My Gentle Kingdom (Part II)

"Can I talk with you for a bit…?" Tenma said, almost inaudible. Tachie had to listen closely to get what he said.

"Sure, that's why I asked you. But Kazuki-kun, let's sit down first…"

Slightly bewildered, Tachie watched as the tall orange-haired lady put her arm around Tenma's shoulder and gently ushered him to the seat where she was sitting before, without any shred of awkwardness or hesitation. She did all that with a sense of familiarity and a warm smile.

The orange-haired lady sat Tenma down on her former chair. He looks oddly compliant. Then she looked at Tachie, and tilted her head curiously.

"Hey, are you with him?" The lady asked. Gentle, but not weak. Firm, but not unkind.

Tachie nodded, for some reason isn't trusting herself to speak in front of this dignified lady. There's something dangerous about this lady, she thinks. Not in the sense that she would try to harm her, but rather… she feels like if she opens her mouth before this lady, she would speak of things that she'd r