「Can I help you?」
「No, I mean, this guy’s little sister is missing!」
「Looking for someone」
「Ah, that’s right! Is Solmetra-san here?」
「She is」
Solmetra, the “same face” woman?
Chicken-san clapped her hands and a big, intimidating catkin came without a sound.
「Isuka, go get Solmetra.」
「Understood」
「She’ll be here soon.」
「Thanks, Chicken-san」
Why do we need her?
Before I could even say a word, I saw the woman with slanted eyes walking toward us from the back room, carrying a tray.
「Thank you for waiting」
The woman has a mysterious atmosphere that doesn’t seem to match her beautiful face. She put down cups of tea in front of us and sat next to Chicken-san.
「If you’re looking for someone, this girl who knows a lot of people is the one for you. She has a good track record. Solmetra, you don’t have to work in the cafeteria today. Just help Boss Vanarola.」
「Understood」
「I am thankful for your help. Hey! Nashita, why aren’t you thanking them?」
「Thank you very much! Thank you!」
When boss and I bowed, Chicken-san nodded once and took out a notepad.
「So, what kind of girl is she?」
「Well, she’s a human girl, six years old, her name is Rosamy, her height should be around my waist, her hair is dark brown like mine, and she’s probably wearing a light green coat….」
「I see…..」
I said that as if I was rambling but Chicken-san quickly wrote down everything I said.
She’s probably someone very reliable.
I could see why boss brought me here immediately.
「What else?」
「She should be missing a front tooth.」
「Hmmmm, Solmetra know her?」
「Yes. She’s a girl with a sunflower comb.」
「Yes! She does!….how did you know!?」
「Because I talked to her once.」
「Eh!?」
「You probably don’t remember but, I’ve also talked to you.」
「Ah, no…..I remember you.」
「Whenever this girl sees someone she doesn’t know, she talks to them immediately. That’s why I said she knows a lot.」
Chicken-san said that with a wry smile.
What? Does that mean she already spoke with everyone in Torquiva?
Boss clapped his hands.
「Good! I’m going to take my men and search the neighborhood. Nashita! Go around with Solmetra-san!」
「Y-yes!」
「Solmetra, please. I’ll go talk to the girls at the headquarters.」
「Understood.」
I quickly drank what was in my cup that had just been served to me.
The tea was beginning to cool down a bit and smelled of barley.
-0-
After leaving the headquarters, Solmetra and I moved north.
We found a place nearby that’s serving sweets called crepes that my little sister had been craving.
「Please, wait a minute.」
「Oh」
I said we were heading north but our progress was slow.
Solmetra-san is asking every person we pass by one by one.
「Have you seen a girl with brown hair, about six years old, missing one front tooth, in a light green coat?」
「I haven’t seen her but if I do, I’ll tell the Schenker people.」
「Thank you.」
I wonder if she knows everyone who passes by the street…
When Solmetra-san spoke with them, everyone responded readily.
I don’t think this would react like that if it were me.
「…..missing one front tooth.」
「ah, I might have seen her.」
I was so excited when I heard that from a well-dressed birdkin that I approached him as if I was going to bite him.
「Are you sure!?」
「Yeah. There was a little girl dressed like that in front of a clothing store on East Boulevard….」
「East!」
「Thank you.」
「You’re welcome. I hope you find her.」
「Thanks!」
Hurry up hurry up!
「Shall we head east?」
「Yeah!」
She and I turned around and headed east.
She talked to a few more people she met along the way. Some of whom said the same thing we heard earlier.
She’s definitely in the east!
And she’s safe!
「Ah, the little girl in a light green coat. She wandered off quite a while ago. Now? I’m not sure. I didn’t know where she went.」