[x] Visit the gardens.

I took a deep breath, enjoying the sweet air. The garden glittered brilliantly with the morning dew. I felt like I had walked into a dream as I stepped down the stone path. Tall trees, smooth hedges, and colorful flowering plants could be seen in all directions. I couldn't helped but smile as I looked up at the beautiful blue sky.

"A wonderful day," I said aloud. Indeed, this was a great day for a morning walk. It was such a significant difference from inside. While the many rooms and halls of the mansion were elegant, they lacked that fresh feeling of the outdoors. My only disappointment, if I had to mention it, was that there was no one else in sight to enjoy this morning with me.

Flandre lay fast asleep in her room. I had neither the heart, nor the courage to wake her. Her sister, Remilia, hated bright mornings, and would do nothing but complain about how it makes her hair dry and her skin itch. Sakuya would be busy preparing breakfast around this time. And I doubt if I could convince Patchouli to put down her books to step outside. Koakuma would probably come, if I asked her, but I'd hate to take her away from the library for too long.

Well, I didn't really need anyone else to enjoy the morning. Though honestly, it would be nice if I ran into one or two of the fairy maid staff. When I first arrived, they were extremely shy and kept to the shadows. But as time passed, they've grown used to me as a resident, and I've found that some of them are actually quite friendly and talkative.

In any case, this was a really wonderful morning. So peaceful, with only the sound of the gentle breeze against the trees. Well, almost. As I approached the west side of the gardens, I thought I heard something odd. And as I walked closer, I realized that it wasn't something, but someone that was making it. Someone I knew very well.

"Zzzzz..."

Hiding among the hedges to take a nap? How ridiculously cliché! If Sakuya saw this, she'd be absolutely furious. Well, I suppose that I could step in for today. It wasn't that I was siding with the gateguard; I just found her extremely amusing. I stepped a bit closer to listen in.

"Zzzz... he he he... I'd love to have some sweet buns, Sakuya-nyan~"

I barely contained my laughter. This was gold! I couldn't resist; I just had to do something! I stood over her, folded my arms, and did my best impression of Sakuya's voice.

"Sleeping on the job again," I said darkly. "Maybe I'll have to discipline you thoroughly, you lazy gateguard!"

The response was amazing. At the sound of my voice, the gateguard moved faster than my eye could follow, and before I realized it, she was already prostrated before me, apologizing.

"I'm sorry!" she cried. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I -"

She continued like that for a couple of minutes before stopping. Slowly, she looked up. Her eyes widened as she recognized me. I smiled cheerfully back. Then, her face started to turn red and embarrassed. She stood up and pointed at me angrily.

"Ah! It's you again! Why y-you! Do you really think that you should be messing around with someone like me?"

Meiling took a threatening stance and took a step forward. I only smiled wider.

"Do you really think I won't tell Sakuya that you were napping in the gardens again?"

She didn't step back, but I noticed her eyes wavering. One more push ought to do it. I cleared my throat and mimicked her voice.

"I'd love to have some sweet buns, Sakuya-nyan~"

"Ah! P-Please don't tell her!" she cried suddenly, her will completely broken. "I.. I don't want to get punished again.. I-I promise to be good and... (hic).. I... (hic).. uuu.."

Hmm. Perhaps I went a little too far this time? Well, in any case, I had a serious weakness against the tears of lovely ladies, so I had to do something. I quickly cleared my throat, put on my best smile, and offered her an open hand.

"I was just kidding," I said. "Now take my hand and wipe away those tears. They don't fit such a pretty face."

Slowly, she returned my smile and wiped off her face as she took my hand. I gently helped her up and gave her a little wink.

"Now in return for my silence," said I. "Why don't you escort me around here a little bit?"

At those words, Meiling broke into a bright smile. We walked around the gardens, chatting leisurely about this and that. Apparently, she had just discovered a great new food stand recently. According to her, the place served the best grilled lamprey in the area. The owner was some enterprising sparrow youkai from the Forest of Magic. Then, she continued on about how difficult it was to maintain the gardens, with Remilia changing her tastes about the arrangement every so often. We talked about a number of other mundane things, but there was one particular topic that stuck to my mind. Before we parted at the mansion entrance, she mentioned something odd.

"May I ask you something personal?" she said.

"Go ahead."

"Is it true that you've been visiting Miss Flandre in her room more often lately?"

"Hmm," I said. "Well, I guess I've seen a lot more of her than before. What of it?"

"It seems like she's grown very fond of you," said Meiling. "I never expected her to hang around with an ordinary human so often. Usually, she only likes those who have great physical, magical or spiritual strength. After all, she does like to play rough."

"Is there something wrong with that?"

"Well, not really," she said. "But it might start to get a little dangerous if you aren't careful."

I smiled cheerfully.

"Don't worry about that," I replied. "I don't plan on getting a broken arm any time soon. I'll be sure to remind Flandre of her strength from time to time."

She shook her head and frowned.

"It's not that," she said. "I don't think Miss Flandre would hurt you, intentionally or not. She's been surprisingly careful these past weeks, especially around you."

"Eh?"

Meiling didn't look me in the eye as she spoke.

"Well, just be careful when you walk around alone, alright?"

I scratched my head as she left. What exactly was she trying to tell me? Well, I guess it didn't matter. From the time on my watch, I had about half an hour before breakfast. Hmm...
[ ] Pass by the library.
[ ] Sneak into the kitchen.
[ ] Wait patiently at the dining room.