Kelin stood waiting underneath the big tree while students marched out the school’s doors. Soon enough each person he was waiting for arrived, first giving a casual wave, and then a greeting once they were close.
“It’s over!” Zeick said, and then sighed. He shook his head a few times then laughed.
“I suppose that means you did as usual?” Harnes asked.
“Better than, even. But it’s still exhausting. But the tests are over, I can relax. Well, for a moment. I have to run in a minute,” Zeick said.
“Again? Why don’t your reveal what you’ve been doing lately, mister secretly doing something?” Teena asked.
“Ha, just something to work on. Nothing really to talk about,” Zeick said, though he spoke plainly and lacked his usual smile.
“Zeick working, what an oxymoron,” Pete said casually while eyeing his next piece of fruit to eat.
“Yeah yeah. Anyways, enough of a break. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Zeick said. He then walked off, going to work on things he wouldn’t speak more of.
“Anyways, Zeick’s doing his own thing. He’s fine. Don’t let him distract you,” Kelin said.
“Well, after the past week a distraction would be nice. Reviews and tests, reviews and tests,” Pete said. “This year was more intense than last year’s reviews. I’m even happy it’s all over, I’m going to have to acquire Zeick’s viewpoint soon enough.”
“Yeah, much worse than last year. It was easier for everyone, all-around, without as many years to review. Even he did well on last year’s tests,” Harnes said.
“He did really well last year,” Pete said.
“He did better than me by far,” Teena said. The mood had dropped, and the four teens didn’t speak for a brief interval.
“That’s enough,” Kelin said. “There’s still stuff to do.”
The three nodded slightly, and then continued their routine. They had a bit to eat, chatted about the school day and the classes, and then said their goodbyes. Kelin read for a couple minutes after the rest had left, but shortly got ready to head back to his home. He walked out the school’s gates.
“Master Kelin.” A clear, familiar voice called out to Kelin.
“It’s you,” Kelin said. The person stepped closer to them and lowered the hood they’d been wearing. He was a little surprised at the personage he hadn’t seen in a while.
“Yes. I hope you’re doing well,” Shiroi said. Her appearance was basically the same as before, unsullied white clothes and meticulously cleaned white feathers, but the air around her had matured again. It appeared she had changed styles slightly as well. The cold season had ended, but she wore a long-sleeved dress with hood, all made of a sturdy fabric rather than silk.
“I am. And you’re a surprise. A pleasant surprise. It’s an honor,” Kelin said while grinning toothily.
“Save it for the lupus girls, Master Kelin. I’m the one who is honored, after all. And though I’d love to converse and jest with you, unfortunately I’ve come on business,” Shiroi said while maintaining the same calmed expression.
“It would be fun. But if you’re here on business, for me, okay. What do you need from me? I’d rather not guess.”
“The madam has informed me that you can be allowed a very brief meeting with her,” Shiroi said.
“She has? Why?”
“There is something you will tell her, she said. To speak openly as the friend of a mutual friend, Kelin, madam wishes to ask you something. Not something that’ll take long, though. Apparently there is something she’s curious about. That’s as far as I know.”
“There’s only one reason she could ask for me in particular. What’s changed, what’s she found out?” Kelin asked.
“I wish I could offer you more. I’m just as clueless. I suppose I’ll find out when you do,” Shiroi said. She sighed slightly and looked down.
“Let’s go. The longer we take the more thoughts I’ll have, and if we get this over with quickly I won’t have as much disappointment when I finally hear the truth. It’s been long enough that I don’t hold out false hope daily. But I haven’t given up.”
“I’m of the same mind,” Shiroi said.
“You’re pretty good at not showing it. You’ve matured Shiroi. But you’ve become more servant-like as well.”
“It’s a bad thing, isn’t it?” Shiroi asked. Kelin laughed slightly.
“If you can still ask that, you’ll be fine,” Kelin said.
“Thank you. I know it’s been a while, but thank you for talking with me. I’m feeling better than I have in a while,” Shiroi said and then bowed slightly.
“Good. Okay. Let’s see what she wants,” Kelin said. He walked a step towards the carriage waiting for them, and then reached out towards Shiroi and patted her shoulder once. She winced and pulled away.
“I’m sorry, it just surprised me,” Shiroi said quickly.
“Oh sorry,” Kelin said. He thought there was something strange in Shiroi’s reaction, but he didn’t dwell on it. It was time to head to the estate of Jane Melonscone, to find out what possible curiosity she could have regarding him.
#
The estate was as luxurious as ever, though thoughts on why Madam Melonscone was calling for him weighed on Kelin’s mind. He knew, through all possibilities, there was only one reason she could ask for him. But to associate Jane Melonscone with hope was a connection Kelin wasn’t comfortable making. He also knew it was possible something else could be in store, however unlikely. He was as practical and reasonable as ever, though it was just a front to suppress the emotions that’d come like a hurricane, should he let hope fester.
The magnificent estate, the heavy doors, the elegant staircases, the rooms and their decor, it all flashed before Kelin as he was led to the familiar waiting room by Shiroi. It was still magnificent, but felt emptier than before somehow. She sat him on a couch, offered something to eat, and then left to inform the madam. She returned a few minutes later, alone.
“Madam will arrive in a little while. She is still busy with some matters and has asked you to wait,” Shiroi said.
“Odd, to call me than make me wait. Even for her, I’d think,” Kelin said.
“Oh, that’s because I was told to get you after your schooling. There wasn’t a set time. I guess it doesn’t seem like the madam from your point of view. But to me it just appears a casual scheduling. She never casually schedules stuff when it comes to important things, for the most part. So all I can guess is that she’s either busy with something vastly more important, or the issue she called you for isn’t too pressing. I say this in confidence, of course.”
“Not too pressing? You’re guessing much for a servant, little white bird,” Kelin said with a touch of arrogance while wearing a grin. Shiroi briefly smiled and bowed slightly.
“Apologies for the presumptuousness, Master Kelin, noble one. This servant will watch her tongue around those with your status, unique as it may be,” Shiroi replied with such seriousness that Kelin had to chuckle.
“Oh? You’d fool anyone else with that tone. Come sit down, you’re going to make me feel bad if you keep standing there, taking this.”
“I couldn’t, not when the madam is due to arrive.”
“Whatever, I’ll command you if I have to. Sit next to me and chat for a while, avian girl. I feel like it. It’s been a while since jesting with someone felt good. Madam Melonscone will probably be a while still. Tell me something interesting about Ruby I don’t already know. Maybe she’s confided something in you about our other missing friend that would be interesting to gossip about,” Kelin said while smiling somewhat. Shiroi hesitated for a moment, and then sat next to Kelin on the couch.
“Are you sure? I wouldn’t think it all that fun to talk about them considering the circumstances,” Shiroi said.
“Normally. But feeling sad will happen eventually, regardless of what we reminisce about. I’d rather have another story or thought to laugh about when thinking about them, before getting depressed again. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“You’ve changed a bit too,” Shiroi said.
“I’ve spent enough time in worry. I’m a lupus. I’ve already set my mind on what I can do now. I haven’t really changed. I just approach things differently than most other people. And I get over issues differently. But don’t mistake me, pretty bird. I’m far from over anything at the moment. It’s just you. He was my best friend. Is my best friend. And she is yours. I don’t know why it’s different compared to all our other friends, but I feel you’re like me. You understand best. I think we can get along somewhat. I guess it’s comforting, or at least makes me think I can say things to you I can’t really talk about elsewhere. Plus I’ll rarely see you,” Kelin said.
“I’m honored, Master Kelin. I can understand what you mean as well. Though I still think you’re stretching things a bit. Also, I’d highly advise you against falling for an avian girl, no matter how pretty. It just wouldn’t work,” Shiroi said, still sounding serious.
“Ha. I just think it’d be fun to tease someone like you. Sounding serious all the time when you really aren’t. Truthfully, I’d rather steal you away from the Melonscone household and have you work for me. But nothing more than that, truly. I mean the words I say upfront. There’s no double meaning today. You’re the ridiculous one, thinking a lupus would think of an avian like that. You’re taking after your real master too much. Only she’d think such crazy things like that.”
“I suppose I misunderstood. I don’t know how to deal with people all that well, other than her, to be honest. Maybe I do take after her in other regards as well. Speaking of which, that means you know about her and, well, that?” Shiroi asked, looking more relaxed than she had been, her misunderstandings over.
“It’s pretty obvious. It’s been obvious for a long time, for me at least. We don’t especially get along any more than usual, but I’ve enjoyed paying attention to her. She’s interesting. It’s fun to watch her sometimes, she always seems like she’s in some kind of special drama. She satisfies my boredom with her wayward glances and her small expressions that she tries to hide. The others don’t know. It wouldn’t occur to them anyways. She’s the only human in the group, after all. It makes me laugh a bit. Though I also think it can be sad at times, mostly to think about,” Kelin said, and then sighed.
“I know. Well, she hasn’t been too overt with me about it, but she realizes I know enough of her thoughts, and has said a thing or two sometimes. I want to always smile for her, but when I think of everything, I too get depressed. I want her to do well. I want her to smile without regard for the consequences. She hasn’t denied them either. She’s just pushed everything to the future that she knows she has to take up, and is regarding today as a time that’ll be looked back on only, and nothing more, no matter how much she wishes it didn’t have to be. Well, at least that’s how it was. If you and I have both changed in the past year, how about her? And him, what if they really are together? A year alone? What would madam think? I want her to come home and tell me. I want her to truly be alive still. I know she has to be. Even through all the nagging doubts.”
“It’s all right, Shiroi. She must be. They must be. He wouldn’t die. And neither would she. That girl is amazing, and you know it. If she was in trouble she couldn’t get out of, he’d help her. And if he was hurt, she’d save him just as effectively. They’ll be back, one of these days. It’s our job to welcome them back. Shiroi, be with her,” Kelin said while looking at the white-feathered avian girl. He then looked to the door. Shiroi smiled softly, and then stood. A moment later there was a click as the handle to the main door was turned. Jane Melonscone entered the room, and Shiroi was already at the door waiting for her.
