Year of the Boar, Fourteenth Month, Day 6.

 In a very strange turn of events, Hikari and Kiku arrived at the training ground to join in this morning's session. The pair of them had their hair pulled back tightly into the tiniest of tails which looked like the shaving brushes men use. They wore servants' clothing and light armour, looking nothing like the elegant, refined noble women I know them to be. They moved through the form as one; clearly it was not the first time they had done it and when I gaped, the only thing Suzuki had to say was that I should get back to practising because I needed it. Kaede continued her pretence at being useless at the form and Haru seemed to be genuinely trying her best to muddle through. I remain baffled. If Kaede wants her entire House trained in swordplay, what business is it of mine? I am not sure that I am even remotely interested in that but what I cannot understand is all the bizarre secrecy about it.  

I am determined to speak to Haru about this most frankly later on. I must know what in the Nine Kingdoms is going on. 

The House is a constant bustle of activity now that the Solstice is but a few days away. Merchants arrive practically every stick to try and sell us all this trinket or that; some hair pin or brooch one could not possibly celebrate the Solstice without... which reminds me, I must find a gift for Kaede and what... does one give a woman who has everything...?