Chapter 22: From Afar

"And I'll just put this right here…"

Riana was organizing the stuff on her work desk. Normally, she wouldn't really care about making her work desk feel at home, but after meeting with her brother, she thought she could clean up around here and add a little sisterly touch.

"Riana." A gentle voice called out, followed by the sound of a door closing.

"Hmmm?" While arranging her stuff, Riana shifted her gaze to the door and saw a familiar pink-haired girl in a butler costume. "Oh, Mayonee. Any news on the situation?"

"Yes." Mayonee nodded, then approached her desk. "It's a bit concerning."

"I'm all ears." Riana placed several new photos on the desk. Photos of Eryn and the monstergirl children. This looks cute!

"Our newest point of interest is located in Little Flower." Mayonee stated. "I believe you're familiar with that place?"

"Ah, it's the school for human and monstergirl children!" Riana nodded as she took a seat behind her desk. "I've been there a few times."

"Yes, it's the school." Mayonee folded her arms. "I sense that the school needs to be put under observation."

"Huh, a school…" Riana hummed, crossing her leg over the other. "That is very concerning. An area full of children and little monstergirls. It might be unwise to send a squad to scout the school out."

The Monstergirl Containment Unit consisted of several squads. Riana didn't have an active role within the squads, as her responsibility involves registering monstergirls and providing them shelter and assistance. Mayonee, on the other hand…

"If you'll allow me, Riana." She bowed herself at the waist. "I would like to scout the school by myself."

"Are you sure, Mayonee?" Riana raised a brow, unsure of assigning this task to her. "All by yourself?"

"I'm quite familiar with the school." She smiled sweetly, her voice calm and direct. "I also know how to blend in."

"Well, I don't doubt you are more than capable enough to handle it alone." Riana rubbed her chin in deep thought. "But the situation could escalate."

"If the situation calls for it, I'll do what has to be done."

"… I trust your judgment." Riana reluctantly agreed to let her go. "Stay safe out there… and don't get yourself into anything crazy."

"But of course."

…

..

.

Mayonee arrived at Little Flower, the school for human and monstergirl children. It was founded not too long ago and has been gaining a positive reputation over the years. It's one of the few schools to have both human and monstergirl children coexist and study together. Often, these schools would be called hybrid.

It's been a while since I last visited this place. Mayonee thought as she stood in front of the entrance. I can't imagine why this place would become a point of interest, but that's exactly why I'll be observing it.

"Look, there's a big slide over there!"

"You're right, Melty."

That voice… Mayonee's attention shifted to the voices. Voices she heard very recently and found all too familiar.

"Eryn, Eryn, let's look around." Lofie's eyes sparkled with excitement. She tugged on his finger.

"Haha, okay, okay." Eryn chuckled.

"Eryn and the monstergirls…" Mayonee watched them from afar, careful to not be spotted. What are they doing here? She didn't expect to encounter them today, at least not so soon after their last meeting. I suppose there's no harm in watching over them. Them being here would be more concerning for Riana.

Mayonee kept her distance from them, curious. Perhaps the monstergirls were interested in school and Eryn brought them here today? That made the most logical sense to her.

"Up you go." Eryn lifted Lofie by her arms and sat her on his shoulders.

"There's so many children around here." Iris said in awe.

"Yeah, I didn't expect that." Eryn replied, taking hold of Iris's hand. "There's a fair number of children here."

"I wanna check that out!" Melty pointed at what looked like a playground. Many monstergirl children could be seen playing around.

How adorable. A soft smile adorned Mayonee's face as she observed the family. It's decided. She'd scout the school while following Eryn and the monstergirls. At least it wasn't going to be an uneventful day. Still, I shouldn't let my guard down. I have to prevent anything from escalating to a serious degree.

Eryn and the monstergirls walked to the playground area, standing behind the fence enclosing it. Melty tiptoed on her feet to look over the fence. There, she could see monstergirls of various kinds interacting with one another. There were even a few human children among them.

There sure are a lot of monstergirls. Eryn observed the monstergirl children playing around. He recognized some catgirls like Iris and a little centaur. There were even some winged monstergirls he had never seen before. Are those… birds?

"Wow…" Lofie whispered, staring at the monstergirl children. To see many monstergirls playing and smiling together… it wasn't an environment she was used to seeing.

"Hello there, little one." An adult monstergirl in a wheelchair approached Melty from the other side of the fence.

"Oh, hello!" Melty waved at the monstergirl.

Oh, is she a teacher? Eryn turned to her. Long peachy and wavy hair reaching her back with soft pinkish blue eyes. What caught his attention first was the blue, wavy fins poking through her hair. Huh, are those her ears? His gaze traveled further down, noticing the pink dress she was wearing, followed by a long and blue tailfin sticking out through the skirt. Interesting pair of legs…. Wait, legs? In place of legs, he wasn't actually seeing legs. That's the tail of a fish!

"Eryn, she's a mermaid!" Melty said in awe, looking at her wavy tail.

"Woah, you're a mermaid?" Surprised, Eryn raised his voice at her. Monstergirls coming from the oceans never crossed his mind.

"Why, yes." The mermaid nodded with a gentle smile. "I take it you've never seen an aquatic monstergirl before?"

"O-Oh, sorry!" Eryn bowed his head, embarrassed. "I, uh… didn't mean to shout at you."

"That's fine." She waved her hand to reassure him. "Is this your first time seeing a mermaid up close?"

It's always my first time seeing any monstergirl up close. Back then, it was a centaur, then an Arachne, and now a mermaid. What's next, am I going to see a dragon up close? Actually, that would be cool.

"I like your tail." Lofie said. "Very pretty."

"Why, thank you." The mermaid gave her a sweet smile. "Are you two interested in attending Little Flower?"

"Little Flower?" Melty asked.

"It's the name of this school, Melty." Eryn ruffled her hair between her mouse ears. "They call it Little Flower."

"Oh!" Melty bobbed her head in understanding.

"I… want to go to school." Lofie said softly as she rested her chin on Eryn's hair. "I want to know what school feels like."

"Me too, me too!" Melty raised both her hands in a playful manner.

"I adore both of your excitement!" The mermaid giggled sweetly. "If you two both attend Little Flower, you can expect to see me as one of your teachers!"

Both of them, huh? Eryn stroked his chin in deep thought. Lofie and Melty seemed like they'd enjoy this place a lot. The mermaid had this inviting and warm aura, too. I wonder what Iris thinks of all this. She's been surprisingly silent this whole time.

"Iris, what do you think so far?" He squeezed his left hand, expecting to feel a soft sensation… except he felt nothing instead, prompting him to draw his gaze to Iris.

Or at least where she should have been standing. Right beside him.

"Iris?" She wasn't here. His eyes darted around. She wasn't there. He spun around, trying to find her cat ears and pale long hair. "Iris?!"

His heart rate sped up almost instantly. Fears began settling into his heart and terrible scenarios rushed to his mind. I was holding her hand just now! Where did she go?!

"Is something the matter, Eryn?" The mermaid asked. She noticed the worried look on his face.

"Sorry, we have to go now!" He grabbed Melty's hand. "It was nice meeting you!"

Eryn left the playground area and began searching for the little catgirl. "Iris!" She couldn't have gone far, could she?!

"Wait, where's Iris?" Melty asked, having realized that she wasn't here.

"I don't know. I thought she was beside me." Keeping conscious grips on Melty's hand and Lofie's thigh, Eryn scanned the area, looking for her. I got distracted!

"Hum." Lofie sniffed the air, trying to track Iris's scent. Being a monstergirl, she naturally had sharper senses than the average human. "I think… she's nearby. Not too far."

"Oh, you can smell her?" Eryn raised his brows in surprise. I guess she would be able to smell her! Why couldn't she? That gave him a little peace of mind.

"I think she's… over there." Lofie pointed in the direction she believed Iris could be.

"Okay, I'm trusting you, Lofie!" Eryn made pace. He silently told himself to stay calm. This was a school area, so it was unlikely she could get stranded. Maybe there were other adult monstergirls nearby. She could be with any of them. Schools gotta be safe, right?! Why was the eldest monstergirl lost, anyway? He expected this out of the two younger sisters, but not Iris. But she's still a child, I should have been watching her!

I'll find you, Iris!