The group of friends, plus Leonides, waited outside of the bathroom. Chero and Tsukino were inside.
"How is she?” Danni asked.
“She’s in the bath right now…Tsukino is looking after her,” Hime said.
“Maybe she…has amnesia?” Mocha suggested.
“No, it looked like something a little different…” Kiki sighed.
“I think it’s similar to how I was when we broke the clocks…” Hime said.
“Hm? What do you mean?” Danni asked.
“When she breaks a clock…she gets all kinds of strange memories and they get mixed up,” Francis explained.
“That’s right. Chero has so many memories…It is harming her physically and mentally. She is so buried in memories…that she will start to reject any new memories,” Hime explained.
“Reject? Reject what?” Danni asked.
“The memories themselves…That’s normally how it is…But mama still tried somehow the line turned into dots…” Jenny said in her terms.
“So…Chero’s memories are just scattered? And if she thinks about them…they will return over time?” Dino asked.
“Yes, the proof is that she immediately…if tentatively…called my name,” Hime said.
“Tentatively? What do you mean by that?” Leon asked.
“Well…” Hime started.
The door to the bathroom opened. Tsukino led Chero out. They stopped when everyone stared at them.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Tsukino said.
“That was pretty quick!” Danni lied, “Are you feeling any better, Chero?”
“…….” Chero stared at Danni for a second and then nodded with a smile on her face, “Yes, ma’am! I’m sorry about all of that…My head hurt…But it feels better now. I am fine now.”
“Ma’am? Chero…I am younger than you. You do know who I am, don’t you?” Danni flailed.
“I do. She is Hime-tan. Over there is Jenny-tan, you’re Danni-tan...and….” Chero stopped and looked at Dino, “Your….”
Dino raised an eyebrow, worried that Chero forgot him.
“You’re….D…Dino-san!”
“Chero? What’s wrong with you? Are you sure you are ok, bella?” Dino asked.
“Huh? Chero stopped using ‘Tan” when she was around 12. She’s talking like she did when she was a child. What’s happened?” Leon asked.
Tsukino frowned and put her arm around Chero protectively, “Her memories are a little jumbled, so she is just confused. Just give her some time, Ok?!”
“Of course…Take your time…” Dante said.
“Yes, sir…I’m sorry!” Chero said to Dante.
“You stay with her…Tsukino…ok?” Hime said.
“Wait…I was thinking…maybe I should tell you after all…” Tsukino said.
“Er…No. We should not have ask you to talk without thinking about Chero’s feelings,” Kiki said.
“It’s still alright. You take care of your sister. If there is really no other
way…Then we shall ask you,” Francis said.
“That’s right. We have many other issues to solve. Maybe she will remember something while we have our meeting. We can wait, “ Mocha said.
“Alright.” Tsukino said, “Chero, you look tired. Go to sleep please.”
“B-but…” Chero hesitated.
“It’s alright, amore. If there is no other way then we will ask you. Until then…
please rest,” Dino said.
Chero nodded and gave Dino a small smile, “Okay~”
Tsukino led Chero back over to where the beds were to tuck her in, like she did when Chero was little.
“She’s so…worn out…” Francis said.
“Yeah. She probably pushed herself too hard. She must have kept telling herself that she could try harder and harder to protect us,” Dante said.
Hime nodded, “We need to choose what will be our next best course of action.”
“Yeah. I’ve been wondering…Dino? What was that thing you gave to Chero?” Jenny asked.
“You mean right before she locked us in that cell? It was a piece of metal I found in the cave. Ironically she dropped when she got hurt and I have it in my procession again,” Dino said.
“It must be something relating to our escape, since she tricked Dino into giving it to her. Though…It looks just like an ordinary piece of metal to me,” Mocha said.
“Maybe it’s some sort of key?” Leonides suggested.
“Key? But keys are not normally shaped like this,” Francis said.
“Yeah! That’s the point! The keyhole must also be hidden!” Leonides exclaimed, proud of himself.
“We didn’t see any keyhole that a metal piece would fit in!” Danni said, “We must have missed it somehow!”
“In that case…We’ll have to search the mansion again,” Kiki said.
“Two group.” Hime said, “One to stand by and the other to search.”
“I would not normally care which group I am with, but Miss Chero must be hungry, no? I shall cook her some of my wonderful food~” Francis said.
“That’s a really good idea, Papa,” Mocha said.
“I’ll stay too…I’m not feeling very well…” Danni pouted.
“Want me to stay with you?” Dante asked.
“No. You should go and search with them. It will be easier with more people,” Danni said.
Dante shook his head, “I am staying with you.”
Danni pouted as Dante picked her up and carried her over to the bed area, to make her sleep.
“So, the group shall be…me, Mocha, Kiki, Hime and….That’s good! Let’s go!” Jenny said.
Leonides pouted, “Why can’t I go?”
“Umm…Well…Leon….You are needed here to help Chero sort out her memories!” Hime explained.
“Ohhh~ What a good idea!” he said.
Hime sighed in relief. She liked Leon and everything….But he got on Hime’s nerves after a while.
“Alright. Let’s get going,” Mocha said.
