Complex Days

by Shūsuke Amagi

  "I am reluctant."

  "Eh?"

  "I am being reluctant. However after watching you, because I will stop giving up, you should not want to give up either."

  "......I, am being unreasonable?"

  "In any case, in that state, you were giving up. If that's the case, in order for me not to fail, cooperate with me. Come, for the time being, let's repeat today's actions from the beginning. Where is your room?"

  "Fufu, as I thought I am being unreasonable."

  With a dark smile, Eri followed after Felli.

  Eri's place of living was an average one-room.

  Even without saying it was average, practically before even walking in, she knew it was the case. Beyond the corridor, found soon after opening the door, there was a small kitchen and the interior contained the living quarters.

  After looking around the room which was left with a seemingly dark impression, she turned to face Eri, having satisfied her curiosity.

  "......Well then, let's try searching by reviewing today's actions."

  "That would be good......, but I was thinking."

  "What is it?"

  "Felli-san is a Psychokinesist, so would it not be faster if I had you search for the sweets I dropped using psychokinesis?"

  "Talk of psychokinesists searching for lost articles, have you ever heard of it?" Felli muttered while letting out a sigh.

  "That talk of pride, could you leave it behind for now?"

  "That was not what I was saying." To Eri who thought the problem was the pride of a military artist, she explained.

  "Regarding psychokinesis and the psychokinesists that use it, there exists the five senses, however on top of that, there is electromagnetic perception, infrared perception, provisions people do not have. After checking those things, that diverse information can be gathered up."

  "Y-Yeah." Whether or not she understood, with a puzzled look on her face, Eri nodded.

  "Psychokinesists use flakes as an intermediary and extend Psychokinesis over a large range. Whatever information is there is perceived. However, that huge quantity is beyond the scope of normal human throughput. The braincells of a Psychokinesist are enhanced beyond a normal human. However as I was saying that large quantity of information, furthermore dealing with the whereabouts of an object created by people as a standard, it wouldn't be strange for people to say it's not possible. For this particular objective, electromagnetic waves and infra-red rays are completely useless and meet their limit for these reasons."

  "We......ll, in short?"

  Of course, it appears she didn't understand.

  "Therefore, if you have the exact material coating the sweets you prepared, moreover the raw materials encasing it could be made use of, a sample of the exact wrapping paper you used, the arrangement, how you folded the paper, furthermore the ribbon you used, the things you used...... with that, by memorizing these things, searching to an extent should not be difficult but......Would it?"

  "Y, Yes......"

  "If I had those things stored in my memory, this topic would be simple, but that isn't the case. ......Your explanation being easy to understand, if you made that the basis of your search, usually the probability you would find it wouldn't have been zero."

  "Wouldn't have been?"

  Eri's eyes filled with hopeful luminance. Felli shut her eyes in response.

  "Today of all days has been a disaster, hasn't it? There is alot of things out there like it."

  "Ah......"

  It seems Eri had also come to an understanding.

  The boxes and wrapping sets from gift shops aimed at Van Allen's Day had large quantities as a selling point. Eri seemed like that type to buy things like that. Felli also did that so she understood well.

  "Therefore, by whatever means necessary, you must search using your own power. Do you understand?"

  "Fufufu......It feels hopeless."

  "Look at me! well then let us begin. First, when you woke up......"

  To Eri who burst out in a hallow laughter, Felli began her inquiry in what seemed to be forceful interrogation.

  The lost item disappeared between the time she left the room to when she entered the classroom......That was certain.

  The sweets stored in her bag couldn't have gone anywhere by themselves. Still, if Eri had simply taken care to not fall, it would still be in her bag, or so they say.

  If so, didn't some sort of strange event happen to that bag?

  "So, this is the place, isn't it?"

  "Yes."

  Eri nodded.

  After the two had left the room, they headed in the direction of the nearest tram stop, their legs stopping only when they cleared the straight path through the forest of Yuusuiju[Spring-water tree] which was enveloped in a white haze.

  This place was the only city water purification plant in the area. The sewage from the drainage system flowed into the underground reservoir beneath the forest, where suction from the roots hanging down from the Yuusuiju was applied. The roots of the Yuusuiju housed a filtration process, furthermore the remaining waste in the roots would be broken down and converted into nutrients which periodically would be replaced with soil from the manufacturing district.

  Yuusuiju had, like the name, a hole in the trunk from which excess water would flow out. That water would flow into irrigation canals above ground and collect, and from there go to the mechanical department for further filtration. The clean water would leave to become public water.

  "This place, you parted with your bag here, did you not?"

  "Yes, something completely took me by surprise and......"

  According to Eri's information, early morning at this place, along with the sound of water, she heard the roar of of what sounded like a dangerous beast. At the violent sound of water, Eri was taken by surprise and ran until she reached the police station nearby.

  At that time, at the sound of water, she was taken by surprise and dropped her bag, it seemed.

  "Really, I had no idea what was happening, so I became scared and soon after left from here."

  After returning with officers from the city police, they scattered throughout the interior. While searching for the bag, the source of the roar was nowhere to be found.

  While listening to Eri's explanation, Felli surveyed the forest.

  "......if you lost it at an irrigation canal, this would be over, wouldn't it?" While gazing intently at the Yuusuiju forest, Felli muttered.

  "Please don't say such unpleasant things."

  "For the time being, we will search for the bag in the vicinity of the location you dropped it."

  Leaving the grimacing Eri, Felli entered the Yuusuiju forest.

  "Felli-san?"

  "If there is a way, we will know soon. The lost item has yet to be reported to the police station. After reporting, into the forest."

  The Yuusuiju forest had high humidity, probably also from the decomposition functions of the bacteria, and the hot water gushing out from the holes. Consequently, at that place, a public bath house and a warm-water pool had been built. The white haze enveloping the Yuusuiju was from the resulting steam.

  While steam continued to rise from the irrigation canals, Felli's group continued to search once more.

  "I can't endure this any longer."

  Brushing aside the withered grass of the earth's surface and forcing her way through the weeds for a short while, Eri lifted her head and wiped away her sweat.

  As a consequence of moving around in high humidity, her breathing grew harsh. Their long hair clung to their cheeks and necks with a sticky feeling.

  "The condition of the clothes we're wearing seems as though we just came out of a sauna."

  Brushing away the hair sticking to her forehead, Felli was also breathing hard.

  "Moreover, we've searched this much and still haven't......"

  "If there's anything we could do here, it's only to search."

  She tried to encourage Eri who looked as though in a state of fatig
ue, but she quietly hung her head.

  "Well......once again, it truly looks like it won't work out."

  "Eri-san......"

  Eri showed the same dispirited smile, but that was probably her distinctive characteristic. The moisture on their faces somehow felt refreshing.

  "For the one box of sweets I was going to give, the me that worked so hard to come this far, had made such an absurd memory."

  That was something Felli too identified with.

  Having just realized, Eri became flustered and shook her head for Felli whose expression became sullen.

  "Ah, you're mistaken. That wasn't what I meant......"

  It was at that time.

  Zaa......

  "Eh?"

  "Wha"

  Suddenly, from above water poured down on them. High above, the Yuusuiju leaves were covered in moisture such that they could barely stand the weight. Then like a chain, it all came down at once.

  That instance of a downpour had swallowed up their shrieks and abruptly ended.

  The aftermath left the girls dripping wet.

  "What in the......":

  Dripping wet, her condition hit her all at once.

  "Ah, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

  There, suddenly in a large voice, laughter had overcome her, to which Felli, who wore a startled expression, lifted her head.

  "Really, we look like idiots. One box of sweets, in order to give it out, something like this, really........."

  For sometime she stood there, dumbfounded, watching Eri doubled over laughing, but before long Eri was able to stand.

  "Felli-san."

  Silently being glared at, Eri stopped laughing.

  "I became defiant."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Because I somehow became fixated on the hand made sweets, I couldn't move on. If I select good-looking sweets from a shop somewhere, it'll be fine. Better than searching desperately for a lost box of sweets in this kind of place, by far it would comfort me more to show myself in front of that person and hand him a different box of sweets."

  "Y, yes......"

  "Felli-san, I've decided. I will confess to that person. Yes, I don't have time to waste for that kind of thing. If I want to meet him today, I must immediately buy another box of sweets. Felli-san, if you have someone you want to give something to, you don't have time to spare at a place like this, you know. If we don't take action,"

  "......someone?"

  Grabbing her hand, Eri who had previously expressed a dispirited smile changed. Had Eri's melancholy been thoroughly washed away by by the water from the Yuusuiju? Nevertheless, with her sudden change, Felli couldn't follow.

  "Come, let's hurry. For now, about these soaking wet clothes."

  That is to say, this time Eri grabbed Felli's hand and dragged her in the direction of the forest's edge.

  "Eh? Say......"

  "Come, let's hurry. There's not much time left, you know."

  At the sudden reversal of position, for meddling, Felli was at her mercy.

  They returned to Eri's room and showered. For the time being Felli changed, afterward they left as if being driven out of the room and arrived at the mansion.

  After entering her room, once again put on her uniform. Given that the one she was wearing today was a spare, she had to overlook the shoulder of her usual uniform. It wasn't the uniform was conspicuously soiled anywhere, but this morning, the enthusiasm she had during the time she was wearing it, gave it the feeling it had been magnificently trampled.

  The wet, crumpled uniform was currently in a paper bag. The clothes she borrowed were placed together with her uniform and to take for cleaning.

  (Eri-san, will everything turn out well for her?)

  She had no idea who the other person would be, but with the vigor Eri displayed previously, she felt Eri would successfully give it to him.

  (I will......)

  Upon thinking of it, she began making preparations. Changed into her uniform, Felli brushed her hair once more, prepared another paper bag, and put the clothes she borrowed inside.

  (At any rate, I have no choice but to search for Fon Fon.)

  Before that, she would need to return to school. Felli's bag was left at school, and inside were the sweets.

  (First of all, I must return to the classroom.)

  After leaving the classroom, she dropped the clothes at a nearby dry cleaners and headed for the school building. Eri said she had run out of time so she returned to school with a tremendous amount of vigor, but Felli felt no such pressure.

  She walked, tottering.

  She always walked at her own pace, but today she walked with the timing she had become accustomed to.

  She finally arrived at the school building. With class having long since ended, the classroom was bathed in crimson light.

  "I have to search for him now, don't I?"

  Her mood was not lifting, so the increasing futility of the sweets was mortifying. Felli pulled out her Dite.

  First, she needed to find him. Alone in the classroom, Felli released her flakes.

  "Senpai......Felli?"

  After opening the window to allow her flakes to escape, a voice came from behind.

  "Fon Fon? Do you need something?"

  Pinning down the impulse to turn her head, she turned to face him and inquired. The flakes circled behind her. Somehow, she felt exhausted.

  "Err......Well, I have a request."

  With just that, she understood what Layfon wanted to say. Of course, Layfon looked troubled.

  "Why does it seem......you always rely on people?"

  "You understand?"

  Still troubled, Layfon smiled. She was probably already aware of this.

  It probably had to do with his part-time work with the city police. Just looking at Layfon's appearance, it was probably over.

  The request he was talking about probably had something to do with Felli's Psychokinesis.

  "Rather than relying on people, it's wrong to use them, however, either way overuse of that amiable quality is the real problem, don't you think?"

  "That is possibly true, however......"

  Gazing at Layfon overwhelmed by the criticism, Felli dispelled all of the resentment that had built up over the day.

  "Well then, what do you need me to do?"

  With a relieved expression, Layfon briefed her on the situation.

  "......Okay, no problem."

  The target of the request was to find Gorneo who was captured somewhere. After raising an eyebrow at that detail, Felli nodded.

  "That's good."

  "However......"

  "Eh?"

  "Th-......"

  With her head turned, Felli reached into her bag with her hand, and stopped.

  "Th- ?"

  Puzzled, Layfon tilted his head.

  (Realize you idiot!)

  Holding her outbursts inside, Felli took a deep breath. In that instant, she put a bewildering thought to work.

  "This is......"

  Layfon's eyes widened at the thing she took out of the bag.

  "Something I made, and so sample this please."

  "Ah, sweets......? ........................Felli did?"

  "What is that response?"

  "Ah, no no no, it's nothing. Yes"

  "Uu......yes."

  Opening the sweets handed to him with caution, Layfon's face became stiff.

  "Ah, the appearance, it looks splendid."

  "Is that so?"

  "It would be rude, so I thought it would be better to eat this as soon as I get home......"

  "That is not good. Please eat it now."

  "Uu......"

  Having lost to Felli's glare, Layfon put one of the sweets into his mouth.

  It made the sound of a crunch, to put it simply.

  "Ah, delicious......isn't it?"

  Somehow feeling relieved, that expression didn't last long.

  He suddenly started convulsing.

  "Guu......"
>
  "What's......"

  As she said that, before her eyes, Layfon's face looked as though it was died violet, and he began heaving.

  "Guu......ge, *cough*, gufu......n, ngh................................................gokun"

  After doubling over and making a large gulping sound, Layfon took a deep breath and lifted his head.

  "Th, that was delicious."

  "Please don't tell lies."

  With a bad complexion and his face trembling bit by bit, his smile told everything.

  "......Being unskilled, I know that at least."

  "Uu......"

  "I brought you trouble, haven't I? Well then, shall we begin searching?"

  Upon turning her back to Layfon, Felli sent off the flakes she had released flying in every direction.

  (Well, this was probably decided from the outset.)

  A lonely feeling passed by her chest.

  She soon found the target. Somehow, she felt she didn't fully understand the situation, but with her feelings in front of her, it didn't really matter.

  "I will lead the way. Please follow me."

  "Okay, thanks."

  Layfon lifted his head, and soon took to the air, leaving the classroom behind.

  Felli sighed.

  "......Ah, that's right."

  Though she thought that he had left, Layfon had stopped.

  "If it's something simple, I can make it so next time we should make the sweets together."

  "......You don't have to do anything unnecessary,so hurry up and go."

  "Yes."

  This time for sure, Layfon had dashed off.

  "......Good grief."

  To learn how to make sweets from the person she wanted to give them to or something......

  Appearing both pleased and mortified......With a complicated disposition, Felli muttered.

  By the time Layfon arrived, Shante's group continued observing, however by no means did they expect to see Eri's conclusion.

  "What is she, that woman......Mukiiiii!"

  "Wh, what are you......"

  The one confused was Gorneo. The person on Eri's mind was him......that sort of surprise wasn't just that instant.

  Above all else, that situation was brought on by Felli alone. With the exception of that surprise, it was nothing.