[https://i.imgur.com/WATlovK.png]

We’re walking together in a wide empty corridor, sweeping by each suite door. It smells a little musty; and there’s some mysterious stains on the hall carpet. I am not going to stop to figure out what they are since we don't have the time.

[Lily]: Yuri! You suddenly started walking really fast, wait up!

[Yuri]: I know where to find a crowbar. Let’s get it to them as soon as we can.

Those tools aren’t just for the [Horse] and [Ox], they're for us. And whoever else thinks to take them before they're in my hands; Lily’s breath grows heavy as I continue this rapid pace.

[Lily]: The crowbar isn’t going to grow legs and walk away!

She huffs a little more.

[Lily]: My legs aren’t going to grow either!

She grabs my hand and takes it, and that finally makes me stop.

Don’ t tell me this is another one of her experiments. But it’s better than the Heimlich, so I don’t really mind.

[Yuri]: Lily…

[Lily]: Yes, Yuri?

[Yuri]: I just…

I don’t know what I’m going to say. I don’t know why I’m blushing either, or feel the overwhelming urge to speak. I think with just a few seconds more, this handholding is going to make me say something strange.

But then we both get bowled over.

[???]: What the hell? Two idiots have the WHOLE HALLWAY to choose from and they decide to block the center. You’re just asking to be mowed down!

Tumbled onto the floor with us in a heap, is the [Tiger]. She had rammed into us at an intersection between two halls. Then she just as swiftly scrambles up, her sneaker crunching my hand.

[https://i.imgur.com/JBMUfD3.png]

[Tiger]: Sorry.

She smiles, both at me and the reddish-pink treads she leaves on my skin. I bite back a swear as Lily helps me up.

[Lily]: Running down the hall like that is dangerous!

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[Tiger]: Well, little lady, I am dangerous.

[Lily]: [Tiger], [Dangerous], [Delinquent], whatever your name is, I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Now could be a good time.

[Tiger]: I’m in a hurry so your talk will have to wait.

[Lily]: Okay. Then we'll talk to you later.

[Tiger]: Later.

And then we all set off down the hall in the same direction. The [Tiger] focuses on the flowery wallpaper as if it’s the most remarkable art in the world. Her pace quickens.

[Tiger]: Good weather today.

[Lily]: What was your life like before you came here?

[Tiger]: Was fine. Better than yours.

[Lily]: What do you mean by fine? Can you talk more about it briefly?

The [Tiger] scowls. I kick Lily’s ankle and shake my head. If Lily really wants to know more about the [Tiger], then I'll tame her. With that kind of ridiculous personality, maybe this will work.

[Yuri]: What I want to know is what happened to make you so brave, so smart, so beautiful.

When it comes to Lily, I feel that every word has to be measured and calculated. But when it comes to this girl, who has now stopped, I can shamelessly say anything. Her cheeks are tinged slightly pink, but yet not from modesty - in the harsh bright light in the hallway, it’s just her natural shade.

[Tiger]: If you wanted to ask that, you should have said so from the start!

[Lily]: But we did-

[Yuri]: Go on, [Tiger]! Tell us your story - no, your legend!

She falls silent, and I’m worried that I had laid it on too thick. Her expression is incredibly bizarre. I realize a moment later that right now she’s actually being shy.

[Tiger]: Well… if you want to know that badly… then I guess I have to tell you.

[Lily]: Yuri. Are you sure about this? I don’t mind listening, but you seem to be in a hurry and this might take a long time.

[Yuri]: How long can her story be? Shorter than a novel chapter, surely.