Published at 1st of September 2019 8:08 pm

[ Day Three ]

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Still sleepy... But is it morning already? I opened my eyes, and saw blinding light coming in.

It's morning! I sat up. I wonder if Al's up?

I looked over to Al's bed. He was still lying down on it.

"Morning! It's morning!", I greeted loudly. Sometimes I would jump onto the bed to wake him up, but he'd yell at me a lot, so I couldn't do that again for a while.

Making kind of a pained voice, Al looked toward me.

"...What time is it?"

What time...? Did he want me to check the clock? He taught me how to read a clock one time, but it was too confusing, and I didn't get it.

"Oh, sorry. You still can't read a clock yet..."

Al slowly got up, rubbing his eyes. His hair was all messy.

Stumbling around, he started getting dressed and messing with his hair. I did the same. I could at least dress myself, of course!

"...Your ribbon's crooked."

...I could mostly dress myself, of course. I got some help from Al at the end, so now I was all set to tackle another day.

Al told me to hold down the fort again and left the room. He wouldn't take me along yesterday, or before that either. When I really wanted to go with him!

I puffed my cheeks and pouted to myself. In a small town, he'd let me come along, but in a big town like this, he'd always make me watch the room.

He said it was so I didn't get lost, but I never get that lost! ...Probably.

Just sitting around in the room was boring. I wonder if the songstress lady is up? Maybe I should go talk with her again.

After a couple of jumps, the door opened with a click. The handles on these doors were just a little too high up for me...

I pushed the door and entered a long hallway. Yesterday I'd gotten lost here, which led into an adventure. Mansions really are huge! But I'd probably be fine today.

When she was awake, the songstress lady was always in this big plaza-y area downstairs. Mister butler told me yesterday that it was called the "banquet hall."

There was a big round table with chairs packed around it, and the lady would sit there and talk with the town people, or sing songs.

And she looked really happy doing it. All the town people looked really happy, too.

I went downstairs to the banquet hall, but she wasn't there yet. But mister butler was there cleaning instead.

"Ah, Miss Efi. Good morning." He greeted me with a wide smile.

"Good morning!", I shouted back loudly, 'cause I wasn't going to let him beat me. My powerful greeting echoed around the mansion like yelling from the top of a mountain.

"Where's the singer lady?"

"Ah, I believe Mischa is taking a bath. She seemed to be in the mood for that today."

So the songstress lady was in a bath, apparently. Did taking a bath in the morning feel good? I'd only taken baths at night, so I didn't know.

"Then let's talk, mister!" If the lady wasn't around, mister butler would be fine too. He looked at the mop in his hands for a few seconds, then sighed.

"I suppose. I've mostly finished, so that should be fine."

Alright! This might've been the first time I could really talk to mister butler. He was always going here and there around the mansion. And maybe I could hear some different stuff from him than from the songstress.

"Wait here," he told me, so I sat in a chair around the round table and waited. After a little while, mister butler came with a plate and a cup.

"Ooh! Sweets!"

There were sweet things I'd never seen before on the plate. They were colorful, and chubby, and really cute!

Seeing my sparkly eyes, he told me about them. "Have you never seen one before? These are called macarons. They sell them at the nearby sweets shop. They're quite delicious."

He placed one in my hand. "Here you are."

I tilted it around. The macaron rolled and danced in my palm.

After that, I gave it a little bite. A fluffy and sweet taste filled my mouth. Very delicious!

"You appear to be quite pleased. That's good," the butler said, offering me a cup. The cup was full of tea. I knew tea, 'cause I'd drank it before.

"How much sugar would you like?"

"Lots!"

Mister butler seemed surprised by my answer, and smiled childishly. He put two sugar cubes in my cup and swished them around with a little spoon. Then he sat in the chair next to me.

"Mister butler, have you been friends with miss singer for a long time?", I asked, suddenly wondering about it. He said he was the songstress's butler, but they seemed really friendly to me.

"Yes, that's right. We have been friends for a long time in this town," he answered while pouring his own tea.

"Has she always liked to sing?"

"Yes. She's always sung quite often. And I've adored Mischa's singing for just as long."

He smiled warmly, and the morning light lit up his face. He really seemed to like miss songstress.

And I could tell deep down that he wasn't lying, so I felt warm inside.

When people told the truth, especially when talking about things they liked, it would lighten up my own feelings. I kind of liked that sensation.

Though, if there wasn't anyone who lied, I might go hungry and collapse.

"I heard from Al that when you spend a long time with people, you sometimes fight. Have you ever fought with miss singer?"

"Err..."

Mister butler was about to put the cup to his lips, but my question made him put it back on the plate.

"We... haven't fought, come to think of it. Though reasonably speaking, I suppose that should be the case."

Reasonably speaking? What did he mean? I had kind of a question mark about mister butler's words.

I didn't feel like he was lying. Probably. I couldn't be sure without Al around.

"Good morning!"

While I was thinking, the songstress lady trotted over with a steamy air around her.

"Morning, miss singer!"

Her eyes blinked, and she looked at me.

"Good morning... Er, Efi!" It took a little while before she said my name and smiled kindly.

Just a little pause. But I found that little bit of time a little weird.

*

Continuing on from yesterday, I went around town for several hours, but failed to obtain any useful information.

"Does this bluebird really even exist...?"

Sure enough, I started to doubt the thing itself. All the residents I'd asked had the same thing to say.

"Thanks to the bluebird, we're happy." Albeit with minor differences in phrasing, they all told me that with a cheery look.

Sure, the bluebird seemed to be a popular legend in this town. But isn't it a little odd?

Maybe the bluebird was a kind of idol. I couldn't help but get a kind of religious feeling from this. Some people will blame bad things happening to them not on themselves but on divine punishment, so the opposite wouldn't be so strange.

"...Well, at least I'm not completely out of leads."

There was one more option. Something I'd heard from that bearded man yesterday, then avoided.

To talk to the gloomy residents...

From yesterday to now, I'd been choosing to talk with cheery-looking townspeople. Mostly because that talk of "they might be monsters, so watch your back" was still hanging over me. Always wanted to avoid hassle.

But now I was stuck, and I felt like if I kept avoiding it and keeping up the way I was now, coming to this town at all would end up being a complete waste of time.

So no other option. Of course I'm strong enough to protect myself, at least.

Checking the pouches in my coat and pants for concealed weapons, I went into a cramped alley in search of some downtrodden townspeople.

"Sigh..."

I sat in the shade of a large tree.

I had walked around town a lot. Searched every nook and cranny, from tight alleys to wide-open streets. And those gloomy residents I spotted here and there before were nowhere to be found today, not a one.

Maybe they were avoiding me, too. I searched my memory for clues, and recalled the gossipping old ladies on the first day.

"Is it all right to let them stay at that mansion?" - I'm sure they said that.

The residents of the mansion, Mischa and Phil... I hadn't felt anything odd about them so far. And the people who came to and went from the mansion... while they did give me the impression of being awfully zealous about Mischa's singing, they were all carefree, cheery people, nothing suspect.

..."All cheery people" made me wonder. Well, maybe people with a gloomy disposition just never even got the thought of visiting someone else's house.

As I was thinking about it, a person passed by. I hid behind the tree and observed them. He was a young man with a face as sullen as a cloudy sky.

"...Do you have a moment?"

I nimbly got out in front of the man and put on a smile. He seemed surprised, letting out a little scream.

"U-Uhh..."

"I'm on a trip, see. I just wanted to ask you something. I can offer you a reward if necessary," I told him weakly. I acted as much like a passing weakling as I could. That would get people to trust you, as long as they didn't sense any malicious intent.

"No... I don't need any reward. If it's just for a second, it's fine," the young man acknowledged.

Saying he didn't want to talk here, the man led me to a nearby bench, and I followed him without saying much.

Once we sat down on the bench, the young man started talking before I could.

"Um... You're the traveler who came here two days ago, right? You look the same as what everyone's saying. Is it true they're letting you stay at that mansion?"

I was a little thrown off. I didn't expect for him to start talking, and about that.

"Yes, it is... Is there something about that mansion?"

"Well, it's the mansion, but it's more like something odd is going on in the whole town..." His head lowered with a clouded look.

"Something odd?"

It caught my attention straight away, but asking directly would probably be counterproductive. So I just repeated the words back and waited a bit to hear it from his mouth.

"...There are those cheery townspeople, you know. Those startlingly carefree people. There are rumors among us... about how they might be monsters."

I was stunned. So these gloomy people were saying the same thing about the cheery ones. They both suspected the others of being monsters.

"We hear all these strange stories lately. Someone's dead grandfather passing by looking as if nothing happened, a girlfriend who moved far away sitting on a bench and laughing... So everyone's exhausted. There are even rumors that the songstress at that mansion might be summoning up ghosts with her song."

"Someone who moved far away isn't necessarily dead. It wouldn't be too odd if they came back for some business, would it?"

"Well, it's my ex-girlfriend, actually. We broke up and she moved away, so I don't know if she's alive or not... But I'm sure there's no business she'd have back here."

Even so, that was no good reason to jump to speculation about ghosts and monsters. Though considering these gloomy people's position, maybe it wasn't surprising that they would.

Irrational things were happening around them. So they went looking for an explanation with at least a little consistency, wanting to prove that they weren't just losing it.

"So no one will go near that mansion, or those cheery people. We heard the news that they were apparently letting you stay at the mansion, and... Um, this is kind of hard to ask directly, but... I was wondering if you were a ghost, or..."

Aha, so that's why these gloomy townspeople wouldn't come near me. Why I couldn't find one even walking all over the place. Sure, it was a big town, but in two days, rumors could spread to most everyone. And the more they wanted to stay away from me, the harder it would be for someone with no familiarity with the town to find them.

"So that's it... But no, I'm no ghost. Want to feel it for yourself?"

"Oh, I realize that talking to you now. Though I was startled when you talked to me, and got worried you were here to take me to the afterlife..."

The young man smiled wryly. So did I, figuring he must be quick to believe anything. But I couldn't blame him for having difficulty making calm judgements when he was so haggard.

"There's something I want to ask, too. Are you familiar with the bluebird?"

"Bluebird... Uh, yes. There has been a legend like that in this town for a long time. But it's just a legend. Even if rumors are spreading lately about it really existing... Those started at about the same time I started hearing other weird rumors. So even if it is true, it's not bringing any happiness."

The young man's face grew darker and darker as he spoke to me. I couldn't imagine that he'd be lying about this. So what he said held a lot of credibility.

In other words, the rumor about the bluebird said to have started around the same time became highly credible, too.

"Thank you very much for telling me."

"No problem... Please be careful, traveler. Because you might get dragged to the other side, not even kidding."

With that, the young man stood up, bowed a couple times, and quickly walked away.

Well, now I'd gotten to speak with the so-called gloomy residents as well. And it seemed that the people of this town were suspecting each other of being monsters, ghosts, that kind of thing.

I didn't know why things had gotten like this, but I became convinced that the bluebird was involved in this in some way, shape, or form.

"Seems that bringing happiness isn't a cute thing, that's for sure."

I shrugged and leaned back on the bench. Quickly surveying my surroundings, I took out a box and lighter from my pocket and checked inside the box. There were still a few cigarettes left.

I took one out and lit it. I used to smoke all the time, but cut back more and more once Efi showed up. A certain feathered informant told me that cigarette smoke isn't good for dragons, either.

I wondered once if Efi's ability to breathe fire could prove useful for times like this, and had her light a cigarette for me.

Suffice to say, more than just the cigarette ended up on fire.

Thinking about it again, I wasn't sure why I had even gotten the idea to try such a stupid experiment. Maybe it was sheer curiosity. ...That sure taught me how dangerous sheer curiosity is.

"...Doesn't taste very good."

Watching the white smoke hanging in the air, I spaced out and thought.

Maybe it was because it was a different brand than usual, or maybe because it just brought up bad recollections, but I didn't feel any better once I was done with the cigarette. I thought of reaching for a second, but decided I'd rather not waste time here.

With a sigh, I pressed the shortened cigarette into an ashtray by the bench and shoved the pack back into my pocket. The sun was already getting pretty low.

Let's cut it here for today. Feels like some ugly developments are ahead. But I wouldn't leave empty-handed after coming this deep.

"I'll find you, I swear..."

So long as I didn't sense any threat to my life, I'd go as deep as I needed to. I never wanted to put my life on the line, but most anything else I would. I'd get all the details on this stuff, and use it to get big money out of the hat informant. There was no way I was coming out of this with nothing to show for it.

Those thoughts eased my mind better than any cigarette.

"Oh, welcome back. You were out quite late..."

When I got back to the mansion, Mischa, sitting in a chair, turned around and greeted me warmly. I'd been so sure Efi was gonna pounce on me again like yesterday, so it threw me off a little.

"Ah, hello... Huh? Where's Efi?"

I looked around the hall and saw no sign of her. Maybe she was lost or something?

"Oh, there's no need to worry." Mischa beckoned toward the far side of the round table, outside my vision.

I looked over and saw Efi asleep, using Mischa's lap as a pillow.

"...! Sorry, it seems I've caused you a lot of bother..."

"Oh, no, she just seemed tired from talking to me. If anyone's to blame, it's me."

She replied with a slight giggle, but it was no laughing matter to me. Efiii... I glared at her as she slept soundly.

Before I could come to a decision on whether to wake Efi, Mischa asked me a question.

"It seems you've been walking about outside a lot today. Were you looking for something?"

"Yes, that's right. Did I look exhausted again...?"

"Why, yes. I thought it was a rather tired look for mere sightseeing."

I'd been trying to put on a smile, but I guess some fatigue was showing through after all. Didn't exactly grow up in kind circumstances, but I felt like I was getting especially tired these past few days.

"Have I gotten you that curious?", I asked with a bitter smile, and she nodded.

"Hahaha, sorry. You were having a nice relaxing time, and I show up looking like this..."

"Oh, I don't mind."

Mischa smiled, but I began to feel an inkling of something off about her.

"Well, I'll take an early rest. ...And I'll be taking Efi with me."

I shook her body, but the vibrations shook Mischa too, so I gently picked Efi up. From there, I put her over my shoulder, but she still wouldn't wake up. She was completely knocked out.

"You carry her quite boldly," Mischa remarked at the sight.

"Not to worry. This is an ordinary day for us."

I bowed and quickly walked to our room upstairs.

"...Are you really awake?"

"Super duuuper awake," Efi replied in a more muffled voice than usual.

Efi woke up the instant I arrived at the room, so I let her down on the bed. But she had been totally knocked out a moment ago, thus... this.

"Well, let's put together our info."

"'Kay..."

Ignoring her pathetic reply, I summed up the info I'd gathered.

"The residents here are split into two groups, of... cheery people and gloomy people. Also, both of them believe that the other group is something inhuman. You have any thoughts about that?"

"Hmm... It was all cheery people who came to see miss singer. And I haven't heard anything from anyone about, um, gloomy people."

So no one coming here was spouting that stuff to Efi, it seemed. Of course, there was no reason for it to come up if you weren't looking for it.

"Well... Next, let's talk anything we thought was weird. As usual, if you think of anything, say it."

Efi nodded. Or wait, was she nodding off again? I lightly pinched her chin, and she raised her head with a gasp.

"First off, Mischa asked me this: "It seems you've been walking about outside a lot today. Were you looking for something?""

"What's weird about that?", Efi puzzled.

"I went out yesterday, and the day before that. But she only pointed it out today. 'Course, this much might not mean anything; you could interpret it as her just being curious about it for a while."

I thought I was doing a pretty clear-cut explanation, but Efi kept shaking her head left and right. She looked like a toy doll with a shaking head.

"The "today" part is what feels off. As I said, today wasn't my first time going out. So was there a reason to include that word?"

"Hmm... Maybe? Not?"

Yep, she didn't understand. It was obvious, the way she added the "not."

Of course, talking to Efi was just a means of sorting out the info for myself, so it didn't seem like a problem.

"Oh, well, I had something similar, too!"

I was genuinely surprised to hear that. She always just answered what I asked; it was rare she brought me any info herself. Though... I didn't know what she had to say yet.

"This morning, mister butler brought me some tasty treats. They were, um... macarons? And I ate them! And they were all fluffy and sweet..."

"Not looking for info on macarons."

She was starting to get oddly fierce about macarons for some reason, so I cut her off.

"Err... Right! So then the singer lady came back from the bath, so I talked to her while I ate. Then she said, "So you like sweet things, do you, Efi?""

"I see..."

That was strange, alright. She should have been able to tell Efi liked sweet stuff from day one. I mean, we'd had that dispute about handing over the cookies right in front of her eyes.

And afterward, when Efi pouted about wanting to eat cookies, Mischa said: "Please enjoy them for yourself, little sweet-lover Efi!" Yes, she certainly said that.

But in that case, something else was off. The fact that, if that were a lie, nothing happened when she made that statement with Efi around.

Efi had the ability to sense lies. Whether Efi herself could sense them was a mystery, but the ability that allowed her to feed on these lies reacted when people lied.

Lies, even if you intend to tell them, are something that stick to you. Lies full of guilty feelings and regret gather and turn into something bigger. And that's how a person can be completely taken by lies. When that happens, it's dark times ahead. But Efi could sense the lies haunting people, materialize them, and eat them.

Of course, there were lies which this ability couldn't detect too. When the liar didn't feel any regret or anything about their lie.

The only people who could get away with coolly lying in front of Efi were really good liars. To put it simply, real assholes like me.

I couldn't imagine Mischa being in the same league. So the other possibility I could derive was...

"...Guess I'll go talk with Mischa myself tomorrow."

Without some confirmation from her, I couldn't conclude anything. So I'd go see Mischa before I went out tomorrow.

...Come to think of it, Efi wasn't responding. She'd usually give an "mm" or whatnot when I said something. I looked over to her, and saw her asleep with arms and legs spread wide.

Did they seriously talk that much...? Mischa sure didn't look too tired. When she sang, she was able to keep up a powerful volume, so maybe she had stamina that belied her appearance.

As my thoughts drifted into pointless territory, I lifted up Efi's body and moved her to the other bed. As I pulled the covers over her, she kicked them away. ...Not the world's greatest sleeper.

I pulled them up again and went back to my bed. With any luck, there would be major progress tomorrow. With that final thought, I fell asleep.

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