TTRIA 34

“That’s very kind of you. If it’s not too much trouble, we’d appreciate it.”

“Alright. I’ll prepare some for this guy too, so don’t worry. Get some rest.”

The innkeeper patted the black dog’s wet fur and offered a farewell. Just then, Jeff noticed the other young man, who had been keeping his head down, flash a faint smile. Standing a step back with his head lowered, his face wasn’t fully visible, but the jawline, lips, and nose revealed under the cap were strikingly refined.

Aspiring actors, perhaps? As the thought crossed the innkeeper’s mind, the young men ascended the stairs. The black dog followed diligently, its wet paws moving quickly. Seeing the paw prints left on the old wooden floor, the innkeeper couldn’t help but chuckle rather than sigh. The faces of his children, who used to complain about being too fond of people, came to mind, but what could he do about their nature?

The innkeeper sat at the counter and began filling out the guest log. He sketched a black dog in the corner, though it was questionable whether anyone would recognize it as a dog.

“They’re nice.”

Cecil whispered in Jeff’s ear as they climbed the stairs. Jeff chuckled and replied.

“Yeah. They didn’t seem suspicious either. We got lucky.”

The innkeeper’s friendliness, combined with a lack of excessive curiosity about outsiders, made this a good place to stay for a few days. They opened the door to the room at the end of the second floor and stepped inside. The warm air lingering in the room enveloped their rain-soaked bodies.

“Ah, now I feel alive.”

The space, with two beds, a small table, and cream-colored curtains, was simpler than the inn in the previous town but far more comfortable and clean. Settling into the warmly lit room, Jeff felt the tension in his body ease. Having driven non-stop to this small city, he finally caught his breath.

“You worked hard, Jeff.”

Cecil tilted his head to meet Jeff’s gaze and spoke.

It had indeed been a grueling journey. What if someone was following them? What if they got stopped by a random police check? Would the fuel they’d filled up in the last town run out before reaching the city? Would they get caught in some futile way? Every nerve had been on edge with endless worries. It was a path where they couldn’t let their guard down for a moment.

“You worked hard too, Cecil.”

What made all that precariousness bearable was having Cecil and Ego by his side. Seeing them endure the tough journey silently gave Jeff the strength to stay resolute.

“How long did you say we’re staying here?”

“Well, if it seems dangerous, we’ll leave tomorrow. For now, let’s figure that out tomorrow.”

Jeff shook the water off his coat and continued.

“Right now, let’s just focus on washing up and resting. You go shower first. I’ll check if we can get some clothes.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Cecil grabbed Jeff’s sleeve. Jeff chuckled and firmly shook his head.

“No. Both of us going down for something like this is too conspicuous. I’m fine on my own, so you shower first. It’s better if at least one of us gets cleaned up. Using the bathroom too late at night is a sure way to get complaints.”

Cecil nodded reluctantly. Jeff waited until he saw Cecil and Ego enter the bathroom before cautiously descending the stairs. The faint sound of a radio drifted from the common area.

—This is the radio news. Ten days ago, an incident occurred in Collie, a small city in the south…

…Collie.

Jeff froze for a moment, straining to listen.

“…”

—We bring you a follow-up report on the bank robbery. The incident took place at a local bank near the train station, where two armed assailants stole approximately 1,500 pounds and fled in a vehicle. The police have not ruled out the possibility of an organized operation and are currently tracking their escape route.

“…”

The hand gripping the damp laundry relaxed. As Jeff hurriedly picked up the fallen clothes, a voice spoke.

“Well, a new face.”

A guest, seated deeply on the sofa, noticed Jeff. The robust middle-aged man, who seemed to have stayed here for a while, eyed the outsider with a relaxed demeanor. His gaze, scanning the pile of wet clothes, held a mix of curiosity and caution.

“Soaked to the bone. Must be a new guest today.”

Jeff replied calmly.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Where are you from?”

“I move around a lot, so it’s hard to pinpoint. My hometown’s in Surmally, though.”

The man smiled with interest.

“Oh! Surmally. I’ve heard of it. A peaceful town, they say. Moving around a lot… you in transport or something?”

“No. More like picking up odd jobs here and there.”

“A young man not settling down in one place, huh?”

“Settling down’s not too late even when I’m older.”

Jeff shrugged lightly and added.

“Don’t you think you should roam around while you’re young?”

“Haha! That’s the spirit of youth.”

Laughing heartily, the man pulled a cigarette from his pocket. Pointing at the laundry with the cigarette between his fingers, he said.

“Must’ve been tough driving in this rain. Came down to hand over the laundry?”

“Yes. That, and to see if I could get some spare clothes.”

“Oh, sure. The innkeeper will lend you something gladly. He’s known for being kind. He’s got a son about your age, so he might lend you his clothes. Though they’d probably be too small for you. That kid’s got short limbs, unlike you, haha!”

The man seemed friendly with the innkeeper. Jeff gave a sheepish smile and nodded.

“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll go hand over the laundry then.”

“Have a good stay.”

Smoke from the man’s cigarette curled up like mist. Jeff glanced at his obscured face before heading to the front desk.

—The next item is the weather report. Additional rainfall is expected tonight, and some roads may be closed.

The radio no longer mentioned Collie.

“I had a feeling, so I prepared in advance.”

When Jeff asked about laundry and spare clothes, the innkeeper gladly offered his son’s clothes. As the middle-aged man had said, they were a bit short in length, but the wet clothes would dry by morning. Jeff was grateful for the innkeeper’s kindness, offered without extra charge.

“Thank you so much.”

At Jeff’s flustered expression, the innkeeper waved it off with a playful reply.

“Oh, come on, it’s nothing. If you’re really grateful, maybe help change a lightbulb tomorrow? As you can see, I’m short. My second kid’s broad but short like me, and he’s scared of ladders, trembling like a leaf.”

“Of course, I’d be happy to.”

Jeff agreed readily, and the innkeeper smiled warmly.

“Not as tall as you, but my eldest was pretty tall too. With him gone, even changing a lightbulb isn’t easy. So I often ask tall guests for help.”

“Is your son away?”

“He’s studying at university. Takes after someone, I guess, with that sharp mind. Got a scholarship and went off to college.”

The innkeeper, his face flushed with pride, added.

“He’s at Lennox. The best university in the country!”

“Oh… Lennox, you say.”

Jeff hadn’t expected to hear his alma mater’s name. His heart sank for a moment, but he quickly composed himself and forced a smile.

“That’s impressive. You must be so proud.”

“Proud doesn’t cover it. I’m just grateful he’s doing so well on his own.”

“Well, I bet your son’s grateful for his mother too.”

“Haha, you’re a charmer. But it’s nice to hear.”

The innkeeper laughed heartily. Jeff spoke cautiously.

“But isn’t this around the time the first semester starts? Is he a freshman?”

“No, he’s in his final semester now. Says he’s struggling to pick a thesis topic.”

“Wow, a thesis! That’s cool. I didn’t have much interest in academics, so my education’s short, but I always find college students enviable and impressive.”

As Jeff played it up, the innkeeper smiled kindly.

“If you’ve got the will, it’s never too late. You’re still young.”

“Really? College… I don’t know about much else, but I did enjoy reading books.”

“Is that so? Then study in that direction. My eldest was like that too. Let me think… was he studying literature? Or philosophy?”

“Oh… sounds like humanities, then.”

“Yes, exactly!”

A crack formed in Jeff’s smile. A humanities student in their final semester might be someone he knows, at least by face. The only silver lining was that, with the new semester starting, they likely wouldn’t be visiting home.

“Nah, I think I’ll pass. Studying’s not for me. I’m more comfortable earning money and wandering around like this.”

Jeff put on a carefree act.

“Sure, sure. Earning money’s great too. Everyone just needs to find the shoes that fit them, right?”

“Exactly. Oh, look at the time.”

Jeff, who had been agreeing with a grin, checked his watch.

“Got so caught up in the conversation I lost track of time. I’d better wash up before it gets later. Thanks for the clothes.”

“No problem. Get some rest.”

“Good night, ma’am.”

The conversation had gone on longer than expected. Jeff hoped it wouldn’t stick too vividly in the innkeeper’s memory. Not too suspicious, not too friendly—just another chatty young man.

Jeff nodded to the man still on the sofa listening to the radio and climbed the stairs. Amid the soft music flowing from the radio, the phone at the front desk rang.

“Yes, this is The Morning Dew Inn.”

The innkeeper’s clear voice echoed through the lobby.

“Who are you looking for?”

Jeff’s steps halted. Standing still on the stairs, he listened intently.

“Young men…”

“…”

Tension surged through his body. Why was the innkeeper mentioning “young men”?

“Two more came in today…”

Jeff’s body stiffened. What was being said on the other end of the line? Who was looking for young men, and who were they looking for? Was it him? Cecil? Had they already been found out?

His chest tightened with anxiety and tension. Holding his breath, focusing on the sound, the innkeeper’s voice came again.

“Let’s see. Oh, the man who arrived two days ago is in Room 201. Yes, that’s right. Alright, I’ll pass on the message.”

“Haa…”

Jeff felt the tension drain away. Room 202. That wasn’t their room. The last room on the second floor was 204. The person on the phone was looking for the man in Room 201, who arrived two days ago, not them.

The overwhelming anxiety that had gripped him dissolved like bubbles. Realizing he’d been too tense, Jeff let out a sigh. Pathetic. Muttering to himself, he climbed the stairs again. As he crossed the second-floor hallway, a faint trace of Cecil’s scent lingered.

“Jeff?”

Returning to the room, Cecil, who had been drying Ego’s fur, jumped up and approached. He was draped in a bedsheet over his bare skin. Seeing him like that somehow felt reassuring. Nothing had happened yet.

Jeff held up the clothes like a warrior presenting spoils and grinned.

“Let’s get dressed.”

Morning chased away the rain that had poured all night.

Jeff pulled back the curtains and breathed in the air, still tinged with the scent of rain. Stretching his arms high, water droplets from the eaves fell onto his hands. The few cold drops were potent enough to snap him out of his lingering drowsiness.

“The weather cleared up like a dream.”

The sky was so clear it made his worries about endless rain seem foolish. Jeff sighed in relief and turned around. Cecil was groggily sitting up. Even disheveled, his fine hair looked soft and sleek. Blinking slowly with drowsy black eyelashes, Cecil lifted his head. His blue eyes found Jeff’s amber ones without a hint of hesitation.

“Morning, Jeff.”

Cecil smiled softly and greeted him.

“Good morning, Cecil. Sleep well?”

“Yeah. Really well. You?”

“Not so much.”

Jeff drooped his eyebrows and replied nonchalantly. Cecil’s blue eyes widened.

“Why? Did something happen?”

“You were snoring.”

Cecil, swinging his legs off the bed, froze. Flutter, flutter. His slow-blinking eyelashes stiffened and shot up. Beneath them, his blue eyes were filled with confusion.

“Me?”

“Yeah, you.”

“…I was snoring?”

Not Ego? he added softly. Ego, lying on a cushion, lifted its head. Jeff might’ve been imagining it, but the glossy black eyes seemed to hold clear disbelief.

Pfft. Jeff couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. Cecil, momentarily dazed, realized it was a joke and frowned.

“Jeff…”

“Haha, hahaha. To think you’d pin it on Ego. You’re sneakily sly under that innocent face, huh?”

“That’s mean. I got scared thinking it was true.”

“Scared over what? Snoring’s no big deal. Anyway, sorry, Ego. My apologies for trying to ruin your friendship.”

“…You’re so mean, Jeff.”

Cecil, muttering grumpily, turned to Ego. He softly apologized, but Ego turned away, burying its muzzle in the cushion. Cecil slid off the bed and hugged Ego’s body, desperately trying to cheer it up. The sight was pitiful, but Jeff, with his own mischievous streak as Cecil had pointed out, only snickered. To him, their interaction was endlessly fun and endearing.

“What, Ego? Already over it?”

By the time Jeff brought the newspaper from the door, Ego seemed to have softened, licking Cecil’s nose.

“Ego, aren’t you too soft on Cecil?”

Sitting on the bed, Jeff said with a teasing grin. “Operation sabotage failed,” he added, and Cecil’s eyes crinkled with amusement. As they faced each other, sharing a moment, they looked utterly at ease. It was a bond Jeff couldn’t intrude upon. Feeling both envy and a deep desire to protect their connection, he didn’t want to interrupt their moment. Jeff settled comfortably and checked the newspaper, carefully scanning the “Police Notices” section. Fortunately or not, there was no mention of Jeff’s name or description.

“…Hm.”

At this point, he was certain. Wayne had no intention of publicizing the incident at the mansion.

He was thoroughly covering it up. But that was likely just a facade for the public. Knowing the ugly truth behind Wayne’s polished exterior, Jeff was sure of it. Wayne was probably moving in secret, determined to make them pay for disrupting the mansion.

“Jeff.”

And.

“Find anything?”

To take revenge for stealing Gray’s most precious asset.

“No.”

But that anxiety was Jeff’s burden alone. He had put Cecil and Ego in danger, and he had to bear the consequences. It was a weight he rightfully had to carry.

“Nothing much. Just looking at the puzzle section.”

Jeff quickly flipped the page and shook his head.

“Puzzle?”

“Yeah. Here. There’s a crossword. Wanna try?”

Pointing to the puzzle page, Cecil’s eyes lit up with interest. Taking the newspaper, he read a clue in a soft voice.

“A solo or chamber instrumental piece with multiple movements. Six letters.”

Following Cecil’s voice, Jeff checked the letters in the grid.

“‘S’…”

He vaguely recalled learning this, but since it wasn’t a field he cared about, he wasn’t sure. Jeff counted letters on his fingers, thinking of possible words. The answer came quickly. But instead of saying it, he looked at Cecil. Those blue eyes, already bright with the answer, weren’t surprising. After all, Cecil was an accomplished musician.

“What’s the answer?”

Jeff asked casually. Cecil smiled softly and said.

“Why? Don’t you already have an answer in mind?”

“I do, but…”

“What’d you come up with?”

“Um… Sonata?”

Jeff answered hesitantly, a bit sheepish. Cecil’s eyes curved gracefully.

“That’s right.”

Jeff visibly relaxed.

“Good. I was nervous I got it wrong.”

“Why nervous?”

“Well, I’m in front of an expert. Plus, music’s not my strong suit.”

At that, Cecil gave him a curious, sparkling look. Jeff met his gaze and asked.

“Why’re you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just interesting.”