An older farmer approached her during the visit.
He bowed politely.
Then thanked her for protecting the chairman.
Naomi returned the gesture.
The farmer smiled.
"For many years, we wanted him to come and listen."
She nodded.
He continued.
"Now he has."
For a moment, Naomi looked toward the tea fields.
Then said gently.
"I hope he keeps listening."
The farmer smiled.
"So do we."
Almost two years after the private dinner, the chairman returned to Kintsugi House.
This time, he reserved the tea room for a small gathering rather than a corporate negotiation.
His daughter attended.
So did the elderly tea master.
Naomi was invited as a guest.
She arrived wearing an elegant ivory blouse and a red skirt, her hair arranged in the familiar high braided bun.
The long lacquered table was beautifully prepared.
Ceramic matcha bowls rested on black serving trays.
Bamboo whisks and tea scoops were arranged with careful precision.
And traditional sweets sat beside small porcelain dishes.
The room looked almost exactly as it had on the night of the shattered bowl.
But the atmosphere was completely different.
There were no executives whispering about emergency leadership arrangements.
No anxious nephew.
No secret financial agreements.
And no billionaire trying to entertain his guests by humiliating a waitress.
Instead, the chairman stood when Naomi entered.
He bowed politely.
"Welcome."
She smiled.
"Thank you for inviting me."
He gestured toward the table.
"Would you join us?"
Naomi nodded.
"I'd be happy to."
They sat.
The elderly tea master began the service.
For several minutes, nobody discussed business.
They watched the careful movements.
Listened to the quiet sound of the bamboo whisk.
And enjoyed the simple ritual.
When the tea was ready, the chairman received his bowl.
For a brief moment, Naomi remembered the other evening.
The vial.
The frantic warning.
And the sound of porcelain breaking against the table.
The chairman noticed her expression.
He lowered the bowl slightly.
For a moment, he looked toward her.
Then smiled gently.
"You're worried."
Naomi laughed softly.
"A little."
He nodded.
"I understand."
The tea master confirmed that the service had been properly prepared.
The chairman looked toward Naomi again.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then he said something she hadn't expected.
"Would you like to explain the tea to me?"
Naomi smiled.
"Of course."
He added quickly.
"Not as a test."
She laughed.
"I know."
For the first time since meeting him, the chairman asked because he genuinely wanted to listen.
And Naomi answered without feeling that she had anything to prove.
Later, after the tea service ended, the chairman asked whether she intended to remain in hospitality.
Naomi nodded.
"Yes."
He looked surprised.
"Even after everything?"
She smiled.