The carriage moved slowly along the official road, the rhythmic sound of its wheels rolling over the gravel entering the carriage.
Higashino Makoto leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
The carriage was quiet.
It was so quiet that you could hear the wind blowing across the open fields outside the window, so quiet that you could hear the occasional birdsong from afar.
Higashino Makoto opened his eyes, his dark eyes staring at the roof of the car.
Kurumi.
"Exist."
"How long have you been following me?"
Kurumi thought for a moment.
"It's been exactly one month since we started at the border of the Holy Kingdom."
"One month..."
Higashino Makoto repeated it in a low voice, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
Time flies.
"What you think is fast, I think is slow."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
"Because--"
Kurumi paused, her right eye curving into a crescent moon.
"Your subordinate wishes to spend more time with you, sir."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then chuckled softly.
"According to the rules, it's time to replace him."
"Your subordinate understands."
Kurumi's voice was calm, but a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashed in her right eye.
"So I'm wondering who will be next after we go back."
Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.
"I don't know. The rotation order is random; I haven't interfered."
"The adults won't interfere?"
"No intervention."
Higashino Makoto shook his head.
"Anyway, everyone is excellent, it doesn't matter who follows me."
Kurumi tilted her head.
Are they the same?
"Same."
"Then, sir, in your opinion, what makes me different from the others?"
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"You're better at talking."
"That's all?"
You're even better at brewing tea.
"Anything else?"
"You're even better at--"
Higashino Makoto paused.
"Seducing the master."
Kurumi's right eye curved into a crescent moon.
"Thank you for the compliment, sir."
"It's not a compliment."
Higashino Makoto closed his eyes and leaned back in the soft chair.
"It's stating the facts."
The carriage fell silent.
The rhythmic sound of wheels rolling over the road entered the carriage, like an ancient, wordless ballad.
Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden dappled patterns of light into the carriage.
The black cat "Zafkiel" rolled over on Kurumi's lap, finding a more comfortable position to continue sleeping.
Kurumi lowered her head and looked at the last page of the book.
There were a few words written on it--
To be continued.
A slight smile played at the corners of her lips.
"To be continued...?"
She spoke softly, so softly it was almost inaudible.
Just then, the carriage suddenly stopped.
It didn't slow down gradually, but stopped abruptly, as if something had blocked its path.
The wheel slipped on the gravel road, making a screeching sound.
The carriage shook violently. Higashino Makoto opened his eyes. Kurumi reached out and grabbed the teacup on the table. The black cat "Zafkiel" rolled off her lap and landed on the floor, letting out a disgruntled "Meow--".
What happened?
"I asked Higashino Makoto."
The driver's voice came from outside, tinged with panic.
"Sir... there are people ahead..."
Is anyone there?
"Yes... a... a little girl..."
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
He drew back the curtains and glanced outside.
In the middle of the official road stood a little girl.
Her long, silvery-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, shimmering softly in the sunlight.
Its crimson eyes were clear and bright, like two rubies.
She was wearing a purple dress with gold embroidery on the hem, a black bow at the neckline, and black leather shoes.
She was carrying a small leather suitcase with a tag on it that read—
"Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, private bedroom."
Higashino Makoto looked at the little girl, a hint of surprise flashing in his dark eyes.
"Illya?"
The little girl raised her head, her crimson eyes looking at the carriage, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up.
"Big brother--"
Her voice was clear and sweet, like a wind chime in spring.
I've come to find you!
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment, then pushed open the carriage door and jumped down.
Illya stood in the middle of the official road, tilting her head to look at him, her long, silvery-white hair slipping down her shoulders and swaying gently in the morning breeze.
A naive smile graced her face, and a certain light shone in her crimson eyes.
It was like seeing a long-lost relative, or like a cat seeing its beloved toy.
What brings you here?
Higashino Makoto walked up to her and looked down at her.
"According to the rules, I should be the one going back to replace you, not you coming to me."
"Because I miss my older brother."
Illya said matter-of-factly, her crimson eyes staring straight at him.
"Besides, I was drawn in the rotation order, so I came. I didn't wait for my older brother to go back."
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"You're quite adept at taking shortcuts."
"It's not about taking shortcuts."
Illya shook her head.
"It's a proactive move."
She paused, then her smile deepened.
"Didn't my older brother say that opportunity favors the proactive?"
Did I say that?
"Yes, he did. It was what Big Brother said to Pandora last time in Novas Etier. I heard it."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"... You have a good memory."
"Certainly."
Illya straightened her chest, her purple dress gleaming softly in the sunlight.
"Because I remember every single thing my older brother said."
At that moment, Kurumi stepped down from the carriage.
The black cat "Zafkiel" followed at her feet, its tail held high, its golden eyes curiously watching the silver-haired little girl.
When Illya saw Kurumi, her crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh--"
Her voice was drawn out, carrying a hint of profound meaning.
"So you're the one who stole fish?"
Kurumi's right eye narrowed slightly.
"A cat that steals fish?"
"Yes, a 'fish-stealing cat'."
Illya stood with her hands on her hips, looking up at Kurumi.
Even when she stood on tiptoe, her head only reached Kurumi's chest.
"It's that kind of person who sneaks up on older brothers when no one else is around. What else could it be but a 'snake stealing fish'?"
Kurumi's lips curled up slightly.
"Miss Illya, who are you referring to as 'others'?"
"Of course it's me!"
Illya said matter-of-factly.
"Big brother is mine! He's been mine since the day Novas Etier was founded!"
"Oh?"
Kurumi tilted her head, her right eye curving into a crescent moon.
"Then what does it mean that I've spent the last month by my elder brother's side?"
That counts as cheating!
Illya raised her voice slightly.
"You thieving cat!"
Kurumi chuckled softly.
"Miss Illya, do you know what the word 'cheating' means?"
"Of course I know!"
"So you know, the premise of 'cheating' is that the fish belongs to someone else. If the fish doesn't belong to someone else, then it's not called 'cheating'."
Illya paused for a moment.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is --"
Kurumi paused, a sly glint flashing in her right eye.
"Big brother doesn't belong to anyone. He's not yours, not your subordinate, not anyone's. He belongs to himself."