Stand Up and Walk

Hurt Like Me

"Can't focus; my body is still puzzled about what to do. I'm trembling; I can't stop even if I try to control myself. Although neither sun nor moon are on my side, I've got no choice but to try... Those were the words I muttered to myself. The odds aren't on my side, but running away would be weakness. Even if I can't see the future, I'll just have to win it over with courage. I need to keep distance from the targets as I hold myself back. All that's needed for victory is pride to win! Will we celebrate with the wine of victory? Or will we end up kissing their feet in defeat? There are two outcomes to everything... I want to control destiny! I need to seize this golden opportunity with my hands! I'll finish it up with my best poker face, and drag them into a world of illusions. I'll find my way out of this endless pressure game, and leap over the borderline of honor. How many? What will I need to sacrifice to make it happen? What's the one thing I don't want to let go of?"

—Sukima Switch, Golden Time Lover

※※※

Ed holds up the drawing next to the tiny creature in the woman's arms, and you glance back and forth between the image and the animal.

"It does kind of look like her," Al points out, but you squint your eye at the tiny black-and-white animal, which peers up at you with a dumb expression on its face.

"I don't know, guys..." you say dubiously, referring to the drawing of Xiao Mei again, noting the differences. "I'm pretty sure that this thing is a dog!"

The little creature lets out a wet sneeze. As it begins to let out a series of odd, warbling noises, you and the boys exchange a shocked glance.

The woman holding the stuffy creature pats its head affectionately as it wriggles in her hands. "She's such a darling girl, isn't she?" she croons, scratching the little animal under the chin.

You shoot her a wan smile and then the three of you turn your backs to her in a group huddle.

"That definitely isn't her!" huffs Ed, shaking the drawing in his hand.

"Yeah, I can see that!" Al agrees.

The blonde boy gnashes his teeth in frustration, crumpling the edge of the paper in his fist as he tightens his grip. "We can't afford to waste our time here entertaining some old lady and her stupid dog!" he hisses, and you jab him with your elbow.

"Keep your voice down!" you shush him, glancing at the woman over your shoulder. "She'll hear you!"

The three of you stare down at the crumpled drawing in the boy's fist and sigh. "Xiao Mei..." you muse out loud. "Where are the two of you?"

※※※

After a couple of days of asking around, it's clear that the girl is nowhere to be found.

So instead of a first-hand interview, you decide to hedge your bets at the Central Library, searching for any books about alkahestry.

You and the boys split up when you get inside, each tackling a different section.

You run your fingers over the bookshelves, mouthing the names of the titles subconsciously.

"Synthesis and Separation: The Art of Fusion and Fission in Alchemy"; "The Book of Mirrors: Self-Reflection in Alchemical Practice"; "Breath of the Earth: Harnessing Air in Alchemical Formulas".

You spot many books that you've poured over countless times before, and even more that are on your to-read list. Finally, your finger stops over a book that sounds promising.