The masked woman tilted her head curiously, her ponytail tilting with it, "You think so? You wouldn't happen to have any tips in that regard, would you? I... would not know who to ask, otherwise."

"You are flirting at this very moment, ingénue-style, and I think you're perfectly aware of that."

She smirked:

"Not that it's unpleasant in the slightest."

Truthfully, she wasn't aware. While she was a Scorpion, and that meant being able to read a certain amount of nuance, Tenma was more focused on some things in her life and never really thought about how she'd be read in such ways.

"...ah, so you're saying act naturally. I can certainly do that, Hida-san, if you say it's working."

"Indeed. No need to force it. We're all young here. Some of us might have a bit more experience, but people pretending to have much more are just likely to be bluffing and to collapse as soon as you'll smile to them."

She smiled:

"I don't doubt much I'm in the upper bracket of actual experience and could offer to teach you as a good excuse to pass some good time with a nice lady. But the pupil is doomed to defeat the master quickly, as your natural charm and your, I must say, close to perfect physique give you quite an edge."

A half grunt of acknowledgement, "Fair enough, I suppose. Though that is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure you'd have your share of suitors even without any experience."

Akemi shrugged:

"Hey, why would people fight for the Hida?

Though I guess the Crab has had surprising diplomatic successes as of late. The Spider threat is making us look far more desirable.

Also, the fact grandpa is damn loaded might help with my own personal chances."

"Marry for money, hm? I suppose everyone has their reasons. I was more referring to your charm; You seem to be quite an affable person, Hida-san."

"I'll take the compliment. And return two copies of it." she answered with a smile.

That got a bow from the Scorpion before she finished her tea.

"Well, I will take it in return. ...when I came in here, I was only expected to be refreshed in my body, not my mind as well; A good talk is worth any amount of meditating by oneself, I think."

She glanced at Akemi's drink before looking back up at her face.

"Are you staying in the Wisteria like most are then?"

"Yes! Damn, the place is filled to its limit. If any more people had attended the miai, they would have had to build a second aisle to accommodate them. I guess you too share a room with three strangers there?"

"That's right; Two Spider and a Unicorn. They don't seem like that bad of company. No worse than the bunks at Pincer's Grip dojo, and maybe a little more relaxing even. Probably due to everyone being adults. ...you sound less than enthusiastic about your own accommodations, though perhaps I am misinterpreting."

"Crashed late yesterday and wake up late today, as this might be the last day before a while I can indulge in such luxury. So... I have actually no idea who my roommates are.

But I'm a bit apprehensive they might have parked me with a Spider, if only because there are just so many of them. And things won't turn well, one way or the other, if that were the case.

How do you manage to bear with them? Even the nice ones. They're just... Like pure evil behind a thin mask."

"Better selfishness behind a thin mask than a thick one, as the Soshi magistrates are taught; I feel much safer knowing I can't trust someone than wondering if I can, so I find the Spider surprisingly refreshing in that way. You just have to understand what they want from you, and it all turns into a forthright dealing. It helps that, unlike many Bayushi, I am not one for word games."

"I'm Crab, they're Spider. Our endgoal is the total extermination of the other. Has been for two or three millennia depending on how you count.

That sadly doesn't exactly leave a lot of room for negotiation."

Tenma stayed silent for a moment before nodding, "...I shall have to endeavor to not marry into the Spider and become your enemy then. Not that they were exactly my first choice, for obvious reasons; I would rather a Emerald Magistrate one day be than an Obsidian Magistrate."

"Obsidian Magistrate is definitely a dead-end job. With emphasis on the dead part.

How hard is the training to become an Emerald Magistrate by the way? Guess there is a lot to learn about the law and the usage of the other Clans?

My grandpa has me hit the books regularly to prepare myself to become a general one day, and there is seemingly no end to the theoretical part. Apparently, battles are not won on the battlefield but three months earlier when the officers prepare the supply lines, so I must learn about all these logistical details too.

Oh, and etiquette of all things is a critical skill, as you need smooth relationships with both your superiors and your underlings for anything to run smoothly."

"I can believe the etiquette part; Even just working with criminals, a little bit of etiquette goes a long way. People are less likely to want to hide a criminal from you and more likely to want to help you if they trust you and believe you are showing them respect. I used to think it a strange thing for a bringer of justice to learn, since a lot of manga heroes and detectives can be a bit abrasive and brash. Then again, like a friend pointed out, they also tend to know what to say when they want to win someone over too."

A soft breath of held in mirth.

"As to your question, quite strict training from what I hear. But I am fine with that; I do not mind hard work and giving my all, if it is for a noble goal. And what goal could be more noble than working almost directly under the Emperor to uphold their laws?"

Well, except being a hero. But that wasn't really a duty one could aspire to in a world of hierarchy and more of childish fantasy.

"Oh yeah, Emerald Magistrate is without a doubt the most prestigious position someone can hope for. Well, except for Emerald Champion, but that's not a position that is available often.

One of my cousins tried to apply – for Magistrate not Champion – but he didn't pass the written exams. He's still sour about this nowadays. Not my favorite cousin honestly. Failure is a thing, not accepting it is another."

That got a pause, "...where did they end up at then? I knew people failed such things, but I was never sure if that was ever a major sticking point in future prospects."

"Some law consultant for my grandpa company I think. There are advantages in being a grandchildren of a successful businessman even outside the money. Though the money is agreeable I won't hide it."