Seto, the matronly woman clad in a dark kimono, greeted them. “Justin-sama. O-genki desu ka? How are you?”
“Genki desu, I’m fine. Seto-chan.” Justin motioned to Anna. “This is Anna Vincent, the girl I’ve been telling you about.”
“Konnichiwa, Anna-san. You’re more beautiful than Justin-sama told me.” Seto, the inn’s head caretaker bowed fluidly.
Justin had purchased the ryokan from Seto and her husband a couple of years back when the couple were struggling with financial problems. He then had Seto run the inn.
He had no interest in running a hospitality business. He’d bought the ryokan because he wanted to know more about his mother’s side of the family. Seto was actually his mother’s younger sister. Since his father kidnapped his mother over fifty years ago, his mother never went to the surface world anymore. Nymph laws forbade any huma
n who had been claimed as a mate to step on the surface world ever again. It would undo the nymph magic that had been bestowed on their human mate, such as their prolonged lifespan. Justin’s mother still looked as she did the day his father had kidnapped her, while Seto had aged gracefully.
Anna blushed from the compliment. She nudged Justin’s elbow and asked, “How do you say thank you in Japanese?”
“Arigato gozaimasu.”
Anna repeated it shyly to Seto.
“Do itashi mashite. You’re welcome.” Seto laughed heartily and gave them an ojigi, a deep bow at the waist. “We’ve prepared your room, Justin-sama. Do you wish your lunch to be served right away?”
“Please. We’re starving.”
“Hai. Wakarimashita. Understood.”
After they traded their shoes for slippers, Seto led them to their room. Anna looked unsure when she saw where they were going to sleep. The square room was furnished with only a straw-mat floor and a short dresser by the corner.
“No bed?”
“We’ll sleep on a futon. Seto will arrange it when we’re ready to rest.”
“I see.”
“You haven’t seen the best part of this inn yet.”
“Oh?”
Justin slid open the shoji door to the terrace. “This area is famous for its onsen, and lucky us, we’ve got a private bathing pool just outside our room.”
“Onsen?” Anna’s mouth fell open. “Oh, hot spring? This feels like a spa.”
“Even better.”
Moments later, Seto and her helpers came in and set a table for lunch. Trays of mouth-watering food were served before their eyes. Grilled sweet fish, catch of the day sashimi, grilled prawns, steamed rice, pickles, miso soup, green tea and dessert rice cakes stuffed with red bean paste filled the table.
“Domo. You spoil us,” Justin complimented Seto.
“Iie. My pleasure.” Seto and her helpers gave them a bow before retreating to give them privacy.
“I don’t see how we’re going to eat all of this. This is a lot of food.” Anna studied each of the dishes that were arranged neatly on the glazed earthenware. “And I’m not good using chopsticks either.”
“Do you want me to feed you?”
Anna blushed. He loved it when she did that. They’d barely dug into their lunch when his cell rang. It was Matt.
Justin excused himself and went to the terrace. “Yes?” He spoke in their native Azurian.
“Where are you?” Matt asked.
“At the ryokan. We’re having lunch.”