33. The undead on the phone

« Hi? »

“Hi, teacher~ Ray’s at home now.”

« I know. Why are you calling me teacher? »

“Because you teach me things about how death works and all that jazz.”

« … Oh. »

“You know, we were worried you would be wandering around, searching for Ray.”

« I got a call from the Lord and came back. »

“It figures. So you were searching for him.”

« Since I was ordered to protect him. »

“… Only because of that?”

« Why else? »

“Well, you’re not coming to Ray’s house to play video games because you’re ordered to, right?”

« … Mm. Hum. I’m busy now. »

“Heehee… What are you doing?”

« Taking out the trash. The Lord didn’t know how to wrap the freezer, so he bought lots of gift wraps and ribbons. »

“… So adorable.”

« Who is? »

“The Lord. Well, his son too. Those two are so hopeless sometimes.”

« … They are. Say, did you really run away from the young master? »

“Eh! Certainly not! Haha, I can’t get mad at Ray. You know, he’s that kind of guy you can’t get mad at.”

« Are you sure it’s not because you’re the kind of guy who can’t get mad at anyone? »

“Haha, definitely not. I get mad pretty often. It’s just that I don’t start screaming like Zeeta, but I don’t try to keep it to myself like Ray either. You’re actually more that type of guy, Arkill. You’re so collected. I kinda admire that side of you.”

« … Thanks. Oh, also, thanks for the recommendation, the Magnetocore band. I listened to their music. I like it. »

“Eeh… Magnetocore? I’m glad you like it too! Aren’t those guys, like, super funny? They’re from Betul, a region of Taipei in Bird Island. My dad’s from there, and guess what, he knows the guy composing their music. And I know the youngest members of the group. I used to play with them, in summer, when I went to my grandparent’s. They were older than me, but it was fun! It’s a shame they stopped making music now… Oh, wait, but when did I recommend it to you?”

« When you were drunk and you started screaming like a madman. »

“Oh… I really don’t remember a thing. That’s weird. Has something like that already happened to you?”

« It has. A long time ago. »

“Oh? Can you tell me?”

« … You’re meddlesome. Louise, just in time, I’ll take that bag, you take the phone. »

« Me? Okay! Who’s on the phone? Hello? Hello? »

“Hi, Louise. Did Arkill run away?”

« Mm! He went to resick the ribbons! »

“Resick? You mean, recycle? As expected from my teacher. He got rid of me so stylishly. How are you doing, Louise?”

« I’m fine! I’m wearing the headband you gave me! And I’ve found gifts! A lizard and a lil bird. I’m gonna bring them to Ray’s and use the freezer! I put ribbons on them! Oh, but I shouldn’t have said that if it’s a surprise, right? »

“Aha… It’s all right. Come any time with your lizard.”

« Ah, but I haven’t decided yet which one will be yours or Ray’s. If you win, you’ll have the lil bird. »

“Why is the lizard less than the bird?”

« Because it lost its tail. Are you ready, Alumen? Rock, paper, scissors! »

“… How are we supposed to play that on the phone?”

« … I don’t know. How? Oh, I know, let’s make a video call! »

“Just bring the corpses already!!”