Chapter 17 – What's going on?
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, CONTAINS BLOOD AND VIOLENCE)
At last, Haruto and Kaito finish preparing and set out together with Yuki.
Taro has cleared the breakfast table, and he and Mitsuni are preparing tea in the kitchen.
Doctor Mitsuni speaks carelessly as usual.
Dr. Mitsuni: Ahhh, I really wonder how grape tea is made.
Taro laughs.
Taro: Hahaha, seriously? Ahhhh, doctooor!
Mitsuni raises his hand slightly.
Dr. Mitsuni: Well, it's normal not to know. Tatsuya's special Uva tea is amazing anyway—both taste almost the same.
As Taro adds sugar to his tea, his injured hand throbs.
Taro: Sss…
Mitsuni shoots him a look, one eyebrow raised.
Taro: I haven't seen Kenji since morning. We usually run into him at headquarters. Did you check on him?
Mitsuni takes a sip, then another.
Dr. Mitsuni: No, I didn't. But Sora must have seen him. By the way, I should find those twins.
A small girl's voice is heard.
Taro smiles.
Taro: Ohhh, Mizu! Where have you been?
Mizu smiles and hugs Taro.
In the library, Sora is reading as usual when Zen approaches her.
Zen (worried): Um… Sora, have you seen Kenji?
Sora smiles and pats Zen's head.
Sora: Don't worry, sweetie. He's not feeling well. He must be resting.
Suddenly Shin's voice echoes.
Shin: SORAAA!
Shin looks frightened too.
Shin: Um… about Mizu…
Sora's expression hardens.
Sora: No matter what happens, you two stay with Mr. Takashi.
She rushes off—first to the lounge, then to Yoona's room.
Yoona looks up from her documents.
Yoona: Sora, what is it? You look terrible. This better be important.
Sora (out of breath): Ms. Yoona… ah… Mizu… where is Mizu?
Yoona blinks.
Yoona: What kind of question is that? Don't you remember? After Mizu fell asleep last night, I took her to her room. Then Lady Akira came and took her. I believe her sibling's business trip was canceled.
Sora remains uneasy.
Sora: But Ms. Yoona… the twins saw her in the kitchen this morning, staring blankly… and there was blood in her mouth.
Yoona frowns.
Yoona: What? That's impossible. They must be joking.
Sora: They wouldn't joke about something like that.
Yoona (sharply): ENOUGH, SORA!
Everyone knows what those two are. Leave my room immediately.
Sora flinches and leaves silently.
As she passes Kenji's room, she feels something wrong—no sign of life.
She knocks.
Sora: Hey! Kenji, are you there?
No answer. She smells blood and pounds harder.
Sora: KENJI! ANSWER ME!
After waiting, she enters. The room is empty—until Kenji walks in with a towel.
Sora blushes.
Sora: YOU—!
She throws a pillow at him.
Kenji: I should've at least changed clothes…
Sora turns away, embarrassed.
Sora: I'll… be in the library.
Haruto, Kaito, and Yuki step off the carriage.
Yuki: Wow! This place is amazing!
Kaito rubs his shoulder.
Kaito: Ugh… my shoulder hurts.
Haruto (laughing): I think you should get checked instead of the twins.
Kaito: Let's not waste time. I've got a Majin match with Daichi.
(He looks at Yuki.)
Kaito: Behold the true champion.
Yuki (laughing): I think you'll win, Kaito!
A man shouting "Big Sale!" catches Yuki's eye. He's holding a white rabbit plush.
Yuki wants it badly but looks away.
Haruto and Kaito exchange glances and nod.
Kaito: I'm going to Kanata's shop. Let's meet by the fountain at three.
After Kaito leaves, Haruto kneels before Yuki.
Haruto: Hey Yuki, want to buy a toy first? I really like that white rabbit.
Yuki lights up, then hesitates.
Haruto: Come on, don't pout. Let's go to the toy shop first.
Yuki: Okay!
From behind a tree, Kaito watches them, unease on his face.
Kaito (thinking): I don't know why… but I feel uneasy.
Meanwhile, Daichi tends the yellow roses and spots the twins.
Daichi: Hey! What are you two up to?
Shin: We're okay… but we saw Mizu today.
Daichi sets down his shears, hands them ripe blackberries.
Daichi: I think you have something to tell me, don't you?
The three sit down on a bench…