‘I helped too, but we haven’t found anything yet. So we decided to play video games instead. We started in Masamune’s room, but then Aki-chan suggested we play where everybody can join in, instead of shutting ourselves away in a room.’

‘I see,’ Kokoro said again.

‘They haven’t come yet today, but Aki-chan and the others have been over now and then.’

‘Aren’t you interested in the Wishing Room, Subaru-kun?’ Kokoro was struck by what Subaru had said about helping Masamune.

‘Me? Um, not really,’ he said. ‘To be honest, I’m not all that interested in having a wish come true. Looking for the key sounds fun, like solving a riddle, but actually I’m more interested in Masamune’s games.’

Subaru gestured at Masamune, duelling with the TV screen.

‘I don’t have any games myself,’ Subaru went on. ‘I’ve hardly ever played any, and when he let me try, I was surprised how much fun it is. Plus, don’t you think this castle’s wicked?’

‘That’s what I’m saying. We could just find the key and keep hold of it, and then we’re good as long as we don’t open the Wishing Room until next March.’

Finally, Masamune was looking up – but he addressed Subaru.

‘Then the castle won’t close, and we can use it right up to the very end. That suits me, but others might want to have their wish come true straight away, and if they get hold of the key first, then it’ll all be over. Which is why it’d be better if I find it, so I got Subaru to help me out. That way we can play video games here until March.’

‘So apart from you, Masamune-kun, are the others looking for the key, too?’ Kokoro was confused. She’d never thought about it that way – to find the key but keep the castle open until the penultimate day in March. Masamune shot her an irritated look.

‘It seems like it,’ Subaru said. ‘Nobody really says so out loud, but it seems as if everyone’s after it. Nobody’s found it, though. The two of us looked in all the obvious places – in the drawers, inside the candlesticks, under the rugs, behind the paintings, all over the place – but no sign of it so far. We’ve still to look in all our rooms.’

‘We checked with the Wolf Queen, didn’t we? And she said she couldn’t do anything to give anyone an advantage. Each room is a totally private space. There might be a clue somewhere though, and she said we should talk that over with each other.’

‘A clue?’ Kokoro asked.

‘There are hints placed all around the castle, and she said we should do our best to find them.’

Masamune imitated the Wolf Queen. Kokoro knew now that the Wolf Queen had spoken to the others again since her last time.