Junkojuro stood silently for several seconds as he absorbed Kanaka's answer, and then began to clap his hands in a slow, steady rhythm. With another flare of foxfire, he changed back into Kojuro-san, and beamed at the priestess with a bright smile. "That was a splendid answer!" he exclaimed, his typically serene exterior broken with ripples of delight. "Those who would accept my offer are the most loathsome people in the world. You, on the other hand, refused it without a flicker of doubt in your heart. Relationships forged by petty things such as talent and obligation are frail and worthless, and such people are bound to betray one another as soon as the relationship ceases to be advantageous." He could plainly see that his test had upset her, and it was good that it had, but perhaps his praise would console her. "You have already earned your place beside the ones you love because you have already learned that which cannot be taught: strength of heart. All those other things are trivial in comparison to what you already possess. Still, if you wish to further your spiritual capabilities, then I would be happy to teach one such as you."

With that, his tone began to relax, dropping down to a register with less gravity. "I suppose we will need a reason for why Mitsumine-sama's little sister is spending so much time with the groundskeeper. Do you play Shogi?"