"Be still a moment. I hear Maru and Moro making a racket at the door." Watanuki moved around on the couch and took a drag of his pipe. Dōmeki sat cross-legged and mute on the floor.

"A customer, Watanuki!" Maru said.

"A customer, Watanuki!" Moro said.

They practically dragged the customer—a woman—through the sliding door.

"Good evening," said Watanuki calmly.

"I—I'm sorry to barge in like this, but... I was out for a walk, and the next thing I knew I found myself here."

"Not at all. In fact, that you've come here means there is a wish you'd like to see granted."

"Watanuki," said Dōmeki. "Shouldn't you rest for a while? After last time..."

"I'll be fine, Dōmeki. You don't have to worry about me."

"How do you mean, a wish?" the woman asked. "There's nothing I'd wish for."

"Kadō Arida-san."

"Excuse me?"

"That's your name, isn't it?"

"It is, but—"

"But? I told you, it is not by accident that you've come here, Arida-san." Watanuki exhaled, the smoke looking like lace. "You cannot think of even one thing you'd wish for? Not one thing in the whole world?"

"There is something, but... it's silly. I wouldn't bother you with it, if you can really grant actual wishes." Arida waved her hand as if to dismiss the thought. Dōmeki frowned.

"Even so, I'd like to hear it," Watanuki said.

"There is someone I'd like to know the whereabouts of."

"Yes, I can help you... but I should warn you that you may not like the results."

"I want to know, no matter the cost," said Arida.

"No matter the cost? You should be careful how you throw that phrase around."

"I'm sorry, I..." Arida trailed off.

"Very well," said Watanuki, standing up. "Maru, Moro, take Dōmeki to the storeroom and help him find that item. Teach him how to use it as well."

Maru and Moro high-fived. "Yes sir!" they cried, taking Dōmeki by the hands and leading him.

"Arida-san, I should also warn you that I require compensation for any wish I grant."

"Payment? I can pay you. That won't be a problem."

"The value of the payment must be equal to that of the wish. Anyone can print money. Tell me, Arida-san, are you fond of that necklace?"

Arida's hand went immediately to her throat. "This necklace...? I'm afraid I can't give this away for anything."

"Then I'm afraid your wish cannot be granted. That necklace of yours has the exactly same value as knowing where that person is."

Arida stood in silence for a few moments.

"If you cannot decide, come back tomorrow."

"No. You can have it." She snapped the chain rather than unclasping it, and threw it at him. It landed on the ground at his feet. He picked it up.

"Those three should be back by now," he said. The door slid open.

Dōmeki entered the room holding a compass. It was unremarkable; for all intents and purposes, a normal compass. Moro and Maru smiled and danced around him.

"Very well. The payment has been made, so please help Arida-san's wish be granted."

There was silence.

"You, Dōmeki."

"I know."

"Those two did tell you what to do, right?"

The hyper girls stopped dancing. Moro blinked. "Of course we did, Watanuki!"

"Of course we did, Watanuki! But Dōmeki-kun is worried about you! Oopsie."

Moro gasped and clapped her hand over Maru's mouth. "You weren't supposed to tell him, silly!"

"I'm sorry, Dōmeki-kun!"

Arida fake-coughed to try and refocus the conversation.

"What's this about you being worried about me, Dōmeki?"

"I don't want you to get hurt again."

"I told you, I'll be fine. Don't keep Arida-san waiting any longer."

Dōmeki sighed. "Alright."