Chapter 6

“I hear Mrs. Wallwood was pregnant.” The day after they solved the murder at the Wallwood estate, Norman was at Shizuku’s home, a cramped studio apartment. She had one room that served as her bedroom, living room, and basic kitchen, plus a combination toilet and shower. The kitchen didn’t look like it saw much use. In the bedroom, there was a dresser, a closet, a bed, a desk, and a sofa that was a little big for Shizuku. It was the perfect size for Norman, though. He was seated with Shizuku perched on his lap. She was dressed differently than usual—a sleeveless blouse and shorts, no gloves either, and her long, beautiful silver hair was loose. Seated on his lap, she was writing notes on a sheet of music. Relaxed, she leaned against him, tilting her chin back to glance at his face. “Pregnant?” “Yes. Remember the doctor at the mansion? That’s apparently why he was there.” “Huh. So the father was—” “Alfred, of course.” “Well, well. Seems a little hackneyed, huh?” Shizuku teased. She grinned. “I guess that’s how life is sometimes.” The truth behind the locked room incident had been simple, and so was everything leading up to it. Mary Wallwood was pregnant. Given their intimate relationship, she likely told Alfred something along the lines of, We’re getting married, so no more secrets. It was impossible to know whether she had noticed Alfred’s odd behavior of late, but if they were that close, she might have sensed something. After revealing his true identity, she rejected him, and he killed her. “That about sums up the Wallwood scandal.” “Think I could make some extra money by leaking it to the papers?” Shizuku asked. “No way. Plus, my sister’s probably got it all under control by now.” “Too bad.” Not seeming particularly disappointed, Shizuku dropped her gaze to the sheet music. Cases involving Unlaw were kept secret from the public. There were more than a few Unlaw hiding within Bardium’s walls, but only a handful knew they existed since the truth—that monsters lived among them—wouldn’t be particularly convenient. Inconvenient for whom? Norman wasn’t sure—Cartesius perhaps. Maybe the city’s most powerful and influential. Or even the country itself. Since the organization couldn’t exist publicly, Norman was officially unemployed. In his role as an agent, he was officially referred to by police as a detective, but he wasn’t actually one. He was provided enough money to live comfortably, but it was awkward not to have a concretely defined role in society. “There are two silver linings to this case.” “Oh? What might those be?” “For one, we were only up against Category One, so I didn’t have to waste any bullets,” Shizuku said. Norman followed her gaze as Shizuku looked at the top of her dresser from his embrace. The open violin case on top of it held a disassembled sniper rifle. It was a weapon specially made by Cartesius for use against Unlaw. It wasn’t just a weapon; it could channel abilities through its loud gunshots. It hadn’t been necessary today. “Well, good. We adjusted its recoil, but it still has a toll on your body.” “And we have to report the number of rounds fired and the reason for firing them every time.” “I’m always the one writing the report. What’s the other silver lining?” “I’ve learned more about your lingerie preferences, Norman.” “…” “…All right. It’s complete.” With a soft thud, Shizuku rose. She picked up the violin that lay on the bed. “Now then, Norman…will you listen to me play?” “Of course. What’s the title of the piece?” “Let’s see…” She pondered for a moment. “How about ‘Special’?” She smiled. It wasn’t her usual grin but a soft, girlish smile. Even if she was a flower that only grew in the dark, she was still a flower. A selfish flower that blossomed only for those who wished to see it. Shizuku began to play. Anyone who knew the usual Shizuku would be surprised that a girl who looked at the world with such apathetic eyes, who smiled with cynical quietness, could produce such a sound. Just listening to it soothed the soul and calmed the heart. The melody made Norman feel like he was basking in warm sunlight in a meadow beneath a blue sky—a melody that embraced all equally. A warmth that shined into the darkness where no light should reach. It was the melody Shizuku Teardrop heard within the heart of Norman Hamish. Norman accepted the monster she was, but Shizuku, too, wanted to remain in his heart—since he was able to stand beside her, undaunted and unbroken by her ability. From the very first time they met, he’d smiled and reached out his hand to her, unafraid of Echo Howling. That became her salvation. Of course, it bothered Shizuku that he wasn’t only hers, but it was pointless to say so. Still playing the violin, she lowered her eyes slightly and scanned the room. Her small room. Shizuku’s own small world, with its windows shut tight in rejection of the outside world. All over that world, there were hundreds of music sheets spread out. They were all pieces she’d taught herself to write, and playing them for Norman was her life’s work. Until now, the individual pieces had stood alone, but “Special” tied them all together. Norman probably didn’t know that the melody she played now and the sheets of music scattered around the room were all words spoken by him she had turned into music. It wasn’t that she had perfect pitch or could transform language directly into notes—she simply poured out her trembling heart into the scores. Norman had no way of knowing that. The reason they were scattered all over the room was simple, too. If Echo Howling were accidentally activated, she would only have visions of Norman since they were all memories with him. And she could never tire of those. On days when she didn’t work with Norman, she holed up inside her room, either watching visions of him or composing music based on those visions. She never saw the need to formally study music, though her titles were a bit rudimentary, so she considered brushing up on that, at least. Academic knowledge was the product of others’ efforts, something Shizuku didn’t want to be influenced by. She only cared about the feelings Norman stirred in her. Her ability made casual outings impossible. Without Norman accompanying her on Cartesius work, she couldn’t even venture outside, and it had taken her quite some time to be able to shop for daily necessities and food by herself. Before, she was trapped in this dark hole because she had no other choice. Her bud stayed closed because there was only one person she wanted to see it. In her room, wrapped in his heart, she played the song he had given her. Shizuku Teardrop was a monster, but Norman Hamish treated her like a person. That was why she liked him. Why she loved him. “Whew. That’s all. What do you think?” “That was lovely. Just listening to it made my heart tremble.” She smiled and cuddled up to him. The fluttering ends of her hair gleamed blue, a sign of her excitement. She brought her lips to Norman’s. The girl who rejected the rest of the world and only smiled cynically now poured all her feelings into a smile—like a flower blooming in the sun. “Yes, this music warms my heart.”