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Alone Together on New Year’s Eve – Part 05

Later that night.

At the heart of the snow-covered flowerbed maze stood a candy house, radiating warmth amidst the chilly landscape.

Reclined upon a chair by the fireplace, Victorique was flipping through a book. Flames danced and crackled, casting orange hues that painted the girl’s cheeks a rosy red. On the table lay a colorful assortment of macaroons—red, pink, yellow—along with animal-shaped candies. Small rose-shaped chocolates were scattered about. The paintings on the wall reflected the light of the fireplace.

Victorique occasionally puffed on a pipe, silently turning the pages of her book. She seemed to be winding down before bedtime, dressed in a muslin nightgown embellished with layers of ruffles and a matching round cap, made of the same material and just as frilly. Strands of golden hair cascaded down to the floor, gleaming. From beneath the hem of her nightgown peeked puffy bloomers embroidered with tulips.

On her chest was a gold coin pendant, while a purple ring glistened on her finger. Flames popped. A solitary night, like any other.

Even on the final day of 1924, the midnight of New Year’s Eve brought no significant change.

Sitting alone, her deep green eyes gazed softly into the world’s abyss, filling her Wellspring of Wisdom. Her power could not shift a thing, and so the young girl patiently awaited the passage of time.

The sound of turning pages echoed through the room. The wall clock’s hands moved slowly. It was a quiet, quiet night.

---

Outside the candy house, silhouettes appeared, approaching with stealthy footsteps. Two adults advanced cautiously through the flowerbed maze. One of them cast a glance at the other, their eyes asking if this was the right place.

The light spilling from the window revealed black leather gloves covering their hands. Nodding at each other, they continued onward. One headed towards the entrance, while the other drew closer to the window.

Moonlight illuminated their faces. One was a man, while the other appeared to be a woman. Both had cold, piercing eyes and thin lips, and features as emotionless as masks.

The man’s long hair tossed eerily in the wind, and the tails of his coat fluttered, producing a faint, disconcerting rustle.

The man stood before the house. The entrance was small and charming, almost like a toy, painted in a vibrant pink. To enter, one would need to stoop slightly to avoid knocking their head. The man’s face was scrunched up in a deep frown.

His gloved hand reached for the doorknob. It was unlocked, and the doorknob turned soundlessly. Slowly, he opened the door.

An icy breath of satisfaction escaped his lips, lips that curled into a malevolent smile. He clenched his fists a few times, mimicking the gesture of wringing something thin and fragile between his hands.

He exhaled a wisp of white breath with a hint of amusement. The room’s occupant was unaware of their presence, as evidenced by the silence.

Suddenly, a small figure emerged from the flowerbeds, silent as a shadow. Kazuya Kujou.

Startled, the man jerked back. He reached into his chest and pulled out a gun. Kazuya swiftly kicked his hand, sending the weapon far out of reach, and lunged at the man. They tumbled silently through the snow, exchanging blows to the face, grunting.

Noticing the scuffle, the woman drew her gun and pointed it at the two. Her gaze flickered toward the window, concerned that a gunshot might alert the room’s occupant and foil their plan.

As the man strangled Kazuya, the latter kept punching the man in the face. Meanwhile, from behind the woman emerged two distinct silhouettes.

One was an adult man, sporting a head shaped into a cannon. The other shadow belonged to two men holding hands.

Approaching slowly, they seized the woman’s arms and pinned them behind her back. Despite her fierce resistance, the three managed to handcuff her wrists.

Kazuya grappled with the man on the ground. Gradually, he managed to gain the upper hand, rising to his feet and flipping the man onto his stomach. He then knelt on the man’s back, applying his weight. The man groaned.

Inspector Blois entered the scene, handcuffing the man behind his back. Kazuya slowly stood up.

The encounter concluded in silence. The two subordinates, Ian and Evan, dragged the woman away, while Inspector Blois handled the man.

The inspector looked over his shoulder and gave a curt nod. Kazuya, wearing a stern look, nodded back silently.

Inspector Blois, his subordinates, the man, and the woman retreated away, leaving Kazuya alone in front of the candy house. He watched them go with a steely gaze and a grim face. His lips were drawn to a tight line.

The chilly stillness of a winter night shrouded the maze once more, as if nothing had happened. Frozen flowerbeds gleamed with a pale blue under the moonlight, while the moon itself hung large, ready to fall at any moment. Quiet lay heavy on the land.

The year 1924 was ending in just a few more minutes. Kazuya stood alone, motionless, pain rippling through his body.

A mixture of fear and fierce anger boiled inside his chest. He shuddered.

“You look pitiful, Kujou.”

A voice sounded from behind, low as if reverberating from the bowels of the earth. Kazuya gave a start.

Slowly he turned around. An expressionless Victorique stood there, dressed in a pristine white, fluffy nightgown.

---

“I didn’t want to wake you up.”

“I can stay up late. I’m not a child. I’m already fifteen. Hmph. I was awake. It was so noisy outside.”

“Why would you be mad at that?”

Kazuya’s clothes, wet from grappling on the snow-covered ground, were spread out to dry before the fireplace.

Kazuya sat on the floor, wrapped in a blanket. The indoor lights revealed bruises and blood on his face.

Victorique toddled towards him, holding a towel, and threw it to his face.

“Don’t throw it!”

Turning her back on Kazuya, Victorique muttered, “Unfortunately for you, I would not be caught dead handing it gently.”

“You could stand to be a little more considerate,” Kazuya said, taking the towel.

Victorique cast him a glance. “I take it you, my stupid brother, and his subordinates were waiting for the culprits in the cold for hours? Astounding endurance, I must say.”

“Uh…”

Blushing, Kazuya nodded softly, then used the towel to wipe his face. Chewing his lip, he lapsed into silence.

“I went over the conversation between you and the inspector back at the library,” he explained, trying to sound cheerful. “I figured the agents from the Academy of Science came to the village for you. I thought it was dangerous, so I stuck with the inspector. Oh, sorry for suddenly leaving earlier today. I was in a hurry. You’re not angry, are you?”

“Hmph!”

“Unfortunately, the culprits fled. But we found out that they hadn’t left the village. So, I convinced Inspector Blois that if we kept an eye on you, they might show up. I wasn’t sure if I could handle two grownups alone.”

“Shh.”

“Huh? Oh, sorry, I was being too loud. Your second enemy, of course. I’ll be quiet, then.”

Victorique’s plump little finger suddenly touched Kazuya’s lips. Kazuya’s face turned red, starting from his neck up to his forehead.

Victorique’s eyes, so close, glinted in amusement. Her sleepwear, trimmed with plenty of ruffles, stirred.

Wrapped in a blanket, Kazuya sneezed.

Victorique’s gaze turned sharp. “Quiet!”

“S-Sorry…”

“Hmph.”

“What’s the matter?”

“The village church. It’s almost time to ring the bells for the new year.”

Just then, church bells tolled in the distance, heralding the arrival of the new year. It sounded like a joyful voice proclaiming that a wonderful year was about to begin. Victorique listened closely, her eyes flickering with delight.

Kazuya stared at Victorique’s small face. So close and captivating. Light seemed to radiate from within her.

The sound of the bells gradually faded, leaving behind a trailing echo that seemed to retreat into the past.

“Kujou.”

“Hmm…?”

“It’s a new year,” she said, her voice bursting with joy. “I was listening to the same sound last year, alone. The pure, joyous tolling of a bell, showering blessings to the people.” A faint smile appeared on her lips. “I’ve been looking forward to it.”

“So they also ring the bells at the end of the year in Sauville,” Kazuya said, curled up inside the blanket. “They do the same back home. Although, they last longer there. Wow. To think I’d be able to listen to the year-end bell with you.”

“Wipe that grin off your face right now. It’s making me sick and angry.”

“Wh-Why?!” Kazuya retorted.

Victorique said no more. Her mind was elsewhere, a pensive look on her face. Kazuya watched her with concern. She brought her pipe to her lips, lit it, and took a drag. A wisp of smoke rose slowly toward the ceiling.

Kazuya studied her face for a while, until finally he said, “Victorique.”

“What is it, pumpkin-head?”

“I have a name, and it’s Kujou. Never mind. You solved the eleventh mystery I brought you—the case of the odd man and woman at the general store.”

“Ahuh.”

“But the tenth mystery is still unsolved.” Kazuya raised his index finger. “The mystery of the influx of visitors from Saubreme. The inn is full, and the villagers are surprised. There’s no way they’re all agents of the Ministry of the Occult or the Academy of Science. I mean, most of them are women, children, and families. What does it all mean? Victorique? What’s the matter?” Kazuya paused and placed his hands on his knees.