Page 88 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate

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Do you know how long

Argent has searched?

Yeah

Why do you need me to back you up?

I don’t think Tabi-oji is human

In a bad way?

I can’t explain now

Give me 6 hours

Fine. But bear in mind,

you’ll break more than *my* heart

if something untoward happens

I know

I am counting the minutes

Thanks

Talk soon

When Akira stepped off the trolly, Tabi-oji was waiting for him on the bench. In a way, Akira was grateful, because his stomach was in knots. He didn’t think he could have eaten a bite. Juuyu, Sinder, and Colt had no idea he was out here. That made him uneasy. Not because he thought Tabi-oji would do something to him. Akira was on edge because Tabi-oji had done something to them.

Even so, he took a seat at Tabi-oji’s side. “Hey. Good morning. Guess we’re both a little early.”

Tabi-oji clasped and unclasped his hands. “You came alone.”

“My friends are more forgetful than usual.” Akira asked, “What kind of pollen did you use?”

“Something obscure. From a variety of tree that is all but extinct and always forgotten.” He chuckled and showed his palms. “Imagine a grove that was safe simply because nobody ever remembered seeing it.”

“The scent of their flowers makes you forget?” Akira frowned. “Couldn’t that be dangerous?”

“Not at all. It is too specific. Think of it as a grove’s defense mechanism. Completely natural. Quite harmless. Always effective … or nearly so.”

“I’m immune.”

Tabi-oji’s smile was fond. “I had noticed.”

“Why?”

“Early exposure. Or perhaps a quirk of heritage.”

“My dad was immune?”

“Naoki? Yes.”

“So he had this rare pollen?”

Tabi-oji nodded, shook his head, and turned his body to face Akira more fully. “Did you know that phoenixes are the natural enemy of dragons?”

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