kairi, Please lead Young Master Jensen to the room prepared for him." Aiko spoke.

"My Lady, call me Jensen."

"In that case, please call me Aiko as well." Aiko nodded and a small smile appeared on her face.

Jensen nodded and turned around to leave when Taro spoke.

"Kairi don’t forget to arrange VIP treatment for Young Master Jensen."

"Yes, Sir." Kairi nodded before leading Jensen out of the room.

"Goodnight Aiko, Sweet dreams," Jensen waved as he stepped out after Kairi.

"Goodnight Jensen."