Chiyoko for her part stared at it in a bit of disbelief. "I don't think I have ever had something this nice," she admitted. She set a plate for Hyeon-ju, then grabbed hers, adding a little bit of everything to it. "And this apparently is only course one!"

"Oh wow... that's pretty impressive. Last time I had several courses was back during the graduation ceremony."

Likewise, she added a bit of everything to her own plate. Goodness, why didn't the inn have some proper food-service for its guests? This seemed like heaven in comparison.

Or was this some sneaky deal the different owners had going on...?

"You didn't even have a banquet or anything like that after your gempukku?" she asked, dipping a gyoza into some spicy sauce.

"No," she shook her head. "Gempukku ceremonies are less... dramatic than the tales of old Matsu gempukku. But once mine was done it was pretty well immediately to advance training. This is probably the closest I've had to leave ever."

She took a bite of the tempura. And closed her eyes in appreciation.

There was a few moments of silence as both women were enjoying the good food.

"Sounds rough. But I can't say it was too much different for me. Once we're done at the flight academy, you get assigned to your place, and then you go into training all over again as you move from being the top dogs of school to the rookie of a team. It would seem like it's the same for your side as well?"

"More or less, though I was placed as standard infantry. There are not exactly many opportunities duties to practice sharpshooting in Matsu school," she chuckled a bit. "When I was transferred, there was still some more training, but not as much as one might thinking. There is no experience quite like practical experience."

She was at this point enjoying the paired sake. Slowly. Carefully. Something like this was meant to be savored.

"That is true. Nothing compares to the real deal," she agreed, pausing between food to drink some more.

"Your sharpshooting talent, was that something you knew you had before you were assigned to infantry?"

"I have always known I was a good shot," she nodded. "Top Mark's in all firearms categories. Plenty of good time to practice on Matsu Prime." Another sip of sake. "The shot I made that earned my fame and reassignment was the first time that I had attempted quite that degree of difficulty."

"Hmm... I've only seen the news-reels that got the attention of military-personnel." Most of media was restricted, but that didn't mean clans weren't also keeping an eye on eachother. And it was good to see what the clans decided to showcase as heroes and talents, especially with hopeful allies.

"On holo, it looks pretty impressive. But what made you decide on taking a risky shot like that?" Hyeon-ju helped herself to some of the tempura and karaage, awaiting curiously to learn more about the famous shot that made the Ikoma choose her as someone to show off.

"Opportunity rarely allows much time for thought," she answered. "I saw an open shot, and a weapon was available to me. So I acted."

"Fair enough. I can understand that sometimes one must just act in the moment."

Wait, that sounded more like something Yul would say.

"Were you surprised when it made you so famous?" she asked, smiling a little.

"A bit," she nodded. "A Lion dreams of earning glory and fame. But in the end, I was just trying to help my clan. That it was caught and recorded for posterity is a blessing I am glad for, if not surprised by."

She nodded, chewing and swallowing down the tempura.

"But you didn't exactly expect that it would land you in a miai, right?"

"I did not," she shook her head. "But certainly I can't say I am saddened by it." A smile, then she looked to refresh sake. "Did you think your ambitions for officership would bring you hear?"

"Not really, no," she shook her head too, amused over the strange circumstances that led many here. Sometimes she wondered if those mogul-heirs had just messed up a previous engagement to be here.

"I was prepared for pretty much anything else - going back to school, lackeying for a senior officer for a while, take a number of written tests and examinations. Not... being told that I should settle a bit and get married. Still, I can't say I'm upset about it. I've had the chance to meet many interesting people, such as yourself, Matsu-san."

"Ah," she lowed herself a blush. "I am glad that you find me interesting. I admit that I find you much the same." She smiled. "You shall make a great officer, of that I am certain."

A sip of sake. A breath. "I've no such ambitions, I'd admit. A leader I am not. Being a symbol I am content with. And I am glad to continue gaining glory, whether for the Lion or whatever clan I might marry into."

The Utaku wasn't someone who blushed easily though, but she did give Chiyoko one of her rare and sincere smiles. "Thank you. I will work hard to live up to such expectations."

Another gyoza got a dip in the ponzu sauce. "Oh? You don't think the Lion will try to promote you to at least gunso rank after this? If you continue to be a symbol, they probably will give you a rank of sort - can't have someone important and inspiring merely be a hohei, right?" Hyeon-ju mused with a smirk.

"Shireikan Matsu Chiyoko?"

"Well, I have to be a Lion at the end of this Miai. Which is not guaranteed, neh?" She smirked. "But no. A position as shiriekan is not my destiny. Perhaps my destiny is the Unicorn. Or perhaps it is simply to be a good Lion and be a reliable soldier that the Ikoma prop up. Who can say?"

"Perhaps..." she agreed on the idea that maybe she'd be a Unicorn.

"... If you don't mind me asking, who are you considering for your choice? Or... hm, maybe a top three picks or something would be easier to answer?" Hyeon-ju sighed a little. "I know I find it very difficult to settle on a decision yet."

"If one is being honest," she said, taking a sip of sake before she continued. "You sit at the top of my list. If I were to have choice, and you were available, I'd select you above any other. Even knowing it could mean me leaving the clan."

"Oh..." she was a little surprised at the forwardness, but maybe that was to be expected of a Matsu. "... I am flattered, Matsu-san. That you consider me so worthy."

Her head bowed with a touch of formality, feeling it only the right response to such a statement.

"But surely, Matsu-san must have others vying for her attention and favor?"