NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 2 Part 4
Today, for some reason, the sky looks especially blue.
As I gazed up at it, a single feather drifted down.
An owl feather.
“Huh, birds actually smell kinda weird.”
As I sniffed it curiously, the white owl let out an embarrassed hoot.
It was a peaceful, sunny afternoon.
We were on our way into town.
A carbuncle perched on my shoulder, a white owl soared overhead.
And beside me, the most ridiculously cute girl in existence.
How is it that we’re both primates of the female variety, yet the gap between us is this wide?
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I quickly turned my face away from Fine.
“So, I’m heading out for some shopping, but you sure you wanna tag along, Fine-tan?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. I wanted to ask Faust-sama for a favor, but he wasn’t home. And… I wanted to check in on you, too.”
“Ohhh, you really just can’t get enough of me, can you?”
“Idiot.”
She didn’t deny it, and that only confirmed her love for me.
I was about to keep teasing her when something caught my attention.
Her expression—it was shadowed by something.
I wondered if something had happened, and as I pondered, my eyes fell on the watch wrapped around her wrist.
A familiar watch she had worn for as long as I could remember.
It had belonged to her grandfather.
“…Don’t tell me that’s what your ‘favor’ was about?”
“Huh? Oh… yeah. How’d you know?”
“Well, it’s not ticking.”
The watch, its surface dulled over time and covered in tiny scratches, showed no signs of life.
Even though it no longer functioned, she still wore it with great care.
“I’ve had it for years now, and lately, it’s been acting up. So, I was hoping Faust-sama’s time magic could fix it…”
“Hmm… Mind if I take a look, Do-Re-Mi?”
“Huh? Uh, sure.”
I studied the watch closely.
Whether something is organic or inorganic, as long as it fulfills its role, an energy flow exists within it.
That energy is what we call a spirit.
In the East, they call them ‘Tsukumogami’ or the ‘eight million gods.’
Depending on the land, the names and interpretations differ.
Things that work and serve a purpose are imbued with spirits.
But once something reaches the end of its lifespan, that presence vanishes.
And from this watch, I couldn’t sense any lingering spirit at all.
“Well? Think it can be fixed?”
“Hmm… Hard to say just from looking. Let’s take it to a watchmaker. I know a good one.”
“You always seem to know places like that, Meg.”
“Occupational hazard. I work with shopkeepers a lot.”
“I really hope it can be fixed…”
“Can’t you just get a new one? There are tons of stylish and affordable ones these days, made for young people like you.”
“I dunno… I just wanna keep using this one a little longer.”
“Huh…”
As she gazed at the watch, her expression seemed laced with melancholy.
—○—
The watch shop we were headed to sat at the far end of the shopping district.
It had a retro atmosphere—honestly, a little gloomy.
But I knew the truth.
The old man running this place loved watches more than anyone.
“Oi, old man! We’re here!”
“Oh? Well, if it isn’t Meg-chan. Welcome. And who’s this young lady?”
“My one and only My-Favorite-Friend-Forever. My ultimate bestie.”
“That’s quite a name. Bestie-chan, is it? You look British, but are you actually from India?”
“…Apologize to India.”
As I glared at him, Fine was too busy curiously examining the shop to care.
“I had no idea there was a watchmaker here.”
“Yeah, I was surprised it was still in business. Thought it would’ve gone bankrupt ages ago.”
“Hah! You sure don’t hold back, do ya? Hah hah hah.” His eyes weren’t laughing.
The walls were crammed with clocks—wristwatches, alarm clocks, cuckoo clocks.
Each one ticked with perfect precision, and it was clear they were meticulously maintained.
I could tell because every single one had a spirit dwelling within it.
You can’t achieve this level of care with amateur work.
Only a true craftsman could pull this off.
“So, what brings you here today?”
“Oh, can you take a look at this?”
Fine handed him her watch, and the old man adjusted his glasses with a “let’s see here.”
“Well now, this is rare. A German-made military watch.”
“You can tell?”
“Of course. I’m a watchmaker, after all. This is some fine craftsmanship, especially the detailing on the parts. Germany is home to many master watchmakers. You can feel the dedication in this piece.”
“So… do you think it can be fixed?”
“Hmm… hard to say without opening it up. But as you can see, I’m working alone here. If another customer comes in, I’ll be in trouble, so I’ll have to keep it for now.”
“I see… then I guess—”
“…Why did it turn out like this?”
We found ourselves sitting at the shop counter.
Since the old man was examining Fine’s watch, we agreed to watch the shop in the meantime.
Fine, looking somewhat sulky, rested her chin on her hand beside me.
Through the window, the peaceful town scenery stretched before us, with people casually strolling by.
“Meg.”
Fine spoke in an even, quiet voice while gazing outside.
“…Are you really going to die?”
“Looks like it.”
“…How can you be so calm about it?”
“I’m not really calm, I just can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not good at worrying.”
“You’ve always been like this… such a ridiculously positive freak.”
“What’s that supposed to—”
I turned to her with a half-smile—and froze.
A tear slid down her cheek.
Panicked, I glanced around for help, but the only thing surrounding us was the steady ticking of countless clocks.
“F-Fine-chan? Wh-why are you crying?”
“…I don’t want you to die, Meg… It makes me sad…”
“Don’t kill me off yet!”
Now that I think about it, she’s always been a crybaby.
Normally, she acts composed, but she’s sentimental and wears her emotions on her sleeve.
Whether it was when someone got hurt or when something was accomplished…
Happy or sad, she always ends up in tears.
“Wipe your tears. I’m not dead yet, and I have no intention of dying.”
“…Meg…”
I handed her a cloth.
“I still need to see you off to college and graduation. I have to attend your wedding. I even wanna see your grandkids.”
“…What are you, my mom?”
She let out a small laugh and wiped her tears with the cloth I’d given her.
“…Wait. Is this a handkerchief?”
“Nah. It’s a rag.”
“……”