Song's Unwanted Note

Chapter XVI

Hunting the hunter

—Mmm... –I blinked lazily. –Is it morning already...? –I was not in my bed, but on the sofa in the living room, and it was clear that I had slept there all night. –Wait... It's morning already?! –I was alarmed to realise that fact. –I missed Lukia's kidnapping... And worst of all! I missed Laurent's colour palette!!! This is bad luck already. –I complained mentally.

Ever since he appeared in the manga, I was curious to know what his base colours were. After all, he is the villain of the story. Well, the villain of Lukia's story. But that didn't take away from the curiosity I had.

All the same, let bygones be bygones. There was nothing I could do about it. So I sat on the couch and thought about how stupid I was for falling asleep last night.

—But I wasn't tired. I started to feel sleepy after... –I began to mumble, remembering the night before. –Luchia gave me the glass of water. –I finished saying, connecting the dots in this story. –Luchia wasn't able to put sleeping pills in my water, just so I wouldn't find out about Lukia's kidnapping, was she? –I thought, getting up from the sofa and starting to walk towards the big window.

In the distance I saw the rather small figures of Luchia, Hanon and Rina. For some reason I felt betrayed, but I didn't understand why. After all, she is not my real mother, so why should I be angry at her clear favouritism and concern for Lukia?

I stopped looking through the glass and started walking towards the entrance of the house. I didn't intend to wait for the three women to arrive and complain that they had abandoned me. No, of course not. Instead, I would go, with no fixed destination, to a quiet place where the humming of the three women would not reach my ears.

And that's what I wanted to do, but (ironically) Hippo appeared in my way preventing me from leaving. –I'm sorry Miss Y/N, you can't leave the house. It's still too early! –He exclaimed, flapping his blue flippers, at the same time as his pyjama cap was flapping from side to side. He certainly looked very adorable in her pyjamas.

—What about Lukia and my mother? They are not here. –I said a bit angrily.

—Eh, well... That's not the point! –He tried to contradict me, but failed miserably.

—If you care so much about me, then follow me. –At what the penguin said, I couldn't help but say that.

—Miss Y/N! Wait! –Shouted Hippo, who was changing his clothes while following me. –You can't go around without telling anyone. –He added when he finally caught up with me.

—Well, they haven't told anyone either. We are even. –I let go, continuing my walk.

We walked on for a while until we came to a street full of shops. Hippo kept telling us to go back home or that this was all a bad idea, but I didn't listen to him.

After passing a couple of shops, I stopped in front of a shop window. The display showed the most recent manga volumes and the week's magazines. Looking at all the shelves behind the glass, it reminded me of the collection I have. Well, I had.

—Hippo, which one is your favourite? –I ask him pointing to the sleeves on the display.

—Miss Y/N! –Hippo shouted.

—What? Maybe then you'll stop being so bitter. –I said quietly and with a bit of a spin. –An otaku penguin is better than an alcoholic penguin. –I added mentally.

—Miss Y/N! –Hippo shouted again.

—Hey, I just saying– –Before I could finish speaking, the penguin next to me interrupted me.

—It's not that, it's the fog! –He exclaimed nervously as he waved his flippers in a frenzy.

—What– –But before I could finish the question, white smoke began to rise; rising from my feet to above my head, making me unable to see anything beyond my nose. –Hippo?! Where are you?! –I shouted worriedly, turning in on myself, not knowing where to look.

—Don't bother. I don't think this little bird is going to say anything... –From out of the mist, a woman in mime-like clothing appeared. In her hands, tied with a rope, was Hippo in his human form. –Hello, I don't think we've met. My name is Rouge, and I've come to hunt you. –She commented with a sincere and friendly smile, although what he was saying was quite the opposite.

—Leave Hippo alone! –I reproached her, pointing at herla.

—Oops, no. I'm very sorry, pretty princess, but this little boy is my hostage now. –The woman explained calmly. –But we can make a deal: you for him. Simple, isn't it? –Hippo shook his head again and again.

—Shit, shit, shit. –I thought in despair. –I didn't think this would ever happen... –I swallowed nervously. –Okay, I accept. But first let him go. –I said, approaching the other woman.

—Okay, it's not like you can do anything about it, either. –She said again with that smile, this time, accompanied by a ringing laugh.

—Miss Y/N... –Tried to say Hippo, who had been thrown to the ground with force, moving the ropes that were tying him down.

Rouge walked towards me, and as we stood a few inches away, she pulled out the winged necklace from under my shirt, opening it and extracting the pearl from inside. –Now you and this pearl belong to Lord Fuku. –With each word she said, the blond's face grew more and more surprised.

—What do you believe that. –A smile formed on my face as I snatched my pearl from her and quickly pulled away. –Prism pearl voice! –I exclaimed, transforming into my idol version. –I'm warning you, I won't let you mess with the people I love. Pichi pichi voice, live start! –I declared, standing in front of Hippo (who had his eyes fixed on me), protecting him from the villain.