The Story of the Seven

CHAPTER 7 - A Mystery Set In Motion

"......." <---- *Sound of brain overload*

"....................." <---- *Sound of brain meltdown*

"..................... ....................." <---- *Sound of brain rebooting*

That was my reaction to the poem I just read. To think such a masterpiece was written about 200 years prior. The writer (or writers?) of this poem must be a true visionary, able to stare past the boundaries of time.

"Master, why do you look so focused?"

Shi-chan's gentle voice suddenly broke me free of my thoughts.

"Ah, I was just reading this poem I got from Ayamoto. Although this kind of poem is easier to write in present day, I was astonished someone from 200 years prior could write such a piece that's relatable to the modern person."

"Ah, The Thinker. All new recruits read this, so we can evaluate the morality of that person."

"Did I pass?"

"Can you sincerely say from your heart that you enjoyed that poem?"

"Yeah, I really did enjoy it. I've never even thought thoughts such as these, so I think I'll be lying on my bed tonight trying to figure out how this poem can positively affect my life."

"My, my, master's so cool. And if you're not lying to innocent little Shi-chan and really enjoyed this poem, then I think you passed."

"I passed, huh. I feel like I just took a step forward in this stage of my life."

I breathed deeply as I felt a deep sense of fulfillment.

"Master, you talk like a philosopher. Now should I blow on your tea to cool it off?"

"Ah, no, no, no need."

"But master might burn himself and get an ouchy since the tea's so hot."

"No, no I'm good. Thank you very much."

Ah, these establishments aren't really my style.

And why are half of the customers in this shop glaring at me like I'm a sleazeball?

"Shi-chan, your other customers are glaring daggers at me. Ha, ha."

I weakly laugh, trying to get Shi-chan off my tail.

"Oh, well I better go attend them too."

"Yeah, good luck."

After she left, I finally exhaled a deep breath. Why was she so clingy; it seriously made me uncomfortable.

But all jokes aside, who or what was "The Queen"? Based on the handout I received, "The Queen" appeared to be alive 200 years ago, which means during the Sengoku period. The content of The Thinker was deep, so was "The Queen" a philosopher? And what about Squad Leader Ayamoto saying, "A proud heritage not connected by blood"? Did that mean that a successor was chosen to succeed "The Queen," but that successor was not necessarily blood related, which would be different from a traditional royal successor?

With those thoughts buzzing around in my head, I gulped down all my tea. I left money on the table and exited the café.

Oh yeah, Ayamoto said that The Organization runs everything considered "public property" around here. So is there a public library near here where I can read more manuscripts that "The Queen" wrote?

Of course, I was pretty sure I would never find those manuscripts in a regular government-run library. But maybe I could find it around here because the public libraries around here are run by The Organization?

As I walked around for around an hour, vigilantly searching, I wound up in front of a public middle school.

Maybe I can look inside their library?

"Ah, Haruto, what are you during here?"

I spun around.

"Mafuyu? What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking after the Shounen- Shoujo Division of this school today, you know, for volunteer work."

"I see. Then can I take a peek at the library here?"

"What for?"

"I want to research more on "The Queen"."

"Alright, here's the key. Give it back to me at 5:00, I'll be waiting at the main entrance."

"Thanks."

With that, we once again parted ways – me going to the library, her going to the back courtyard.

-2 hours later-

"Ahhhhh! I found you!"

After 2 hours of backbreaking work, I found a couple of manuscripts that would provide me some clues.

But strange, why are there no books on this topic? I even used to computer in the library to look up all the books under "The Queen" and "The Organization".

The manuscripts had these titles: Shining Idol and Wings of Freedom.

They sounded more fit to be titles of fiction books than to be important manuscripts written by "The Queen."

"All right, let's read this."

I muttered to myself.

As soon I set my eyes on paper, the 5:00 clock gong rang.

Ah, times up I guess. I'll just take these home with me today. It'll be alright since I'll return it tomorrow.

With that, I met Mafuyu at the main gate.

"I found some reading material. Was it alright for me to just take it?"

"I guess you can take it since you don't have an identification card. But keep this unofficial, okay? And return it within a week."

"I'll read it tonight and return it tomorrow."

"Okay. By the way, those manuscripts are real good stuff. Tell me what you think of it tomorrow."

"Got it."

With that, I walked home, my mind brimming with curiosity.

Let's crack this mystery once and for all.