The Queen Who Skipped Work

"Little Hui couldn't come with us today."

While we waited for the transfer over the next few minutes, Suigintou spoke with some regret.

"Her family would worry."

I supported the doll girl sitting on my shoulder and gently swaying her legs, unsurprised by the outcome.

"Humans who live in groups always have more troubles than you do. She'd have to find some way to explain to her parents how she vanished without a trace for a month—thanks to all those years spent in hospitals, Shizaki Megumi probably doesn't even have a friend she could use as an excuse. If she were only going out for a few days, she might be able to bluff her way through it. But vanishing from now on and then showing up at the carnival half a month later... If that had been me ten years ago, Older Sister would have worried herself sick."

"And even during the carnival, she'll have to come back often." Suigintou looked rather gloomy. "Little Hui and I thought of lots of excuses, but none of them would work. She has no other friends, and she doesn't normally go out, nor is there any record of her doing so. The nearby Shopping Street and regular hospital checkups are the only places she ever goes. So once the carnival starts, you'll probably need to get her a special pass: she needs to be able to transfer between this world and Shadow City anytime, every day, for any reason. Um... stupid human, am I being too demanding?"

Eh? Since when had our strong-willed chairman become so considerate?

"Stupid human! Why are you looking at me like that?!"

"Because I never expected you to have a moment where you considered someone else's feelings."

Suigintou said nothing after hearing that. She hugged my neck