Page 150 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
It wasn’t a very good impression, but Juuyu smiled anyhow. “What do you think you missed?”
“I’m talking about Hajime, a.k.a. Tabigarasu, a.k.a. the Gentleman Bandit. You said you know how he’s been pulling this off.”
Juuyu hummed an affirmative.
“And … I’m guessing that’s what’s bothering you.”
“Yes.”
Sinder searched his face. “Care to share?”
“Once sprigged, Amaranthine trees have an endless existence. Year upon year, they increase in height, depth, and breadth. Anchored by mountains, beloved by breezes, staunch in storms, serenaded by stars.”
“I can see that.” Eyes alight, he amended, “I have seen that.”
Juuyu hoped Sinder could return to Wardenclave sometime soon. He mentioned Zisa more often than he should, given that the tree’s existence was undisclosed. But Sinder’s obvious fondness made it difficult to scold. For a single, pivotal summer, Zisa had been his home.
“The old groves were devastated. Their trees culled. Their secrets harvested. Their innocence destroyed.”
Pain reflected in Sinder’s eyes. “I never liked those ballads before. Now, I hate them.”
“I do not know if Hajime was salvaged or subjugated, but the truth of his existence pains me deeply.” A low note. A long sigh. “He was here before we ever arrived, and I saw him the first time I entered the lobby. Do you recall the display of congratulatory flowers on the information desk?”
“Sure. In passing. But I was more focused on who was in the lobby, not what.”
“Understandable. That was my task.” Juuyu winced against a memory involving gnarled roots and stunted limbs. Clipped. Dwarfed. Fragile. Wrong. “There was a bonsai among the gifts.”
Sinder stared. It took a few beats before he swore and softly asked, “Who would do something like that?”
Juuyu tightened his hold and grimly invited, “Help me find out.”
At that moment, Argent raised a hand, and his attention snapped toward the front of the building. Mirrim and Magda immediately moved toward the lobby, and Juuyu’s own sigils rattled against his senses.
“He’s here?” whispered Sinder.
“No.” Juuyu glanced to Argent for direction.
Jacques took one look at his boss’s face and smoothly inserted himself between Argent and Trip Amory, raising a question that caused the museum director to brighten. And allowed the fox to vanish.
“Lobby,” Juuyu ordered.
Hallow and Sinder winked away. Juuyu beckoned to Suuzu, who walked as briskly as Akira could manage. The young man asked, “Is Tabi-oji here?”
“No, but something must have happened.” Ushering them both in the direction the others had gone, Juuyu quietly added, “Someone tripped Argent’s alarm, then set off Magda’s sigil array.”
In the lobby, they found a tense and rumpled Jiminy in conference with Argent.
The fox’s expression betrayed nothing, but Juuyu didn’t like the steel in his gaze.
Akira ran to Argent, and Suuzu naturally followed. Silver tails spooled outward, whipping and fanning in an ominous flourish.
Still, his voice remained entirely calm. “We are being … summoned.”
Juuyu impatiently flicked his fingers, demanding answers.
“It would seem that the Gentleman Bandit is at Jacaranda Circle.” Argent looked to Jiminy. “You could have called …?”
“Uncle Denny had me out of there faster than I could think. Dumped me out front and headed straight back.” Jiminy looked down at shaking hands. “Said you’d still need me.”
