Chapter 3 - Episode 4: A Night of Restless Shadows
Scene: In a bedroom in the Sarendia Orphanage.
Ayane
Kurumi... Hey, Kurumi? Sorry, but wake up...?
Kurumi
Ehh... What is it, Ayane...
Ayane
Um... Did you hear, like, a weird noise...?
Kurumi
A noise...? Mama Saren shouldn't be awake yet, right...?
Kurumi
What time is it...? Ooh, we've been up so late that I really want to sleep, you know...?
Ayane
Yeah. Sorry for waking you up.
Kurumi
It's okay... Sometimes, when I have nightmares, you get worried and go to bed with me, Ayane... So, this time, it's my turn to repay you...
Kurumi
Ayane, if it's okay with you, how about we sleep together...? If you're together with me, then we won't be worried, and we'll sleep really well...
Ayane
Ooh... Not being able to sleep alone is how a kid would be. I'm supposed to be the older sister to Kurumi, right?
Ayane
But, okay. Just to help Kurumi save face, we can sleep together... Huh?
Kurumi
......
Animated cutscene.
Ayane
What is it, Kurumi? Don't get quiet and start acting strange like that, all of a sudden...
Kurumi
A-Ayane...
Ayane
Huh...?
Both
Eek!
Ayane
That's... me? Why am I there outside the window!?
End animated cutscene.
Ayane
K-Kyaaaaa!?
Scene: In Yuuki's bedroom.
Kokkoro
Master. Please wake up, Master.
Kokkoro
Good morning. Pardon me for awakening you so late at night.
Kokkoro
I apologize deeply for interrupting your rest. Might I have a minute?
Kokkoro
No, um. This isn't because... I found sleeping by myself to be lonely after all.
Kokkoro
After being admonished so earnestly by Suzume, I reluctantly came to understand her reasoning around this matter.
Kokkoro
At least, because I am using the nearest room to Master's bedroom, should anything unusual occur, I have made plans to rush over here.
Kokkoro
As such, if you ever feel anxious about anything during the night, you should feel free to let me know in a loud voice. I will hurry over within seconds.
Kokkoro
Heh heh. Anyhow, did you not hear that scream just now?
Yuuki
1. "Scream...?"
Kokkoro
Yes. It seemed like the high-pitched scream of a girl. I would be happy if I were mistaken, but I'm not so sure.
Yuuki
1. "Aren't you worrying too much?"
Kokkoro
Perhaps. During the day, we were exposed any number of dangerous situations... At this point, one cannot be too cautious, I think. In the worst case, it's possible we might be under attack again.
Kokkoro
In an emergency, we should be ready to move... In truth, I had been keeping watch without sleeping.
Kokkoro
Though, I was dozing off slightly. But then, I heard that scream. Just to be sure, I came to check on you.
Kokkoro
Fufu. Seeing that you had been sleeping soundly and heedlessly, I feel relieved.
Kokkoro
It's a good thing that you're well... In the end, I can't endure the anxiety of letting you sleep alone.
Kokkoro
Ah, Master. My precious, precious Master...
???
Kyaaaaa!?
Kokkoro
Ah, I heard another scream! I wasn't imagining it after all, then?
Kokkoro
Hm. The scream was coming from... the direction of the hall. I'm going to examine the situation a little.
Kokkoro
Master, please, wait here. No... I don't know if this place will be safe, either, so you'd best come with me.
Kokkoro
In the event of an attack... I'll ensure one way or another that you escape, Master.
Kokkoro
I think it may be unseemly for you to go out in your pajamas, however, so please put on your coat. After that, as long as you bring your sword, that should be enough.
Kokkoro
Let's move, Master. Please be very careful. Do not stray far from me.
Scene: In the main hall of the orphanage.
Ayane
Waaaaah! Nooooo!
Ayane
Scary, scary, scary! I-I was there! I was standing there outside the window!
Ayane
I'm not lying, believe me! I wouldn't lie, I'm a good girl!
Ayane
It's true what Papa and Mama said! I'm not a "real" child!
Ayane
The one outside the window must have been the "real me"! So, so... Waaaah!
Suzume
P-Please calm down, Ayane! Everything is okay now, so don't cry, okay?
Kokkoro
Pardon my rudeness. But what is this uproar?
Suzume
Aah, Kokkoro, Yuuki... Sorry, we woke you up, didn't we?
Suzume
Umm. I heard a scream, sprang to my feet, and just came down here, so I'm not sure, but... It seems like Ayane had a scary dream?
Ayane
I-It wasn't a dream! I really saw it, I was there! Kurumi, you believe me, right?
Kurumi
Hauu... I, I don't know...
Kurumi
Ayane was lying down together with me... But then, outside the window, there was another Ayane...
Suzume
Uhh, what does that mean? Kurumi, you also saw that, um... "other Ayane", did you?
Suzume
The two of you aren't the types of children to lie... Um, could it have just been Ayane's reflection in the window?
Suzume
If you saw that, then I don't think there was really another Ayane outside the window... So there's no need to be surprised or anything, is there?
Ayane
No, the one outside was just like me, except not! Her eyes were glowing, and they were a different color from mine! Plus, she said something to me while looking at me and smiling!
Suzume
Um, ummm... I don't get it, what should I do?
Suzume
I'm going to try taking a quick look outside, just in case. It would be bad if this suspicious person were a monster of some kind.
Kokkoro
Hm. If it were a monster, then it would be dangerous to go on your own. As it is, Suzume, you aren't accustomed to fight scenes.
Suzume
No... It's okay, I'm just going to take a quick look around.
Suzume
Kokkoro and Yuuki, please stay by Ayane and Kurumi's side.
Suzume
If things become bad, then shout loudly, and evacuate together with everyone. I'll buy time until everyone has escaped.
Suzume
Milady isn't here because of her meeting, so... The duty of protecting everyone in the Sarendia Orphanage is mine.