Anko and Benjamin sat on the wooden bridge crossing the koi pond in the tranquil garden of her parents' house. Shoeless, his trousers rolled and her indigo dyed summer kimono rucked up around her knees, they dangled their feet in the water, laughing as the flashing koi, like a rainbow of white and gold, silver and bronze, came to investigate and nibble. This was conversation practice, something arranged by their tutor, the translator. When Benjamin's work was done, they would meet in the garden for an hour to practice what they'd studied together.
Satsuki and Eitaro had to admit that Anko's English was improving because of it as was Benjamin's Japanese. They were satisfied that being able to talk to the Westerners was a useful skill. Every day, the reports confirmed that the visiting Wes
