Chapter 28

It has been two weeks since Emily introduced Grace to me in her hospital room.

It has almost become a daily routine.

"Ah! Mr. Mordred!"

After school, Cecilia ran up to Mordred, whom she spotted in a corner of the schoolyard.

"Hello!"

"...Yes, hello."

Mordred responded to Cecilia's smile with a weary face, his expression clearly saying, "Not again." He really seemed to dislike it.

It was no wonder. Over the past two weeks, Cecilia had been constantly pestering Mordred. Whether there was a reason or not, a topic or not, or time or not, she would always rush to him whenever she saw him. She would ambush him wherever he was likely to go and always stop by the infirmary in the morning.

For Cecilia, this was part of her strategy to win Mordred over, but from his expression, it seemed that her favorability wasn't increasing much.

Cecilia, still smiling, spoke to Mordred.

"If you have some free time, would you like to talk together?"

"Again with that?"

With a deep sigh, Mordred shook his head. Even Cecilia could tell that he wasn't welcoming her, but since she didn't know his route or branching points, all she could do was keep talking to him.

(Actually, I'm also worried about Grace and the killer...)

The voice of Gilbert from the other day echoed in her mind, but there was no point in worrying about it. At this stage, she couldn't verify any of the information.

Cecilia corrected her wandering thoughts and pasted on a smile. She should focus on what was in front of her.

"Mr. Mordred, don't say that!"

"What's with you lately? You're really persistent, you know?"

"That's because I want to talk to you so much!"

"I have nothing to talk about."

"I do!"

"...Are you made of steel? You are..."

Despite his words, he stopped to talk to Cecilia, which showed that he was, in some ways, kind. When Cecilia sat down on a bench, he reluctantly sat next to her, but his puzzled expression didn't change.

"Why do you keep coming near me?"

"Um, is that not okay?"

"It's not that it's not okay, but being with me isn't fun for you, right?"

"Not at all!"

Cecilia shook her head and raised a fist in front of her chest.

"Recently, I've gotten used to being brushed off!"

"...I don't have that kind of hobby."

Mordred's cheek twitched.

While she might not have succeeded in increasing his favorability, the fact that he was showing such expressions was a step forward.

"Actually, I have a proper reason today!"

Cecilia took out two books from her bag. Both seemed to be novels.

"They were sent from my hometown, and I was wondering which one Emily would like!"

Cecilia handed the books to Mordred. One was a Cinderella story that a girl might like, and the other was a classic adventure tale. Both were well-known stories in this country.

"Are you going to give these to Emily?"

"Ah, yes! Actually, I've run out of topics to talk about, so I thought I'd read her a book! But maybe a book that a girl her age would like better? These might be a bit too young..."

Perhaps a novel written by Lean would be more to her taste, but it was far too inappropriate to read aloud.

"Even if she's asleep, she might hear. I want to make the story as enjoyable as possible."

"Are you going to Emily's room even when I'm not around?"

"Ah, yes! Not every day, though."

Mordred's eyes widened at her casual response. Realizing his reaction, Cecilia panicked.

"But! I do have Lean come with me! On days when he doesn't come, I make sure to keep the door open! We're never alone together!!"

"I'm not worried about that. I trust you enough for that."

"That's a relief..."

Cecilia sighed in relief. According to Lean, Mordred doted on his sister. If he suspected her of doing something inappropriate to Emily, their relationship would be beyond repair.

"But, I see. No wonder the flowers have been changing frequently..."

"Not all of them are from me. Grace has been coming before me."

"I see..."

Mordred's expression became complicated. After a short silence, he spoke.

"But why visit Emily? Did you want to become friends with me that much?"

Cecilia's intentions were unclear to him, and he looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Well, at first, I did go to visit her to become friends with Mr. Mordred. But now, I just want her to get better!"

"..."

Mordred looked slightly surprised at her carefree smile.

Cecilia was partly overlapping her past life with Emily. She couldn't return to the best time of her life, but she wanted Emily to return to her life and enjoy it as much as possible.

"Gil told me that people have woken up from such conditions because of the stimulation from others talking to them! I thought I might be able to help a little!"

"So, the books...?"

"Hehe. I should have brought more topics, huh?"

She scratched her head and smiled apologetically. Mordred looked down and sighed deeply.

"Huh? Did I say something wrong? I'm sorry!!"

"No. I understand how you manipulate people now."

"Wha... Huh?"

"That girl would probably like this one better."

Mordred pointed to the adventure tale, his expression slightly kinder than before.

"Emily preferred the books I read as a child to the ones I prepared for her. She likes adventure tales and hero stories."

"Really? Thank you!"

Cecilia thanked him, and he smiled slightly before standing up.

"Well, I'm going now. ...Are you going to the hospital today?"

"I was planning to!"

"See you later, then."

With that, Mordred left.

Cecilia watched him go, tilting her head.

(Did that go well just now?)

She wasn't sure why Mordred had been kinder, but she felt like she had made some progress.

(Maybe the book choice was good. Mr. Mordred likes adventure tales?)

As she thought about this, she suddenly felt a gaze from behind. Turning around, she saw the low hedge behind her rustling.

(Could it be Lean?)

Cecilia sighed. Maybe this time it was "Cecilia x Mordred." While she thought his hobby was impressive, using her friends as models was a bit much.

"Lean"

The hedge reacted with a start at her voice. Cecilia narrowed her eyes.

"I won't be mad, so come out?"

"..."

But Lean showed no sign of coming out. Instead, his presence seemed to be moving away. Was he planning to run away?

"Come on! I won't be mad!"

Cecilia stood up and peered into the hedge. She froze.

"Huh? ...Grace?"

There was Grace. When their eyes met, she jumped up like a startled cat and tried to run away.

"Wait a minute—"

"Kyaa!"

But she tripped and fell forward. The object she was holding rolled out in front of her. It was a small, square wooden box. The box hit a stone and made a clicking sound, as if a switch had been activated.

Suddenly, Mordred's voice filled the area.

"No. I understand how you manipulate people now."

"Wha... Huh?"

"That girl would probably like this one better."

The conversation from earlier replayed. It seemed the wooden box was a small phonograph she was researching.

(But why was she recording Mr. Mordred's conversation?)

Grace rushed to the fallen phonograph.

"My Saito Sho collection!!"

Hearing that, Cecilia instantly realized she was a reincarnated person.

Saito Sho—Mordred's voice actor.