Cat's Cradle 2

According to him, the album was evil—cursed even. It's something he couldn't get rid of, especially when supernatural things like his negation to further misfortune were taken into account.

“Magic isn't real,” I said what I believed. “It's just a matter of where you stand at the moment.”

“Good for you then. But keep sticking your nose on matters unrelated to you and you'd also get to stand from the side that believes,” He closed his eyes. “Trust me, as someone who've seen it all, you don't want to be there. After all, there'd be no turning back.”

Later that day, I looked at the album photos I took with my phone, thinking of Shinosuke's words. They still looked very different, but after Fuyumi's suggestion, I began to see they were indeed identical.

Then, I opened my SNS app. The notifications comprised of Hyuuga taking pictures of girls he wanted for me to meet but it's from years ago. Nothing else had happened as of late. Maybe he got tired of all the failed attempts, which was understandable, but I'm sure glad he never gave up on me.

“Wow, mine's a sad life indeed.”

Enough with the self-pity. I keyed in ‘Lady Yuugure’ in the search field and soon enough, various results bearing the hashtag popped up. She wore various outfits and hairstyles, but I could clearly recognize Senna nevertheless.

“Maybe it's because all she wore was a kimono.”

Then, as I flicked my finger to scroll, a certain post caught my eye.

***

“Am I dreaming or what?” Hyuuga's opening line seemed too familiar if this was a chess match, I could've beaten him already.

Thinking I wouldn't be able to sleep well anyway, I decided to spend some time on the nightclub he worked at. Partly to try asking him if he also saw the album pictures the way Fuyumi did. Despite being a good guy for the most part, he's still a master of women… albeit not on Shinosuke's level.

“Bad day?” He served me a low alcohol cocktail.

“You could say that.”

“Got busted?”

“Huh? By who?”

“Tsk, don't play dumb,” He leaned closer. “Things didn't work out with Senna?”

“HAH!?” I got embarrassed raising my voice like that. I tried to continue in my normal voice. “The hell you bringing her up for?”

“Oh, I don't know. Maybe because that's the only reason you'd come here aside from business.”

Well, he’s got a point. This was somehow related to her anyway. I pulled out my phone and showed him the pictures. “What do you think?”

“That you switched to older women?”

“I swear I'll wait for you to finish your shift and beat you senseless.”

He gave a more serious look at them. “Hm, these pics look old though. Where'd you get them?”

“Just answer the question.”

Some people sat at the counter side and I was forced to wait while he did some artsy drink prep. I'm never gonna order those drinks that cost way more than the actual liquor. At least the majority of it went down as tip for the guy.

Meanwhile, I got targeted for unsolicited small talk.

“Hey,” a girl greeted. She's wearing a revealing party dress and her sticky gaze was more discomforting than sexy. Maybe it worked for her before, but not on me. Not now.

“What's up?” I asked, trying to show my disinterest.

“Noticed you're by yourself. Got stood up?”

“No.”

“Enjoying some alone time then.”

The stupid speed dating-esque back and forth started being a chore. Couldn't she read body language? Lady, I'm bouncing my leg here like crazy! I'm annoyed as hell, got it? Geez.

To think that I've been so eager to snag myself this very situation before. She might turn out to be a bust too, but to be able to have another shot at romance was an accomplishment nevertheless. Well, I could say I'm done with that now.

People were insatiable creatures. Heh, now I'm sounding like Senna.

Hyuuga still had his hands full. Well, if that's the case, might as well.

I finally faced her, earning me a smile.

“Here I am starting to think you swing that way. You've been eyeing that hot guy for a while now. He's taken though.”

Ignoring her remark, I showed my phone with the picture in display. “I'm actually trying to link that guy and this girl in the picture.”

“Hm? Isn't this that girl at the shop where they do the dating thing? What's she… oh, exposing some scandal, huh.”

“Shh~”

She rested her cheeks on her hands, looking disappointed. “Whatever. Their thing doesn't work even if they tried. The kimono chick's the only attraction they got and some casuals.”

“Really? I thought they're pretty good.”

“The matchmaking myth's bogus. It's just another dating event. Don't tell me you haven't tried for yourself?”

“Uh… too bad I'm more interested in their mascot than the dates,” Forgive me Senna, I swear you're not just a mascot. I was forced to do this, okay?

“Mm~” She took my phone and scrolled some more of the pictures I saved. Her hand then froze. “Hey, this one looked old.”

“Oh, yeah. A contact gave me that,” Damn, I swear if she's a little attentive she might've noticed I was lying on the spot. “What about?”

She scrolled to a picture of Senna. “Aren't these two, like, the same person to you? Look, the kimono pattern is also identical.”

“Hm… you're right. Bet it's just a coincidence.”

“No dummy! It means this girl never gets old! Swear to God that Yuugure thing is bad news… I just knew it!”

On the other hand, I haven't understood much the things she said after nor were those important. This was the piece I needed. With this unexpected information, my assumption was further reinforced.

***

Without anything to hide, it's better to face her head-on. Kiyoko wasn't the type to miss the hints and must've known I was on to something. That's why she anticipated me saying that name.

“Ah, so he finally gave you something to work on,” she said. “Yes, Yukina is my younger sister.”

So it truly was a Hoshii… as if the uncanny resemblance wasn't proof enough anyway.

“Then,” I continued. “Did Shinosuke pick all those pictures by himself?”

“Yes. He even pointed out who he fancied the most from the bunch.”

“You didn't match him with someone from the album?”

“Even if I did, it's just either Yukina or Asako. What about it?”

“What about it?” I repeated, a tinge of anger coating my words. “Chances are she's Senna's mother. Haven't you even told her that?”

“That'd make Fujiwara Shinosuke her father, and you are free to take a DNA test. Know that I'm not reimbursing you though. Anyway, why the sudden interest?”

She's… not hiding it anymore. Kiyoko really had no plans on telling Senna, her niece the whole story. Being an outsider, I know it's not my business, but after seeing ‘that’, how could I turn away?

“I… have my reasons.”

I just… I wanted to know if I wanted to take this further.

“Know what?” I spoke. “Sometimes, I really do think your being especially cruel to Senna.”

“A stranger challenging my upbringing methods? You've only been together for less than half a year, dear. Know your place.”

Dammit, she really knows how to put me in the spot here. Any other person saying that same line wouldn’t threaten me as much. However, “You could've at least given her pictures. She's… she misses her parent, you know?”

“Oh, but I already did… provided everything you've unearthed so far is true. After all…”

Her lips curved into a menacing smile. I fought the urge to shudder.

She somehow got bored with the conversion and rested her cheek on a hand while she flicked open her lighter and shut it. FWISH! CLICK! FWISH! CLICK! She did it repeatedly. “I've done everything perfectly as far as I'm concerned. Only she can tell me otherwise.”

“Sigh. Fine, have it your way. I'll learn the whole story myself.”

CLICK!

She threw me a sidelong glance. “With so few persons of interest, you can more or less piece it together quickly. Now, move along before I change my mind and open the dating events back.”

“Oh, just a correction,” I said, eyeing the door to the main house.