A peculiar reaction—perhaps sothing you’d only ever notice with an Uma Musu.
It wasn’t especially obvious, but their powerful sense of hearing made it easy to detect the sudden acceleration of a heartbeat.
Simply put, jiro Ramonu had beco excited in an instant.
Yet, she managed to maintain her composure, gracefully donning her usual elegant mask and taking a seat beside jiro Bright.
Everyone at the table, however, could clearly sense Ramonu’s gaze constantly drifting toward Gotham Song.
The strongest reaction naturally ca from Manhattan Cafe. Just as she was about to say sothing, Gotham Song subtly nudged her cousin’s thigh under the table.
Not yet, Cafe-nee. It should be fine—for now.
Probably...
Manhattan Cafe reluctantly held back and resud her intended role:
Accompanying Gotham Song to serve as a buffer, restricting jiro Ramonu’s choice of topics.
Clearly, Ramonu realized as soon as she saw outsiders here that her initial intentions would not go as planned. jiro Ardan inviting outsiders already spoke volus, especially...
"Ardan, won’t you finally return to jiro Manor? Everyone misses you."
"I’m sorry, Ramonu-neesan, but I still have no intention of going back."
Enough of this. Apologize already and let’s go ho.
Why should I apologize when I’ve done nothing wrong?
This summarized their exchange succinctly.
In short, the discussion between the sisters had reached an impasse, and Ramonu obviously saw no reason to press further.
"So, Ardan, won’t you introduce to these two unfamiliar faces?"
Two?
More like one!
Ramonu’s eyes were already fixed unblinkingly on Gotham Song. Her gaze was intense, heated, almost reluctant to move away.
Even Ardan couldn’t help but feel uneasy, but she still politely began introductions.
"This is Gotham Song, a filly in her debut year. And this is her cousin, Manhattan Cafe."
jiro Ramonu smiled faintly, gracefully accepting her coffee from the waiter before unexpectedly picking up Gotham Song’s cup and sliding it gently toward her.
"Gotham Song, hm? Quite an evocative na—it brings to mind many mories."
Almost everyone at the table knew exactly what Ramonu was referring to—except perhaps Manhattan Cafe, who still sat vigilantly alert.
"You look very much like soone I once knew, Song—Ruka."
"Ah, yes, many people have told so. But... By ’Ruka,’ you an her, right?"
The Twilight Song, correct?
Gotham Song maintained a polite smile, even as cold sweat beaded secretly down her back.
So, this is jiro Ramonu, huh? Casually throwing in a test in the middle of small talk...
Gotham Song shuddered to imagine what might’ve happened if she hadn’t imdiately caught the subtle probing.
Attempting to steady herself, Gotham Song raised her coffee cup—only to see Sunday Silence reflected in the dark surface, grinning maliciously at her.
Already immune to such petty tricks, Gotham Song calmly took a sip of the unsweetened iced Aricano.
Huh, it’s actually not so bitter today...
"Indeed. It’s perfectly normal for people to mistake you. You really do resemble her."
Though her initial probing had failed, jiro Ramonu showed no signs of disappointnt. Instead, she propped her chin on one hand, staring openly at Gotham Song with a predatory intensity.
"Ahaha... really? Well, what a surprising coincidence."
Ramonu-neesan’s stare is terrifying... It looks like she might flip the table any mont. Please don’t—I really don’t want to return to jiro Manor!
"So then, Song, if I were to invite you to jiro Manor, would you accept?"
There it is!
The invitation to jiro Manor!
She absolutely couldn’t accept—but how to politely refuse?
Gotham Song hesitated. But just as Ramonu’s question faded into silence, Manhattan Cafe calmly set down her coffee cup and took hold of her cousin’s wrist.
Don’t worry.
"I object. Song isn’t allowed to stay overnight at soone else’s ho."
"Hmm?"
jiro Ramonu narrowed her eyes at Manhattan Cafe, uttering a brief sound of disbelief.
"I said, Song can’t sleep over at soone else’s house. She’s not yet at that age."
But through Gotham Song’s eyes, she saw another scene entirely. Her cousin wasn’t normally so assertive—this wasn’t Cafe’s doing at all.
Sunday Silence had taken over Cafe’s body, and was now glaring coldly across the table at Ramonu.
This was Gotham Song and Neo Universe’s carefully prepared secret weapon:
Sending Sunday Silence to confront jiro Ramonu.
It’s the ultimate battle between two apex predators!
"I was rely inviting her for a friendly visit, Manhattan-san. Nothing more."
"Manhattan Cafe" shook her head dismissively.
"When I say no, I an no. My apologies, but I don’t feel comfortable with Song staying elsewhere."
"Is there truly no room for negotiation?"
jiro Ramonu pressed once more, her gaze becoming colder and more serious. Suddenly, everyone present clearly witnessed Ramonu’s overwhelming aura and a dark, imposing glow erging from her body.
But...
Sunday Silence only looked even more excited.
Deep shadows erupted violently around her, reality itself shattering like a mirror as Ramonu’s aura instantly crumbled to nothingness.
In re monts, jiro Ramonu had been completely defeated.
"I am Song’s cousin. She will always be mine. If I say no, it ans no. Understand?"
Ramonu’s face darkened drastically. Ardan looked on anxiously, clearly torn.
Yet no one anticipated what happened next—
Sunday Silence boldly seized Gotham Song’s wrist, pulling her swiftly to her feet.
"We’ll be leaving now, jiro Ramonu. Don’t try anything stupid—I can’t guarantee what I’ll do in return."
Without even waiting for a response, Sunday Silence firmly led Gotham Song out of the café.
Then, after abruptly turning into a secluded alleyway, Gotham Song—still bewildered—was pressed forcefully against the wall by Sunday Silence.
Wait—why does this feel disturbingly familiar?
"W-what’s wrong, Cafe-nee? You’re acting so strange today..."
"Enough pretending, Song. She can’t see us now, and I didn’t do this just to tease you."
Sunday Silence grinned maniacally, her face dangerously close to Gotham Song’s.
"Tell —jiro Ramonu isn’t imagining things, is she?"
At this distance, Gotham Song finally understood the aning behind Sunday Silence’s earlier grin reflected in the coffee.
I’ve figured you out.
"You’re Twilight Song, aren’t you?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)