Unexpected Guest

"You were such a cute little baby!"

"Why are you here?"

"Your mom makes great food!"

"Why are you here?"

"Your sister is ADORABLE!"

"Why are you here, Princess?"

Nozomu and I sat out on the deck as my mom and sister cleaned up the kitchen. I was focused on solving the mystery of how the princess got my address.

"I just thought I'd pay you a visit. Things were getting annoying at my place, so when we were at school, I asked Taiki for your address."

I should've known.

"So, how's life been for ya lately?"

"Ran out of things to say, Princess?"

"What, I can't ask you a question?"

"It's fine. So are you done for today? I need to actually get some homework done."

"That's totally lame! Are you still that serious about college?"

"Yes. And I would appreciate it if you stopped decreasing my chances of getting into a good school."

I then felt my hand being pulled. Nozomu had an extremely devious look in her eyes.

I started to feel chills, despite the night being warm. Here we go again.

The princess dragged me inside and led me down the hallway.

As we passed the kitchen, I looked at my mom. She had a genuine look of curiosity in her eyes.

"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!"

.

Jaku took his seat with a vanilla milkshake in hand.

"That flavor doesn't seem like it suits you."

"What's wrong with vanilla?"

"It's not flashy enough."

"It's got enough flavor for me. I've been trying to focus my mind on planning over sweets."

"Let me guess, this has to do with Higeki?"

The girl with brunette hair gave Jaku a deep, cold stare.

"I'm trying to do this right. Are you sure you don't want anything?"

"I'm fine. I'm not really hungry or anything. I'm just getting a bit... worried."

"What's there to be worried about? I've got this completely under control."

She didn't seem to buy Jaku's claim.

"So what's your big plan? Bully the guy until he offs himself? You should start shopping for your prison uniform."

"For your information, I do have a real plan. A plan that will earn your revenge."

She stared down at the table with an empty gaze.

"Go on."

"So, there's this random chick that Higeki's been spotted hanging around with..."

.

"Let's play a game. You have a console?"

"No."

"What, are you from last century?"

"I've just been focused on getting through life for the last few years."

"Alright. Fine. What about boards games?"

"No."

"Cards?"

"No."

"So no one in your family has any games?"

"My sister had some kid-level games."

"Nah, I wanna play something where I can rage."

"What about games that don't have any boards or cards?"

When I asked that question, I was hoping that I could stump the princess and return to my regularly-scheduled homework time. Unfortunately, I didn't realize just how dangerous I caused things to become.

"We can play Truth or Dare."

Once again, I am in an uncalled-for situation.

.

A boy walks through the grand halls of the overbearing mansion, sight fixated on the targeted door. An attendant stands outside the door.

"Do you have an appointment with the boss?"

"He requested that I immediately make my way to his office."

"Ah, so you're the one he called for. You're a bit young to be sent out alone so late, though."

The boy gifted the attendant a piercing stare of death.

"Good thing my opinions aren't really considered for anything around here. I'm just an attendant. I should really learn when to shut up!"

"You should."

"Alright! The boss should be ready for you now! Please, enter! I do apologize-"

The boy entered the office and closed the door behind him.

"Sir, you called for me?"

The man sitting behind the desk on the other side of the room rose from his seat. A cat laid stretched out across the desk.

"Nozomu hasn't made an appearance here since this morning. I need you to find out where she is."

"Sir, have you considered the size of this building. She may just be making herself scarce."

"Are you questioning me? I already had some attendants search for her. She is nowhere to be found here."

"I apologize for questioning you, sir. How may I go about this search?"

"You may take a car and a driver. Do whatever you must. You have until daybreak."

"Understood, sir. I'll be going now."

The boy made his away out of the office and towards an exit. He held his head high and walked with a straight posture. He began to shiver.

He shivered with excitement.