That wasn't exactly the reaction I expected.

I asked Iwao if somebody had died... and there he was, doubled over, laughing and spluttering!

"How old are you, Choji? Eight? Do you really believe that a pack of rats can eat someone alive?

"W-well, I..."

I had to come up with something to get our conversation back where I wanted, pronto.

"I saw Miss Hiromi's reaction, and I thought..."

"Oh, please. She's just scared of them, that's why she doesn't want to hear about it!"

Iwao started laughing again. That reaction sounded so exaggerated to me, it didn't make any sense!

Unless...

Maybe Mistress Azumi kept the fact that she found a dead kid a secret to everybody else... No, impossible, it couldn't have work! Sooner or later the other orphans should have realize that one of their friends was missing!

Iwao suddenly stopped laughing, and pretended to wipe a non-existent tear from his eye. That made me realize that laugh wasn't that sincere at all.

I guessed he was just acting, but why? ...maybe I get it. Perhaps Mistress Azumi must have asked the orphans to forget about that kid and never talk about him ever again in order to go on with their lives, but most of all, in order to not tarnish the reputation of the orphanage.

I sighed. If that's how things were, I couldn't do anything but give up on finding the victim's identity, at least for the moment, and instead just concentrate on the murderer.

"Oh... I see now" I mumbled to Iwao "I guess I was worried for nothing..."

"Worried? More like pissing in your shorts, it's written all over your face!"

"That's not true! ...listen, Iwao, can we just forget it and continue with our tour?"

"See? You're scared."

"No I'm not!"

"Sure you're not."

We went on like this for another minute and a half. In the end, without even knowing why, I started laughing along with him.

...

The remainder of the tour around the orphanage was rather short. Aside from some picnic tables, three swings, a slide, a little house made of wood with no door or windows, and obviously the trees, there was absolutely nothing interesting in the courtyard surrounding the building.

"And this" Iwao solemnly declared, once we returned to the main entrance "concludes our guided tour, kindly offered by yours truly. Did I make a good tourist guide, Choji?"

"Of course! Thank you, Iwao. I needed to get acclimatized here. And I also really needed to meet someone who can make me feel welcomed..."

"Cut it out with the mushy stuff, do you want to make me blush?" he said, blocking my head in his arms to ruffle my hair "Anyway, don't thank me yet. Before that, I must get you involved in something. Hey, you! Come here, quickly!"

Iwao pointed a finger towards a red-haired girl, who joined us. I already saw her, even though I still didn't know her name yet: she was one of Iwao's group of friends, and at lunch she was sitting on his right.

"You still didn't find him, isn't it?" Iwao asked immediately.

"Not a glimpse, today he must have found a very good spot to hide. Unless he climbed up a tree..."

"Nonsense! The last time he did that, Mistress Azumi put him in detention! He's not that dumb to try it again!"

"Okay, okay. Do you have other ideas?"

"Ideas? Not exactly, but here with me I have another pair of eyes who could help us!"

That said, Iwao wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pointed at my face with his other hand.

"My dear Choji, you may recall I mentioned a certain "favorite activity" before we began our tour. Do you?"

"Yes... If I've understood correctly, you're playing Hyde and Seek, right?"

I wanted to slap myself right there and then. Hyde and Seek, that's the best guess I could come up with? Seriously?

Iwao quickly shared a side glance with his friend. I was sure he would have started laughing again at my face.

Luckily for me, that didn't happen.

"In a sense... We are "hunting down" one of our companions. His name is Isoka, and..."

"Isoka? I know him!" I exclaimed "I met him at lunch, but I still have to talk to him! I was searching for him myself!"

"Really? Choji, it's wonderful! You already got how things work around here! Keep your eyes open, and if you spot him, shout with all the breath in your lungs! Let's get to work!"

Iwao and the girl darted away, leaving me alone with my doubts.

"You already got how things work around here."

I didn't yet grasp the meaning of that sentence, but still I had the unpleasant feeling that it wasn't anything good at all.

At least, not for Isoka.

Still, I decided to participate in the "hunt". After all, I already swore to myself to find him as soon as possible to make amends.

Even though there's no fence delimiting the courtyard, I don't think he ran off in the forest. If he's terrified of the outside world like everybody else here, he must still be close by.

I headed toward the back of the building, in which the vegetation was thicker, and ventured through the trees. I came to the conclusion that, if nobody hadn't found him yet, then Isoka was certainly hidden in the very last place one could ever check. So, I literally raised my nose in the air.

Eventually, my deduction and my patience were rewarded.

Temporarily blinded by something sparkling behind the leaves, I turned around, and I found him.

Isoka was curled up on top of a thick tree branch, I was about to call for him, but I restrained myself just in time. If that story about the detention was true then Isoka was taking a big risk, and I had no intention of putting him in trouble.

I took a look around to make sure nobody was in sight, then I got close to the trunk and began knocking on the wood, in order to gain his attention.

"Hey... Hey... Isoka?"

No response, he'd never notice me that way. I should have get even closer.

Focusing on the lowest branch, I took a run, made a jump with feet together, and managed to cling on it with both hands.

The entire tree trembled for a couple of seconds due to my added weight, and this time Isoka had to lower his gaze to see what just happened.

"Isoka, I'm... No, stop!"

The moment he noticed me Isoka made a near frightened face, then he jumped off the tree with an unexpected agility and started running away.

I was about to jump off myself... but the branch I was clinging on didn't resist my weight any longer: it snapped, making me miserably fall on my butt.

"Ouch ouch ouch... Isoka, wait!"

I got up and started the chase. It would have been easy for me to reach him in no time, but I couldn't risk to show my ninja-like speed to everyone. So, I resorted to raise my voice a little bit.

"Please, stop! I just want to apologize!"

Isoka slowed his pace until he came to a halt, but didn't turn around, forcing me to surpass him in order to face him.

"About time! I was looking for you because... Wait, let me catch my breath!"

I slapped my hands on my knees and breathed through my mouth, pretending to be exhausted.

"...I want to apologize for what happened at lunch. Sure, I was starving and I didn't know you still had to serve yourself, but it's not an excuse. I behaved horribly. I'm sorry for leaving you with an empty stomach. It won't happen again, I promise!"

Isoka stared at me for a long moment, with wide eyes, as if he didn't fully understand what I had just said... or, as if I couldn't believe it.

Then he lowered his gaze to the ground, rubbing the back of his neck. He seemed... embarrassed.

"...I-I have to... I have to apologize as well, t-then..." he finally spoke with a shaking voice "I should not had run away like that..."

"Don't worry about it. Can we just... start over, and properly introduce ourselves?"

I knelt down to meet his eye level, and offered him a handshake. After some moment of hesitation, Isoka raised his head. He was about to stretch out his right hand to me...

...but a different, much heavier hand crashed down on my shoulder.

"I can't believe it, you've really find him! You're a phenom!"

Iwao had just appeared behind me, with all his companions in tow. Two of them walked past me and threw themselves at Isoka in order to prevent him escaping again.

"The honor is all yours, Choji. Frisk him."

...WHAT?!

I repeatedly switched my sight from Iwao to Isoka. I couldn't understand nor believe what was happening.

"Frisk him? I don't..."

"Iwao, why don't you shake him while he's upside down?" the red-headed girl suggested, with a tone that made her sound like she wanted to end it as soon as possible.

"Good idea! That should make it quicker!"

And so he did. With just one hand Iwao grabbed Isoka's ankle and lifted him from the ground, to shake him as if he was an unconscious animal in need of being reanimated.

From all those jolts, a tiny golden medal attached to a chain came out of Isoka's sweater, dangling from his neck. Apparently, that was not what Iwao wanted.

"S-stop... Leave m-me alone... I've got nothing else, I swear..."

"Oh, really? So why do you keep on hiding, uh?!"

At first, I didn't do anything but watch.

The scene before me had spiraled down so fast, it left me dumbfounded and unable to make a decision. But I would've intervened, you can bet on it!

...if only I wasn't anticipated by the ringing of a bell, which made Iwao release Isoka almost immediately.

Isoka fell like a ragdoll, but before I could even step closer to help him, he already got up and ran away.

"Consider yourself lucky!" Iwao shouted in his direction "next time we'll denude you!"

One by one, all the other kids left too, leaving me flabbergasted and alone with Iwao.

"What... Was that..."

"That sound? It's the snacktime signal. We are served bread and chocolate, a classic treat."

"No, I mean..."

"By the way, you were really great on finding Isoka! For one reason or another, we were never able to catch him. Tell me, what's his hiding spot?"

Nothing of what I just saw made sense, Iwao had just committed a horrible act of arrogance before my own eyes, and yet he was talking about it as if was the most normal thing in the world! With the same, warm smile he gave me to welcome me, no less!

Still, there was one thing I was sure about. Isoka didn't deserve to be in trouble again. So, I chose to lie for his own good.

"...I'm sorry, Iwao. I don't know. I noticed him while he was running, but I can't tell where did he came from."

We got back to the front of the orphanage.

Miss Hiromi had placed a platter filled to the brim with chocolate sandwiches on a picnic table. I joined the crowd of boys and girls arranged in a row... even though, unusually for me, I didn't feel much urge to eat.

Mostly because I liked salty food much more than sweets, but also because I couldn't stop thinking about what I'd just witnessed.

Iwao, a bully... I noticed that he has quite the behavior, but I didn't get the impression that he's also a- "Ouch!"

I was just about to take a sandwich, when Yori appeared out of nowhere to slap the back of my hand.

"You wait until everyone else has been served. I don't want a repeat of what happened with Isoka at lunch."

Well, she's not wrong.

I patiently waited, until only two sandwiches remained on the table.

"One's for me, therefore the other is all yours" Yori concluded.

"Finally! Thanks!"

I grabbed my snack wrapped in a napkin, but before starting to eat I looked out for a place in which I could get some peace by myself. The tiredness from my long trip and the fact I never stopped moving since the lunch were finally wearing on me.

I settled myself on a tree stump, at last able to concede myself a moment or two to relax.

I was still crunching on the last bites of my sandwich, when I was approached by Mistress Azumi.

"Are you enjoying your stay here so far, Choji?"

"Very much, thanks! This is really a nice place, and the food is not bad at all! Also, I already made friends with... well, maybe it'd be better to call that acquaintance, for now... with a guy named Iwao, who kindly took me for a guided tour through all the orphanage."

"Iwao, what a guy... I'm not surprised in the slightest you already know him, that boy has an unique way to make new friends."

"Yeah, I noticed that..."

I was tempted to tell her everything about what Iwao did to poor Isoka, but I chose to save it for another time. The investigation was still my priority.

"Mistress Azumi, I heard the West Wing is closed until further notice."

"This is the truth. Did Iwao tell you what happened?"

"Yes, he did. Mistress Azumi, are these rats... dangerous? Did they hurt somebody?"

"Of course not! Thankfully those rodents didn't have time to do any damage. And they wont..."

Saying so, Mistress Azumi pointed the tip of her walking cane just an inch from my nose.

"...as long as nobody gets the idea of snoop around and release them. Did I make myself clear?"

I couldn't do anything but nod in agreement. I knew her for only half a day, but it was already perfectly clear that I shouldn't made that woman angry for nothing in the world.

"C-clear as day, Mistress..."

"Mistress Azumi!"

Yori joined us in that moment, standing at attention in front of Mistress Azumi like an obedient soldier.

"Everything is under control. Thirteen kids got dirty, but I cleaned them before the chocolate stains could dry. Just like any other day, Rokuro expected me to follow him to listen to a song he wrote for me, but I didn't get distracted. Isoka continues on hiding who knows where and shows himself only for meals. There's nothing else to report."

"Thank you, Yori. Unfortunately Isoka has become unredeemable, but as long as he doesn't make more infractions we don't need to worry. By the way... Choji, I'm afraid we will continue our conversation another time. I wish you a good evening."

"T-thanks, same to you..."

I watched Yori and Mistress Azumi as they walked away to talk in private.

I had never learn to read lips, but there were no need for that: by the quick glances they gave me from time to time, it was obvious that I was the subject of their whispers.

...

I rested on that tree stump, watching the daily life of the orphanage carrying on around me, for the rest of the afternoon.

On second thought, taking a moment for myself wasn't that great of an idea.

I remembered next to nothing about what happened within those two hours and a half, and this only meant one thing... I dozed off!

Luckily, a new ringing of the bell helped me fully wake up. Along with Yori's loud calls.

"Wash your hands! Wash your hands!"

Every orphan, Isoka included, arranged in a row in front of a drinking fountain to obey Yori's order.

"Excuse me, can you tell me what's happening?" I asked to the first kid before me in the line.

"We're washing our hands, duh! Have you ever do that before dinner?"

Dinner?!

After cleaning my hands I followed the boy to the entrance hall, in which everyone stood waiting to eat. It seemed really too soon for dinner, but the pendulum clock was clear about the time.

A quarter to seven? But the sun is still setting!...

"Dinner is ready, my little ones!"

At the joyful call of Miss Hiromi, we all neatly headed to the cafeteria.

This time, I'd made sure to not make other mishaps.

As I was hoarding a handful of fried fish skewers from the self service counter, I happened by chance to stand side by side with Nao and Naoki, the two kids I had met in the dormitory.

Looking at them, I had a sudden realization.

Those two heads that turned the other side, today at lunch... It was them, of course!

Maybe I was just overthinking, but still, I wanted to know more about it. So, I tapped on Nao's shoulder.

"Hi again!..."

"Oh, it's you" he reply, drily.

Maybe it's better to break the ice with the little sister... "Hum... Did you sleep well today, Naoki?"

Me and Nao both leaned forward to look at her, waiting of an answer.

"He asked you a question" her big brother urged her "Be good, Naoki. Answer him."

Finally, Naoki nodded to say "yes". Talk about shyness!

"I'm glad to hear that. Listen, Nao... can I sit with you?"

"W-why?"

"No reason. Just to talk, know each other better..."

"I have to advise against it" Nao interrupted me "Naoki is extremely shy. If you're expecting to have a long conversation with her, you'll be very disappointed."

"I don't want to press her! I just..."

"Hurry up, Choji! We've already served ourself, but we're waiting only you to start eating!"

It was Iwao, who else?, who called me loudly from the other side of the cafeteria.

"...forget it, Nao. Maybe next time."

Cursing my inability to say "no", I saluted Nao and Naoki and went to seat beside Iwao who, just like at lunch, had saved me that miserable spot on the edge of the bench.

This time I wont fall down like a moron, no sirree!

With this ironclad resolution in mind, I began my dinner.

"So, how was your first day with us?" Iwao asked me an hour later, after the very last crumb left on the plate had ended in my stomach.

"It was... nice, thanks. I really think I'll enjoy my stay here."

"I'm happy to hear you say that! Tell me, will you help us hunt down Isoka tomorrow, too?"

"Tomorrow, you say? I'm sorry, but I've already planned to get acquainted with all the other boys and girls..."

"No problem. The day after tomorrow, then!"

"Of course... Why do you hunt Isoka down, anyway?"

Just as I finished asking that question, each and everyone sitting on the table with me frozen over.

It was obvious I'd just hit a sore spot.

"I'm mad at him" Iwao grumbled "you don't need to know anything else."

So, it's a personal matter between Isoka and him, the rest of his group just follows his orders... "To tell the truth... Iwao, if you just tell me why, exactly, you're mad at him, perhaps I could help you more willingly..."

"I don't wanna talk about it!"

Iwao slammed both his fists on he table, startling everyone in the room.

With the corner of my eye, I could see some of the boys hiding their faces with a hand or even both.

I felt like I screwed up, big time.

"F-forgive me" I stuttered "I didn't mean to upset y..."

Ignoring me, Iwao turned to the red-haired girl on his right.

"Pass the message" he ordered, not even bothering to lower his voice "we'll do it again."

"But he apologized..."

"I don't care, just pass the message."

The girl did as she was told.

I opened my mouth to try and apologize again, but, afraid to make things worse, I immediately closed it.

After a couple of very long minutes, the silence was finally broken by the arrival of Yori, whom rolled a trolley between the tables to give everyone a glass filled with a gray beverage.

"Drink" she said, slamming one of the glasses under my nose.

"What is this?"

"The digestive. Drink."

I obeyed, even though it costed me a great amount of effort. My word, I had never tasted something as disgusting as that!

"Yuck! Iwao, how can you endure this jun..."

Every guy who was sitting on the bench had just stood up in unison.

I realized it one second too late.

No no no nooo...

I desperately clung on the table, only to drag the tablecloth and everything on it down with me.

I couldn't believe it. I had fell on my ass.

Again!

Strangely enough, this time there wasn't a collective burst of laughter like at lunch. Still, that wasn't but a small consolation for my self esteem.

The only one who was finding the whole thing amusing, was obviously Iwao.

"Choji, you're incredible! How come did you fall for that again?"

"Ouchy ouch... I didn't hear the bell..."

"Oh, silly me! I forgot to warn you! There's no bell after dinner, instead we can get up right after drinking the digestive! Well, see ya!"

I shot up to give him a threatening glare, but by he had already left the room.

What Mistress Azumi had said about Iwao came back in my head, clearer than ever.

"That boy has an unique way to make new friends."

I realized, while I helped Yori fix the mess I made, that the Masquerader was not going to be the only enemy I had to watch out for.