Coming to Okinawa again, Mejiro Ramonu's original plan this time had been just to take a look around.
She hadn't intended to disturb Rudolf's life.
Because unlike other people, once she'd more or less grasped how things had been unfolding, Mejiro Ramonu could say with certainty:
All she had to do was call Rudolf and tell her that Yayoi Natural was in her hands, and Mejiro Ramonu wouldn't even need to do anything—Rudolf would come to her on her own.
But in the end, Mejiro Ramonu didn't do that.
Because throwing out that trump card so directly right now wasn't a great idea.
And besides…
Thinking of Yayoi Natural's subtle, hard-to-read attitude, Mejiro Ramonu hummed an unnamed tune as she slowly headed toward the apartment Rudolf was renting.
She'd originally decided she wouldn't see Symboli Rudolf, but… she was already here. Not going to take a look didn't feel quite right.
Or, put another way: Mejiro Ramonu couldn't suppress the urge to see Rudolf, so her earlier decision was completely void.
So, once again—after Rudolf got off work—Mejiro Ramonu pressed the doorbell.
Not long after, the door opened.
The moment it did, Mejiro Ramonu and Rudolf met each other's eyes again.
They looked at each other. Rudolf stayed silent for a few seconds before finally speaking. "Why are you here?"
"I applied for long-term leave, and I passed all the tests, so it's not that strange for me to show up here now, is it?"
As she spoke, Mejiro Ramonu looked at Rudolf. "Aren't you going to let me in to sit for a while?"
Her question made Symboli Rudolf fall silent for a few seconds. Then she said, "Fine. Come in."
There was a trace of helplessness in her voice.
Seeing Rudolf turn away, Mejiro Ramonu let a faint smile show, then followed behind her into the room.
Stepping into Rudolf's one-person apartment, Mejiro Ramonu looked around—and realized it felt a lot more lived-in than before.
Last time she'd come, the place had looked like no one lived there at all.
This time, the difference was enormous.
Noticing that, Mejiro Ramonu sat down on one side of the low table. "Luna?"
"What is it?"
"Can I sleep here tonight?"
As she spoke, Mejiro Ramonu looked at Rudolf.
There was a bit of expectation in her eyes, even though she already knew she'd be refused before she'd even asked.
After all, there was no second set of bedding in this room for her to use.
But…
"Fine."
"Huh?"
Mejiro Ramonu froze for a second, then immediately said, "Really?"
"Really. I already figured you might ask to stay over, so I prepared a little in advance."
"Luna~"
When Mejiro Ramonu went in for a hug, Symboli Rudolf pushed her away, then continued, "Why did you come this time?"
"I missed you."
"That's too sloppy. Give me one I can accept."
Rudolf loosened the hand she'd used to block the hug, then said, "Go on."
"I just wanted to see you~"
Mejiro Ramonu shifted her gaze off to the side. "Honestly, I'm surprised. I thought you'd refuse."
As she spoke, she looked away slightly, then continued, "Oh, right, Rudolf."
"Hm?"
"Hm. I met someone recently—want to guess who?"
Mejiro Ramonu looked at Symboli Rudolf, a faint smile in her eyes.
Her question made Rudolf go still for an instant.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the sharp instincts that belonged to Rudolf gave her the answer.
"What did you do?"
Her voice turned cold in an instant.
Seeing how much Symboli Rudolf's expression had changed, Mejiro Ramonu only tapped her chin with a finger. "Mm, how should I put it…"
Rudolf's eyes never left Mejiro Ramonu.
She waited for what Mejiro Ramonu would say next.
"I have to say, that person's personality is really nice~"
Instead of saying what she'd done, she brought up Yayoi Natural's personality.
"Her cooking's excellent, but… how should I say it~" Mejiro Ramonu paused for a second, then continued, "I can't find a single reason you'd marry her. And I looked into Tokai Roman too—honestly, I can't find one there either."
Saying that, Mejiro Ramonu looked at Symboli Rudolf.
Facing Rudolf's overly direct stare, Mejiro Ramonu continued, "Though I don't really need to meddle in someone's personal love life."
"It's just… sometimes…"
Mejiro Ramonu looked at Rudolf, fell silent for a few seconds, then said, "Never mind~"
After that casual brush-off, she continued, "I didn't do anything to Yayoi-san. Her life is fine right now."
As she spoke, Mejiro Ramonu turned her head. "Grandma isn't dead yet, you know. I can't do the kind of things you do."
"Not that I even know what you did, anyway."
After a few seconds of silence, Mejiro Ramonu continued, "So are you still going to let me sleep with you for one night?"
Her question made Rudolf pause for an instant.
Then Rudolf answered, "Fine."
"…" Hearing that, Mejiro Ramonu's hand at her chin shifted into a grip, pinching it. "You've changed a lot~"
"If it were you from before, you'd definitely kick me out. And then I'd have a whole pile of other things waiting for me."
After a few seconds of silence, she continued, "But now you're actually this gentle. That's rare."
This time, Mejiro Ramonu's question didn't get a response.
All she saw was Rudolf quietly turn her head away.
She didn't say anything else.
Seeing Rudolf like that, Mejiro Ramonu didn't keep talking either. She simply raised her head and stared at the ceiling.
The room fell quiet like that.
And a few hours later, Mejiro Ramonu—sleeping up in the loft—turned over and saw Rudolf sleeping on the floor.
Looking at Symboli Rudolf, Mejiro Ramonu stayed silent for a long time before speaking again. "Rudolf, you've changed so much."
"..."
Mejiro Ramonu didn't say anything more when no answer came.
She knew Rudolf wasn't asleep, but since she didn't respond, the answer was obvious enough.
"Good night."
After saying good night, Mejiro Ramonu closed her eyes.
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