Eve's Tale | Judgment Fable | Ella and Yor | Episode 11: After the Lie, the Truth
"Today is Cat's Tail Day."
I said to Ella.
"..."
Ella froze at my sudden words.
Ella and Yor Episode 11
【After the Lie, the Truth】
Several days had passed since we left Limburgard.
We didn't say much to each other.
——Because if we put it into words, it felt like it would break.
Since we avoided the main roads, traveling while camping was quite exhausting.
The atmosphere of our journey was different from before.
The distance between us, the conversations.
The bare minimum relationship made the heavy air even thicker.
Even when I tried to talk to her, Ella's reactions were dull.
Her attitude, as if she were afraid of something, conversely blocked my words.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered.
—'Cat's Tail Day'
"Ella. Today is Cat's Tail Day. You know it, right?"
"I don't..."
Ella replied shortly.
"Huh? You don't know?"
"Today is a special day."
"The one day a year when you can tell a lie and not get scolded."
I spoke brightly on purpose.
Because I wasn't used to it, my voice cracked.
"I thought everyone knew about Cat's Tail Day."
Ella walked in silence.
"Fine, I'll teach you."
"Whatever we say today, we won't get mad at each other for lying."
"However..."
"If you tell a lie, the next thing you say must be the truth."
"..."
There was no reaction from Ella.
"...Well then, I'll go first."
"I hate how much you talk, Ella!"
Ella's feet stopped.
"Lie.
I don't hate it. A lively journey isn't bad at all."
Ella started walking again in silence.
"Next."
"I hate that even though you're stingy, you don't care about money when it comes to food!"
Ella's shoulders shook.
After that, her stride changed just a little bit.
"Lie.
I want to waste money too, but I get worried, so I use you as an excuse to spend it."
"Next is..."
"Yor, you're awful."
Ella cut me off as I was about to continue.
"Huh? Were you listening?"
I said, sounding a bit mean.
"That's not a lie, that's just an insult."
Ella muttered quietly.
"Cat's Tail Day. I'm following the rules properly."
I replied.
"Why don't you say something, Ella?"
"But remember, after the lie, you have to tell the truth."
"..."
Silence.
Turning her back to me, Ella started walking.
"Well then, my turn again!"
Saying that, I continued.
"I hate how sloppy you are, Ella!"
"Lie.
Because it makes me feel stupid for worrying about every little detail. I want to learn that from you."
Ella stopped again.
She turned back and stared at me.
"I hate how out of sync you are, Ella!"
"Lie.
I'm out of sync too. You're the kind of person who can stand tall even while being out of sync."
The words poured out.
"I hate how selfish you are, Ella!"
"Lie.
I know you're just trying to keep your distance because you're afraid of getting involved with people."
My lips trembled.
"I hate that you don't look at me, Ella!"
"Lie.
You're always looking out for me. My walking speed, my footing, you make sure I can walk properly."
My voice shook.
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Ella's—"
"That's enough!"
Ella cut me off.
"I hate that you're such a crybaby, Yor!"
"Lie.
You're looking at me so closely."
I looked up.
"I hate that you have such a sharp tongue, Yor!"
"Lie.
You scold me properly. You try to face me properly."
Large tears spilled from Ella's eyes.
"You're not a crybaby either, Ella..."
Before I knew it, I had approached Ella.
"I hate you, Yor..."
"I hate you too, Ella..."
Tears were streaming down both our faces.
Yet, we were both smiling.
"Liar!"
I said.
"You too!"
Once we said that, we couldn't stop laughing.
—We were laughing even though we were crying.
After laughing for a while, Ella said,
"Cat's Tail Day. What a strange day, isn't it?"
Ella said, sounding exasperated.
"Lie. There's no such day."
I answered smoothly.
"Huh..."
Ella froze.
"It's the truth. But it's not today."
I stuck out my tongue and teased Ella.
"Which one is it??"
Ella wore a confused expression.
Before I knew it, we were walking side by side.
However, the distance between us had grown closer.
—Cat's Tail Day. Do you think it exists?
▶️ Click here for the story of two people who are out of sync
note Creative Awards 2026 Fantasy Novel Category Entry