Maxim's Tutor

Life, Education

His revelation about the portal in Wakigami Castle's basement was finished and the yarn had spun out about Fujiwara no Fuhito's ancient deeds. With no other business at present, Maxim got the impression that he was being dismissed. Before he left, however, Empress Genmei had one more tidbit of information for him. Having been dismayed at his "embarrassing" display of attempted etiquette earlier in the day, she had used some of her influence to secure for him a tutor. This person, who even now awaited him at Ago Manor, would help him upon the road to becoming a Japanese gentleman.

That didn't sound good. Maxim shared a look with Evaine, then offered his services one last time to the Empress before taking his leave. She'd called him a "worthy subordinate" so at least he'd made something of a positive impression this day. Once they were outside, Evaine agreed that the only polite course of action now was to go see to their new guest.   Shigeaki Fujino seemed very distracted when Maxim called upon her. Something about Ryūzaki Sanosuke and juicy gossip. More fodder for the rumor mill, it seemed. Eventually she was able to pull herself away from whatever was happening and deliver Maxim, plus sheele, to the darkened corridors of Ago Manor.   The psychic didn't stick around after that. A stream of words flooded out of her mouth before she was gone again with that familiar "pop!" That left Maxim and Evaine alone. Or... perhaps not. In the darkness, just visible by the light of a moonlit window, a slender figure was waiting for them. The stranger's arms were crossed, his long, dark hair hiding his features as he leaned against the wall. Upon realizing that he'd been spotted, he ran a hand through his hair, revealing handsome, if slightly arrogant, features beneath.   Maxim had only encountered the man in passing before, but this was Netabi Shigehisa, former tactician to the Tachibana Clan. Apparently things had cooled down enough at the Palace of the Firebird for him to take on new work. That work started by teaching this "Western Barbarian" how to behave like a gentleman.   Already filled with a vague dislike of the dandy who now stood in his home, Maxim stepped forward when beckoned to do so. In the moonlight, the knight's own features were revealed. They were not entirely a lost cause, or so Shigehisa claimed. All other conversation was immediately dropped, however, when Evaine entered the pool of light as well. Shigehisa nearly gasped. From that point onward, he didn't shift his gaze to Maxim again. They'd start his lessons in the morning. First of those would be not to ask such blunt questions, like why Shigehisa was so focused on Evaine.   Perhaps thankfully, Evaine was not at all receptive to the other man's advances. She remained quiet and dignified, deflecting attention back to Maxim when she could, like a good squire. Shigehisa apparently wanted to know about her relationship with her knight in detail, but Maxim wasn't ready to explain that the woman by his side was actually a part of his soul. Let Shigehisa discover that later, when it would be most uncomfortable for him.   Finally, the Tachibana dandy took his leave. He'd come find Maxim in the morning to begin their lessons. Any objections the prospective student raised about the Tournament fell on deaf ears. He'd have to put forth a bit more effort than that, if he wanted to become a gentleman.   When Shigehisa was gone, Maxim felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. That man seemed insufferable; a "new foe" for he and Evaine to conquer. They could at least, according to the squire herself, lever the man's fascination in her to their advantage.   The moon was rising in the sky by this time, but Maxim still had business left to handle. He took Empress Genmei's Letter of Recommendation from his pouch, giving it a glance. The ancient ruler's writing was so archaic, the brush strokes so thick and cramped, that he might not have had a chance of reading it even if it were in English. That brought to mind a worrying possibility. Would the letter's intended recipient, Nagasone Kotetsu, even be able to understand its contents?   They would have to see. For now, Maxim summoned Kitsuno and Shishikura Makiko to meet him at the entrance. Those two would make fine reinforcements for whatever trial was to come next.