Moonlight Flower

Vol.02 Backstory #06 [To the First Clue]

The day had come. Clarence would finally go to the place where his store manager had told him about last time. It was about a woman turning into a wolf during a full moon. It was his latest clue to finding her sister. Once he found her, he would bring her back immediately to the other side of this world.

This day also was Sora's and his first time to ride an airplane. Musica came together with them in economy class. Normally he would book the deluxe class suite both for business and private trips.

They had arrived to the south province before nightfall.

After they went to their lodging to put down their things, Clarence hurried to the area where his manager used to live and saw that woman.

The place was a town away from their lodging. He entered the town that gave off a silent yet chilly ambiance. It was mostly surrounded with tall grass - a meadow that blocked the view of the sunset.

He kept moving forward, holding a paper with an address and asking for directions from people that he passed by.

He heard from some of them that the woman he was looking for used to be bullied because of her physical looks but she was really a kind soul. They also told him that she was now living peacefully with her own family and didn't accept uncalled visitors. It was to protect her and her family from the media that might expose their privacy.

But Clarence was insistent. He kept going in that direction until he stood outside of the house beyond the fence.

"What would be the right words to tell?" He thought to himself. He got a little anxious thinking about how she would react or even if she would talk to him at all. "Does she know about me?"

He mustered all his courage and shouted from the fence. "Good evening! I'm looking for Ms. Louisa!"

He knew there were four people gathered together in one place inside the house. The lights could also be seen from outside. However, he heard no changes from their footsteps.

"Excuse me!" He continued calling over. "Can I have a few minutes with you?"

Still no answer.

He thought of the right words that can make her notice him.

"I was hoping you can help me. I'm also the same as you."

There was still no answer. So he decided not to force his way anymore. But he left a note with his contact number on the door of the fence.

He turned back and started to leave. But he stopped when he heard the sound of the door slowly opening. He looked back and saw a man standing behind it. He gestured to Clarence to come inside.

The man was the husband of Ms. Louisa whom Clarence was looking for. He told his two children to go to their room since they have a visitor.

Clarence told the husband about what he really came for. That he was looking for her long lost sister with wolf-like attributes. He didn't mention though that he could really turn into a wolf and he came from another side of this world.

But based on the man's reaction, it was as if Louisa didn't have any siblings since she was the only child of her parents.

"Really?" Clarence sounded dejected. "Can I at least see her?"

The man shook his head. "Sorry, mate. I don't think you need to since I already told you that she's not the one you are looking for."

Clarence then looked with certainty toward the door of the kitchen because he knew she was there.

The man looked amazed at him because his wife was really at the kitchen and was just quiet.

"It seems like your senses are really strong, just like hers."

He stood up and got her wife from the kitchen.

Clarence waited for her to come out. Two sets of footsteps can be heard getting louder toward him. His eyes widened when he finally saw her.

She was a tall, medium-built woman. Her face and arms were covered with grey and red brown hair, more like fur. Her eyes were brown on the left and golden yellow on the right, the color like that of native wolves'.

"You see," said the man. "She has a rare disease called hypertrichosis that produces abnormal amounts of hair over her body. Because of this, she was bullied, that's why I have decided to protect her from anyone who could hurt her."

Clarence's eyes were filled with amazement at her. She looked ashamed of her physical self when seen by other people but he knew she was confident and loving to her own family. This was one of Clarence's his abilities - he could easily feel the kindness of a soul based on their heartbeat, breathing, footsteps and even just a few gestures. The way their house was neatly organized was also proof that she was full of love.

He then remembered what his father told him about the only way to know if she's really the one he was looking for. He would immediately know it the moment he saw her.

He stood up and smiled at her. "Ms. Louisa, you are amazing just the way you are. You really care for your family. Your husband and your children must really love you."

When the couple heard those words came from a complete stranger, they felt something warm inside. Their relationship used to be despised by the man's family and friends because of her. But they fought for their relationship, built their own family and lived peacefully now. They almost broke into tears of relief and joy.

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Sora and Musica waited for his return to their lodging. As he came near, they saw him with a smile on his face. They too felt somehow relieve that it seemed their mission was a success, except that he went back alone.

Clarence shook his head. "It's not her."

"What?!" they both exclaimed.

"Then why are you happy?" Musica asked.

"I just realized that every encounter has a meaning that can also affect you in a good way. That can inspire you."

They looked surprised and amazed at him.

"I didn't know you've become good with words now, Mion!" Sora said.

"I saw a couple filled with love and affirmation for each other. I felt my heart getting warm. It's enough for now. I learned something new as a human."

Sora nodded. "That's good."

"So, what now?" Musica asked. "Are you really leaving from here?"

"We still need to tell our managers that we will have to let go of our current work," Clarence said.

"That's right," Sora added.

"I'm amazed that you two already know stuffs such as that!" Musica commended them. "You're learning well, guys."