Page 123 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
Colt said, “He’s there,” and pointed.
“Who’s where?” asked Hallow.
Jacques shook his head. “Lord. I can’t decide if this is a comedy or a tragedy.”
Juuyu tugged Sinder forward, sat the dragon on the stool, and commanded, “Him next.”
Sinder swore, but he submitted.
Once the process was repeated with Hallow and Jiminy did a final sweep of the entire room, Argent took charge. “Shall we take another run at the facts of the case?”
The recap exposed more memory gaps, which Argent plotted on a timeline.
Juuyu grasped at each new detail, slotting it into the missing moments from his days. Most were small, unobtrusive details, but those were his specialty. His recollection gained clarity, and his questions grew increasingly precise.
Perhaps his subconscious had been at work, accumulating details.
Perhaps his Old Grove upbringing made him less susceptible to pollination.
Colt raised his hand. “I’m missing something big. If we’re all here, who’s guarding the Junzi?”
“Denny Woodacre is managing things at the Amory,” said Argent. “As far as the general populace and the museum management are concerned, nothing has changed.”
“And the Bamboo Stave?” prompted Sinder, who wasn’t what anyone would call a fan of the Four Storms.
“Someone else already absconded with it.” Argent flicked his fingers in Juuyu’s direction. “A bold move that gives us a second chance to catch our thief.”
“Who is a tree …?” Hallow asked skeptically.
Argent smiled thinly. “Akira thinks so, and I am inclined to believe him.”
He beckoned, and Akira stepped into the middle of the room, geta clacking, smile tentative. Juuyu frowned, knowing something was off. Intentionally off. Because everything that was yellow was meant to be red.
“Try to move as he did,” said Argent.
Akira wavered for a moment, then straightened his spine, rested his forearm along the small of his back, angled his head differently, and strolled across the room. Pivoting for another pass, he caught Juuyu’s eye … and winked.
Suddenly, Juuyu remembered red flowers on dark cloth. The flutter of falling petals. A figure wearing flowers in his hair. No, they grew there. Perfume filled the air, and Juuyu gazed into eyes as brilliant as sunlight through rubies—ancient in the manner of trees and soft with apology.
Juuyu whispered, “I saw him.”
“You did?” Akira’s expression was so fragile. “You remember him?”
Crossing to Akira, Juuyu touched his face. “You resemble the one who sprigged you.”
“I didn’t think you remembered my telling you that.”
“That part is still hazy. This memory is clearer.” Juuyu weighed whether he should say the rest in front of the team, but the information was important to all of them. “Our paths crossed during my patrol. This morning. He told me not to worry if you went away. But to follow if I could.”
Argent sharply asked, “He planned to take Akira?”
“I believe so.”
Akira shook his head. “Tabi-oji did invite me, but I turned him down.”
“Should you be expecting a known thief to respect your wishes?” asked Merit.
“Hold up.” Sinder raised a hand. “Sprigged? As in … the highly euphemistic sprigging in the lullabies of trees?”
