Pod didn't dare to look back on how he had returned to his small cottage.
In fact, Sen Getsusa had carried him back in her hands.
Arrietty stood on the girl's shoulder, leaning against her small earlobe, telling Sen Getsusa about the interesting things she had seen over the years.
Before they left, Sen Getsusa had stuffed a large handful of sugar cubes and small bread rolls to Pod.
—If it weren't for the fact that the two of them couldn't carry much more and she couldn't easily visit them directly, the girl might have even tried to shove a steak into that hole.
"How was it? How was it?!"
Arrietty skipped ahead lightheartedly; the joyful girl had finally found where she belonged.
She turned her head and shouted at her father, who was still in a daze.
"I was right, wasn't I?"
Pod didn't pay any attention to his daughter.
This afternoon had completely overturned the man's worldview as a tiny person of several decades.
The lovely and charming girl, the fantastical cosmos flowers and green moss, and that scent of fresh grass.
And the plant that should have withered, yet was blooming anew.
Pod tremblingly pulled his bundle and pushed open the door to his home, where Homily welcomed them in with a "just as I thought" expression.
As soon as they entered, the wife began to comfort her daughter: "It's all right, it's all right. I'll convince your father not to destroy that plant. But Arrietty, since you lost, you must keep your promise. You're grown up now; you can't keep bickering with Spiller."
Arrietty smiled without saying a word, covering her mouth as she hopped into the room.
Homily gave her a strange look, then turned her head to find her husband collapsed at the doorway, his bundle open and food scattered all over the floor... "So, you father and daughter teamed up to lie to me?"
During dinner, Homily looked at her husband and daughter suspiciously, her gaze wavering.
Her tone shifted from its previous firmness to a current state of skepticism.
As the loser of the bet, Pod took on the duty of explaining everything to his wife.
But how could he explain it?
Homily listened to her husband's disjointed and incoherent words, smoothing her silver hair. "So, Arrietty, what do you want to do?"
Hmm?
After hearing everything, Homily wasn't surprised. She just looked at her daughter calmly and asked, "Even if everything Old Pod said is true. Yes, true.
Then, what do you want to do?
Abandon me and your father,
And follow some Planeswalker to go traveling on your own?"
"And then run wild across the World?"
Arrietty didn't care. She took a lick of the small cream cake Sen Getsusa had given her and said, "The Queen will always have a way."
"Queen? Isn't that ridiculous? You don't actually believe there's such a thing as magic in this World, do you?"
Homily laughed in exasperation.
She didn't notice the complicated look in her husband's eyes.
In any case, what Grandpa said is true!
I won, so we don't have to move!
Mama, look at where we live… you don't even have your own dressing room!
She surveyed the cramped home.
Arrietty's room was made from two cigar boxes.
The kitchen took Pod a whole year to build, countless little boards collected and nailed together; it still leaks sometimes—
Homily was, of course, dissatisfied.
The bed she shared with her husband had long been worn-out.
But there were no newer matchboxes to be found anymore.
Her Majesty says she has a separate space where our Tontatta Tribe can live undisturbed. It's that big—
Arrietty lifted her arms to show the size: 'No one else—just us!'
Homily wavered, shifting her doubtful gaze to her husband.
Pod nodded hesitantly: 'Though… they're humans. But I saw it, Homily. It wasn't an illusion—I smelled fresh grass. That girl is… strange.'
Homily hesitated, her tiny knitting needles clicking.
Seeing her mother almost convinced, Arrietty turned to persuade her father.
No more climbing up and down, My Lord! We could grow things in the garden, couldn't we? And you could have your pipe! No humans, no rats, no nasty cats or dogs!'
Pod pushed against the table edge, hoisting his stout belly upright, and left without giving an answer, muttering, 'I'll write Spiller a letter,' and disappeared into his room, weighed down with worries.
Sen Getsusa stood in the parlor, staring at the dark opening.
Interesting little Tontatta, interesting plants.
[Card-grass and Heart-leaf:
A gift left by a fellow traveler, an important beacon to awaken a certain race.
Note: After the fated leader of the fairies activates the card-grass, you may seal them as creature cards and take them out of this World.
Note: You may also choose to stay away and refuse this friendly gift.
Still, this precious gift proves your potential is more than that of a mere mad girl.]
Sen Getsusa: Shut up. (-`ェ'-╬)
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A frantic knocking rang out.
Sen Getsusa set down her brush, came downstairs, and opened the door.
Outside, Jack clung to the frame, panting.
His face was ghastly pale. The Boy glanced at Sen Getsusa, then stepped straight inside.
What's wrong, Mr. Hanhan?
Joking, she led him into the downstairs parlor, fetched the teapot, poured two cups, and sat opposite him.
Jack gripped his coat; his hair stood like a haystack, beads of sweat sliding down his cheeks.
The Boy drained his cup in one gulp and wiped his mouth.
Something's happened.
He spoke tensely, 'Have you gone out recently?'
Naturally, Sen Getsusa mimed painting.
No! I mean—at night. The street next door, the tavern…'
Jack's fingers flailed.
The Boy looked badly frightened, hunted, every nerve taut with dread, yet worried for her.
No, I don't like that place. Home is cozy,' Sen Getsusa shook her head.
Jack exhaled, pulled a crumpled painter's cap and a sweat-stained newspaper from his bulging pocket. 'Don't go out at night.'
Sen Getsusa took them and, following Jack's finger, read aloud: 'A murderer…?'
She looked from the paper to Jack.
No, not that!' He snatched it back, folded it small, and showed the key part.
Here, see?
Sen Getsusa's smile vanished; her eyes narrowed.
You mean…
Jack nodded, sorrowful and afraid: 'That's right. Mary is dead.'
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