"So, let us clarify this," a girl with diamond blue eyes began, "I told you to delay her as long as possible—and that could be done in various ways, such as making her queue at a restaurant, for example."
"But you chose to tie her up and put her in an alley?! She could have died!" Alice snapped, her expression clearly showing her annoyance and frustration.
"You didn't give specific instructions," I replied, and Alice walked closer, closing the small distance between us.
"You're blaming me?!" Before Alice could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Rapunzel, who was staring in awe at the long-necked creature she had never seen before.
"Alice, Red! That's a giraffe, right? What do they eat? Oh, wait! I know! With necks that long, they must eat leaves, right?" Rapunzel asked, her eyes practically shining.
Alice turned to her and replied with a smile, "Right~! You're so smart—" before turning back to me and saying in a cold tone, "—I think you should be able to use your own brain to think!"
"That's harsh."
"It is! Ugh—! I... Sorry." Alice tried to calm herself down, "It's just... I saw myself—"
"—Hey! Alice, Red! What does the gorilla eat?!"
"They eats plants~!" Alice replied before finally getting serious again, "—I saw myself in her."
"That's why I really want to take care of her, and I also think I can understand why her mother locked her up—"
"Oh? Is it plants like this?" Rapunzel interrupted again.
"That's right~!" Alice replied without turning her head, "—The point is... I want to give her what she hasn't experienced as soon as possible, because no one knows how long she will have this freedom."
I nodded and said, "If you want to do it, at least let her live." I pointed behind her, and when Alice turned around, she saw Rapunzel already in the gorilla enclosure, with several security guards trying to get her to come back.
Alice gasped in surprise. "Well, who would have thought?" I muttered.
We left the zoo, and on the way home, a fear-filled voice asked, "Hey... I'm causing you two trouble, aren't I?"
We both turned around and saw Rapunzel, who couldn't make eye contact with us. She was playing with her hair, and we could clearly see the guilty expression on her face.
"I'm sorry, this is my first time in the outside world and I don't know the basic rules here."
"And you must be tired of my behaviour, right? Especially Alice... she's the one who always covers for me when I make mistakes."
"Maybe I should just stay at home and not cause trouble for anyone." After saying that, Rapunzel stared at the road without saying anything.
I turned to Alice, and I could see her clenching her fists before saying, "Yes, you do make things difficult for us."
Hearing this, Rapunzel nodded in agreement, but before she had a chance to open her mouth, Alice said again, "But you are our problem."
"If you cause trouble with other people, you might get hurt or worse," Alice said firmly and with determination, "That's why I'm forcing you. Stay with us until you meet the one you love!"
Hearing this, Rapunzel fell silent, but we could see tears welling up in her eyes. "...Please..."
"Help me find my teacher!" said Rapunzel with tears in her eyes. She had made up her mind now.
Alice smiled and nudged me. I paused for a moment and remembered Admetus' words at that time.
A human without freedom is like a human without a soul.
Rapunzel was still empty inside. Because she still had not gained her freedom, as her mother was still searching for her, and I knew we would have to deal with the authorities later.
"Rapunzel," I began as I walked towards her and said, "We will give you your soul."