"Crown, don't think I don't know. You're just jealous of my relationship with Kitasan-san!"
Satono Diamond's voice was cold, a faint red glow flickering in her eyes.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Satono Crown couldn't understand what Diamond was talking about at all.
Why would she be jealous? And did Diamond even have any special relationship with Kitasan-san?
"You're jealous that I can become friends with Kitasan-san while you can't! Isn't that right!"
Satono Diamond believed this was the real reason Crown wanted to interfere with her.
After all, the only reason she'd first noticed Kitasan-san was because Crown had been drawn to her first.
Unlike herself, Crown couldn't bring herself to do something like stalking Kitasan-san, so she never had the chance to grow closer to her.
So now, seeing her relationship with Kitasan-san improving, Crown was jealous!
"Are you serious? Do you even hear what you're saying?" Satono Crown wore an expression of disbelief.
Was the "friend" Diamond was talking about really the same "friend" she knew? She felt like Diamond was talking about something else entirely.
"Stop pretending, Crown. Your concern for me is fake. You just don't want to see me getting closer to Kitasan-san."
"I never thought that!" Satono Crown was getting angry now.
She was so worried about whether Diamond had encountered some problem, yet in Diamond's mind, this was how she saw her.
"Diamond, you're the one who should explain. What exactly are you worried about?"
She had also figured out what exactly Satono Diamond was anxious about now.
Though it felt a bit strange, because Diamond's current behavior was like—like she was worried Crown would steal Kitasan-san away from her.
Setting aside whether Diamond had some misunderstanding about the definition of "friend"...
Being this worried about such a thing meant Diamond actually had no real relationship with Kitasan-san yet, right?
If there was already a confirmed relationship, why worry about her stealing Kitasan-san?
Recalling the chat logs between Diamond and Kitasan-san that she had secretly read, Satono Crown felt she had discovered the truth.
Perhaps Diamond did have some feelings for Kitasan-san, but Kitasan-san clearly didn't share those feelings—otherwise, she wouldn't be so cold during their chats.
So Diamond's use of family power to scheme and bring Kitasan-san's entire family here was to artificially create opportunities for contact with Kitasan-san?
Having figured out the whole story, Satono Crown couldn't hold back her reaction.
What kind of obsessive behavior was this?!
No wonder Kitasan-san had looked like she was about to bristle earlier.
If she encountered a classmate acting this way, she'd probably react the same as Kitasan-san.
"I'm not worried at all!" Satono Diamond replied stubbornly.
Though she had already labeled Crown as a major threat in her heart, she would absolutely never admit it out loud.
"You... Fine, I understand how you feel now, but you can't force Kitasan-san. What you're doing is wrong!"
Satono Crown felt somewhat exhausted. So this was the reason for everything?
Diamond was unwilling to explain to her because Diamond saw her as a romantic rival?
Then the changes in Diamond last semester—she really hadn't been under any pressure, but just wanted to become more outstanding?
But she really didn't have those kinds of feelings! She only saw Kitasan-san as a rival. Though she did have some fondness for her and did want to be friends with Kitasan-san, what she meant by "friend" wasn't what Diamond was talking about! Why did Diamond think she liked Kitasan-san?
That kind of thing was still too early for her!
And Diamond was way too precocious and bold.
"How many times do I have to say it before you understand? I don't need you to worry about me. Stop acting like a big sister and meddling in my affairs!"
"I can't do that. You might think what you're doing is no big deal, but what you're doing right now is wrong and will cause problems for Kitasan-san!"
"Cause problems for Kitasan-san? If that were true, she would tell me herself. I don't need an outsider like you lecturing me!"
Satono Diamond felt Crown was just making excuses.
Since even Kitasan-san herself hadn't said she disliked what she was doing, what right did Crown have to act like she knew Kitasan-san's thoughts?
"...Then have you confessed to Kitasan-san?" Satono Crown asked calmly.
As soon as this topic came up, Satono Diamond's composure crumbled. Face flushing red, she sputtered, "Wh-what confession? What are you suddenly talking about!"
She wasn't looking for that kind of—
Right now, she just wanted to become friends with Kitasan-san!
Watching her sister's reaction, Satono Crown couldn't help but sigh. Diamond's reaction seemed genuine.
Though she had already guessed this was most likely the case from Diamond's previous reactions, now it was basically confirmed.
When did it start?
At first, Diamond had hated Kitasan-san so much, even thinking that she and their classmates had been deceived by Kitasan-san, believing her to be a big liar.
But perhaps the classmates were just attracted by Kitasan-san's presence and appearance—that was just a superficial kind of liking.
Yet Diamond, who had initially been the one who hated Kitasan-san the most, had somehow been the first to truly fall for her.
"First, let me make something clear to you, Diamond. I really don't have those kinds of feelings for Kitasan-san, so you can relax."
"..."
Satono Diamond fell silent.
It wasn't that she didn't believe Crown was telling the truth now, but she seriously doubted Crown would change her mind later.
After all, she hadn't liked Kitasan-san at first either.
So could Crown guarantee that she would never fall for Kitasan-san?
But if she said that out loud, wouldn't that be admitting she really did have those kinds of feelings for Kitasan-san?
Though she did... she still couldn't openly admit such a thing.
"Also, Diamond, your methods are too extreme. I don't think Kitasan-san will like such forceful approaches."
"..."
Though she really hated how Crown was acting like she understood Kitasan-san so well.
But Satono Diamond couldn't refute this point.
Because she wasn't blind—she could clearly see Kitasan-san's extremely resistant behavior earlier.
She had originally thought that as long as she pushed forward aggressively, there might be a chance to win her over.
But now... Crown was here.
Though Crown said she didn't have those feelings, but—
A gentle, graceful Crown versus herself who completely ignored Kitasan-san's wishes and only thought about herself.
Who Kitasan-san would have a better impression of was obvious without even thinking about it.
Besides, if she continued being stubborn, Crown would definitely step in to stop her. Wouldn't that make her the one doing things Kitasan-san hated while Crown became the good woman who helped Kitasan-san escape from her?
Thinking about all this, Satono Diamond calmed herself and said, "You're right. I'll back off."
Satono Crown was completely surprised. She knew how stubborn her little sister could be once she decided on something—nothing could pull her back. Yet now this stubborn Diamond was actually listening?
Satono Crown felt both pleasantly surprised and skeptical.
"You really listened?"
"Of course. You're right, nee-san. I shouldn't be doing this. I'm already reflecting on my actions."
Satono Diamond had indeed come to a realization.
Good thing Crown truly didn't have those feelings today. Otherwise, if Crown hadn't warned her and she had proceeded with her original plan, she might not only have been hated by Kitasan-san but also become the villain who helped increase Crown's favorability in Kitasan-san's eyes.
This told her something.
Her approach was indeed wrong, immature.
Even if it wasn't Crown, any other woman could pose a huge threat to her with such methods.
Therefore, she had to change her approach and also change her image in Kitasan-san's mind.
I'm definitely not the kind of bad woman who only thinks about herself and completely ignores Kitasan-san's wishes!
(Nee-san, I'm truly grateful to you now. Thank you for reminding me of something so important.)
Having completed another evolution, Satono Diamond seemed to have returned to being the gentle young lady she once was. But Satono Crown only felt that this little sister had become even more unfamiliar, because she could no longer see any trace of that once innocent little girl in her sister's eyes.
The current Diamond was becoming more and more like a mature woman.
(Is this the magic of love?)
Though Satono Crown had heard that love makes people grow up, she hadn't expected a woman in love to change this much.
As for the fact that Diamond's love interest was a female uma musume—that didn't bother Satono Crown at all.
Because there were no gender barriers in uma musume romance.
Uma musume could bear offspring even between same-sex couples, so same-sex romance wasn't unusual in the uma musume worldview.
As long as the feelings were genuine, neither opposite sex nor same sex could stand in the way of uma musume.
When Kitasan Black returned, the two sisters had already finished their argument.
Looking at the sisters who seemed to have reconciled, Kitasan Black's heart immediately sank with dread.
As expected, with her luck, whenever something had probability involved, she'd always encounter the worst outcome.
And here she'd even brought the protective charm Kobayashi had given her—it hadn't increased her luck one bit!
"I'm back. Here, your drinks."
Kitasan Black pretended not to care as she walked over, placing the plastic bag with drinks in front of them.
She hadn't gone to a vending machine—to buy time, she'd deliberately gone to a nearby supermarket for the drinks.
After all, she'd had a bad premonition, so she figured the longer she could relax, the better.
"Thank you. Kitasan-san, are you here on vacation with your family?"
After thanking her, Satono Crown deliberately started making conversation.
She noticed that Kitasan-san's mood seemed somewhat low. Though she didn't know it was because of the two sisters, she guessed it might be because of Diamond—while not completely accurate, she was half right.
So she was now trying to use light conversation to help Kitasan Black relax.
It must be said, Satono Crown really was considerate. Her popularity at school wasn't just because of her grades and family background, but also because of her sincere, gentle, and thoughtful personality—that's why she became the most popular young lady at school.
This was precisely why Satono Diamond was so wary of her.
Because Satono Diamond had to admit Crown had immense charm. If she and Crown weren't sisters, she might have fallen for Crown too.
So she had to be on guard against her remarkably charming sister.
"Yeah, Mom won vacation tickets in a supermarket lottery."
Kitasan Black answered casually, but was actually still probing these two young ladies' reactions.
Satono Crown glanced awkwardly at Satono Diamond.
But Satono Diamond's expression remained completely calm, as if she knew nothing about this.
"Nee-san, is there something on my face?"
"No... nothing."
Both Satono Crown and Kitasan Black were deeply impressed by Satono Diamond's current acting skills.
Though she didn't know what had just happened, Kitasan Black could confirm that Satono Diamond's acting had improved tremendously.
Not long ago, Diamond still couldn't hide her true feelings well when acting, but now she could achieve perfect composure.
This was the same level as McQueen-senpai.
Kitasan Black instantly felt like abandoning all thoughts of resistance and just running away right now.
What had just happened?
Not only had the misunderstanding between the sisters been resolved, but the young lady Diamond seemed to have become even stronger. Could she really handle this situation?
"...Then your mother is quite lucky."
Satono Crown didn't have Satono Diamond's composure—her voice was trembling as she spoke.
Because she knew perfectly well that this was all planned by her little sister, not luck at all.
At this moment, she felt incredibly guilty and even wanted to apologize to Kitasan Black.
However, just then, Satono Diamond suddenly spoke up.
"It's getting late. Nee-san, we should go. Kitasan-san, thank you for the drinks. My sister and I have some family matters to attend to. Let's play together again tomorrow if you're free."
"...Alright."
Though she wanted to say that wouldn't be necessary.
In the end, Kitasan Black didn't have the courage to say no to the two young ladies of the Satomi family within their sphere of influence.
Satono Crown was dragged away by Satono Diamond. Before leaving, she looked at Kitasan Black with eyes full of apology.
(I'm so sorry. What Diamond did this time was too rude.)
But Kitasan Black couldn't understand what she meant at all.
Still, watching their retreating figures, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Though she didn't know why the young lady Diamond had changed her mind, the result was good for her.
Meanwhile, after Satono Diamond had pulled Satono Crown away, she said to her sister, "Nee-san, your performance just now was too unnatural."
"...I should be saying that about you. You were too smooth. Knowing the truth, how could I possibly face Kitasan-san with the same attitude as before?"
"Then just go home. There's nothing you need to worry about anymore, right?"
"No way. I have to watch you and make sure you don't do anything bad."
"I don't care, but you'd better not interfere with my vacation with Kitasan-san."
"Haven't you already given that up?"
"When did I say I was giving up? I only said I won't take any more extreme actions. Can't I still spend time with Kitasan-san during this period?"
Satono Diamond said it as if it were only natural.
After all, Kitasan Black's family would be staying here for another week. How could she possibly give up this opportunity?
She just wouldn't push forward aggressively anymore.
"I'll be watching you, Diamond. Don't act impulsively."
"I thank you in advance, nee-san. But please also make sure you don't do anything out of line."
Satono Diamond didn't mind letting Satono Crown follow her now, but only on the condition that Satono Crown didn't develop any feelings she shouldn't have.
She had indeed come to her senses.
But that didn't mean she would let down her guard against other women.
And right now, her sister was her biggest target of vigilance.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"