You then peer outside the window.
Your room's on the third floor, so from here, you can actually see the whole town!

"Buried Oasis", was it?

Surprisingly, there aren't a lot of people outside. Red Tulip felt more populated than this, even though it was a smaller town...

Perhaps most people are having lunch indoors around this time? Who knows, really!

You didn't actually need one, but you had to say something to get past that monster dude, you know? It would've looked suspicious if you didn't grab anything. After all, you've kept your ability a secret so far. Because...

You have to make sure he knows as little about you as possible.

You've been in this world before, and were even targetted by a dangerous winged guard. So, it would be for the best if the description these people have on you does not match up with how you were back then.

If you're found out, not only would you be in danger, but Mei might face trouble too. Even though winged are normally a neutral party, siding with a human is likely to make those monsters see her as an enemy!

So, yeah. You'd really rather not risk being recognized here.

Well, you wouldn't actually know what IS standard for a first-aid kit, since you've never needed to check one before in your life. Why would you, when you've got your handy ability at all times?

...Which reminds you...
You still owe Mei an apology for delaying her healing.

Listen, you just really needed a convincing excuse to get away! If not for that, you wouldn't even have gotten this private room to hide in, you know!? Although, in hindsight... you might have been just a little too paranoid.

Still, you honestly do think it's best to err on the side of caution anyway, even if it entails sitting though some pain or discomfort. Of course, none of what you just thought will matter when you apologize, probably. You gotta do it properly and not sound like you're making excuses for yourself, after all.

Oh well. You'll cross that bridge when you come to it.
Mei doesn't want to talk right now, anyways...

You've got your weapon, cake, and of course, the Book of Wonders!

Wait, the book... that gives you an idea.

You were reading it with Aria last time, though. Dang, things have been so hectic that you never had time to worry about her and the others!

Did they manage to cross the barrier? If so, where could they be right now?

...Sigh. Wherever they are, you hope they're safe.

Remembering Aria, you make a small wish in your heart to reunite with her and the others soon. You don't know how you'll do that, but you'll try... together, with Mei.

That's an important thing the two of you need to discuss.

Out of respect for your absent reading partner, you decide not to read ahead of her.

Of course it is! See, all you have to do to make it up to her is go back and read everything page by page when you're together again!

So let's get going! Boy you're so excited to read more!!!

You turn your full attention towards the book, ready to take its wisdom in.

What kind of language is this? Are those even actual letters?
They look like weird hieroglyphs or something...

Dammit, you can't read this at all!

Your eyes scan the paper. As you take in the words, all of your expectations come crashing down. There's nothing alluding to what that strange language might be.

And, boy... this book's content is as rich as ever. You'd have to sit and ponder on the meaning of every line for way too long to something out of it.

Which you would love to do, but remember, while you're sitting here staring at a book... Mei's right there, sitting in silence and possibly feeling ignored.

Fuck. This was a bad idea, wasn't it?

You promptly shut the book, and stow it back into your inventory. Proper reading time will just have to wait, probably until the other bookworm is present. You'll likely get something more useful out of it that way anyhow...

Perhaps it's something to look forward to, as well.

And thus, you suppose, you could be a bit more understanding, and oblige.

Did you... mess up in an irreversible way?
No, no, surely not, right...?

You really hope you can fix this, somehow.
Hopefully, letting her rest will help improve her mood. And, hopefully, the food you get will also be good enough to make the two of you quickly forget about all of this awful awkwardness!

You're totally running back in the moment things look dangerous, though!

But just before you could set out into town, you're interrupted by...

Actually, isn't this a little forceful, even? Err, in a weird way that's open to interpretation, if you had to put it into words.

But he seems so polite that, at this point, you might actually appear suspicious if you keep resisting his generous invitation.

Well, in that case, you could go along with it just to smooth things over a little. Might be a good chance to prod around and see just how suspicious he may be of you - if he even is, right?

Not like Meimona's waiting on you or anything...