Harpy's Tears and the Bunny Girl
The screen flickered in the darkened theater. Countless audience members sat transfixed by the film, their eyes glued to the bright display. I, however, couldn't focus at all. Crowded places like this had always made it impossible for me to lose myself in a movie.
Harpy clung tightly to my hand, fidgeting restlessly. "What do I do... what do I do..." Her anxious thoughts kept drifting into my mind, but at least they drowned out the noisy mental chatter of the other viewers.
We had ruled out horror from the start. An action movie with constant explosions and gunfire would have startled her the entire time. So we'd chosen a romance film that matched the screening time. The Response Team Leader, who had been guiding us all day, had stepped out right after the movie started, saying she had something to take care of. She still hadn't returned.
That left me free to watch Harpy's profile without worrying about being seen. She kept twitching, squeezing my hand tighter with every passing moment.
My left hand was busy too. Rustle, rustle. It wasn't anything strange—I was simply feeding her popcorn one piece at a time. She had sulked earlier because she'd fed me cake at the café but I hadn't returned the favor. Now, whenever I brought a kernel to her lips, her plump mouth would brush against my fingertips.
She was too absorbed in the movie to notice, but the soft, warm sensation against my skin left me flustered. Still, after spending the whole day together, I'd grown used to these little moments. The day had been genuinely enjoyable. Though I'd never been fond of going out, this rare outing with Harpy felt refreshing even for me.
After the café, the Response Team Leader had taken us to a cosmetics store. Harpy's eyes had sparkled with academic fervor as she learned about various products and tools. We'd spent a full two hours there before heading to lunch. At the Japanese restaurant, we enjoyed an expensive meal, followed by ice cream—Harpy's favorite. Even though it wasn't my money, seeing her happy face made me feel it was worth every penny.
The rest of the afternoon had been manageable thanks to the Response Team Leader's guidance. Without her, I wouldn't have known where to take Harpy next. By evening, we'd wandered through various spots until it was time for dinner at the hotel's sky lounge restaurant. The meal was another lavish affair. Harpy had never cut steak before—knives weren't provided at the facility—so I'd done it for her, which helped me keep up appearances.
The food was excellent, and Harpy's delighted expression told me she was satisfied with the entire outing. When I asked what she'd eaten before coming to the facility, she mentioned fruits, fish, larvae from under trees, and occasionally hunting lizards or snakes when she felt brave. It had been normal for her, growing up in the wild, but it left me feeling strangely sorry.
That was also why I'd gladly fed her during dinner, even though the Response Team Leader had let out several exasperated laughs at our affectionate back-and-forth. It continued even now in the theater. I couldn't deny there was some selfishness involved, but she couldn't exactly eat popcorn with her sleeves, so I had no choice but to help.
The movie was nearing its end. Just as I was lost in memories of the day, a soft sniffle reached my ears.
"Sniff... sob... sob..."
"Huh? Harpy?"
She had turned into a teary mess, her shoulders trembling. The entire theater was now awash in waves of melancholy. I hadn't realized the film had a sad ending. The poster had shown the couple smiling so brightly...
"Sniff... Counselor... sob... Those people... they're so pitiful... huu..."
She pressed against my shoulder, already shedding large teardrops onto my clothes. I patted her back to comfort her, though a mischievous thought crossed my mind that this wasn't entirely unpleasant.
"It's all right, Harpy. Shall we sit here a little longer until you calm down?"
"Sniff... Yes..."
Her breathing was shallow, her voice shaky, but she leaned even closer. I let out a quiet sigh. Indulging selfish thoughts in this situation still pricked my conscience. The Response Team Leader would definitely have scolded me if she'd seen.
Where on earth had she gone? She never returned even after the credits rolled. The theater lights came on, and staff began cleaning the seats. We needed to leave too. Still no sign of the Response Team Leader. Without the earpiece she carried, moving on our own felt risky, but she might be waiting outside. We had no choice but to head out.
"Harpy, are you feeling better now?"
"Yes... sniff..."
Her eyes and nose were still red, but the tears had stopped. Just as I felt relieved and stepped into the main hall, I caught sight of a familiar back.
"Response Team Leader?"
It was her. The unusual hair color made her stand out even in the crowd. Something about her posture felt off. She kept glancing around nervously, her steps hurried, as if she were being chased. She wore a long coat I hadn't seen earlier and was rushing in the opposite direction from where we stood.
"Harpy, wait a moment."
"Y-yes..."
Her boots made her stumble, and she let go of my hand. I caught her just in time.
"Phew... Got you."
"Eek, thank you..."
But before I could relax, the crowd from another screening surged between us. Our hands slipped apart again.
"Wait, how—"
Voices were swallowed by the noisy hall. I couldn't see her anymore. Fatigue from the day's mental strain made the flood of thoughts around me dizzying. Still, I remembered the Field Team was supposed to be nearby. Without the earpiece, though, I had no way to contact them.
The Response Team Leader had reached a corner of the hall. She glanced around suspiciously once more before slipping behind a large movie poster panel into a narrow space. No ordinary person would go there. Unease mixed with worry for Harpy as I peered after her.
...!
My body froze in place. I could only open and close my mouth in shock.
"Who's there?!"
The Response Team Leader whirled around with sharp eyes. I answered as if stung.
"...It's me!"
"Counselor?!"
Her gaze asked why I was here. Typical of her. But what startled me was something else entirely.
She had just shrugged off the long coat. Beneath it was a daring leotard and stockings that hugged her figure. A deep neckline, a choker resting on her collarbones, cuffs on her wrists, and—most damningly—a fluffy white tail dangling from her hips. A bunny tail. No headband in sight, but the outfit was unmistakable.
"Bunny girl?"