Ch. 4: The Scarecrow Project
Leeya let out a heavy sigh as he stood in front of the collapsed tower…-.
The tower suddenly collapsing like that… what could have happened?
Leeya: "Damn…now I've done it…"
Leeya pulled his hat down as if embarrassed…
Then almost immediately, he turned up his head and let out a long, thin sigh.
Leeya: "At this rate, the left tower won't be any good either…"
OO: "Um, Leeya, what's…"
Leeya: "Mmm… guess you're mixed up in it now, so I'll tell it to ya straight."
Leeya forced a smile, then took me to his room.
…
……
Leeya's room was a bit peculiar.
Built into the sturdy walls was a spiral staircase leading upwards.
What's…that…?
Leeya: "Don't go up there, ok? It leads to the head, but it's still under construction."
OO: "Head…?"
Leeya: "Tell ya later…Ah, you can sit anywhere over there."
He says that but…
The area was full of books and research materials, all scattered about, and there was no place to sit.
Plus, there were many strange contraptions.
Leeya: "Well…this room is part of the plan too."
OO: "Plan?"
Leeya spoke as he offered me a hot cup of tea.
Leeya: "Yup. The plan. Truth is, this country has always had a connection with the Crow Clan of The Western Forest, and they always come and mess up the country. I wanna take out the problem at the source, by any means possible."
The crows…ah, so that's why he was so mad at them when he woke up. And if I remember right, the butler said something about it too.
Leeya looked utterly frustrated as he bit his lip.
OO: "What are you planning?"
Leeya: "The people in this country don't know how to use their own heads. So I'm remodeling this castle right now. Alone."
OO: "…you're doing it alone?"
Leeya: "Yeah, I don't got anyone I can rely on."
[CHOICE]
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That's… (SUN)
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I wonder why… (MOON)
Leeya: "Anyway, I do fine on my own. I'm working on how to make this castle into a scarecrow."
OO: "Eh…?"
Leeya: "Just now was a little miscalculation. Next time it'll work!"
OO: "Th-then when you said the thing about the head, did you mean…"
Leeya: "Yeah, that staircase leads to the scarecrow's head…the staircase to the lookout!"
His expression was full of confidence, and his eyes sparkled, but without thinking I…
OO: "Turning the castle into a scarecrow, that's a little ridiculous…"
I surprised myself as the words came tumbling from my mouth before I realized it…-.
Leeya: "What!? Are you saying I'm an idiot!??"
OO: "…!"
Suddenly, Leeya's expression turned grim and he approached me.
In that instant, the cup fell from my hand, and I was pushed against the wall.
Leeya: "I'm not an idiot!"
[CHOICE]
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Please calm down (SUN)
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That's not what I said (MOON)
Leeya: "…so when you said ridiculous, you didn't mean me."
I nodded several times, seeing Leeya's terrifying expression.
That threatening look, only a hair's breadth away, made my heart pound.
Leeya: "…I'll forgive you then."
OO: "…I'm really sorry Leeya."
Leeya: "…"
Leeya slowly released me, then averted his gaze.
His eyes seemed to flicker uneasily, then he completely turned his back on me.
OO: "Leeya…?"
Leeya: "Sorry…Long ago, before Oswald gave me my smarts, I was…I really was an idiot. And I hated myself so much…Aa, forget
I told you that! And…forgive me. I was a little rash. I scared you huh…?"
Leeya, his eyes still looking down, picked up the fallen cup.
OO: "…It's alright. And I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that…"
Leeya: "Then you forgive me?"
OO: "Only if you forgive me."
Leeya: "The hell does that mean…"
Leeya smiled awkwardly, then raised his head.
After that, he pulled himself together…
Leeya: "Anyway, the plan to turn the castle into a scarecrow only has a little more work to go. Those guys aren't giving up. So I turn the castle into a scarecrow, and teach 'em a lesson with the thing they hate most."
OO: "…but, is that really something a single person can do?"
Leeya: "Yeah that's right."
OO: "Well then…I guess you wouldn't want any help from me?"
Leeya: "Huh…? What's that mean? It's not like I can't do it!"
OO: "I'm not smart like you are, but if I can help in any way…"
Leeya: "Then what CAN you do?"
Leeya looked very interested as he peered into my eyes.
There was an intelligence there, and it felt like he could easily see through me to what I could do…
B-but if I try hard, I think I can help…!
OO: "I could organize documents, ah, and if you're tired I can rub your shoulders…or something."
Th-that's kind of pathetic…
Disappointed in myself, I waited for Leeya's reaction…
Leeya: "He…hahahaha! You're a funny one! And kinda refreshing! So that's the response you come up with, straight outta your own head. Awesome!!"
OO: "U-um…"
Leeya: "Alright, you're hired! And with my brains, we'll make it work!"
Leeya patted my head, and I could feel a great deal of kindness there in the palm of his hand.
OO: "I wonder why…"
Leeya: "Hah? Wonder what?"
OO: "Why does everyone rely on you so much Leeya…?"
Leeya: "Well, long ago I…"
OO: "…?"
Leeya: "N-never mind!"
As if to brush away my question, Leeya vigorously shook his head.
OO: "N-no you aren't…that really isn't what I meant…"
I spoke in a panic, forcing the words out past the knot that had formed in my throat.
Leeya: "Then what DID you mean?"
OO: "I was honestly just surprised you could do something like that…"
OO: "L-Leeya…please calm down!"
Leeya: "How am I supposed to calm down when you just called me an idiot!!?"
His tone turned more violent, and he pressed in closer.
OO: "Well, I, I wasn't saying you're an idiot Leeya… I was just surprised that you could do something like that…"
OO: "That’s…But I'm sure there are people who would help you. I'm sure if you just said something…"
Leeya: "…yeah, that's probably true. But right now I can't be giving directions left and right. This is something I started after all."
OO: "I guess you're right…"
When he put it that way, I supposed there was no choice.