Track 9

Alright then, I’m going to go check out now.

Got it! I will immediately! Get the car going~~!

Is the mushroom thief gone?

Kafka, it was just an “attempt,” so could you please stop calling him a thief…?

I mean, if you say so.

Again, I’m sorry for dragging you into this.

Apparently, the manager just wanted to see our reactions to this whole thing. Talk about trouble.

I see… Thanks for your hard work too, Kafka. And I appreciate all the help you gave me.

You told Murakumo-san to protect me last night, right?

Pretty much. Although I actually wish I could have protected you myself.

(...Hm? Is that Murakumo-san’s voice…?)

Listen, Ten.

I have to protect Kaede-chan no matter what. So, if the need arises, you have to prioritize protecting him instead of me.

Uh, that’s a big ask… I’m your bodyguard, and I’ve already been paid for it by your father too, y’know?

But you’re taking orders from me, aren’t you?

……

Well, either way, I’m definitely taking him down next time.

(After the dust settled, I heard all about it… I never imagined Murakumo-san would be a temporary bodyguard sent to protect Kafka.)

Gotta say though, it’s a good thing I was here~. You’d all have been wiped out if I wasn’t.

Ugh…

Oh, Murakumo-san. If we get the chance to meet again… Um, are you going to stay at the hotel?

Eh, who knows. I guess it depends on my employee contract.

But I wonder what I should do~. I’m tired of being a bellboy, so I’m thinking being a guest would be fun.

Wanna join me, Hamasaki-sama? I’ll be the one to keep you company this time.

Hold on now, Ten. What exactly are you thinking of doing here?

Haha, just a joke.

Murakumo-san, please take good care of Kafka. I’ll come back once things have settled down.

Ah, wait, Kaede-chan…!

One last thing. Kaede-chan, are you—

Are you…

…Kafka?

…No, it’s nothing.

You can lean on me any time you’re in trouble. For you, I’ll do everything in my power. I’ll help you no matter what.

…? Thanks. I’ll make sure to come to you if I’m ever in trouble.

…Yeah.

I’ll carry your luggage to the entrance.

Hamasaki-sama. Thank you for choosing to stay at hotel NOTTE. We look forward to seeing you again.

…Oh, Natsuyaki-san, Hachinoya-san!

Hamasaki-sama! Are you like, done checking out?

Yes. A lot’s happened, but thanks for taking care of me these past few days!

Ah… um.

Hamasaki-sama, we truly caused you trouble with this whole situation. The manager is, in his own way, reflecting on it…. probably.

Don’t worry about it, I’m just really glad nothing actually happened to you two.

And on top of making Chihiro worry, we put him in a state of suspended animation…

Jeeez~. Chii was suuuper shocked, ya know!

Chii was just thinking of taking care of the garden until Nagipeko was back—

And then all of a sudden Nagipeko was walking down the hallway like nothing had happened! And then Mana-pi hit me with a BYOOM!

That was completely careless of me. I let my guard down.

I had quietly slipped out of the manager’s secret basement to water the garden flowers, then remembered something I’d left behind. In my rush to grab it, I ran straight into Chihiro…

(A secret basement… So the employees that were targeted by the monster were hidden there.)

Aaanyway, tons of stuff happened, but prommy to let Chii give you some proper hospitality next time!

Next time, when the weather is clear and visibility is good, let me give you a tour of the backyard.

I want you to see the flowers I’ve been caring for.

Yeah, definitely! I’ll be looking forward to it.

Doudou! You’re leaving already!?

Manager!

You could just stay a bit longer, y’know~. Should I use my manager privileges to give you an infinite free stay?

Well, a lot’s happened so…I’ve had my fill. I'll visit again in a while.

Mm~ Weeell if you’re coming back, I guess I can let it go.

Wasn’t my hospitality full of thrills and mysteries just bursting with constant excitement? I'm tremendously satisfied I got to see sooooo many sides to you humans!

Everyone’s got their secrets, and everyone lies. You’re all ruled by emotions, and all so irrational and absurd.

However! That’s what makes humans so fascinating!

The fog and the messages I prepared all paid off!

Manager… Was that really why you did all that?

They say humans show their true nature when pushed to the edge. I read that in one of your books.

And it’s true, no?

I was thissss close to seeing makes you tick~. You would’ve made such an excellent sample.

……

Oh well. Still, it’s not everyday that something ‘real’ slips into my little homage♪

…...Huh? What do you mean by real—

…...

I’m not gonna tell anyone who you really are. It wouldn’t be fun if you got caught, and I still wanna observe you~.

……

Hamasaki-san! The car’s ready~!

Um, I…should get going now.

Yeah. Let’s meet again! Next time, it might be fun to join your side and see how it goes—

You can’t.

Why?

…Because this isn’t a game.

Hoho—Your motives just keep getting more intriguing! I really don’t feel like letting you go after all!

I’m going home now, but I’ll be back. If you want to talk we can do it then.

I’ll be waiting ♪ Here at hotel NOTTE, humans and monsters alike are always welcome! Next time, bring that sibling of yours along too.

If you take too long, I might just visit you first~!