"Libraries are an incredibly important type of landmark."
The young guide climbed the stairs, glancing back at the two behind him from time to time.
Most guides look back because they're afraid their party might get separated or fall behind. He looked back because he was worried the two of them were getting too close. Whenever they quickened their pace, he would instruct, "...Back up a little. Stay farther away from me."
Mai Mingle turned to look at the other girl.
The girl always maintained a distance of two or three meters from her. When Mai Mingle turned, she found the girl staring right back, her gaze direct and unblinking, her face utterly devoid of expression. The lights along the stairs illuminated her chin, her nostrils, and the area beneath her eyes—she looked more like a genuine resident.
Their eyes met. The girl suddenly asked, "What time is it?"
'How would I know?' Mai Mingle thought. 'I'm not wearing a watch. What a stupid girl! Aaaaaah!'
