33. The undead on the phone

  ? Hi? ?

  “Hi, teacher~ Ray’s at home now.”

  ? I know. Why are you calling me teacher? ?

  “Because you teach me things about how death works and all that jazz.”

  ? … Oh. ?

  “You know, we were worried you would be wandering around, searching for Ray.”

  ? I got a call from the Lord and came back. ?

  “It figures. So you were searching for him.”

  ? Since I was ordered to protect him. ?

  “… Only because of that?”

  ? Why else? ?

  “Well, you’re not coming to Ray’s house to play video games because you’re ordered to, right?”

  ? … Mm. Hum. I’m busy now. ?

  “Heehee… What are you doing?”

  ? Taking out the trash. The Lord didn’t know how to wrap the freezer, so he bought lots of gift wraps and ribbons. ?

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  “… So adorable.”

  ? Who is? ?

  “The Lord. Well, his son too. Those two are so hopeless sometimes.”

  ? … They are. Say, did you really run away from the young master? ?

  “Eh! Certainly not! Haha, I can’t get mad at Ray. You know, he’s that kind of guy you can’t get mad at.”

  ? Are you sure it’s not because you’re the kind of guy who can’t get mad at anyone? ?

  “Haha, definitely not. I get mad pretty often. It’s just that I don’t start screaming like Zeeta, but I don’t try to keep it to myself like Ray either. You’re actually more that type of guy, Arkill. You’re so collected. I kinda admire that side of you.”

  ? … Thanks. Oh, also, thanks for the recommendation, the Magnetocore band. I listened to their music. I like it. ?

  “Eeh… Magnetocore? I’m glad you like it too! Aren’t those guys, like, super funny? They’re from Betul, a region of Taipei in Bird Island. My dad’s from there, and guess what, he knows the guy composing their music. And I know the youngest members of the group. I used to play with them, in summer, when I went to my grandparent’s. They were older than me, but it was fun! It’s a shame they stopped making music now… Oh, wait, but when did I recommend it to you?”

  ? When you were drunk and you started screaming like a madman. ?

  “Oh… I really don’t remember a thing. That’s weird. Has something like that already happened to you?”

  ? It has. A long time ago. ?

  “Oh? Can you tell me?”

  ? … You’re meddlesome. Louise, just in time, I’ll take that bag, you take the phone. ?

  ? Me? Okay! Who’s on the phone? Hello? Hello? ?

  “Hi, Louise. Did Arkill run away?”

  ? Mm! He went to resick the ribbons! ?

  “Resick? You mean, recycle? As expected from my teacher. He got rid of me so stylishly. How are you doing, Louise?”

  ? I’m fine! I’m wearing the headband you gave me! And I’ve found gifts! A lizard and a lil bird. I’m gonna bring them to Ray’s and use the freezer! I put ribbons on them! Oh, but I shouldn’t have said that if it’s a surprise, right? ?

  “Aha… It’s all right. Come any time with your lizard.”

  ? Ah, but I haven’t decided yet which one will be yours or Ray’s. If you win, you’ll have the lil bird. ?

  “Why is the lizard less than the bird?”

  ? Because it lost its tail. Are you ready, Alumen? Rock, paper, scissors! ?

  “… How are we supposed to play that on the phone?”

  ? … I don’t know. How? Oh, I know, let’s make a video call! ?

  “Just bring the corpses already!!”