The final cigarette turned to ash.

The solar had already set. I regarded up on the pale blue sky. My physique felt chilly, and my again ached from sitting on a stone. Aya was mendacity on her again beside me, trying up on the sky.

She had stopped crying.

“It’s nighttime already,” she muttered softly over the sound of the wind.

“Yeah. I ponder if Nanami-san’s ready for us.”

Aya bolted upright. She stretched, like she had simply woken up from a nap. The wound on her hand had healed as if it had by no means been. A bloody necktie lay on the bottom.

“Nanami-san could be scary, however she’s lady,” she stated. “She gave me lecture. If it weren’t for her, I don’t assume I’d have gotten again on my toes.”

“A lecture from Nanami-san?”

What did she inform her? I couldn’t think about it.

Aya cocked her head in thought. “Um, properly… Nah, it’s tremendous. I’ll inform you about it another time. I’m exhausted.”

Aya stood up. She brushed the sand from her apron, picked up the blades, and shoved the lethal weapons into her palm, vanishing right into a gap in her flesh and not using a sound.

She then picked up the bloody tie, letting it dangle within the air.

“Sorry about this,” she stated. “I’ll purchase you a brand new one. Nanami-san pays me for serving to her with the chores, however I don’t know after I’ll have the ability to purchase a tie. In case you may simply wait a bit.”

“Don’t fear about it. It’s no massive deal. Extra importantly, your apron is roofed in blood.”

“What? Oh, it’s tremendous. I wore it assuming it could get all soiled.”

Aya eliminated the small apron. She took a deep breath, her chest straining in opposition to her shirt. She folded the apron, holding it beneath her arm, then checked out me.

“You’re a horrible individual,” she stated.

I held her gaze. “I suppose so.”

Aya shook her head softly and began strolling. Wading again via the grassy discipline, she set her foot on the steps and climbed as much as the levee.

“We’ve wasted lots of time,” she stated. “Let’s go discover these pets.”

“Wait a minute. We’re going to seek for them now?”

“In fact. You may not know this, however Nanami-san is terrifying! If she provides you a mission, you need to full it. Preserve that in thoughts!” she exclaimed.

She regarded like a frightened cat with its fur standing on finish. Nanami is likely to be strict in some methods, however she was, at her core, a form little one. Aya stated so herself. I had no thought why she was appearing this manner.

Aya began strolling down the levee, following the identical path we took to get right here.

I shortly adopted her. “Maintain on. Do you even have an thought the place to look?”

“I do. Sorry. I solely got here to the riverbank so the blood wouldn’t draw consideration. Individuals not often go to that space.”

Aya unfold her arms and walked away. The chilly wind beat in opposition to my physique. I walked briskly, pulling the collar of my tieless shirt shut. We ultimately made it again to the condo.

Aya went straight to a small, empty lot adjoining to the constructing.

I’ve a really dangerous feeling about this.

Overgrown weeds coated the house that was solely large enough for one automotive. Random, weather-beaten junk was piled up there; it was getting used as a cupboard space, it appeared.

A well-recognized place. Again in Could, I got here right here with Mayuzumi and Yusuke as per Nanami’s request.

“Up till just a few nights in the past, cats used to assemble right here,” Aya stated. “However not too long ago, none of them have come. I believe that’s when the rumors about pets disappearing began. So I’m guessing that this place has one thing to do with it! Properly? What do you assume?”

Aya pointed on the plot, asking for a commendation. However I didn’t reply. I simply watched the factor in entrance of me silently.

Among the many junk was a wierd object. An previous canine home with a boring crimson roof. Its entrance and partitions had been boarded up, sloppily, messily, and securely. The battered, unreadable signal shook drearily.

“What is that this anyway? What did it say? Are you able to learn it, Odagiri?”

“Hazard. Keep Away,” I replied, trying away.

Aya blinked, baffled. “What’s that imagined to imply? I’m stunned you may learn that. You’re not making issues up, are you?”

“Uh… I didn’t precisely learn it…”

Yusuke himself wrote it in entrance of me after the doghouse was sealed.

He left the condo, saying he’d put it up, however he didn’t trouble waterproofing it apparently. His carefree smile flashed via my thoughts.

Aya stared on the doghouse. She bent down and regarded inside.

One of many nails had been eliminated, creating a spot.

It was a sloppy job, typical of Yusuke, most likely as a result of he hammered nails throughout with out considering. There was a lot distinction between the boards that had been firmly connected and people who weren’t.

I pictured a smiling Yusuke giving me a thumbs up.

“Uh, this hole proper right here,” Aya stated. “There’s all types of fur caught to it. Does that imply the pets went inside?”

“An impeccable job by yours really!”

Yusukeeeeee!

Aya was about to stay her hand into the hole, so I pulled her by the shoulder.

She regarded again, startled. “Huh? What’s unsuitable? I can take care of scratches. I’ll be tremendous.”

“Oh, it gained’t simply scratch you. It’s going to eat you.”

Tear her arm aside.

I shook my head. Aya eyed the doghouse after which me. A low growl got here from inside the doghouse.

Aya studied me for just a few seconds, then nodded. “Okay, then. This factor provides me the creeps anyway.”

“Glad you’re sharp.”

Now we all know why pets had been going lacking. The creature we had imprisoned contained in the doghouse was nonetheless ravenous. A ferocious, vindictive growl drifted from inside. I pulled my eyes away from the doghouse.

“After I requested Nanami-san if the case had one thing to do with this place, she didn’t reply,” Aya stated. “Although after I instructed her I used to be going to go test it out, she didn’t object both. She stated to put it aside for later. I’m glad I’ve you right here with me right this moment. Hmm?”

Aya studied the doghouse as soon as extra, tilting her head. “Ah, good transfer, Nanami-san,” she stated with a smile.

What was she speaking about?

“So what’s the plan, Odagiri? I believe Nanami-san hoped that you just’d resolve this case.”

“For now, I’m going to Mayu-san’s place and ask if there’s one thing we are able to do about this. I’ll need to take a rain examine on that miso hotpot.”

A sigh escaped my lips. If I recall accurately, Mayuzumi stated that she would name her acquaintances who may assist take care of the scenario. She most likely fully forgot about it already.

It might be a good suggestion to speak to her earlier than extra harm was accomplished.

“Actually? Okay, then,” Aya stated. “Have one. I can deliver you a few of the hotpot later if you’d like. That approach, you don’t need to make meals while you get again.”

“I’d like that… Saves me some effort,” I replied. “Properly, what are you aware? You’re a pure at this.”

Aya puffed out her chest delightfully. She then noticed me off, waving her hand. I began strolling to the bus cease alone beneath the darkening sky.

I crossed the park and reached the bus cease. Whereas ready for the bus, I checked the time on my cellphone. Fortuitously, I solely needed to look forward to about ten extra minutes. I rubbed my chilly arms collectively. There was blood on them, so I wiped them off with a tissue.

As I stood there with my arms folded, I heard a beep. I shortly took out my cellphone. There was an incoming name from an unknown quantity. I pressed the reply button, and a high-pitched voice greeted me.

“Hey? Odagiri? Sorry, there’s one thing I forgot to inform you.”

“Aya? How did you get my quantity?”

“Nanami-san gave it to me. I’m gonna name you typically, so please reduce me some slack.” She laughed awkwardly.

Mayuzumi was one factor, however Nanami sharing different individuals’s quantity was one thing I didn’t anticipate. However I couldn’t be mad at her. I doubt Aya would abuse it both.

“It’s not a giant deal, I suppose,” I replied. “So, why’d you name me?”

“I forgot to say one thing.”

I heard growling from the opposite aspect of the cellphone.

Hesitating, Aya took a deep breath.

“About my restoration,” she continued. “I believed it was just because my psyche returned. However what if there was extra to it? It may also be why I melted within the first place.”

Aya paused once more and took one other breath.

“What if the fox is again?”

All the pieces fell silent.

The decision ended. Aya’s phrases reverberated deep in my ears. I remembered the crimson sea. In my creativeness, there was no white determine within the spirit world. Real concern numbed my physique. I felt dizzy, unable to take a single step.

However my chest didn’t harm for some purpose.

The ache I felt each time I believed in regards to the fox was gone.

I stood there in confusion, my ear pressed in opposition to the beeping cellphone.

The bus arrived, and the door opened.

A second later, the door closed.

The bus drove away with out me.

The kid in my stomach whimpered uneasily.