I'll find it even if I have to cut the grass! Where is it, where is it...!
On all fours, I rummaged through the garden.
"I found it!"
Ta-da!
I held up an painted egg hidden at the base of a tree with both hands!
I, a 6-year-old, was in a great mood as the maids around me clapped.
"As expected of Young Master!"
"What a wonderful sense of smell, no, investigative ability!"
"Hehe"
Even though I remembered my past life, I just couldn't help but enjoy the egg hunt. Especially when I found an egg with a cool picture on it, oh man...
Isn't the person who came up with this game a genius? I could play it forever.
I put the found eggs into Kitty's basket. At night, they'll evolve into omelets, so I make sure to put them in carefully.
"Are there more? Are there still eggs hidden?"
"There are still many more. The egg drawn by Sevran-sama has not been found yet."
"Sevran-onisama's?!"
I have to find it as soon as possible!
I burned with determination. Lately, I've become really close with my older brother, Sevran. Whenever he doesn't have to study, he plays with me a lot. He's such a good older brother that he even plays hero games with me.
"I'm going!"
"Yes, I wish you the best of luck."
"Okay!"
I ran around the rose garden, searching. Every now and then, I'd squat down and look around. I looked not just at the ground under the trees, but up at the branches too, and if I couldn't reach, I'd ask the maids for help.
"Hmm, it's not here. ...Oh?"
At the base of a tree, there was a tunnel-like space. I'd never seen it before.
I got down on all fours and there, hidden among the fallen leaves and roots, was a beautiful blue egg!
I reached for it, but I couldn't quite reach it. I sat down on the ground and thought for a moment. I looked down at my clothes and examined the buttons and embroidery.
"But my clothes will get dirty..."
But if that egg is Sevran-onisama's, I absolutely have to get it.
I glanced at the maid who was waiting for me at the starting point.
(Ugh... I'm sorry!)
I apologized in my heart and took a deep breath. I went down on all fours and crawled into the tunnel. As I crawled deeper, branches brushed against my head and face.
But I was almost there!
Just as my bottom was about to enter, the egg was right in front of me.
"?"
There was a pitch-black, foggy substance next to the egg. It was like a darker version of my magic color. I think it was a clump of magical energy.
It swirled and moved closer to the egg, so I instinctively slapped it with my hand. It dissipated for a moment, but then the fog returned.
Hmph, so cocky! What is it?
I kept slapping it until it disappeared completely.
"..."
I wonder if I should have done that. My heart was pounding. What if I wasn't supposed to make it disappear?
"Young Master Fran?"
"Wah!?"
Kitty's voice came from below.
"I saw you looking this way, so I came to see if you needed anything."
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about getting my clothes dirty."
I felt relieved that Kitty was nearby, so I took the blue egg. It was a rare egg that had been targeted by the black fog. It was a beautiful sky blue color with blue and gold lines. This egg felt like this was a work of art... maybe this was Sevran-onisama's.
Feeling happy about that, I was about to turn back when I realized something.
I couldn't get out of the tunnel with the egg in my hand.
But I didn't want to let go of Sevran-onisama's egg. But, but... if I can't get out, I'll have to live here forever!?
"K-- Kitty! Kitty!"
"Yes, Young Master?"
"I can't get out! Pull me! Hurry! I'm scared!!"
"Young Master!"
I was dragged out by my feet with a whoosh and ended up half-crying, still clutching the egg.
I was relieved when Kitty quickly scooped me up.
"... Young Master, it's almost lunchtime."
"Yeah... Oh, I'm covered in dirt."
Because I'd crawled into the tunnel and Kitty had pulled me, my clothes and face were dirty. One of the maids who came over removed the leaves and stuff from my head, but I had to change my clothes.
I wanted to keep looking for eggs, but my tummy was rumbling too.
When I got to my room, I held out my arms and waited as Kitty and the others changed my clothes. They also wiped my face with a wet cloth, so I felt refreshed!
"Kitty, did I find Sevran-onisama's egg?"
As we headed to the dining room, I kept glancing nervously at Kitty's basket. I had found four, but I wonder... I thought the last one was it, but I haven't checked the answer yet...
"Yes. This blue egg here. It's a very elegant piece."
"I knew it! Sevran-onisama is so cool!"
"Indeed."
"He's kind, cool, and smart! He's so cool!"
"Yes."
Kitty was smiling, but then she stopped and bowed her head near the wall.
"?"
"...Fran"
I stopped to see what Kitty was doing, and there was Sevran-onisama, standing right in front of me with his hands covering his face.
"Oh, Sevran-onisama! Are you going to lunch too?"
"Y-yeah, that's right."
Sevran-onisama coughed lightly and nodded.
"Shall we go to the dining room together? Tell me all about your egg hunt."
"Yes! I found Sevran-onisama's egg, you know!"
And I was absolutely sure it was his!
Sevran-onisama took my hand, and I excitedly told him all about my egg-hunting adventure. He patted my head and said, "That's amazing!"
We're going to make the other eggs into omelets, but we're going to dry the one that Sevran-onisama drew and put it on display.
Then Sevran-onisama said, "Next time, Fran can draw one too, and I want one,"
So tomorrow I'm going to draw on an egg!