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Sufi is just too perceptive. When I turned my eyes to Noche, who was washing herself beside me, I noticed a painful-looking bruise around her side.

“What? Got distracted by my sexy charm, nya?”
“…Nope.”

Her thin chest puffed up and her hips wiggling in a pose—I couldn’t help but lose my strength at the sight.

“Well, don’t worry about it, nya. Getting hurt is part of fighting, nya. I know charging in and flailing around doesn’t solve everything, nya.”
“…Thank you.”

They’re both so strong. I like to think I’m doing okay, but when I see them, my confidence falters. I’m still a burden, but someday I want to be strong enough to at least support them.

“Alice, wash my tail!”
“Okay.”

Pulling myself together, I got to work on her backside, working the shampoo into her messy tail and washing from the roots.

Once I’m refreshed and properly rested, I’ll do my best again.

■■■

“Glub… blub blub.”
“Alice, don’t fall asleep!”

The moment I relaxed in the hot water, my consciousness slipped away—Sufi, who was soaking beside me, hurriedly pulled me up.

That was close. Between the fatigue and the fever, the comfort of the bath was melting my awareness away.

“I’m… finblblbllb…”
“Not fine at all!”
“You’re so hard to look at, nya.”

Each time I loosened up even a little, I’d find myself dozing in the water again. I wanted to enjoy the bath a bit longer after so long, but if something happened, it wouldn’t be funny.

“I’m getting out and resting for today.”
“Do that. Here.”
“I’ll put out the towels.”

Leaning on Sufi for support, I left the bathroom, passing by Noche and Filia, who were still washing up. From storage, I took out four adult-sized bathrobes and four bath towels, piling them on a nearby stand.

“I’m okay, you can take your time in the bath.”
“Nope, I’m walking you to the sofa.”

I wiped my dripping hair and tail with the towel, taking off the worst of the moisture. No time to dry properly.

If I wrapped myself in a towel and put on a bathrobe, it should be fine. Guided by Sufi, I reached the living room and glanced toward the next room.

If I remember right, that was used as a bedroom… but when you’re exhausted, it’s better not to poke around unnecessarily. If I found something new now, I couldn’t handle it.

I lay down obediently on the sofa, and Sufi turned off the living room lights. She’s already mastered how to use them.

“Be a good girl and sleep, okay?”
“Mm…”

Nodding at her silhouette lit from behind by the hallway light, I closed my eyes. The sounds of splashing and laughter faded into the distance, and I drifted off.

I’ll have to teach her how to use the hair dryer next time…

■■■

A good bath, cleanliness, and deep sleep—apparently that alone can really improve your condition.

I woke up to sunlight slipping through the curtains. My freshly cleaned hair sparkled in the morning light.

Though it was a tangled mess from sleeping while still wet.

I still had a fever, and my body felt horribly sluggish, but it was a bit better than yesterday.

“Mm~… Alice, need to pee?”
“Yeah.”

Sufi, curled up sleeping under the sofa, stirred awake at my movement. Wobbling unsteadily, she stood and accompanied me to the bathroom.

“Okay, big sis’ll wait here… zzz.”
“Thanks.”

After the bath and some rest, her pure exhaustion must have caught up to her. Considering the tension and care she’s been giving these past days, it’s no wonder. Leaning against the hallway wall, she was already asleep, breathing softly. I finished up quietly so as not to wake her.

“Sufi, I’m done. Wake up.”
“Mmm…”

She fell right back asleep once her duty was done. What should I do… I don’t have the strength to carry her to the living room.

When I returned, Noche and Filia were both asleep under the table—seems they didn’t have the energy to keep watch either. The door was left open, but if any wild animal wandered in, it’s a straight corridor—we’d notice.

Careful not to wake them, I leaned against the wall and made my way toward the rooms on the right. My body felt heavy, but I wasn’t very sleepy.

I wanted to check the rooms while it was still quiet. If nothing’s happened so far, there shouldn’t be anything strange inside.

From memory, the nearer room was Japanese-style, the farther one Western-style.

Sliding open the Japanese room’s door, I caught the strong scent of dried grass. Tatami flooring, a built-in closet, and a lone low table sitting in one corner.

Inside the closet—luckily—there were futon sets neatly stacked. No strange smell either.

I pulled out three blankets and went around covering Noche and Filia, who were sleeping in the living room, and Sufi, who was asleep in the hallway.

“Haah… haah…”

After that heavy task, I took a breather and decided to peek into the next room down the hall.

The door opened with a click—inside looked like a storage room.

Not only steel racks, but cardboard boxes stacked even on the floor, all printed with the logo of Pandora Institution’s front company, *Noah Corporation.*

Probably supplies for agents. It’d take a lot of time to check them all.

No odd smells or sounds—I’ll wait until everyone wakes up to look inside.

Finally, the last room at the very end… so far away. From the hallway to the back of the living room felt endless.

Completely worn out, I reached the door and opened it. On the desks inside sat two desktop computers and one laptop.

At the back stood a large bed. A coat hung on the wall, and a black shoulder bag rested in the corner.

I sniffed—faint traces of a human scent… a man’s. It was subtle, but fresh enough that even I could still catch it.

One of the desktop PCs was still on, its screensaver running—as if someone had left mid-task. A mug sat beside it, the aroma of roasted coffee still faintly lingering; the contents long gone cold.

…It really did feel like someone walked away right in the middle of work.

The computer, of course, was password-locked. But if I could get past that, maybe I could find out what happened here.

Still, for now, I should wake everyone and start by checking the supplies in the storage room.