Hello, again, Mr. California! Cherri here, and uh... yeah, let's go, we're getting a phone back!

  In case you were wondering, we ended up getting burgers and fries. Gumi and I got these big beef ones. Chunky and thick, like- the size of- it's, like, kind of bigger than my head! Also came with large fries and large sodas.

  To you, it's really excessive. To me and Gumi, after all of our magic blood stuff, it's just right. We're totally burning through all of it, making up for all the blood magic we used up. I need it to replenish myself and get back to tip-top shape, while Gumi needs the excess to distract all of her blood from going haywire.

  Think of it like I'm a bottle of car fuel, while Gumi's a bag of stomach acid.

  ... actually, DON'T think that, cause it's kinda weird if you started thinking of us like that.

  Maybe we're actually bottles of whipped cream and bleach. Hmm.

  "Gumi, Gumi, quick. Car fuel and stomach acid, or whipped cream and bleach?"

  "... what?"

  Eh, whatever. Point is, we're eating a bunch for two similar and different reasons.

  "N-No, seriously, what? What does- what does that mean, Cherri...?"

  "I think you just have to choose one, sweetie."

  "... uhm- uh- I guess whipped cream? If you have to eat one of those, then I guess it should be the thing that's actually edible...?"

  So, might as well clarify something: even the EFD replacements can eat burgers, despite being full blown animals themselves. I don't really want to think of them as EFD replacements, though- but that's ultimately how the world works. As much as Gumi and I get attached to them as friends and stuff, they're... still not the same as before. They act the same way as their human selves act, and can eat anything that a person can eat.

  If they stuck to the food that their animal selves eat, then I would have expected Soleil (a carnivorous cat) to eat a full blown fish while Elena and Ethan (herbivore sheep) eat grass and stuff. But no, they get to enjoy the human food. Soleil actually ended up only wanting the fries with a cup of soda, and Elena and Ethan enjoyed an entire bucket of chicken nuggets with separate fries and orange juice options.

  Ethan even ended up tossing me and Gumi one chicken nugget each, dunked in his favorite sauce there, and uh... they're freaking good. Like, really good.

  If I ever don't feel like eating Hippo Dad's cooking, then I guess I know where I'm eating.

  But anyway.

  So I had a small moment to discuss with Gumi what... actually happened-happened when her phone was taken. Had to be really quiet about describing who did it, since- you know, EFD Season. Couldn't talk about the culprit's animal species without getting some eyebrow raises.

  If I ever gain the ability to talk to Gumi like I do you, that would be super freaking awesome. We'd demolish Math tests and any test in general, completely obliterate them- and a ton of other things that telepathically talking with your sister at any time would be really useful for!

  But- nah, can't do that, so we have a few funny little spy plans to talk to each other about this stuff, to really talk all secret and stuff.

  The one we employed is super secret, so... I'm gonna keep it secret and not even tell you it, Mr. California!

  I'm just gonna say what Gumi told me. Turns out, Gumi was approached by like... lions. Like, a bunch of lion girls. Towering, tall lion girls that cornered her and took her phone, right away. Happened in between 2nd and 3rd period, like- Gym and English, while Gumi was getting some water from the water cooler in the hallway between the locker rooms and the actual gym itself.

  She even confessed to me that she didn't tell anyone because, well... she didn't know how to DESCRIBE them beyond them being lions, and- well, she didn't tell me for whatever reason.

  See, okay, the more I tell you about this, the more I bet that you're wondering really badly how the heck Gumi managed to tell me all of this without the others listening in.

  And I'm not gonna tell you, ever, EVER, how we did it. Super secret spy methodology, man. In fact, to hide how Gumi did it, I could probably make it up, like- Gumi and I know morse code or something. Super secret made-up language. Discreetly just talking about lobsters and using lobsters as code for lions. Could be any of these.

  ... but anyway, in regards to being threatened. I guess I'd be scared too of a bunch of lions, even if they're just pretending to be their human counterparts. Like, for all we know, a lion could actually go on to swipe their tough and sharp claws at us, rip us apart and devour us like gazelle. It'd be real easy, too.

  Thus, Gumi and I are going into this prepared for the absolute worst...

  "... huh. This is the place..."

  And the worst, apparently, is a mansion.

  Like, a big three story modern mansion, in a pretty nice suburban neighborhood. Ignoring the burger stop, it took us like 40 whole minutes to go from the high school to here.

  Really bizarre.

  The minivan pulls up to the sidewalk, parking right out front instead of in its driveway just in case. Public roads, after all...

  "... I'm kind of scared to go in..." Gumi mumbles, looking at the mansion.

  "Don't worry, you won't have to," I tell Gumi, getting out of the car. "I'm the only one going in. The rest of you are backup in case anything goes wrong."

  "Darling, you shouldn't be going alone, what if-"

  "They took my sister's phone," I tell Soleil, closing the door and walking to get my phone back from Elena. "It's personal. If I go in there and I'm not out in ten- maybe twelve minutes, then come knocking."

  "... a-alright..." Elena noises, handing me my phone.

  I first take a moment to take a picture of my screen. Sending to Soleil the whole picture of the phone tracker map, just as- proof that this is the house Gumi's phone is at, if things go wrong. I have to take my whole phone just to explain to whoever it is in there that I'm here for a stolen phone.

  ... in fact, I even have Soleil and Elena as contacts for the same feature on my phone. Elena tells me this after she hands me it, so- good to know!

  Let's do this, let's do this. Let's DO THIS!

  I begin to walk to the mansion's front door, ready to confront whoever answers.

  Almost stomping forward, even, ready to storm this place- but not actually. I just walk- walk calmly. I don't want to scare off whoever it is that can see the cameras, and- y'know, if I stomped over there like an animal the whole way, they might call the police before I even knock.

  No, I have to take some bit of "calm" for this...

  ... and with phone in hand, as I walk closer, I then see Gumi get out of the car. Following me, just catching up with me after, following my pace and trailing behind me.

  I didn't say anything to her, of course. No words necessary. I just let her bravely follow after me, joining me in this Kusuri effort to get back at whoever it is- and I'm all ready and prepared to protect her and stuff.

  I certainly feel calmer with Gumi behind me, and, uh... we make it to the front step. Looking at the camera for a bit, looking at the fancy doorside windows and seeing some of the luxurious crap there. Even some gold doorbell

  It's kind of insane, to be honest with you, but... eh. Ignore all that rich, fancy crap. Only thing that matters is that this house has Gumi's phone.

  "... ready, Gumi?" I ask.

  Gumi nods a couple of times.

  I then press the doorbell button, pushing it in and-

  ...

  The bell rings out a song, just- a doorbell song.

  Not one of those traditional ones, no- I think it's one of the songs Hippo Dad listens to. Shoot, what was that song called...? It's like, right on the tip of my tongue...

  Ah! The door opens, and...

  ...

  I... stare at someone who isn't a lion, but rather... a weasel.

  A old weasel man in a sort of- bathrobe? Like, a pure white one that goes all the way down to his ankles, with his winter fur coat and his human gray hair combed back over his head. His gold reading glasses on as he stares with narrowed eyes at me, back arched and just silently looking at me.

  I... I stared at him for the longest, LONGEST while in shock, before- uh, I clear my throat and continue with my phone-retrieving goal. "... excuse me, sorry to bother you. My sister and I- we may have lost her phone somewhere in school, and the- the, uh-"

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Navigation..." Gumi whispered.

  "Navigation, yes," I continue, showing him the phone screen and the map. "The navigation says that it's at this house."

  "... hm. Did it really, now?" the man asks, speaking for the first time and... and having a REALLY FREAKING DEEP VOICE.

  Like- like, wow, okay. Listen, old men usually have these shriveled up voices that sound more high pitched than whatever THIS was. I can't even explain it without sounding weird, but- it's like he's a narrator, like a professional narrator for things! Probably makes sense, since he has a big mansion for all that actor money.

  "Yes, it did. Is there anyone else in this home? Someone, maybe a classmate, might have, like, taken it or found it or something..." I explain.

  "Ah, classmate. my granddaughter. One moment, I'll call for her."

  And he turns around, and calls for his apparent granddaughter, who possibly goes to our school: "Brittany! Some friends from school are here for you!"

  And I feel a chill go down my spine when he says that name.

  Brittany.

  This is freaking Makeup Weasel's house. Makeup Weasel. My literal worst enemy, the one responsible for all of the crap that happened these last three days... that one.

  I... I felt my blood boil a little, felt myself getting all angry and junk. Furious, even, annoyed at this and wondering why Gumi's phone was here.

  "B-Brittany...?" Gumi whispers quietly to me, discreetly peeking past my shoulder and looking with overwhelming caution.

  I nod a few times, and... and keep my cool. Staying as calm as I can, as peaceful as I can while we're in front of Makeup Weasel's grandpa. Standing in silence as the three of us wait for Makeup Weasel to answer back, only to be met with further silence.

  A long silence, as Makeup Weasel doesn't respond whatsoever.

  "... ah, she must not be awake right now. She's been bedridden ever since an incident, after all," Makeup Weasel's granddad tells me- who I will now refer to as Makeup Grandpa, for simplicity's sake.

  Makeup Weasel is bedridden, apparently, for just an injured hand... unless, somehow, Gumi's toxic effect extended to his arm, taking out a whole arm that she needed to sleep off or something.

  ... but, judging from how casual he is, it's clear that it hasn't gotten to that point yet, and also that he's not fully aware of what happened at school. He doesn't know about me, the pink haired girl responsible for it, and- huh.

  Made even more especially clear as he welcomes and invites us inside to look for Gumi's phone.

  He's a lot nicer than Makeup Weasel ever was, which is- interesting...

  ... but anyway. Gumi and I look around for a bit as we enter the mansion, and- wow, okay. The whole house is decked top to bottom with rich vibes.

  The walls are pretty- clean, with eye-catching designs, he has like a bearskin rug on the floor with a large couch and a large wall television- has a whole kitchen in view with the most top-notch kitchen crap, and some boiling pot of soup currently on the oven. Had a grand piano and several paintings and a freaking golden hanging light in the center. Bright lightbulbs set up like fake candles and stuff!

  It's just- freaking... freaking INSANE.

  "So... is there anyone else except you and your granddaughter, Mr. Weasel?" I ask.

  Makeup Grandpa shakes his head as he stands behind us, arms crossed. "No, no... my granddaughter was dropped off here, after the hospital. Her mother insisted on it and all."

  And Makeup Weasel's parents don't live here?! Makeup Weasel has a grandpa with a rich freaking house, then lives somewhere else with her parents?! TWO WHOLE HOUSES?!

  I- I'm just surprised. Surprised with a look of just- sheer dislike of her. "Right..." And as interesting and rich as this house looks, I- don't want to be here any longer than I have to. I don't feel like bothering Makeup Grandpa more than I have to, even... and- and we need to get the phone before Makeup Weasel says something that prevents us from getting Gumi's phone back.

  Hmm.

  Speaking of which, I look at my phone, staring at the tracker. Gumi's phone is definitely still close, and- there's an arrow sort of starting to point us in the right direction. Kinda points down into a hallway, around the grand piano he has in the corner.

  Makeup Grandpa then walks past us, starting to take the lead. "If you don't mind, I think your might be in the guest room."

  "The guest room?" I ask, tilting my head as Gumi and I follow.

  "Yes. All of the belongings Brittany may have will be enclosed in that room, since I haven't seen any phone left behind in any other room," Makeup Grandpa tells us. "So I shall let you search through. Do be quiet, though, in case Brittany's asleep."

  Huh...

  So, Makeup Weasel doesn't have her own bedroom here... it's just a guest room. Hm.

  Anyway. We walk after Makeup Grandpa, until he stops in front of a single door. A dark oak door with gold letters engraved into it. I kept my eyes on the phone the whole time here, kept following its tracking, and- lo and behold, it's closer now that we're right in front of this bedroom door.

  And then, with royal treatment, Makeup Grandpa opens the door for us and everything. "Alright. Go on, now. In and out, quick and quiet as a mouse. Alright?"

  Gumi and I nod, and then- we enter the bedroom. Continuing the search, and... readying to search the bedroom.

  It's a massive bedroom one, like- really big and rich and bright. If I had to put it into perspective, this room is like- twice, maybe three times the size of my and Gumi's bedroom. Pure white wallpaper with hardwood floors, and a massive king sized bed in the middle of it. Bunch of furniture, like- dressers, closets, a desk and chair with a mirror... even has its own big wall TV hanging in front of it.

  Plus, the room's, like, right on the outside edge of the house, so it comes with these long windows that have these plastic vertical curtains, these ones where you turn a stick and the panels shift to block out the sun and junk. A nice, bright, cheerful view of the outside.

  And in that king sized bed, in the very middle... Makeup Weasel, currently asleep. No makeup on her face, none of that- just... lying there, passed out with a cast over her hand.

  "..." Alright. Next part of this plan, then.

  Now that we're in the room, it's- I guess it's time to start searching... but we have to be more mindful of where, because Makeup Grandpa's standing at the door the whole time. Obviously, just to make sure we don't disturb his granddaughter or take anything we don't need to. If we just rummaged through her room without reason, we'll probably get in big trouble.

  And I also kind of don't want to touch anything Makeup Weasel may have touched, anyway, so... time to make use of this tracking thing.

  There's this button on my phone with like, a volume icon on it. Pressing it apparently does a thing that makes the lost phone ring out and play a song, a chime to alert me and stuff.

  So, I nod to Gumi and start pressing the button, to have Gumi's phone play a sound as we continue to track it, going about the room for a bit and- and there we go, a chime suddenly and instantly plays.

  The chime came from this bedside table on the left side of the bed. Gumi and I see a phone on top of it, but- that's definitely just Makeup Weasel's phone, so it has to be inside of it.

  Alright, so, I look to Makeup Grandpa and nod a bit, before pointing to the bedside table. Gumi and I approach, and- play the sound again to figure out which drawer it was specifically in (there were three of them. Top, bottom and middle), then- we open the top one.

  There it is. Phone. Gumi's, in particular, in all its glory.

  ... this is- outstandingly easy.

  I press the button again just to confirm it's really hers, just for fun- in the event that Makeup Weasel somehow decided to get a phone that looked EXACTLY like Gumi's. Pressing it, this phone we see rings out again and then- yeah. This is definitely Gumi's phone.

  Now, I just- I'm just wondering why it's here, now. Gumi said some lions took it, so I guess I was expecting some lion... did the lion answer and then just- pass off Gumi's phone to Makeup Weasel, expecting me to-

  "... ughhhh..."

  ...

  Oh.

  Oh my g-

  Wait a minute. Makeup Weasel just groaned in a deep voice, and she looks like she's waking up, and...

  ... I- I know her voice. I know for a fact, now, that I heard Makeup Weasel's voice on the other end last night! It's- her groaning voice is deep, exactly as deep as what I heard! Meaning she had the phone since at least last night.

  And the more I think about it, the more I realized: HOLY CRAP, I WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING!

  The Charlotte I followed, it was the right Charlotte!

  And that's why I didn't see anyone interesting or deep voiced enough to have taken Gumi's phone... the person who had it last night wasn't even at school!

  I was- in shock, thinking: what the heck, she's the one who had the phone the whole time?! So the lions - or, rather, lionesses, actually, since they're lion girls - just- took Gumi's phone and then gave it to Makeup Weasel? Did Makeup Weasel just- tell them, directly, to steal Gumi's phone and stuff?!

  Tch... that's- despicable...!

  "...! Psst-!"

  A-Ah! Makeup Grandpa suddenly- beckons us to quickly go to him, realizing that his granddaughter is waking up.

  So I snap out of my proud, happy "Cherri was right" thinking, and Gumi and I quickly sneak out, leaving the room just as Makeup Weasel was just waking up and groaning more. I hope and think that she didn't see us, that she didn't catch wind of us at all, so- so Gumi and I just sigh breaths of relief, as does Makeup Grandpa.

  "Alright... you have the phone now...." Makeup Grandpa whispers, quietly, just nodding to us. "Will that be all...? Or would you care to stay around for some soup? I have made plenty, if you would like some to go."

  I shake my head. "No, no, we have to get going home, now..." I whisper, looking at- Makeup Weasel's grandpa with a sort of- respect, I guess. "Thank you for the offer."

  "Well, another time, then."

  And with that, we're walked back to the front door... and Gumi and I head back to the minivan. Walking away from the front door, hearing Makeup Grandpa close the door behind us.

  Gumi enters the minivan first, sitting in the middle and holding her phone out to everybody in a celebration way. Celebratory. Celebrated it, as I got in as well.

  "Ah, wonderful, wonderful!" Soleil exclaims, smiling happily and contently at us. "So... how was it? Did you two run into the person who took it?"

  And- Gumi immediately answers before I can say anything. Answering and explaining by... by hiding it. "Well- no... turns out, s-someone else had the phone... t-this house doesn't belong to the girls that took it..."

  "R-Really? That's weird..." Elena mumbles. "... but, the good thing is that we have it, so... y-yay!"

  For whatever reason, Gumi doesn't want to mention the fact that Makeup Weasel lives here, so... I go along with it. I don't say a single thing, taking Gumi's lead in not telling them anything.

  And with that... Elena's brother drives off, and we pulled off what's basically a hardcore heist. In and out, quick and easy. Thanks to the miracle of phone technology, we found the phone and fled the scene quick and easy.

  I just- I'm just sitting here, smiling widely to myself, looking out the window and thinking to myself... like, thinking-thinking: I was right, I was right~!

  And I can't even tell Soleil that I was right, not until Gumi eventually spills the beans about who lived in the mansion. I was right, I was right, I was riiiiiiiight!

  But, hey, that's why I have you, Mr. California. You get to know that I'm right, that I'm always right! Heh.

  I wonder if Makeup Grandpa's gonna tell Makeup Weasel that we came over? Heck, I wonder how Makeup Weasel's gonna react to the fact that she doesn't have Gumi's phone, anymore?

  Could be an interesting- real interesting bit that we have to worry about tomorrow...

  ... but hey, if I learned anything from these last three days... I'm not gonna go through this alone. I have Gumi, Soleil, Elena- apparently, Elena's brother- and I have you too, Mr. California!

  I'm ready, ready for the potential fallout that's going to happen tomorrow. The fallout that comes from everything Makeup Weasel did, everything that I did, just- the entirety of school as a whole! Totes ready, with all my heart and soul, for whatever's going to happen next.

  "... Cherri?" Gumi suddenly asks. "Is- is everything okay?"

  "Oh! Everything's great right now, just, uhm..." I say, scratching my chin. "I'm just... reflecting on everything."

  "I-I see... w-well, uhm... uh... h-hi!" Gumi exclaims for- seemingly no reason.

  "Huh? Hi?" Elena's brother suddenly asks. "W-Who are you saying that to?"

  "Pfft..." Soleil lightly chuckles, looking straight at me. "Bonjour, bonjour, monsieur~!"

  "O-Oh! Uhm... h-hello from me as well-!" Elena exclaims, looking over her shoulder at me.

  "... well, alright then. Yo!" Elena's brother suddenly exclaims, holding one hand up and waving.

  I... I look around for a bit as they all say that, and uhm...

  ... heh.

  They all say hi, Mr. California.

  Now, this is the part where I say some cheesy motivational speech that sets up the entire moral for this part of my life, this start of my school year and school years in general, these three days of emotional things that will probably engrain themselves in my mind for... like... ever.

  And I'm riding in style, as the van drives along. Probably to drop Soleil, Gumi and I off at our homes, just listening to whatever radio station Elena's brother has on right now.

  Everything- feels- so- freaking- great right now...! Like- really great, really FREAKING great!

  And- heh...

  Gosh, okay, I'm- I need to calm down, I need to ease myself down, I'm way too happy right now. I'm gonna stop, gonna just relax my head for a bit, Mr. California, cool down after all of this.

  Until then, uh, see ya! Talk to you some other time!