act10d5

Oh? Biscuits? Now that's unexpected...

Is it?

Sorry, I didn't expect you to bring snacks. I figured you only came to mooch some tea. I misjudged you.

I'm not some freeloader!

Look, I prepared an extra special thank you gift! With Hibiscus's famous vegetable scones——!

Very good. Let's see you off now. Hurry on back where you came from.

Right now, immediately, through the door and to the right. Have a nice day.

Hey now, you needn't be so forceful. The scones are delightful, I promise.

Here, try one.

No thank you... Really, stop, I... Don't just shove it in——

Mmmf! Mmmrrfff...!

Ahahahahaha! Now this is what I meant by you two getting along. I'm jealous.

Utter nonsense. You think we're getting along? / Hehe, like two peas in a pod, eh?

Eh?

Huh?

Not that we get along poorly, I'd say we just...

I had this all wrong. We don't like each other at all!

Hahahahahaha!

Na- Natalya!

Haha, pffft, hahaha! S- sorry, I just... You two clearly connect on a deeper level than I thought. Pff-hahaha!

Uh.

...*Sigh*.

There's no way we could be that funny. But whatever... May's here to give back my book. What brings you over, Natalya?

Me? I've had some things on my mind lately. Things I want to talk over with you.

Oh? Important things? That's not like you. Especially to have you come to me.

Hey now, I've always been close to you, Anna.

But it's really nothing that important. We can come back to it later. Let's enjoy our tea time for now.

Yes, let's.

Woah, May! Be careful! Don't go prancing around with your teacup. It'll spill.

I'm not a child! It won't spill.

*Sigh*...

Sorry, I wasn't expecting guests, so the room's a bit messy.

There isn't a good place to entertain guests in the dormitory. But you don't have to stand there, Natalya. Just sit anywhere, like May.

I'll take you up on that.

But Rhodes Island does provide nicely furnished dorms. Clean and tidy ones at that.

You're right that they don't make for good house parties though. Not like we used to have.

Those were more banquets than parties.

Oh? Banquets?

What's the difference?

They're completely different!

Are they?

Absolutely.

Ooh, a banquet sounds lovely...

Let's not get carried away.

That was another time. The big house, the lifestyle, none of it has anything to do with who I am now.

And that Sonya, she always teases me about it. Tactless.

If it weren't for you, Anna, I'm sure Sonya would be butting heads with everyone left and right.

I honestly think we live quite well right now. It's leagues better than when they had me on undercover investigations.

And by the way, Istina, your room is already very clean. You've got so many books, and they're all so well-organized.

We're still in the midst of setting it all straight. And Gummy's always been rather fastidious.

That's true. Our Gummy does like to sort things.

Even back in those days, in a place like that, she'd still keep everything we gathered all nicely sorted.

Same as she ever was.

A place like what...?

But a tidy roommate could be great, or I suppose it could be hell.

Oh, and who's this lovely little doll here?

Don't touch her!

Eep!

Wh- what's the matter? You scared the life out of me.

You didn't have to be so rough.

My... apologies...

It's just, this is something very important to me.

That's...

Anna, didn't that belong to...

So you took the doll with you, you——

Please stop talking, Natalya.

Stop talking.

I'm fine. Don't worry.

...Anna...

Stop talking.

I heard about it... what happened back then...

There was nothing anyone could have done. No one could have known.

Stop talking!

...It was tragic. But we all know it wasn't your fault.

Shut up!!

You were just a second too late. You did all you could.

I know. Thank you. I'm fine, Natalya.

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

That's what I've always said to everyone.

Zima, Gummy, Leto, Natalya... They all think I'll be fine.

I almost believe it myself.

It wasn't my fault.

Or was it?

I just got there too late.

No, I wasn't late.

I did all I could.

...all I could.

——I'd already made my choice.

Ah, this book! Isn't it the last volume of the detective series I've been reading?

Hm? Oh, that one. Yes, you have a good eye.

This is the most precious title in the series. The final act in the story of the world's greatest detective... Hmph, I had to beg the Doctor over and over again to help me hunt it down.

Oh, that reminds me... Back in the old country, I saw what I'm pretty sure was a signed copy of the first edition on the bookshelf at home.

Oh the memories. I cried my eyes out the first time I read it!

Eh?

Autographed... and a first edition at that...?

Oh, what rotten luck.

I remember Sonya saying Anna moved mountains to try to get any signed copy of that author's work. And she's still empty-handed.

They're just too rare.

(Uh oh. It was that special, was it? There's too much old stuff like that back home. I never noticed!)