"If he wants to become a samurai, he needs the patronage of a samurai," Ran explained. "His mother is a famous geisha; she kept her marriage secret and his father is not a samurai so it is necessary he be taught." She paused, frowning thoughtfully. "Of course, he could have chosen anywhere ... Beika is a tiny village. Before Agasa arrived to teach Shinichi, we had no guests of learning besides Sonoko's family friends."