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"Good evening, Spring." The Doctor, Emily Dyer, greeted the boy who was already sitting at the waiting lobby, hand pinching his soft cheek playfully.
"Ms. Dyer! Good evening! Ah, we're on the same team today... Please take care of me!" Naib Subedar or frequently referred as Spring, grinned as he glanced at the entrance door. He waved his hand energetically. "Ms. Adams and Ms. Woods!"
The Gardener, Emma Woods, waved her hand and smiled while her other hand carefully holding the hand of The Mind's Eye, Helena Adams, guiding her into the room.
"Spring! Hey, look at Helena's new outfit! Isn't it cute?" Emma excitedly presented Helena, who was smiling shyly while holding her new cane too.
"E-Emma.. Um, it's not weird, isn't it..?" Helena clutched on the cane. She was wearing a beautiful baby pink dress with a comfortable-looking haircap. "They said it's alright to wear your sleepwear for a few days ahead... a-and since I heard Mr. Carl and Ms. Margareth wore them on the last game, I wanted to try it too.. --as expected, it's weird--"
"It's not! You look so adorable, Ms. Adams!" Spring's eyes were basically sparkling. "You look like a cotton candy fairy! And the clothes material looks very soft.. I wish I could have a beautiful sleepwear like Ms. Adams.. Oh! And your new cane? Very splendid! It suits you very well!"
Helena's cheeks were tinted with a soft blush. She smiled shyly. "You certainly flattered me too much! I wonder who taught you to be such a sweet talker..."
Spring just smiled. "But it's true! Everyone would think the same too, right?"
"He is right! Helena should wear more cute dresses.. I know! Me and Emily can make it together for you!" Emma clung on the doctor's arm.
"Hmm.. I haven't made any clothes for quite a while, but I don't mind making one." Emily smiled as she patted Emma's head.
The bell chimed, signaling them to take their respective seats.
The Photographer, Joseph Desaulnier, was sitting idly as he looked at the four survivors who were chattering animatedly.
"Oh, so today is Mr.Joseph's turn as the hunter." said The Geisha, Michiko, as she peeked into the waiting room.
"Mhm. To be honest, I wanted to have a good sleep this night with Aesop." He muttered as he rubbed his eyes. "I want to see him with his new pyjamas."
Michiko squinted her eyes. "... Don't tell me his new pyjamas yesterday was from you..."
"...why? Isn't that adorable? Especially the floral prints." Joseph blinked without any remorse.
Michiko held her urge to sigh but then she got an idea. "Then, why don't you switch with Mr.Jack for today? His schedule will be tomorrow and one of the survivor, if I'm not wrong, will be Aesop Carl. The place would be at the Red Church."
"Ah! ....but wait, and the other survivors?" He carefully asked.
".. Patricia Dorval, Mr. Murro, and William Ellis."
"....I could feel my bone writhing already, but if it's to meet my darling at church...!" Joseph clenched his fist. "....Please help me to call him, Ms. Michiko."
Michiko giggled as she walked away. "Right away."
'I hope with this, Mr. Jack will be able to overwrite that certain memory when on the game with the 'other' Spring...' She quietly mused to herself as she knocked on a certain bedroom door. "Excuse me, Mr.Jack?"
"Hm..." Spring poked on his elbow pads. "Somehow it's taking a longer time than usual...?"
"Maybe the hunter today is having a problem?" Emma tilted her head in wonder. "Who is the hunter for today?"
"That would be Mr.Joseph, right?" Helena answered, recalling the information that she was told.
"Ah... maybe he is having a back pain again..." Emily mumbled. "Let us all be patient for him."
Everyone nodded solemnly with understanding expression on their faces.
"That doctor--- why must she babbled unnecessarily?! That time was once in a while! I'm not that old yet!" Joseph's protest remained unheard as he waved his sword angrily.
"Well, you are old enough to have a back pain." A chuckle came from behind.
Joseph turned around and pouted. "I demand your mouth to stop adding brainless comment before I change my mind to switch place with you, Mr.Jack-- for God's sake, are you even listening to me?!"
The taller hunter was already on his way to visit the survivors' table, all in cheerful hums and light steps.
"...I'm going to drink some wine and rest for tonight. My head hurts." Joseph sighed as he walked out from the waiting room.
They almost fell asleep until Spring caught a faint familiar tune. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and soon, they were twinkling in delight.
"E-Everyone! Wake up! It's Mr.Jaaaack!" He tried to stand up from his seat but he was too fast and stumbled back.
Jack quickly caught him and chuckled. "Good evening, Little Spring."
He helped Spring to sat down again and tipped his hat politely to the others. "And good evening to you all, charming ladies."
They giggled at Jack's gentleman manner.
"Is that a new attire, Mr. Jack? The colours are lovely." Emily pointed out at the hunter's new purple tuxedo.
"Oh, you have quite an eye, Mr.Dyer. Yes, the old attire was rather worn-out so I had this one made." Jack adjusted his new suit.
"I bet you would look very dashing." Helena commented. "Will you please let me take a look later on?"
"Absolutely yes. Please feel free to tap the cane when you're nearby." He noticed something and smiled. "And your new sleepwear dress is such a precious, Ms. Adams."
"Then.. does it mean today we can take it easy? You won't get mad if I dismantle the rocket chairs..?" Emma timidly asked. She liked to tinker with the chair, but rarely got the opportunity.
He blinked. "I have never been mad whenever you dismantled the chair, haven't I, Ms. Woods?" This gardener has always been the curious one ever since the beginning. "So yes, be my guest."
The girls chattered but Jack noticed that Spring had been staring at him. He approached the boy who sat the end of the table.
"Is there anything wrong, Little Spring?" He leaned and spoke with a voice full of concern. "Perhaps, my new attire is not to your liking?"
Spring blinked before he gasped and shook his head. "N-Not at all, Mr.Jack! In fact, you look absolutely stunning!" But then he looked down. "But..."
"...but?"
Spring looked up and smiled sheepishly. "I missed seeing Mr.Jack in his usual attire..."
Another bell rang and Jack has to quickly go back before he got disqualified.
But Spring's little wish did not left unheard.
"Mr.Jack-- ah, w-where are you going?" Michiko was about to greeted the said man but confused as he was obviously running to the opposite direction of the game area.
The door opened and they all scattered all around light-heartedly as they know it'll be an especially good game that day.
But Spring couldn't help but think about the game that happened on the other place. He hesitated to enter the area as he stayed alert. He walked slowly to the nearest cipher machine and started to decode as fast as he could.
「Stay focused to decode and survive.」
He remembered what a certain prospector said back then.
'Survive, huh...?' He mused to himself. 'I never have to think about that while I'm here.. I wonder what makes things very different there..'
He was too focused that he didn't noticed someone approaching him rather cheerfully. He snapped out from his thought once he saw a tall shadow looming from behind. Spring felt a sharp pain from before and in reflex, he ran away as fast as he could.
"A-Ah? Little Spring? Wait up..!"
Spring could hear Jack's confused voice calling up his name but he couldn't stop running. The fear and pain were deeply ingrained in his memory. He went hiding behind the wall while trying to catch his breath. He was trembling as he hugged his knees.
He could hear footsteps slowly coming toward him and stopped on the other side of the wall. But the hunter didn't come further. Rather, he spoke softly, as if trying to coax a scared child out from his hiding.
"Little Spring, I don't know what happened while you were there.. but if by any chance, the 'me' on that place did something that made you upset, please do find in your heart to forgive me..." Jack placed his hand on the wall.
"...re you..."
"...?"
"Are you... Spring's usual Mr.Jack..?" Spring mumbled quietly.
"Won't you come and see it for yourself, my sweet Little Spring?"
Spring slowly peeked from behind the wall and there he stood; Jack the Ripper with his usual barber attire, looking at him with the same amount of affection like usual.
"A hug or two, perhaps?" Jack chuckled as he opened his arms.
The boy stood up and quickly nestled himself in warm embrace. "Mr.Jack.. I'm sorry for ever doubting you..."
"It's alright. That day was an especially tough one, wasn't it? We've never talked about your experience, so why don't you come to my room after this and tell me about it?" Jack lifted his favourite survivor up and smiled. "Don't cry, Little Spring.. I love your smiling face the best.."
Spring sniffled as he let Jack's hand wipe away tears that he didn't know were falling down. He smiled brightly. "Look! I'm not crying anymore!"
The rest of the game were a peaceful one. They went around and found Emily who was decoding the machine.
"It's okay. I'll do the decoding with Ms. Helena later. Ah, please take her to me if you meet her." Emily waved her hand, smiling at the sight of Spring and Jack holding hand.
Soon, they found Helena who was looking for them.
"Ms. Adams.. I regret to inform you but currently I am wearing the usual attire. Terribly sorry for letting your hopes up." The hunter bowed apologetically.
Helena shook her head, tapped her cane and with a thud, she smiled. "It's alright.. Ah, as expected, you look nice in your usual attire too." She giggled softly. "And look! You both are holding hands! How lovely.."
Jack just smiled while Spring tried to hide his embarrassment.
"W-We'll take you to Ms.Dyer! She is in the middle of decoding the machine now!" Spring offered her his free hand. "Do you mind if we hold hands?"
Helena took his hand and shook her head. "Not at all. Let us go to Ms. Emily then."
The three of them arrived at Emily place while holding hand, making the doctor laughed rather cheerfully. "Mr.Jack, you're like guiding the lost children."
Jack chuckled. "But this little one is not lost though." He picked Spring up and nuzzled his cheek.
"G-Geez, Mr.Jack...! That's embarrassing...!" Spring pouted, blush tinted on his soft cheeks. "I am not a child.."
The other just smiled. "Shall we look for Ms. Woods now? I believe she has dismantled around... 8 chairs by now."
"Ms. Woods is very fast! You see, I actually tried to dismantle one before, but somehow it took a long time! And then...."
The boy talked animatedly while the hunter listened to him, all while holding him up carefully. Eventually, they arrived at the sight of a certain gardener holding a rocket. She waved her hand.
"Hey, both of you! Look, I collected soooo many rockets! I wonder how far it'll take you if you attach them all to one chair!" Her eyes sparkling in curiousity.
"That.. sounds rather unsafe.. but still, it's interesting." Jack commented as he stared at the stacked rockets. "How about the chair underground?"
Emma shook her head and pouted. "I tried several times to dismantle them, but to no avail.. I wonder if they have better toolkit at the manor!"
"Ooh! If Ms. Woods can get her hands on it, there won't be any rocket chair left!" Spring clapped his hands.
"Which is would be bad for us hunter.. It's too bad but I pray may there be no better toolkit then." Jack nodded.
"Meanie." Emma grinned playfully.
Soon, the siren sounded loudly, marking the doors were available to be opened. The mind's eye tapped her cane to let the three of them know which door she and Emily at. They walked while chatting and arrived at the opened door.
"Thank you for today, Mr. Jack."
"I hope we could meet again when you are wearing your new attire.."
"I had so much fun! Ah, I will still look for a sturdier toolkit!"
Jack tipped his hat. "The pleasure is all mine. I'll be looking forward for our next meeting."
The girls said their goodbyes and went away with smile on their faces.
"Mr.Jack.."
"Yes, Little Spring?"
"When will you put me down...?"
Jack chuckled in amusement. "I don't mind bringing you back all the way to the manor though."
Spring was actually already half snuggling inside Jack's arms, feeling comfortable and warm made him rather sleepy.
"Besides, it's already late at night. Nobody would see us going back like this. I'll take you back to your room, alright?"
'Aside from Miss Nightingale, that is.' Jack added inside his head.
"Mm.. okay... but.." Spring stifled his yawn. "If it's alright.. may I sleep with Mr. Jack tonight..?"
Jack blinked.
"We would talk a lot.. about that day, right...? I'm afraid I'll fall asleep in the middle of talking.. so..."
Ah. He apparently almost mistaken the meaning. "Of course you can. We can talk and then sleep together afterwards. Let's be hurry to fetch your sleepwear and go to my room then."
Jack headed to the exit door for hunter, occasionally glancing down at the sight of Spring who was already snoring lightly.
"I love you, my Little Spring." Jack whispered tenderly. "Good night and sleep tight.."
Bonus ?
"He did... WHAT."
Jack almost broke his mug if it wasn't for Spring who tried to calm him down. Spring had a sleepover yesterday at Jack's room and currently they were talking about their day with the 'other' them.
"I-It's alright though! At the end of the game, Mr. Jack from the other--"
"No."
"....yes?"
Jack crossed his arms and muttered. "I am the only one that can be called as 'Mr.Jack' by you. He is not."
The boy chuckled at the hunter's rare childish antics. He found it rather charming.
"Alright.. then he is Mr. Ripper!"
Jack nodded. "You may continue."
"Mr. Ripper was also nice! He didn't put me on rocket chair and brought me back to the manor." Spring tilted his head. "I think?"
"You are not sure about it?"
"Yes.. actually I fell asleep since it was a tiring day.."
"...and how did he bring you back exactly?"
Spring blinked. "Just like how Mr. Jack usually does!"
Jack felt like he wanted to punch the other him so much.
"......" He took a deep breath. "Okay, I am calm. But still... how dare he to hurt you like that..."
If it wasn't for the law of time and space, he would probably already slaughtered the other him.
Spring shook his head and touched his side. "Well.. it was hurt, but you see, I managed to help my friends over there! Is this what they call as 'battle scar'? At any rate, I'm happy! And..."
"And..?"
"..it made me realize how lucky I am to be this side's 'Naib Subedar' ! We have a lot of fun almost every day..." Spring held Jack's hand and grinned. "And I have Mr. Jack whom I love sooo much here!"
The other held his urge to cry out of happiness so instead, he pulled the boy into a hug and sighed.
"And I am ever so glad to have you as my Naib Subedar here... Never ever change place with him again, alright?"
"Why? What did the other me do?" Spring asked curiously.
"....he called me a creep with an expression that never even in my worst nightmare I could imagine you making that kind of face and tackled me hard on stomach into the wall.."
Spring laughed. "That sounds like him, alright! The cool Naib Subedar!"
"He wasn't cool at all... oh, come on, Little Spring, please stop laughing at my misfortune.."