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“Hey! Is anyone in here?” Dino called.
Standing in the entrance of the house was Jenny, Dante, Hime, Chero and Dino.
“They’re not here…” Hime said, “Maybe they went upstairs?”
“Sheeesh! Those disaster twins always wandering off on their own. And they dragged Danni and Francis into going too!” Jenny complained, “They were the first ones here and yet they are nowhere to be seen!”
“Look, let’s go back!! I told you, we can’t stay here!! It was my bad! Come on, please…let’s go back!” Chero panicked.
“We told you that you didn’t have to come.” Dante said, “If you really didn’t want to…why did you?”
“I told you!” Chero cried, “This house is dangerous! I’ve seen it! We’re all going to attacked by a huge monster and everyone is going to die! It’s true! I’m telling you!”
Dino chuckled, “What a vivid imagination, bella. If you are so scared, why did
you even come?”
“Dino…” Chero frowned.
“You did take a nap on the way to the OHC meeting place…Maybe you just had a nightmare and are still half-asleep?” Hime suggested.
“Even you, Hime?” Chero looked down at the floor.
“We should probably look for everyone else. I’m worried about Danni…” Dante said.
“Dante, just…SHUT UP!” Chero said, “I’ll go look for them! You all just STAY HERE! Don’t go anywhere!!”
“Chero? What’s wrong with you? It’s like you’re a different person. It’s scary! Where’s your usual self?” Jenny asked.
“Then you have to believe what I tell you. Especially you, Hime, don’t go into the piano room no matter what!” Chero explained.
“…Even if you say so…It will be easier to look for everyone if we split up, Cher. We will just agree on a time and meet back here soon, ok?” Hime said.
“That sounds like a good idea. I want to find Danni as soon as possible,” Dante said.
“Don’t!!” Chero cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What? Why are you crying, Chero? It’s the best way.” Jenny explained, “If we all travel in a huddle…”
“What are you so scared of, bella? You’re the only one opposed to the idea. I’m sorry…But I’m going now. I’ll be back soon,” Dino said.
“Dino!! I told you not to go there! Don’t go to the basement!” Chero cried as Dino walked down the left hall towards the basement.
“I’m going ahead and looking for Danni. Let’s meet back in an hour,” Dante said, leaving.
“Wait! Don’t split up!” Chero cried.
“I’m going to the very top floor!” Jenny claimed.
“That leaves me with the second floor,” Hime said.
Jenny and Hime headed up the stairs leaving Chero all alone.
“Wait—Hime! Jenny! If you do that it was completely pointless to go back in time!” Chero sobbed.
Chero sighed and wiped her tears away, “Now I’ll have to go through this whole thing again…we can’t even leave until we find the key…First Dante…then Danni…then Jenny and Francis…Kiki and Mocha are alright for now…But the basement is dangerous, too. If I call Dino back…We can find Hime…and….I...I’ll have to put on an act. This time I’ll save all of them…”
“Even if I have to trick them…I’m going to save them.”
Chero took a deep breath and plastered on a smile and ran down the left hallway,
“Diiiiiinnnoooo!! I’m coming with you after all!”
“H-huh?! What now? Are you back to normal, bella?” Dino asked.
“I was always normal! What are you talking about? Let’s go look for Danni and Kiki! Come on~”
Chero grabbed onto Dino and pulled at him.
“Wait! Why are you clinging so much? I get it, you’re scare. I’ll protect you and keep you safe.”
Chero giggled, “You saw right through me! Dante is on the first floor, let’ go help Hime on the second floor, ok?”
“Mio dio,bella…”Dino sighed.
