Chapter 17: Jade's Tsum II

In Main Street, Jade and his Tsum have been walking around and exploring.

Jade says to the Tsum, "I think that's enough of a walk. Shall we get back to the dorm? I'd like to give you an overview of your duties in the Mostro Lounge…" But soon noticed something, "Hm?"

What Jade and the Tsum are seeing are Jack and Ruggie. From the looks of it, they appear to be searching for something.

Ruggie asks, "Any luck, Jack?"

"None at all," Jack says, "Where could he be...?"

Jack walks over and says, "Hello, Ruggie. Jack. Is something the matter?"

Jack and Ruggie turn to see Jade.

Jack says, "Oh, hey Jade. Have you seen Leona? We've been looking for him all day…"

"He took off the literal moment I told him more Tsums had showed up," Ruggie says, "He was all like, 'I want no part of this.' We've got paperwork due that needs his signature. If he'd have just signed that first… we wouldn't need to look so hard for him. Talk about a pain in the tail."

"Oh dear, that's unfortunate," Jade replies.

And the Tsum remains silent and thinks.

Then Jade says, "Though I must say, it's unusual for all of Savanaclaw to turn out for a search and still not find him. I'd have expected your beastfolk students to narrow down his general location pretty much immediately."

"Normally, yeah. But this time we lost his scent in the botanical garden for some reason," Jack says.

"Did you now…" Jade replies.

And Ruggie says, "Man, I wish he'd just show up already. So what if there are Tsums on campus again? There aren't any in Savanaclaw," He then turns to Jade, "Jade, could you tell him to come back to our dorm if you see him?

"I somehow doubt I'll have any luck when the rest of you haven't…" Jade replies. And then smiles, "But all right. I'll let him know on the off-chance we cross paths."

"He'd probably be even more wary hearing that from you with a Tsum in tow...but thanks," Ruggie replies and snickers, "Shyeheehee."

Soon, he and Jack take their leave. Both Jade smiles and his Tsum jumps for joy.

Jade turns to his Tsum, "You seem rather amused, Tsum. Are you drawing enjoyment from the sight of the Savanaclaw students in chaos? What curious tastes you have."

Then the Tsum gestures.

And Jade responds, "Oh? You say I have no room to talk? Heh heh, I won't deny it. Still, you've done some rather impressive work. Not only did you get close to Leona, but you even concealed his tracks."

The Tsum looks at Jade with a confused look.

Then Jade chuckles, "Heh heh, you needn't hide it from me. I know exactly what you've done."

Flashback:

In the botanical Garden Temperature Zone.

Seeing the Tsum tucking Leona in, Jade says, "You're tucking him in as well? You truly go above and beyond."

Then the Tsum returns to Jade.

Then Jade wonders, "Though I'm not certain that gardening tarp makes the best blanket…"

Flashback Ends:

"Now I understand why you did that. To camouflage his sleeping form," Jade says with a smile.

The Tsum shows a happy expression.

Jade continues, "The botanical garden's tarps are colored to blend in with the plants and soil. And they're used regularly enough that one on the ground wouldn't draw any undue attention. Plus, when you smooshed those poor mushrooms I'd been growing… that gave the area a stronger mushroom fragrance than usual, which must have masked Leona's own scent."

He then asks, "Were you actually aware he was hiding when you acted as you did?"

The Tsum nods in response.

"You got in close with Leona while also concealing his smell from those bound to come searching for their missing housewarden…" Jade says, He then smirks, "So Savanaclaw's been thrown into chaos not because of mere circumstance...but because of your careful orchestrations."

The Tsum nods with a response.

Jade chuckles, "Heh heh... Very slick. What a delightful creature you are, Tsum."

The Tsum has a calm happy expression.

Then the Tsum asks, "Say. Would you care to drop by the botanical garden again before we get back to Octavinelle?"

The Tsum looks confused.

And Jade says, "Remember, Tsum—when putting someone in your debt, it's important to make them appreciate what you've done. If we don't visit, Leona might regard the tarp as a nuisance when he wakes up and remove it. We should explain what you did and inform him where the Savanaclaw students are searching. That way he'll know we're on his side—and we can benefit from that later."

The Tsum responds with a nod.

"Heh heh…" Jade chuckles, "Shall we be off, Tsum?"

But just then, Jack and Ruggie stand in front of Jade and his Tsum.

Jade responds.

"...Ah."

Jack turns to Ruggie, "Strange. I could have sworn I heard Leona's name just now."

"What a coincidence; so did I. Along with something about putting him in debt?" Ruggie adds.

Jade smiles, "Why... Hello again, gentlemen. Back so soon? Have you forgotten something?"

"Call it instinct, but I had a hunch you were hiding something', Jade. And judging from your shameless reaction, I was right on the mark," Ruggie says.

Then Jack demands, "'Fess up. You know where Leona's hiding."

"How would I ever know such a thing? And what reason would I have to hide it if I did?" Jade replies, "I was simply speculating with my Tsum about where he might be…" Then turns to his Tsum, "Isn't that right, Tsum?"

The Tsum looks kind of confused.

Jade asks, "Why do you have that quizzical look on your face? You're supposed to play along!"

And soon, Jack and Ruggie grabbed Jade.

And Jack says, "I don't buy it."

"How's about we have a nice, long chat about this?" Ruggie says with a snicker, "Shyeheehee."

"Again, this is all a misunderstanding. I don't know anything worth sharing…" Jade says, "Oh dear, how did I get in this mess?" Then turns to the Tsum to realize, "Don't tell me you planned for me to get caught this whole time...!"

The Tsum nods in response, revealing that the Tsum has indeed duped Jade.