Volume 8 - CH 3(2/3)
Shidou shouted------and at that moment [Ah] let out a short voice.
“I know. Could the both of you wait in the living room for a while?”
“...............?”
“Ho-eh?”
Yoshino and [Yoshinon] looked at each other in wonder. Shidou beckoned both of them while once again heading back to the kitchen.
He then took out the hot cake mix from the cupboard, took out the milk and eggs from the refrigerator and put it in the bowl after measuring the amount.
“What is it what is it? What are you making Shidou-kun”
“Look forward to it when I finish making it. I will be done soon so wait a bit more”
When Shidou said that, both of them opened their eyes wide in surprise and tilted their heads.
He unintentionally leaked a smile at such a state and after making the non-stick fry pan hot; he dissolved the butter on it and poured in the batter baking it beautifully.
He then piled up two piece of hotcake on a white plate, placed butter on it, and it will be completed if maple syrup was placed on it.
“Okay, it’s done. Eat it while it’s hot”
Shidou placed the plate on the table after saying that, and Yoshino opened her eyes and mouth wide in surprise before starting to take a very good look at the hot cake.
“This.........I have seen this before on the television.......!”
Yoshino took the fork in her hand and-------twitched her shoulders from remembering something.
“err.......itadakimasu”
“Ou, eat up”
When Shidou said that, Yoshino had [Yoshinon] assist her cutting the hotcake while separating it into mouth size slices, after poking into it with a fork and taking a good look at it, *Paku* she shove it into her mouth.
“...........!”
Yoshino then opened her eyes wide and *Bam**Bam*slammed the table before, giving a good-job sign to Shidou. He saw this once before, it was the reaction Yoshino had when she was moved towards the unknown taste. It would seem she took a liking to it.
“Haha, was it delicious?”
Yoshino *Un**un* nodded from Shidou’s words. Towards her state, Shidou’s cheeks made a smile unintentionally.
“......Shin”
And, inside the gentle mood, he could hear Reine’s voice coming from his right ear.
“..........Sorry to butt in the good atmosphere but, how is it? Is there anything strange with Yoshino?”
“Ah......no, from what I can see, I think there is no strange points........”
While saying that, Shidou re-fix himself and *Kohon* coughed.
“Now that I think about it, something like this happened before. Ho-ra, that time when Yoshino first came to this house. Eeerr, what did I make that time?”
When Shidou probed indirectly, Yoshino and [Yoshinon] looked at each other once before looking back at Shidou.
“Yes......if I remember correctly, that time was........you made Oyakodon”
After saying that, Yoshino made an entranced face.
Although Shidou made a wry smile at Yoshino, he mumbled [Correct] inside his mind.
“Eeh--, what is with that Shidou-kun. Yoshinon has no idea about that though”
And with a face filled with stitch injuries, [Yoshinon] said that in displeasure.
“Hnn? You don’t remember?”
When he asked, [Yoshinon] made a thinking gesture for an instant before *Pon* hitting its hands.
“Is it perhaps, that time when Yoshinon was inside Origami-chan’s house?”
“Ah.......oh yeah, you weren’t with Yoshino at that time”
“That’s right..........but even so, taking the opportunity of having Oyakodon[8C 3]?with Yoshino when Yoshinon wasn’t there, Shidou-kun you pervert! Oh Yoshino, you are such a Cinderella to climb up the stairs of adulthood when Yoshinon wasn’t looking......wait, Ah-re? Yoshino as a child, who are the parents?”
“Yo-Yoshinon..........!”
Tilting its head, [Yoshinon] mouth was pressed by Yoshino whose face was completely red. [Yoshinon] *Bata**Bata* moved its hands.
“Hnnn! Hnnn!”
Even though it was not like it was equipped with respiratory organs but, [Yoshinon] was struggling in pain. Since it looked somewhat pitiful, Shidou called out to Yoshino.
“He-hey, Yoshinon is suffering you know?”
“! Ah..........so-sorry, Yoshinon.........!”
“*Cough*,*cough*..........Fuui..........I thought I was going to die............”
And at that moment, [Yoshinon] tilted its head in wonder.
“Hnn? What’s wrong, Yoshinon”
When Shidou asked back, [Yoshinon] skillfully folded its arms and *mumumu*..........groaned before, lifting its face.
“Uu—nn, I forgot. It’s because I had lack of oxygen when I was pressed by Yoshino. Shidou too, you should be careful when you have a quarrel with Yoshino”
“No-no way......”
After Yoshino’s face turned bright red, she *Paku**Paku ate up the remaining hot cakes to hide her embarrassment.
And, after some time passed, [Yoshinon] suddenly twitched its ear and whispered something into Yoshino's ears.
“...........so......that’s why......and”
“Eh.........bu-but........”
After Yoshino send her sights to Shidou when she was urged by [Yoshinon], she then pierced through the remaining hot cake with her fork, and extended her hands towards Shidou.
“E-err......... Your share”
“No, you don’t have to, it was something I gave you anyways........”
“................”
When Shidou said that, Yoshino distorted her eyebrows into 八 kanji shape in depression.
If Yoshino makes such a face, there is no way he could refuse. Shidou surrendered by slightly lifting both his hands before taking a bite at the hot cake brought out to him while......... paying attention to try his best not to touch the fork with his mouth.
And, while looking at Shidou, [Yoshinon] made a fearless smile.
“Shidou-kun. If Yoshinon’s memories are correct, there are people eating hot cake during snack time but, there are people that eat it as breakfast right?”
“Eh? Aah, well, there should be”
“Am I right. Then, isn’t it quite questionable move to call this [Candy]?”
“O-Oioi..........”
It will be a problem saying that after eating it properly. Shidou made a troubled face and scratched his cheeks.
Like that, Yoshino timidly pointed her fingers towards Shidou’s face.
“Er...... Shidou-san. The side of your lips, there is syrup........there”
“Eh? Really?”
Maybe it was too big a size to stuff his cheeks in one bite. Shidou licked his lips.
“A little more, to this side. Ah......... may I?”
While saying that, Yoshino stood up from her seat, took a piece of wet tissue placed on top of the table and walked closer to Shidou.
“O-ou........”
It’s not like he doesn’t feel embarrassed but, it was a long-awaited kindness. Even though Shidou’s face got hotter, he stopped himself from averting his sights away.
But, after Yoshino extended her hands to Shidou’s face---------she brought her face closer just like that and licked at a spot where Shidou’s lips and cheeks won’t reach.
“Uwah!?”
It was unpredicted as expected. He twitched his body and jumped aside from that spot.
“Yo,Yo-Yo-Yo-Yo-Yo-Yoshino........!?”
“Ah,ah-ah-ah-ah-ah err......”
For some reason, in an agitated manner that could compare with Shidou’s, Yoshino was flustered while moving her hands hastily. “Thi-this is, err........ hot cake around the middle of candy and rice so........”
Yoshino’s continued while her eyes were spinning around.
“It’s, a Pr-[Prank].........!”
Leaving only that, *pata**pata* the sound of footsteps rang and she exited the house.
Left alone, Shidou was dazed for a while before, letting his voice out towards the Incam.
“Re-reine-san............ Just now, was that really Yoshino........?”
“..........Well, I wonder”
What was replied back, was a somewhat hard to decide answer.
“Eeer......so, who’s next?”
After Yoshino’s investigation ended. Shidou asked the Incam. When he did that, not even a few seconds later, Reine’s voice replied back.
“....... Aah, the next one is Tonomachi Hiroto”
“Tonomachi huh”
Shidou replied back with a relieved sigh. He was Shidou’s friend since way back and the only male within the suspects. Rather than calling it a date, it might be proper to say it is inviting him out to play.
“........your voice sound quite relaxed”
“Ahaha......well, that’s because Tonomachi is a guy. If I say it is easy-going then it’s going to be easy-going”
“........Hnn, that is good. Then let’s finish this swiftly. --------I have already sent a mail to him using your name. It is planned you will be meeting up with him in one hour from now”
“I understand. Where should I meet up with him?” “......aah, that’s------“
Shidou twitched his cheeks from hearing Reine’s meeting place.
---Around one hour after that.
Shidou and Tonomachi were sitting side by side on the sauna bench.
Yes. The place <Fraxinus> designated as a meeting spot was in front of health land nearby.
“..............”
“..............”
Few minutes from just now, they were sitting beside each other but, there was completely no conversation......even though he is a friend he was used to playing with, he felt an awkward atmosphere flowing in..........one that is more nerve-wrecking compared to when going on dates with a girl.
“He-hey....... Tonomachi”
“.........uh!, wha-what is it, Itsuka........”
When Shidou talked to him when he couldn’t bear the silence, Tonomachi twitched his shoulders.
“No..........somehow..... Sorry”
After Shidou lowered his head a little, he turned away from Tonomachi.
“..........Reine-san. Why did you choose such a place.......!?”
He complained to the Incam with a soft voice. <Fraxinus>’s quality high-spec Incam, transmitted Reine’s sleepy voice with clear sound quality even though it was in an extremely hot and humid sauna.
“......... Since it is between males. I thought it would be good for a naked socializing”
“What is with that super theory......... Rather isn’t the timing too bad. I don’t know the details but, didn’t Natsumi say something to Tonomachi when she was disguised as me during that time. Rather than calling him very distant, it feels like he is more cautious..........”
“....... By any chance your relationship really turned into something threatening, he won’t go on with the invitation”
“No, rather than threatening, he might be suspecting my preferences or strangely suspicious of my motives.......”
While saying that, Shidou took a glance at Tonomachi’s direction. The reason why his cheeks were blushing, were definitely because the sauna’s temperature was high. It has to be that.
And, when Shidou was thinking about that, Reine softly continued.
“..........also, this place has a proper meaning for selecting. Natsumi is a female. No matter if she can transform her body; I think there should be some resistance to expose her body in front of a male.”
“Ah........I see”
It’s true that what Reine said could be correct. If this Tonomachi was Natsumi, she would probably use some kind of reason to refuse the invitation to go to this health land.
“Then, the moment Tonomachi is here, he isn’t Natsumi then?”
“........I think that possibility is high....... Well, unless Natsumi holds some kind of fetish where she would feel excited from exposing her embarrassing parts”?“................”
Shidou silently scratched his cheeks. Well, it’s true that it can’t be a reference if that is the case.
“............So, what should I do? As expected, it should be appropriate to ask him about old stuff’s that Natsumi has no knowledge about”
“.........Aah, that would be the basics. Or one more, I want to see his reaction values. ------can you try touching him a little?”
“Huh.......?”
Shidou went blank. But Reine continued unfazed.
“..........By any chance it is just like what I said, even if Natsumi feels no resistance from exposing her naked body, she should show some reaction when she is touched unexpectedly”
“............ha-haa.........”
Having his throat dried from the temperature and nervousness, after Shidou moisten his throat, he looked back at Tonomachi.
And, at the same time, Tonomachi opened his mouth.
“He-hey, Itsuka. Why did you invite me today like this?”
“Eh? No, tha-that’s............”
“...........Shin, now”
When Shidou became timid, he jumped from Reine’s instructions.
Although Shidou was bewildered, he followed the instruction by extending his hands and touching Tonomachi’s skin as if to embrace his shoulders. -----at that moment,
“Hii!?”
Tonomachi twitched his body and *zazazaza* moved to the side to run away. Looking carefully, his whole body was having Goosebumps.
“Wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-wha-what’s wrong Itsuka!?”
“Ah, no........ou”
“..........”
“..........”
The awkward silence flowed back once again.
“..........So, how was Tonomachi’s reaction?”
“..............hn, he is considerably panicked. The moment Shin’s hand touched, his nervousness value jumped up.”
“Eh, that means........”
“..........I want a little more data. Please touch him a few more times.”
“Ha-haa......”
He was completely reluctant but, this is also for specifying Natsumi. After Shidou stood up from the bench, he once again sat beside Tonomachi. At that occasion, Tonomachi’s shoulders once again trembled.
“I-Itsuka.........we are friends.........right? Persistently a normal one.”
“Hn, aah........ That’s right”
“! That’s right! Ha-haha.....iyaa--, sorry sorry. Stupid me, I was oddly suspicious of your motives------“
“..........To-u”
At that moment. *petari* Shidou placed his hands on Tonomachi’s thighs.
“GiNyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”
When he did that, Tonomachi raised a loud shout and exited the sauna.
“Haa.........”
While walking alone in the night street, Shidou made a soft sigh.
Even though he finally entered the baths, none of his tiredness was taken away............no, rather it feels as if his fatigue increased even more after entering.
But, he could not say that. There should be one more person, one more assignment left for today.
“Errr, having the meeting spot at the park in the highlands is okay right?”
“.......Aah. You are a little late. It’s better if you hurry”
“Yes.........!”
Slightly increasing his walking pace and climbing the slope, he hurried to the park meeting spot. The city with the sun fallen was chilly but, it was the perfect temperature for his warmed up body from the bath.
Not long after, he reached the designated park. There was already a girl in front of a bench being shined down by a streetlight.
It was a glamorous girl wearing a long sleeve blouse with a pale design and a black flare skirt. She is the other half of the Yamai sisters---------Yamai Yuzuru.
“Resent. Nice courage to call someone out but end up late.”
After saying that, Yuzuru looked at him with half her eyes opened. After Shidou hurried and ran in front Yuzuru, he immediately joined his hands and lowered his head. Well, correctly speaking, it was Reine and the members of <Ratatoskr> that called her instead of Shidou but, there was no way Yuzuru would know that.
“Sorry, Yuzuru. My previous matter got dragged on.”
“Remission. Well, it is okay. Yuzuru’s heart is big so, I will take it as a 5 minute calculation error.”
After saying that, Yuzuri made a sigh and folded her arms.
While looking at that, Shidou felt something out of place and scratched his head.
It’s not like there is something wrong with Yuzuru’s behavior. In another way, he was influenced by the curiosity regarding the fact that there is only one of the Yamai sisters when there usually are two.
Tentatively, he heard Yuzuru will be the decoration for the last investigation of the first day but, as expected he felt strange looking at her like that. After Shidou sealed their Reiryoku, it won’t be exaggerated to say these sisters are always together leaving only toilet breaks out.
Maybe she guessed Shidou’s thought from his sight, Yuzuru shrug her shoulders as if she given up.
“Sigh. Is Yuzuru alone not enough?”
“! No, that is not true. I just thought it is kind of rare........”
“Deny. You don’t have to force yourself to make a follow up. Yuzuru and Kaguya is one mind and one body. Rather, that impression proves that Kaguya and Yuzuru is connected.”
Yuzuru raised the lips of her lips and made a fearless smile. That’s right, today too; it looks like both of the Yamai’s are still intimate sisters.
“Question. What is wrong, calling Yuzuru out in this time.”
“Ah, no, I thought of, having a talk with both us together........I can’t?”
When Shidou asked, Yuzuru opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“Deny. It’s not like you can’t. But, if that is the case------“
Yuzuru narrowed her eyes and took Shidou’s arm; she then brought her body closer to Shidou. Her voluptuous bust was pushing tightly towards his arm.
“Yu-Yuzuru?”
“Hogging. For tonight only, Shidou is Yuzuru’s. And, for tonight only, Yuzuru is Shidou’s.-------Am I right?”
After saying that, she blew a sweet breath towards his neck. Towards the bewitching wiles that normally can’t be imagined from the usual fooling around with Kaguya, Shidou unintentionally turned red.
“Suggestion.--------Shidou, should we walk a bit?”
“Eh?”
When Shidou tilted his head, Yuzuru made a small smile and pulled Shidou.
In a casual pace, they reached the outer edge of the park.
From the spot the highland was placed, the Tenguu city Shidou and the rest that are living in could be looked at in one sweep. Inside the completely dark streets, lights were lighted like glittering stars.
“Admiration.--------It is beautiful.”
“Aah.... thats right.”
And, when Shidou replied honestly, Yuzuru stared at Shidou’s face with half her eyes opened.
“Wha-what is it?”
“Pointing out. When a girl says [It is beautiful], it is decided that estimated reply from the man would be [You are more beautiful]”
“........... Is that the case?”
“Consent. It is the case.”
Where did she get this knowledge from. Yuzuru said it brimming with confidence. Shidou made a wry smile while moving his mouth.
“Yo-you are more......beautiful.”
“Smile......fufu, really?”
When Shidou said that, Yuzuru’s cheeks slightly blushed and she made a small smile.
From that cute expression she doesn’t really show out normally, his heart beats violently in reflex.
How should he put it......it was un-calming.
Even if a Spirit has their reiryoku sealed, there are cases where their powers will flow back when their mental state becomes unstable. Because of that, Shidou is often looking after Tohka and the rest after care.
But, the Yamai sisters Kaguya and Yuzuru, since they are very stable as long as they are together, they are spirits that he doesn’t really have to take care of. In reality, in opposing to Tohka transferring to the same class as Shidou, both of the Yamai sisters entered the class next door together. Speaking in the unvarnished truth, the feeling of the Yamai sisters as a [Friend] are stronger than Tohka, Yoshino and the rest.
But-------no, that is the reason why, talking to Yuzuru alone like this feels very refreshing........Shidou’s heart was oddly noisy.
“Calling.------Shidou.”
Yuzuru softly let out her voice.
“Hnn......what is it?”
When Shidou replied, Yuzuru *gulp* gulped before continuing the rest.
“Petition. Please answer this honestly.”
“A-aah..........so, what is it?”
“Question. Shidou--------between Kaguya and Yuzuru, who do you like more?”
“Eh........?”
He became blank, from the unexpected question. Shidou felt sweat oozing down his forehead.
“Wh-why so.......”
Even when he let out a trembling voice, Yuzuru was staring fixed at Shidou and won’t move her sights. Those eyes, doesn’t look like she was joking nor she was she making fun of him.
“Tha-that kind of thing, I can’t choose even if you ask so suddenly. Both sides....are important to me.”
When Shidou said that, Yuzuru shrug her shoulders as if she is tired.
“Scorn. My goodness. You picked the weakest and most pitiful answer there is.”
“Shu-shut up, how can I answer you when you asked me so suddenly!”
“Confirming. Then, if Yuzuru gives you a period of time to prepare, will you answer then?”
“Uh........”
He faltered from Yuzuru’s words. Towards that Shidou, Yuzuru once again made a sigh.
Towards that Yuzuru, Shidou scratched his head while replying back.
“Then, which one do you want me to choose?”
“Considering......let’s see...”
Yuzuru placed one finger on her chin to show she was in thought. After she did that, she once again looked back at Shidou.
“Reply.---------If Shidou chooses Kaguya, Yuzuru will praise you good boy good boy. If Shidou chooses Yuzuru, then Yuzuru will get angry.”
After saying that, she made a mischievous smile.
Now that he thinks about it, Kaguya and Yuzuru were this type of girls. They love the other half much more than themselves. He mixed in a sigh and leaked out [......thanks for the reference].
“Addition. But, if Shidou chooses Yuzuru..........I will be happy.”
“Eh------“
But, Shidou felt his heartbeat beating violently from the words that came out from Yuzuru as a continuation.
Since they are glued together like this, there might be chance Yuzuru might find out. After Shidou swing his head to the sides, he continued his words to trick her.
“S-so in the end, which one is it?”
“Sigh. Just like what you heard. Yuzuru don’t mind for both answers. But even so, that chicken answer. Yuzuru is disappointed at Shidou. Such a useless person.”
“Uguh.........”
He could not reply anything back since he was told like that. He bit his lips and made a groan.
However, Yuzuru did not bother about that, and [But] added more.
“Petition. ---------if. Only if. If Kaguya asks the same thing to Shidou like what Yuzuru asked right now........at that time, Shidou must definitely answer [Kaguya].”
“Eh, that’s............”
Shidou could not finish his words, and Yuzuru continued.
“Predict. Kaguya will definitely get angry.?Why didn’t you choose Yuzuru!?Like that..........but, inside her heart, she will be happy until she can’t stand it.”
“Yuzuru............”
“Convinced. Kaguya is?often like that?but, she really loves Shidou. There is no mistake since Yuzuru says this. Yuzuru and Kaguya was original from one body and one soul. What Yuzuru hates, Kaguya also hates. Similarly---------what Yuzuru loves, Kaguya also loves.”
“Eh, that means..........”
When Shidou twitched his eyebrows, Yuzuru opened her eyes a little wider. And while placing her hands on her mouth to cover it, she separated from Shidou and took some distance.
“Careless. That was unnecessary information. In order to prevent saying anymore, Yuzuru will be running away now.”
“Ah, oi, Yuzuru!?”
When Shidou called her name, Yuzuru turned around and made a smile.
“Petition. Yuzuru did not lie. Kaguya really has a liking to Shidou. That’s why--------Please take care of Kaguya.”
After Yuzuru said that, she lowered her head and ran into the dark night just like that.
“.............So, you let her go back alone just like that? Haaa......... At least send her back to the mansion properly.”
While reclining on the sofa, Kotori made a given up sigh.
Shidou, Kotori and Reine were currently assembled inside the Itsuka house. Shidou was made to seiza on the flooring, Kotori was in front of him and Reine was sitting in a sofa beside them, as if gazing at both of them.
Left alone in the park, Shidou had no choice but to return home and around that time, Kotori and Reine was already standing by in the living room and the lecture time immediately began.
“To let a girl walk in the streets at night alone, that isn’t a choice I can really admire.”
“Guh........ Sorry”
It’s true now that she mentioned about it. But, during the time Shidou was dumbfounded, Yuzuru descended the slope with tremendous speed. As expected from a wind spirit. Catching up to her was impossible instead.
“...........Well, he can’t help it in that situation. Shin did a good job.”
Reine probably knew about the situation from observing from the <Fraxinus>, and a life-saving boat came from the side.
Kotori *fuun* exhaled and made the rod of the chupa chups she was eating stand up.
“I know that. Even I understand it is a hard schedule”
She sends her sights towards Shidou while saying that.
“-----so, Shidou. After talking with 4 people today, did you notice something different? Tohka, Yoshino, Tonomachi, Yuzuru. Inside these people----------is there someone you think is Natsumi?”
“.............”
Being asked that, Shidou recalled back the events that happened today and immersed in thoughts.
Honestly, it was still in the stage of one third of the suspects investigated. It’s true that, there was some he doubted when he tried doubting but, he can’t decide on which one could be the criminal now.
“............I still don’t know. Anyway, I have to check everyone.”
“Well....... That’s true.”
It seems Kotori also predicted that answer. She opened her eyes half-way and made a sigh.
“I will check all of their voice tone just in case so, I will tell you if there is something.”
“Aah....... I am counting on you”
“Well anyways. Please rest for today to prepare for tomorrow. I won’t forgive you if things become like, tomorrow morning's arrangement got disorder because of insufficient sleep”
Kotori said that while switching her folded leg with the other. Shidou stood up from the spot and made a nod.
“Aah, that’s true. I’ll do that.------Reine-san what time does it start on tomorrow?”
“.........hnn, the first one is arranged on 10am. Sorry but, give up on school tomorrow.”
“The situation is like this so it can’t be helped. So eeerrr, the first partner would be..........”
“......... It will be Kotori”
“...............uh!”
Reclining on the sofa, Kotori twitched her shoulders. At that moment, Reine noticed something and *pon* hit her hand.
“.........aah, I see. No wonder you were so desperate in telling him not to oversleep tomorrow-------“
“---------! It’s not like that! As a commander I------“
She noticed Shidou’s sights at his point. Kotori threw a cushion at him.
“Uwah, oi, what are you doing?”
“Shut up! Get to sleep already!”
Shouting, Kotori grabbed another cushion.
He can’t stand it if he receives another attack. Shidou hurried and retreated to his room.
---*click* such a sound was produced, and the clock’s long needle and short needle pointed at 12 at the same time.
12am the 22nd of October ended and the 23rd of October started.
Yes. Which means--------the first day of the game has ended.
“Fufu......”
Inside the darkness. Natsumi transformed as [Someone], made a very soft laugh.
The first day. Shidou could not say who Natsumi was disguised as.
Nonetheless, that can’t be helped. Since there are over 10 suspects, and the rules was also vague. Because there is a difference in standard, it’s obvious how much he can do on the first day.
But, no matter what reason there may be, the first day of the game has ended.
“-------------<Haniel>. It’s time”
When Natsumi muttered that in a voice no one could hear, she twitched her fingertips.
All Natsumi has to do is that. <Haniel> will complete the job because of Natsumi’s intention next.
“Well then........ First off, one person. Can you guess me properly?”
*kusu**kusu*.
The witch sneered.
“-----before, everyone disappears”
“Hn.........”
Morning. From the ruckus shaking his eardrums, Shidou made a light stretch on his bed before scratching his eyes.
He extended his hands to the pillow side while making a big yawn and pressed the alarm clock’s switch. But--------the sound didn’t stop even when he done that. It would seem the sound that disrupted Shidou’s quiet sleep from just now was not from the alarm.
“Ah-re...?”
He raised his sluggish body and -->>