Chapter 3

“No, no, no…you can’t go.” I had been peeking in the whole time from the hallway, and this was enough to make me blink and start sniffling, then flop down on the floor and burst into tears. Pip, I’m so glad you were able to get Hana to read you in the end. I’m glad we made it in time. I’m sure you were the happiest a book could be as you went. I was sure of it, yet I still couldn’t stop crying. It didn’t take long for Tsumashina to discover me, as she could hear the sound of my snuffling from where I was peeking in at her from the hall. “I can’t believe you got Himekura involved in all this. And what do you have to cry about, Enoki?” Even as she poured on the complaints, Tsumashina couldn’t seem to stop crying, either. For a while, the two of us stood there with tears streaming down our faces. “At the end, Pip thanked you for reading her again and said she’ll always love you, Hana.” Tsumashina listened without anger, and her scowl had faded. “…I still don’t believe you can hear the voices of books or whatever… But if Pip really did say that, then I’m glad. I always regretted leaving her behind… So I’m happy I was able to read her one last time…” Tsumashina embraced the manila envelope that held the loose pages and bowed deeply to me. “While I was reading, I really felt deep love for her. The book who loved me so much may have fallen to pieces, but I’ll keep her pages as a precious memento. And I’ll buy a copy of her next adventure to read.” Tsumashina looked adorably sheepish as she mumbled with a grin, “I hope the new book comes to love me, too…” She smiled up at me, and I could see her cheeks were a little red. She looked to the side, flustered. And then, as we parted, she reassured with determination: “Don’t you worry about me. I’ll always come out on top.” It was a line from Pippi Longstocking. Tsumashina blushed slightly again, then turned bashfully around and broke into a run. I watched her go, feeling invigorated. Pip, it looks like Hana will be okay after all. Well, I’d better get home and try to placate Princess Yonaga. I made her stay home alone again, so I bet she’s so upset, she won’t talk for a while. Though I’m sure winning her over will be amusing enough—I walked off with light steps.