Renko ran to the workroom. She slammed open the sliding door.

"Quickly," she cried. "Change into birds and come with me. Shota-san's in trouble!"

Immediately, Azuki rose and changed. As she'd recovered her health she'd recovered her plumage. She was nearly back to normal.

"Please, Tsuruko-san. Please do as I ask. Shota-san's in trouble."

Tsuruko had been taking what were for her huge risks. This unlikely pair had become her friends. She trusted them more ...