“No, it doesn’t, the Tao says it favors the mortal,” Reiji bites out, with his usual frown of disapproval - thinking Kaori a terrible student. “And even if it did – you’re studying to talk to the kami, and I’m going to be yo—a yojimbo, so stop being a pain and let me handle it, dumbass.”

At least he’s not saying a flat no: she wants the plums for Haru, and Reiji’s as invested in giving nice things to their common best friend as she is; still, Kaori rolls her eyes, since when does Reiji make a fuss over her climbing trees, anyway, it’s not like the tree’s going to attack her – her comment gets Reiji hollering: “it’s over a cliff and you’re not half as athletic as you think you are, you– if you want to pull that kind of stuff off you better train with me from now on!”