How To Eat Life:Chapter 3-3

#3-3_otogiri_tobi / Eat.

They were unable to see the patient, so they couldn't stay for long. When they left the hospital, they bid farewell to Asamiya. Tobi and Shiratama walked back down the twilight road.

"O-Ryuu," Baku broke the silence. "That was... Long story short, what was that?"

"How should I explain..." Shiratama frowned, biting her bottom lip. She paused for a moment as they happened to pass by the children's park, noticing the empty benches.

"Wanna sit down?" Tobi suggested.

Shiratama nodded, and the two of them sat on one of the benches in the children's park.

"It happened a long time ago," Shiratama began, bringing out Chinu from her pochette and holding her gently. "I was in fourth grade at the time, so it was four years ago. My grandfather fell seriously ill and was hospitalized. So my grandmother brought me along to visit him..."

Shiratama's grandfather had a strict personality and had a fondness for kendo and jiu-jitsu. Before his hospitalization, Shiratama had been unaware of his illness. She had never seen her grandfather lying down, and seeing him sleeping in the hospital bed was frightening for her. Shiratama couldn't bring herself to enter his hospital room. In the end, only her grandmother went inside, while Shiratama waited outside.

During that time, Shiratama already had the pochette that hid Chinu. She knew that others couldn't see Chinu. Shiratama took Chinu out of the pochette and let her ride on her shoulder. Feeling restless, she walked slowly down the hallway.

The hallway had rooms on both sides, some with open doors that allowed a glimpse inside. Most of the patients on that floor had serious illnesses, with some relying on medical equipment to survive.

Shiratama wondered if her grandfather would end up like them. However, the surgery had gone well, and her grandmother assured her that he would recover. The thought brought her some relief, but also a sense of guilt for using the suffering of others to comfort herself. She felt like a bad person.

As Shiratama stopped in front of a four-person room, she noticed a woman and a small girl visiting. The woman addressed the patient as "Papa," who seemed to be her husband. The woman and the girl desperately called out to him, hoping for him to wake up and play with them. But there was no response; the husband was unconscious.

Unable to bear the situation, Shiratama prayed silently for the stranger's recovery and his reunion with his family.

"Looking back on it now, it might have been some sort of compensation for finding solace in the suffering of others... a form of atonement," Shiratama continued, her voice filled with reflection. "I may have wanted to reassure myself. But then, Chinu..."

At that moment, Chinu let out a voice that wasn't her own. The voice spoke the names "Hana" and "Kayoko" repeatedly. It was a man's voice, clearly not coming from Chinu.

The voice spoke about the time his daughter was born, bathing her, and taking her to the zoo. He reminisced about meeting Kayoko for the first time and how he had never felt such love before. He expressed his disbelief at his illness and his fear of dying. He desperately wanted to see his family and spend time with them. It was a heartfelt cry of a man on the edge of life.

"I heard his voice," Shiratama said, her voice tinged with sadness. "He agonized over his wife and daughter, his fear of death, even though he was unconscious. He was asleep, in a coma. His voice shouldn't have been audible, but somehow it came through Chinu..."

"Hmmm..." Baku hummed, pausing for a moment before speaking. "So Chinu has some kind of special ability, even though she's so small. She's not just an ordinary person, huh? Wait a minute, does that mean I have a special ability too? Something incredible... like shooting rockets or being super strong."

"Not really," Tobi replied, half-exasperated. "Baku, you're already pretty good at running your mouth."

"Oh, that!" Baku laughed, satisfied. "Ahahaha... wait, no! That's not the kind of special ability I meant. There has to be something more, like having incredible powers or something cool."

"Just having a talking backpack is pretty cool, isn't it?"

"That's not enough. I'm telling you, I just haven't shown my true potential yet. When I overcome challenges and become stronger, I'll show you something amazing!"

"That's kind of gross... I don't want you to peel off your skin..."

"It's just a metaphor! At least understand that much!"

Tobi glanced at Shiratama, who was looking down silently. After recounting the story of her grandfather's hospitalization, she remained quiet.

If Chinu didn't possess that special ability, Shiratama wouldn't have heard the voice of that unknown patient. He was on the brink of passing away, leaving his wife and daughter behind. He was barely holding on, realizing there was little hope. In his despair and grief, he cried out.

Tobi didn't want to hear that voice. Even if he did, what could he do? He was a complete stranger with no relation to the man. There was nothing he could do to help. It couldn't be helped.

"...Did Shiratama-san suggest visiting so we could hear Takatomo-san's voice?" Tobi asked, breaking the silence.

To Shiratama, Takatomo Miyuki was not a complete stranger. They were classmates and had even been in the same class in their first year. Takatomo would talk to her even when there was no particular reason, and Shiratama was someone she admired. Takatomo's voice had said so. Their connection was different from that with an unknown patient.

"I thought that if we could hear it," Shiratama replied hesitantly, "if we were able to hear it, then we had to listen. Because that might be something only Chinu... only I can do."

The next day, Asamiya was late. Tobi felt a slight relief as he had been concerned that Asamiya might not come to school. But it wasn't just Asamiya on Tobi's mind.

It appeared that Kon Chiami was indeed friends with Murahama Nagisa and Shimomaeda Yoriko. They often spent time together outside of class. Before, it used to be the four of them, including Takatomo.

In addition to losing or having her possessions stolen, Takatomo had been hearing strange voices repeatedly.

Losing things that seemed unlikely to be stolen and hearing voices that shouldn't be audible. Weren't those signs of delusions or hallucinations? Perhaps Takatomo was not in a normal state of mind.

However, Chinu possessed a special ability. The mysterious power to transmit voices that shouldn't be heard, speaking on behalf of those who couldn't.

And Kon Chiami, whom Takatomo suspected as the culprit, had that bat-like, flying squirrel-like creature with her.

For once, Tobi took his time eating lunch. His seat was near the window, three rows from the front. In the first seat of the adjacent row sat Kon Chiami. And clinging tightly to her back was that strange creature, neither a bat nor a flying squirrel, motionless.

"I know what you're thinking right now, Tobi," Baku said without lowering his voice.

"Does that thing always stay like that, never leaving Kon-chan's side? Or does it have the ability to go off and do things on its own? If, for instance, that thing was an ill-mannered thief..."

Though talking during lunchtime wasn't forbidden, the cafeteria was so quiet that school announcements could be heard clearly. Tobi and Shiratama were probably the only ones paying attention to Baku's solo recital.

"Stealing the key to the roof from the staff room shouldn't be possible. It wouldn't have been difficult for that thing to sneak it into Takatomo's desk drawer, though."

"Sensei," Asamiya suddenly raised his hand.

Their homeroom teacher, Harimoto, who was eating lunch at his desk, stopped and half-rising from his chair, asked, "Hm? What's wrong, Asamiya? Hey, you haven't eaten anything. Are you feeling unwell? Are you okay?"

"I'm not okay," Asamiya said, placing both hands on his desk as he stood up. His long bangs concealed his expression, but he seemed visibly angry.

"There's no way I could be okay. Why are you just eating as if nothing happened? Aren't you going to investigate? After what happened, Miyu... Takatomo has been hospitalized."

"Well, investigate, you say..." Harimoto hesitated, touching his face excessively with his hand.

"Hey, hey!" Masamune staggered toward Asamiya and attempted to sling an arm around his shoulders. "Chill out, okay? Asamiya—"

"Don't touch me!" Asamiya brushed away Masamune's hand roughly. With an "Uwah?!" Masamune exaggeratedly flew back and spun in circles, eliciting laughter from many onlookers. Seeming irritated, Asamiya approached Masamune.

"Wahh!" Masamune stepped back.

"Stop it already!" Kon Chiami cried out. Her face scrunched up instantly.

"Miyuki wouldn't be happy if you were fighting! Miyuki hates seeing people arguing. Don't do something that would make her sad at such a time, please..."

Tobi suddenly had doubts. Was Kon crying? Her behavior seemed exaggerated and deliberate. Were those crocodile tears? Asamiya also seemed to sense something was off.

"Acting like you were friends. Kon, you weren't getting along that well with Takatomo lately, were you? Takatomo was avoiding you, wasn't she?"

"How terrible!" "How could you say such a thing!"

Defending Kon, Murahama Nagisa and Shimomeda Yoriko began reproaching Asamiya. The classroom descended into chaos as everyone joined in. Even as the homeroom teacher, Harimoto, scolded them, "Hey, stop it!", the chaos continued.

Kon sank into her chair, as if breaking down in tears. Murahama, Shimomeda, and a few other girls rushed to her side. Some students criticized Asamiya harshly. Asamiya stayed quiet without rebuttal, but his eyes glared through the gaps between his bangs.

"Don't get so heated, guys! Asamiya has a point to make, right?"

Masamune, ever persistent, pressed closer to Asamiya. At that moment, Asamiya's patience ran out. He pushed Masamune aside and ran out of the classroom.

"Asamiya!"

Harimoto chased after him. Masamune soon returned with a troubled, or rather, funny expression and dramatically shrugged his shoulders. Some students laughed.

Tobi looked at Shiratama, who had an appalled look on her face. He was relieved that she wasn't laughing.

Harimoto and Asamiya still hadn't returned, and lunchtime ended. Tobi prepared to leave the classroom with Baku on his shoulder.

"Otogiri-kun."

Shiratama's call stopped him. Tobi met her gaze, and she directed his attention to something else. Tobi followed her gaze.

Kon sat draped over her desk. Murahama and Shimomeda were comforting her. Was Kon still crying? She seemed stricken, or maybe she was pretending.

It was gone.

The strange creature was no longer clinging to Kon's back.

"Tobi!" Baku exclaimed. Tobi looked around his seat. On Asamiya's desk, there was an untouched meal. Something darted in the shadows of the desk. Tobi had clearly seen it.

Tobi approached Asamiya's seat. There was nothing abnormal about the desk or the chair.

"It must be inside."

He didn't need Baku to tell him. Without looking in the drawer, he reached in. His fingers brushed against fur. Without hesitation, he closed his fist around it, and the creature struggled furiously in his hand. Its torso was warm, even hot. Between its forelimbs and hindlimbs, there was a thin, rubbery membrane. It writhed and wriggled its limbs.

He pulled it out of the desk drawer. It was Kon Chiami's strange bat-like, flying squirrel-like creature. It had a face like a human baby, and a long tongue darted in and out of its tiny mouth.

Several classmates looked at Tobi suspiciously, but no one noticed the creature in his hand. They couldn't see it.

Kon was still being comforted by Murahama and Shimomeda. Tobi met Shiratama's wide eyes. She seemed surprised, and Tobi himself was shocked. He had caught that strange creature. Now what should they do?

"...Tobi! For now, let's go somewhere without people—"

Urged by Baku, Tobi went out into the hallway. Shiratama followed, holding the pochette that concealed Chinu. They descended the stairs without a destination in mind. There was no one around the shoe box. In the outdoor shoe area, Tobi faced Shiratama.

"O-Otogiri-kun, that thing..."

"I don't know. It's just a guess, but... it was in Asamiya's desk, so it seems like it was trying to steal something. What's with this thing..."

Tobi gripped the creature tightly in his hand. He felt like if he didn't, it would escape. To be honest, he didn't want to keep holding it. It was gross.

"Hey, don't let it go, Tobi!" Baku raised his voice.

"If you let go, that thing will definitely do something bad again. It looks like Kon Chiami wasn't even aware of it herself. That thing could be the root of all evil."

"So you mean—" Shiratama hugged the pochette containing Chinu tightly.

"Ignoring Kon-san's intentions, it goes off and steals things, and as a result, Takatomo-san becomes paranoid... is that it?"

"Well, maybe she's just unaware of it, but she really wished for it in her heart. Whatever the case, this creature is different from me and Chinu. Tobi and O-Ryuu have a proper awareness of our existence. Whether we can talk is another matter, but we can understand each other. That's not true for Kon Chiami. We're only superficially alike."

"...If I ask Chinu to stay, she will. Baku also listens to Otogiri-kun's wishes, doesn't he?"

"I don't know about that..." Tobi murmured noncommittally, and Baku let out an aggrieved "Aah?!"

"I don't always do as I'm told, but I listen most of the time, don't I?"

"Maybe this creature—" Shiratama glanced at the struggling creature.

"and Kon-san don't have that kind of relationship..."

"Whether it's Takatomo or Murahama or Shimomeda, if this creature was the one stealing their stuff, then it's causing harm to others. As a result, Takatomo even jumped."

Shiratama repeated Baku's words.

"The root of all evil."

"If that's the case, the same thing might happen again..."

The creature Tobi held had been rummaging through Asamiya's desk drawer.

Asamiya had criticized Kon to her face. It was possible that the creature had been trying to retaliate. Just as Baku had said, when Kon felt hostility toward someone, the creature would attack them and steal things on its own. Was that how it worked?

Maybe they were incompatible, or there was some misunderstanding, but Kon didn't like Takatomo.

If Kon didn't have her creature, that would be the end of it. The creature had caused something strange to happen, and Takatomo had been pushed to the edge. Distressed, she had jumped off the roof of the school building. Without that creature, Kon and Takatomo might have eventually fought and gone their separate ways, and that would've been the end of it.

This struggling creature in Tobi's hand had brought about a grave and serious situation.

There was no doubt, it was the root of all evil.

"...Otogiri-kun?"

Shiratama tilted her body diagonally and peered up at Tobi's face, awaiting a response. However, Tobi remained silent, preoccupied with another task at hand. He couldn't help but wonder what he should do and if he had the capability to accomplish it. Even if there was a solution, he questioned whether he could truly execute it successfully.

"Leave it to me, Tobi," Baku assured him.

Understanding Baku's intention, Tobi nodded in acknowledgment. Even if he himself couldn't achieve it, he had Baku by his side, willing to assist him.

"I will devour this creature," Baku declared.

Tobi carried Baku on his left shoulder using the strap. Baku's head emerged from above Tobi's shoulder. Although Baku had been a backpack ever since they met, this was merely a metaphorical description since backpacks don't possess protruding heads. But Baku did have a mouth.

Baku's zipper opened partially, approximately a third or halfway at most. It was sufficient for their purpose. Baku's mouth revealed itself, resembling teeth formed by the zips. In reality, those zips were indeed teeth. A tongue, larger and more robust than Tobi's own, shot out from Baku's mouth.

Tobi comprehended Baku's intentions clearly. If Baku desired to consume the creature, he should do so. No, he must. Tobi empathized with Baku's sentiments.

This strange creature wriggling in his grasp was the source of all the malevolence.

If it hadn't existed, the dreadful events wouldn't have unfolded. It would be better if it simply ceased to exist. However, erasing something from existence proved impossible. At the very least, Tobi had to make it disappear.

Furthermore, an overwhelming hunger suddenly gripped him.

He heard footsteps approaching. Shiratama was saying something about Haizaki-san. Tobi paid no heed, as his hunger intensified. His stomach wasn't empty, but he realized it was Baku's hunger manifesting. This was the extent of Baku's voracity. It felt as if every cell in his body had been depleted. Tobi couldn't bear it any longer.

"Wait...!" someone tried to halt him. It appeared to be the janitor, Haizaki. However, Tobi couldn't care less. He was starving. It wasn't a matter of an empty stomach. This hunger was likely Baku's. This was how ravenous he truly was. The sensation was unbearable.

"—It's too late."

Tobi loosened his grip, and in an instant, Baku's tongue ensnared the peculiar creature. Just before that, the creature emitted a high-pitched screech, akin to nails scraping against glass, before abruptly falling silent.

Closing his zipper teeth, resembling a mouth, Baku chewed vigorously.

He gulped with a loud swallow.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, the janitor, Haizaki, dressed in work clothes, materialized before him. Haizaki clasped his forehead with both hands.

"What have you done? Otogiri-kun, what—what did you feed that zingai?!"

Shiratama widened her eyes in astonishment, while Baku let out a burp. Although Baku was the one who devoured the peculiar creature, Tobi's stomach felt slightly bloated as well.

"What... you mean... 'zingai'?" Tobi asked.

"Ahh, I see..."

Haizaki paled and shook his head.

"Zingai is the term we use to refer to those beings, like the one you carry on your back. There are other names for them, but 'zingai' is the most commonly used in this country. The majority of people are unaware of their existence, and there's no need for them to know. They can't perceive them anyway—"

"Haizaki-san can see them, right?"

Shiratama opened her pochette, and Chinu emerged from within. Haizaki appeared disheartened.

"...You got me. You really got me. I'm just a janitor employed by this school, nothing more, nothing less. Nevertheless, I can't simply pretend that I haven't seen anything. I can see them, but that's not important at the moment. Otogiri-kun, what did your zingai consume?!"

"Man, what an annoying guy," Baku sighed. He burped once again.

"I'm free to eat whatever I want, right? Whether it's a zingai or whatever you called it."

"Just as I suspected..."

Haizaki turned pale and trembled. In contrast, he gripped Tobi's shoulders firmly and shook him.

"Whose? Whose zingai was it? That incident—I didn't wish for it to happen, but were zingai involved?! Whose did you eat—was it a student from year 2 class 3?!"

Haizaki's forcefulness overwhelmed Tobi, leaving him feeling intimidated.

"...It was."

"This is bad! We need to hurry!"

Haizaki dashed away, leaving Tobi perplexed and yearning for an explanation. But Haizaki was already gone.

"We should go too!" Shiratama called out, urging him to follow.

Somehow, Tobi felt reluctant.

Baku had consumed Kon's zingai, or whatever it was called. In truth, he had intended to do good. He couldn't leave that zingai alone, which led to his decision to consume it. It was permissible to eat it.

Baku had devoured a zingai. According to Haizaki, Baku himself was a zingai. One zingai had consumed another.

Tobi recalled that intense hunger.

Baku had—no, it wasn't just Baku. Tobi himself had desired to eat it as well. He wanted to satiate his hunger, so he did.

Tobi didn't wish to return to the classroom, yet Shiratama clung to his hand. He couldn't bring himself to shake her off.

Together, they hurried to the classroom of year 2 class 3. A commotion unfolded, with a crowd gathered outside the classroom. Tobi and Shiratama elbowed their way through students from other classes until they entered the classroom.

Kon Chiami lay collapsed on the floor. Haizaki crouched beside her, feeling her neck, seemingly checking her pulse.

"No way..."

Shiratama appeared on the verge of collapsing as she clung to a nearby desk. Tobi felt no less disheartened than she did, or perhaps he couldn't determine if he was truly shaken or not.

What had Tobi done? It was Baku who had consumed Kon's zingai. Baku was the one responsible, and it had nothing to do with Tobi—or so he thought.

Baku had eaten Kon's zingai, which explained why she had collapsed.

Why was Baku remaining silent? Say something. Was he not going to speak up? Tobi found himself in the same situation.

Haizaki was making a call on his cellphone, possibly contacting an ambulance.

Tobi could only watch helplessly. There was nothing he could do but observe.

The following day, Asamiya returned to school. During the morning homeroom period, their teacher, Harimoto, provided an update on Kon's condition.

He reassured them that she was fine and not in any immediate danger. Her health was stable, but she would be taking some time off to recover.

During the lunch break, Haizaki visited their classroom and summoned Tobi and Shiratama. He led them to the janitor's room.

The room had a small kitchen and a large work table. Haizaki brought out folding chairs, and Tobi and Shiratama sat down while Haizaki leaned against the work table.

"The bond between zingai and their master is incredibly strong and cannot be easily severed, even if one desires to. It runs deep. In cases where zingai are lost for some reason, the master often experiences what is known as heart desolation³. It's not an officially recognized medical condition as its cause remains unclear."

"Is there a cure...?" Shiratama asked in a soft voice.

Haizaki wore a grave expression and let out a low hum.

"It's difficult to say. Each case varies, ranging from severe to relatively mild. It's described as a decline in mental activity, but it affects the ability to think, feel, and move intentionally. However, it doesn't seem to worsen after the initial onset."

"That's somewhat relieving," Baku sarcastically remarked. He had been quiet since the previous day, seemingly disheartened in his own way.

"And what about Kon?"

Tobi asked bluntly, causing Haizaki to cast his eyes downward and sigh.

"I accompanied her to the hospital, but... well, it doesn't appear to be a severe case. She won't be confined to bed, and she was able to provide vague responses. She's currently at home, and I don't think it's a severe condition."

Haizaki didn't say, "So you can rest easy." Even if it didn't worsen, there was no guarantee that her condition would improve. Kon might remain in that state for the rest of her life.

Shiratama wore an expressionless face. Tobi wondered where she was directing her gaze—it didn't seem fixed on any particular spot. It was as if a doll version of Shiratama was sitting on the folding chair. Without thinking, Tobi checked for signs of her breathing. Her chest rose and fell slightly. Clearly, she was still breathing.

"It's not Otogiri-kun's fault," Haizaki stated, nodding as if trying to convince himself.

"It was simply a stroke of bad luck. No... regardless of whether it was bad luck or not, Otogiri-kun may have prevented a future tragedy. Once zingai become hostile towards humans, it's difficult for them to revert."

"So, you mean we shouldn't worry about it?"

"I suppose so. There's no need to blame yourself. It may not be easy, but I encourage you to continue with your lives as usual. If anything happens, you can always come to me. I may be just a janitor, but I can offer some advice."

"Just a janitor?"

"Yes."

Haizaki met Tobi's gaze without averting his eyes or even blinking.

"It seems that most people are unaware of zingai. I believe they make up the majority. However, if you search for information online, you can find all sorts of details. I can't vouch for the accuracy of each piece of information. After all, I'm just a janitor who possesses limited knowledge about zingai. I don't want to provide unreliable information."

"Your way of speaking is quite circuitous and uncertain, though."

"To be honest, I don't fully understand it myself."

Haizaki's gaze suddenly turned clouded.

"As you can see, I have aged, and I possess more wisdom than middle school students like yourselves. I wish I could conduct myself as a proper adult, but... I would like to do whatever is within my power."

"You sure sound like an adult when you talk that way."

"I'm aware that it's not meant as a compliment."

Haizaki attempted to laugh, but it distorted midway, resulting in an ugly and crumbling expression.

"I truly apologize..."

Was he feeling pain somewhere? His expression suggested so.

Baku remained silent, and Shiratama still seemed detached. What was Tobi supposed to do? Sitting there accomplishing nothing would serve no purpose.

After school, Tobi left the classroom before anyone else but stayed within the school premises to observe Shiratama as she changed her shoes at the shoe rack.

Tobi discreetly followed Shiratama. Baku didn't utter a word; he was like an ordinary backpack.

Shiratama walked for about twelve or thirteen minutes from the school until she stopped in front of an apartment building. It stood at ten or eleven stories high and appeared neither new nor old. Shiratama hesitated before deciding whether to enter.

Tobi approached Shiratama, and she seemed completely unaware of his presence.

"Shiratama-san."

He didn't want to startle her, which was why he called out her name. However, Shiratama let out a small "Ah!" and quickly turned around.

"To-to-tobi-kun?! Ah, no, I mean, Otogiri-kun..."

"It doesn't really matter to me, though..."

"Is that so?"

"Eh? Is that bad?"

"...I thought suddenly using someone's given name would be too familiar. The name Otogiri has its charm as well, but I secretly called you Tobi in my head, thinking it's a wonderful name."

"Oh... is that so? Hm..."

Even though he wasn't feeling itchy, Tobi scratched the tip of his nose.

"...If that's the case, how about you call me whatever you want?"

"'Tobi'? Ah—"

Shiratama waved both hands in front of her face as if trying to erase something.

"I-I didn't mean to be so bold as to call you without honorifics..."

"It's fine if you do. Baku has been calling me Tobi all this time, anyway."

"After all, I've known you for a long time."

Finally, Baku interjected into the conversation.

"But if O-Ryuu insists on going that far, then there's nothing we can do, I suppose."

"Is Shiratama-san really going that far?"

"If O-Ryuu insists on it no matter what, then I might even grant special permission."

"Why is Baku the one deciding...?"

"Thank you so much!"

Shiratama's eyes sparkled, and she bowed her head. Tobi wondered what made her so happy. It was beyond his comprehension. But if Shiratama felt happier this way, then he supposed it was alright.

"For now, I'm fine with both Otogiri and Tobi, so..."

"Tobi?"

"...Like I said, that's fine."

"Then, please call me Ryuuko as well!"

"...No, that's a bit..."

"Is that so..."

Shiratama's expression completely changed, becoming dejected.

"I-I guess we haven't been talking to each other for that long, so we're not at that level of relationship yet..."

"Hey!"

Baku immediately turned around. Tobi felt sorry for the disappointed Shiratama, but he simply couldn't bring himself to call her Ryuuko.

"...Um, can I practice and get used to it before calling you that?"

"Practice?"

Shiratama tilted her head. Had Tobi said something strange?

Perhaps he had. Practice. What kind of practice? Imagining Shiratama's face secretly when he was alone and attempting to call her Ryuuko? The mere thought of it made him embarrassed.

"Well... after I have mentally prepared myself, something like that?"

"Then at least stop calling me 'Shiratama-san' and just call me Shiratama."

Shiratama's gaze was strangely serious. Was this so important to her?

"...That's fine. If Shiratama-san doesn't mind."

"I do not mind. That's it. When one day you're prepared to call me Ryuuko, then I shall call you Tobi-kun."

"What kind of deal is that..."

"I suppose it's a promise, rather than a deal?"

He didn't care about the promise or whatever it was, but would the day ever come where his heart was prepared for that? He couldn't imagine it, at least not at this point in time.

"...I mean, what is Shiratama doing here in the first place?"

"Huh? And why is Tobi-kun here?"

"Tobi, that guy. He was following you, O-Ryuu."

Baku laughed with a kekeke.

"Isn't it gross? He's not even a stalker."

"That's not true... well, it is but..."

This was awkward. Tobi looked the other way.

"When school let out, I thought... Shiratama might try to go to Kon's house alone... I just felt so."

"Why?"

Shiratama's eyelids opened as wide as they would go, then blinked twice.

"...You were spot on. I just couldn't help being concerned about Kon. Kon had told me once before, where she lived, and I remembered it, so... Of course, I don't know if I'll be able to see her or not..."

"Her voice—"

As those words came out of Tobi's mouth, Shiratama bit her lip hard.

It seemed like Tobi's prediction was right on the mark.

"Kon's voice, which we shouldn't be able to hear. Did you want to hear it?"

Shiratama nodded silently.

The two of them paid a visit to Kon Chiami's home.

They didn't even know the apartment's room number, but they were able to find out by checking the mailbox. Kon's mother was delighted by a visit from classmates. It seemed like she wanted them to come see her daughter, and she welcomed them in.

Kon's home was on the sixth floor. When the elevator came down, a woman who looked to be Kon's mother was waiting for them. Tobi was taken by surprise. It was because Kon's mother donned quite elaborate makeup and wore what looked like formal clothes. The scent of perfume was impressively strong. On top of that, she was so cheerful, it felt out of place.

Tobi and Shiratama were led to the living room. Kon's mother sat them down on a leather sofa and went to prepare sweets and milk tea. Shiratama didn't hold back; he thought he heard her say, "Please, don't go to the trouble," but those words didn't seem to reach Kon's mother's ears.

Various fragrances mixed together intricately, filling the air. It was a strangely luxurious living room, which made him feel ill at ease. He shied away from Kon's mother's rapid-fire shower of questions about school and friendships, too. Tobi couldn't answer most of them anyway, and Shiratama was struggling as well.

"That's right."

At that, Kon's mother got a photo frame that was hanging on the wall and showed it to them.

It was a photo of a couple and a young girl smiling at a beach somewhere. It was a family photo they had taken in Hawaii, Kon's mother informed them. Apparently, they had traveled to Guam and Cebu island in the Philippines, to Barcelona, London, and Paris as well.

"...She sure seems fond of bragging," Baku grumbled.

Was that it? Tobi wondered. Rather than bragging, it seemed like Kon's mother was being urged on by something, even to the point of pain.

"Excuse me, how is Chiami-san?"

Unable to bear it any longer, Shiratama cut into her story, and they were finally led to Kon Chiami's room. She opened the door without knocking and let Shiratama and Tobi into her daughter's room.

White and pink made up the vast majority of the room.

Clad in frilly nightclothes, Kon rose from the bed.

"Chia-chan."

Even when her mother called out to her, there was no response.

"Chia-chan. Chia-chan? Can't you hear me?"

Her mother approached the bed and pressed her hands on Kon's face, clutching it between both hands.

"Chia-chan! It's Mama! Your Mama! Chia-chan! Chia-chan!"

"Mama."

Kon sounded out, staring vacantly at her mother before her.

"Mama. The one here right now. Mama."

"That's right. Mama has always been here, hasn't she? Your friends have come to see you, Chia-chan. Shiratama-san and Otogiri-kun. I've heard Shiratama-san's name from you before, Chia-chan. Right? You told me before, remember? Isn't it great, Chia-chan?"

"Mm."

Kon just let out a noise. Her head didn't move in the slightest. Her mother smiled at her.

"That's right. Do you want something to drink? Are you thirsty? Or hungry? I'll bring you something, okay? Mama knows all the things Chia-chan loves to eat, alright? Wait here. Alright, Chia-chan?"

Kon didn't respond. Her mother left the room eagerly.

This room had large windows. Though the lace curtains were closed, the rays of sun coming from the window dyed the white and pink of the furniture and walls orange.

Kon's hair was braided and tied up. She hadn't worn that sort of hairstyle to school. Her mother had probably changed her into those nightclothes, as well as combed and tied her hair.

Shiratama brought Chinu out from the pochette. Without a moment's pause, Chinu began to speak.

"Chiami is Chiami."

But it wasn't Chinu's voice.

Kon faced forward. Most likely, she wasn't looking anywhere in particular. Her face was just facing forward. Her mouth didn't move at all.

"Chiami is Chiami. Mama—"

That was a voice they shouldn't have been able to hear.

Without a doubt, the girl was right here.

Nevertheless, it was her voice, which shouldn't have rung out.

"Chiami is Chiami."