Page 26 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
She found shells and picked her way along the water’s edge until she reached a dramatic driftwood arrangement. The pile stretched from sea to stone, and signs declared her side of the bleached wood barrier to be private property. Tsumiko looked back toward the stairs with a sense of awe that bordered on confusion. Could a person have enough power or money to own a piece of the sea? To her, it seemed as absurd as laying claim to another person.
While she meandered back the way she’d come, Tsumiko brought out her phone and texted her brother.
I have a beach. Come share it with me.
Summer vacation can’t come soon enough
Does Suuzu like to swim?
He’s willing to learn
Tsumiko tried to figure out what to call Michael and Sansa. They were technically employees of the estate, but this was their home. Weren’t they more than hired help?
My housemates have children who will be home for the summer.
Any guys my age?
I’ve only heard about two girls.
I’ll ask if there’s a brother.
She sent him a snapshot of the view, and he took one that showed part of his dorm room. Once again, Suuzu was in the picture, one clawed hand straightening Akira’s hair.
Behold, a miracle!
Since when is your room clean?
Since Suuzu
He’s a good influence.
More like OCD
Tsumiko tucked away her phone and sat in the sand at the base of the cliff. Drawing her knees to her chest, she pulled her skirt around her legs and gazed out over the water. In summer this was probably the perfect place to play, but steely skies dulled the sea to a lonely shade of gray.
Movement along the beach caught her eye.
Someone else was out for a stroll, and he was headed her way. Since she’d already gone that direction, Tsumiko knew he couldn’t have missed the driftwood barricade and privacy signs. The man had spotted her, for he raised a hand and angled her way. She wondered belatedly if she could be in danger. But Michael’s wards were supposed to keep threats to her and Argent at bay.
“Good morning! Are you the new mistress at Stately House?”
“Yes.”
He ambled closer, but stopped a little ways off. He’d pulled a battered straw hat low over his eyes, and his feet were bare. Thrusting his hands deep into the pockets of faded jeans, he announced, “I’ve been away for a while, but I’m back.”
She hadn’t expected that. “You live here?”
“Guess you could say I’m your gardener, though it’s also my job to groom the beach.” He was watching her from under his hat’s sagging brim. “You didn’t know?”
“Michael mentioned a gardener my first day here. It slipped my mind.” She started to get up. “I’m Tsumiko Hajime.”
“No need to stand … or stand on formalities.” He strode forward and crouched beside her, offering a hand. “I’m Gingko.”
Tsumiko’s eyes widened, for her gardener had claws.
He sighed. “Nobody told you about me?”
“No.”
