Reigen opened the entry doors wide and took a deep breath. He dutifully removed his muddy shoes and his coat and hung it up. He walked into the tea room, surrounded by spirits he could see, but he paid them no mind. A sentient tatami mat unfurled for him and he sat down directly across from his tiny employee.

“Shigeo-kun. We need to discuss something very important.” Morinji fetched a cup for him in record time and filled it with the hot herbal tea. He warmed his hand with it.