"Mom, how's Akane doing?" you ask as you help her put away the extra pillows that didn't fit on the couch. You may have your back to her since you're busy stuffing the pillows on the top of the shelf in her closet, but you can feel her trepidation. You know she doesn't want to answer. But it's a simple enough question. And she knows you always like to keep tabs on the little ones...

After an uncomfortably long period of silence, she finally answers: "She's running a bit of a fever. I told her parents to run cold baths for her to cool her down, but as long as she gets through the next couple of nights, I'm sure she'll be fine. It's just a fever."

You nod your head in understanding, and after putting the last pillow up, you dust yourself off and give her a kiss on the forehead. One of the many perks of being taller than your mom, you think. Then you quietly pad away to your room. You give a quick glance towards the living room, and are surprised to see Shiki resting soundly. His chest rises and falls slowly, while his left hand lays limply to the side of his head and his right hand rests on his stomach. You take a few cautionary steps toward him. It's simply checking to see that he's comfortable of course! No other reason, you rationalize. But once you get to the end of the hall, you find yourself resting your head against the side of the wall and just watching him. You note that he's wearing your father's old fleece button up. It's that fluffy green one you used to always love when you were five because when he wore it, he was so soft and he made the best pillow. You would either lay down on top of him when he was resting on the couch, talking to your mother. Or as was most often the case, you'd crawl into bed with your parents after getting scared of the dark, and ask if he'd be ok with you sleeping on his back.

Life was simple then. It was calm and happy, and you didn't have a worry. None of you did. Though now you're wiser, and now you know your father was just very good at hiding the hunter part of his life from his family.

Still, seeing that green, old, fleece shirt makes you happy. You're so tempted to go touch it. Just to see if it's as soft... Just to see if it's as calming... But then you get the sudden feeling you're being watched, and decide better than to do that. Instead, you walk into the kitchen to blow out the candles. Shiki may be in the living room for the night, but he doesn't need light while he's sleeping. No need to waste precious wax for a simple night light.

As you head back towards the hall, you feel a hand wrap around your wrist. You're startled to say the least, but you still find yourself nearly elbowing Shiki in the chest.

"Remember what I told you earlier. I'm here to help."

One hand remains wrapped around your waist, another (impressively) keeps a gentle but firm hold on your elbow so it won't go any further. Shiki's too close again,but you know what you need to do.

"How do you know Akane?"

"Who?"

You huff at his response then ask a different question: "how do you know Yuko? It can't seriously be that of all the fine China makers in our area, you chose her above anyone else to go see. I personally think she's the best, but her work takes time. Her competitors always fare better than she does because of their turn around and availability."

He blinks slowly at you, then softly nods his head side to side as he thinks. He clicks his tongue then responds, "She used to go to Cross academy. She has some connections... skills really, that are very useful. If Akane is one of the people who've been getting sick recently, then just know we need Yuko's help to cure them."

Your mother's door starts to wiggle then and you quickly jump away from Shiki, while he rapidly gets back to the couch and lays down. Your heart still pounds painfully fast as you turn to look at Shiki then back to your emerging mother.

"(Y.N.), get to sleep already," she whispers fiercely. She looks back and forth between the two of you, but lets her shoulders fall when she sees how far apart the two of you are. She continues then and asks what you're even doing out here.

"Just blowing out the candle. He looked like he was already asleep so I figured he wouldn't need it."

She twists her mouth, clearly unconvinced, but does not question further. You know she's uncomfortable, but she can't seriously believe there's something going on between you two. You just met, and you respect her too much to ever do something improper under her nose. Plus, though you don't know him very well, you can tell Shiki has some grace and etiquette. Maybe not towards you, but still, it's there. He was very courteous towards your mother earlier, and very poised with Yuko as well. He almost reeks of nobility, but that's not what rubs you the wrong way. It's that he seems to feel like he can do anything without consequence. Clearly, you're suffering the consequences of his help with the suspicion pinned on you by your mother. But he means well, you can tell. And he seems to be a valuable ally. You simply must figure out what he knows, and how he can, as he keeps repeating so earnestly, help you.

"Just get to bed," she finally says as she pulls on her shawl tighter and reaches out for your hand.

"Yes, mom," is all you can say. You fight the urge to turn around, but in doing so, you notice the way your mom loses that same fight. You're surprised by what you see. There's hints of fear, but also something that looks like... longing? Your face falls in that split second that you see her, but she doesn't catch sight as you rather quickly pace towards your room.

Something is very wrong. In this land. In this town. In this house! With this added layer of mystery, you know there's no other way. Your father entrusted you with your mother and the overall general safety. There is no way now you won't figure out what is happening.