"Heh, Texas, it's been a while… no need for such a 'warm welcome,' is there?"
At that instant, as Texas instinctively raised her Thumb-issued handgun, Lappland lifted her hands, speaking with a dangerous grin. Texas furrowed her brows, about to say something, but Hugh had already calmly taken out a communicator from his pocket.
"Hello? Miss Kali? Right, could you please come over for a bit…?"
"We have an intruder."
Just after Hugh lowered his communicator, with a loud bang, the door was violently kicked open. A scarlet greatsword flashed directly into the room, embedding itself right beside Lappland. Her pupils contracted sharply, words frozen in her throat.
…Could someone explain to me what the hell is going on here?
A figure cloaked in red strode casually into the room, accompanied by a distinctly irritated voice calling out to Hugh:
"Oi! The hell are you bothering me with this time? It's just a little nuisance…"
Kali frowned, carefully sizing up Lappland for a moment before pulling her sword free from the wall and pointing it toward Hugh:
"Couldn't you guys handle something this trivial yourselves?"
"My apologies for disturbing your leisure, but calling you here felt like the safest option," Hugh replied gently, hands clasped calmly behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips. "For disturbing you, I'll make sure you're suitably compensated—perhaps by sharing some useful information."
"Hah? What could you possibly—"
"Oh, by the way, Miss Kali, she seems to be planning an escape attempt."
Before Kali could finish, Hugh glanced pointedly at Lappland, maintaining his smile. Kali turned her head slightly, following Hugh's gaze to Lappland.
"Tch."
She clicked her tongue, then dragged her Mimicry E.G.O sword as she walked toward Lappland… Texas quickly regained her senses and quietly stepped aside without a word, watching as Lappland began feeling the creeping terror of something far more dangerous than she'd expected approaching her…
Like an instinctive animal fear, knowing that running away would only mean being chased down immediately…
"Behave yourself."
Kali spoke with a hint of annoyance, grabbing some rope nearby and tying Lappland's hands tightly. Lappland briefly considered resisting, but the moment she moved, the enormous sword slammed back into the ground next to her.
Thus, Lappland obediently sat still, waiting for Kali to finish her task.
She couldn't help but feel a deep pang of regret…
She'd originally just come to see Texas—but never imagined the man casually chatting with Texas would suddenly summon someone of this caliber out of nowhere!
"Thank you very much for your help, Miss Kali."
Hugh remained composed, smiling politely, hands still clasped behind him. After a moment's thought, he suddenly added:
"Oh, and incidentally… Miss Da'at likes strawberries. If you're interested, perhaps you might find time to prepare some for her."
"…Why the hell do you know something like that?"
Kali's pupils flickered briefly as she asked. But her previously agitated mood was visibly calming down.
"After all, she and I have a cooperative relationship… Knowing some minor things about her is only natural."
Hugh answered smoothly, maintaining his gentle smile. Kali closed her eyes momentarily, exhaling softly. Then she turned, walking out of the room without looking back, tossing out a final sentence as she departed:
"…I'll trust you just this once."
Hugh's smile persisted until Kali fully exited the room. Only then did he finally exhale quietly and turn his gaze toward Lappland.
"So then… how do you plan to handle her, Miss Texas?"
His voice was soft as he addressed Texas.
"Or would you like me to take care of it for you?"
"…No, this is something personal…"
Texas's expression suggested words she couldn't quite say aloud. After a brief silence, she finally spoke softly:
"Thanks for your assistance this time, Mr. Hugh. If you plan to stay in Siracusa for the time being, please feel free to remain with the Thumb. As for this person… let me handle it myself."
Hugh's gaze flickered slightly. Then, without a word, he quietly exited the room. Texas let out a long breath, her eyes returning to Lappland.
"…Looks like you're doing pretty well for yourself here."
Lappland muttered awkwardly, glancing away, clearly uncomfortable with her bound hands. Texas sighed deeply, then crouched down, staring directly at Lappland's face, speaking seriously, word by word:
"Lappland, I have something to say."
"…Huh? What's this all of a sudden, getting so serious…"
Seeing Texas's sudden change in attitude, Lappland froze briefly. She felt keenly that whatever Texas was about to say would change both their futures completely…
"As for what happened in the past, I've already let go—I no longer care. I have a new life, new hopes, new goals. My visit to Siracusa this time is merely to say goodbye to all of my past."
Texas spoke calmly, clearly, eyes locked on Lappland. After she finished, she stood without hesitation and turned away decisively. Lappland's pupils dilated sharply, panic surging through her. She desperately stood up, stumbling and falling due to imbalance…
But all she could do was watch helplessly as Texas walked away. Only at the doorway did Texas pause briefly, glancing back and leaving one final sentence:
"Lappland… I can't go back anymore. And I'll never go back again."
Lappland stared blankly at Texas, lips trembling, yet ultimately unable to utter a single word.
Thus, she simply watched Texas leave, as though moving steadily toward a new destination.
"How did it go? All settled?"
As Texas exited the room, Hugh stood leaning against the wall just outside. Seeing Texas come out, he asked, smiling faintly.
Texas paused slightly, then nodded slowly.
"I think she'll figure things out on her own eventually… At least, she'll come to understand. I'm not the person I was before."
"In the end, you can't force these things."
Texas glanced briefly toward the room as she spoke, her tone calm and indifferent. Hugh shrugged slightly, then immediately spoke again:
"Alright, then… Next, let's deal with our own business."
He wore his usual smile as he spoke again:
"I wonder, Miss Texas… might you be interested in the Bellone family?"