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Two anime-style young men walk on a cobblestone path past a house at sunset, one holding a fossil.

Two anime-style young men walk on a cobblestone path past a house at sunset, one holding a fossil.

By midday, the morning had disappeared almost as quickly as the previous two days had. They spent several more hours wandering through the village, stopping by Cas’s grandparents’ house again briefly and returning to the coastline once the tide had changed. When they finally headed back toward Cas’s childhood home for lunch, the sun had climbed high above the Norman countryside. Ryou walked beside Cas. Their conversation had drifted toward the fossil. Specifically— Whether Ryou should sketch it before putting it somewhere safe once he returned to Domino. “I’ll probably draw several angles,” Ryou said thoughtfully. Cas smiled. “I expected nothing less.” “The internal pattern is interesting.” “You’re going to research crinoids now, aren’t you?” “Yes.” “Tonight?” “On the plane if I am able.” Cas laughed softly. “Of course.” The house came into view. Neither noticed anything unusual at first. Cas opened the front door. Ryou stepped inside beside him without stopping at the threshold this time. Then— A voice drifted from the sitting room. “…I’m only saying it’s become impossible to walk through the village without someone mentioning Casimir.” Cas stopped. The voice was familiar. Too familiar. His uncle. Marc. His father answered with obvious amusement. “That’s hardly unusual. Half the village remembers him from when he was small.” “Yes, but apparently this time he has given them considerably more interesting material.” “What material?” “A silver-haired British boy.” They stepped Voir plus