The child nodded, and opened the door so the Repairman could enter.
As she turned back to follow him inside, she asked, “Friend?”

In
the living room, Bonk was sitting on the couch next to a strange
white-haired girl. As soon as she saw the Repairman, however, she shot
up in her seat. “Yo, Ink Dude!” she called out, and motioned for him to
follow her. “Bonkakira thought she saw something breaking over here. She
can show you where it is.”

Once Bonk had pulled the Repairman
aside, she started whispering to him. “Ink Dude! Have you seen Bowyetta
anywhere? She’s been missing for days!”

“…Friend,” the Repairman confirmed, giving the child a quick smile.

Apparently, Bowyetta’s daughter wasn’t the only new addition. There was also what looked like a pastel-colored woman next to Bonkakira. Was she one of those newer gem girls he’d seen every once in a while…?

He’d get to know her later. He had a couple of pressing matters already.

Giving the strange woman a wave, he followed Bonk, not mentioning that he knew where it was already. It was pretty obvious she wanted to talk to him.

The Repairman took a quick glance at his cart, but quickly turned back, noticeably uneasy. Wringing his hands, he replied “…I can’t say I have…”

He sighed.

“So,” he asked, in an exaggerated voice, “who’s that mini-bow, and how’s she doing?”