Mikio had explored the marketplace thoroughly. He'd walked faster than he had meant to and arrived at the centre of the village even earlier than he'd thought and as such had had time to spare. He'd found some beautiful mackerel (put on ice by the nice vendor for later), some fresh fruit and incense for meditation with a nice, deep, earthy smell. His house would smell like a troll's lair next to the harbour tonight. 
He'd only just turned away from the incense salesman when a familiar voice reached his ears and a young lady came into view, waving at him. She wore short tights and whatever a yukata would probably look like if it had been designed by a perverted bath house manager in his early 50's. Her clothes didn't matter though, it was the voice and face that sent his brain into overdrive, quickly fetching her name from some dark corner of his mind.

"Megumi-san!" He exclaimed cheerfully and almost went in for a familiar and extremely unprofessional hug, but stopped when he saw the young woman bow. His training kicked in, and he returned the bow, still smiling. 
"Good morning to you too. Yes, I am on my way to the school actually. Today is the first day for a new batch of tiny ninjas to learn the noble art of throwing sharp objects at each other." Then, realising what he'd just said, he gave a deep and hearty laugh "no, not at each other, that will have to wait. It's only the basics today, only the basics."
Without thinking about it his right hand raised itself, cupped with the thumb holding an imaginary shuriken in place and flicked his wrist like he would if he were throwing one. 

"Hey, Megumi-san" He said, only a second later, his smile somewhat faded and a worried tone in his voice "I haven't seen you in a while, how have you been? You haven't been sick, have you?" Then he brightened up again "Or have you had a mission? Somewhere exotic? Come, tell me all about it, we'll have some fruit. I have time to spare. We'll sit down over by Musashi's, he won't mind."
Musashi Hikaro, Gobi's number one candle maker with 40 years of experience. He often took some of his work outside on nice days and provided seating for visitors so he'd have some company as he worked.