After having a hearty meal, taking a bath, and changing clothes, Pei had transformed from her previously unkempt appearance into a pretty, cute, fashionable young girl.
The only thing that did not quite suit her was the large bag and walking stick she carried on her back.
"Thank you so much. I never expected you to be such a nice person."
Having returned to Fujii Yachiyo's doorstep, Pei kept thanking Shizuku.
"Not only did you give me such delicious food, you even let me bathe and change clothes. I'm truly so grateful..."
"You're welcome. My creed is to treat cute, pretty girls gently."
Shizuku smiled faintly, then looked toward the residence before them. Just as before, there were no lights on inside, but she could sense the presence of people within.
"All right, the person you're looking for should be back now."
Hearing Shizuku's words, Pei nodded and stepped forward to ring the doorbell.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong."
"Ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong ding-dong!"
"..."
It was not her being bothered by the noise anyway, so whatever.
"Honestly, it's so damn noisy!!"
Amid a string of complaints, a teenage boy flung open the door.
"Do you have any idea what time it is? I still have school tomorrow...!!"
The moment he saw Pei and Shizuku standing before him, the boy swallowed the rest of his complaint.
"Uh... who are you?"
"Yachiyo!!"
The instant she saw the boy, Pei threw herself into his arms.
"You're Yachiyo, right? Yachiyo!! I've been looking for you since XZ for four years! Yachiyo, Yachiyo, Yachiyo!!"
"W-Whoa! What's with this girl?!!"
Though he had no idea what was going on, the boy named Fujii Yachiyo still welcomed Pei and Shizuku into his home. Pei then took Fujii Yachiyo's father's skull and a letter from her backpack.
"Heh, I