The air outside was cold, and the evening breeze stirred the hem of his long coat as he leaned against the trunk of a large tree beneath the moonlight. Oda looked as if he had just stepped out of an old novel—or perhaps an elegant aristocratic nightmare. He wore a sleek black formal suit, a crisp white shirt, a tight black tie, and over it all, a long black coat that reached mid-calf, giving his steps an air of dignity and mystery.
In his right hand, he held a black leather briefcase, and in the other, a slightly tall black hat. He slowly placed it on his head, then looked over at Lucas, the small ghost with curious eyes, floating beside him.
In a low, steady voice, Oda said as he adjusted his hat:
"What do you think? Do I look like a child kidnapper… or a dead businessman?"
Lucas waved his tiny hand, tilted his head slightly, and replied with a cheeky smile:
"More like someone going to a funeral... for his own soul."
Oda let out a soft, rare laugh, then removed the hat again and began spinning it between his fingers, his expression returning to its usual stillness and contemplation.
Then he spoke again, in a softer tone:
"You're staying here, Lucas. I'm entrusting you with watching over Alicia. If anything strange happens... I want to know immediately."
Lucas nodded seriously, but hesitated before asking:
"But… how are we going to communicate? I don't even have a phone. I barely have a body!"
Oda smiled again—that kind of smile that always came before something bizarre—then pulled out a small vial of dark black ink from his inner pocket. He dabbed a little on his finger, then began writing directly on his arm—tiny, intricate symbols that looked like enchantments.
Suddenly, the same symbols glowed on Lucas's arm. Lucas froze, then yelped:
"WAAAH!! What?! Am I your notebook now?!"
Oda let out a quiet chuckle and replied:
"A living notebook... and slightly transparent. Anything I write here will appear on you. Just don't write me any bad jokes, or I'll tear you up."
Lucas stared at his arm in awe:
"This is… weird! Amazing! Weird!"
Oda placed the hat back on his head, and as it settled, so did his expression—serious, determined, ready.
He said calmly:
"It's time."
In the dim moonlight seeping through the windows of the house, Jina knelt in front of Ronwa, carefully adjusting her new outfit—a sky-blue dress adorned with white lace, almost identical to the one her mother used to wear on special occasions. She draped a small light gray coat over Ronwa's shoulders, then gently placed a white straw hat decorated with a blue ribbon on her head.
Jina smiled warmly as she tied the string beneath Ronwa's chin to secure the hat, and said with a voice full of nostalgia:
"Just like your mother… she always wore her hat like this."
Ronwa stared at herself in the large mirror, her bright eyes reflecting both wonder and sorrow. She wasn't just happy with how she looked—her heart was turning with fear and longing.
Behind her stood Lilia, with a faint smile, trying to appear strong. But she was fidgeting with the edges of her dress nervously, her eyes glistening with held-back tears. She suddenly pulled Ronwa into a tight hug and whispered:
"Come back soon… Don't be late, and don't forget to write me a letter—even a scary one."
Ronwa giggled lightly despite the tension, and said:
"I promise… I'll write to you from Chicago."
Jina gently took Ronwa's small hand and kissed it tenderly, then stood up to examine her one more time, as if trying to memorize every detail. She whispered, as if speaking to her own daughter:
"Be strong… and remind Mr. Akamori that he promised me he'd protect you, no matter the cost."
Ronwa nodded with confidence, her eyes gleaming with resolve, then turned slowly toward the door with cautious but determined steps.
Ronwa stepped out the door carefully, holding up the hem of her dress to avoid tripping, her expression both anxious and excited. The wind gently stirred the edges of her hat, and the sunlight reflected off her silvery hair, making it sparkle like the glint of a dream.
Oda was leaning against the tree trunk, holding a brown leather briefcase in one hand, and Ronwa's small bag in the other. His expression was calm as always, and his dark eyes scanned her from head to toe. When she approached him, he raised an eyebrow and said in his cold, sarcastic tone:
"You look like a porcelain doll… Now I'll have to protect you from thieves more than from sickness."
Ronwa pouted and put her hands on her hips:
"Don't touch my stuff without permission, you weirdo!"
Oda chuckled softly, then raised her small bag and said:
"Since I'm the weirdo escorting you, allow me to carry it, milady."
At that moment, Lucas floated beside her, his smile gentle and his eyes sad. He approached her and bowed like a knight bidding farewell to his princess, then whispered in his warm voice:
"I'll take care of your mother, I promise. And you… come back safe, my princess."
Ronwa looked at him for a long moment, then jumped toward him and hugged him, even though he was just a transparent ghost. She couldn't feel his body, but the longing in her heart was tangible. She whispered:
"Watch her closely, Lucas… don't leave her alone."
Lucas nodded slowly, then floated away, his figure fading gently into the shadows.
Oda turned and placed his hat on again, speaking without looking at Ronwa:
"Let's go… we have a city to invade, and a cure to steal from the jaws of death."
Ronwa climbed into the carriage and sat beside him. Before they moved, she turned back and waved her small hand. Jina and Lilia were standing at the door, waving back with teary eyes.
Then, the carriage slowly moved toward the sunset… where the journey begins.