The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.4

Is Your Fridge Running?

"I should help him, shouldn't I?" You were asking Wamuu, who still stood at your side. You would probably do it regardless, knowing first hand how awful it could feel to have your memories taken. Still, it was nice to have the confirmation.

"Yes. I believe that would be best." Wamuu watched Daiya and Gappy wheel a bike down the driveway toward the front gate.

"Then we need to figure out what happens to the memories that are taken. Do you think it's a Whitesnake type thing? Could we just insert them back into his brain?" Your gaze was caught by some peculiarly designed chess pieces resting on the side table by the couch. "If we kill her will he get his memories back?" Wamuu raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm not saying that I will kill her. I'm just hypothesizing here."

Wamuu picked up one of the chess pieces. Each had a glass-like orb in the center with an image floating inside. "These may have something to do with it."

"But none of them look like they would belong to Josuke. She must have taken his with her." You looked back out the window. They couldn't have gone far.

Ring! Ring!

"Wamuu, is the fridge... ringing?" You wanted to make sure you weren't just hearing things.

"I believe so." The Pillar Man gripped the fridge handle and tugged it open. "Hello?" There was a phone resting on the bottom shelf beside a jar of apricot jam. "Is there a reason one might put their phone in the fridge? Does it make it run faster or something of that nature?"

"No. I don't think so." Not to mention, the volume was on extremely loud. If the Higashikatas actually had neighbors, they'd probably drop by to complain.

Ba-dam!

The sound made you pause. Why did it sound like the fridge door closed when it was still very much open?

"Should we just leave it here?" Wamuu assumed that would make it easier for the phone's owner to find it. "What if the call is important?"

"Well..." You looked outside once more to see Gappy and Daiya already making their way back to the house. The girl looked absolutely pissed. She clutched a few chess pieces in one hand while Gappy seemed to still be in a state of shock, blood dripping from a cut just below his eye. "I guess we'll see."

"Go get my cell phone!" Demanded Daiya as she stormed through the front door. "I don't even feel like going shopping anymore!" She was entirely unaware that you were now standing in the living room. "Right in front of my eyes! From inside my room! When I wasn't aware! From the bed I sleep and dream on! With my cell phone you-!" She grit her teeth, her entire body shaking with rage. "You actually called another woman for help! Hurry and go get it!"

You had already thought it strange when she was all clingy with Gappy, but this was taking that to another level. Despite only knowing the man for a few minutes, she was straight up obsessed. Considering Joshu's behavior, you were starting to wonder if it truly did run in their family.

Wamuu suddenly took form next to you again, having briefly returned to the void room to grab a piece of paper. Written on it were the words 'Do you know how to get your memories back?'. For now, you and the Pillar Man had agreed to keep your presence unknown to Daiya.

Gappy read the sentence, now understanding that you, a stranger in his eyes, were actually trying to help him. So, as silently as he could while making his way to the fridge, he pointed to Daiya's feet and then to his shadow.

Oh. You now realized that you may have unintentionally messed with Gappy's plan, one that even he likely could not remember anymore. Despite her poor eyesight, Daiya was still acutely aware of the placement of everything in the house and she was carefully avoiding stepping on Gappy's shadow. The sound of the fridge shutting must have been a bubble he placed in the fridge to trick her.