*It took perhaps just as long as last time to get there – if not slightly faster. Soon Kirigiri found herself quickly walking up to the estate; pressing the doorbell once and waiting for someone to open the door.*
This time, it was Hakuba himself that answered. He opened the door and stepped aside to let her enter, offering a nod in greeting and a polite smile.
“Kirigiri-san, thank you for coming on such short notice. I’m afraid that we’ve missed tea-time, but I do have the reports ready and waiting in the drawing room if you’ll be so kind as to follow me.”