“And I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No, doing that was probably fine. They should know about these things. I’m just worried about who might get the message. That’s why I had avoided it up till now. You know, on account of your position. Honestly, at the end of the day, I guess, you where the one who needed to make the decision anyways.”
“...You don’t have to do that.”
Quinn walks up after the girl. She sees that he isn’t stopping and backs up to the landing. They stand face to face, with Quinn a step down.
“What?”
“You don’t have to cover for one of my mistakes. Even if it was the right choice, it was ours to make together. I realize I have a problem.”
“Oh?”
“It’s not about trusting you. I trust you; I really do. However, I sometimes get really worried and scared you might get hurt. I let my emotions control another decision. I regret what I did and won’t do it again.”
Neri blinks a couple of times, at the boy’s serious expression.
“I believe you.”
He gives a slight smile, that almost immediately vanishes. He looks away bashfully.
“Oh, and umm... I’m sorry.”
“Apology accept. I mean, I can’t fault you for how you feel and I still think that was probably the right decision, along with it being yours to make.”
Quinn takes the last step up.
“I’m fine just being your supporter, but honestly, I would prefer to be your partner.”
Neri expression drops, she gives a slightly absent-minded look.
“We already are partners.”
Quinn seems a bit taken aback. He tucks his chin down.
“...Okay...”
“Well, since that’s cleared up, we should probably head inside. The Manifestor problem might get solved, but we should still plan for any possible outcome. Not to mention how far behind we are on the reading schedule.”
Neri unlocks the door and the two go in doors. Though, once they get inside, something unusual greats them.
“Good day, how have you two been?”
The Oddity Specialist, Cresswell, is sitting inside.
“...Uh.”
Neri says. Cresswell raise a hand up.
“Before anything.”
He pops a cigarette out of his pack.
“Can I smoke in here?”
“No.”
Neri instantly replies.
“Huh, well, good thing I asked. I figured, under new management, they might have changed some rules.”
He puts his pack away.
“Then, that covers what I care about, as far as preamble goes. Take a seat and let’s talk.”
“You sure do have a particular way of speaking to the person who owns this establishment.”
“Aw, my bad. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. I’m kind of used to dealing with completely tone-deaf specialists, I sometimes forget my manners. Really, sorry about that.”
“It’s not a problem.”
Neri takes her seat. The way her eyes glance around, she clearly can tell that things aren’t placed how she had left them.
“What brings you here?”
Quinn’s stomach knots up.
“I got your message.”
“Ah, I was wondering who might get it. Will it always be sent to you?”
“If I am not currently disposed of.”
“Hmm, so a slight gamble each time.”
“A fare way of looking at it. Though, it is rare for me to be in that position.”
“I see, that’s good to know.”
“I managed to track down your culprit. The one who started the Red Woman incident.”
He starts pulling out a note.
“I dealt with them, of course.”
The atmosphere changes, though it doesn’t seem like Cresswell picks up on it.
“However, I found this letter. The contents of which, explain the existence of oddities and preposition the recipient to take action to create one.”
“Oh?”
“The recipient, of course being the owner of the Red Woman website.”
“Then, this was...”
“A manipulated situation, done by a third party.”
A moment of silence hangs, as the words dwell.
“Though, you are already familiar with this third party.”
“w-What?”
“The one you matched wits with, is not the person who hosted the website, or started the rumors.”
“They were the letter writer.”
“Yes. It actually is rather clever, clearly this is someone who sussed out the existance of oddities.”
He looks over to Quinn.
“Likely, because of the frequency of them in this area, causing a situation where even a civilian came across one.”
“Yes, that seems obvious at this point.”
Neri states.
“It does? Just from that?”
“Why else would they send a letter? Why use another person, if you understand how to do it yourself? If one knows deep info on this world, there entire strategy would be drastically different. They simply must have figured out some of the conditions related to oddities, likely from a firsthand encounter, then decided to test out the theories they have. It’s only logical, that this would be the conclusion someone would come to.”
“...Hehe, yes well, for some, maybe?”
He absentmindedly taps a cigarette out, then realizes his movements and puts it back into his pocket.
“Anyways, I came here for a specific reason.”
He extends the letter to Neri.
“I would like to give you you’re first official job, from an actual specialist.”
Neri takes the note.
“You understand the importance of this, correct?”
“Of course.”
“Then, you accept?”
“Obviously!”
Her excitement spikes up.
“Then, the case is as such. I want you to investigate into who the sender of that letter is and find this Manifestor’s identity. From there, I can take over.”
“Understood, we gladly accept this case!”
“Great.”
Cresswell starts heading for the door. He then spins around and begins walking backwards.
“Hey, once I finish smoking outside, could I perhaps read through some of the writings you have in storage?”
“Feel free, but not if you’ve smoked within an hour of doing so.”
“...I guess, I can smoke later.”
“You could also not at all.”
“Yes, well, I’ve thought about it. Even knowing what it would mean, for my powers.”
Neri looks to Quinn and he nods his head.
“Come on, I’ll let you in.”
“Thanks.”
As they leave, Neri begins reading the letter.
“Hmm, they specifically chose the recipient, based on them being an easily manipulated fit for this information.”
Her hand starts shaking, while she is thinking.
“Huh? That’s strange.”
“Hey so...”
Quinn walks upstairs, but stops once he sees Neri. “...She’s forcing her emotions back.”
“Hey Quinn, I think maybe I had too much caffeine, because I can’t stop shaking. After all, all I’m doing is reading a letter, directed towards a person...”
Quinn walks over to her and kneels down.
“It’s okay.”
“What do you...?”
Her expression drops down, as her eyes begin to well up.
“There dead, because of us.”
“I made this decision on my own, you can’t-”
“Quinn, I know it’s partially my fault. I at least want you to be honest with me about it.”
“...I’m sorry.”
Quinn hugs Neri, as she begins to cry.
Thanks for reading the first half od Oddity Specialist Volume 3. The second half with be out soon.
Oddity Specialist: Manifestor Page 12
