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yumemory[Location: Lounge, evening]
We continued listening to the stories, deciding to end only when the night grew even deeper.
Akira: The twins' stories were all scary, weren’t they?
Chloe: Yup! What if I dream of some of them tonight, though... Ah, but aren’t scary dreams also exciting to have?
Akira: Exciting? I think I’d feel more nervous...
Riquet: Master Sage, Chloe! May I have a word with you before we all go to bed?
Akira: Sure, Riquet. What is it?
Chloe: Are you afraid of sleeping alone tonight? I'll sleep in your room, then!
Riquet: Really? I’m not sure. I am a bit scared...
Riquet: ...But no, never mind. I’ll be fine!
Chloe: No need to be shy about it!
Riquet: I'm telling the truth! Actually... I have a favor to ask.
Chloe and Akira: A favor?
[Location: Central market, morning]
The next day, Chloe, Riquet, and I went shopping in Central.
Riquet: Thank you both for coming with me today.
Akira: No problem! It’s not like you asked for something difficult.
Chloe: Yup. I hope you find a good picture book.
Riquet had asked an adorable favor from us: "Please accompany me when I go out to buy a book."
Riquet: I hope so, too. I usually borrow books from Rutile, but this time I thought of trying to obtain one myself.
Riquet: He teaches me how to read and write, and that's how I'm learning, little by little. So, to express my gratitude...
Riquet: ...I thought of surprising him by reading him a book I picked out myself.
Akira: That's great! I'm sure Rutile will be overjoyed.
Akira: Mitile will definitely feel the same way, too. He'll tell you, "Riquet, you're amazing!".
Perhaps it's because they're close in age, but Riquet and Mitile seem to get along especially well among the Sage's wizards.
Riquet: Ehehe. Then I want to surprise Mitile, too!
Riquet: He’s always there for me. He teaches me many things, gives me gifts, and shares his sweets with me.
Riquet: ...There was once a time when Mitile and I went to the same school in the Southern Country for a mission, along with the rest of Central and Southern wizards.
Riquet: You remember that, right, Master Sage?
Riquet's eyes narrowed slightly, nostalgia apparent on his face.
Riquet: I'd never gone to school before, so I didn't know what to expect. I was very anxious, to be honest.
Riquet: But Mitile looked really happy when we went together. He even held my hand as soon as he noticed that I was worried.
Riquet: We wore the same clothes when we went to class, and taught each other how to study. I wouldn't have learned how fun school was if it wasn't for him.
Chloe: I see...
Chloe: I've never been to school either, so it’s something I’ve always been fascinated with. It must be really exciting to attend classes in matching uniforms!
Riquet: Then, next time we get the chance, let's go to school and make fun memories together, Chloe.
We headed to the bookstore while enjoying our lively conversation. And then...
???: U-Um, excuse me! Are you perhaps one of the Sage’s Wizards?
Riquet: Huh?
???: Your blond hair and the mark on your forehead are so similar to the wizard I saw in the parade... I'm sorry if I got it wrong...
Standing in front of us was a girl dressed in what looked like a school uniform. She came running out of a narrow alley and called out to Riquet in panic.
Riquet: You're right. I'm Riquet, one of the Sage's Wizards. What can I do for you?
???: Thank goodness...
???: Please, Mr. Sage's Wizard. My friend, he... Please help Polly!
Chloe, Riquet, Akira: ............!
Judging by how she cried and how her voice shook as she spoke to us, it was obvious that she was desperate about something.
After hearing the girl's plea, Riquet straightened his posture and responded to her with a dignified expression.
Riquet: ...I understand. Please share more details with us.
Riquet: It’s my duty as an apostle of God to save and guide the weak.
Sukey: ...I apologize for calling out to you so suddenly. But thank you very much for listening to me.
The girl who introduced herself as Sukey looked a little younger than Mitile and Riquet. She had light brown hair and clear blue eyes.
Sukey: I attend a school in this city called Beryl School.
Sukey: Polly is my classmate. He's a boy with dark hair, green eyes, and wears glasses. And he doesn’t talk very much.
Sukey: He... He just disappeared from school one day... And he's still missing now.
Sukey: Just like everyone else... I couldn't find him no matter how much I looked for him and I... I don't know what to do anymore!
Riquet and Akira: Missing...
Chloe: Wait. Is there anyone else besides Polly who's missing right now?
Sukey: Yes... He’s not the first one.
Sukey: Some students at our school have disappeared one after another. They're all just like Polly. None of them has any reason to just suddenly disappear like that!
We could tell from the sorrow in Sukey's voice just how much the situation had driven her heart into a corner.
Akira: (Polly must be a really important friend to her...)
Even so, there was nothing she could do on her own. If I were her, I’d be just as restless.
That's why she summoned the courage to call out to us for help, even though we were complete strangers to one another.
Sukey: Actually... I heard some rumors even before Polly disappeared.
Sukey: I heard that the people in our school who have gone missing were taken by the Nightwalker.
Akira: The... Nightwalker?
Chloe: Is it the same creature as the one from Lords Snow and White's ghost story?
Riquet: We also know of the existence of the Nightwalker. But isn’t it just a myth?
Sukey: I thought the same at first. But after the most recent attack from The Great Calamity, students suddenly started disappearing one by one...
Sukey: Now everyone at school is talking about how that ghost story has come true, and that the missing students have actually been kidnapped by the Nightwalker.
Sukey: I don’t know if it's true, but if anything bad happens to Polly, then I...!
Large tears fell from her eyes before she could finish speaking, a reflection of how much she must be overflowing with anxiety.
Chloe: P-Please don't cry, Sukey! Here, take my handkerchief.
Chloe bent down and looked her in the eyes, gently offering her his handkerchief.
Chloe: ...You must be feeling really worried after your precious friend went missing.
Chloe: But we’ll definitely get this sorted out. Just calm down and tell us what's going on, okay?
Sukey: ...Polly was the first friend I made in this city.
Sukey: I only moved here last year, and I spent most of my time alone...
Sukey: He was the first person to make friends with me.
Riquet: Polly seems like a very kind person.
Sukey: He is! Very much! He talked to me every day and helped me with my studies. It made school so much fun.
Sukey: He reached out to me, and thanks to him, I don't feel alone anymore...
Chloe: ...I kinda understand how you feel, Sukey: after meeting my friends, I don’t feel alone anymore, either.
With tears spilling from her eyes, Sukey nodded eagerly to the kind Chloe.
Sukey: I know I shouldn't be asking you guys to do this, but...
Sukey: ......But I really couldn't think of any other way to deal with this...
Riquet: You’re free to ask for our help. Such is the very reason why some of us are given the power to help those who are lost and grieving.
Riquet: I'll find Polly. Don’t worry, and wait for me to bring him back, Sukey.
Sukey: .........! Okay!
TL: yumemory | Proofread: Alle
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