TPMITWON Chapter 60: Tsukimi

Unlike yesterday, this time the hall was filled with a bustling crowd. Souta raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the commotion that he hadn’t experienced when he first arrived.

Someone approached them. The woman walked with a steady yet graceful stride. She was a woman, but—not Chikano—dressed neatly in contrasting colors: a long-sleeved white top and a deep black skirt that hung down to her heels. Her hair was dark black, tied in a high ponytail. The woman’s eyes—deep dark blue, as if holding remnants of winter.

“Hello, siblings. What brings you here?” the woman asked. Her voice was soft but had an underlying strength. The slight smile on her face did not hide the authority behind her gaze.

Souta immediately stood up straight. “Hello, Sister! My name is Souta. Yesterday I applied to be a cleaner. I took the test from Miss Chikano and passed. Today I came to start working. This is my friend, Pakura, who also wants to apply. I’m not sure if Pakura is allowed, but I brought her along anyway.”

The woman then turned her gaze to Pakura.

Pakura bowed slightly, her soft voice coming out, though a bit nervous. “My name is Pakura. I also want to apply as a cleaner. Is there still a chance?”

The woman smiled, now more sincerely. “Of course. Everyone who intends to work deserves a chance. But whether you pass or not depends on you. And you, Souta, I will take your friend to the testing room first, then come back to take you to your workplace.”

“Okay, thank you very much, Sister!” Souta said, bowing slightly, his eyes radiating respect.

“Just call me Tsukimi,” the woman said.

“Alright, Sister Tsukimi,” Souta replied, this time with a slight smile.

Tsukimi then turned to Pakura. “In that case, follow me.”

Pakura glanced back at Souta, and the boy responded with a calm smile and a confident nod. The smile wasn’t big, but it was enough to ease some of the tension building in Pakura’s chest.

Then, Pakura quickly stepped forward to follow Tsukimi.

Souta remained standing at the edge of the hall, near a large pillar facing the entrance corridor. He leaned against the wall, observing the bustle around him. A man passed by carrying a doll head the size of a human, with a grim expression and tightly closed lips. On the other side, two staff members were speaking quickly while pointing at documents—likely scripts or performance outlines.

Souta let out a quiet sigh. A small smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Amid all the chaos, Souta felt... calm.

After a moment of waiting, light footsteps approached from the corridor. From the shadow of the pillar, Tsukimi finally reappeared. Tsukimi’s black hair looked slightly disheveled by the wind sneaking in from the high windows of the hall, but her smile remained soft and controlled.

Seeing Tsukimi’s arrival, Souta, who had been leaning against the wall, immediately straightened up. He smiled slightly and stepped forward, his voice now calm yet enthusiastic as he said, “So, Sister Tsukimi? Are you going to take me to my workplace now?”

“Of course,” Tsukimi replied, nodding briefly with a light but firm tone. “Come, follow me.”

Tsukimi turned and began to walk, her steps graceful and measured. Souta followed behind her, his steps a bit quick as his curiosity began to grow wild. They passed through a long dim corridor, the faint light from the low-hanging chandeliers casting moving shadows on the sandy walls.

They passed several closed doors—each adorned with intricate carvings shaped like dolls or theater masks. The smell of wood and burning candles grew stronger in this corridor, as if whispering that they were entering the heart of a deeper, more personal place.