Imelda and I walk down a narrow path illuminated by the light .

'It's beautiful. ......'

Imelda murmurs as she walks.
In the world of light and darkness with a clear contrast, Imelda's well-shaped face becomes even more artistic. Looking at her mysterious profile, I feel a little uncomfortable. I guess it's because there's a big gap between her and her usual selfishness.

'I've always wanted to walk this way, like this.

She turns back to me and gives me a soft smile.
If she did that on a regular basis, I could say without hesitation that she is a beautiful woman with impeccable taste.

'What is it?You have a funny face.
'I was born with this face.

Imelda looked into my face and I felt a little embarrassed.
Because it is. She's a beauty that all the men in the district would be crazy about. Her destructive power is unbelievable. In addition, if it is just the two of us, alone, on a night street in a nice atmosphere,...... and he is relying on me,............, he will be somewhat conscious. I know. A little.

'You're a strange person.

Imelda chuckled, as if my reaction was funny.

'Your face is rather visible, isn't it?

She tilts her head and gives me a sideways stare, as if looking up at me.
I feel as if I'm being told off by an older sister.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... Hmm. Please don't do that because it makes it hard for me to react.

'What?

Suddenly, Imelda screamed and jumped at me.
Wait!It's 10 millimeters in diameter!...... No, what are you talking about. No, I'm a little freaked out. No, I'm freaked out.
What the hell?What's going on?
What are you trying to say?What, here?

'...... Bug!
'...... Bug?
'It's a bug!It's a bug! It's buzzing in my ear right now!

.................. Ha, ha.
Of course there are bugs.
You're a city girl. ......

'I think it's more dangerous to hug a man than bugs around here.
'Huh?'

Imelda seems to have realized her indiscretion when I kindly informed her of the current situation.
Her face is slowly turning red as if an electric heating wire is heating it up.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
'Who's the shield, here?

It's a mixture of embarrassment and a desire to jump away and a fear of insects and a desire not to leave. ...... Imelda is repeating some interesting movements.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do. Yashiro-san, protect me, will you?
'No, no, no, no. ......'

I'm not your soldier, and since we're alone, I'd rather you refrain from acting rashly out of embarrassment.

I'm not a soldier of yours, and since we're alone, I'd rather you didn't act rashly.
...... Hey, girls. You should be a little more shy. ......

'Can you please ............ just ............ your hand?

............ What the hell? You're really scared?
I can't help it.

'Hey, hey, hey. I'll protect you, miss.'
'Good. That's a good point.'

Despite her arrogant words, Imelda grabbed my hand in a reserved manner. The touch of her hand made me feel as if I were entrusted with the care of a little girl.

'Please take a look. Look at this beautiful path of light. ......'

An illuminated path lined with bricks that emitted accumulated light.
The path, stretching far into the distance, seemed to float in the dark night, a fantastic sight that made me think that if I could walk along the Milky Way, it might be like this.

'It's strange. ............'

It's not uncommon for a young lady who is usually selfish to be bewildered by the new feelings that grow inside her when she sees such a beautiful sight.
This one must be ......

'I wonder how it shines.
'I told you!

I was surprised.
In order to get the branch of the Lumberjack Guild to be where it is now, I've been working hard to make presentations to him, to this woman in front of me, and to Imelda herself.
Naturally, I explained about the path of light and the bricks of light that are the key to it.



Didn't this guy understand any of that at all?

'Well, it doesn't matter what the principle is, as long as it's beautiful.

Are you serious? ...... Is this guy serious? ............

'I can see now that you're not listening to me.
'Oh. I'm listening to you.I've been listening to you talk about your new cake, the rare cheese cake, how delicious it is, and how you're making Bekko create something interesting again.
'...... I didn't tell you about that, did I?How do you know that?

I'm not telling you any of my trade secrets that I haven't disclosed to anyone yet because I haven't implemented them yet. ......

'Ohoho. Who do you think I am?It's me, isn't it?

There are not many sentences in the world that contain so little information.

'I heard from Mr. Bekko.
'Okay, okay. He needs to be punished severely. Thank you for the information.

Next time, 'Oh, is this really too much to ask? I'll let you do it for free. Leakage of trade secrets should be punished severely.

'I see you, my new house.

The Woodcutter's Guild District Forty-Two branch emerged in the darkness of the night. In the middle of it is a luxurious building.
This is Imelda's new home.
There is a room for Imelda and her family when they visit, a guest room, and a room where some of the very closest servants live. The others seem to live in a dormitory at a distance.
However, Imelda's family - in other words, the guild leader Stuart Javier - has a job in the 40th district and is not likely to come here often, and visitors are unlikely.
In other words, this is basically a house for Imelda to live in by herself.
...... What a luxury to live alone. A single room would have been fine.

But this time, that's what got her into trouble.

'Isn't it a beautiful house?
'Really. You did a great job, Umaro.
'I participated in the design too, you know.
'She said she had a hard time with all the teasing from the side.
'It's worth it, it's a beautiful building!

It must have been a lot of pressure for the beauty-conscious lady to interfere.
Oumalo. I'll make you a big bowl of rice next time. That's the least I can do.

'But that's the thing, isn't it?
'Hmm?

Glowing bricks were placed in various places to illuminate the beautiful building.
Imelda looks up at the mansion, which exudes an unearthly atmosphere, and mutters.

'Seeing it all lit up like this, it's kind of ......'

It's kind of ......

'It's ............ scary.'

Exactly. I was just thinking the same thing.
It is illuminated by a light from below, casting an eerie shadow.
I guess it would be easier to understand if I said it was eerie, like when you shine a flashlight under your face.
In any case, the atmosphere is somewhat like that of a 'do-o............n'.
Moreover, there is no sign of people, so it looks like an abandoned building. ......

It's really scary. ......

'Then I'm not going back.
'No, you can't!I'm not leaving you today!
'Don't you dare say such trifling words, young maiden!
'No matter how trivial or unethical it is, I'm definitely not leaving today!

I tried to shake off his arm with all my might, but the enemy, as well as being convinced that his life would be over if he abandoned me here, clung to my arm with a tremendous force that exceeded my full strength.
How can such power be hidden in this thin arm? ...... How can such a thin arm ............ be so soft... ...Oh, it's so soft.
Imelda hugged my arms tightly with both of her arms. Naturally, the large swell of her bosom was pressed generously against my arm and ...... I decided to surrender unconditionally.





So, the explorers stepped into the abandoned ...... and newly built mansion ...... Oh, no, not the explorers, but I feel like it.

It's a good thing the floor doesn't creak.
You can't squeak. It's new construction.

But they're sticking to me like crazy, aren't they?
Scary is scary, right?

'Anyway, let's get to the bedroom.
'It's an embarrassment, isn't it?
'I don't do shameful things!
'You can't be a ...... gentleman and go straight to the bedroom without even stopping by the living room when you're visiting a woman's house for the first time!
'I have no business in the living room of this dark house!Just get some sleep and get this day over with!

As long as he sleeps, I can sleep too.
I sleep and wake up in the morning. The world is filled with light.
Oh, I long for the sun. I miss the morning sun, the sunshine.



'So, but ............, at least take a hot bath ......'.
'Not in this darkness. ...... You'll have to put up with me today.'
'Oh no!It's the first time I've done this.
'......'Letting a man into the bedroom', right?Nothing more is going to happen, so just go to bed quietly today, seriously. ......'

I'm afraid of the dark.
If I don't go to bed soon, what if I have to go to the bathroom?Magda's not here today, you know.
Oh, ......, I'm nervous without a beastly hand.
Man hands?What good is a hairy hand if you can't use it?
What we need is a beast hand. I need a cat's paw, desperately.

Go down the hallway and deeper into the house.
Up the wide stairs to the far end of the second floor. The room facing south with the best view. That was Imelda's bedroom.
Near the bedroom are a dressing room and an office, and this whole area seems to be Imelda's private space.

'I'll turn on the lights.

...... but...

'There's no .............'

Oh, .......

No wonder, if you think about it. There was no way Imelda could have brought the daily necessities of the house. Such things are brought in by the head waiter.

'Well, I'm just going to sleep now. If you have a futon, that should be enough.

Fortunately, the bed in the bedroom seems to be in working order.
Fortunately, the bed in the bedroom seems to be in working order. ...... I don't know if there are any other beds that can be used, though.
Well, I can sleep on the floor, I guess.

'Oh, that's good. I brought my nightgown with me.'

Imelda pulls out a lovely, fluffy negligee from her luggage.
'So that's what you wear to bed.

'Then, please leave the room for a while while I change my clothes.
'Huh?
'No, "Huh? I'm going to ...... change my clothes!

What does that mean?
Am I supposed to wait in that dark and strangely long hallway until you're done changing?
You know how scary a long hallway is when you can't see what's coming?
...... What if you hear dragging footsteps or something like that? ............

Zulk ............ peta ...... zulk ......... ...Peta ...... Zulk ............ Peta ......
Zulk............ Peta...... Zulk......... ...Peta......Zulk............Peta......
Zulk............ Peta...... Zulk......... .............................. .....................
.............................. .............................. .............................. ............
'Peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta peta!

'Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
'What's wrong with you, suddenly!

I'm scared just thinking about it!
I can't!I can't!Absolutely not!

'You, don't change your clothes and go to sleep!
'I don't want to!I can't sleep unless I'm wearing this loungewear!
'Just get under the covers and close your eyes and you'll sleep!
'No, you can't!
'I'm the one who can't!
'What's that?All you have to do is wait in the hallway for a bit.'
'That's what's impossible!Look, ...... you're in a long corridor where you can't see ...... ahead, and if ............'

I tell him about the scary imaginings that have just come to mind.

'No, no, no, no, no, no, no!
'What?That's what's going to happen, isn't it?

Imelda's face turns blue and tears well up in her eyes.

'And, and, and, but ............ watashi, I still have to change my clothes ......'.

d*mn it!You're so stubborn!

'All right,......, if you're so sure, then it's no use. Let's go out into the hallway......'
'Are you sure?You don't mind, do you?
'But if ...... you get scared, I'll be right back.'
'Please wait, sir!

Imelda clung to my waist as I tried to leave the room.

'Somehow, someway, I have a feeling that as soon as I leave the room, I'm going to go straight outside!

Of course!Because I'm already scared!



'Wow,...... you got it.'

Phew, ...... understood.

'But please turn around while I change my ...... clothes.'
'..................Hmm?'

I can hear the ...... sound of clothing rustling.

'What?Wait a minute!Are you going to change your clothes in front of me?
'Well, not in front of you!Behind you!You can't turn your head this way, Yashiro-san!If you do, you'll be held accountable!

Are you serious?
Are you serious?

Facing the door, I was forced into a situation where I couldn't move an inch.
I wished he would have at least waited until I was in a more comfortable position.
It was too sudden, and my ............ heart was beating wildly at maximum output.

The only thing shaking my eardrums was the sound of my heart beating loudly and the faint rustling of my clothes.

What is this situation?
I'm so embarrassed. ......

I'm so embarrassed. ......

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
...... This guy really changed his clothes. ............ If I wasn't a gentleman of steel and self-control, you'd be in a lot of trouble. You're lucky it was me.
You're lucky it was me!You should be grateful!...... And you'd better make up for the HP in your worn-out heart with something.

'Oh, ............, ......, please don't look at me too much.
'Oh, no, ............ sorry.'

Turn your head away quickly.
d*mn, ...... Imelda looks so lovable. I wonder if today's work was that hard. ...... Your eyes are tired. Yeah.

'Hey, I'm going to ...... rest today.'
'Oh, oh!I'm going to go to bed.Go to sleep!
'I can't offer you any hospitality. ......'
'Just go to sleep!

My heart can't take much more of this.

As I turned my head away to avoid seeing her in her nightgown, I heard Imelda crawl into bed.
...... Ah, it's finally over. This long day is .

'Yashiro-san ......'
'Oh. Good night.'
'No, not that ............ hand, ......'
'Hmm?'

I turned around to see Imelda looking at me, with only the top of her nose peeking out from under the covers.
A thin, white, right-handed hand is gently held out from inside the futon.

'Would you mind holding ...... my hand?

............ What,why?

'Ya, it's Yashiro's responsibility!......The story you just told me was too ......terrifying. ......'

Oh, ...... the sound of dragging feet. ......

I'm sure you'll be fine until you fall asleep.

That ...... is pretty hard to do.
Well, I guess it can't be helped. In the first place, he called me here because he was afraid of the night,......, so he had no choice. I had no choice but to take Imelda's hand.
It's not that I got scared and missed human skin, or that I started to think about what I should do after he went to bed, and I got scared for nothing.
It's something I can't help.
............ Seriously, what should I do? After he went to bed.

'That ...... Yashiro-san'.

Imelda squeezed our joined hands.
I sit down on the bed and look down into Imelda's face.

'Why are you afraid of ghosts, Yashiro-san?
'Why is that: ......'

Is there a reason?
Isn't everyone afraid of them?
............ No, those who are fine are fine. ...... Then why?

I'll think about it again.
How long have I been afraid of ghosts? ............ Oh, I see.

'Landlady, ...... my mother told me when I was just a kid. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.
'Heee!I'm afraid of the window!I'm afraid of the window!

No, calm down.
Even I wasn't that upset when I was a kid.
But those words scared the hell out of me, and I hated gaps in curtains and ...... to death.



'Yes, a good boy is ...... what kind of boy are you talking about?Can I be classified as a good girl?No?

Well, objectively speaking, you're not a 'good girl'.
I'm not a good boy. I'm not a good boy. I'm not a good boy.

'I'm going to be a good girl ......!I'm sure you will!...... So please don't take me with you. ............ Please don't take me with you. ......

But well, you don't have to scare me this much.
When I was too scared to sleep, the landlady said to me. I'll tell him that too.

'You know, Imelda. You don't have to be so scared.
'............ Why, sir?'

Her tearful, girlish eyes look up at me.
It would be so much cuter if she was as mature as this on a regular basis. ......

'It's because there are people watching over you.
'--Huh?

For a moment, the hand that was linked to mine was filled with strength.
Then, it slowly becomes warm.
...... What?What's this reaction?

'That ............ is ............... ...Ya,......,......,Yashiro,............,is that what you mean?
'Ba!No, it's not!

I'm not sure what you mean by that.
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.It's not!

I'm talking about your deceased close relatives and ancestors!
'In the deceased ............, it's your mother, isn't it? The one who watches over me is .......'

The words that came out of her mouth made my heart flutter for a moment.
I see. It's his mother,.......
I gently looked out the window. It was a beautiful starry night.

'You know, your mother used to say to me. If you do something wrong, you will be liked and followed by people who are not of this world. ......'
'That's ...... scary.'

'Well, I guess there's no difference in the wording used to train children anywhere in the world.

'But it's ............ reassuring ...... if your mother is watching over you... ...you know, ......'.

Imelda's words tended to trail off as sleepiness overtook her.
You'll be able to relax .................. and ......... You'll be able to get a lot more than that. It's more like a 'sizzle' in your hands. I'm not sure what to do.I'm not sure what to say.I'm not sure what to do.

'............ if'?
'Huh?'

I endured the pain in my hand and looked at Imelda's face,...... which was completely pale.

'If ...... your mother had looked at the current Watashi and judged her to be a ............ 'bad boy'... .........Wow, what happened to me? ......'

It seems that he is aware of the fact that he is in trouble if his mother is watching him.

'Oh my God, is your mother coming to take me away?
'Calm down!You're a parent and a child,.......'

It's not possible. I'm not sure if that's true,.............
The master and the landlady.
They wanted me to be a decent person and to have a normal happiness.
But I have lived my life in such a way as to trample on ...... their wishes.

If the master and the proprietor are watching my actions,...... and if they are angry,......?

"Yashiro ......, I'm disappointed in you .......
I'm disappointed in you. ...... I wonder if I raised you wrong. ......
"Yashiro......
"Yashiro......
"Let's live together again, this time here: ......

...... Maybe they'll come out of hiding. ............
Yes ............


As if peeking at us from outside the window with a 'zee ......' ............


'Hoaaaah!
'No, no, no!What is it?

It's not good, it's not good, it's not good, it's not good, it's not good!
I've been doing nothing but holding grudges for over twenty years!
All I've done is live in disgust!
They're never going to watch over me like this!

--At that moment, the window made a rattling sound.

'Aaaaah!
'Aaaaah!

I'm looking!
I'm peeking!


The master!
The landlady!
Or is it ...... another scarier ...... 'nanaka'!

''Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!I'm so scared!It's really scary!
'Ya, please stop!If Mr. Yashiro says something like that, I'll get scared too!
'Just go look out the window!
'You can't!
'There might be something out there!
'That's why I'm telling you it's impossible!

And the windows rattled and shook.

''Gyaaaaaaahhhh!

I'm screwed. ...... I'm scared. ...... I'm too scared. ............ I hate the night. I hate the ...... darkness. ............ I can't wait to go back to the warmth and kindness ...... of that sunshine. I desperately wanted to go back to that warm and gentle sunshine.

--Rattling.

I'm not sure what to do.
I'm afraid of Yashiro's screams more than anything!

Screaming. Aah, aah, aah.
The screams did not disappear from the darkened bedroom.






I wonder how long I've kept my mind sharp. ......
From afar, I heard the sound of hope.

Clank clank!Clank-clank!

The wake-up call.
It's a signal that the sun will rise in a few hours.

Night is ending. ......
It's time for people to wake up.

I didn't sleep a wink, but that doesn't matter!
It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!

The sun is coming up.
I'll see you all.
I'm so happy about that fact.

'...... Is it time to wake up yet?
'Oh, ...... our fight is over, ......'
'Morning ...... is coming .......'
'Oh, ............ that was a long ............ time, wasn't it?
'But we ...... endured it, didn't we ......'
'Yes!I'm sure you'll agree.
'Yashiro-san!
'Imelda!

Hugs. A passionate embrace.
A sign of friendship between warriors.
A beautiful embrace.

'Now, open the window and see the world!There's nothing to be afraid of anymore!
'That's right!We've never even been able to touch that window before, now let's open it!

Imelda and I both rushed to the window.
It's still dark outside, but it doesn't matter.
It's morning in the world.
We're ready to welcome the sun.
The time of darkness is over!

We both put our hands on the window and let it open.
The cool air caresses your cheeks and refreshes your tired body.
Your eyes become clear. You can feel your brain cells being activated.

A large window overlooking a large garden.
Outside of that is a balcony, and once you're on it, you'll be able to see everything in the branch.

Leaping onto the balcony in our bare feet, Imelda and I leaned against the railing.
This is what it means to feel awake.
Nerves sharpening. I feel like I can do anything now.

And my sharpened nerves made me clearly recognize a figure stirring in the ............ darkness.

What? There's something out there!
In the garden of the mansion, there is a ...... moving figure .......
My eyes, accustomed to the darkness, are catching its outline.
A figure is peeking out of a ............ window at the first floor of the building. ............

''A scary ghost is coming through the window and taking me away!

''Gyaaaaahhhh!
''Nyaaaaah!

Me and Imelda screamed together on the balcony.
Startled by our voices, a figure screams.
That scream sounded very familiar to me. ......



In front of the mansion, a figure looks up at the balcony from the large garden,......, and it is Ginette.

.............................. ........................ I'm freaked out... ...

I lost all strength from my waist and slumped to the ground. ...... I can't move a step. ............



'Oh, no!Are you okay, both of you!Um, sir!I'm going to go help you.

I didn't have the energy to respond to Jeannette's voice flying from below ...... anymore.






I sat down at a table in the sunshine pavilion and drank some hot soup.
There was no one in the restaurant.
The time was around 4:30 or ...... a little later, it was time to wake up Magda and go to the church to donate.

'Thank you for your time.

Ginette, sitting in front of me, says to me with a wry smile.

'Oh ......, I'm really tired.'

After that, Ginette came up to the bedroom and rescued us.
We were rescued.
After all, as soon as I saw Jeannette, my heart was filled with an inexpressible sense of security.
It was at that very moment that I lost my fear.

Then I returned to the sunlit pavilion with Imelda on my back.
I could have let Imelda sleep, but she didn't want to.
'I'll cry if I wake up and find myself all alone! ......, that's right.

And now Imelda is sleeping in my room.
...... This is how it's going to end up, isn't it?
You've been talking about straw, but the moment you got into bed, you went to sleep. I don't think he'll wake up even if a heavy metal band plays next to him.
What the hell was all my effort for the night? ......

'But why were you there at that time of night?
'Heee!

Ginette makes a strange noise.
When you make a voice like this, you usually have something guilty on your mind. ......

In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at .......

In the event that you have any questions concerning where by and how to use the internet, you can contact us at ....... ...... As soon as I woke up, I felt a little anxious ...... and realized that it was going to be hard ......... In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following URL: ....... It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do and how you're going to do it. ......... But it's not!I don't mean to discourage you from doing so, but ............ I don't know, ......... I'm not trying to discipline you or anything, but I'm just trying to make you feel ...... better. ............ I'm sorry.

So you're saying ...... you were jealous ...... that me and Imelda spent the night alone together?No, I don't know if it was jealousy or not, but at least it made you feel uneasy. ...... That's what I think.

'Oh, ...... that .................. was a bit much... ...'
'No ............'.

It's okay. It's okay.
It's just that ......, well, you know, it's just that ............

'Never mind, it's ...... okay?
'............ Yes.'

You might be a little bit happy about that,...... but I can't tell you what I'm thinking.