『come, darling.』

the fortuneteller waved her hand, beckoning chihiro to sit, and she did, almost as if she'd been bewitched by this lady with a low, relaxing voice.

『what troubles... or glee, do you wish to consult me for?』

『... can you guess?』

a little more snarky than she herself had expected, this query left chihiro's lips as an answer to another.

the lady simply tilted her head, dark brown curls bouncing to frame her pale face.

『stagnation has taken a toll on you, yet you're unsure if you could swim against stronger currents.』

『standard procedure?』

chihiro thought to herself, yet as soon as she'd thought it, she wished she could retract the skepticism.

『your mother has good intentions despite the apprehension.』

the woman tapped her red nails on the silken tabletop as she hummed.

『tsuchihara chihiro.』

the woman knew her full name.

she swallowed, and asked,

『what should i do?』