As Tadayoshi finished watching, he went down the stairs from his room, forgetting to shut the door behind him. As he did, he noticed some people nearby praising his brother Tadamori. Knowing he still had work to do, Tadayoshi decided to leave.
Tadayoshi went to one of the maids and asked her what was needed of him. She told him to go and dry the dishes, calling him a filthy hybrid. As she said that, she shoved Tadayoshi aside with her foot and told him that hybrids like him need to know where they belonged, dead or under their boot, and ordered him to scram.
Tadayoshi, now even dirtier, went to the kitchen to dry some dishes since it was the young prince's birthday. As he turned a corner, he bumped into one of the maids. He tried to apologize, but she shoved him away, sending him into a wall. Somewhat battered, he continued toward the kitchen. As he walked away, the maids who watched began speaking among themselves about what had just happened.
Tadayoshi entered the kitchen and was greeted by the head chef, who said ah, you're back, Tadayoshi. It's time to get to work. As Tadayoshi worked, he overheard the gossip about how the young prince was excelling in magic, swordsmanship, and academics. After hearing it, Tadayoshi continued working on drying the dishes with a sour face. When he finished, the head chef noticed and asked what had him looking so sour. Tadayoshi said it was another birthday without parents.
John went into further detail, saying that the Metal Rite was a ceremony for every three-year-old where they chose a metal. Before Tadayoshi could react, the head maid entered the kitchen and asked John if the cake was ready. Suddenly, John shoved Tadayoshi away, sending him stumbling as he told him to get moving.
The head maid looked at John and asked what that was about. John quickly replied that it was nothing and that Tadayoshi had already finished his work, so the least he could do now was sweep. She seemed satisfied with the answer and asked about the cake again.
John motioned to one of the other cooks, and they brought out the cake. He watched silently as the head maid took it and carried it outside toward the celebration. After she left, John walked over to where Tadayoshi had been to apologize, but he could not find him anywhere.