I'm...honestly not certain where the little bird is right now, [Koumei admitted, running a hand sheepishly through his hair as he peered around the room for it.]

Normally the little one is close by...

[Without so much as a request for pardon, Koumei dipped his head down to peek under the table-- only to find that the little ghostly bird had settled somewhere near his feet.]

Ah. That explains our problem. It's been here the whole time.