Swell. He had sneaked up here, lifting his heels to muffle his steps.

“Wherecould you be?”

The drawnout voice of Swell gave me chills. I heard him checking behind curtains and opening closets.

Was he searching under the bed as well? His footsteps approached right to the edge of the bed.

“Could you be here?”

Caught! An arm reached beside me.

“….Ah!”

As I flinched, Roger quickly covered my mouth and pulled my waist towards him. His heart pounded against my ear. I worried Swell would hear it.

“Hm? Where are they?”

To avoid Swell’s grasp, I clung tightly to Roger’s waist. We held our breath, locked in an awkward embrace.

“Where are they really?”

Please leave… I was reaching my limit.

Just when I felt like I couldn’t hold my breath any longer, Swell’s nearing hand retreated. As his footsteps began to fade, Roger and I opened our eyes and looked around.

Seemed like Swell was really gone.

“Phew.”

I exhaled deeply.

“Roger, we were so close to being caught… Why is your face so red?”

His face was crimson. Was it because of the cramped, hot space under the bed?

As I reached to touch his forehead, he slapped my hand away. Startled, I blinked, and he pushed me away.

“Hey, be careful. The doll is moving!”

“That’s because you suddenly reached out!”

“I was just checking your temperature! Your face is awfully red!”

“Leave me alone.”

Why was he being so irritable?

“Fine. Since Swell seems to be gone, I’ll go hide somewhere else.”

As I tried to crawl out, Roger grabbed my wrist.

“…What will you do if you get caught?”

“What?”

“He could come back, you know.”

“True, but.”

“If you hate being with me that much, then go.”

What did he want me to do?

I sighed and opted to stay, adjusting my position for comfort. Each time I moved, Roger meticulously adjusted his own position to avoid contact.

‘Oh, come on. If you dislike me that much.’

I just wanted to get out of this hot, filthy place.

The air was heavy and quiet. Bored, my eyes wandered until they found a rabbit doll. The creature with large, twinkling eyes reminded me of someone.

“Pfft.”

Upon my laugh, Roger shifted.

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“It’s this doll. Reminds me of Yurik.”

I pointed to the white rabbit doll with blue eyes, which reminded me of Yurik.

“Not at all.”

“Really? Well, seeing this doll makes me think Yurik would like it. Wouldn’t he be happy if I gifted it to him?”

I imagined a delighted Yurik and resolved to either ask for the doll from Felicia or to check for a similar one in a toy store later.

“….Hey, Lise.”

“What?”

Roger hesitated before finally speaking.
“You, that rock. No, do you like Yurik Fenton?”

The question Roger threw was a typical question a tenyearold boy would be curious about. Noticing Roger’s tense demeanor after asking, I chuckled.

How cute, the kid.

“Yeah, I like him.”

“What?”

Roger asked back, seemingly bewildered.

“I like him.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

I thought I had answered enough and that the questioning was over when…

“Really, really?”

“…”

“Sincerely?”

“How many times do I have to tell you?”

I lost my patience with the neverending questions. Then Roger unusually shut his mouth obediently.

Is he upset over something like this? Studying Roger’s face, his expression was strange. A face that looked both shocked and livid coexisted.

Why is he making that face? Lost in thought, I hesitantly opened my mouth.

“Why so serious? I meant I like him as a friend.”

“What? I meant, do you like him romantically!”

Roger immediately responded to my added clarification.

“Really?”

“Answer again. Do you like Yurik Fenton romantically?”

“Why should I answer?”

“Hey!”

Roger shouted, sounding aggrieved. Not sure whether his reaction piqued my curiosity.

“Are you curious because you like me?”

“Wha, wha, what are you talking about!”

Roger visibly stammered, flustered. His reaction was amusing, making me want to tease him more. I smirked secretly and studied Roger’s expression.

“What am I talking about? I’m asking if you like me.”

“Ah, enough! I can’t be with you! I’ll just go hide somewhere el… Ah!”

Roger screamed as he cleared the doll in front of him to leave.

“What’s going on? What’s the matter… Ah!”

Lifting my head slightly, I saw a face glaring back. The glowing eyes and ripped lips were indescribably creepy.

“Swell. Since when…”

It was Swell. He looked like a giant who had come to catch runaway dwarves. I didn’t sense any presence; how could Swell be here?

This is impossible.

“Done chattering?”

Swell looked at the bewildered faces of Roger and me and smirked. Is he even human?

“Sorry, but there’s no way you can avoid getting caught by me, the seeker.”

Swell chuckled, clutching his belly.

It’s settled. That’s not a human.