Woah, there’s a big piano here.

…It’s a fine piano.

Scan complete. Although the piano is very old, it seems that its owner took great care of it.

Oh, and there’s sheet music here too… There’s stuff written all over it. I wonder what song this is?

…I have found a match for this score in my memory.

Liszt, Transcendental Étude No. 2.

……

Meow. ♪

You’re brushing against my legs again. What is it? I appreciate that you’re trying to comfort me, but you won’t win my affections by clinging to me.

I can’t move like this. Come on, out of the way.

Mrmmm…

Between all of the sheet music in his bedroom and the piano here, I’d guess the owner of this house was some kind of musician.

Maybe so.

…There doesn’t seem to be an exit in this room either.

Cica, let’s just head home already.

Huh? But there aren’t any exits…

There are windows. Plüss and I can use our arm strength to break them open.

Plus, if we just wait, Toi will come. He should be able to get us out of this house. There’s no need for us to try and grant a dead man’s wishes.

Myaoow…!

…! The piano’s playing on its own…?

(Is it a self-playing instrument? No, this is…)

Since we’ve arrived, we’ve been forced deeper and deeper into a labyrinth with no exits.

And although we’ve witnessed all of these theatrics, none of it has told us anything important.

An allusive, yet pitiful effort. It’s truly pathetic that he thinks he can get my attention with such methods.

! …Hissss!!

Woah…! Another poltergeist?!

! Master, duck!

What?!

(A big lantern is headed my way… I can’t get out in time!)

……

(……Huh?)

Are you alright, cica?

Ah… You protected me. Thank you so much…!

I’d hate for your body to be tainted with injuries. While we’re already so close, would you care for a dance?

A-A dance? But the poltergeist is still⁠— Woah.

Surely you know how to waltz, at least. Just follow my lead. Come on, move your feet.

(My hunch was right… The poltergeist is purposefully avoiding Kuguri-san.)

(Maybe it’s trying to keep him from getting hurt…)

Um… Kuguri-san. Are you sure you have no insights on the house’s owner?

I just kinda feel like… He’s telling you to stop ignoring him.

I’m afraid I don’t… Especially since he’s already gone.

Even if I remembered him, there would be no point.

Mrrrr…

…The dead truly are sad, foolish, insubstantial beings. No matter how strongly they feel, if the living forget them, they have nothing left.

It’s too late.

Even if they leave with regrets, once everything is over, it’s far too late.

So… I believe it’s best they forget their lingering attachments and remove themselves from this asinine, pointless world.

…Hssss… Hsss…

HISSSSSS!!

Wha?! The piano’s floating…?!

Oh, it seems I’ve angered him.

Master! Kuguri!

Kinari-kun!

Extreme danger level detected. Let us move to the bedroom.

That noise… Is the piano slamming against the door…?

I am able to hold it back, but not for long. Considering the durability of the door, I estimate two or three minutes left until it is destroyed.

That’s not good. We might get crushed under the piano at this rate. But I suppose that is a very comical way to go out.

(We still haven’t found Renga-kun and Kiroku-kun… W-What do we do now…?!)

! I sense voice signals that match my internal data.

(That sounds like…!)

Renga-kun! Kiroku-kun!

Chief! You’re all here…!

I’m glad you’re okay! …But why’s Kinari pressed up against that door?

There’s a loud…banging sound? What…happened…?

Uh, it’s a long story, but we don’t have time for that right now…!

…Hm?

Kiroku, what’s that you’re holding? It looks interesting.

Ah… Um, a portrait. Of someone named…Suzanne Valadon.

I think it could be…a hint…

A portrait…

I thought the owner was just a musician, but it looks like he was into paintings too.

…Suzanne Valadon…

…Ah, I got it. I know who this lamb is.