The Makeover (before battle)

Two things changed the moment the Wuthering Heights manor appeared over the horizon.

Mirror… I need a mirror. Anyone got a mirror? Come on, anyone?

What has gotten into you, Heathcliff… T-this mirror isn't -

One was Heathcliff, who was suddenly overcome with intense anxiety…

And the other was the weather that grew dark and tempestuous all of a sudden.

<… What a terrifying noise.>

Was the weather here always this awful?

It was always this… windy, yeah. Almost like a constant tempest.

But this thunder and lightning...?

Well, the weather at Wuthering Heights was always this awful, thunder or not.

That really is one massive manor if it looks that big from this far away.

Charon can't see well. Not sure if this is the right place. But we're here.

Lightning goes boom. Eyes go ow.

This manor looked as though it came straight out of a dark, gothic tale full of mysteries. I was half expecting to hear a haunting cry echoing from its windows.

<So are we just waiting for Vergilius to go 'off the bus' again?>

When hasn't that been the case, manager bud...?

I mean, it's not like we're digging into a Lobotomy Corp. Branch or entering one of the Wings, right? It's just a manor, so I don't see what's stopping him from coming with us.

Now, off the bus.

Charon and I -

- will wait outside until we're done with our mission?

…….

None of the Sinners were hiding their dissatisfaction with Vergilius. Some of them were even standing with their arms crossed.

By the looks on your faces… clearly, you all collectively have something to say.

I… of course not. Ahem. I... I would hardly ever dare to challenge thee.

Well, maybe not every Sinner.

We've gone through a lot of things, survived various trials and tribulations. Tribulations that could've been easily handled had Vergilius been there with us.

So...

Vergilius.

Looks like Ishmael decided to step up as our representative.

You introduced yourself to us as our 'guide', didn't you?

So what kind of 'guide' just tosses everyone at the start of the journey and goes off on their own with the bus driver? Where are you guys even going?

…….

I want to make it clear that I'm not being a hardass for no good reason.

I'm asking you, because I want to trust you.

After all, we're technically all in the same boat. We're coworkers. I'd say the least you could do is to tell us where we're headed.

Vergilius held his silence for a moment. His brows were not as furrowed as they usually are… which was the only indicator to me that he wasn't as offended to hear this as I thought he'd be.

… Just like you Sinners who joined this company via your individual contracts…

I also signed a contract. With specific clauses and conditions I must abide by.

Huh? The company made thee, a color most illustrious, sign a contract as well?

Of course I did. Why would I be babysitting you children on this bus otherwise? I'm not one to work for free.

I don't want to bother detailing each and every clause of my contract to you, nor should I…

... But Ishmael, I quite liked that you used the word 'trust' in your speech. So I believe that you deserve at least a brief explanation.

I am not supposed to retrieve the Golden Boughs myself, nor am I allowed to provide you with any direct support. The contract stipulates that I must leave everything to the manager and the Sinners.

Why… the hell would you sign a contract like that…?

As always, it's meaningless to ask me 'why'.

Contracts are rarely ever fully understood by those that are not a part of it.

But...

What I can tell you is that… when I ask you Sinners to leave this bus for a mission...

... I suppose, in a way, I... say it with a lighter heart than I used to.

I am no longer concerned that, in my desire to fulfill the conditions for every clause in my contract, the manager might be irreversibly... hurt. I would be left with nothing if such a thing were to happen.

<…….>

<Did he just admit to trusting us more than he used to…?>

Don't make him repeat something like that, Dante~

Especially when someone went through the trouble of expressing their true, hidden feelings.

Besides...

W-wait...

I am NOT going in there like this.

Nope, can't do this. Oi, turn the bus around!

Mephi doesn't do U-turns.

Bollocks… I ain't going back to the manor in these wrinkly rags!

Oh yeah, right… every single one of our elaborate plans to dress him up in fancy clothes fell through.

<Hey, you don't look *that* bad...>

If I go back in these rags, those bastards will -

... Those 'bastards'? Who are they?

Bastards that'd always eye me up and down, trying to find a speck of dust, a single flaw, something to latch onto just to humiliate me…

Then gouge out their eyes.

Oho, that would be quite the clever solution.

What are you even…

Looks like Heathcliff is the only one who's taking this seriously.

Fuhu...

Huhu...

The hell is wrong with the pair of you? Quit gigglin' like that!

Good thing we came prepared exactly for this occasion~!

I just couldn't imagine Heath managing to pull off this makeover on his own.

Rodya and I did some shopping in the Backstreets before we entered the Nest.

We were waiting to reveal these just in case there was anything more impressive in the Nest, but thanks to the disappointing lack of anything even remotely interesting… we'll just make do with what we picked up earlier.

Wait a bloody second. When the two of you went off on your own… No. All you brought back was a whole basket of cookies, wasn't it?

Those cookies were decoy cookies, Heath! Though some of 'em did end up as a part of my daily sustenance, of course… heh.

While I couldn't find the particular brands I used back home… these should be more than enough for a proper fashion makeover.

Hm.

Verg, c'mon. Can't we keep things nice and happy for once, hmm? Let him wear something else other than his uniform. Just for today.

Like, no one wants to meet their old flame while wearing their work clothes, right?

…….

W-well, I doubt the guide'll ever let anything like that sli -

Fine.

What...!

I would prefer it if we didn't have to encourage another rogue incident with the Backdoor.

Seriously?! Guide…!!!

Heathcliff trembled like he was about to give Vergilius a big hug.

Now, Heathcliff, close your eyes...

Relax… and let us take care of everything. Pretend you're at the proverbial peach blossom spring.

Wait, don't touch my hair like -

…….

Woah...

Oi, you ain't half bad...

…….

Shh~ Heathcliff's getting a makeover!

Some time later...

Ahem...

<…….>

Um… I think you might've overdone it with the hair.

Don't touch it! Do you even have any idea how hard Hong Lu worked on that?

... Where'd his bat go?

It's a reunion of the century! We can't possibly let him say hello to his old flame with a big brutish club in his hand~

Sir Heathcliff appeareth... a tad more merciful than usual. Mayhaps he shall accept my request should I implore him to purchase me a pint of ice-crrream...

And he no longer looks like he's on the verge of punching me when I make the smallest noises!

…….

Lad, please... please don't bring up anything even remotely like that in front of Catherine…

Well, I'll be. Clothes really do make the man. Do let me know how this reunion goes; I'll be looking forward to hearing that tale.

Ahm… s-sure.

<So, Heathcliff?>

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while. I wanted to know the answer… but I couldn't bring myself to ask him.

<Why'd you leave Wuthering Heights? It's where the love of your life lives, isn't it?>

Heathcliff, who'd been busily moving about and preparing to leave the bus, suddenly comes to a halt.

... I didn't mind it. The thrashings, the starvings, the abuse, them treatin' me like a servant, like I'm something beneath them...

I didn't mind being treated like I'm nothing more than an afterthought, like I'm some impure trash to be discarded.

But when I heard what… Catherine said...

… I realized that I no longer had any reason to remain in that manor.

Heathcliff did not elaborate further.

Perhaps it wasn't that he didn't, but that he couldn't bring himself to...

I didn't dare ask him what he was about to say, so I simply nodded in response.

<I see… >

…….

Ooh, looks like Charon's got something to say about your new fit!

Mhm, Charon has something to say. Something big.

Great, awesome! Now, Charon! What do ya think~?

Looks oily and greasy. Charon doesn't like greasy.

…….

Oh… This… isn't how I thought it'd go… ha ha…

Charon's words must've hit him hard.

It took quite a bit of convincing for Heathcliff, who was severely discouraged by Charon's remark, to exit the bus.